Quote:
Originally Posted by Buster
See, this is a big part of the problem today...so many people want to judge everything based on the political party of the person involved. A President who has affairs, gropes and rapes is wrong whether it's a Republican, Democrat or Canadian Communist. This Senator's behavior is wrong too, no matter his party. HOWEVER, he'll be forced out (and deservingly) and it's all we'll read and hear about for a year but if a Democrat did it, the media wouldn't cover it and he'd be allowed to stay in office. Barney Frank is gay and has been cited for soliciting gay prostitution AND ran a gay sex ring gtom his own, so they gave him counseling and re-elected him. Ted Kennedy killed a woman and has enjoyed a long career afterwards. Robert Byrd was a KKK leader and is going on, what 60 years in office? However, a Republican can make a joke at a birthday party and be forced out of office (Trent Lott).
Right is right and wrong is wrong, until politics are involved.
I'm sickened by this perverts actions without even knowing his political party. I just wish everyone could have that reaction before checking to see how it hurts or helps their party...ESPECIALLY the media.
|
Barney Frank has been openly gay for years. I don't think he was ever in the closet for that matter. So his sexual orientation never ruffled any political feathers because people knew what they were getting from jump street. As for Senator Byrd, sixty years ago what politician didn't have racial attitudes toward other ethnicities or weren't flat out racist? Not many. I think it's more of a testament that Senator Byrd has survived and overcome his own racial impediments and changed over the years. He has, in no uncetain terms, openly talked about, admitted, and regretted that time in his life. I've read accounts where African-American members of Congress have had great interactions with Senator Byrd and didn't in the least bit feel slighted because of their color. He regrets that time in his life, and has moved on to become one of the most influential members of the Senate today. I won't touch the Kennedy incident because I'm not sure if it was an accident or murder. Some feel it was a cover up, and some obviously don't.
I think it's important to keep in mind context and timing. Some things are perceived to be more or less sensitive in nature depending on where and when they occur. For instance, if Senator Byrd were to walk down the street today with a white hood over his head, do you really think he'd still be a Senator? Of course not.
Conversely, Trent Lott should have known better by letting those comments, however unintentional, slip out in a day and time when the media loves to crucify public figures. Is Trent Lott racist? I don't know. But he gave them too much ammo, in the wrong setting at the wrong damn time. Had he said what he said in the back of his Lincoln, no one would give a rat's ass.
This Senator that got caught in the restroom yesterday, in my mind, is simply guilty of some indescretion. No one is out to get Republicans, by the way. This is the party that touts itself as the voice of the moral majority, the media didn't create that perception. So with that there is a certain amount of public scrutiny and sometimes undo judgement that goes with the territory. When a Republican party member gets caught in a moral jam, the media takes that perception and amplify it for us to judge.