# Is Harry Reid a pederast? It seems the burden of proof is on him. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 3, 2012, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331 "2012-08-03T18:25:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331/81 "2012-08-04T23:12:44Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > If you can find a quote of mine anywhere that any non-autistic person could reasonable interpret that way, then of course you can provide it. Ahem… > [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > > [@magellan01](#): > > > > So, if he followed the law and took the deductions he was entitled to, that would be a bad thing in your book, huh? Sigh. > > Not as a taxpayer, of course not. As an applicant for the job of administering said tax code, certainly. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331/82 "2012-08-04T23:14:16Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Romney pays taxes mostly on dividends and long term capital gains. I doubt that there is a single person in Congress or anyone who has run for president in the last 20 years who has not done the same thing, even if to a lesser extent. And it’s not uncommon for regular ol’ Americans to take advantage of those tax laws. You would be stupid not to, if you could. Then he’ll have no trouble showing us that. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331/83 "2012-08-04T23:14:50Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > Then he’ll have no trouble showing us that. He already has. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331/84 "2012-08-04T23:21:48Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > He already has. This is a tantalizing statement, one sure to elicit a hunger for further information, a cite, if such be available. Pray tell, good sir. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331/85 "2012-08-04T23:25:40Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > This is a tantalizing statement, one sure to elicit a hunger for further information, a cite, if such be available. Pray tell, good sir. He released his 2010 tax return. That’s what it showed. We’ll see his 2011 return in the fall. If he released 5 more years, people on the other side would be asking for 10. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331/86 "2012-08-04T23:26:11Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Ahem… Fail. Remember, I said a “non-autistic person”, and “reasonably”. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331/87 "2012-08-04T23:29:04Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Fail. Remember, I said a “non-autistic person”, and “reasonably”. You’re funny! ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331/88 "2012-08-04T23:30:53Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > Well I didn’t pay an accountant to go through everyone of my personal hobbies and look for things I might not have considered so I’m sure I probably missed something. Well, that’s probably because you assume that what you would have had to pay the accountant wouldn’t be enough to cover the accountant’s fee to do that. So, good decision. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331/89 "2012-08-04T23:30:58Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > He released his 2010 tax return. That’s what it showed. We’ll see his 2011 return in the fall. > > If he released 5 more years, people on the other side would be asking for 10. Kinda like when his political opponents release their tax returns then he demands their husbands as well without ever releasing his? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331/90 "2012-08-04T23:35:54Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > Kinda like when his political opponents release their tax returns then he demands their husbands as well without ever releasing his? I don’t know what you’re talking about, but if he did, it wouldn’t surprise me. The only thing that comes to mind is that he compared himself to Kerry, in that Kerry never releases his wife’s tax returns, and she had the real wealth in the family. But he never ran against Kerry, and I think he made a reasonable point in noting that. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331/91 "2012-08-04T23:36:28Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > He released his 2010 tax return. That’s what it showed. We’ll see his 2011 return in the fall. > > If he released 5 more years, people on the other side would be asking for 10. Well, now, a case could be made, and I’m making it, that the “other side” from my side, which is his side…should have seen them long before they actually voted to nominate him. Now they are stuck with him, absent a divine intervention. If he could have slam dunked Reid on Monday, when he said it, he would have done so, it would clobber Reid and his own standing would go up five points. He would offer his firstborn to Cthulu for three. No way he passes up that chance. Unless… ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331/92 "2012-08-04T23:37:49Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Reid never said it was _illegal_. There are many legal strategies available to those with the means to apply them. > > And, in Romney’s case, he _can_ disprove it, easily, by the simple measure of doing what every other major candidate has done for quite a long time now. Okay, let’s say he would up paying zero dollars for ten years. All legal, deductions, charitable giving, etc. What’s the problem? I have this highly implausible, but let’s assume it’s true, what’s the problem? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331/93 "2012-08-04T23:38:30Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I don’t know what you’re talking about… Kennedy, not Kerry. Google “Romney Kennedy Tax returns”, and catch the avalanche in a bucket. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331/94 "2012-08-04T23:39:33Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Okay, let’s say he would up paying zero dollars for ten years. All legal, deductions, charitable giving, etc. What’s the problem? I have this highly implausible, but let’s assume it’s true, what’s the problem? Of course its legal, its the Golden Rule. Guy who’s got the gold, he makes the rules… ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331/95 "2012-08-04T23:40:20Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Absolutely. > > It’s not like Mitt just decided to run for president last week, and is now trying to cover up some previous indiscretions that he committed before he thought about a political career. He’s known for at least a decade that he was aiming for the presidency, and would have made very sure not to do anything that would disqualify him, at least in terms of legality. So, what makes anyone think that his tax return from 5 years ago would be substantially different from the last two years? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331/96 "2012-08-04T23:42:25Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Well, now, a case could be made, and I’m making it, that the “other side” from my side, which is his side…should have seen them long before they actually voted to nominate him. Now they are stuck with him, absent a divine intervention. He released his 2010 tax return in January, long before he had the nomination wrapped up. > [@](#): > > If he could have slam dunked Reid on Monday, when he said it, he would have done so, it would clobber Reid and his own standing would go up five points. He would offer his firstborn to Cthulu for three. No way he passes up that chance. > > Unless… There’s a whole debate going on in the elections forum about why he hasn’t released more. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331/97 "2012-08-04T23:43:04Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Well, now, a case could be made, and I’m making it, that the “other side” from my side, which is his side…should have seen them long before they actually voted to nominate him. Now they are stuck with him, absent a divine intervention. > > If he could have slam dunked Reid on Monday, when he said it, he would have done so, it would clobber Reid and his own standing would go up five points. He would offer his firstborn to Cthulu for three. No way he passes up that chance. > > Unless… Unless he wants Reid to bluster about this more and more, knowing that there is no problem there. Then the firs week in November, "Harry, I don’t want to you to give yourself a heart attack, here you go. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331/98 "2012-08-04T23:43:11Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > So, what makes anyone think that his tax return from 5 years ago would be substantially different from the last two years? Because he’s been hiding it. Plain and simple. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331/99 "2012-08-04T23:44:42Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Of course its legal, its the Golden Rule. Guy who’s got the gold, he makes the rules… No… congress made the rules. He either played by them or he didn’t. And there’s reason reason to believe that he did not. Except the undertaker’s accusation. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331/100 "2012-08-04T23:46:42Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Unless he wants Reid to bluster about this more and more, knowing that there is no problem there. Then the firs week in November, "Harry, I don’t want to you to give yourself a heart attack, here you go. Now _there’s_ a plan! A vault, double twist somersault with a faceplant! Wait a tic! You’re not kidding, are you? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-harry-reid-a-pederast-it-seems-the-burden-of-proof-is-on-him/630331.md?page=6)