So here is what disgraced Senator Larry Craig did. He placed his bag down in front of the airport bathroom door. He went tap, tap, tap with his foot. He reached over with his left hand and touched the leg of the fellow in the next stall. After that he did...well, nothing. The officer confronted him and accused him of soliciting, and Craig pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and paid the fine.
Here, to get a little perspective, is what Congressman Barney Frank did several years ago. He answered a personal ad in the Washington Blade in which a male prostitute, Stephen Gobie, drew public attention to his "hot bottom" and "large endowment." Frank began to pay Gobie for sex and even invited Gobie to move in with him. When the arrangement soured, Gobie revealed to the press that he had been running a full-service prostitution ring out of Frank's Capitol Hill apartment.
Why then is Craig on the ropes while Frank continues as a Congressman in good standing? Certainly the difference isn't homosexuality, which seems to be a common factor in both cases. Nor can the explanation be found in the gravity of the offense involved. Craig's is much less serious, since the worst he did was proposition another adult to have sex, not exactly the first time in history that this has happened. Frank, by contrast, was employing a male hooker for paid favors and providing operating facilities for a D.C. prostitution ring.
I suppose the difference is that Craig has been a champion of moral values--which makes him vulnerable to the charge of hypocrisy--while Frank is a libertine which means he gets to do as he pleases. (Bill Clinton and Ted Kennedy are also given free passes for similar reasons.) Another difference, as far as the mainstream media is concerned, is that Craig is a Republican. If you're looking for two-faced people who abuse their power, Craig may not be the greatest offender here.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 12)
1. Here we go again.The Gay CHAMPIONS.Barny Frank is a disgusting coward!Hillary will never be Prez.Libertines do not support freedom of individuals,but,no values equate freedom.Dems are cowards,liars,immoral champions,pink lovers,anal bandits,pro child murder,anti murderer execution,Anti america,Anti God,Pro Muslim,Pro two mommies,Two Daddies and pro screw up the minds and bodies of children.You perverted scum.Ellen Degenerate is a filthy pig as is Huge piggie rosie Mcdonalds.Heterophobics live in a small minded hell.their hell is the size of a penis and vagina.Yes,homosexuals live minute to minute purely charged and led by genitalia.How sad.Barney Frank is a COWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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elbktskehv at 10:39AM on Jan 24th 2009
3. Barney Frank may well be the worst POS that this Country has ever seen...
klrbeas at 3:43AM on Jul 7th 2009
4. Uh, the critical difference is that Barney Frank is a SINGLE man - he can do as he pleases sexually as long as he is not breaking the law. The people of his state re-elect him time and time again. That is democracy. Furthermore, I think it is fair to say most Democrats don't think there is anything wrong with being gay. Probably most Republicans don't either, but that doesn't stop them from bashing gays to whip up votes.
Craig is a MARRIED man seeking sex from other men. I agree that this is not the crime of the century, but Craig signed his name to an affadavit admitting guilt.
The Republicans have painted themselves into this corner. If they want to be the guardian of moral values, then they have to always live up to it. And obvioulsy - that ain't the case!!
David S. at 4:51PM on Aug 31st 2007
5. I understand that you don't understand why Craig may resign and Barney Frank should have been. But that does not justify that Craig should be given a free pass. And the last time I checked, Bill Clinton was impeached, his time was almost done which is why he was allowed to stay.
If you have read the news lately his fellow republicans are the ones making the most noise about this and want him gone because it makes them look bad. The democrats are just sitting back laughing.
I will step on that f*ckers hand if he did that to me. Taking a Sh*t is personal and sacred to my very existence.
David McCool at 4:50PM on Aug 31st 2007
6. My dear friend,he pleaded guilty.
Derek Hughes at 5:03PM on Aug 31st 2007
7. Craig did NOT PLEAD GUILTY TO LEWD BEHAVIOR! His plea was for simple disorderly conduct. Further what Barney Frank's boyfriend did was run a brothel from Frank's home. That is illegal. It has nothing to do with sexual orientation. Not one democrat called for him to step down and he was reelected. Sen. Vitter admitted to doing business with a prostitute and said he has been forgiven by his wife. Did that end the issue? Of course not . To democrats running a brothel isn't as bad as visiting one, if you're a republican. Craig has never admitted to any sexual activity but the world is crashing in around him. I wouldn't blame him for stepping down, asserting his privacy rights and telling everyone to go to hell.
Joe Edgington at 5:13PM on Aug 31st 2007
8. David S. Bill Clinton was also a MARRIED man doing it with interns in OUR White House. And what are you saying....that Democrats have NO moral values. That I believe.
Don at 5:21PM on Aug 31st 2007
9. I actually have to agree with you on this one.
It's difficult to believe that a politician could have an illegal business -- a prostitution service -- being conducted out of his apartment and still remain in(or be re-elected to)office. Frank got a free pass, somehow. I suspect it's because he's well-liked, but that doesn't make it right. Everyone's not being held to the same standard here.
And in spite of the growing roar of condemnation against Sen. Craig, I can't say I'm convinced it wasn't all a big misunderstanding somehow. From what I've heard of the arresting officer he sounds like a stand-up guy with a lot of integrity, but perhaps all the time he's logged on this particular beat has made him a little quick to jump to assumptions. I think the burden of proof should be a bit higher in these bathroom nabs, like actual touching or verbal solicitation or something.
Joseph at 5:30PM on Aug 31st 2007
10. Don # 5 - What Bill Clinton did was indeed quite wrong. I am adult enough to admit that - are you adult enough to admit what Craig did was too? Or will you just give him a pass they way Dinesh did?
Where in my comment did I say Democrats have no moral values? That was your comment. And you are entitled to it.
David S. at 5:36PM on Aug 31st 2007
11. Congratulations, you almost made through an entire article of spin and misdirection without mentioning Clinton. If you had to, how would you justify Craig's actions with out the finger-pointing machine gun. Just more right wing tilt-a-whirl spin with a heavy dose of two wrongs must make a right.
If conservatives want to do Larry Craig a favor they would quietly wait for it blow over. With all the other troubles your party has created for themselves you might want to try to do something that the American people will veiw in a positive light. The way it stands now the Dems will sweep next years elections with a simple platform of "We ain't them."
griley75 at 5:37PM on Aug 31st 2007
12. Don... how can you say ALL Democrats have no morals?? it's like saying ALL blondes are dumb, ALL Irish are drunks...
this man, Larry Craig clearly lied and people are very suspect with liars. if he did this thing he's accused of, he should have owned it and admitted to it. There's no way in the world, no matter how much pressure I had from police or anyone, would I admit to something I didn't do. it's so idiotic to think or even try to imagine he was coerced into a confession.. how stupid..
almost as stupid as Don's comment.
Trish at 5:51PM on Aug 31st 2007
13. All Larry Craig really needs to do is change parties, move to New York (or any blue state), and he can run for senate!
He could even move to Rhode Island, marry Barney Frank and they could run for president and co-president!
Mike at 5:57PM on Aug 31st 2007
14. Look...who is one of the bigger parts of the republican base? It's the religious wrong AKA the 'religious right'. The immoral majority, yes? Ok, that established, in order to stay tru to their so-called beliefs, they must live what they preach all day long to the rest of us. They have no option- they must dump craig overboard because he has betrayed them utterly- paying lipservice to them, while giving BJs in the mens room. There's no way around this fact no matter how you spin it--you can come off with this bullcrap about how it's his private life and then I'd tell you to go back and read up on NJ dem. jim mc greevy and how his outing was jumped on, resulting in his disgrace and disappearance from the political scene. Where was all the understanding there by you repubicans? Get real. Expect none for your ...what is he now the 4th or 5th pervert connected to your party? Laughable.
This guy dinesh or whatever the heck it is must not be familiar with our customs here in the USA. Maybe in india or pakistan or whever he hails from it's OK to play footsie with the guy in the bathroom stall next to you, and even reach on over to his side for whatever reason. Here, however, in an area known as a hot spot of such activity as gay sex in the restrooms, it's a clear sign of foul play. The cop had arrested tons of people prior, for the same actions, because he knows what it means. This dinesh guy here chooses to believe the lie about how craig accidentally reached into the other stall underneath...to pick up a piece of "paper". Who the hell picks up a dirty piece of worthless paper off the bathroom floor. Why did he pick up junk? Get real. I hope you don't expect us to believe that horseshit.
Similarly, who pleads guilty to lesser charges who isn't culpable. This is no scared 18 yr old, it's a damn senator and he knows what's up. You dont hand off your senate business card to someone you 'accidentally' bumped...IN THE NEXT STALL WHICH YOU CAN'T EVEN DO BY ACCIDENT... You just don't do that unless you're trying to intimidate them. He couldn't intimidate him, and that action is not one of an innocent man in the first place. You don't reach under stalls in the shitter accidentally or to pick up trash while you're sitting there doing your business. What senator picks up random trash anyway? Spare me.
So, now we have craig in the hot seat and the first thing he says is, "I'm not gay!" Well, doesn't that seem like an admission right there? Sure does to me. He plead GUILTY to the lesse offenses because he thought it might go under the radar if the offense terminology was sufficiently vague- he even managed to keep it quiet for a couple of months. Any accident which was potentially career-ending would have been met by high indignation and a very strong fight and NO plea...innocent would have been the plea of the innocent man. He then could have given us this bogus story about paper on the floor and accidentally putting his foot over in the other dude's stall. Guilty is what it is...guilt. You repubicans should be happy that craig is such a stand-up guy to take responsibility right away and proudly announce hid guilt...that's real character there. lol...
Another one bites the dust...not many more left now until the culling is complete.
Tom at 6:01PM on Aug 31st 2007
15. TOm, tom, you angry liberal you. You left out an important fact. McGreevy resigned because he gave his lover A GOVERNMENT JOB!!!! Not because he was gay (a big plus for demos) or because he was CHEATING ON HIS WIFE, also a vote getter for Demos.
Jon at 6:36PM on Aug 31st 2007