Craig Arrested, Pleads Guilty Following Incident in Airport Restroom

Roll Call ^ | August 27, 2007 | John McArdle

[plain talk]

Would you be convinced if we found out that maybe this bathroom was not the closest one to his gate?

No.

or would you pretend that nothing happened?

Not sure anything happened from what's being reported except a cop trying to justify sitting in the john.

The reason he plead guilty is that he panicked.

That's your opinion and one possibility. Another possibility is that he wanted it to go away and mistakenly believed the fastest thing to avoid press scrutiny was to pay the fine and get the heck out of there. The alternative was a lengthy and messy out of state court case. He made a poor choice but that choice doesn't prove he was guilty.

[plain talk]

He pleaded guilty.

So?

[Bainbridge]

Well, how would you like a friendly bet?
I have heard the tapes and seen the transcripts at least 5 times since this afternoon.
I have also heard police detectives from all over the country state ( and this is easy to research) that the particular things he did were the foot tapping, then touching and the running his hand under the wall of the bathroom are precisely the signs that are used to communicate your desire.
I feel sorry for you. You really do not want to believe what is true.
I will tell you that my brother knows and liked Craig and is very saddened by this however he is not pretending that what obviously happened did not.
Oh, and actually the police officer is a Sargent. They have had at least 40 arrests for this in that airport.
Larry Craig better be careful what he asks for : the judge could allow him to go to court at which time he will be vulnerable to more than just a slap on the wrist. He will be gone after Labor Day.

[alnick]

what exactly did he do that is illegal? I’m convinced that he’s a scumbag, but is sticking your shoe under the stall against the law?

I am amazed that it took 51 posts before someone made your point. I find it disturbing that anyone (Republican, Democrat, apolitical) can be arrested in the USA for touching shoes with someone else and wrapping his hand around the bottom of a stall wall.

[cspackler]

I have also heard police detectives from all over the country state ( and this is easy to research) that the particular things he did were the foot tapping, then touching and the running his hand under the wall of the bathroom are precisely the signs that are used to communicate your desire.

I agree that he had intentions and should resign due to his moral failings, but what exactly in this list of things that he did are actually illegal? I can see being arrested for having actual sex in public, but for tapping your shoe? Gee, I better quit wearing my iPod in the can, I migh get carried away and tap my foot and end up in the slammer.

[alnick]

Afterall, everyone knows you grab the side walls before you take a wide stance.

But aren't you bothered by the idea that grabbing the side wall is illegal?

[Fitzcarraldo]

wide stance, foot tapping

They need to post signs inside of stall doors to the effect the "wide stances and foot tapping" are considered offenses of law. /sarc

We need to check if this SGT is on the take from the Dems

[trisham]

Sorry for the double post. I had typed out another LONG post re: the fact that while most people in this country and in this world think Senator Craig commited a heinous perverse sexual act in that bathroom with another man - NOTHING LIKE THAT WAS CHARGED AGAINST HIM AND HE DID NOT PLEAD GUILTY TO ANYTHING LIKE SUCH A CHARGE!!!

What non thinkers we have become - even in the Republican party. Especially among others who should KNOW better about giving the guy some benefit of INVESTIGATING THE FACTS INSTEAD OF JUMPING ON THE INSTANT CONDEMN SEN.CRAIG BANDWAGON when he “confessed” to doing nothing more than tapping his feet!

And you never did address ONE of the issues I mentioned. Why don’t you take a stab at that.

*************

I understand your point of view, and I'm sympathetic to it. However, I believe Craig should resign. A few points:

1. I believe Craig has been accused of homosexual behaviour in the past, going back to his college days, if I recall correctly.

2. Craig did plead guilty, although to a lesser charge than solicitation.

3. He didn't ask for an attorney. Why? Because he knew he was guilty?

4. The "tapping" and "hand signals", while a mystery to those of us who are not male homosexuals, are apparently well-enough known in that community. To most of us, the entire episode probably seems surreal, but I think we may be naive.

5. This event has forever linked his name and what happened with Mitt Romney's campaign. That won't have a positive affect. It's also a black eye for Republicans in general. It's one thing to be a homosexual. For most of the general public, it's another thing to be looking for sex in a public men's room. He should resign.

[cspackler]

We need to check if this SGT is on the take from the Dems

Any large deposits from an account in the name of Larry Flynt should be duly noted. I think we are going to see more and more setups between now and the elections.

[swarthyguy]

Trying to sneak a fag in a public bathroom can get you into trouble.

LOL! Who knew tapping a foot was a coded signal.

How many times do you think this puke has engaged in this behavior?

What a total sleazeball.

[swarthyguy]

You know, his explanation is sooo pathetic.

Lifting up pieces of toilet paper from the floor?

Does anyone in their right mind ever do that.

Bet he’s the type who never washes his hands either.

[sweet_diane]

"Craig’s office told the Spokane Spokesman-Review that the charge was “completely ridiculous,” saying that the allegations had “no basis in fact.” "

What..he just HAPPENED to know that little homosexual, public toilet mating dance? Bet he learned it in one of the many chatrooms where 'straight' and married men look for gay sex (and then go home to their wives and children, ugh). lol

[sweet_diane]

"Seems homos target ALL US airports for there sick hook-ups."

And Sears Dept store bathrooms. At a local one (about 22 yrs ago) they had to post signage and hire security to let those seeking anonymous gay sex know to look elsewhere.

Adulterers of all kinds make me sick, but these kinds, the kind who want a wife and family AND gay sex even moreso.