Touche back to you. You’re right. I shouldn’t have spoken as if all Republicans are of the same cloth. There are fine people, (and hypocrites) in both parties.

Thank you for correcting my position and for elevating the dialogue on this board.

While I can appreciate your sentiments, I respectfully diagree. I think that this article/situation represents the hypocrisy of one man. Period. I think that it is a mistake to make blanket statements about one party or another based on the actions of any one representative–and I say this also to Republicans. I am in favor of healthy and open political debate, but I do get tired of BOTH parties getting lost in the forest for the trees.

Thank you for the correction about the Filner article. (Seriously.) I thought I had done my research, but I missed it. Touche!

I would ask, though, that you not presume to know the feelings of every Republican on issues of homosexuality...or any other issue for that matter. That is one of the wonderful things about living in a free-thinking society.

Meanwhile, here’s a priceless video of Larry Craig on Meet the Press calling Bill Clinton a naughty boy:

Wouldn't it be funny, if his wife came out and surprised him saying this in front of many cameras: " Craig! Stop lying to people. I had it. Don't parade me any more, and I will take everything you have for humiliate me all these years. Enough is enough".

That's the rub now isn't it? If the officer were undercover for alleged drug trafficing in this public restroom and the officer thought foot tapping was a dealer's high sign would Craig be facing drug charges instead?

Craig was arrested based on the officer's interpretation of Craig's actions. The officer made an assumption based on a tapping foot and a waving hand that Craig wished to engage in lewd acts. Craig was not arrested for engaging in lewd acts. He was arrested for tapping his foot. Last I checked tapping your foot in a public area is not illegal. Placing your foot adjacent to another person's foot, albeit weird, is not illegal either.

A half witted lawyer could have had Craig's case dismissed.

Craig said he plead guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges to make a quick end to the court proceedings. He did so to avoid a witch hunt. Whether or not this is true is between Craig and his own conscience.

I am not saying Craig is innocent or guilty. I'm not legal council nor a judge. This blog is not a court of law. I will say I am not willing to crucify the man because he tapped his foot in public. I'm tapping my foot right now. Should I be arrested?

Police officers are human and prone to make mistakes just like any other human. Craig was arrested based on an assumption and the general public seems more than happy to condemn the man. This whole situation does have overtones of a witch hunt.

Yes it does, Cara. Because Republicans like Senator Craig are the ones crusading against gay rights. Craig strongly opposes same-sex domestic partnership benefits, voted to prohibit same-sex marriage, voted against prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation, voted against expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation, and in general speaks about homosexuality as sinful behavior. Setting aside the question of hypocrisy, this kind of voting and rhetoric is harmful to real American citizens, and it’s largely the Republican party doing that harm. Until Republicans face the fact that homosexuality is an unchangeable part of life on earth, gay Americans are going to keep demanding their rights and gay Republicans are going to keep emerging from closets and public restrooms. This isn’t just Craig’s hypocrisy, (or Foley’s or Haggard’s). It’s Republican hypocrisy. That’s what makes this a real story and not just cheap gossip.

You also asked: “Hey CNN-where was the article about D-Bob Filner (Calif.) being charged with assault recently?!”

The answer is it’s down bout three pages. It was Posted 8/21/2007 09:03:54 AM and now has 61 comments.

"According to the documented police report all Craig did was tap his foot and move his hand around. I don't recall any law prohibiting a person from tapping his or her foot in a public restroom. The police officer, based on his experience, deduced that Craig wanted to engage in lewd acts. Even a hack lawyer could have got Craig's case dismissed. If anything Craig is a complete idiot for pleading guilty."

The documented police report said, that Craig tapped his foot, moved his hand around under the stall more than three times, then placed his foot under the stall so it touched against the officer's foot. Then, the officer showed him his identity and poited his finger to the exit. Please tell me how this action could be seen as anything other than soliciting sex favours. How many times have you been in a washroom and had someone push their foot over to touch yours or mover their hand underneath the stall? What would you deduce from these actions if you had been the officer? Might I add, an officer that was working under cover due to many reports of lewd acts being carried out in the same public washroom.

Next Question. Why would Craig if he was innocent, even entertain the thought of pleading guilty? The normal reaction of innocence would be Craig's utter outrage at the officer's mere suggestion of solicitation charges. Craig did not show outrage.

I fail to understand how anyone could suggest Craig is innocent of the charge made against him. And if he is married with grown children and grandchildren his actions are more reprehensible.

Getting rid of Larry Craig shows Mitt has zero tolerance for "alternative" lifestyles. Now if he can just find a polite way to fire his son, Craig.

Articles posted about Republican Albert Gonzales: 19

Articles posted about Republican Larry Craig (Lewd Behavior): 4

Articles posted about Democrat Bob Filner (Assaulting Airport Employee): 1

Perhaps CNN just feels it's more "news worthy" when Republicans are on the hot-seat than Democrats?

Whether or not any gay man knows the high signs, tapping your foot in a public restroom is not against the law. I have no clue what Craig was thinking when he pleaded guilty to this misdemeanor.

According to the documented police report all Craig did was tap his foot and move his hand around. I don't recall any law prohibiting a person from tapping his or her foot in a public restroom. The police officer, based on his experience, deduced that Craig wanted to engage in lewd acts. Even a hack lawyer could have got Craig's case dismissed. If anything Craig is a complete idiot for pleading guilty.

It seems that a lot of Republicans if not more then democrats are homosexuals or sexual deviants. Remember that guy who was drunk and shouting for boys to come out of the Senate Paige Dormitory who got busted about a year ago.

Maybe thats why they hated Bill Clinton so much because he was chasing girls instead of hanging out in mens rooms.

You wrote, "Jesus ate with tax collectors and prostitutes because he had compassion and confidence, a powerful combination. He could put himself in others shoes and walk a mile. He could understand that not all life would conform to him but that he could lead by example, by embracing the misunderstood and the shunned rather than shunning them."

- – – - -

I hope you do understand Jesus was not endorsing the activities of the prostitutes and tax collectors (who routinely stole money). You do remember the story where the adulterous woman was brough to the square to be stoned and asked Jesus to condemn her? His response was, "Let the person without sin cast the first stone". End of story? NO.

He said to the woman, "It seems there are no accusers and I am neither accuser. Go and SIN NO MORE".

Jesus reached out to the sinners because everyone else wrote them off. His goal wasn't "to make them feel good" – it was to inspire them to a better life.

Oddly – the people on this blog who are "judging" are all the democrats.

Hmmmmmmmm

1) the Republicans who have been forced to resign, are under indictment, or are in jail. (big list)

2) the fat cats and CEOs who became Bush's "Pioneers" with donations of $100,000 or $200,000 to Bush's campaign, who put this totally incompetent and criminal know-nothing in the White House.

- – - – - –

Jim,

Thanks for quoting the Bible although you might want to understand the quote before attmepting to use it. Your misguided in it's application.

We are not to judge the person (salvation) as that is God's job.

We ARE to judge behavior.

Or in other words – love the sinner, hate the sin.

And, Jim, Jesus was speaking those words to ALL mankind regardless of political affiliation.

It beggars explanation. How terrible must be those private drives.

Another hatemonger exposed. I'm lovin' it.

That just isn't true (I'm gay and had no idea until yesterday). Difference is, the self-loathing folks like the Senator have submerged themselves in a crude and likely unsafe expression of feelings they can only deny to the public.

Eeeeek! I can smell it comin'!
The former "Good Senator" is going to say that he's sorry and FOUND JESUS IN THE . . . . .

Amazingly put. What scares me is that these right wing nut jobs have enough influence to have asay in whether homosexuals can be discriminated against when hiring or whether violence agains them constitutes a hate crime. I gues it's okay to open up someone's head if he doesn't fit into your own moral code.

These people are sick...let's bring on change

Obama!!

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you.
Matthew 7: 1-2 (KJV)

It would by laughable if it weren't so commonplace.

Adios, Larry.