Slog - Comments on Seattle Times: Resign, Sen. Craig http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig In an editorial today, the Seattle Times urged Sen. Larry "Wide Stance" Craig (R-Idablow) to resign. The Seattle Times has a pretty sterling reputation when it comes to gay issues--rabidly and reliably pro-gay marriage, for starters--and the paper goes out of its way to let readers know that their call for Craig's resignation has nothing to do with the senator's gayness or not-gayness. Craig is not guilty of being gay. Or of being deceitful or in denial about his sexuality. The senator had a choice, and decided to put the dignity and privilege of his high office at risk in... Copyright 2008 Fri, 31 Aug 2007 13:48:13 -0800 Sun, 02 Sep 2007 00:34:29 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Tlazolteotl Exactamundo!

]]> Tlazolteotl http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794594 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794594 Media Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:02:21 -0800 Comment by Michael Idaho has a Republican governor; the Republican Lt. Governor is already being talked about as a replacement for Sen. Craig. Louisiana has a Democratic governor, who presumably would select a Democratic replacement for Sen. Vitter. Since Idaho is a safe seat, it's easier to hang Sen. Craig out to dry. Seems like the Republican leadership is more driven by power than morals.

]]> Michael http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794604 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794604 Media Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:15:52 -0800 Comment by daniel Unless the Seattle Times thinks that paying a hooker to put you in diapers is somehow more dignified than trolling for sex in an airport toilet. Sure.]]> daniel http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794608 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794608 Media Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:22:21 -0800 Comment by Issur The longer we can divert the goi with the sexual foibles of their leaders the easier it will be to continue our war.

The penis picadellos of politicians have served as public distractions for centuries and have allowed governments to accomplish much good.

Good job Dan on writing page after page about the Minneapolis masterbation incident. The less the goi think about our war the better.

]]> Issur http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794609 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794609 Media Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:23:03 -0800 Comment by ka chunk Did he ever say what he was doing at the airport in the first place? I mean, was he going anyway or coming back home? If anyone knows, I'm extremely curious to know.

]]> ka chunk http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794611 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794611 Media Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:26:39 -0800 Comment by Dave Coffman And why are we letting Tucker Carlson off the hook? That asshat is still on MSNBC after admitting he returned to a restroom with someone else to beat up someone that hit on him. If his story isn't true, he's then using the Larry Craig story to feather his own journalistic nest. Michael Savage was thrown off MSNBC for less in my opinion.

Craig, Vitter and Carlson. This week. Who's next? Hypocrisy abounds.

]]> Dave Coffman http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794616 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794616 Media Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:30:00 -0800 Comment by the other John @5 It was mentioned in the transcript that he travels thru there several times a week going to and from Idaho.

]]> the other John http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794619 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794619 Media Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:32:12 -0800 Comment by matthew e Maybe the Times thinks that it should be legal to pay a hooker to put you in diapers in private but illegal to troll for sex in an airport toilet.

]]> matthew e http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794620 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794620 Media Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:32:51 -0800 Comment by tiptoe tommy Sen. Craig was on his way east to a benefit performance of the "Singing Senators" who were originally a barbershop quartet until Jim Jeffords left the GOP. They were most famous for their hit "Let the Eagle Fly" but also sang the catchy Elvira as seen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW1Mpp0HZVI

]]> tiptoe tommy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794630 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794630 Media Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:44:42 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle Actually, I too was wondering when the FBI would arrest Tucker for his Hate Crime.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794650 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794650 Media Fri, 31 Aug 2007 15:01:26 -0800 Comment by MadVal I still don't see as much of a double standard as you Dan. Craig plead guilty to a crime - albeit a misdemeanor. He admitted guilt to a crime. Vitter has only admitted a "sin" - not a crime. He has not publicly said what his crime was, even though it seems pretty obvious. He has not been arrested, or charged, or convicted. He most certainly has not plead guilty to anything in a court of law. If Vitter was eventually tried and convicted - or plead guilty - on charges of soliciting prostitution, but was still allowed to keep his seat, then definitely I'd see a double standard.

]]> MadVal http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794661 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794661 Media Fri, 31 Aug 2007 15:09:01 -0800 Comment by patrick Too bad Vitters story didn't break earlier.

How exactly did the Craig story stay quiet for two months and what made it come to our attention when it did?

]]> patrick http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794712 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794712 Media Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:01:51 -0800 Comment by unPC Vitter is comparable -- Vitter admitted engaging a prostitute -- That's a crime. End of story.

]]> unPC http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794727 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794727 Media Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:25:25 -0800 Comment by Greg At least hiring a sex worker doesn't involve bystanders who are just trying to take a dump.

]]> Greg http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794742 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794742 Media Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:45:49 -0800 Comment by Bauhaus I'm ambivalent about this resignation. Too bad Craig wasn't booted out of the Senate for being a heartless motherfucker instead of hitting on someone in a toilet. The only moral lesson from this episode is: Closeted public officials - be more sly about your fucking hypocrisy!

]]> Bauhaus http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794802 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794802 Media Fri, 31 Aug 2007 18:20:46 -0800 Comment by Flea So you wanted the Times to defend Craig? Would that have appealed to your sense of consistency and fairness? Right....

]]> Flea http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794822 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794822 Media Fri, 31 Aug 2007 19:25:34 -0800 Comment by Wowza @6 - I wouldn't want to start spreading any really nasty, unsubstantiated rumours - but you best believe Mitch McConnell don't want nobody from his murky past speaking up anytime soon. The fact that he's probably having ulcers just thinking about it warms my heart, though.

]]> Wowza http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794835 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794835 Media Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:30:29 -0800 Comment by JJ But isn't using a hooker in one's own private life something different than public trolling?

in some cases a prostitute is a paid professional. Is that the same as propositioning some stranger in a restroom? Is there an issue here with private/public balance and conduct?

]]> JJ http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794899 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794899 Media Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:53:06 -0800 Comment by Dump the Chump Is it OK to read the hypocritical Seattle Times while I'm sitting on a public toilet? Or will their shit fall between my thighs to join my own production? How will this affect my political chances? But seriously folks, blatant hypocrisy on the part of red-state assholes should be punished.

]]> Dump the Chump http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794903 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794903 Media Sat, 01 Sep 2007 01:21:42 -0800 Comment by Punninglinguist Comment #1 is right on the money. This is about the GOP being as sanctimonious as they can afford to be without losing another seat in the senate. Tolerance, bigotry and hypocrisy are not at issue here. They're just the byproducts of a deep, simple calculation about power.

]]> Punninglinguist http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794970 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794970 Media Sat, 01 Sep 2007 11:25:36 -0800 Comment by Punninglinguist I mean, comment #2

]]> Punninglinguist http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794971 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794971 Media Sat, 01 Sep 2007 11:28:41 -0800 Comment by Big Sven "Unless the Seattle Times thinks that paying a hooker to put you in diapers is somehow more dignified than trolling for sex in an airport toilet."

Yes. That's exactly what they think. Homophobes think that any homosexual act (married committed gay men having monogamous sex in the privacy of their bedroom( is worse than any heterosexual act (raping the 14 year old babysitter).

They've said so. Over and over and over. "Homosexuality= bestiality= necrophilia."

]]> Big Sven http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794995 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794995 Media Sat, 01 Sep 2007 13:13:51 -0800 Comment by Matt from Denver I don't know if anyone has made the point on any of these threads yet, but it ought to be pointed out that the GOP is probably not pursuing Vitter as hard because Louisiana's governor is a Democrat and would probably appoint a Dem to replace him if he were to resign. That has at least as much, if not a lot more, to do with the double standard than the respective nature of Vitter and Craig's crimes.

]]> Matt from Denver http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794997 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c794997 Media Sat, 01 Sep 2007 13:20:04 -0800 Comment by Matt from Denver Well, I see that the point I made @ 23 WAS made @ 2. Sorry for the redundancy.

]]> Matt from Denver http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c795000 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c795000 Media Sat, 01 Sep 2007 13:38:01 -0800 Comment by Paddy Mac 'Vitter admitted to sexual “sin,” or hiring hookers, and claims that his wife and God have forgiven him.'

Can he produce statements from both of them on this point?

]]> Paddy Mac http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c795214 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/seattle_times_resign_sen_craig#c795214 Media Sun, 02 Sep 2007 00:34:29 -0800