He Did Nothing Wrong
Larry Craig is out the door, and he doesn't have many fans left. I'm certainly not one of them. As has been widely reported, Craig is the proud recipient of a zero -- ZERO! -- from the Human Rights Campaign for his anti-gay voting record. As HRC concluded, it's pretty hard to find any issue on which Craig has taken a stand for justice, fairness, or decency.
I'm also horrified by the mobius-strip like way in which Craig's legacy turns in on itself: Anti-gay lawmakers like Craig work so hard to inflame homophobia that it becomes all the more difficult for closeted individuals like Craig to live open lives, which in turn enables anti-gay leaders to foment fear. In a sense, Craig has done everything wrong. I'm glad to see him leave.
That said, Craig's story saddens me at so many levels. As I argue in an op-ed in the Washington Post today, Craig's career has been destroyed as a result of the most trivial of infractions. My partner, upon reading Craig's arrest report, shouted, "But he's done nothing wrong!" And indeed he hasn't. This is the extent of his crime:
Craig walked into a public restroom and fidgeted with his fingers for two minutes as he stood outside an occupied stall. Several times, he peered through a crack in the door. Then, he entered an empty stall, sat down, tapped his foot, and touched the shoe of the person in the next stall with his own. Finally, he swiped his hand under the stall divider three times.
That's the totality of his crime.
Craig probably was looking for sex, but there is a big difference between seeking sex and having public sex. What if, for example, Craig planned to ask the occupant of the next stall to follow him to a private hotel room? What if he simply enjoyed the chase and planned to stop short of sexual conduct? It's sickening that lawmakers who support torture eagerly condemn Craig for a toe tap.
Society, of course, has the right to enforce standards of public decorum. But when we punish people for a wink and a nod, we let our anxieties about sex override the best traditions of what it means to live in a free society.
Let's be frank: Craig is being punished because he is gay, not just because he was arrested or because he has a vexed relationship with the truth. A student of one of my colleagues, Professor Tobias Wolff, did a study showing that gay men in a major metropolitan area are arrested on lewd conduct charges for public behaviors which heterosexuals engage in commonly. According to Wolff, "The double-standard -- including the selective treatment of different public places as implicitly acceptable or unacceptable for exploring assignations, corresponding closely to whether the places are coded straight or coded gay -- is stark."
Craig's personal anguish must be nothing short of extreme. If Craig were being punished for his destructive voting record and the numerous ways in which he has used his authority to crush people who needed help, that would be one thing. But to see him destroyed for being gay brings no comfort at all.
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Let the rotten hypocrite fall! Good riddance. He deseves no pity whatsoever.
His behavior may not have been exactly criminal, particularly if the officer somehow engaged him through signals. But is that what you want your senator behaving? It should be discouraged and certainly not tolerated by allowing him to remain in office. He brings shame to his office and his state.
Yes, that is EXACTLY right. Case in point: David Vitter. He is on the speed dial of a DC Madam, admits to hiring prostitutes, and may have a diaper fetish.
However, because his actions are hetero, he not only gets a pass, but a standing ovation from his cohorts.
Yes, the only reason that Craig was deserted by his party was that he was gay. Isnt it ironic that he always fought against non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, only to have that very thing cause HIM to be fired?
Also, Vitter represents a state with a Democrat for a Governor, so if he were to resign she would appoint his successor. Also, the people of Louisiana are extremely tolerant of corruption and scandal when it comes to their politicians, so he'll probably be reelected no matter what comes to light.
He may have been deserted by his party because he was gay, but he is being punished because he was given much, and squandered it in cowardice and arrogance and hypocrisy, which after the last six years, is deserving of its current status as a high crime.
Don't get bogged down in minority-context thinking: "It's because he's gay; it's because he's black." Give the rest of us credit for being smarter than that.
It's because he's a lying, cheating, prideful, hypocritcal SOB.
Well said. Bears repeating, with an addition...
It's because he's a lying, cheating, prideful, hypocritcal GOP SOB.
The only reason? The repubs would gladly have cast Vitter out too, but a dem gov. would've not replaced him with another repub.
I agree.
"Craig is being punished because he is gay"
Craig is being punished because he has been exposed as a hypocrite. The American people are willing to put up with a lot, but one thing they are unwilling to tolerate is hypocricy. That is true for people on both the right and the left.
I don't think so. We have so many instances of where hypocrisy gets turned a blind eye I think we can rule that out. We would like to think it was the hypocrisy, but it was the gay thing.
Ahhh, but when a hypocrite pleads guilty to something he supposedly didn't do... that's totally different.
I agree with the commenter a few comments up, Barrychamplain, and his comment bares repeating:
" "I AM NOT GAY!" was a disingenuous attempt to conflate what Larry Craig IS, with "gayness".
What Larry Craig IS: a sexual deviant. A guy who cruises to get his knob polished, in public toilets. A pervert. A criminal.
"I AM NOT GAY!" was a smarmy, transparent, right-wing ploy to say that what Larry Craig was accused of doing... was being "gay". News flash: you don't get your ass arrested and booked, for being "gay". Yet.
I agree. I think if you pan the camera back even further though, there is a larger issue here.
Conservatives have used wedge issues, particularly abortion and gay marriage, to get a HUGE segment of the population to vote for them to the exclusion of issues that comparatively effect FAR more people (wages, healthcare, etc).
More and more congressmen who were elected primarily because they played up their so called family and conservative values continue to be exposed as hypocrites. But more importantly, they've been duping millions and millions of voters into (essentially) wasting their votes.
Wouldn't this country be that much better off if so much of the focus wasn't wasted on wedge issues like this?
To me, *that* is the big story, even more so than the low(er) level hypocrisy.
It reminds of the former Christian in charge of the faith based office who came out and wrote a book about how much evangelicals were actually mocked, harshly, behind closed doors (why didn't that get more press by the way?) by many in the Bush administration.
Is there corruption (and hypocrisy) in *both* parties? OF COURSE!
But *at least* the democrats have most of the *issues* right, even if you don't agree with their specific proposals on how to deal with them (i.e. wages, healthcare, etc).
As for the republicans, they are 0 for 2.
Thank you for focussing on the 'forest' not the 'tree'. Republicans use sexual fear to win elections. Then they exploit their power to steal from working-class taxpayers and give the money to Iraq War 'contractors' . Uninsured kids 'can go to the emergency room' for care. Mining safety laws are revoked. National forests plundered. Whole cities are destroyed and left to rot. Legislation to repair broken bridges gets vetoed three times before one collapses at rush hour. And here we all are, arguing about persecution of gays - which is a BAD THING - but we ALL are being persecuted by thieving Republicans!
I think the bottom line is that Craig was arrested for lewd behavior, pleaded guilty to that charge, was fingerprinted, photographed and booked, paid a fine and accepted probation. Then he refused to inform the Senate that these events occured.
I understand your position about the double standard, but the forest alone is enough to condemn him without bothering about the trees.
I think it is understood by all that the fact that David Vitter is untouched by his admission that he did something that is illegal in all states shows the homophobic bent of Republican leaders but that is not exactly a revelation. Until the light goes on, they will continue to work in the dark.
But the Republiscums were only to delighted to punish Bill Clinton for a heterosexual act that is quite legal.
The matrix seems to look something like this:
Heterosexual+Republican = Okay
Heterosexual+Democrat = Impeachable
Homosexual+Republican = Resignation Required
Mouseketeer: Can't understand why dems keep bringing up former President Clinton 'cause he's history. Should be more concerned about the Clinton coming up. And that Homosexual+Republican=Resignation Required, well, you were correct. Craig did resign, as republicans keep harping on that "family values" thing. Geez, what's a little perjury and obstruction of justice thing when ya got blowjobs in the Oval Office to line up.
Lying under oath to a grand jury is not legal.
Actually, the matrix is simpler:
Heterosexual + Republican = Knock yerself out.
Homosexual = remove from office
Democrat = remove from office
"David Vitter is untouched by his admission that he did something that is illegal" because the Reoublicans know that his state's governor would most likely replace him with a Democrat. The Republicans thought nothing of disposing of Craig because they know that HIS state's governor will replace with with another Republican.
Vitter could have admitted to being a serial killer, and he'd still be in office right now. The GOP: Party Uber Alles!
Vetter was not arrested, he is the victim of a
list exposed to the public. Again, Craig was
arrested and pleaded quilty.
Exactly.
It's the balance of power, period.
No, Craig is being booted for lying.
"Destroyed for being gay"???
Congratulations, Aaron. You have just done what Larry Craig attempted to do. Larry Craig... you know, whose policies and votes, by your own admission, were an attack on gay and lesbian American citizens.
"I AM NOT GAY!" was a disingenuous attempt to conflate what Larry Craig IS, with "gayness".
What Larry Craig IS: a sexual deviant. A guy who cruises to get his knob polished, in public toilets. A pervert. A criminal.
"I AM NOT GAY!" was a smarmy, transparent, right-wing ploy to say that what Larry Craig was accused of doing... was being "gay". News flash: you don't get your ass arrested and booked, for being "gay". Yet.
Congratulations for accepting Larry Craig's frame of it all. Even the GOP aren't buying it, for Christ's sake.
Bingo!
My sentiments exactly. You polished this debate right on the proverbial knob.
Not only is Craig's lust the tip of the iceberg in Washington, he's the poster boy for the old DC school filled with Caligulas and Neros who fiddle while fascism burns us as they sell out American soverignty and the public trust.
What peeves me is that many of these same hypocritical perverts are the ones who vote for legislative unconstitutionality from gay marriage prevention to Big Brother spying and from domestic infrastructure divestment to an illegal war.
And then on top of it all, they have the gall to act out their sick desires in public and deny it ever happened as sorrowful pundits call his critics gay bashers?
This guy is not the exception in the beltway. He's the rule and part of the reason why the GOP will be extinct in 2008 and beyond.
Remember that 1988 GOP attack ad with Willie Horton? In '08 the Republicans can all star in the Dem attack ads...
In a madcap rogue's gallery lineup of new global disorder thugs just being their perverted, corrupt selves.
Bingo 2
"What Larry Craig IS: a sexual deviant. A guy who cruises to get his knob polished, in public toilets. A pervert. A criminal."
I live in Idaho. I despise Larry Craig for his voting record. I'm glad he won't be our senator anymore. But what you've just said is crazy. Let's say Craig WAS looking to get his "knob polished." So? Do you know how many heterosexual men proposition women in public every single day? Sometimes it's just a subtle come-on, no big deal and easy to deflect; sometimes it's more blunt and frankly obscene. Why do we have this double standard? It's okay for a man to hit on a woman in public, but not for a man to hit on another man? We're not talking about someone offering money for sexual favors, or behaving lewdly in public, just a guy making an overture to another guy. Yes, he is a despicable hypocrit, but isn't his arrest as well?
Karma
Appartently you think that ONLY adult men use those restroom.
Did you ever stop to think what they could do to some teenager who is in schock or seduced by these homosexuals having sex in public restooms?
I am glad they got this pervet oout in the public eye!
KIDS USE THESE REST ROOMS TOO WAKE UP!
But he wasn't arrested for propositioning a child or a teenager, or forcing himself on an underage youth. When you give government the so-called power to do good (ensnare adults for consensual sex in the hopes of preventing sexual predation on the young), you give it the power to do bad. You just give it too much power, period. Prosecute only crimes that have victims!
"some teenager who is in schock or seduced by these homosexuals having sex"
...I do believe that's exactly what Mr. Belkin meant when he referred to "our anxieties about sex."
Karma no better reply can be said.
Perfection in action and this time we got to see this karma in action. How else would we learn from our mistakes?
Clinton has to be smiling ear to ear. At least his was with a woman he is thinking which makes the point aaron is trying to make here.
His "missing the target" is not about being gay but his condemnation of others and lack of understanding of anyone that does not share his beliefs or sexual orientation.
We should have known something was going on inside of his head like guilt; he was trying to cover up with his stance on Clinton.
He has no idea that this mega embarrassment he has endured has the greatest opportunity for soul growth. Will he take advantage of this opportunity only time will tell but don’t bet on it?
Karma. That sums it up.
Karma indeed. He IS being punished for his voting record!
Is he gay? Is he Not? Did he do what he did?
Did he not do what he says he didn't--AND WHO CARES???
Craig is the Republican Sacrificial Lamb of the week. That's it!!! The Main Stream Media will take what they have been told to lead with and run it down our throats, while Bushco continues to operate behind the smoke and mirrors.
Has Gonzales died?
Has the War ended?
Has New Orleans been rebuilt?
Have Bush's friends looted Iraq to the last gallon?
Come on people. This Country is being threatened as never before--by the very men who are entrusted with its defense. Why be such willing sheep any longer?
Bush will throw a new body under the train every week until he goes back to Texas. The media will use it to distract us, and folks on these boards will continue to talk talk talk. Like it matters.
Organize. Educate. Resist.
And for pete's sake, stop being such knee jerk, predictable, pawns.
And to prove my point, see Casey jump up to fan the flames around this topic. Let's keep it HOT and SEXY people. That's what sells, and works as well as bread and circuses.
Here's the new MSM line--
"Oh, the poor Republicans! They're on the ropes. Support is failing. Bush's buddies are bailing! The sky is falling.
SEE, our Democratic system works after all!!!
Now all you liberal, doomsaying, conspiracy nuts crawl back UYR, because we've reported it and it's the truth, So help us Fox and Rupert."
But who has been indicted, actually cited for contempt, brought before Congress in cuffs or impeached.
No-one!
Oh, they can cough up some minor league poster boy pervert to make you salivate like the pavlovian curs you are, and then laugh all the way to January 2009.
It is still business as usual. You are all still squabbling over what someone does with their d___ks, when it is all of us bending over to take it prison style.
That's how well our system works these days.
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