Conduct Unbecoming
Posted on August 31st, 2007 in Partisan Free Politics by Josh 
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(No Ratings Yet)I would like a discussion about whether or not Senator Craig should resign.
I heard one guy on NPR talk about how because Craig admitted to the crime, lewd conduct, he should resign. Basically I find it hard to believe that it is the actual crime and not the supposed underlying act, or technically speaking the supposed intended act, that is causing the uproar. If an elected official is convicted of some other rather minor misdemeanors to law and order, should they resign? Frankly I think this is primarily about gay sex.
This opens up into a lot of issues, but I don’t have time to write presently b/c I have a free lunch to order and a bunch of money to make. I am curious about other people’s thoughts and impressions.
on August 31st, 2007 at 3:27 pm
Would “progressive” people ever mock someone for their homosexuality? No…
Anyway, I think you are right on the money. If this guy or Foley had’ve been soliciting sex from women the majority of society would condemn, but not really. BTW, prezvid highlighted an excellent YouTube video for the Republican debate (about this very topic, well sort of) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIQTWX0bo7g
on August 31st, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Who cares about Craig’s sexuality?
That is a highly personal matter that should be off limits to discussion.
The difficulty I have with Craig is his willingness to throw away all restraint and turn into a howling maniac on the subject of homosexuality.
Look at his conduct in this incident:
He solicited sex in a toilet stall in an airport men’s room.
He attempted to intimidate the arresting officers with his official position.
He libelled the arresting officers by claiming they misinterpreted his actions, implying they are incompetent.
He has libelled the leading newspaper in his state by claiming they are hounding him.
In providing “proof” his heterosexuality Craig claimed he is loyal to his staff, loves his family and is devoted to America.
In this last statement Craig implied that gays are incapable of these emotions.
It seems to me that anyone who is willing to defame so many others to protect his right to troll for sex in public restrooms should do so as a private citizen.
on August 31st, 2007 at 5:25 pm
btw here’s the folks over at TPMmuckraker have posted full audio and transcripts from the police interrogation.
on August 31st, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Being a former resident of Idaho, I must say what’s going on is sad, but inevitable.Craig could have been in a committed relationship and the result would still have been the same. Intra-party politics (heightened by a looming election) necessitate that the party distance itself from him as quickly as humanly possible. And as for the Democrats, they’ve just been handed a lovely election time gift which allows them to label Republicans as hypocrites and closet deviants.
Score one for deliberative democracy!
on August 31st, 2007 at 7:53 pm
What do you think would happen if, say, Kay Bailey Hutchinson–a married, Republican, female senator–did the same thing (but reversed)?
on September 2nd, 2007 at 6:59 pm
So Larry is going to resign, effective September 30th?!?!?
Can anyone tell me another employer in America who would allow you to occupy your position for a full month after causing this sort of scandal? (Goodell knows the NFL would have you sitting out.)
Now I’ll agree that the homosexual aspect of the case has attracted more attention than it deserves, but Craig is largely to blame for that with his long “family values” record, and previous and persisting denials (even in the face of this irrefutable evidence.)
Whether or not a politician’s sexual activities should be a matter of public discussion is debateable, but the honest truth is that Craig would’ve never been elected if he had been in a committed homosexual relationship, and we cannot deny Idahoans their right to democracy just because we don’t agree with them. If a candidate believes that those questions are out of bounds then they should state that publicly and have done with it, the public will decide if it is truly that important to them.
Comparisons of Craig’s case with other minor offenses, like Josh suggests, just don’t hold water. In the end, Craig’s actions are perceived to be a stain on the GOP, and it was right for him to step down… even if it’s going to take him a month.