Dennis Hastert Reportedly Kept File Labeling Homosexuals As Pedophiles
Former speaker Dennis Hastert made his opinions clear on LGBT rights in the past when he tried to ratify a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. Hastert has recently been labeled as a hypocrite after being indicted by the FBI after he attempted to pay hush money to one of his former students for allegedly molesting him as a child. On Thursday, legislative files were discovered that might suggest that the hypocrisy runs deeper than previously thought.
Politico reported that a collection of papers that contained details of Hastert’s time as one of America’s most conservative congressmen. The records turned up a legislative file titled “Homosexuals,” containing statements from organizations that bashed same-sex marriage and gay rights protection efforts by the Clinton administration. The file contained a Weekly Standard piece called “Pedophile Chic,” containing warnings about “revisionist suggestions about pedophilia” that were being made by liberal organizations.
The piece concluded by saying that media groups were trying to “set a seat at the table” for pedophilia groups like NAMBLA.
The rest of the files offered a scattered assortment of clues regarding his reflections of his teaching days, and his actions taken against gay rights during his time as Speaker. Hastert never talked about his “misconduct”, but embraced his nickname among colleagues as “The Coach” after citing his coaching techniques in his approach to politics.
Before proposing his constitutional amendment, Hastert sided with the Moral Majority in order to fight a bill that barred homosexual discrimination. The papers also referenced Hastert’s efforts as co-sponsor of a bill to impose harsher criminal penalties for Web-based predators. Haster said that the bill “sends a strong message to the most heinous of criminals who prey upon our children — you will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
Noticeably, a scandal that was not recorded was that of former GOP Rep. Mark Foley’s admission to sending sexually suggestive messages to underage boys in Congress’ former page program. Foley was a previous associate of Hastert, the later having appointed him to join an exchange program with NATO.
Hastert appeared before court on Tuesday, pleading “not guilty” to charges of bank fraud and lying to the FBI.
[h/t Salon]
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