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=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: vansmack on August 12, 2004, 07:42:00 pm
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New Jersey Governor Resigns
McGreevey Announces: 'I Am a Gay American'
By William Branigin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, August 12, 2004; 5:50 PM
New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey unexpectedly announced his resignation today, disclosing publicly that he is a homosexual and had an extramarital affair with another man.
With his wife standing by his side, McGreevey, a Democrat who has been dogged by several fund-raising scandals, said he has long struggled with his identity. He said he was revealing his sexual orientation and the homosexual affair to counter the vulnerability he faced from "rumors, false allegations and threats of disclosure."
McGreevey said the resignation would take effect Nov. 15. His term was due to expire in January 2006.
As word leaked this afternoon that the 47-year-old governor planned to announce his resignation at a Trenton, N.J., news conference, it was widely assumed that he was succumbing to pressure from the financial scandals swirling around him. But McGreevey made no mention of those troubles in his surprising announcement.
With his second wife, Dina Matos McGreevey, looking on, the former mayor and state legislator referred to his first marriage to a Canadian woman and to his two daughters, including a toddler born in December 2001. But he said that at some point, "one has to look deeply into the mirror of one's soul" and come to grips with the "unique truth" there.
"My truth is that I am a gay American," McGreevey said.
He acknowledged having caused "pain and suffering and anguish" to his family, adding that he felt compelled to confess his involvement in an affair.
"I am also here today because shamefully, I engaged in an adult consensual affair with another man, which violates my bonds of matrimony," McGreevey said. "It was wrong, it was foolish, it was inexcusable."
Although his homosexuality by itself "makes little difference" to his performance as governor, McGreevey said, "given the circumstances surrounding the affair and its likely impact upon my family and my ability to govern, I have decided the right course of action is to resign."
McGreevey did not disclose any details of the affair or explain what he meant by rumors and false allegations.
In recent weeks, the governor, who took office in January 2002, has been plagued by allegations of unethical financial activities by associates, Washington Post staff writer Michael Powell reported.
One of his prominent fundraisers, a trash hauler, was recently indicted on charges of extorting bribes and campaign contributions from a Middlesex County farmer. Then, another top political donor, a wealthy developer, was charged with trying to derail a federal investigation of his finances by hiring prostitutes to seduce witnesses, including his brother-in-law.
In addition, the state commerce secretary resigned after it was revealed that he funneled contracts to the sister of his chief of staff. And McGreevey's former chief of staff is under investigation for getting contracts to put up billboards on public land while he was running the governor's campaign.
Although McGreevey was mentioned 83 times in the federal indictment of David D'Amiano, the trash-hauling fundraiser, the governor was not named as a co-conspirator, and his aides have said his involvement was innocent. Nor was McGreevey implicated in the indictment of the developer, Charles Kushner.
McGreevey and his aides have portrayed the investigations as a vendetta by federal prosecutor Christopher J. Christie, who was appointed by President Bush and is said to have gubernatorial ambitions.
© 2004 The Washington Post Company
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Uhh...I liked the movie, too.
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I guess you all missed the Sopranos episode where Fat Tony made Homer tell Carmela he was gay.
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if only he'd been a republican.
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I thought this was going to be about the movie.
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Totally unrelated to this topic, I think Zack Braff is such a cutie.
Sorry. That's the teeny-bopper in me.
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Having never met you, I always assumed you were 15-17. That's a totally acceptable teeny-bopper zone. Sorry if I'm way off.
Did any of you see the movie? I caught it last night, and thought it was excellent, especially considering it's his first movie as star/director/writer/etc. Much more fulfilling than Napoleon Dynamite, which was a turd and a half.
Back to music, how much money do you think the Shins paid for such overwhelming placement in the fil?
Originally posted by pepper*sans*salt:
Totally unrelated to this topic, I think Zack Braff is such a cutie.
Sorry. That's the teeny-bopper in me.
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We'll probably see the movie next week. Looking forward to it.
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Originally posted by vansmack:
referred to his first marriage to a Canadian woman and to his two daughters, including a toddler born in December 2001. But he said that at some point, "one has to look deeply into the mirror of one's soul" and come to grips with the "unique truth" there.
"My truth is that I am a gay American," McGreevey said.
poor girls. they have a gay american dad. not really the coolest of role models, so to speak.
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Originally posted by nkotbie:
Back to music, how much money do you think the Shins paid for such overwhelming placement in the fil?
They didn't! I saw adorable Zach on Charlie Rose, and he heard the song while writing/developing the movie and always planned/hoped to have it serve as the center of the film. He felt it was exactly the right mood for his story. Cool, huh?
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Originally posted by sonickteam2:
poor girls. they have a gay american dad. not really the coolest of role models, so to speak.
You kidding? I'll bet he's WAY cooler than 50% of the dads I was surrounded by at Cheap Trick last week. His downfall is that he's a politician...and that he fell for the cultural stigmatism to homosexuality and did that whole marriage thing because he thought he had to. Hopefully that's going away...
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You all really need to see Sleepaway Camp.
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Actually, I'll be 27 in 2 weeks, so i'm about 10 years past the acceptable teeny-bopper demographic.
Originally posted by nkotbie:
Having never met you, I always assumed you were 15-17. That's a totally acceptable teeny-bopper zone. Sorry if I'm way off.
Did any of you see the movie? I caught it last night, and thought it was excellent, especially considering it's his first movie as star/director/writer/etc. Much more fulfilling than Napoleon Dynamite, which was a turd and a half.
Back to music, how much money do you think the Shins paid for such overwhelming placement in the fil?
Originally posted by pepper*sans*salt:
Totally unrelated to this topic, I think Zack Braff is such a cutie.
Sorry. That's the teeny-bopper in me.
[/b]
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Being cooler than 50% of dads, statistically speaking, makes you a mediocrity (assuming you're also less cool than 50%, and that dad's perform on a evenly distibuted continuum.)
Originally posted by Bagalicious Tangster:
Originally posted by sonickteam2:
poor girls. they have a gay american dad. not really the coolest of role models, so to speak.
You kidding? I'll bet he's WAY cooler than 50% of the dads I was surrounded by at Cheap Trick last week. His downfall is that he's a politician...and that he fell for the cultural stigmatism to homosexuality and did that whole marriage thing because he thought he had to. Hopefully that's going away... [/b]
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I was being a bit sarcastic. I realized the Shins didn't pay any money for the placement, but damn, with all the placement they got, they should've given Braff SOMETHING.
Originally posted by Bagalicious Tangster:
They didn't!
And oops! Sorry pepper...not sure what made me think you were so young, but obviously, a career at the carnival guessing age isnt' in my future.
Originally posted by pepper*sans*salt:
Actually, I'll be 27 in 2 weeks, so i'm about 10 years past the acceptable teeny-bopper demographic.
Originally posted by nkotbie:
Having never met you, I always assumed you were 15-17. That's a totally acceptable teeny-bopper zone. Sorry if I'm way off.
Did any of you see the movie? I caught it last night, and thought it was excellent, especially considering it's his first movie as star/director/writer/etc. Much more fulfilling than Napoleon Dynamite, which was a turd and a half.
Back to music, how much money do you think the Shins paid for such overwhelming placement in the fil?
Originally posted by pepper*sans*salt:
Totally unrelated to this topic, I think Zack Braff is such a cutie.
Sorry. That's the teeny-bopper in me.
[/b]
[/b]
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A cool Dad? That's an oxymoron isn't it? Kinda like jumbo shrimp.
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Originally posted by sonickteam2:
Originally posted by vansmack:
referred to his first marriage to a Canadian woman and to his two daughters, including a toddler born in December 2001. But he said that at some point, "one has to look deeply into the mirror of one's soul" and come to grips with the "unique truth" there.
"My truth is that I am a gay American," McGreevey said.
poor girls. they have a gay american dad. not really the coolest of role models, so to speak. [/b]
Everything Bags said. That's silly, sonick.
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Originally posted by Bagalicious Tangster:
Originally posted by sonickteam2:
poor girls. they have a gay american dad. not really the coolest of role models, so to speak.
You kidding? I'll bet he's WAY cooler than 50% of the dads I was surrounded by at Cheap Trick last week. His downfall is that he's a politician...and that he fell for the cultural stigmatism to homosexuality and did that whole marriage thing because he thought he had to. Hopefully that's going away... [/b]
ok, before i finish my thought here, preface by saying that i don't care his preference, that's not my business, he can do whatever he wants to. . .however:
i don't think that being gay is the actual problem. . .but, i'm sure his resignation had nothing to do with him being a corrupt politician that was facing several campaign finance laws and state ethicial violations investigations. as well as indictments already issued to his main election and finance advisers, and several big money fundraisers. i also won't mention the sexual harassment allegations. oh, and by staying in office until november 15, he avoids the state from having a special election to fill the office, as it is, the state senate president steps in and becomes governor for the rest of the term, and staying democratic.
there's a big difference between having a gay governor and a gay governor that's corrupt.
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I still think you all should see Sleepaway Camp.
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Originally posted by SalParadise:
if only he'd been a republican.
actually, there have been several republicans that have come out. . .jim kolbe from az had a wife and kids (i think), came out and was still re-elected to congress (despite the objections of the stupid religious right). . .michael huffington, ex-husband of ariana huffington, course, that shouldn't be a surpise. . .and there was a congressman from minnesota. . .he came out, and was defeated in the primary, again by those stupid religious conservatives, and republican's promptly lost that seat.
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Originally posted by Bagalicious Tangster:
Originally posted by nkotbie:
Back to music, how much money do you think the Shins paid for such overwhelming placement in the fil?
They didn't! I saw adorable Zach on Charlie Rose, and he heard the song while writing/developing the movie and always planned/hoped to have it serve as the center of the film. He felt it was exactly the right mood for his story. Cool, huh? [/b]
Yeah, I think he helps select some of the music for Scrubs. He also did the photography for Joshua Radin's cd.
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Log cabin lovers.
Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
actually, there have been several republicans that have come out. . .
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Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
actually, there have been several republicans that have come out. . .jim kolbe from az had a wife and kids (i think), came out and was still re-elected to congress (despite the objections of the stupid religious right). . .michael huffington, ex-husband of ariana huffington, course, that shouldn't be a surpise. . .and there was a congressman from minnesota. . .he came out, and was defeated in the primary, again by those stupid religious conservatives, and republican's promptly lost that seat.
there was also Steve Gunderson, who was outed on the floor of the house by right wing crazy, well crazy in general, Bob Dornan
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Wait, you guys are saying there are gay politicians?
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Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
Originally posted by SalParadise:
if only he'd been a republican.
actually, there have been several republicans that have come out. . .jim kolbe from az had a wife and kids (i think), came out and was still re-elected to congress (despite the objections of the stupid religious right). . .michael huffington, ex-husband of ariana huffington, course, that shouldn't be a surpise. . .and there was a congressman from minnesota. . .he came out, and was defeated in the primary, again by those stupid religious conservatives, and republican's promptly lost that seat. [/b]
the timing of this just seems very deliberate. and now they want him to resign immediately instead of waiting 'til nov. 15th.
politricks.
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Originally posted by econo:
You all really need to see Sleepaway Camp.
I haven't heard about "Sleepaway Camp" in years. Brilliant comparison too.
econo's right too - you should all see it.
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But skip parts two and three. They don't compare to the original. And don't watch Indiana Joan and the Black Hole of Mamu. That's bogus as well.
Originally posted by vansmack:
Originally posted by econo:
You all really need to see Sleepaway Camp.
I haven't heard about "Sleepaway Camp" in years. Brilliant comparison too.
econo's right too - you should all see it. [/b]
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Originally posted by nkotbie:
But skip parts two and three.
As far as I'm concerned, they're with Slap Shot Two and Caddyshack Two - they never happenend.
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I think the plan for Indiana Joan was that someone had to find her attractive.
Originally posted by nkotbie:
And don't watch Indiana Joan and the Black Hole of Mamu. That's bogus as well.
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It shouldn't take him long to move out of the governors mansion; he's already got his shit packed.
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Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
It shouldn't take him long to move out of the governors mansion; he's already got his shit packed.
this and a sacriforce post means that the good feel buzz of the curiosa concert is gone... shame that
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this is an example of the sort of sick humor that gets passed around the internet these days - I, of course, do not endorse such things:
Top 10 McGreevey jokes:
10. NJ state bird change to swallow
9. NJ turnpike renamed hershey highway
8. NJ raises terror alert level to lavender
7. We know he didn't like bush, but this is ridiculous!
6. Now we know why McGreevey enjoyed "polling" so much
5. What does mcgreevey and the isreali navy have in common? jewish seaman.
4. NJ DMV to now call rear end accidents, a mcgreevey
3. Gives new meaning to stuffing the ballot box
2. Post headline..."McGreevey goes down"
1. Shouldn't take McGreevey long to get out of the governer's
mansion, he's already got his shit packed
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Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
ok, before i finish my thought here, preface by saying that i don't care his preference, that's not my business, he can do whatever he wants to. . .however:
i don't think that being gay is the actual problem. . .but, i'm sure his resignation had nothing to do with him being a corrupt politician that was facing several campaign finance laws and state ethicial violations investigations. as well as indictments already issued to his main election and finance advisers, and several big money fundraisers. i also won't mention the sexual harassment allegations. oh, and by staying in office until november 15, he avoids the state from having a special election to fill the office, as it is, the state senate president steps in and becomes governor for the rest of the term, and staying democratic.
there's a big difference between having a gay governor and a gay governor that's corrupt.
Bede, I'm glad you posted that because it saves me from having to put my thoughts on this here to that degree.
What really bugs me about it is that you know darn well he's resigning to avoid some kind of retribution due to all of his corruption but he and the media are putting most of the spotlight on the fact that he's Gay. Big f*ing deal! Though I feel sorry for his family having to go through some complicated issues, it's all the real corruption that really should be addressed, not his sexual preferences.
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Originally posted by Jaguär:
but he and the media are putting most of the spotlight on the fact that he's Gay. Big f*ing deal! Though I feel sorry for his family having to go through some complicated issues, it's all the real corruption that really should be addressed, not his sexual preferences.
I agree, Jag. Thing is, the sad fact is that in America today, his being gay is a bigger, more controversial deal. He's deflecting attention from other, far more serious and important allegations, but it's American society that enables him to do so.
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It's unfortunate that he put his gay lover into a job that was very important and for which he apparently had no qualifications for whastoever, the head of Homeland Security (or is it Homo Security? Bahaha) for the state. That by itself showed very poor judgement.
have you considered doomlink? (http://www.alex.to/doomlink)
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back to the movie, thought it was really good although it does lose a little steam towards the end. an ending which was changed from the orginial version...
thought the use of music was excellent throughout the movie, instead of hammering you with a constant birage of songs, they were used to really set the mood of the scene,etc. and i was able to recreate most of the soundtrack with already owned tracks.
it will interesting to see if zach can continue in the tradition of charlie kauffman to write intelligent quirky scripts.
also got to see the trailer for john sayles new movie, silver city, which looks awesome. chris cooper is bring george w. bush to the screen as a bumbling wealthy idiot running for governer in colorado.
Dickie Pilager 2004 (http://www.dickiepilager2004.com/)