The "family values" people of the right are always fond of saying how important morality is, how strong they are on morality, etc. Mostly, they extol the virtures (which they and apparently only they possess) of moral absolutism and castigate them libruls who exhibit moral relativism. Fair enough. Whatever. So I was processing that, and processing the recent GOP sex … Read More
GOP Woes [UPDATED]
Article in The New York Times sums it up: A Scandal-Scarred G.O.P. Asks, ‘What Next?’ The basic gist is that the GOP cannot win elections if they alienate the Christian Right. And this constant drumbeat of sex scandals is alienating the Christian Right. Here are some select quotes: Scott Reid, GOP strategist: “The real question for Republicans in Washington is … Read More
Another Naughty Gay Republican
Geez, there’s no stopping them. This was kept under wraps for some time, but no more. This time, it’s not some state Congressman. It’s a full-blown United States congressman. Sen. Larry E. Craig (R-Id) pleaded guilty earlier this month to misdemeanor disorderly-conduct charges stemming from his June arrest by an undercover police officer in a men’s restroom at Minneapolis-St. Paul … Read More
Today’s GOP Sex Scandal
And it’s a doozy, ’cause it involves dead bodies: Three men in their 30s have been found dead in a residence owned by the former Executive Director of the Georgia Republican Party in Orlando, Florida. On Thursday morning a concerned friend of one of the men called the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities went to 2420 Hickory Oak Blvd. in … Read More
Dept. Of Bad Excuses: Part II
So as you probably know by now, Florida State Rep. Bob Allen (R-Pervert) offered $20 to an undercover cop if the cop would accept a blowjob. This happened in a restroom in a public park. Upon arrest, Allen’s excuse was that the park was full of black men, and the guy in the bathroom stall next to him (the undercover … Read More
Daily Dispatches From The GOP “Moral Values” Hit Parade
Geez, it never ends. First, another one from Minnesota (on top of the one I mentioned yesteday): Tim Droogsma, a former press secretary to a U.S. senator and a Minnesota governor, was arrested Tuesday in a midafternoon prostitution sting on St. Paul’s East Side. He allegedly arranged a deal for sex from an undercover officer through Craig’s List, police spokesman … Read More
More Floats In The GOP “Moral Values” Parade
From Pam Spaulding: Case #1: Minnesota State Rep Mark Olsen. The co-sponsor of a (failed) state marriage amendment to ban gays and lesbians from marrying was convicted by a jury for domestic assault. Olsen cried before news cameras last year when he was charged — he allegedly shoved his wife to the ground several times. He was not sent to … Read More
“The Little Guy” Myth
WaPo: Rove argues that Republicans win as activist reformers, in the tradition of Lincoln, McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. "We were founded as a reformist party," he said in our conversation this week, "not to be against something, but to help the little guy get ahead." The models he cites are 401(k)s and the mortgage interest deduction — government policies that … Read More
Your Local GOP
Sigh. Another day, another scandal: A Franklin County commissioner was arrested late Wednesday on charges of drug possession and assault after a 911 call was placed from a boat in the Pamlico Sound. Harry Foy is charged with one count of assault on a female, possessing less than half an once of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, said Dare … Read More
Little Late, Isn’t It?
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) has always, like a good little Republican, been strongly against raising taxes (especially against the wealthy). In the past two years, he has twice vetoed legislation to raise the state’s gas tax to pay for transportation needs. Needs, like, oh, building better bridges. Now, with at least five people dead in the collapse of the … Read More
Bad Excuse
A month or so ago, I wrote about the Florida state congressman Bob Allen (a proud member of the GOP, of course) who was busted for soliciting sex. Specifically, he offered $20 to an undercover police for a blowjob. Not to get a blowjob; Allen paid $20 to give one to the undercover officer. Well, a little more has been … Read More
Neocon Jokes
Reformed Iraq War supporter and Log Cabin Republican Andrew Sullivan made a neocon joke yesterday — now he’s started a stampede. Some of my favorites: Q. How many neocons does it take to screw in a light bulb? A. Neocons don’t bother with light bulbs. They declare a War on Darkness and set the house on fire. ******************************************** Q. How … Read More
Another Day, Another GOP Sex Scandal
What is it — like, thre days in a row now? This one is homegrown though. It involves North Carolina Rep. David Almond, who immediately resigned yesterday. The North Carolina House Republicans are trying to keep his transgression a secret, but they did force him to resign. An insurance agent, Almond was serving his second term in the House. Impeccable … Read More
Vitter Was For The Sanctity Of Marriage Before He Was Against It
From the campaign website of Senator David Vitter (R-La): Vitter Statement on Protecting the Sanctity of Marriage “This is a real outrage. The Hollywood left is redefining the most basic institution in human history, and our two U.S. Senators won’t do anything about it. We need a U.S. Senator who will stand up for Louisiana values, not Massachusetts’s values. I … Read More
Not A Good Day For Rudy In SC
We’re used to corrupt Republican politicians who solicit bribes, take kickbacks and have online sex with boys, but now they have cocaine dealers in their midst? [South Carolina] State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel was indicted on federal drug charges Tuesday and was suspended from office by Gov. Mark Sanford. Ravenel, 44, and Michael L. Miller of Mount Pleasant are charged with … Read More