"Craig"back Mountain

Larry Craig, senior Senator from the great state of Idaho and in the picture between Trent Lott and John Ashcroft, was arrested and pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct. He “paid more than $500 in fines and fees, and a 10-day jail sentence was stayed. He also was given one year of probation.” The incident occurred in a public restroom at the Twin Cities airport in June. Roll Call broke the story a few days ago. The details are rather sordid and pathetic.

Once again, we have a Republican Senator with a voting record that reflects a consistent disregard for the rights of gays to marry or engage in civil unions. He voted against a law that outlawed discrimination against gays who seek fair treatment in the workplace or housing. David Vitter likes hookers and diapers and Brokeback Craig likes public restroom anonymous sex. At the same time both men wrap themselves in the mantle of Christian Conservative values.

How repressed are these guys? They must live a dual existence. They somehow put on a self-rightous public face and hide a very private, troubled soul. Apparently, they have been doing it for so long, they really have accommodated to this bifurcated lifestyle. One wonders how many more of them are there? I also wonder if the Singing Senators will request a replacement?

It really is sad that Senator Craig must seek affection in an airport restroom. It's just the blatant hypocrisy that gets me. This would not be a story unless Craig and others did not expend their political capital denying rights to the gay community in this country. His private life is his own business unless he breaks the law or he uses his position of power to deny the rights of those who are margenlized and demonized by his fellow political travelers.