Right-wing mayor hit by gay sex and jobs scandal

[emad]

May 11, 2005
From Roland Watson in Washington



DURING 25 years of elected office culminating in him becoming mayor, James West presented himself as unfailingly conservative. He opposed teenage sex, gay rights and homosexuals working in schools.
It came as a shock to residents of Spokane, Washington, therefore, when Mr West was accused by the local paper of offering jobs to men he met online in gay chat rooms.

Mr West, 54, denied more serious allegations: that 25 years ago he molested two boys when he was a sheriff’s deputy and Scout leader. But he conceded that he had “relationships” with men and trawled gay websites.

Mr West has taken a leave of absence to prepare to defend himself. His predicament is a classic tale of a politician’s double life exposed by a newspaper.

The Spokesman-Review spent three years devising and activating a covert operation to test rumours that the city’s mayor was being less than truthful about his politics.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,172-1606922,00.html

[Botany]

1. The wild wild West

Are their any straight repgs?

[Montauk6]

3. I have a simple theory...

ALWAYS suspect the homophobe, with almost no exception.

[Tux]

7. True

Makes me wonder how many neocons and fundies are gay yet hate themselves for it.

[napi21]

2. So, are his RW supporters feeling sorry for this lier?

I haven't heard anything from them about how shocked they are, and how they want nothing to do with him, have you?

[The Doctor.]

4. This kid does;

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1772321

I'm beginning to call army recruiters in the areas where these morons live with the 'hot lead' on some 'real patriots'.

In fact, I think I'll encourage recruiters to troll websites for willing conscripts.

[JRob]

5. and you probably won't

[Bob3]

6. His predicament?

What kind of weasel word is that. The man's a hypocritical swine.

[caligirl]

8. He was Mark Morfords scout leader SFgate Morford column

My Totally Gay Scout Leader
The tormented Republican mayor of Spokane might have molested young boys. Boys like, well, Mark Morford. SFGateOpinion

http://www.sfgate.com/columnists/morford/

[carnie_sf]

9. I've always said

that all homophobes are closet cases.

[beyurslf]

10. Rabid gay bashers who turn out to be gay should be tortured

for the pain they cause young queer kids.

[napi21]

11. I don't know about torture, but they sure should be publicly

disgraced! NOT for being gay, but for being so hypocritical!!!

When I first heard this I asked a question here on DU about why a gay man would activly fight against gay rights? I understand why a politician wants to keep quiet, but be an antigay activist, I don't understand. Most said the same as you. Beware of the people who fight some issues the strongest, they're trying to hide something.

\I hope all the Pubs are very ashamed of this guy, and his political career is OVER!