Posted by
Crescen7(Regis Matejcik) on Thursday, August 30, 2007 10:16:53 PM
Larry Craig did some very weird stuff in a public restroom.
It wasn't "lewd."
It wasn't particulary "offensive."
It was in the presence of an undercover vice investigator. The investigator thought the behavior weird enough to charge Larry Craig with disorderly conduct.
The media is in a feeding frenzy. One more Republican is discovered to be a closet pervert. A homosexual one at that. Every disgusting detail has been exhaustingly and repeatedly broadcast. It may forever be impossible to comment on a baseball players batting position without conjuring up ludicrous visual images of the Craig explanation.
There are those on the conservative side who are quick to point out that the media has a double standard for Conservatives and Liberals. When a Democrat is accused of any transgression, the media seem quick to point out the "lack of evidence," make some other excuse, or simply not broadcast or print the story at all. Conversely, when a Conservative steps off the straight and narrow, it is trumpeted from the highest mountain for as long as anyone will listen.
Invariably, a disgraced Republican; weather it be Bob Packwood, Tom Foley, or Larry Craig; will be summarily relieved of his position and effectively be severed from the party. By contrast, embattled Democrats will be defended, cast as victims, and ultimately celebrated for their triumph over the evil opponents who dared hold them accountable for their behavior. Hello, Kennedy, Frank, Clinton et al.
What is often missing in the analysis of those who decry media bias, is that while the media may in fact be biased, it is not truely a "media" double standard that makes such things a story. The real double standard is the difference between the parties.
Bluntly -
Conservative Republicans Have Standards.
Liberal Democrats Do Not.
This is the "Double Standard." Larry Craigs actions may have been innocent. (seems unlikely, but certainly possible) Craigs actions were way out of line for any normal person. Republicans simply demand superior public behavior from the their elected officials. Larry Craig should remain in office only long enough for every Republican of any standing to call for his expulsion from the Senate.
Yes, the Democrats would rally to his aid if he were one of theirs. No, they wouldn't sacrifice one of their own. The media would circle the wagons in his defense. That's one big reason why I'm not a Democrat. Let's not worry that a double standard exists.
Let's be grateful for it. Unfortunately, with out the "double standard" we may be left with no standards at all.