After the Fringe, a brief touch of reality

[barondave]

The conservative news media has been covering John Edward's brief affair non-stop, ignoring a major war between Russia and Georgia (not to mention ignoring ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan). The joke is:

Edwards had an affair with a woman, which makes him a liberal.

Edwards had an affair with someone of legal age, which makes him a Democrat.

A good, snarky line to counter the "values" voters who don't really have any. Unfortunately, it's no joke.

State rep charged with assaulting teen St. Louis Post-Dispatch 8/6/08:

JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri state Rep. Scott Muschany, R-Frontenac, was indicted today in connection with a reported sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl on May 17, the day after this year’s Legislative session ended.

The alleged victim is the daughter of a state employee. The girl’s mother and Muschany -– who is married and has two children -- were romantically involved, the woman said.

A Cole County grand jury returned an indictment today charging Muschany with the Class C felony of "deviate sexual assault." The indictment identifies the victim only by initials. It says that on May 17, Muschany "had deviate sexual intercourse" with the girl, "knowing that he did so without" her consent.

A current Republican office holder is charged with deviant rape of a minor, and it's just business as usual for the Republicans. No, the news is dominated by someone not in office and isn't even running for anything. Republicans are always soft on crime when it's theirs.

We need adults in charge, and we need real reporters.

Comments

[asimovberlioz.livejournal.com]

I don't hear much from conservatives about Sen. McCain's unfaithfulness to his first wife -- at least, not since he clinched the nomination. And frankly, it would not be a major disinclining factor in my vote if his politics matched mine. My feelings about this sort of thing are similar to those of cakmpls, in that it's their business, and does not reflect on their ability to by president.

However, what I would like to do would be to put on the spot every single darned Republican office-holder and spokesman who publicly favored the Clinton impeachment, and ask them why they endorse Sen. McCain in spite of his similar "failing." It could be fun to watch.

[barondave.livejournal.com]

Consensual sex between adults is between them. Raping underage girls is a serious crime.

[asimovberlioz.livejournal.com]

Indeed I agree. But this is a backwater state legislator of zero importance, not somebody who has been a player on the national political stage. Serious though the actual crime is, as news it is small potatoes. Or potatos.