# "Family Values" Republican Hoisted by his Own Petard **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 9, 2009, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474 "2009-09-09T21:01:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474/21 "2009-09-10T02:23:13Z")
People, always remember the FIRST, very first, rule of radio, TV, and public speaking: The mike is always hot. Are you depressing the cough button? Nope, the mike is hot. You’ve unplugged the mike? It’s still hot. There is no possibility that anyone can hear you? Nope, you may not see the mike, but it’s still hot. Or a human can hear you and, if what you say is interesting, it is someone who would love to burn you. ---
**Author:** ![StaudtCJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@StaudtCJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StaudtCJ)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474/22 "2009-09-10T02:51:43Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Are there any legal ramifications for his ramming a couple of lobbyists? Possible divorce? ---
**Author:** ![Telcontar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Telcontar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telcontar)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474/23 "2009-09-10T03:53:21Z")
> [@lisacurl](#): > > It’s really sad that all I can muster up is that at least everyone in the story was consenting adults. > [@Dangerosa](#): > > Well, except, presumably, his wife. We don’t know that for sure. It’s a bit 19th century not to mind your husband’s mistresses, but it’s a bit 21st century to have an open marriage. Hard to know if he’s progressive or reactionary. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![StaudtCJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@StaudtCJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StaudtCJ)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474/24 "2009-09-10T04:49:08Z")
It just occurred to me that there may, in fact, be grounds for legal ramifications. If the lobbyists took him out to dinner, paid for hotel rooms, etc., there are rules for disclosing amounts and such, aren’t there? Something about contributions, I’d think, but I’m certainly not up on the rules governing interactions between lobbyists and congresspeople. Also, one wonders if there could be an accusation of “the lobbyist slept with you so you’d vote X way” and so on. Does sex have a monetary value in political circles? Does “dating” (or whatever) a lobbyist constitute some sort of offense? Could someone more knowledgeable on the rules comment on this possibility? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474/25 "2009-09-10T05:37:08Z")
Interesting if they find money flowing from the lobbyist to him. She might claim she was paying him for sex. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![StaudtCJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@StaudtCJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StaudtCJ)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474/26 "2009-09-10T07:01:06Z")
I’ve heard of female congresspeople called words that meant they were paid for sex, but it’d be interesting to see a male called a _ahem_ impolite word for a paid sexual companion _ahem_ that starts with a Wh. “I paid a congressperson for sex!” would be the scandal of the decade, I think, especially if the congressperson was a male. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474/27 "2009-09-10T10:04:02Z")
> [@yanceylebeef](#): > > [Story Here](http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/duvall_resigns_after_sex_bragging.php?ref=fpa) > > See, this is why you never go full Petard. :smack: I just got this. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474/28 "2009-09-10T12:48:43Z")
Is there a Wiki page or something listing the Republican sex scandals from this year? Because I’m having a hard time keeping track of them all. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474/29 "2009-09-10T13:29:03Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Is there a Wiki page or something listing the Republican sex scandals from this year? Because I’m having a hard time keeping track of them all. [Here you go](http://www.salem-news.com/articles/october172007/repub_scandals_10_17_07.php). For balance, [here](http://www.dakotavoice.com/2009/07/interactive-guide-to-democrat-sex-scandals/) are the 10 democrat sex scandals of 2007/2009. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474/30 "2009-09-10T13:35:03Z")
Fred Garvin … Republican Assemblyman. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474/31 "2009-09-10T14:16:53Z")
> [@DanBlather](#): > > :smack: I just got this. I didn’t. Never saw _The Full Monty_, and AFAIK a petard is a bomb. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474/32 "2009-09-10T14:27:50Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I didn’t. Never saw _The Full Monty_, and AFAIK a petard is a bomb. I believe it’s a paraphrase of a line from _Tropic Thunder_ referring to the proper way for an actor to portray a developmentally disabled character. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474/33 "2009-09-10T14:29:01Z")
Didn’t see that either. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474/34 "2009-09-10T14:32:34Z")
Too bad. It’s pretty good. The mike is always hot. The gun is always loaded. Learn it. Live it. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474/35 "2009-09-10T15:11:06Z")
> [@StaudtCJ](#): > > It just occurred to me that there may, in fact, be grounds for legal ramifications. If the lobbyists took him out to dinner, paid for hotel rooms, etc., there are rules for disclosing amounts and such, aren’t there? Something about contributions, I’d think, but I’m certainly not up on the rules governing interactions between lobbyists and congresspeople. Also, one wonders if there could be an accusation of “the lobbyist slept with you so you’d vote X way” and so on. Does sex have a monetary value in political circles? Does “dating” (or whatever) a lobbyist constitute some sort of offense? Could someone more knowledgeable on the rules comment on this possibility? Was he even in office long enough to participate ina vote? I think you’d have to show that he had voted in a way clearly contrary to the best interests of his constituency. . . a tough argument, not sure it has ever been done sucessfully. (Legally, that is, it’s done in the press all the time.) ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474/36 "2009-09-10T15:54:31Z")
[quote=“StaudtCJ, post:22, topic:509474”] Possible divorce?[/QUOTE Yes, but it won’t happen, will it? The “long-suffering wife” will “stand by her man”, head held high. A divorce would be a big step down financially for her, better to remain wedded to her assclown. So many of their friends and colleagues, after all, are in the same position. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474/37 "2009-09-10T16:03:35Z")
> [@Telcontar](#): > > We don’t know that for sure. It’s a bit 19th century not to mind your husband’s mistresses, but it’s a bit 21st century to have an open marriage. Hard to know if he’s progressive or reactionary. 😛 Even if they are regulars at the Hedonism resorts, belong to a spouse swapping club, and hire an “au pair” and a “pool boy” for their “live in services” and she gave away bride number four when her husband married again in a Fundy Mormon offshoot branch - I’m willing to bet that she doesn’t like being made a fool of in the media. I feel for these women. Maybe the benefits (the standard of living, the power, even the kids, whatever it is) is worth it - but I wonder how many of them knew that was the deal they were getting at the ceremony. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474/38 "2009-09-10T16:09:47Z")
> [@StaudtCJ](#): > > I’ve heard of female congresspeople called words that meant they were paid for sex, but it’d be interesting to see a male called a _ahem_ impolite word for a paid sexual companion _ahem_ that starts with a Wh. “I paid a congressperson for sex!” would be the scandal of the decade, I think, especially if the congressperson was a male. \*\*Whore! \*\* You mean whore don’t you? ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474/39 "2009-09-10T16:35:08Z")
Here’s my post from another board: I’m not finding the link today, but yesterday I read about how the Sempra Energy lobbyist has a law degree and a distinguished career in law, speech-writing and government. Won’t her alma mater and family be proud to learn how she has put all these advantages to work: sucking the dick of an aging married politician so he’ll vote the way her corporation wants. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474/40 "2009-09-10T16:42:52Z")
I wonder how many of these particular styles of “lobbyists” get paid by corporations just to sleep with pigs like this, how _much_ do they get paid for it, and how many clowns like Duvall are actually deluded enough to think these women are genuinely attracted to them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-values-republican-hoisted-by-his-own-petard/509474.md?page=3)