The Cat-Tribe
21-12-2007, 23:32
Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge in August, two months after his arrest in a men's room sex sting at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. He announced plans to resign after his arrest became public then changed his mind.
He is currently appealing his conviction (on what I think are frivolous grounds).
His seat in the Senate is endangered by allegations of Ethical Misconduct in the matter.
I found interesting this Letter to the Senate Ethics Committee by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (http://media.idahostatesman.com/smedia/2007/11/13/16/Task_Force_Vitter_Le_1367BD.source.prod_affiliate.36.pdf).
We are writing to object to the inherently contradictory and disparate treatment of allegations of ethical misconduct by Sens. Larry Craig and David Vitter.
You have already launched an investigation into Sen. Craig’s conduct, arising from his pleading guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges after his June arrest by an undercover police officer in a men's restroom at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
To date, however, you have refused to open a similar investigation into whether Sen. Vitter violated the Senate Rules of Conduct by soliciting for prostitution. As is well known, Sen. Vitter's telephone number was included in the so-called "D.C. Madam’s" list of client telephone numbers. Sen. Vitter subsequently confirmed that he had sought Ms. Palfrey's services. In addition, at least two other women have alleged Sen. Vitter engaged the services of prostitutes. Engaging the services of a prostitute violates both District of Columbia and Louisiana criminal law and would constitute more serious offenses in the eyes of the law than Sen. Craig’s conduct.
The fact that Sen. Vitter has not yet been charged in a criminal court is not relevant. Your committee has the authority — indeed, the obligation — to investigate such serious matters and determine what course of action is appropriate.
There is no explanation for the diametrically opposed responses to these two
situations, other than hypocrisy tinged by homophobia. There are only two ways to resolve this: drop the investigation into Sen. Craig or investigate the allegations surrounding Sen. Vitter.
Here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Craig) and (especially) here (http://www.idahostatesman.com/1264/index.html) is more information on Senator Larry Craig and his mess.
Here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Vitter#D.C._Madam_controversy) and here (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/07/09/national/main3037338.shtml) is information about Senator David Vitter's mess.
My thoughts on all this are varied. I'd feel sorry for Craig if he wasn't a liar, hypocrite, and general homophobic asshole. (To the extent it seems he may actually be a closet gay or bi-sexual, I find it sad that he has felt the need to live such a lie.)
I do think the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has a point, but I don't think that means that Senator Craig should be let off the hook.
What are your thoughts on any aspect of this matter?
He is currently appealing his conviction (on what I think are frivolous grounds).
His seat in the Senate is endangered by allegations of Ethical Misconduct in the matter.
I found interesting this Letter to the Senate Ethics Committee by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (http://media.idahostatesman.com/smedia/2007/11/13/16/Task_Force_Vitter_Le_1367BD.source.prod_affiliate.36.pdf).
We are writing to object to the inherently contradictory and disparate treatment of allegations of ethical misconduct by Sens. Larry Craig and David Vitter.
You have already launched an investigation into Sen. Craig’s conduct, arising from his pleading guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges after his June arrest by an undercover police officer in a men's restroom at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
To date, however, you have refused to open a similar investigation into whether Sen. Vitter violated the Senate Rules of Conduct by soliciting for prostitution. As is well known, Sen. Vitter's telephone number was included in the so-called "D.C. Madam’s" list of client telephone numbers. Sen. Vitter subsequently confirmed that he had sought Ms. Palfrey's services. In addition, at least two other women have alleged Sen. Vitter engaged the services of prostitutes. Engaging the services of a prostitute violates both District of Columbia and Louisiana criminal law and would constitute more serious offenses in the eyes of the law than Sen. Craig’s conduct.
The fact that Sen. Vitter has not yet been charged in a criminal court is not relevant. Your committee has the authority — indeed, the obligation — to investigate such serious matters and determine what course of action is appropriate.
There is no explanation for the diametrically opposed responses to these two
situations, other than hypocrisy tinged by homophobia. There are only two ways to resolve this: drop the investigation into Sen. Craig or investigate the allegations surrounding Sen. Vitter.
Here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Craig) and (especially) here (http://www.idahostatesman.com/1264/index.html) is more information on Senator Larry Craig and his mess.
Here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Vitter#D.C._Madam_controversy) and here (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/07/09/national/main3037338.shtml) is information about Senator David Vitter's mess.
My thoughts on all this are varied. I'd feel sorry for Craig if he wasn't a liar, hypocrite, and general homophobic asshole. (To the extent it seems he may actually be a closet gay or bi-sexual, I find it sad that he has felt the need to live such a lie.)
I do think the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has a point, but I don't think that means that Senator Craig should be let off the hook.
What are your thoughts on any aspect of this matter?