"Sweeping facts off the table is a common technique around here. Those facts are highly relevant to this discussion."

First off, sweeping aside Red Herrings, Strawmen and 'BuBuBut Mommy! They did it too!' arguments is entirely reasonable.

These facts are completely irrelevant. If you want to hold them [the people you reference] accountable for whatever sins real or imagined that you wish to voice, then hold them accountable. However, these things have absolutely no bearing on the facts of the matter:

1) A politician engaged in predatory behavior
2) There is at least the appearance that those who should have said something said nothing, to protect their political interests.

"But if Clinton were, hypothetically, making speeches to the media and others accusing that politician of immorality, and declaring that that politician should leave public life because of it, that would be a bit different, wouldn't it?"

I'm sorry, I don't see how. Perhaps its that reidual crumb of reason floating around my mind.

The character of the speaker has little to dowith the truth of what is said. Einstein is said to have beat his wife and cheated on her constantly- I don't disbelieve GR because of that.

Yes, it makes the speaker a hypocrite, but hypocrisy is not whats at hand here.

What is it that you want? You say your not covering Hastert or Foley by hauling in the Other baad baad democrats. Do you want a recognition that politicians are hypocrites? Ding! Score one for the obvious. Really then, what is your point?

Now that we're past the childish excuses, why don't we clean house and demand that pedophiles and those who cover the tracks of pedophiles be flushed out of office with a hose. Or are YOU a hypocrite?

DL