-
The NCAA Political Correctness Witch Hunt
June 12, 2012 | 50 comments
-
Another ‘Green Energy’ Failure?
May 2, 2012 | 57 comments
-
A Peek Into the World of Fangirling
February 21, 2012 | 54 comments
-
Man vs. Beetle
November 1, 2011 | 45 comments
-
Draft Koss for President
June 1, 2011 | 116 comments
Political Hay
Reporting Congressional Sexcapades
Eric Massa never had it so good.
(Page 2 of 3)
According to the officer, Republican Senator Larry Craig of Idaho tapped the toe of his right foot several times and then moved his foot toward the officer’s left foot, swiping the officer’s foot in the process. It was alleged Craig then waved his left hand underneath the stall at which time the officer waved his police badge in return.
On August 1, Craig pled guilty to a misdemeanor of disorderly conduct and paid $575 toward fines and fees. On August 27, 2007, Capitol Hill’s Roll Call newspaper broke the story of Craig’s arrest and guilty plea.
Within days, Senate GOP leaders asked Craig to step down from his leadership positions on three Senate committees. On September 1, while professing his innocence, Craig announced he would resign from the Senate effective September 30, 2007. He later withdrew this announcement and instead served out the remainder of his term, retiring in January 2009.
First-term Representative Eric Massa, a Democrat from upstate New York, made a surprise announcement on March 3, 2009 that he would not seek reelection, claiming ill health as the reason. In a matter of hours news broke that the House Ethics Committee was reviewing allegations that Massa had engaged in sexual misconduct with members of his own Congressional staff. Two days later, Massa announced he would resign from the House on March 8.
According to numerous sources, Massa hired only unmarried male staff for his office and as many as five of them were living with the Congressman in his townhouse. It was alleged Massa had groped and made inappropriate sexual comments toward several staff members, and, on one occasion, he suggested he ought to be having sexual relations with one staffer while both were attending a social function.
On a cable TV appearance, Massa admitted to having groped a staffer and “tickled him until he couldn’t breath” during an all-male wrestling session in his townhouse to celebrate his 50th birthday. Word also emerged that Massa allegedly propositioned numerous male Congressional staff members and interns during his one year on Capitol Hill.
In the days after his resignation, several Navy veterans came forward alleging a pattern of sexual misconduct by Massa while he was serving in the U.S. Navy. They claimed Massa groped and made unwanted sexual advances to male crewmembers. In most cases, Massa’s behavior involved subordinates. It was also learned that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi neglected to take any disciplinary action or refer ethics charges even though she was informed of Massa’s inappropriate behavior the previous year. Three years earlier, Pelosi demanded the heads of then-Speaker Dennis Hastert and other GOP leaders for having allegedly ignored warnings about Representative Mark Foley’s lurid text messages.
Shortly after Massa left office, House officials shut-down the Ethics Committee investigation into his behavior and the circumstances surrounding an apparent hostile work environment.
THE DIFFERENCE IN HOW specific press outlets reported these scandals is startling. In the first week after the story broke that Studds had engaged in a homosexual affair with a 16-year-old page and had propositioned other youngsters, the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and USA Today published a total of 32 stories and editorials.
One week following the revelation of Frank having a cocaine-addled, male prostitute and homosexual pimp as his live-in lover resulted in 25 articles and stories from the same newspapers.
In the first seven days, these same papers published a mere ten stories and editorials regarding Reynolds engaging in what turned out to be several criminal acts for which he served time in both state and federal prison.
Coverage of Massa’s alleged sexual groping and unwanted advances resulted in about the same amount of news coverage. These newspapers published 29 articles and editorials addressing the scandal.
However, the press treatment of the Republican Craig and Foley affairs was markedly different from that of the four Democrats.
These five newspapers published 58 stories and editorials — about twice as many as published on any one of the Democrats — regarding the Senatorial toe-tapper even though the “victim” was an undercover officer. Craig did plea guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct; however, there is no evidence — or even an allegation — he sexually assaulted anyone or engaged in any illegal activity.
In contrast, Gerry Studds’ having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old — below the age of consent in the District of Columbia — and later taking the page out of the country to engage in sexual relations was not only deeply repugnant but also illegal.
About the Author
Mark Hyman hosts “Behind the Headlines,” a commentary program for Sinclair Broadcast Group. You can follow him on Twitter at @markhyman.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (59) | Leave a comment
More Articles by Mark Hyman
More Articles From Political Hay
http://spectator.org/archives/2010/04/01/reporting-congressional-sexcap
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
Current Issue
- A Nation on the Edge
- Self-Righteous Republic
- The (Real) Great Divide
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
Drudge ette obama| 4.1.10 @ 6:30AM
Barney Frank's behaviour was pathetic and risky. (He will probably need health care for treatment.) I just can't imagine how someone in his position would wake up and say, "I am going to get myself a hooker and set him/her up in my basement." Why can't this man find an age-appropriate companion who has some depth and respect? People would not begrudge him having a mature relationship. It reveals that Frank is not really substantial enough to be where he is. And power has gone to his head, no pun intended?
Alan Brooks| 4.1.10 @ 12:16PM
"On June 11, 2007, a police officer occupying a men's room stall at the Minneapolis Airport alleged the man in the stall to his left displayed signs indicative of someone seeking to engage in sexual activity."
Literally fantastic; but a good thing Larry Craig didn't proposition a woman in the restroom hallway at the airport
-- then he would have been charged with sexual harrassment, possibly. You just can't be too careful these days, can you?
Alan Brooks| 4.1.10 @ 12:21PM
$575.00 buys alot of donuts:
"Craig later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct by signing and mailing a plea petition, dated August 1, 2007, to the Hennepin County District Court in Minnesota. He paid $575, including fines and fees."
Brian Richard Allen | 4.1.10 @ 2:03PM
I have it on no less authority than his own words, straight from the mouth of Barney's Frank, that his live-in paid sodomist, "took (Barney's) for a sucker!"
As for mr
Brian Mc| 4.1.10 @ 7:31AM
This harkens to a bigger problem occurring at a smaller level of governance. Here, at our local level, party affiliation is not rendered and consequently deemed to be unnecessary. Character at any level of government cannot be overstressed; the mindset of any individual candidate, to me, is tantamount.
I need to know where individuals stand on bigger issues, even at the county/city level. The quickest way to achieve this can only be accomplished by placing an "R" of "D" next to their name(s). If I see that "D", I know almost to a certainty that the mindset of the individual goes against my basic principles of life, liberty and the 'pursuit' of happiness...hence, I vote the other. To a "D" everything is gray: there is no 'black or white' and since this is the road to madness at any level, I vote accordingly. Without that barometer in place the local press, (NYT wannabes), fails (or refuses) to produce this much-needed information, indirectly, that would keep the "D"s off the city councils, etc. This has helped the liberals to gain power bases at the local levels that acts as a sound base for socialism at large. Factor in the government employees that vote for more of the same, ensuring more for them and it is a prescription for disaster.
Brian Mc| 4.1.10 @ 7:35AM
Of course, I meant ["R" or "D"], not 'of'...sorry for the confusion.
Ryan| 4.1.10 @ 9:02AM
Honestly, I wonder if it would be easier to find a Congressperson who ISN'T messing around on their spouse. The environment in DC is so toxic with power-seekers that it may be a game of holding something over others.
Melvin| 4.1.10 @ 9:16AM
At looking at our political leaders as moral stewards of this Country I couldn't help get away from the fact that many members of the Senate and the House suffer from egoistic hedonism.
The Senate and the House is the vehicle for these members perverse happiness.
Barney Frank, Eric Massa, Gerry Studds, Mark Foley are the poster children for absolutely abhorrent homosexual behavior, and borderline Pedophilia.
There are millions of homosexuals that carry on their lifestyle with dignity, and privacy. But the above political figures practice their debauchery trolling the halls of the Senate and House with a aphrodisia that would make a Satyr blush.
This is not a discussion of homosexual behavior but rather should be a discussion on the behavior of filthy lecherous old men preying on young male pages and staffers and supported by the Madame Pelosi.
I'll leave it up to you in how you discern the word, "Madame."
Margaret Lewis| 4.1.10 @ 10:25AM
"There are millions of homosexuals that carry on their lifestyle with dignity and privacy."
Thank you, Melvin, for your reasonsed objectivity. I recall that my gay male friends' response to these congressional sex scandals was outrage. They were furious that high-profile homosexual leaders behaved like a pack of monkeys, thus further tarnishing the homosexual image .
Living quiet, ordinary, constructive lives, they are as conservative in their demeanor as the rest of us, and the behavior of these congressmen is as repulsive to them as it is to us.
Nick| 4.1.10 @ 2:32PM
Who cares if these faggots are "living quiet, ordinary, constructive lives"?
Melvin and Margaret sound like bleeding hearts for queers. I say do what Uganda is doing--round them up and shoot them! And if family and friends object, arrest them! That'll learn 'em.
Roy| 4.1.10 @ 6:53PM
Back to the Daily Kos with you..troll.
Melvin| 4.1.10 @ 7:28PM
Bleeding Heart? Not really, By all appearances you did not read the remainder of my post.
Better watch out, when you walk under a tree, because one of the Congressional monkeys might jump down on you.
And that old chimp of a Barney Frank ain't looking for no bananas.
John Navratil| 4.1.10 @ 7:52PM
Nick,
You would be welcome in Saudi Arabia. You might even like it. (Been there - I speak from experience).
H.R. Bordeaux| 4.1.10 @ 8:43PM
Typical Am Spec comment. You're a very unpleasant bunch. Does your vileness poison the very air around you?
I pity your family and any other people who have to be in your presence.
ZerObama| 4.3.10 @ 2:37AM
Moron, that's a troll. Nice try, though.
Petronius| 4.2.10 @ 12:25PM
No Nick
To be shot is a soldiers death. The only stricture that should be imposed on these miscreants is that they not exhibit their sexual behavior around us. If they refuse or can't restrain themselves, they should live elsewhere.
Besides, if we shoot them all, we'd have to fly to London to see a Broadway musical.
Miss Alabama| 4.3.10 @ 2:13PM
Petronius, you're too much of a dumb rock 'n' roll airhead to appreciate most Broadway musicals--especially Stephen Sondheim's brilliant contributions to American Musical Theatre.
Sondheim's work is too cerebral and musically sophisticated for your kind. And by the way, Sondheim, like so many of his colleagues in musical theatre is . . . gay. Now isn't that a shame?
Nick| 4.2.10 @ 2:18PM
The "Nick" from above is not the same "Nick" from Detroit, who posts PSA's about 3/5 Bob and slaps Marxist/Frothy Reader and Toddard around.
I never use the words "faggot" and "queer". I prefer the term "homo", because it seems they don't like it much. I also call for their repentance from their perversion, not their deaths.
Just wanted to clear that up.
Miss Alabama| 4.2.10 @ 8:48PM
Mr. Bordeaux,
How right you are about these god-awful neo-Nazis. Oh how I hate to resort to name calling, but neo-Nazi fits Nick "from Detroit" to a T.
And . . . it fits a lot of other posters, also.
ZerObama| 4.3.10 @ 2:35AM
Considering the fact that a liberal troll pretended to be Nick making those vile comments @2:32, neo-Nazi fits liberal fascists like you to a 'T'.
Liberals lie--what's new?
Now, crawl back under the slimy rock you call home, troll.
Nick| 4.3.10 @ 8:00PM
Thanks ZerObama!
Miss Alabama is still mad at me, because I slapped her around a couple of weeks ago.
erik| 4.6.10 @ 10:53PM
Wow! I've never seen so many troglodytes aping the upper classes by pretending to be "conservative" as there are clustered on this website. It's repulsive but I'm doing this for a school project. We've got a Republican teacher and he makes us read this stuff.
Ray| 4.1.10 @ 11:32AM
Hedonism knows no bounds and is prevalent amongst those who believe themselves to be morally and intellectually superior to others, like most politicians are prone to believe. It isn't that politics creates that hedonism (or egotism for that matter), it's just that a hedonist is naturally attracted to the power and, most importantly, positive publicity, that politics can offer them.
Connie| 4.1.10 @ 10:50AM
The Democrats disgust me!! And, the newspapers and networks that cover up for them disgust me as much. Thank goodness for the internet so I can read the newspapers and magazines that I want to read. The two major newspapers where I live are both "red rags" as far as I am concerned. And, I am not a rich person living in two different places. I just escape the winter months to a senior citizen "trailor park" in the winter. Does that mean I don't know anything because I'm not from the "elite" east coast or "hollywood" west coast? You can bet that I vote in every election and have voted in every election since I was 21 when I was old enough to vote. With the new health care, I could have stayed on my parents health insurance until I was 26 instead of being married and the mother of two children. When my children were born in 1962 and 1964, my husband was a teacher and principal of a high school, we DID NOT have health insurance through his job so we paid for both of them ourselves!!!! HORRORS!!! What would young people do today if they had to pay for something important rather than ipods, cell phones, texting, etc?!!!
uncle curmudgeon| 4.1.10 @ 12:34PM
Let's not forget Bob "pat-em-on-the-poe-poe" Packwood, or his colleague, Ted "srew-em-and-drown-em" Kennedy. What a differenc a (D) makes!
Joe Heathen| 4.1.10 @ 2:29PM
Uh, you sorta forgot to express your outrage about how the RNC is spending YOUR contributions at a lesbian bondage night club.
-
Or is that an entirely different concept of "sexcapades" in your very special value system?
-
Didja ever wonder if the lesbians under observation by YOUR RNC have adequate healthcare coverage?
hippieconservative | 4.1.10 @ 8:52PM
Uh, you sorta forgot to express your outrage about how the RNC is spending YOUR contributions at a lesbian bondage night club.
although i am of the conservative side i do
agree the deal with the night club is one i have not heard the right speak much of
rosegrower| 4.2.10 @ 7:55AM
Hey hippie - the "right" did more than talk about it. They fired the RNC employee who took the credit card and did the excursion. As for the RNC, most conservatives are no longer donating to it, as the Republican organization has spent too much time and money to support RINOs and mollifying the left.
WAKE UP| 4.1.10 @ 4:15PM
"Studds invited the youngster to the Congressman's apartment, got him drunk by serving him alcohol, and then had sex with the teen. "
---------------
Justa quiet word, if I may: for many of us, what homosexuals do is not what we would call "having sex".
Patrick| 4.1.10 @ 4:24PM
The problem for the Republicans is that, having
promoted themselves as the party of God, they end up being held to higher standards and are judged to be hypocrites when they don't conform to those standards. The party needs to cut out the sermons.
rosegrower| 4.2.10 @ 7:58AM
Rather than "cut out sermons," why not make a stronger attempt to live up to standards. That way, conservatives can point to a clear line of demarcation between being the party that represents the diminishing number of folks who live lives of integrity as opposed to being a party that represents people with no standards whatsoever.
ZerObama| 4.3.10 @ 2:40AM
Great post, rosegrower. Unfortunately, liberals can't conceive of trying to live a better, more decent life. Perversion defines them.
DAC| 4.1.10 @ 4:53PM
Patrick--right, only the Dems should be allowed to sermonize (like the right Reverends Sharpton, Jackson and Jeremiah Wright). And Dear Leader, who follows all of the above, should be able to lie with impunity about his Christianity; Pelosi should be able to crow that God himself is on her side in lying, cheating, and bribing into law a fascist takeover of a chunk of the American economy. All that's ok. But woe to anyone associated with the Republican party who doesn't lead a monk's quiet and pious existence--surely he/she is a hypocrite unfit to speak freely in public. I wouldn't dream of defending the filthy escapades of the various persons named in these comments, and the collective lack of personal morality stinks and speaks ill of the entire federal ruling class. But we'd care a lot less if there were no permanent federal ruling class, and ALL of the Dems mentioned are wedded more vehemently to perpetuating their ruling status than to any personal perversions.
And by the way, which party is supporting the actual self-named "party of God," Hezbollah, and its Iranian financiers, in the Middle East? It's not the Republicans. Dems have allied themselves with those who believe they'll be nailing virgins in paradise if they kill as many Americans as they can--a millenialist perversion far more dangerous than Barney Franks 1000 butt-buddies.
Have some perspective, please--the relative dangers of the Dems and Republicans to America and our (former) way of life, whether or not you include personally scummy and despicable behavior, are way, way out of balance.
Joan of Snark | 4.1.10 @ 8:39PM
Patrick nailed it. It's an unfortunate and pathetic truth that no one expects anything except immoral behavior from a Democrat so they are hard-pressed to earn a place in the scandal pages. On the other hand, the GOP purports itself to be more "mature" and in so doing they set themselves as somehow morally superior to the commonly unethical Democrats. Of course this merely gives them a farther distance to fall so, when they do behave badly, it's more obvious.
The solution is proper vetting of ALL candidates while at the same time removing the boundless perks and privileges and presumptions of authority given to any position of elected public servant. For it is those unearned "goodies" of office that lead all of them into temptation.
Rich Rostrom| 4.2.10 @ 6:03PM
One point: Studds and Frank were both open homosexuals. Their behavior was repulsive, but no great surprise to their constituents.
Craig, on the other hand, was a fraud. As was Foley. Personally, I was happy to see Craig exposed and out of office. I'd like to see any other Republican "closet cases" get the same treatment. (For one thing, I don't want any Republicans to be vulnerable to blackmail on a close vote. Remember Advise and Consent?)
Also, while Craig's offense may be only a misdemeanor, it's a gross offense against public order. It deserves to be shamed and denounced.
SoCon| 4.3.10 @ 2:45AM
You're right about the misbehavior of the republicans, Rich--but you didn't address the outrageous double standard applied to the two parties.
Democrats' raw appetite for power with Lame Stream Media's collusion are threats to our freedom and could lead to tyranny. Fairness must be demanded.
wangsir| 4.19.10 @ 3:33AM
Free download AVI to iPad, convert kinds of videos to iPad for playing.
wangsir| 4.19.10 @ 3:34AM
Free download AVI to iPad, convert kinds of videos to iPad for playing.
I love this software