BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser

Subject: BS - Peter Yarrow & Fundraising
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 05:21 PM

A story from the AP:

Frost Urged to Refund Fund-Raiser Money

By LISA FALKENBERG, Associated Press Writer

DALLAS - Democratic Rep. Martin Frost (news, bio, voting record) canceled a campaign appearance with Peter Yarrow over the folk singer's 1970 child indecency conviction, and Republicans are challenging the congressman to return the money already raised for the event.

Yarrow, a member of the group Peter, Paul and Mary, was convicted of "taking indecent liberties" with a 14-year-old girl in 1969. President Carter pardoned him in 1981.

Frost said in a statement that "crimes against children are very serious offenses."

"I do not believe it is appropriate for Mr. Yarrow to campaign on my behalf," the congressman said.

Frost, who faces Republican Rep. Pete Sessions (news, bio, voting record) for a Dallas-area congressional seat in November, often mentions his role in the Amber Alert and anti-child abduction legislation.

Frost's campaign said there are no immediate plans to refund money already raised for the Oct. 11 fund-raiser, which will be held as scheduled. Tickets cost $250 to $1,000.

"To keep this money, especially when you're out there in television ads as the protector of all children, is just the height of hypocrisy," said Chris Paulitz, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee. "You don't keep money that comes from a child molester. This is politics 101, this is human decency 101."

Sessions challenged Frost to either return the money or donate it to a charity for sexually abused children.

"For at least several weeks, Martin Frost has been raising money off an event that was bringing a convicted child molester to town," Sessions campaign manager Chris Homan said.

Yarrow has been active in politics and other social causes for years. He appeared in Iowa for John Kerry (news - web sites) before the presidential primaries.

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 05:23 PM

I meant to put this in the BS/non music thread.

The title wasn't my commentary on the story.

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 05:38 PM

This says a lot more about Frost than it does of Yarrow. It brings to mind a UK by-election in which the Labour candidate, who also also a gay rights activist, was so comprehensively smeared by the so-called 'Liberal Democrat' (who, incidently still holds the seat) that Labour lost.

Do Democrats in the US actually support (on the whole) these kind of tactics?

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 06:30 PM

This is all happening thanks to Tom Delay, who came back to Texas last year and stage-managed the "redistricting" after the lines had already been drawn by state judges. Remember that, when the democrats on the legislature checked out of the state for a few weeks? Yup, that's Tom Delay's handiwork. The districts that were reformed forced two long standing representatives to have to duke it out, because Frost's district was purposely diluted to the point of unelectability. Frost had to shift districts to stay in office, and he's running for that district, held by Sessions.

The Sessions folks don't give a rat's ass about child molestors or anything else. They just want to make as much noise and grief for Frost as possible. This is no doubt a little benefit of being a friend of Dubya and Karl Rove.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 06:52 PM

The smear attempt is disgusting, but it also seems a shame that Frost didn't have the gumption to ignore or refute it. Isn't there something wrong about making campaign issues out of events that happened thirty years ago? Same goes for the slander slinging about the Bush/Kerry military records.
Even thirty years after the event, I don't think I'd leave my daughter alone with Peter Yarrow, but that doesn't seem to have anything to do with appearing at a political fundraiser. I think maybe it's a sign that Americans have an unhealthy hysteria about sex crimes. A sex crime is a horrible thing, but it doesn't affect a person's ability to sing a song, or to express an idea or a political opinion - and it seems that after 30 years with no additional criminal record, it's time to stop making an issue of an arrest.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 06:54 PM

Sure sounds like hypocrisy to this observer---surely Frost knew of who was appearing. Giving the money back would show how strongly he feels on the subject---not giving it back merely shows how strongly he feels about money while he hums Puff The Magic Dragon.

My own feelings about Mr Yarrow have a lot to do with what I percieve as his own arrogance and hypocrisy. Different than that of Frost.

I do suppose that many of us are also guilty of such hypocratic behavior. Would that we were not.   


Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 11:56 PM

This is TEXAS, Joe and Bill. This is to be expected down here in the holier-than-thou Bible Belt. Southern baptists rule, and southern baptists aren't known for their tolerance or generous stance toward anyone except white male southern baptists. Old former hippie folksingers are easy targets for good ol' boys.

This place drives me nuts sometimes. I will be glad when my Kerry/Edwards sign gets here. It's going out in the front yard in the place where everyone coming down the street can see it for blocks. I'm pleased to have seen several turn up in the neighborhood already. I was afraid this was another little Republican enclave where I'm living, but there area few free-thinking folks.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Oct 04 - 01:41 AM

It's not only Texas, SRS. I live in Placer County, California - an hour from Sacramento. I'm afraid to put a Kerry sticker on my car - too many rednecks around here who would take it out on my pretty red car.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Oct 04 - 11:40 AM

I've noticed some round white stickers on cars that say "W-'04" and it strikes me as mighty simple to pull out my handy Sharpie and print "DUMP" in the white space above the text on that disk!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 01 Oct 04 - 11:45 AM

That would be so wrong SRS.   As much as any of us hate GW, it isn't fair to deny ANYONE the right to make their statement. We support free-speech, but we do not have to accept the message.

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser
From: Once Famous
Date: 01 Oct 04 - 03:06 PM

Very good common sense comment, Ron.

I hope it helps neutralize some of the whining.

As for Texas, I don't live there, maybe do not agree completely with their line of thinking, but last I looked, they were also 100% Americans.

And some of those rednecks can make better music than old hippie folksingers ever could.

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 01 Oct 04 - 03:21 PM

I'm not sure if they make better music or if it was the Lone Star making it sound better!!   :)

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser
From: Alonzo M. Zilch (inactive)
Date: 01 Oct 04 - 04:03 PM

Isn't there something wrong about making campaign issues out of events that happened thirty years ago? ...

Even thirty years after the event, I don't think I'd leave my daughter alone with Peter Yarrow...

it seems that after 30 years with no additional criminal record, it's time to stop making an issue of an arrest.

Joe Offer,

You've got some mixed messages in your post.

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 03:09 PM

Ron, I probably won't do it. But I don't need to be lectured, either. With the level of dirty tricks that the Bush administration has already pulled with their manipulation of polls and funding of shadow organizations, he should consider himself extremely lucky if people don't take blow torches to yard signs by election time.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 03:31 PM

SRS- you end up becoming as bad as they are if you fall into that trap.

Everybody needs a lecture now and again. Whether you listen is up to you.

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 07:07 PM

Alonzo - there's a lot of difference between a political fundraiser and my daughter. If somebody committed a crime thirty years ago, I think it's wise to keep temptation away from him - even after all this time. On the other hand, I think there's no reason to ostracize him from all activity and to silence his political voice.

Perhaps it IS a "mixed message," as George Bush used the term so often in the debate the other night. It's a matter of balance and judgment - something political ideologues do not understand. George Bush demonstrated that lack of understanding in the debate.

As for defacing bumper stickers, I admit that I've had that temptation. Can't remember if I've given it to it or not. If it were on a private vehicle, I'd leave it alone. If it's posted in a public place where it's not supposed to be, I think it's fair game.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser
From: beardedbruce
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 07:27 PM

Joe,

You mean, like all the Kerry signs by the higways on public right of way? Glad you feel that it is ok to deface them- I was worried someone might read them and decide to vote for Kerry!

(sarcasm)

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 07:53 PM

...and Bush has NO signs on the highway? I guess you need to drive on the "left" a little more often to notice these things BB!

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser
From: beardedbruce
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 07:56 PM

Acftually, there are very few Bush signs- I think the Kerry supporters have taken them all down. Northern VA is the Liberal section of the state- and Maryland is a lock, so my vote has no value at all.

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser
From: beardedbruce
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 07:57 PM

Joe was the one saying that the signs were fair game to deface, not me.

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 08:22 PM

... so if Virginia and Maryland are a lock, I assume that Bush has given up which is probably why there are so few signs.

Anyone who feels it is okay to tear down or deface opponents signs is making a huge error in judgement. Schools out, time to grow up and respect our rights.

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser
From: beardedbruce
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 08:25 PM

Well, MD is a lock- but there is a lot of VA that is not a DC suburb full of rich folks.

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser
From: Peace
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 08:28 PM

Why do so many rich people vote for Bush?

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser
From: beardedbruce
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 08:31 PM

Why do so many rich people vote for Kerry?


Why do so many poor people vote for Bush?





It just might be that people try to pick the candidate that they feel best to vote for. Regardless of income.

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser
From: beardedbruce
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 08:32 PM

MD is a lock for Kerry- the four big counties go Dem, while the 17 or so small ones all go Rep. All the Electoral college votes go to the Dems.

Subject: RE: BS - Peter Yarrow & Political Fundraiser
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 09:07 PM

I'm talking about political (and other) signs posted where they're not supposed to be. Anything stuck on public property with permanent adhesive fits that bill, particularly adhesive stickers on traffic signs, signs posted in parks and traffic right-of-way or on utility poles. This may be legal in other places, but not here in California. I assume that signs posted on private property are posted by the owner or with the owner's permission. But if they're illegal, I figure they're fair game for defacement.
I get special pleasure out of correcting grammar and spelling on such signs....
-Joe Offer-