# Virginia Congressman Ed Schrock (R), enjoy your early retirement! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 31, 2004, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393 "2004-08-31T09:54:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393/1 "2004-08-31T09:54:48Z")
> [@](#): > > Just two months before he was expected easily to win a third term in the House of Representatives, Republican congressman Ed Schrock of Virginia Beach called off his reelection bid because of unspecified “allegations.” > …Schrock’s announcement comes shortly after the launch of an online “outing” campaign, in which the authors of various blogs have reported that Schrock had posted voicemail messages on commercial telephone services soliciting other men for sex. > > The most persistent allegations have come from [blogactive.com](http://blogactive.com), which now has posted an audio file that the blog alleges is one of Schrock’s voice-mail solicitations. “I just like to get together with a guy from time to time just to play,” says the voice on the recording, which goes on to suggest specific gay sex acts. > > … > > Schrock, 63, was elected president of the Republican House freshman class in 2001 and was appointed by his party to the House Armed Services Committee, perhaps reflecting the large number of Navy bases in eastern Virginia. **His conservative voting record rated a 92 rating (out of 100) from the Christian Coalition and a zero rating from the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign**. [link](http://www.advocate.com/new_news.asp?ID=13561&sd=08/31/04) hahahahahahaha! ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393/2 "2004-08-31T10:25:32Z")
I just gotta wonder about guys like Schrock who are so politically active against the very thing they are. But as far as his House seat goes, good riddance. The Dems have [a pretty good candidate](http://www.davidasheforcongress.com/) for the seat, now that it’s an open seat. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393/3 "2004-08-31T11:36:01Z")
Now watch this drive… ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393/4 "2004-08-31T12:13:55Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > I just gotta wonder about guys like Schrock who are so politically active against the very thing they are. > > But as far as his House seat goes, good riddance. > > The Dems have [a pretty good candidate](http://www.davidasheforcongress.com/) for the seat, now that it’s an open seat. I’m finishing up [Blinded By The Right](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1400047285/qid=1093954327/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/002-2033878-7614464?v=glance&s=books&n=507846), a book by David Brock, who’s gay and a former attack journalist for the right; he has some fascinating insights into the behind-the-scenes goings-on in Washington and some interesting thoughts on why exactly he was so active against what he was. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393/5 "2004-08-31T12:33:08Z")
Just curious: when is it a joyful thing to out someone, and when is it a shameful thing? I’m looking for some guidelines, here. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393/6 "2004-08-31T12:42:26Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Just curious: when is it a joyful thing to out someone, and when is it a shameful thing? I’m looking for some guidelines, here. When they are a total fucking hypocrite. ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393/7 "2004-08-31T12:51:35Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > When they are a total fucking hypocrite. Kinda ironic, no? ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393/8 "2004-08-31T13:00:58Z")
> [@Brutus](#): > > Kinda ironic, no? Ironic how? If he’s gay he’s shooting himself in the foot helping his cause. Maybe stupid instead of hypocritical, whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393/9 "2004-08-31T13:10:43Z")
Normally I do think outing someone is a wrongful thing. On the other hand, a politician has to **know** that this sort of thing is going to get out there sooner or later. Therefore introducing any sort of discussion on gay issues is just begging for trouble. If Schrock had never uttered a policy position touching on gay issues then his sexuality would be (should be, God knows) out of the area for debate. But taking a position places that in the field of debate. Mostly, as I said in the first paragraph, he’s just **stupid**. How could he **not** expect this to come out? **HOW**? ---
**Author:** ![Mycroft\_Holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a5b964/32.png) [@Mycroft\_Holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mycroft_Holmes)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393/10 "2004-08-31T13:13:42Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Just curious: when is it a joyful thing to out someone, and when is it a shameful thing? > [@World Eater](#): > > When they are a total fucking hypocrite. So which is it in that case? Joyful or or shameful? Your post certainly didn’t help clear that up. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393/11 "2004-08-31T13:21:38Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Just curious: when is it a joyful thing to out someone, and when is it a shameful thing? I’m looking for some guidelines, here. It’s NEVER a joyful thing to ‘out’ someone, IMHO. But (to expand on **World Eater** ’s reply) if a public figure rants and raves against the evils of X, it’s always been fair game to point out that he’s guilty of/a practitioner of/etc. X himself. I can’t see a reason to carve out an exception for homosexual conduct. OTOH, I find it repugnant to ‘out’ public figures about perfectly legal personal conduct that repels some people for one reason or another, unless they have chosen to turn similar personal conduct into a public moral crusade. And publicly ‘outing’ private individuals minding their own business about such conduct is simply beyond the pale. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393/12 "2004-08-31T13:23:41Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > And publicly ‘outing’ private individuals minding their own business about such conduct is simply beyond the pale. Totally agreed. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393/13 "2004-08-31T13:24:44Z")
> [@Mycroft Holmes](#): > > So which is it in that case? Joyful or or shameful? I’d say both. ---
**Author:** ![Mycroft\_Holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a5b964/32.png) [@Mycroft\_Holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mycroft_Holmes)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393/14 "2004-08-31T13:34:25Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > I’d say both. OK. Thanks for the reply. I also have to agree completely with RTFirefly here: > [@](#): > > OTOH, I find it repugnant to ‘out’ public figures about perfectly legal personal conduct that repels some people for one reason or another, unless they have chosen to turn similar personal conduct into a public moral crusade. Here in the Netherlands we had [Pim Fortuyn](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1971462.stm), who was out, and almost flamboyantly gay. However, his homosexuality was never really an issue. His populist, right-wing politics were an issue though. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393/15 "2004-08-31T13:47:32Z")
And as long as we’re wishing I’d like a pony. The simple fact is that as long as the American public views sexual orientation as a ‘hot button’ issue it’s going to have the ability to drive a wedge between politics and policy. I don’t have to like it (and I don’t) but there it is. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393/16 "2004-08-31T13:51:14Z")
> [@Mycroft Holmes](#): > > Here in the Netherlands we had [Pim Fortuyn](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1971462.stm), who was out, and almost flamboyantly gay. However, his homosexuality was never really an issue. His populist, right-wing politics were an issue though. But here, gayness and right wing politics don’t mix well. Sam ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393/17 "2004-08-31T13:55:09Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Just curious: when is it a joyful thing to out someone, and when is it a shameful thing? I’m looking for some guidelines, here. When the person is a Member of Congress, it is neither a joyful thing nor a shameful thing. It is, in this case, simply a matter of comparing the legislator’s record in the Congress with his own personal behavior and informing his voters that he fails to practice what he preaches. In this case, the area of hypocrisy happens to be that of same-sex relations, but it could just as easily be something else. If, for example, a politican with a record of voting for tort reform in the area of medical malpractice then turned around and sued an obstetrician for $20 million, this would be newsworthy. The politician would be “outed” for hypocrisy. Or, if a politician spent much time and energy on banning handguns, but was found to carry a handgun, that too would be worthy of notice. These things all have something in common—the actual behavior of the congresscritter is legal, and all of these things are essentially private matters. But politicians are, or at least should be, held up to scrutiny to determine whether their own actions reflect the positions that they espouse in the legislature. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask for come congruence between what they say and what they do. As a general principle, i agree with **Jonathan Chance** ’s position. The sad thing is that Schrock’s retirement seems to be sparked more by a concern about being thought gay than a concern about being thought a hypocrite. It will be a good day in politics when the latter is considered more of a liability than the former. Of course, it’s always possible that the allegations themselves are untrue, but if that were the case i think he might reasonably have stayed and fought them off. All the news articles i’ve read on the topic suggest strong support from Republican politicians both in Virginia and in Washington, although it’s possible that these are empty platitudes of the sort usually given when someone has already decided to go. And [not all of his Republican allies](http://www.thehill.com/news/083104/schrock.aspx) were so generous: > [@](#): > > “I’m a conservative Christian, and the gay lifestyle is the wrong lifestyle,” said Fred Gerald, a delegate from southern Virginia. “It does not set a very good example for our young people, and it lowers the values in America having gay people in government.” The [Moonie paper](http://washingtontimes.com/metro/20040831-122351-8579r.htm) reported the story without, of course, actually mentioning the substance of the allegations that led to the retirement. Although they did give a hint: > [@](#): > > With **Mr. Schrock out** , attention turns to Republican state legislators as replacements. Indeed! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393/18 "2004-08-31T15:00:17Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Or, if a politician spent much time and energy on banning handguns, but was found to carry a handgun, that too would be worthy of notice. Or an activist, such as that darling of the loonie left, Rosie O’Donnell. It’s all about practicing what you preach. If you don’t, then you’re fair game. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393/19 "2004-08-31T15:55:15Z")
> [@Weirddave](#): > > Or an activist, such as that darling of the loonie left, Rosie O’Donnell. It’s all about practicing what you preach. If you don’t, then you’re fair game. I know it feeds some deep inner satisfaction for you to use the term “loonie left” wherever possible, but i was actually trying to make a point that transcended particular political positions and looked at the issue of credibility among our elected officials. That’s why i chose examples that reflected what might commonly be considered a conservative position (tort reform) and a liberal position (gun control). Also, while i agree that hypocrisy should be exposed whenever it rears its head among people who choose to be public figures, i also think that there is a crucial difference involved when talking about politicians. Not only do these pepople put themselves in the public eye, but they do so while being supported by tax money and while legislating on our behalf. The consequences of hypocrisy are (and should be) rather different for them than for blowhard celebrities of whatever political stripe. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2004, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393/20 "2004-08-31T15:59:49Z")
> [@Weirddave](#): > > Or an activist, such as that darling of the loonie left, Rosie O’Donnell. It’s all about practicing what you preach. If you don’t, then you’re fair game. Ironically pointed out by that puppet of the ridiculous right, **Weird Dave**. 😉 Enjoy! Sam [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-congressman-ed-schrock-r-enjoy-your-early-retirement/262393.md?page=2)