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Monday, January 30, 2006

Opposition To Alito Turns Into Gay Witch Hunt

Blogger Michael Rogers has threatened to "out" an allegedly gay Republican Senator if he doesn't vote the right way on the Alito nomination tomorrow.
Mr. Senator:

Tomorrow you will be faced with a vote that may have the longest aftereffects of any other you have cast in your Senate career.

Tomorrow you will decide if your political position is worth more than doing what is right for others like you. For others like you, Mr. Senator, who engage in oral sex with other men. (Although, Mr. Senator, most of us don't do in the bathrooms of Union Station!) Your fake marriage, by the way, will NOT protect you from the truth being told on this blog.

How does this blog decide who to report on? It's simple. We report on hypocrites. In this case, hypocrites who vote against the gay and lesbian community while engaging in gay sex themselves*.

When you cast that vote, Mr. Senator, represent your own...it's the least you could do.

Michael Rogers
blogACTIVE.com


*While votes on many matters are considered, votes "FOR" either the Alito nomination and the Federal Marriage Amendment are enough to qualify legislators for reporting on this site.

This seems really, really stupid.

Alito is in. The last chance for the opposition was a filibuster, but that got shot down today. All that's required now is a simple majority vote in the Senate. With more Democrats crossing to Alito's side than Republicans turning against him there's no chance that he'll lose. So using such a harsh tactic at this stage in the game does little else but tell us that the person employing it is a desperate, bitter partisan.

Plus, what a fantastically hypocritical thing for someone on the "tolerant, compassionate" left to do. Hypocrite or not, delving into someone's personal life to dredge up details about their sex life in order to manipulate them into taking political action favorable to your own views is morally and ethically repugnant. Even more so in that the Senator's sex life has absolutely nothing to do with Sam Alito's qualifications to sit on the high court.

Last night I read a post by Oliver Willis where complained about Democrat politicians not making liberal blogs part of their "message machine." Given the above, it is little wonder mainstream Democrats don't want to make themselves more beholden to the liberal blogosphere. The liberal bloggers, by an large, are on the fringes of American politics. They are constantly trying to pull the DNC further and further to the left despite every indication (from Howard Dean's lackluster performance as a fundraiser to the very liberal Kerry's thumping at the hands of a President who barely beat out the comparatively more conservative Al Gore in 2000) that the American electore lays further to the right.

Update:

Don't look now, but this gay witch hunt may well be against the law:
The post on BlogActive may constitute blackmail under the criminal law of Washington, D.C. As set forth on Lexis - Nexis, section 22-3252 of the District Columbia Code provides:

(a) A person commits the offense of blackmail, if, with intent to obtain property of another or to cause another to do or refrain from doing any act, that person threatens:

(1) To accuse any person of a crime;

(2) To expose a secret or publicize an asserted fact, whether true or false, tending to subject any person to hatred, contempt, or ridicule; or

(3) To impair the reputation of any person, including a deceased person.

(b) Any person convicted of blackmail shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.

Makes sense to me.

Comments

Avatar for Bat One

Like his deceased, cardigan-clad TV namesake, Mr. Rogers is merely making it up as he goes along, and trying very hard to look normal in the process.

Still, his post points to what may well be the most interesting… and explosive… action in this off-year election.  No, not the fight for control of the House, nor that of the Senate.  But rather the all out civil war within the Democratic party.

With the economy doing well, and American and Iraqi forces making steady progress in Iraq, despite what Christianne Amanpour says (how would she know anyway?), the GOP will be quite secure this November.  But the Dems, on the other hand, are about to start eating their young out of bitterness and resentment.  Now if Karl Rove and Ken Mehlman can only figure out how to podcast the spectacle, at a modest fee to the RNC, of course, the GOP will be rolling in money wll into 2008 and beyond.

Bat One on January 30, 2006 at 09:01 pm
Avatar for Oliver Willis

Way to spin straw out of b.s. It must be your prolonged exposure to the guys at Wizbang (who make grand proclamations about liberals, only to have the facts poke holes in their b.s. balloons) to make up stuff like Mike Roger’s admittedly weird tactics (I’ve dealt with the guy a bit myself, so I know what I’m talking about) to extrapolate that across the entire liberal blogosphere.

Oliver Willis on January 30, 2006 at 10:01 pm
Avatar for Dave

Let’s throw out some wildly irresponsible guesses as to who it is. My money’s on John Cornyn.

Dave on January 30, 2006 at 11:02 pm
Avatar for Jay Tea

Yeah, you personally never do anything that irresponsible.

I gotta give you a smidgen of credit for not just pulling a Kos and deleting it when it became obvious you’d been had…

But it draws into serious question your qualifications for the day job, Oliver. I thought you and Media Matters was all about fact-checking and getting the whole story right, but the story played into all your own prejudices and biases, and you swallowed it faster than a 20-dollar hooker.

And you posted it during business hours, too. Funny how with all the resources George Soros has put at your fingertips, you couldn’t be bothered to follow the simplest advice: the more you want to believe something is true, the more thoroughly you need to check it out.

But that is really secondary to The Greater Truth, isn’t it? After all, this IS the era of “fake, but accurate...”

J.

Jay Tea on January 31, 2006 at 02:01 am
Avatar for Andy

Let’s just hypothesize that Michael Rogers does, in fact, have the name of someone he’d be able to out.  What does he expect to gain?  The Republicans are all voting in lockstep, so if it is one of them, if they voted against Alito, they’d effectively out themselves, and also demonstrate that Michael Rogers’ blackmail works on them.

It might be one of the Democrats who have already declared for Alito; see logic above.

It might be one of the Dems who has declared against Alito, in which case, why did he bother with his pronouncement?

Seems like a waste of bits, to me.

Andy on January 31, 2006 at 04:01 am
Avatar for Zsa Zsa

Typical liberal tactic… Blackmail and intimidation ... Alito will be in wheather he is coerced or not! I have always heard that you are never supposed to give into a blackmailer!…

Zsa Zsa on January 31, 2006 at 04:01 am
Avatar for Steve L.

I would hope that Rogers does “out” someone.  Then Republicans can stand up and say, “See?  We have prominent gay people in our party.  We aren’t homophobic as the Democrats love to charge.  In fact, it was a Democrat who felt that this news would be devistating if it got out.  Tell me again who’s homophobic?”

Steve L. on January 31, 2006 at 04:02 am
Avatar for Chief RZ

Zsa Zsa,
Well put; nor give in to terrorists!  Republicans are not afraid of The Truth, but what about “the right to privacy” so often repeated from the left?

Andy, not lockstep, but following through with the promises they made when campaigning.  By the way, a few R’s voted N.

Chief RZ on January 31, 2006 at 04:02 am
Avatar for Jay

Notice too that Oliver’s ‘corrected’ entry says:

Looks like it may be a hoax.

He didn’t even have the stones to just say, “This story was bogus.”

Jay on January 31, 2006 at 04:02 am
Avatar for Semanticleo

Don’t just drop your non-sequiturds on OW and
disappear.  Hang aound for a while, unless yours
is just a cry for help.

Semanticleo on January 31, 2006 at 05:01 am
Rob
Rob
17182 comments
Send a private message

Oliver:

Considering the Republican record on race and past things we’ve seen from the right, the pinata story is one of the milder things I’ve seen.

What, like passing the civil rights act?  Making the first African-American federal appointments?  Emancipating the slaves?  Having the first black over for supper at the White House?

But then, “Jay Tea” has never let facts get in the way of a good story.

You’re responding to a different Jay.

Davey:

Well, since Republicans neither hate nor ridicule gay people, I don’t see how this qualifies. Right? Or can you have it both ways?

The Senator in question is apparently married, and some people still hold adultery, homosexual or otherwise, in contempt.


The war against illegal plunder has been fought since the beginning of the world. But how is… legal plunder to be identified? Quite simply. See if the law takes from some persons what belongs to them, and gives it to other persons to whom it does not belong. See if the law benefits one citizen at the expense of another by doing what the citizen himself cannot do without committing a crime. Then abolish this law without delay … If such a law is not abolished immediately it will spread, multiply and develop into a system.

Frédéric Bastiat, The Law

Rob’s recently listened-to songs:

robport.gif border=0

Rob on January 31, 2006 at 07:01 am
Avatar for Dave

Then Republicans can stand up and say, “See? We have prominent gay people in our party. We aren’t homophobic as the Democrats love to charge.

Exactly. If Republicans actually aren’t homophobic, then these allegations won’t subject the gay senator to hatred, contempt, or ridicule.
Dave on January 31, 2006 at 07:01 am
Avatar for Dave

(2) To expose a secret or publicize an asserted fact, whether true or false, tending to subject any person to hatred, contempt, or ridicule.

Well, since Republicans neither hate nor ridicule gay people, I don’t see how this qualifies. Right? Or can you have it both ways?

Dave on January 31, 2006 at 07:02 am
Avatar for Brandon

But Jay, fact-checking is only for Oliver’s day job. Those standards go out the window the moment he starts blogging on his own site.

He told me so.

Brandon on January 31, 2006 at 07:02 am
Avatar for King of Fools

Does anyone else think that blackmailing a senator or legislator in order to influence them to vote a particular way is no less corrupt than the corruption exposed by the Abrahmoff scandal? Seems a little worse even since blackmail is also against the law.

King of Fools on January 31, 2006 at 07:02 am
Avatar for Oliver Willis

Considering the Republican record on race and past things we’ve seen from the right, the pinata story is one of the milder things I’ve seen. But then, “Jay Tea” has never let facts get in the way of a good story.

Oliver Willis on January 31, 2006 at 07:02 am
Avatar for Zsa Zsa

Oliver,… What Republicans record on race that you are speaking of?…

Zsa Zsa on January 31, 2006 at 08:01 am
Avatar for Zsa Zsa

Oliver,… Right off hand I can think of two Big reasons the Democrat’s record on race is not exactly something to be too proud of...??? Does Senior Sen. Robert Byrd or David Duke tell you anything?…

Zsa Zsa on January 31, 2006 at 08:02 am
Avatar for Ron

This reminds me of the Clintons and their 900 stolen FBI files used to blackmail republican opponents and democrat fence sitters.  Is this a common tactic of the democratic party?  It would seem so.

Ron on January 31, 2006 at 08:02 am
Avatar for modern instances

With a name like Brownback, isn’t is obvious?

modern instances on January 31, 2006 at 09:01 am
Avatar for Chief RZ

Ron,
The worst thing about the Democrat’s leading of those FBI files was the 20-something no one would admit hiring in charge!  It was pathetic, and they talk about domestic spying!!!

Chief RZ on January 31, 2006 at 09:02 am
Avatar for likwidshoe

Oliver Willis spits, Considering the Republican record on race and past things we’ve seen from the right, the pinata story is one of the milder things I’ve seen.

Why is everything about race to you? Good grief Oliver, grow up.

likwidshoe on January 31, 2006 at 10:01 am
Avatar for Jay Tea

"But then, “Jay Tea” has never let facts get in the way of a good story.”

So, you’re calling me a liar? In fact, a serial fabricator?

Put up or shut up, you miserable sack of shit. Wipe Soros’ jizz off your chins long enough to cite specific, indisputable examples or shut your piehole.

Yes, I’ve made mistakes. I’ve corrected them as they happen. I’ve apologized when I’ve been in error—always publicly.

On the other hand, I’ve spiked several great postings when it turned out the facts didn’t match my initial thoughts—such as http://wizbangblog.com/archives/004531.php.

Oh, and Ollie? Your last word on the scam party is that “it may be a hoax.” You ready to admit you were had, or are you gonna pull a Dan Rather/Mary Mapes and insist that it’s “fake, but accurate” and has yet to be fully proven to be bogus?

The world is waiting with bated breath to hear your utterances…

J.

(Note to Rob: Sorry to abuse your hospitality here, especially with such language, but Ollie hit a hot button of mine. And Ollie has a history of holding and/or deleting my comments on his site.)

Jay Tea on January 31, 2006 at 04:02 pm
Avatar for Zsa Zsa

Jay Tea… I hope you don’t mind BUT I used the line over at WILLisms. “The world is waiting with bated breath to hear your utterances...”
I gave you credit! I hope you don’t mind???…

Zsa Zsa on January 31, 2006 at 05:01 pm
Avatar for Jay Tea

Zsa Zsa, it’s hardly my phrase to grant or deny others. Feel free to use it as you like.

J.

Jay Tea on January 31, 2006 at 06:01 pm
Avatar for modern instances

My favorite malapropism is “waiting with bait on my breath.”

modern instances on January 31, 2006 at 07:02 pm
Avatar for robert108

MI: My personal favorite is: “The proof is in the pudding.”

robert108 on January 31, 2006 at 08:01 pm
Avatar for Zsa Zsa

Thanks Jay Tea!...I needed that.

AND… Thanks! MI and robert108.

Zsa Zsa on February 1, 2006 at 02:02 am
Rob
Rob
17182 comments
Send a private message

(Note to Rob: Sorry to abuse your hospitality here, especially with such language, but Ollie hit a hot button of mine. And Ollie has a history of holding and/or deleting my comments on his site.)

The name of the site is “say anything.” It takes a lot to tick me off, and I’m pretty open-minded when it comes to comments.

I’ve only ever banned one person, but that was after they threatened to report some trumped-up garbage to the state regulatory board for my profession.  That sort of crap I won’t tolerate.


The war against illegal plunder has been fought since the beginning of the world. But how is… legal plunder to be identified? Quite simply. See if the law takes from some persons what belongs to them, and gives it to other persons to whom it does not belong. See if the law benefits one citizen at the expense of another by doing what the citizen himself cannot do without committing a crime. Then abolish this law without delay … If such a law is not abolished immediately it will spread, multiply and develop into a system.

Frédéric Bastiat, The Law

Rob’s recently listened-to songs:

robport.gif border=0

Rob on February 1, 2006 at 06:03 pm
Rob
Rob
17182 comments
Send a private message

Oh yeah, him.  Gary Gunnels/Hus.  He was an idiot.  He once posted 14 comments in a row.  Wouldn’t stop.  Was a total ass too, about everything.  All his stupid comments would dominate every thread and make it hard for everybody else to carry out their conversations.

So he got banned too.  But only two on over two years ain’t bad.


The war against illegal plunder has been fought since the beginning of the world. But how is… legal plunder to be identified? Quite simply. See if the law takes from some persons what belongs to them, and gives it to other persons to whom it does not belong. See if the law benefits one citizen at the expense of another by doing what the citizen himself cannot do without committing a crime. Then abolish this law without delay … If such a law is not abolished immediately it will spread, multiply and develop into a system.

Frédéric Bastiat, The Law

Rob’s recently listened-to songs:

robport.gif border=0

Rob on February 1, 2006 at 07:02 pm
Avatar for Sphagnum

You’ve banned at least two people… JG and one guy long before I even showed up.  And that guy that would post like 10 comments in a row, did he just leave or did you ban him too? Cna’t remember…

Sphagnum on February 1, 2006 at 07:02 pm
Avatar for Sphagnum

Yeah, ain’t bad at all… they both very much deserved it too.

I’m just keeping you honest wink

Sphagnum on February 1, 2006 at 07:03 pm
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