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Campaign Crawlers
Barney Frank, Interrupted
Voters tiring of the Massachusetts Democrat’s lectures.
BOSTON — Debbie still remembers the moment more than a year ago when she decided to devote herself to defeating Barney Frank.
“The way he talked to his constituents, it just turned my stomach,” Debbie said, talking about an August 2009 town-hall event in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, attended by some 500 citizens who overwhelmingly opposed the health-care bill that was then working its way through Congress. “I said to my husband, ‘I don’t care who’s running against him, I’ll work for them — and I’ll work my heart out.’”
True to her vow, Debbie was working her heart out Tuesday afternoon at a phone bank in the Norton, Massachusetts office of the Republican challenger who is giving the 14-term incumbent the biggest fight of his career.
Sean Bielat has first-hand knowledge of Barney Frank’s stomach-turning arrogance. Bielat debated Frank three times in the past two days, although “debate” is perhaps not the correct word. Frank does not debate, he lectures, and no matter what outrageous claims he makes, his opponent cannot be permitted to object.
“Mr. Bielat, please stop interrupting me,” Frank said during a Monday debate on Boston’s WRKO radio, after the Republican had objected to one of Frank’s numerous distortions. Before the debate was over, as Jonathan Strong of the Daily Caller noted, Frank complained eight time about being interrupted. It was as if Frank thought he was back at Harvard — where he taught undergraduate course in the 1960s — and his GOP opponent was an impertinent sophomore.
Bielat yesterday summed up Frank’s attitude: “‘Don’t talk. I’m talking. I’m the congressman. You’re here to listen to me.’ That’s the way he’s approached his constituents. That’s the way he’s approaching this race. And that’s the way he was approaching me [Monday].”
For nearly three decades, voters in the 4th District have evidently been happy to re-elect the biggest know-it-all in Congress, but 2010 is not just any mid-term election year. Voters everywhere seem to have lost patience with being lectured by politicians and, like Bielat, they’re in a mood to interrupt.
“This year isn’t about Democrats or Republicans or independents,” Bielat said yesterday in an interview at his campaign headquarters. “It’s about Americans who are tired of the way their government is running, tired of the leadership in Washington and want a change. I have had numerous Democrats come up to me and say, ‘Hey, you know, I voted for Barney Frank a bunch of times. I kind of agree with him, but 30 years is too long for anybody.’ … And then I’ve had people say, ‘He wasn’t that bad when he started, but he’s turned into a grumpy old man and he needs to go.’”
Like many other Republicans, both here in Massachusetts and across the country, Bielat was encouraged by Scott Brown’s victory in the January special election to fill the Senate seat vacated by the death of Ted Kennedy. Brown narrowly won the 4th District, but Bielat says he expects to improve even on that remarkable performance.
“We’re doing very well in the north [part of the 4th District], which should be his stronghold. He’s from Newton. It’s a liberal town. Brookline’s even more liberal. And we’re doing very well up here. We’re doing well along the South Coast — again, not an area of strength for Scott Brown — and we’re going to be able to repeat his performance in the middle of the district. So it’s coming together. I think we’re going to be able to widen his margin of victory. In many ways, Martha Coakley was a better candidate than Barney Frank.”
At least Coakley — the Democratic state attorney general who lost to Brown in January — couldn’t be blamed for wrecking the economy, which is the most damning charge in Bielat’s indictment of Barney Frank. During the housing bubble, Frank repeatedly denied that there was any problem with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the federally sponsored agencies that fell under the oversight of the House Financial Services Committee where he was the ranking Democrat. Bielat points out how Frank scoffed at claims that Fannie and Freddie were engaged in unsound lending practices. Frank dismissed “disaster scenarios” of those who warned that the problems could lead to “serious financial losses,” and said he wanted to “roll the dice a little bit more” with subsidies for low-income home ownership.
During his debates with Bielat, Frank repeatedly claimed that Republicans blocked his own efforts to crack down on “predatory lending.” Yet what led to the mortgage crisis could more accurately be described as predatory borrowing, with taxpayers as the prey.
“Barney Frank doesn’t exactly have clean hands when it comes to this stuff,” Bielat says. “He likes to pretend that he was advocating for rental housing the whole time. I can’t find that in the record.”
Frank is now experiencing his own financial crisis of sorts. As the Wall Street Journal reported last week, in previous election cycles Frank contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars from his own campaign coffers to help elect other Democrats; this year, those contributions have been drastically reduced, as Frank has been forced to defend himself against Bielat’s challenge.
“I feel bad for all those Democratic campaigns that aren’t getting that money,” Bielat joked yesterday, while his own campaign continued to reap thousands of dollars in online contributions from conservatives across the country eager to end Frank’s tenure in Congress.
Such hopes were encouraged late Monday when the Cook Political Report downgraded Frank’s re-election chances from “safe” to “likely.” Of course, that means that a GOP win in the 4th District is still considered unlikely, but it is no longer deemed impossible, and that is certainly a step in the right direction for the Bielat campaign. With less than three weeks to go, there is reason to hope that Barney Frank’s days of lecturing Americans will be rudely interrupted by voters here on Nov. 2.
About the Author
Robert Stacy McCain is co-author (with Lynn Vincent) of Donkey Cons: Sex, Crime, and Corruption in the Democratic Party (Nelson Current). He blogs at The Other McCain.
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drudge ette obama| 10.13.10 @ 6:17AM
Barney and his oh so strange sister, the Clinton's church lady a/k/a Ann Lewis, are ripe subjects for a "how not to raise your children". Both are completely odd yet fascinating to listen to and watch. When I first found out they were related, I was shocked, but I now see the similarities.
Perhaps they were switched at birth?
Herb| 10.13.10 @ 6:45AM
Grumpy old fag.
Tim*| 10.13.10 @ 6:56AM
Faggy old grump .
EasTexan| 10.13.10 @ 7:31AM
Dumpy old stag
and Baggy old stump
that's our Barney!
Mel Torme| 10.13.10 @ 8:25AM
Hey, he's not my Barney. Speak for your district.
Oh, I see you are in East Texas, so that's gotta be a relief. We can support the opponent, but nobody can blame us if this guy gets back into His Seat.
RH| 10.13.10 @ 9:47AM
F.A.G.
Herb and Tim* have summed it up in one tired, wornout, disgusting word--fag.
This three-letter word--embraced by all snotty-nosed bully boys-- is the real reason right-wing trash, as exemplified by the above Herb and Tim*, hate him so much.
I'm askin' all you right-wing trash to join me in singing this little ditty: "He's a fag, he's a fag, he's a fag, he's a fag, he's a fag, he's a fag, he's a fag, and he loves to dance the shag (with his boyfriend). And how we'd like to shoot him. Oh, how we'd like to shoot him. Shoot 'im in the head, and shout out loud, 'he's dead, he's dead, the grumpy old fag is dead.'"
Eric Cartman| 10.13.10 @ 10:36AM
Well, we ARE talking about Barney Fwank, right? If you can't call Barney an old, grumpy fag, who can you all and old, grumpy fag? I mean, words will cease to have meaning if that's the case.
Jack Bauer| 10.13.10 @ 11:08AM
ALL FAGGED OUT
The only time I hear the word FAG (apart from Tom Brown's Schooldays and plays about British Public shools) is on TV sitcoms written by liberals...
Such as WILL & GRACE...
[talking to Jack]
Rosario: Hold on Francis Ford Fagola.
Jack: You cannot believe the day I had. Something must be dont.
Will: Ohh look, it's the Notorious FAG
Then there are the variations:
talking to Grace about why they don't think as one anymore after living apart]
Will: We've lost our mojo.
[pause]
Will: Or in this case, our homo-jo
Will: "Pansexual"? Isn't that a rest stop on the road to "homo"?
Karen: Anyone homo?
Jack: I am. I am.
Willful Disgrace!| 10.13.10 @ 11:39AM
Will and Grace! Most gays hated that show. Despised it. Why?
The show was an ugly gay minstrel designed for straight consumers.
The humor in the show was not just born from the lives of the characters, their day-to-day trip-ups and foibles— but was based on the fact that two characters were gay. One of the characters, a hideous, irritating, flamboyant idiot, provideed humor to straight audiences.
Most gay people don't laugh at Jack for being outlandish and effeminate because we don't think there's anything funny about his irritating, stereotypical behavior.
But since most American humor is based on mocking the opposite of the dominant paradigm (um, say like Beverly Hillbillies), the humor in Will & Grace supports and reinforces the most limited stereotyping of gay men, and straight audiences licked it up.
We are sick of the kind of irritating stereotyping seen on Will and Grace, and we will not tolerate it.
The majority of gay men are constructive, successful contributors to society, and we are living quiet, dignified lives. We are not clowns under a spotlight.
And we want the media to treat us with respect
Sharon Daughtry| 10.13.10 @ 12:15PM
You're right in what you say about that awful "Will and Grace" show.
I know many gay men who, as you suggest, are just plain people making a living, going quietly about their own lives, doing good acts, and blending in with the rest of us.
I, too, have noticed that whenever there's a gay character on TV or in the movies, they are exaggerated, edgy characters that no one could take seriously.
Living in Massachusettes, I've met Barney Frank a few times, and I've had pleasant conversations with him. Although my husband and I--he's a republican and I, a democrat-- do not approve of everything he has done as a politician, I like his personality, and so does my husband. He's just a good old friendly guy, and he's got a good sense of humor. Really, he's quite likable.
So lighten up, readers.
daddio| 10.13.10 @ 1:04PM
I am told Hitler was a nice guy in person too, and loved his dog. What does that have to do with what he does in office? If the effect of his actions is destructive, he needs to go no matter how nice he is in person.
Margie| 10.13.10 @ 1:25PM
Yeah Hitler was a vegan, didn't smoke loved dogs and children and was a sharp dresser.
And Billy Boy Clinton was "brilliant."
And Obama's so great with the teleprompter.
idalily| 10.13.10 @ 2:53PM
So how do his "friendly personality, sense of humor and pleasant conversation" make him any less of a crook, exactly?
no 1 patriot| 10.17.10 @ 8:51AM
Sharon: I'm glad you like Barney and it's folks like you who allow him and his progressive friends to rob America blind so that they can give your money away. I watched a townhall meeting of his and one of the people just told others that he just couldn't understand why intelligent people could keep on electing this man..I agree. Watch C-Span and see him 22 times starting in 2002, tell the regulators that there was no reason Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae needed to be looked at-they were doing a fantastic job while the CEO Raines walked off with $50 million and now works for Obama..Now his tune has changed and he wants to abolish them-right????He, Maxine Waters, and others on the committee should be held accountable for the crimes against the public and sent to jail..It was all a plan, I think, to overload the economy and let it fall while he and his crowd blame it on others....
David| 10.13.10 @ 5:15PM
Hey I dont know what ur deal is man but I liked will and grace. I liked jack and thought he was funny. But by no stretch does he reflect all gay men in America or the world. In fact I wouldnt think most people would be lieve he is the typical gay guy. I would think most would think Will would be the typical gay man in America. Jack was just the funny flamboyant always trying to be the center of attention. Maybe U have a problem with the way some have treated U. I cant understand what it is like to be gay but I do know what it is like to thought of in that way and called that in a very serious way. I can truely empathize with U, but try not to take everything so seriously. Any self respecting dignified human should know that Jack is not typical. He is the exception. Sorry that U may have treated poorly by any1 who may have done that. Good luck in the future, and may all gays get the right to marry, and serve proudly and openly in the armed forces. I hope for equal rights for all.
Buffo| 10.13.10 @ 5:29PM
You go girl, oh I mean boy. I respect you sugar.
carnot| 10.13.10 @ 11:42PM
you know...I'd almost believe you about Entertainment preferences...were it not for most of the shows on the LOGO channel.
Arron| 10.14.10 @ 9:40PM
The fag in Wll and Grace wasn't hilarious he was a fag the mainstupid media was trying and is still trying to force down our throats. We do not approve of the "only me" dispicable self destructive a## licking homo lifestyle and frankly we are all getting sick of the politically correct attack on probity. For the liberals in the audience you will need a dictionary for probity, a word that most people understood 25 years ago, but you have dumbed down kids after you took over the education of the US. I am 25, I saw it first hand in HS. Liberal kids' vocabulary is 3rd grade. I need a dictionary to read conservative authors. That alone made me realize the smart ones ARE NOT liberals.
RByrd| 10.15.10 @ 8:58AM
Those of you who live 'quiet, dignified lives' can do so in peace. My disgust is for the flamers and activists who use the federal government to push their deviant livestyles on the rest of us, especially our children. I've been to San Francisco and lived in South Beach. It's apparent to anyone who has witnessed an unrestrained homosexual lifestyle how corrupting it is to a moral- can I say normal- society that legally codifying homosexual 'marriage' would be. No one call tell me homosexuals are truly happy with their 'choice'. If you want to live a homosexual life, do so, but step up to the plate and tell your friends to stop pushing their abnormal behavior on the rest of us and especially our children. I'll be happy to support leaving you alone and let you and God in Heaven sort out who is right when you meet Him. It's time for homosexuals like YOU to stand up and tell your activist friends to shut up and let this country concentrate on more pressing matters than building up their lack of self esteem and sense of worth.
squitzy| 10.19.10 @ 5:30PM
I agree with you completely. Never saw Will and Grace but understand how you might be offended. I watch no sitcoms anymore because I am disgusted by the way straight fathers are nearly always portrayed as bumbling know-nothing idiots. The majority of straight fathers are constructive, successful contributors to society, living quiet, dignified lives. Trash TV turns us into clowns under a spotlight. And I want the media to stop trying to influence my children in a negative way. Oh, wait! I can do that! I turn the TV OFF!!
Jobe| 10.13.10 @ 11:19AM
I'll tell you why I hate him. His stupidity, arrogance, and incompetence almost single handedly brought about the mortgage meltdown. Oh, I forgot, he got some help from his fellow New Englander, the famous theif, Christopher Dodd. You remember Dodd, don't you? He's the guy who, with 'the lion of the Senate', Ted (who's going to dry out my car' Kennedy made a "a waitress sandwich".
Texas Mom 2010| 10.13.10 @ 6:16PM
I despise Barney Frank not because he is gay or that he has questionable ethics. I despise him for the same reason I despise Barbara Boxer. He constantly interrupts others and he demands respect for himself while showing no respect for others. It is enough for me to believe that he is ethically repugnant and a part of the elite who seem to believe they are above us all. I don't care about his sex life in care that his actions have affected my life and my fellow American's lives for the worse.I hope he loses but I am sure he won't just go away if he does; he will just turn to lobbying. Sigh...
Texas Mom 2010| 10.13.10 @ 6:19PM
Whoops, not 'in care' but 'I care!'
Sev| 10.14.10 @ 9:44PM
My hope is he dies like Kennedy. That was God's sign. Even though I am an athesist, I fugured after Scott Brown, although mostly a RINO, when Kennedy died I realized Divine intervention
squitzy| 10.19.10 @ 5:33PM
Perfectly stated, Texas Mom. He has no respect for anyone but himself.
Cogito Ergo Sum Conservativum| 10.13.10 @ 1:19PM
A typical liberal poster - adding death comments where none were made, adding sexual comments where none were made, whining about a word that is championed by liberals but forbidden to conservatives. Fact: Barney Frank is a vile, power mad, extremist hate filled liberal. And a corrupt politician to boot.
Buffo| 10.13.10 @ 5:41PM
And an English cigerette !
Cogito Ergo Sum Conservativum| 10.13.10 @ 10:26PM
That was funny! It took a few seconds before I got it. That makes it even better!
Helen Donnelly| 10.13.10 @ 3:44PM
I couldn't care less what he does in his private life...it is the dangerous and destructive actions he takes as a congressman that disgusts me. So take your juvenile ranting elsewhere. Doesn't work here.
Margie| 10.13.10 @ 3:55PM
That's wight, Hewen, you tew 'em!
Buffo| 10.13.10 @ 5:44PM
Helen, i'm strangley attracted to your manly outburst. Will you be my mommy ?
MLGoodell | 10.13.10 @ 4:54PM
RH, You are quick to take offense, which leads me to believe you are a trendy leftie. One can despise Barney Frank without being anti-gay, just as one can despise whatsisname, Barry something, without being racist, or even anti-Moslem.
Bill in AZ | 10.13.10 @ 9:53AM
...it's probably not polite to the rest of the faggots to infer this demopervclown is one of them...glad he's not here in AZ...
William Wallace| 10.13.10 @ 10:37AM
Thank God for Google. I remembered a couple of quotes that former TX Congressman Dick Armey made but I was having trouble remembering them verbatim.
With the help of Google and lefty website, I now share them with you. These are real, honest to God quotes. Anyone else remember this?
Called openly-gay Congressman Barney Frank "Barney Fag" during a 1995 radio show interview, but later denied it was intentional.
However, on 2 August 2000, columnist Dave Barry asked, "Are you really Dick Armey?" Armey replies: "Yes, I am Dick Armey. And if there is a dick army, Barney Frank would want to join up."
idalily| 10.13.10 @ 2:57PM
And how does a negative quote from Dick Armey make Barney Frank less of crook, exactly?
Margie| 10.13.10 @ 3:24PM
Ya know.. you just have way too much common sense up there in that noggin' of yours, idalily!
Doug| 10.13.10 @ 6:41PM
Point of order, Mr. Chairman. Point of order!
Point of order, Mr. Chairman!
Point of order, Mr. Chairman!
Point of order, Mr. Chairman!
Etc.
skedaddle| 10.13.10 @ 10:19PM
I never knew Dick Armey had such a sense of humor - thanks for the laugh!
jonbonjovy| 10.13.10 @ 1:33PM
God save the Queen.
loulou| 10.13.10 @ 9:09AM
I see nothing fascinating about Barney Fwank what with his sputtering and spitting and bullying. The most interesting thing about him is that his boyfriend was running a male brothel out of Fwank's townhouse.
Fwank gives gays a bad name. He's no fun.
Eric Cartman| 10.13.10 @ 9:16AM
How come Frank always sounds as if his mouth is full? Oh! Never mind.
Mark James| 10.13.10 @ 11:52AM
He hasn't swallowed yet.
Eric Cartman| 10.13.10 @ 1:48PM
Ba da-bing!
Alan Brooks| 10.13.10 @ 12:37PM
"Barney Frank, Interrupted"
Eh? did you say interruptus?
Illinois Hog Farm Owner| 10.13.10 @ 2:53PM
Attention AmSpec Readers:
Read this thread, and you will see how virulent and bitter you are. Your remarks reflect the evil-minded right-wing nuts most educated people perceive you to be.
And your filthy vulgarity knows no bounds. You wallow like hogs in dirty inuendo.
Keep ranting. Let it rip. You've got nothing better to do.
Let it rip, then read and reread it. Read it till you bleed.
You should be fed feet first into a giant sausage grinder. Then I would use your ground-up flesh, your effluvia, to feed to my hogs.
An appropriate demise for AmSpec readers.
idalily| 10.13.10 @ 2:59PM
And how does your vitriol make Barney Frank less of crook, exactly?
This is fun. I could play this game with liberals all day.
Eric Cartman| 10.13.10 @ 3:24PM
Gay Hog Farmers of Illinois, unite! Now that is one angry gay hog farmer! (Wow - I never, and I mean NEVER, thought I would EVER say those words in that order! EVER! Ya gotta love this site :-)
JJ| 10.13.10 @ 3:34PM
I AM reading he thread and it is quite hilarious really. My fellows on the right are really very imaginative in their humor. As opposed to say leftists who wanted Bush to be fed a high cholesterol diet and thereby die. No one here has made such a suggestion regarding barney. People have fun at barney's expense is not nearly as bad as barney getting rich at our's. Yathink?
Margie| 10.13.10 @ 3:51PM
I so adore common sense and those who espouse it! Nice comment, JJ. :^)
MLGoodell | 10.13.10 @ 5:00PM
How right you are, Illinois Hog Farmer. The people contributing to this thread are vicious haters. One of them, RH, is advocating shooting Barney, and then some other guy is threatening to feed people feet first into a giant sausage grinder.
Why are those right wingers so quick to turn violent?
Alan Brooks| 10.13.10 @ 5:09PM
"And your filthy vulgarity knows no bounds"
All I wrote was 'interruptus", as in congress interruptus.
Alan Brooks| 10.13.10 @ 5:56PM
Please no guilt by association: I don't dislike gays such as Barney at all. It doesn't bother me that they want to get married, but now gay marriage is a political football for attorneys to argue about in state courts for decades.
Lawyers always get paid, no matter what.
Alan Brooks| 10.13.10 @ 10:01PM
Goldwater had the correct position, not you guys.
"By MICHAEL A. LINDENBERGER
Gay rights advocates are cheering Tuesday's decision by a federal judge in conservative Riverside, California, to order an immediate end to the military's discrimination against gay service men and women. The Justice Department has not yet said whether it will appeal the order, which applies to the U.S. military worldwide, but already many supporters are calling on President Obama to let the ruling stand. Once again, the President finds himself outflanked by activists, this time Republican gay activists who sued to stop Don't Ask, Don't Tell and who keep winning in federal courts even as Obama himself struggles to keep his promises to end discrimination against gays.
Choosing not to appeal carries big risks, and not just for the President. It's true that most Americans support an end to the military's discrimination against gays and lesbians. And it's true that the House has already passed a bill repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell (though the Senate has so far refused to follow suit). And yes, appealing would mean going to court to defend a law the President has himself denounced as unfair and wrong. But if Obama does not appeal, it's likely that no one else would have standing to do so. The result would be that a single trial judge would then set policy for the entire country on a question of fundamental importance - a situation that the Administration perceives would be an uncomfortable one for a substantial number of Americans. (See Mark Thompson on the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' ruling in Swampland.)
It's a box Obama finds himself in more and more often when it comes to gay rights issues. Even as U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips was issuing her worldwide injunction to the military Tuesday, the Administration filed notice it will appeal a federal ruling in Massachusetts that earlier this year struck down another law that is anathema to gay rights supporters, the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act. In its filing, the Administration called the law unfair, and said it ought never to have been passed, but nevertheless argued it does not violate the Constitution. That prompted gay bloggers and others to cry foul, warning that their patience with Obama, who most argue has yet to keep his promises to gay and lesbian supporters, is running out. (See a visual history of the gay-rights movement.)
Letting Judge Phillips' ruling stand would be a very good way to get gays and lesbians off the sidelines. But allowing a single judge to overturn "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," without any review by a higher court, could raise questions of legitimacy, and not just about the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" decision. Gays have won a remarkable sweep of victories in federal court this year - with judges striking down "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the Defense of Marriage Act, and in San Francisco, a voter-approved state ban on gay marriage known as Prop 8. Those victories have cheered gay rights supporters enormously, but opponents have pointedly noted that Americans continue to reject gay marriage any time the question is to put to the ballot. And while polls show Americans support the repeal of DADT, the fact is that if it were so unpopular, then Congress wouldn't be having such trouble repealing it.
The gay marriage case in California has strong parallels to the DADT decision now confronting Obama. The marriage decision is under appeal now, with arguments scheduled to take place before a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals panel in early December. But already questions of legitimacy have dogged that case. That's because California's elected leaders did what Obama has so far refused to do: Attorney General Jerry Brown and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declined to appeal the ruling. For now, a third-party group has been allowed to step in and appeal, but many observers - including the trial judge who heard the case - have said the Ninth Circuit may rule they lack standing. If that happens, gay marriage opponents told TIME, the courts risk damaging their own legitimacy. (See what the Supreme Court gay marriage arguments might be like.)
Indeed, those kinds of concerns are one reason why Obama is unlikely to let the DADT ruling stand unchallenged. Former U.S. Solicitor General Theodore Olson, one of the lawyers who brought the successful challenge to Prop 8, told TIME this summer that the White House nearly always defends statutes in court, whether the President agrees with them or not. There are exceptions, he said, but they typically involve laws that the President believes are clearly unconstitutional or that infringe upon the constitutional power of the executive branch.
But no matter what happens, Judge Phillips' ruling stands as a powerful vindication for gay rights supporters and for the many critics of the military's discriminatory policy. The law, enacted after President Bill Clinton failed to lift the ban on gays in the military altogether, had kept in place the military's blanket prohibition of gays serving in its ranks, but also set up strict rules for when and how officers could inquire whether a member was gay. As long as a soldier did not announce his or her homosexuality, and avoided doing anything that revealed it, the military was barred from asking.
It was an uncomfortable compromise from the beginning. Between 1993 and 2001, the military discharged some 7,856 service members, according to Phillips' 86-page ruling. After the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq began, the rate of dismissal declined, but didn't stop: Another 5,167 were dismissed between 2002 and 2009. At trial, gay soldiers and officers testified to the corrosive effects of the policy. One such witness was Air Force Maj. Michael Almy, a decorated officer who served three tours in Iraq. He testified that he came out to himself as a gay man a few years after his enlistment, and never told anyone in the Air Force of his orientation. In 2005, 12 years after his enlistment, someone searched the private e-mails on his computer and found a message by Almy "discussing homosexual conduct" and as a result the major was eventually discharged.
Hearing that story and others, Phillips ruled that the military's treatment of gays and lesbians offends the basic notions of decency in the country, and is illegal. With Obama likely to appeal, the question becomes whether Tuesday's victory for gay rights will stand as just another moral victory, or become the law of the land."
carnot| 10.13.10 @ 11:56PM
yea...this will go over well in 70 man berthing.
so...I have no problem with repealing DADT. but what about the privacy rights of heteros who do not want to room with openly gay men? since sexual inclination is..by definition of the gay community ...innate....this is not some right easily distilled away on the vapors of "that's a state of mind"......
Buffo| 10.13.10 @ 5:48PM
Move over Helen, I now got a new daddy. Hog you turn me on!
Illinois Hog Farm Owner| 10.13.10 @ 8:19PM
I'm not gay. It's my son who's gay.
But he's taught me a lot about what it's like to have grown up homosexual, and I am going to support him whenever I have the opportunity.
And my son is in a relationship.
Buffo| 10.13.10 @ 10:15PM
" & my son is in a relationship " do you raise gay hogs ?
Nevada Guy| 10.13.10 @ 10:41PM
Does your son and his relationship fantasize about grinding people into sausage too?
I would guess as gay men they prefer human sausage. You know, human sausage. Yeah.
Doug| 10.13.10 @ 6:42PM
Point of order, Mr. Chairman!
Point of order, Mr. Chairman!
Point of order, Mr. Chairman!
Point of order, Mr. Chairman!
Point of order, Mr. Chairman!
mkat| 10.13.10 @ 9:23PM
Oh! The irony! People who read a news article are "virulent, bitter, evil-minded" and should be "fed feet first into a giant sausage grinder..."
Oh, physician, heal thyself. LMAO! What a joke you are.
skedaddle| 10.13.10 @ 10:22PM
How can you call people bitter, evil, etc. while saying they should be tortured and murdered? I just don't know how sick, twisted brains like yours work but right back at you, buddy!
Yosemeti Sam| 10.14.10 @ 1:53AM
Ah - "Deliverance".
Or - pig-poker predilectors gone a buggering.
LOL.
jstwndring| 10.14.10 @ 2:48AM
Well, some here may have used inappropriate language, but, that pales in comparison to your death threat. Nice set of "morals" you have. Need any help getting off that high-horse? Oh, I mean pig?
UpChuck.Liberals| 10.14.10 @ 11:16PM
Ahhhhhh, just when I was going to mention Sprained Back Hill too. Barney is a real teabagger.
We spend way too much time trying to educate those that can't or won't be educated by facts that on occasion we have to get it off.
squitzy| 10.19.10 @ 5:48PM
To Hog Farm Owner.
"And your filthy vulgarity knows no bounds. You wallow like hogs in dirty inuendo."
And at the end you add...
"You should be fed feet first into a giant sausage grinder. Then I would use your ground-up flesh, your effluvia, to feed to my hogs."
Wow! You are one classy guy! Not!
Brian Mc| 10.13.10 @ 6:21AM
No matter what else occurs in November; if Barnie is shown the door, Lady Liberty will breathe a huge sigh of relief.
GavInTucson| 10.13.10 @ 10:57PM
Sadly, this probably won't happen. The guy runs Freddie Mac into the ground, and claims no responsibility. The guy's boyfriend runs a prostitution ring from Frank's apartment for years, and he claims to know nothing about it.
The people in his district are clearly asleep at the wheel.
Booger| 10.13.10 @ 6:26AM
Fwom de dethk of Congwethpushson Bahney Fwank:
Deah Votuh,
Thome of you theem to be having twouble undustandin' what ah am sayin' here. Thith ith a cwucial ewection yeah foh ouwr gweat nation. It ith cwucial foh dis gweat nation and thith gweat thtate that you, the people of Mathachuthets, due your duty and give me youh vote foh dis ewection.
Pleathe twy and wrap youhr feeble wittle minds awound dis: My ewection ith what keepth thith gweat thtate goin'! If ah don't get my ewection fwom de people of dis gweat thtate evewy two yeahs, den you will lothe all de wonduful pohrk ah can bwing home foh you!
Dis siwwy wittle tea-bagguh wanna-be keeps talkin' about Fannie-dis and Fweddie-dat. He wanths you to think the Bush economy ith all MY fault! Well, I will tewl you somethin'. I know more about tea-baggin' den he eveh will, and he bettuh not twy bwamin' me foh de Bush economy! I am de oppothite of Bush! I would nevuh vote foh de siwwy tax cuts that ruined our economy! And Fanny and Fweddie would have been jutht fine if we had ewected dat wonduhful Albut Gore in 2000!
So wemebuh, my ewection is in youhr handth! The people of dis gweat state mutht handle dis ewection wif gweat care! My gweat ewection is de motht impohtant thing goin' on in dis gweat countwy! If I don't get my ewection, why de whole Congwess will faww apaht! So wemebeh, take care of Bahney Fwank's we-ewection dis Novembuh!
Thincerely,
Congwesspuhson Bahney Fwank
JOTHEPRO| 10.13.10 @ 6:42AM
A wee erection. Booger, you are too funny.
Keith I| 10.13.10 @ 7:06AM
Who says that the homosexual lifestyle has no adverse physical effect. That speech impediment was earned.
RH| 10.13.10 @ 9:54AM
Man, this blog is a cancer cluster of malevolent haters. I am so happy I am not one of them.
I'm just browsing this site to get a feel of how toxic the far right really is, and the toxicity is so strong that it's making me sick, so I am signing out of here pronto.
Kishego| 10.13.10 @ 10:48AM
Good !! I'm sure you'll find solace at the love fest on HuffPo, or Daily Kos.
Jobe| 10.13.10 @ 11:36AM
RH: You win the dingleberry award for blind stupidity. I don't suppose you ever heard any of your leftist buddies say nary a nasty thing about George W. Bush. And I'm sure that all of your liberal amigos have always spoken highly of Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh, and Sean Hannity. If you want to look at poisonous malignant tumors, look inside yourself and your liberal friends. Now there's a "cancer cluster".
RacerJim| 10.13.10 @ 11:48AM
Here's an example of the cancer cluster of dispicable progressives in the Washington DC public school system. I am so happy my kids don't go to school there.
In an attempt to determine why the DC public school system is a cesspool of AIDS/HIV/STDs cases, a recent DCPS survey asked middle schoolers if they are straight, gay, lesbian, bi, transgender, how often they used condoms, and whether they engaged in anal sex.
Ah yes...the times they are indeed a-changin'.
Warrior | 10.13.10 @ 12:35PM
RH: I hope you are in a bar one day and Barney asks if he can push your stool in for you.
Margie| 10.13.10 @ 1:22PM
Eeeew.
Cogito Ergo Sum Conservativum| 10.13.10 @ 1:24PM
Just keep telling yourself you aren't a hater, you may be the only one who believes it. I refer to your previous hate filled post.
Ignoramus. You are.
Hater. You are.
A fool. You are.
idalily| 10.13.10 @ 3:11PM
And how does all our "malevolent hatred" make Barney less of a crook, exactly?
Ok, I'm done poking fun at liberals (in this thread, anyway). I will now actually make a point. Yes, RH, your sense that there is hatred here is absolutely correct. I hate Barney Frank. Hate him with a passion. I don't give a dam that he's gay. I don't give a dam that he has a silly voice (and, c'mon, he does). And I don't give a dam what political party he belongs to. I HATE him because it is because of him, Chris Dodd, and their corrupt cronies in Congress that our nation is is the midst of the biggest economic crisis of the past fifty years. Yes, I HATE him. For the pain his greed and arrogance and corruption have caused to so many. For his blatant lies, his malfeasance, and his corruption that are threatening to take down the beloved Republic that is my country. And for his utter lack of remorse or apology to the many Americans whose lives and livelihoods he has ruined for his own gain. I wish tar and feathers would make a comeback in American politics, for nowhere in our history is there a more worthy recipient of such punishment than Barney Frank.
Lorrie| 10.20.10 @ 7:56PM
You have expressed my own sentiments exactly, idalily, and I thank you.
Buffo| 10.13.10 @ 5:52PM
Wait Rh don't go, pleassse , pleasssse don't go.
jstwndring| 10.14.10 @ 2:55AM
Oh, common! That was damn funny!
How depressing are you if humor makes you ill?
teamwasted| 10.13.10 @ 1:13PM
Spot-on Keith. Thats for the laugh. That made my day!
Kenneth E. MacAlister Jr.| 10.13.10 @ 7:58AM
Don't EVER read one of Booger's letters while drinking hot coffee. You'll burn your nostrils. Ouch! Booger, you need to go into professional comedy. Thanks for my morning laugh & burned nostrils. Take care & GOD bless!
Booger| 10.13.10 @ 8:50AM
OOOOOOH.... Tewwibwy sowwy about dat!
Kenneth E. MacAlister Jr.| 10.13.10 @ 10:38AM
No Pwobwem. The Waugh was worf it!
Vern Crisler| 10.13.10 @ 1:05PM
Thpilled coffee? I thee a lawthuit here.
Margie| 10.13.10 @ 1:47PM
Yeth. The McDonald's lawthuit hath thet a vewwy good pwethidenth for that.
Petronius| 10.13.10 @ 9:01AM
Great stuff as usual B
But the day will come when somebody cracks up over one of your missives in a public place where that reaction to it's content would bring further reaction on the part of others. One can only hope no high school senior perusing it in study hall on his i pod gets a "what's so funny" from the teacher followed by suspension, conviction, and expulsion from the PC gestapo when they find out why he and we are so highly amused. Then they will come for you.
I say you should publish all your letters in an E book and release it the day before Holloween.
Sick 'em!!
Ned| 10.13.10 @ 1:23PM
Yeah, Booger - maybe we should ask Barry Bullsh*t, President of These Here United States, to require a warning label for your writing: WARNING - this will make coffee come out your nose!
In the interim, I shall continue to look forward to your next efforts.
GavInTucson| 10.13.10 @ 10:59PM
That warning goes for cheese sandwiches also. I passed an entire one through my nose reading his response.
Longplay| 10.13.10 @ 8:36AM
You know, I think Barney's related to Elmer Fudd.
LarryK| 10.13.10 @ 9:07AM
No.
Not the Wabbit-Swayer!
Margie| 10.13.10 @ 12:12PM
The wascawy wabbit, indeed.
Tom Horn| 10.13.10 @ 9:42AM
Sufferin Sucotash
dw| 10.13.10 @ 12:52PM
From the desk of Foghorn Leghorn,
Attorney-at- Law
Dear Mr. Frank,
It has come to our attention that you have used the Elmer Fudd speech affliction as an intentional tactic aimed at creating an air of sympathy in your election campaigns, as someone fighting hard to overcome an obstacle that for most would contribute negatively to impacting their efforts at acquiring public office. By coupling that with your sexual orientation, you have been able to parlay the strategy of the "oppressed under dog" into a prolonged career as a congressional representative.
Be that as it may, we hereby ask that you cease and desist any further mockery of my client, the aforementioned Elmer J. Fudd. We are declaring to you his feelings of embarassment and public mortification at this continued, contrived tactic you have been participating in for years now.
As such, failure on your part to discontinue this deceitful practice will result in further actons aimed at restoring Mr. Fudds reputation in the public eye. His genuine speech disability will not be fodder for your exploitation any longer.
Sincerely,
Foghorn Leghorn
Attorney-at-Law
Margie| 10.13.10 @ 1:44PM
Bawney Fwank: "But..but..but.. thar's Neo-Cons in them thar hills!"
idalily| 10.13.10 @ 3:18PM
FROM: Yosemite Sam, US State Department Diplomatic Corps
TO: Foghorn Leghorn, Attorney-At-Law
RE: Recent letter to Barney Frank
Sufferin' succotash, Fog, did ya HAVE to be so blunt? Try some diplomacy for a change, ya feather-headed varmint!
Sincerely,
Sam
dw| 10.13.10 @ 4:02PM
From: Foghorn Leghorn, Attorney-at-Law
To: Yosemite Sam, U.S.D.D.C.
Sam, I appreciate your message here, but the time for diplomacy has long past.
My client has suffered undo and extensive damage due to Mr. Frank's purposeful immitation of a speech flaw Mr. Fudd has no control over. We have incontrovertible evidence that Mr. Frank used past film works involving Mr. Fudd to hone and perfect his contrived speech patterns and witnesses who knew Franks before his election to office who will testify that Mr. Franks can talk in a way that would be considered normal.
Sam, hope all is well with the family, how about some rabbit hunting next week? Let me know.
Sincerely,
Foggy
idalily| 10.13.10 @ 6:20PM
TO: Foghorn Leghorn, Attorney at Law
FROM: Yosemite Sam, USSD
RE: Wabbit season
Fog, much as I'd like to see you and Elmer, thanks for the invite, but it's not wabbit season now. And no, it's not duck season either (which is a good thing for your feathered brethren). It's almost November, and that means it's Liberal Season!
Stu Scott| 10.13.10 @ 6:29AM
Having lived for sometime in MA I can tell you first hand that Frank will win regardless of his record and attitude towards the public. The public unions back him and that is all it takes to win there. It's all about government jobs and hackarama.
John LaRosa | 10.13.10 @ 9:15AM
Stu--I live in MA also. Times have changed dramatically. Coakley had the support of union bosses and high profile endorsements from Clinton and Obama. How'd that work out for her? Rank and file union members are finally understanding that no jobs for anyone also means no jobs for them--it was estimated that 40% of union members supported Brown, despite pressure from above. Moreover, unlike a Mayor or Governor, Barney does not have the leverage of massive direct patronage. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised on November 2nd. http://www.retirebarney.com
Suzanne Rourke| 10.13.10 @ 12:33PM
John--You're spot on. All kinds of voters in Frank's district are feeling the pinch of his economic policies. Our taxes are high and may go higher. Our homes are devalued. Our friends have lost jobs. Our healthcare premiums keep rising. Our 401Ks have dwindled. Meanwhile, the federal government grows.
Mr. Frank's policies have hurt the Commonwealth and the country. His support of Fannie/Freddie, the stimulus, healthcare, and financial regulation cripples the businesses that employ us. And his call for drastic reductions in defense---in this age of terrorism---alarms us.
www.retirebarney.com
MtTopPatriot| 10.13.10 @ 6:34AM
Ridding my Country of a scoundrel and liar, Mr. Frank, is monumental. It redefines the entire makeup of the cultural corruption and ruling class power in that cesspool on the Potomac, that place known as the District of Criminals.
What do you call an unemployed ex Congressman Barney Frank? An awesome place to start.
We got to get rid of these power crazy people ruining America. Time for you to go Mr. Frank, you have used and abused every trust and law imaginable in your twisted lust for money and power. You are nothing but a criminal and lout in a thousand dollar suit.
Kenneth E. MacAlister Jr.| 10.13.10 @ 8:01AM
What do you call an unemployed ex Congressman Barney Frank? Why Madam of course. That brothel in his home will re-open the minute he's defeated for re-election.
smorkler| 10.13.10 @ 6:36AM
Dateline Newton, MA: Random Home Publishers have announced a book deal with the former representative to the 4th District. Sources say Frank is hard at work on his memoir in an undisclosed Provincetown location. The book is expected to be titled "Congwess Interwuptus". He has not commented on his decision to tell the truth or not. Sources close to the former congressman feel he isn't capable of the truth, and Random Home reserves the option to release the book as a work of fiction. Oliver Stone has expressed interest in the book, telling the Hollywood press he would jump at the chance to release the Frank story on film, but indicated the project would only succeed if famed actor Elmer Fudd were to accept the lead role. Fudd has not been reached for a statement.
Will| 10.13.10 @ 6:36AM
Ha-ha, I'd forgotten about the sister!
I won't forget meeting Barney however. Disheveled, bumptious and greeting constituents with food stains on his clothes. What a mess.
ThePricklyThorn| 10.13.10 @ 6:57AM
Will,
Not so sure those were "food" stains on his clothes.........lol. Well, atleast not my kinda food.
WTFUA
Tim*| 10.13.10 @ 7:03AM
Barney Frank is one of the main cuprits behind The Financial Crisis. Frank Chaired & still Chairs The Democrat Controlled House Financial Services Committee that failed to act repeatedly to Bush Administration warnings about The FNMA & The FHLMC , 17 times in 2008 alone .
Jettison This World Class Economic Gravedigger .
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates .
Rise Up !
coal carrier| 10.13.10 @ 7:14AM
Recipe for success.
1. Show up on time.
2. Dress, neat and clean.
3. Say, please and thank you.
4. Always tell the truth.
Barney fails at numbers 2 & 4 at a minimum, in my humble opinion.
blackknights1802| 10.13.10 @ 7:27AM
You forgot one. “Don’t talk with your mouth full”.
Ret. Marine| 10.13.10 @ 7:27AM
I wish I had something constructive to add to the conversation, but, constructive is hardly an adj. on the subject of bwarnie fwank.
Melvin| 10.13.10 @ 7:40AM
You know things are getting bad in the Frank camp when the gay lobby won't have nothing to do with him.
michigander_sandusky| 10.13.10 @ 7:59AM
I looked up "term limits" in the encylopedia and it had a picture of Barney Frank.
Ken (Old Texican)| 10.13.10 @ 8:11AM
Worst case...
If the Rs can take the House...Barney no longer chairs the committee...and the ethics and felony investigations begin.
Redstateboy| 10.13.10 @ 8:28AM
I wrote yesterday that Fwank doesn't debate.. I wrote.. He lectures, he pontificates, he interupts, he scolds, he condescending.. he's your typical effete Liber-ul snob and if the voters of the 4th reelect the piece of schitt then they deserve whatever they get.
Ned| 10.13.10 @ 1:32PM
all true, but unfortunately then WE get him, too, and that's been the ongoing problem all these years
Louis Jenkins| 10.13.10 @ 8:29AM
Exactly Old Texican. Keep him tied up for awhile and at least he will no longer chair the committee.
hardcard| 10.13.10 @ 8:38AM
Will,those were not food stains on his clothes.
crookedwren| 10.13.10 @ 8:40AM
Why don't the Repubs. just run ads from C-Span -- SHOWING Barney Frank and Maxine Waters telling those Bush Repubs. that Fannie and Freddie were doing just fine?
Or maybe they are running ads along those lines.
It's the truth. I've seen the C-Span clips that Prove the Lie coming from Frank.
Haven't seen the ads from that neck of the woods. Don't suppose the liberals there will have enough moxie to vote him out, though.
Tim| 10.13.10 @ 8:47AM
"Mr. Bielat, please stop interrupting me," Frank said during a Monday debate on Boston's WRKO radio...
"I'm gonna interrupt you for good on November 4," Bielat shoulda said.
Steve| 10.13.10 @ 9:21AM
Please vote on November 2...Let the Frank supporters show up at the polls on the 4th... :).
RJ| 10.13.10 @ 8:59AM
So many elected officials should be removed from Congress, but no one is more deserving to be booted out than Barney Frank. Good luck Sean Bielat. Your country will be grateful for your success.
jack| 10.13.10 @ 9:10AM
this fool was a professor at Harvard? Wonder where he did more damage? No one person is more responsible for the financial crisis than this socialist grifter but then look at some of these people graduating from Harvard and you have to wonder how difficult a school it reall is.
Worse than being completely incompetent on every level he is a scoundrel,he and his party looted Fannie and the taxpayer to enrich themselves and supporters. Criminal on every level. I am sure he will be re elected
Tomp| 10.13.10 @ 9:21AM
Belongs in prison. He just might be happy there.
Anthony| 10.13.10 @ 9:36AM
Barney the Frank, "I have no responsibility for the Fannie and Freddie debacle" and that other POS congressman, Cortney Pete Stark, have absolutely no respect for the voters. They are the poster children for what the D party has morphed into.
Their arrogance and distain for Americans is easy to see. They despise us because we reject their elitism and because we see them for the failures that they are. These professional pols have blinders on as to their dismal record of destruction, which they see as enlightened government.
Come November, a lot of blinders will be removed from many eyes, and a lot of asses will get kicked.
Tim*| 10.13.10 @ 9:37AM
Tea Party Alert .
Republican Christine O'Donnell and Democrat Chris Coons will face off in a 90-minute debate at 7:30 tonight, an hour of which will be aired live on CNN, to discuss topics ranging from national security and economic recovery to social issues.
The debate will be moderated by CNN political anchor Wolf Blitzer, who along with students from the University of Delaware will pose questions to the candidates.
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates .
Rise Up !
Redstateboy| 10.13.10 @ 11:21AM
Unbelievably dumb of O'Donnell to agree to a debate at the U of D.. Debating a Liber-ul in front of a bunch of Liber-uls.
RCV| 10.13.10 @ 12:07PM
What you really mean is it's a mistake for O'Donnell to debate in front of an audience with an education.
Margie| 10.13.10 @ 12:16PM
Oh you mean like a "divinity" education, like the one Coons has?
Anna K. from Emory U.| 10.13.10 @ 5:29PM
Margie,
If I were you, I would not denigrate Chris Coon's degree from divinity school. He is a highly-educated man of the highest integrity and principles, and I am confident he will come out the winner in tonight's debate with Christine O'Donnell.
As for Ken (Old Texican) claiming that you are a "Christian" woman, I must take issue.
I think Christ Himself would be appalled at the hateful bigotry that is expressed time after time by you and others on this blog.
You need to put a little love in your heart and rid yourself of the rancor, the enmity that you express so often in your posts. Those on the right side of the political spectrum are a volatile, angry lot.
If Christ were to read the words of you and your fellow posters, what would He think? I assure you that He would be appalled at the unChristian vitriol emanating from American Spectator's regular readers and posters.
As a frequent reader of AmSpec (I like to expose myself to ideas from the right and left), I have noticed a coarseness of expression that is getting worse. It's time for readers to adopt a civil tone and show a little respect to diverse opinions.
I quote from Timothy 2:
23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
Margie, please take God's word to heart, and peace be with you. (I, too, am studying theology.)
Read more: http://www.city-data.com/forum.....z12HDB7wSj
Madge| 10.13.10 @ 6:03PM
Anna, you're right about Margie. That woman is no Christian.
Last night I made an innocent little comment, and Margie called me a "scumbag"! Now you tell me, do Christian women talk like this?
Margie| 10.13.10 @ 7:19PM
Scumbag ? You're that all right, and you're also a b*tch . Take that, Miss Madge.
Pi squared over 6| 10.13.10 @ 6:10PM
Anna K., you say that the readers of AmSpec are coarse. That's my take, also.
But I think you fail to realize that there are a lot of lower class readers responding on this thread.
They're less educated, and therefore, more inclined to find humor in what we would consider vulgar. Try reading National Review Online. The readership is a little more sophisticated.
skip| 10.13.10 @ 6:48PM
Your advice would have a better chance of being heeded if you yourself watched your words as well. Your integrity and principles is subjected to suspicion when you assert that Coons is a man of highest integrity and principles. His record proves that lie. Since you assure us of Christ being appalled by certain behavior could you inform us of His level of appallment by the actions of Barney Frank both in his personal and professional life?
Anna Magnini| 10.13.10 @ 7:17PM
I'm sure Barney's sexual escapades have been a little naughty, but so have yours, and mine for that matter. Let's try not to be so high-minded, for heaven's sake.
Barney is a huggy bear, and I would like to give him a good hug right now in appreciation for his work on behalf of seniors and the poor.
Christ, too, would give him a hug for the same reasons. Christ was a friend of the outcasts and the poor. Remember the story of Mary Magdalene?
Now, go in peace, my son . . .
skip| 10.13.10 @ 7:39PM
May the Holy Spirit fill you with intelligence and honesty among His blessings to you. You can sure use it if you think Frank has been any benefit to the seniors or poor among us.
I don't think so| 10.13.10 @ 10:59PM
Christ hug Frank? A person who has actively spent his power to enable the murder of unborn babies? A sodomizer? Jesus might hug him and pray for him to sin no more in pity. But not in agreement with Frank.
skip| 10.14.10 @ 1:28PM
I do. I also remember Leviticus 18:22: "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." I also remember Matthew 5:17: "Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."
Cogito Ergo Sum Conservativum| 10.13.10 @ 1:30PM
Attending a liberal indoctrination center does not make one educated, only indoctrinated. Sorry, RCV. No rational thought process in your comments.
George True| 10.13.10 @ 12:17PM
What a mistake! When will Republicans ever learn NOT to agree to a debate with a leftist "moderator" and slanted questions from a leftist audience?
SeanRox| 10.13.10 @ 10:01AM
Wow this site clearly doesn't care about political correctness! Well I don't care that Barney Frank is a homosexual and has a lisp. I care that he has been a terrible representative of my district, MA-4. He does not represent me or my values. Sean Bielat, on the other hand, cares about strengthening the economy, creating real jobs (not government jobs) and maintaining a strong military. Sean Bielatbis basically the antithesis of Barney Frank and he will have my vote on 11/2. www.byebyebarney.org www.retirebarney.com
Susan McHugh| 10.13.10 @ 10:48AM
I can't vote for Sean :( but I did sent 2 checks :) and I'm working for him also. It was that important to me that we use the power of our votes to establish term limits and rid Congress of the SPEND SPEND SPEND philosophy of the Dems. www.retirebarney.com
Cogito Ergo Sum Conservativum| 10.13.10 @ 1:32PM
"Political correctness" is nothing more than censorship of thought and speech. It is a liberal invention to enable their control of the conversation. I reject any form of thought and speech censorship.
tom baty| 10.13.10 @ 10:40AM
"Frankly I don't give a darm" about this clown, he needs to go. Those foods stains were from eating a frankfretter.
tom baty| 10.13.10 @ 10:40AM
"Frankly I don't give a darm" about this clown, he needs to go. Those foods stains were from eating a frankfretter.
HleeC| 10.13.10 @ 10:43AM
I am a constituent of District 4 who has been ignored and insulted by Barney Frank. I wrote numerous letters and made many calls to him amid the protest over the Healthcare Bill that he championed last year. I voiced my concerns though I knew my opinion was of no interest to him or his congressional cohorts who were determined to ram the bill down our throats at any cost. I went to Washington with a sign that said 'Barney Frank can't hear me in Boston, can you hear my now???” The following day I read in the paper that Barney had nothing but insults and derision to cast at the uneducated protesters.
The very next day I wrote Barney a letter stating that I am extremely well educated and have worked for the last 20 years in the financial services and real estate industries. I have seen firsthand the damage caused by his economic policies to our entire economic system. Despite the revisionist history he is now attempting to spin about rental housing, he did strongly advocate and intimidate for more liberal lending standards that were at the core of this economic meltdown. He did protect FNMA and Freddie Mac from regulation and oversight for as long as he possibly could and he did omit them from any reform in his latest juggernaut of a financial services bill. His record is public and he still refuses to be accountable for his actions. It is time for him to go.
I also swore to him in that letter that I would do everything in my power to vote him out of office in November. At that time, I could not have guessed I would have such an excellent candidate to support. As luck would have it, I could not have dreamed up a more ideal candidate to represent the 4th District. Besides all the reasons Barney Frank needs to be removed from office, Sean Bielat represents the real hope and change this country needs to correct the trajectory of the country going forward. He is smart, energetic and an independent thinker who will work to restore fiscal responsibility and limited government.
We in his district are working to correct the course of the country by retiring Barney Frank and electing Sean Bielat. If you would like to join the fight please:
DONATE & SHARE MONEYBOMB LINK @ WWW.BYEBYEBARNEY.ORG
Timothy L. Pennell| 10.13.10 @ 10:50AM
How ironic is it, that the guy that really IS a TEA BAGGER, and PROUD OF IT, seems to be the only one NOT being called a TEA BAGGER by that TEA BAGGING little Queer - ANDERSON -take it in the pooper - COOPER?
RCV| 10.13.10 @ 12:05PM
You're a sick little hateful guy.
Margie| 10.13.10 @ 12:19PM
No sicker than you calling decent law abiding Bible believing Christian TEA partiers same.
One glaring difference: Timothy Pennell is telling the truth. That gets labeled as hate by some around here.
Madge| 10.13.10 @ 12:34PM
Margie, I'm confused. Is this you, or is this Tim* masquerading as you?
Anyway, if it's you, you're ranting again. You didn't forget to take your meds this morning, did you?
I'll keep you in my prayers.
Yosemeti Sam| 10.14.10 @ 2:25AM
YO - WEBMASTER!!!!!!!!!!!
Your got ears to hear?
Generic websites have USER IDs + PASSWORDS!
COMMON occurrences!
NOT here though!
YOU ( et al) can't implement that seemingly HERCULEAN FUNDAMENTAL safeguard to - IDENTITY THEFT of poster identities?
YOU still in webmaster 'K' class in abilities?
George True| 10.13.10 @ 12:21PM
Answer the question.
Cogito Ergo Sum Conservativum| 10.13.10 @ 1:37PM
Is it not true RCV? Are not both of the above mentioned persons "tea-baggers"? I have seen video of liberals describing what "tea-bagging" is and how it is a homosexual practice. I guess by your definition that makes homosexuals "sick little hateful guys". OK, I just needed to process your attempt at logic.
Sharon Daughtry| 10.13.10 @ 12:31PM
Good God! Here we go again.
Anderson Cooper is a handsome, sexy man, and I would melt in his embrace. Anderson has character and definition, a good-looking face, and oh-those-eyes!
I would like to see what you look like Mr. Timothy L. Pennell. I can just imagine.
You seem to hate (so much hate on this blog) Cooper. Why? Do you hate him because he is gay? Or do you hate him because he is such a handsome, sexy hunk, and you're anything but--and speaking of butt--big fat butt is what you most likely are . . .
Mimi| 10.13.10 @ 1:19PM
Anderson Cooper is a hunk, a sexy stud. Too bad he's got a boyfriend, Sharon. I saw his boyfriend's photo on NY Post, and he's a good-looking sex pistol, also.
Has anybody noticed, besides me, how good looking some of these gays are? Wow!
Sharon, you've got to find you a straight man to fanticize over. Take a look at some soccer players. Gorgeous! Some of them look as gorgeous as David Becham, and he's drop-dead beautiful. Still . . . if I had my druthers, I'd take Cooper.
RichTex| 10.13.10 @ 10:54AM
I read in the Washington Examiner this morning that Barney has sent out a fundraising letter wherein he claims that the Tea Party Express has him tied to the railroad tracks. I suppose that in his wildest, wettest dreams, Barney sees himself as just a damsel in distress.
dw| 10.13.10 @ 11:48AM
The cruel reality about barney is that millions of Americans can directly tie their home foreclosure sagas to him (along with a host of other dems like dodd, waters, etc.). With the policies of providing loans to those they knew could not and would not be able to sustain them, they created a false bubble of demand that resulted in raising the price of a house to false levels that eventually burst, leaving millions in upside down loan structures.
His behavior in these actions is criminal but , of course, he will never be held accountable.
MassHysteria| 10.13.10 @ 12:17PM
Compare the bios on each campaign website. Time for Barney to go... really.
Margie| 10.13.10 @ 12:22PM
Barney will go the way of the dodo bird soon enough. Just like the rest of them. The voting populace is now awake and armed to the teeth. And before some Troll tries to accuse me of being homicidal, ARMED TO THE TEETH SO TO SPEAK. Heh.
KIen (Old Texican)| 10.13.10 @ 12:49PM
Tim*
Shut up and quit baiting Margie under what ever moniker.
You make good comments from time to time, but you are a nasty little person. Margie takes the time to write the words of Jesus here, and you come back with nasty remarks.
Yeah, you will probably vote correctly. You have wrapped yourself in the Gadston flag.
Nevertheless, every time you diss Margie, and the rest of we Christians in the same breath...you make yourself ever smaller.
Please try to be a thoughtful commenter/conversationalist here.
Margie is not a crank. She is simply a Bible believing Christian, as am I.
If you want to diss Margie...and bait her...be my guest.
If you want to switch monikers...including her's, then you are a disgrace to free speech.
You have become an embarrasment here.
Margie| 10.13.10 @ 3:19PM
Thank you, Ken.
The Anarchistic Left wing rabid anti-semitic God hating, Christian hating, Neo-Nazi Tim* and his Demonic ilk get to practice their so-called freedom of speech here unchallenged for the most part but Judgment Day is coming soon and very soon.
I look forward to it and that of seeing His swift and devastating recompense on His enemies and the enemies of those who belong to Him.
Tim*| 10.13.10 @ 9:27PM
I've been on a job sight all day .
You were Punked Punk .
Now Shove Off Asswipe .
Tim*| 10.13.10 @ 1:13PM
This is Tim*, but I did not write that Margie comment above .
Yeah, Old Texcan I'm nasty and I will continue to be just as long as I want, and that will be a looooooog time .
Im not the only nasty one on here . There's plenty more justlike me .
Ken (Old Texican)| 10.13.10 @ 8:06PM
Yeah Tim*
You get smaller and smaller every time as do the other nasties that post....nastily.
Please try to add to the conversation with fresh thoughts instead of dissing others...OK?
The conversation is about the Barneys in the gubmint. What do you think about sending Mr. Barney home in retirement?
Tim*| 10.13.10 @ 9:31PM
I can't be in two places at the same time .
However , I suppose posing as me is an Assbackwards Compliment , of sorts.
Carry On .
Tim*| 10.13.10 @ 9:39PM
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery Posseur Tim*
Hey , if ya can't stand on your own two feet , stand on my shoulders .
Carry on .
Yosemeti Sam| 10.14.10 @ 2:29AM
YO - WEBMASTER!!!!!!!!!!!
Your got ears to hear?
Generic websites have USER IDs + PASSWORDS!
COMMON occurrences!
NOT here though!
YOU ( et al) can't implement that seemingly HERCULEAN FUNDAMENTAL safeguard to - IDENTITY THEFT of poster identities?
YOU still in webmaster 'K' class in abilities?
Oldefarte| 10.13.10 @ 1:15PM
Barney no doubt would be very envious of Vick's position:
http://i583.photobucket.com/al.....titled.jpg
Max Pendergast| 10.13.10 @ 2:17PM
Right Wing Republicans are to blame for Barney's queerness.
Perusha| 10.13.10 @ 2:40PM
The only vote that counts is the "official" one come November 2nd.
All the personal fun and games we can have about that upright Frank fellah and his offputting gay expressions don't matter at all, if he wins again.
Yes, when the GOP takes back the House, if ol' Barn is still there, some committee or other MIGHT investigate him, but just think of all the OTHER inportant business facing the fresh cast of characters in this people's chamber! Getting him will be small---gonands?
Any way, despite the Scott Brown win, count me a skeptic that the fools in Frank's district will vote him out. Why?
It's not the labor unions, or the dyed-in-the-wool liberals there, but the hidden ability to steal votes and to destroy them as well.
Until we have foolproof gateways to voting, I expect this voting cohort to be as flexible as liberals need to swing close races---see the state of Washington governor race and another "Franken" monster from Minnesota!
Stu| 10.13.10 @ 4:51PM
Sorry, I really do try and be nice in my posts, but Frank really is one arrogant SOB. I can't wait to see him defeated.
Redstateboy| 10.13.10 @ 5:22PM
I find it laughable some..... Liber-uls - will come to this site and OMG! are aghast at the anger some have towards Bwarney Fwank and his DIVIANT lifestyle yet they never address the Fact that He, Dodd, Waters... are responsible parties to an economic disaster! F! Frank!!
bite it| 10.13.10 @ 6:46PM
Bawney fank the guy who helped collapse the economy beginning in 2006. Yeah that guy. bawney fank living high off the hog while 5MM lose their jobs under his watch.
Margie| 10.13.10 @ 8:12PM
The post at 7:19 is not mine.
Yosemeti Sam| 10.14.10 @ 2:31AM
YO - WEBMASTER!!!!!!!!!!!
Your got ears to hear?
Generic websites have USER IDs + PASSWORDS!
COMMON occurrences!
NOT here though!
YOU ( et al) can't implement that seemingly HERCULEAN FUNDAMENTAL safeguard to - IDENTITY THEFT of poster identities?
YOU still in webmaster 'K' class in abilities?
Trish| 10.13.10 @ 8:18PM
A personal note:
What are the odds that I would be sitting in my chair in Mich., reading the article on Elmer Fudd Frank, and seeing my Boston friend Debbie's quote leading off the text? She is one of the finest women I know. We met quite accidently in DC at the 9/12/09 Tea Party rally. We have stayed in touch. She has worked for Sean from the beginning, and she gave me the same rationale. More astounding yet, what are the odds that Elmer Fudd would be running for his political life challenged by a citizen patriot? Elmer Fudd Frank is a true low life elite.
MassInsurrection| 10.13.10 @ 9:59PM
Well this article is from the Boston Herald...talks about some favors The Good Congressman is receiving for his favorable voting
http://www.bostonherald.com/ne.....ion=active
Rev. Jesse Jackson| 10.13.10 @ 10:56PM
I don't know...maybe it's me just being "faggotphobic", but everytime I see him talking (or trying to), I can picture him "taking it up the ass", or giving some other queer "head". How do we know that the queer lifestyle is wrong? Let's call it the "wisdom of repugnance."
Lost & Found| 10.14.10 @ 12:36AM
LOST: The thoughtful postings of Ira M. Kessel, Mike Showalter, Ken Shreve, frost and others
FOUND: An endless stream of potty mouth,
hit and run cases of arrested development.
Make that Conservative Christian potty mouth, hit and run cases of arrested development.
ImfromtheNW| 10.14.10 @ 1:20AM
Barney the big purple fag can go to hell, without pensions!
JimmyT| 10.14.10 @ 1:32AM
L&F--ILhog--Unless you read this site quite often, you won't know that many of these comments come from your progressive friends. They surf conservative sites and make random nasty remarks so Kos, Huffpo and the gang can point to these comments and talk about how nasty conservatives are. Some of us make fun of barny because he so arrogant and we have so much to work with. Plus he lies like a Persian rug. I don't read or hear people often refer to his comment in July of 2009, 3 months before Fannie and Freddie collapsed, that they were "in good shape". Now, he says he was warning people since 2003 to investigate? It was the repubs that blocked him from doing something? He forgets, conveniently, that Bush started making noise in 2002 about problems with the 2 GSE"s. P.S He called himself a fag on Leno a few years back when the male prostitution ring was being run out of his apartment by his partner. FYI
Rev. Jesse Jackson| 10.14.10 @ 1:42AM
Lost & Found,
Have you ever noticed that most queers insist on telling us that they're queer? It's almost like they have an agenda or something... I mean, do the heterosexuals go around screaming, "I'm heterosexual! I'm heterosexual!". No, they don't. Like this "Don't ask, don't tell" bullshit in the military. Anyone with half a brain can see that today a queer can serve in the armed forces. But that isn't enough for these fudge-packers. They insist on telling everyone that they're queer, and if we don't give it to them, then we're not being tolerant or diverse, or whatever else they want to call it. BEING IN THE MILITARY OR BEING A POLITICIAN IS NOT ABOUT RUMP-WRANGLING!!! Okay, okay. I'll stick to the theme of Barney Frank as a politician. He sucks! He's corrupt. He's in bed with Fannie and Freddie (especially Freddie). Fire his fat ass that most likely suffers from rectal collapse. Bye Barney the Sodomite/Catamite.
Rev. Jesse Jackson| 10.14.10 @ 1:53AM
JimmyT,
I, for one, am very conservative. We're just having a little fun at Barney's expense. Besides, he doesn't mind. He has no shame and you know it. He proudly admits that he's queer. If we weren't "potty mouths" like Lost & Found labeled us, and if we always put forth "thoughtful postings" (most of the time we do, but who can be serious when it comes to Barney Frank?), the liberals would STILL talk about us conservatives and call us everything but human, am I right? You know I am. Our country is being destroyed by politicians like Barney Frank, Ted Kennedy, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, etc. etc. Please let us blow off a little steam at Barney's expense.
David in MA| 10.14.10 @ 3:00PM
bwarney fwrank is going home this year, problem is, obummer will probably make him Fag Czar or do he already have one of them?
BTW, is ted kennedy still sober?
JeffT| 10.15.10 @ 10:16AM
I have too little faith in his constituents to believe he won't be re-elected. That is the shame of the Democrat Party in 2010.
Mad Hatter| 10.15.10 @ 1:28PM
Barney’s interruptions just getting meaner,
His screwing of Fannie getting obscener.
Lib shrines to kneel at?
“No more,” says Bielat.
"To be frank, he’s no Frank, just a weiner!”
Mad Hatter| 10.15.10 @ 1:40PM
A Dem says, “Barney Frank used to charm me,
Now he’s become self-righteous and smarmy.
It’s not just conjecture,
He thinks Sean needs a lecture,
I think - interrupt his policies that harm me!”
duck| 10.24.10 @ 3:02PM
It is ironic that all these upstanding gays let the 'colorful' ? participants of gay pride parades like those held in San Fransisco speak and portray the gay lifestyle for them. Since all of the conservative right is painted by a few right wing extremists and this becomes the accepted norm, cannot gays be considered in a similar vein as those gays that exhibit themselves in the various gay pride exhibitions and proclaim to speak for the gay life style.???