slugshooter Posted May 11, 2005 Report Share Posted May 11, 2005 Republican Hypocrite. Need I Say More !! Spokane mayor accused of molesting boys decades ago SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Mayor James West, a Republican foe of gay rights, was accused in a newspaper story Thursday of molesting two boys decades ago and was caught by the paper using the trappings of his office to try to court a young man on a gay Web site. Mayor James West vowed to serve the remainder of his term after being netted in a newspaper Internet sting. Brian Plonka, The Spokesman-Review West on Thursday denied the molestation allegations, but acknowledged he "had relations with adult men." He admitted offering autographed sports memorabilia and a possible City Hall internship to what he thought was an 18-year-old man on the Web site Gay.com. The man was actually a private computer expert hired by The Spokesman-Review as part of journalism sting operation. West, 54, a former Boy Scout leader and Army paratrooper who was married briefly in the 1990s, denied that the online offers constituted abuse of his office, and he said he would serve out the more than three years remaining in his term. "I am a law-abiding citizen," West said during a brief news conference. He took no questions. The Spokesman-Review ran interviews Thursday with two men who allege West molested them decades ago when they were Boy Scouts and the mayor was a troop leader and sheriff's deputy. Both men have criminal records because of drug problems. "I categorically deny allegations about incidents that supposedly occurred 24 years ago as alleged by two convicted felons and about which I have no knowledge," West said. No criminal investigations are under way, according to sheriff and police departments, which said the statute of limitations for any charges has run out. West, a conservative with an abrasive style and a fierce temper, rose to become majority leader of the state Senate during a two-decade legislative career. He consistently opposed efforts to expand civil rights protections for gays and voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, a ban on gay marriage, in 1998. During a 1990 hearing on AIDS education, West proposed that teen sex be criminalized. In 1990, he proposed marriage from the floor of the Senate to Ginger Marshall while she was visiting the Capitol. Their marriage ended five years later. The newspaper said its investigation of West arose out of tips received in 2002 during its investigations of sexual abuse of children by priests. The newspaper hired a computer expert to create a fictitious identity as an 18-year-old boy to chat with West, who used the online aliases "Cobra82nd" and "RightBi-Guy" to chat on the Web site. West was in the Army's 82nd Airborne. West said he would not characterize himself as gay. As for his visits to the Gay.com Web site, he told the newspaper: "I can't tell you why I go there, to tell you the truth ... curiosity, confused, whatever, I don't know." The molestation accusations came in a deposition for a lawsuit against Spokane County by Robert Galliher, 36, of Seattle, and other men who claim they were molested by another sheriff's deputy at the time, David Hahn. West was not named as a defendant and said he was unaware of the deposition. In interviews with the newspaper, Galliher and a second man, Michael Grant Jr., 31, said they were introduced to West by Hahn in the late 1970s or early '80s, when the two sheriff's deputies were close friends and leaders of a Boy Scout troop. Hahn committed suicide in 1981 after being publicly accused of molesting boys. Steve Smith, editor of The Spokesman-Review, told The Associated Press that the newspaper was reluctant to hire the computer expert but felt it was necessary because of West's possible abuse of office and the potential for harm to young people. The expert was hired to corroborate accounts from several individuals who said they had had online relationships with West, including at least one teen who said the contact led to consensual sex, the newspaper said. Kelly McBride, ethics group leader at the Poynter Institute, a think tank for journalists in St. Petersburg, Fla., said the newspaper's decision appeared to be appropriate. "The issue is deception," said McBride, a former Spokesman-Review reporter. "As a reporter, you don't pretend to be somebody else. Where this gets really fuzzy is on the Internet, where everybody uses anonymity. I don't believe reporters should refrain from going into anonymous communities." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted May 11, 2005 Report Share Posted May 11, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. slugger, Hypocrites come in all shapes, sizes and party alliances. There was no need to open this with "Republican Hypocrite. Need I Say More !!" Are you saying if he was a liberal and all for gay rights, it would be OK ??? I know your not saying that, but the way you titled the thread and began the post, it makes it sound like it. That makes no sense what-so-ever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slugshooter Posted May 12, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. It was in response to Oneida's thread title basically. I just find it funny that the Republican party has so many hypocrites when it comes to certain "Liberal" ideas. Remember the non-journalist Guckert/Gannon, who most likely blackmailed someone for his press credentials to get into the White House, well, he was anti-gay rights, "wrote" for an ultra-conservative, anti-gay, website, and he is a male escort. I wouldn't care if this mayor was a raging homo, what I do have a problem with is his using his city government computer to solicit other men for sex, molesting two boys, and crusading against gay rights when he himself is one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted May 12, 2005 Report Share Posted May 12, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. I think we all have a problem with that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted May 12, 2005 Report Share Posted May 12, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. Other than using the government computer, I can't see that the man has done anything that would be considered immoral by most people these days(but not me). Is there anything illigal about looking for sex from an 18 year old. While vile and discusting, it's not illigal. As for the molestation charges, it didn't sound like there was much evidence and it seems strange that the victims wouldn't have mentioned his name at the time rather than 20 some years later. It just doesn't make any since to me. As for being a hipocrite, yes he is. But how many smokers know that smoking is dangerous and support laws to outlaw it in public. We often do things that are contrary to what we know is right. It's called sin. I just don't think you've made a very good case here sluggo. Hey I managed to put religion in this. Imagine that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slugshooter Posted May 12, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. [ QUOTE ] and it seems strange that the victims wouldn't have mentioned his name at the time rather than 20 some years later. It just doesn't make any since to me. [/ QUOTE ] It's simple. He wasn't Mayor 20 years ago. Unfortunately, a lot of times people won't say anything about abuse for one reason or another. I know a lot of times accusations are false. For the life of me I can't imagine why someone would trump up false charges against someone regarding rape or molestation and try to ruin their lives when the accusations never happened. It happens all to often, sometimes the memories are planted through hypnosis and they claim it was "repressed." If the charges are false, more than likely they will be proven to be. Once they get these two guys separated and keep grilling them over and over, their stories are bound to conflict at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted May 12, 2005 Report Share Posted May 12, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. Yeah if he(West) was a democrat he would have not put this article on here! Again whats the point??? There have been a lot of child molestation posts here of late. Slug I think you need to loose this subject! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slugshooter Posted May 12, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. You're right, if it had been a democrat I wouldn't have posted it. For the simple fact that my main point was not the molestation charges, which are probably false, but after 20 years who knows, but about the anti-gay republican crusader using the influence of his office and his city government computer to solicit gay relationships with the promise of jobs and gifts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted May 12, 2005 Report Share Posted May 12, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. [ QUOTE ] It's simple. He wasn't Mayor 20 years ago. [/ QUOTE ] Neither was David Hahn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horst Posted May 12, 2005 Report Share Posted May 12, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. I find it interesting that in another post you all were outraged about a single act of child molestation and the next day the best you can come up with is that attaching the Repulican name to this post was uncalled for.Escpecially when thiers a similiarly titled post about liberals in the same page. If anyone else woulda posted this it coulda been a good topic to kick around.Since Slugo posted it nobodies even willing to comment on the actual info in the artical. Ive been watching this happen for some time now but havent said anything.To me it looks like a lotta you guys are just arguing with slugo to be arguing with him, or else your misguided impressions of your own political parties wont let you say anything bad about them no matter what the case is.In the future Id really like to see some well thought out responses to his posts instead of everyone just jumping in bashing him.Im not sticking up for him, he does a good job of that by himself, but it gets old seeing the same guy get flamed every time he makes a post.Its kinda getting to the point of being ridiculous after going on for this long. Anyway, thats just my view of things, Ive been wrong before but I got a feeling I wouldnt have to dig back very far to prove myself right this time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbonhunter Posted May 12, 2005 Report Share Posted May 12, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. I dont think the post has anything to do with child molestation,Think it was ment for the title and the point flew right by most of you in your hast to jump on the bandwagon. I find it funny how worked up you guys get about it though when Onidas post just drew laughter, I posted the same thing Horst has above abet in differant words and got blasted for "name calling" Glad I'm not the only one who felt that way. No wonder so many regualr posters in here have vanished in the last month or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slugshooter Posted May 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] It's simple. He wasn't Mayor 20 years ago. [/ QUOTE ] Neither was David Hahn. [/ QUOTE ] Who's that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. [ QUOTE ] I posted the same thing Horst has above abet in differant words and got blasted for "name calling" [/ QUOTE ] Yeah, but Horst is a moderator and your not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markyj987 Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. I don't see this guy's political affiliation is significant. slugshooter, I really don't think most conservatives would give the guy a free pass just because he's a Republican. As far as the accusation of child molestation, if he did indeed commit these acts--he should be punished by death. If he did not do that, but instead used government resources to solicit sex or promised government jobs for sexual favors, he should be removed from office via recall and criminally charged if he did indeed abuse his power. If he only looked for homosexual relationships with adults on his own computer on his own time, he's a hypocrite. He'll likely pay for that if he runs for re-election. If he is ONLY hypocrite and didn't violate the law, there isn't anything that can be done to him criminally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horst Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I posted the same thing Horst has above abet in differant words and got blasted for "name calling" [/ QUOTE ] Yeah, but Horst is a moderator and your not. [/ QUOTE ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. [ QUOTE ] I find it interesting that in another post you all were outraged about a single act of child molestation and the next day the best you can come up with is that attaching the Repulican name to this post was uncalled for.Escpecially when thiers a similiarly titled post about liberals in the same page. If anyone else woulda posted this it coulda been a good topic to kick around.Since Slugo posted it nobodies even willing to comment on the actual info in the artical. Ive been watching this happen for some time now but havent said anything.To me it looks like a lotta you guys are just arguing with slugo to be arguing with him, or else your misguided impressions of your own political parties wont let you say anything bad about them no matter what the case is.In the future Id really like to see some well thought out responses to his posts instead of everyone just jumping in bashing him.Im not sticking up for him, he does a good job of that by himself, but it gets old seeing the same guy get flamed every time he makes a post.Its kinda getting to the point of being ridiculous after going on for this long. Anyway, thats just my view of things, Ive been wrong before but I got a feeling I wouldnt have to dig back very far to prove myself right this time [/ QUOTE ] Was this directed toward me? If so, then let me say this. I think if someone is a child molester they should give up thier life. If they did it once, they have probibly done it dozens if not hundreds of times. This guy has only been accused of this one single act. This simply does not fit the profile of your normal child molester. It seems strange that these guys accused one man at the time and chose to waited for 20 years to accuse the other one. It's just not a believable story. As far as being a hipocrite, yes he is. But as stated above that's not a crime. It's simply disgusting. As for giving a job for "favors" Bill Clinton did the same thing I don't remeber that being a big deal to the Dems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbonhunter Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I posted the same thing Horst has above abet in differant words and got blasted for "name calling" [/ QUOTE ] Yeah, but Horst is a moderator and your not. [/ QUOTE ] [/ QUOTE ] and thats just why its not fair...Wah Wah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horst Posted May 14, 2005 Report Share Posted May 14, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. [ QUOTE ] Was this directed toward me? If so, then let me say this. I think if someone is a child molester they should give up thier life. If they did it once, they have probibly done it dozens if not hundreds of times. This guy has only been accused of this one single act. This simply does not fit the profile of your normal child molester. It seems strange that these guys accused one man at the time and chose to waited for 20 years to accuse the other one. It's just not a believable story. As far as being a hipocrite, yes he is. But as stated above that's not a crime. It's simply disgusting. As for giving a job for "favors" Bill Clinton did the same thing I don't remeber that being a big deal to the Dems. [/ QUOTE ] John, this wasnt directed at you in particuliar, it was kind of a observation of the whats been going on in this room for a long time now.Its not even directed at just this post, it happens every time Slugo makes a post which was my whole point. As far as waiting 20 years, it happens all the time.Look at the Catholic church, how many peole came forward after that much time had passed there?Were they all lying?I doubt it, they had nothing to gain.If a childs been molested theyre pretty screwed up mentally and emotionaly by the experience, and dont always act rationaly. As for being a hypocrite the same could be said about anyone thats expressed outrage about homosexuals and child molesters but is willing to overlook an accusation like this due to the guys political party. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted May 14, 2005 Report Share Posted May 14, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. [/ QUOTE ] it happens every time Slugo makes a post which was my whole point.[ QUOTE ] Not everybody attacks sluggo everytime he says something, I've found myself agreeing with him alot lately. I just thought this one was reaching a little. [ QUOTE ] If a childs been molested theyre pretty screwed up mentally and emotionaly by the experience, and dont always act rationaly. [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Your right there, but on the original post I understood that they (the victems) accused one man at the time and then waitedd 20 years to accuse the other. This just doesn't make any sence. [ QUOTE ] As for being a hypocrite the same could be said about anyone thats expressed outrage about homosexuals and child molesters but is willing to overlook an accusation like this due to the guys political party. [/ QUOTE ] OK, You got me on this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horst Posted May 15, 2005 Report Share Posted May 15, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. John, that had to be the most impressive use of quotes Ive ever seen LOL Like I said, it wasnt directed at you in particuliar, just a general observation.If the kid waited 20 years after accusing the first guy then Id agree it sounds kinda funny.I musta missed that part.There could be an explanation for that as well I suppose but Im not even gonna try stretching that far, I dont know nothing about it really except for what that short artical said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldksnarc Posted May 16, 2005 Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. Yep. Republican homos make better news than Democrat (liberal) homos do. There are fewer of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KSNimrod Posted May 16, 2005 Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 Re: Old news, not in here though. Not surprising. Yep. The guy sounds like a real peach. I've found that sometimes people who rail against a certain thing will do it themselves. Doesn't mean that any time someone takes a stand that they are being a hypocrite, it just means that we've all seen it happen. For example, congressional democrats demonize the "super rich" and turn out to be millionaires. Republicans pass harsh drug laws and then make deals to get their kids out from under them when they get busted. As long as we live with this sin nature we'll see and do this kind of stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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