This Week's BacksideOf TheBell CurveWinner!

Gay Bashing, Bible Thumping, & Naturally... Rabid Republican

Spokane Mayor

Jim
"I'm Not Gay; I Just Troll The Internet For Boy Toys"
West



Spokane Mayor Jim West collects
his thoughts as he recalls those
who helped him along the way during his career.
** Stifling a snicker her, folks!**

Even if you've already read about Jim West being caught in a newspaper/internet sting operation this week, this guy's history is worth researching. I was googling Jim for a photo to include in this post when I found this little gem:

West takes oath in nostalgic ceremony
Spokane's new mayor sworn in at Grant Elementary School

Spokane Mayor Jim West collects his thoughts as he recalls those who helped him along the way during his career.

Mike Prager
Staff writer
December 24, 2003

James E. West was sworn in Tuesday as Spokane's 40th mayor in a well attended ceremony at Grant Elementary School.

West, 52, stood on a school stage in his boyhood haunt, right hand raised, and repeated the oath of office from retired Judge Ben McInturff.

Boyhood Haunt?

Prophetic!

For West, the ceremony at Grant Elementary School was both momentous and sentimental. LINK

Sentimental?

Remember what Hannibal Lecter said to Clarice Starling: How do we first begin to covet? We covet what we see every day.

Lots of cute little grade school boys + the sense of sight = coveting...

If you're a boy toy lover, that is.

This week, Jim West, who advocates making any sexual contact between minors a crime and believes that gays should remain second-class, hellbound citizens, was dragged out of his private closet by a newspaper consultant posing as an 18 year old gay boy.

After 3-Year Probe, Spokane Paper Alleges Sex Abuse by Mayor

By E&P Staff

Published: May 05, 2005 12:35 PM ET

NEW YORK After three years of investigation, the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Wash., today presented a package of stories that include allegations of sexual misconduct by the city's mayor, Jim West.

The probe grew out of the paper's reporting on a sex-abuse scandal in the Catholic Church in 2002. Rumors circulated then that West had sexually molested young boys when he served as a Boy Scout leader (and a sheriff's deputy) in the late 1970s. Two of his closest friends then, one a sheriff's deputy and the other a Scout leader, committed suicide after those earlier allegations of sex abuse were raised.

Today, the newspaper revealed that Robert J. Galliher claimed in a court deposition that West molested him in the mid-1970s, when he was a boy. A second man, Michael G. Grant Jr., also accused West of sexual abuse during the same period at a Boy Scout.

Stories by the newspaper in 2003 generated tips about West that staff reporters Bill Morlin and Karen Dorn Steele then spent two years investigating, using public records, court documents, interviews, and forensic evidence.

It led them to conclude, as the paper's editor, Steven A. Smith, described it, "that West has led a secret life for more than 25 years. Beyond the serious allegations of sexual abuse, West had been using his position in the Legislature to block gay-rights legislation. And he has been trolling the Internet for young lovers while serving as mayor of Spokane, offering gifts and favors." Much More...

And then there's this...

West's public policy conflicts with private life

Karen Dorn Steele / Staff writer

May 5, 2005

© The Spokesman-Review 2005

In an Internet chat room last New Year’s Eve where he discussed his recent date with an 18-year-old man, Spokane Mayor Jim West criticized the “sex Nazis” who try to regulate private sexual behavior.

For years, that’s exactly what West tried to do in Olympia.

Over two decades, West rose to power in the Washington Legislature with a carefully cultivated image as a fiscally conservative Republican opposed to gay rights, abortion rights and teenage sex.

Here's the best part, in my opinion:

While members of Spokane’s gay community said it’s widely rumored that West is a closeted gay man, they also said his sexual orientation is only an issue when his behavior intrudes on the legislative process and public policy. MORE...

That bears repeating...

His sexual orientation is only an issue when his behavior intrudes on the legislative process and public policy.

Wise words from constantly persecuted people!

Will we, as a nation, never learn?

Heavy, heavy sigh.