A sad bit of news...and an eerie coincidence

[thatcrazycajun]

Several days ago, I posted to this journal about an opinion column which appeared in my local newspaper, in which the author attempted to deflect criticism from the Repulsive Republican Party over the recent congressional-page scandal by pointing out that members of Congress from the other side have been involved in sex scandals as well.  He mentioned some of them by name, including former President Bill Clinton, Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), and the late Rep. Gerry Studds (D-MA).

No, that's not a typo or a mistake; I said "late." The Associated Press reports today that former Rep. Studds has suddenly died of a blood clot in his lung. The story is posted here. He was the first openly homosexual member of Congress, and although it came to be so not through his own volition, he still showed guts, faced the music and remained in office. And he retained a surprising amount of support from most of his constituents. He also became a champion for environmental causes, fighting to preserve the beauty of his state's coasts and its wildlife as well as the livelihoods of its watermen.

So today I mourn him. The Democratic Party and progressive politics have lost a true pioneer.

Comments

[pocketnaomi.livejournal.com]

Pioneer maybe, but I can't say I'm any fonder of grownups in positions of power having sex with teenagers under their professional authority when a Democrat does it than I am when a Republican does it.

[billroper]

Yup.