BOSTON - Former U.S. Rep. Gerry Studds, the first openly gay person elected to Congress, died early Saturday at Boston Medical Center, several days after he collapsed while walking his dog, his husband said.
Studds fell unconscious Oct. 3 because of what doctors later determined was a blood clot in his lung, Dean Hara said.
Studds regained consciousness, remained in the hospital, and seemed to be improving. He was scheduled to be transferred to a rehabilitation center, but his condition deteriorated Friday and he died at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday, Hara said.
Studds was censured for sexual misconduct in 1983. Republicans have attempted to paint Democrat response to the Studds affair as hypocrisy, because of their efforts in the Mark Foley scandal. The difference in his case is the 17-year old page Studds was involved with agreed their relationship was consensual … quite a big difference from Foley, of whom pages have stated their being made uncomfortable by his communications.
It's just another Republican attempt to deflect criticism of their hypocrisy and failed initiatives.
Tim, the hypocrisy is on BOTH sides. 17 is still a minor. Foley properly resigned, and I hope he gets hung out to dry. As for the Dems guilty of the same types of things? Well, the record is clear.
ReplyDeleteThat's the first honest comment I've heard about this from a conservative. Congrats, Billiam.
ReplyDeleteI'm a conservative, yes, but an independent one. IMO, the GOP has, in many cases, abandoned what made the conservative. This is the corruption of power. Sad, but, the truth is the truth.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Billiam; a pedophile is a pedophile. I believe we are calling them sexual predators these days.
ReplyDeleteWhat about an older adult dating a 17 year-old female? And afterword, the female (now an adult by law) says that she never felt coerced and was comfortable with the arrangement.
ReplyDeleteI know the answer that will be given ... what is the honest answer?
Well, that would depend -- is this MY 17 year old daughter? Because, son or daughter, if you touch my child before their reach the age of 18, I'm going to kill you. Period. That's the answer parents should have, but since I don't actually have a 17 year old, I guess I'm pretty lucky.
ReplyDeleteOh, Billiam, have you read Imposter by Bruce Bartlett. You should. I think you'd like it.