# Arizona Republican Sheriff Caught With Gay Pants Down **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 19, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339 "2012-02-19T18:43:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339/41 "2012-02-20T14:27:56Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Which he denies. I see your point. This would be an excellent opportunity for Mitt to show he doesn’t hate fags. Oh, well. OTOH, it also looks like a bitter nasty queen who thought his hot sheriff boy friend was his ticket to happiness. It didn’t work out that way, so he started playing dirty. ETA: Babeu was “headmaster” and Executive Director of[DeSisto School](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeSisto_School) in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, from 1999-2001. That’s a little creepy. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339/42 "2012-02-20T14:48:33Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Am I the only one who opened the thread hoping that this was about Joe Arpaio? No, I had my hopes up too. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339/43 "2012-02-20T14:58:55Z")
Speaking of Arpaio, he has these [words of support](http://www.chron.com/news/article/Arizona-sheriff-facing-long-odds-after-gay-outing-3341500.php#page-2) for his fellow LE professional: > [@](#): > > Arpaio, a longtime ally, distanced himself. > > “All I can say is he’s the sheriff of Pinal County, and it’s up to him to face his issues, not me,” Arpaio told The Arizona Republic. He said Babeu has been “begging” for an endorsement in the congressional primary. > > “I don’t even think I’m going to get involved,” Arpaio said. “We’ll see what happens with Babeu.” I’m not for Arizona, and don’t know anything about this Arpaio guy. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339/44 "2012-02-20T15:25:27Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > A fair point. But presumably a belief in states’ rights means that the people of a state should be able to decide these things for themselves. Well, we (I’m in Massachusetts) have decided, and the national GOP can go pound sand. Yes. And consistent with that belief, a state may change its policy. And consistent with our political process, anyone who feels a state’s policy should change is free to advocate for that change, right? And they do this without offending the concept of states’ rights in the least. There is nothing in the least inconsistent with states’ rights here. Nothing. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339/45 "2012-02-20T15:30:33Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Yes. And consistent with that belief, a state may change its policy. And consistent with our political process, anyone who feels a state’s policy should change is free to advocate for that change, right? > > And they do this without offending the concept of states’ rights in the least. > > There is nothing in the least inconsistent with states’ rights here. Nothing. DOMA is a federal law that affects states’ rights. Democrats voted for it too, though. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339/46 "2012-02-20T16:22:39Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > How does that follow? Using your logic, if it suited Republicans to hang with anti-gay crusaders then we should condemn them also. The same ought to apply to those Democrats who kow tow to Sharpton when it suits them. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339/47 "2012-02-20T17:30:21Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > He’s hot. I’d do him. Oh yes he’s totally hot. And I understand he’s single now. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339/48 "2012-02-20T17:33:05Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > Oh yes he’s totally hot. And I understand he’s single now. And probably un-electable. I’m dumping his ass now. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339/49 "2012-02-20T17:35:45Z")
I’m not happy that a man’s political career is finished just because he’s gay. I _am_ happy that the Republican Party is going to have to scramble to explain another gay man in their ranks. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339/50 "2012-02-20T18:53:29Z")
> [@Lochdale](#): > > Using your logic, if it suited Republicans to hang with anti-gay crusaders then we should condemn them also. The same ought to apply to those Democrats who kow tow to Sharpton when it suits them. That’s the second time you’ve mentioned him. Has he even been relevant since the 90’s? I know he’s the “Duke of All Black People,” but I don’t know a single liberal who’s mentioned him with awe in his voice (beyond, "he was pretty funny on SNL). Whereas conservatives and Rush is a much stronger link. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339/51 "2012-02-20T18:57:12Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > That’s the second time you’ve mentioned him. Has he even been relevant since the 90’s? I know he’s the “Duke of All Black People,” but I don’t know a single liberal who’s mentioned him with awe in his voice (beyond, "he was pretty funny on SNL). Whereas conservatives and Rush is a much stronger link. Agreed. The Democrats finally got tired of him playing on white guilt. He’s no longer a factor. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339/52 "2012-02-20T19:59:15Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > That’s the second time you’ve mentioned him. Has he even been relevant since the 90’s? I know he’s the “Duke of All Black People,” but I don’t know a single liberal who’s mentioned him with awe in his voice (beyond, "he was pretty funny on SNL). Whereas conservatives and Rush is a much stronger link. Democrats still appear on his show and he’s still trotted out when they need him. He’s still as odious as ever and just becuase he’s getting older and slowing down doesn’t make him any less so (or the Democrats who appease him). ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339/53 "2012-02-20T20:05:47Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > I’m not happy that a man’s political career is finished just because he’s gay. If he were gay and weren’t being accused of an abuse of power, his career might not be finished. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339/54 "2012-02-20T20:27:15Z")
> [@Lochdale](#): > > Using your logic, if it suited Republicans to hang with anti-gay crusaders then we should condemn them also. The same ought to apply to those Democrats who kow tow to Sharpton when it suits them. First, nobody cares about Sharpton anymore. Second, Democrats aren’t Sharptonites. Democrats implement the DNC’s policy, just as Republicans implement the RNC’s policy. And the RNC’s policy is homophobic on an official level. It’s homophobic right out for the jaybirds to see, and the Republican party has a history of following it to the letter and the spirit. As we’re about to see with the political career of this Republican sheriff. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339/55 "2012-02-20T20:49:58Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > If he were gay and weren’t being accused of an abuse of power, his career might not be finished. If he were gay and weren’t being accused of an abuse of power and he was a \*Democrat \*in _California_, his career might not be finished. In Arizona as a Republican? I think it is. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339/56 "2012-02-20T21:06:35Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > And the RNC’s policy is homophobic on an official level. It’s homophobic right out for the jaybirds to see Really? I hear this a lot; it’s one of those things that goes without saying. But I’ve just been to [www.gop.com](http://www.gop.com), and did a search on ‘homosexual’ and the only official reference to homosexuality was a statement from 2008 saying [ > [@GOP](#): > > To protect our servicemen and women and ensure that America’s Armed Forces remain the best in the world, we affirm the timelessness of those values, the benefits of traditional military culture, and the incompatibility of homosexuality with military service. ]([http://www.gop.com/2008Platform/NationalSecurity.htm](http://www.gop.com/2008Platform/NationalSecurity.htm)) A search on ‘gay rights’ there turned up details of intra-Dem arguments. I don’t doubt that there are some homophobes in the Republicans, same as the Democrats. I have read the article in the OP, and it really seems to me that the Sheriff being gay had very little to do with it. So let’s see some official, current, anti-gay GOP policies. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339/57 "2012-02-20T21:10:04Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > First, nobody cares about Sharpton anymore. > > Second, Democrats aren’t Sharptonites. Democrats implement the DNC’s policy, just as Republicans implement the RNC’s policy. And the RNC’s policy is homophobic on an official level. It’s homophobic right out for the jaybirds to see, and the Republican party has a history of following it to the letter and the spirit. As we’re about to see with the political career of this Republican sheriff. I disagree. He has his own show and he still appears when necessary. And just because he is no longer popular/useful doesn’t change my point. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339/58 "2012-02-21T18:28:23Z")
Huh, I didn’t know you could make an entire quote a link. Learn something new every day. ---
**Author:** ![Ura-Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/51bf81/32.png) [@Ura-Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ura-Maru)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339/59 "2012-02-21T21:25:09Z")
The Gay Pants would be a pretty good band name. I’d go see them. – Might look funny on the fliers, though. “The Gay Pants, opening for . . .” ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339/60 "2012-02-22T01:57:06Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > So let’s see some official, current, anti-gay GOP policies. What? Really? You do a simple keyword search that fails to include marriage rights and you come up with this gem? You know the Defense of Marriage Act? It ain’t got nothing to do with preventing _mixed-race_ marriages. **Lochdale** : Okay, that’s a response to the first sentence of that post. What’s your response to the whole next paragraph? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-republican-sheriff-caught-with-gay-pants-down/613339.md?page=4)