OPINION & EDITORIAL
America’s ‘wide-stance’ on sex
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by Jason Smathers
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Now, that he's outlived his usefulness as the punch line to a thousand late-night comedy routines, Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, faces the true test within his own ranks. After his own party and home state shook the already wobbly post that he sits upon, Mr. Craig announced last week he would serve out the remaining 15 months of his Senate term.
It seems that everyone's appalled at the turn of events. For a man whose apparent solicitation of sex in a Minnesota bathroom comes into direct conflict with his major anti-gay legislative efforts, he has every reason to resign. His family values' credentials have been voided, and he even denies his guilt despite admitting such in a court of law. To keep his Senate seat seems to certainly indicate a blatant disregard for the wishes of his party, his constituents and the demands of the 24-hour news cycle.
If this issue centered on kickbacks, lobbying or deceptive legal loopholes, I'd probably join these voices. However, Americans demanding their leaders adhere to a "normal" sexual lifestyle is like a cook criticizing a homeowner's design scheme: Sure, neither of them is an expert, but at the least resident knows his own home. In this case, I'd say those weighing in are not only wrong to criticize his sexuality, but they might want to do a little research themselves.
Following the revelation of Mr. Craig's lavatory lasciviousness, the cable news and AM radio talking heads dedicated a fair amount of time to the two-faced nature of the scandal. Yes, it's another example of politicians abusing their power.
Yet, let's be honest, it'd be naÃ
jason jason (October 10, 2007 @ 4:55am):
You might have mentoned Senator Vitter from Louisiana, the man who paid prostitutes. He even gave a speech in Congress on the sanctity of marriage. It seems he is going to keep his Senate seat. I guess the point is that homosexuality remains, at least in the US, much more socially tabu than hetero adultery. In a country like the US with a very large conservative religious base, the anti homosexual bias will not change too fast. Craig is obviously a troubled and unhappy man. Why shouldn't he be...after all he didn't choose to be gay. The problem with a lot of people is that tey keep thinking that homosexuality is a choice. Who would choose to suffer prejudice and be socially excluded?
Anonymous (October 10, 2007 @ 7:03am):
You know where Randi got pedophilia? Look up "Mark Foley."
Anonymous (October 10, 2007 @ 8:07am):
"Since when did we conflate sexual encounters with pedophilia?"
Don't you remember the congressional paige scandal? You would think people who write editorials and opinions would at least keep up with the news.
Anonymous (October 10, 2007 @ 9:52am):
Right on. This is some of the most polished opinion writing I've seen in the Herald this year... if not exactly controversial.
Anonymous (October 10, 2007 @ 12:14pm):
And while we're at it, Kyle, let's hold Barney Frank to the same standard. And let's not forget your favorite of the liberal set Bill Clinton. Anybody else that should be on the watchlist?
Anonymous (October 10, 2007 @ 12:29pm):
I'm confused. We can't call out Craig on his hypocrisy without looking like we're homophobes then?
Anonymous (October 10, 2007 @ 12:35pm):
Barney Frank does it in bathrooms? I thought he just used prostitutes, like Republican David Vitter from Louisiana.
Anonymous (October 10, 2007 @ 1:16pm):
Give Craig a break, his stall just ran out of tp and he was trying to get some from the other side!
-Slapps
Anonymous (October 14, 2007 @ 10:00am):
This is the best piece on the Larry Craig episode that I've seen anywhere, including the Wash Post and NY Times.
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