So what do we do about the likes of Rep Dreier?

[dsc]

I am by no means a fan of outing. I have spoken against outing in virtually every instance. So one would think my answer would be to try to defeat him in his district and that would be that. But, it isn't as simple as that. Dreier has a pretty dismal record on gay rights. No on ENDA, no on hate crimes, no on AIDS treatment funding. His Christian Coalition rating is 92, while his HRC rating averages 13 and never rises above 25 for the four terms from 95 to 02.

Let's face it. If he were a pro lifer who paid for abortions, this would be a no brainer. If he had been an Impeachment manager and having an affair at the same time, this would be a no brainer. The evidence that Dreier is gay is quite strong. As I have noted his record is dismal.

It is one thing to oppose cuting edge gay issues in non vocal ways. It is quite another to oppose the majority of the nation on gay issues in a vocal way. Dreier has done the latter. Frankly, if there is ever a person who deserved outing, it is Dreier. He is using taxpayers funds to feather his lover's nest and casing votes that make it impossible for us to use our employers to help feather ours. This is rank hypocrisy. If people don't deserve to know about this hypocrisy, then why do they deserve to know about hypocrisy driven by business dealings or anything else?

This is a hard case, and that often makes bad law, but it seems we can come up with some reasonable guidelines in the outing of gay politicians. They should be opponents of gay rights, actually be gay, and given a chance to change their ways first. That seems fair.

[Maat]

1. I think that he pretty much is out.

He's a dangerous hyprocrite, but the constituents of his district do not seem to care.

He's a can-do agent/operative for the Republican party.

This PFLAGer thinks that he acts against the interest of all Californians, but, once again, his constituents do not seem to care.

[incapsulated]

15. That's my understanding

If he's already pretty much out, there really isn't any point, not if, as you say, his constituents don't care.

:shrug:

[kestrel91316]

2. He sure as h--- IS gay. He tried to entice a (male) friend of mine who he

(Dreier)thought also was gay to come to a private "party" with him in his hotel room during a Republican fundraiser. Basically tried to hook up with him sexually, was the jist of it, until he found out my friend was married. Then he immediately turned ice cold to him. POOR DAVID!

[bluestateguy]

3. I favor outing

for the circumstances you describe.

In fact, I'm getting to the point now where I would almost favor the Democrats outright cheating and stealing to win in 2008. It just might have to be done for the survival of the nation.

[countmyvote4real]

4. I don’t see what is so hard about this.

He’s a gay hypocrite that does not support civil rights gay people. And yet that is still not enough for the GOP Congress to elevate him. (But that’s his own epiphany waiting in the wings if he ever gets there.)

Whether or not he admits that he is gay, it’s obviously common knowledge that he is. Plus, I do not support candidates for their sexual preference. I support them on their record and when that is not available, I’ll consider their platform and agenda if they have one. He’s a toe-the-line GOP party shill. No tears here.

Bottom line: Dreier is just not good for gay or straight America.

[dsc]

5. Where do we stop

the slippery slope problem.

[countmyvote4real]

14. What is the slippery slope?

He's gay and he hates himself?
He's gay and he hates himself and all gays?
He's a fucking GOP Kool-aid drinker that hates the civil rights of all people regardless of their sexual orientation?

The slope is not that slippery here, my friend.

[dorktv]

6. I usually laugh.

[dsc]

7. It is funny until you realize that thanks, in part to him,

every gay in 36 states can be fired tomorrow with no legal reprecussions. Then it isn't so funny.

[dorktv]

8. Well I laugh because otherwise I would be screaming.

I live in JD Hayworth's district.

[dsc]

9. fair enough

I live in Walter Jones' district.

[dsc]

10. To expand

It would be denying reality to say that being gay or lesbian doesn't make a huge difference in how society treats you, but we do believe it shouldn't make a difference. Thanks to folks like Dreier the day when it doesn't is further away than it should be. It isn't hypocritical to acknowledge both facts. Thus outing shouldn't be taken lightly but some people may well deserve outing.

[UTUSN]

11. What to Do about Him? Same as for Any Wingnut: Treat Him as a Wingnut

During the ESTRADA hearings, Orrin HATCH would put on his Shirley TEMPLE pout and say, "How can Democrats oppose MeeGwuel ESTRADA? They claim to be for MINORITIES. Here you have an educated, qualified minority member and they are opposing him!" He would go on to argue that this person should be approved BECAUSE OF his minority membership.

It's a false argument. The Dem solution ought to be SIMPLE. We opposed ESTRADA for the simple reason that he IS A WINGNUT. Whether he is a PUPPET or a sincere ideological wingnut-----HE IS A WINGNUT!--that's all. And the corollary part, that he is TRAITOROUS to his home group of Hispanics becomes just that, a corollary.

As for DREIER, I do not know of any "evidence" of his Gay status, just the hearsay around here. From further hearsay, the issue of outing him would seem to be moot.

Just treat him as a wingnut. An enemy based on issues. Let the steaming and venting and, yes, the dirty-vengeance-in-private continue on its own separate track.

[yellowcanine]

12. Closeted gays who take public anti-gay stances should be outed imo. It's

the hypocricy and the betrayal that I object to.

[in_cog_ni_to]

13. I'm sorry, but any repuke who votes against gay issues and is himself

gay, should be outed.

[Obiepup]

16. Well outing him might not do anything

Because everyone knows he is a bigtime hypocrite.