i'm not terribly sad for him because of the hypocrisy involved, but i do think it's a silly way to out someone. do the police really have nothing better to do than run sting operations to catch guys having sex in airport bathrooms?

I wouldn't want to send my kid into a public restroom where there was a pretty good chance he could end up seeing people fucking. I'm not a prude or anything, but I'd be really pissed off if some dude tried to play footsies with my kid in the bathroom, mistaking him for another adult male. Just like I'd be pissed off if some scumbag came up to him in the parking lot of my complex trying to sell drugs to him. If it is a big enough problem, it needs to be taken care of.

Regardless of your position on the topic, having sex or soliciting for sex in a public restroom is illegal. I'm not supportive of sting operations, I'm suggesting that the cop was probably schooled in the techniques being used in the restroom - and the lovely wildswan acknowledges what I have heard from the gay men working in our London office.

I'm trying hard to support the conclusion offered by FTR; but jeebus man, the guy's foot was in the other stall and he placed his hand under the stall wall. I can't find any sympathy for what happens to this guy's political career as it heads down the toilet.

Here's the juiciest bit: Craig was a member of the Idaho Values Alliance, a group who stated goal is to "make Idaho the friendliest place in the world to raise a family." Under this banner, they fight against reproductive rights for women, against stem-cell research, and against gay rights. This page takes the cake. There is a picture of Larry Craig touting a recent pro-life vote he made in the Senate. A little further down the page is a blurb about the scourge of homosexual activity in airport restrooms.

Too hilarious.

The IVA has "regretfully" called for Senator Craig's resignation.

Wow. Thats perfect.

great link./ thanks.
That place is scary.

FTR: your timeline of events is a little unclear. Craig was arrested in June, so the 5-month investigation of Craig by the Idaho Statesman wasn't a result of this arrest.

Instead, the investigation was begun last October after a blogger at blogactive.com accused Craig of being gay and having sex with a number of men. If there had been any definitive evidence of the accusation, it is likely the investigation wouldn't have continued so long.

And the interview with his wife present: it was a sit-down interview and Craig likely knew the topic before he agreed to the interview and before he decided to bring his wife along. Her tears were likely expected, so making it sound like the paper beat him up so his wife cried is not quite accurate.

Considering that following the initial accusation against him in October, "Craig issued a statement saying he would vote for an amendment to the Idaho Constitution on the November ballot that bans both gay marriage and civil unions," finding sympathy for him -- guilty or not -- is very difficult.

I can't help but wonder how far the "signals" go. I mean, when Craig didn't get a rise out of the cop (pardon the pun) by tapping his foot, he progresses to waving his hand under the stall, then footsie with the officer.

I don't know about the overall etiquette, but at what point does the guy just kick open the stall door and shout "are we gonna fuck or what?!?"

I'm reminded of that classic old Bonzo Dog Band bit from "Rhinocratic Oaths"...

This douchebag owes a significant portion of his political success to persecuting gay people and denying them their rights. If there was any true justice in this world, he'd be stuffed into a trunk by four of his redneck constituents, driven to a field and beaten half to death while they laughed and drank shitty light beer and listened to Toby Keith. Failing that, I'll settle for total public humiliation and career suicide.

well, i like my public restrooms sex-free too, i guess i'm just skeptical about how big this problem actually is.

Well, the paper had recently decided not to publish the story - after meeting with Craig and his lawyers. After the decision was made, the Minnesota arrest was suddenly leaked to Roll Call. I wonder who did that? Maybe the reporter who had spent five months on a story and came up with only one guy who would admit to having sex with Craig?

Sorry, but it's a witch hunt IMO. And I don't give a shit if he is gay or not, a newpaper researching someone's sexual habits is disgusting.

I never said in my article that the Stateman's report was a result of the arrest.

Bringing your wife to an interview about whether or not you are gay seems entirely appropriate. Thinking the reporter would have a tape of a guy claiming to have had sex with you probably never entered his mind.

I get the guy is a hypocrite. But I am more disturbed by the facts involved in the arrest and the five month investigation.

*giggle*

Hahahahaha. Fucking awesome.

I completely agree but it's important to remember that, if he'd been asked three months ago, Craig undoubtedly would have thrown his support behind such operations . . . So, yeah, not terribly sad.