Foley scandal no excuse to tear holes in Republicans' `big tent'

[The Straight Story]

Foley scandal no excuse to tear holes in Republicans' `big tent'
Mercury News Editorial

Are you now or have you ever been a homosexual?

Rep. Mark Foley's cyber-flirtations with teenage boys have inspired an ugly campaign to ``out'' gay Republican politicians and congressional aides in hopes of alienating the religious right and weakening the GOP.

``Provocateurs'' are sending ``the List'' of alleged gays to social conservative groups, writes David Corn, Washington editor for the Nation, on his blog (http://davidcorn.com): If it's accurate, the List ``shows that some of the religious right's favorite representatives and senators have gay staffers helping them advance their political careers and agendas.''

....cut

Gay blogger Mike Rogers upped the stakes by appearing on radio to accuse a married Republican senator of having sex with men. The senator denied it.

The excuse for ``outing'' isn't that closeted gays are preying on children. ``The List'' accuses allegedly gay GOP aides of ``hypocrisy'' for opposing a gay rights agenda.

Some conservatives are eager to take the bait. They blame a gay ``Velvet Mafia'' covered for Foley, though most of those warning about his conduct were gay themselves.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/opinion/15805200.htm

[Erika]

1. Larry Craig has been known to be gay his entire life

He and the Idaho GOP hushed up his last gay page scandal in the early 80's.

[slackmaster]

2. You've posted that repeatedly but never backed it up

Do you have any verifiable source for this, or is it just something you've heard?

[blogslut]

3. Flirting?

Is that GOP code for soliciting a minor?

[Rosemary2205]

4. Actually the Republicans do have a very big tent

They welcome child molesters, war criminals, wife beaters, Iran Contra criminals, drug lords.....they have room for everyone.