Not fair. But deserved.
Various conservative-minded blogs, including some of the most eminent and well-respected, have flooded the internet with “Harry Reid is a pederast ( or pedophile)” rumors, innuendos and suggestions, like this one, from Red State:
“Harry Reid is a pedophile”
“I got that from a reliable source who made me promise not to reveal his name. But he knows. Honest. Now I’m sure some would expect me to back up this claim with some of those “fact” thingys or maybe a link or two. Well, given that I’ve promise anonymity for my source, not happening. Just Google “Harry Reid pedophile” there are 1.79 million hits. I’ve known this for some time but I was reluctant to go public with the information because I always back up my writing with facts and links. Since I’m sworn to secrecy this time I was uncomfortable putting this story out until some seminal events occurred this week, and I figured “what’s good for the goose…”
“As I’m sure you know, Harry Reid (the pedophile), told a reporter that “somebody” at the evil Bain Capital told him that Mitt Romney won’t release his taxes because he didn’t pay any taxes for ten years. And today Harry Reid (the pedophile) doubled down on this statement in the Las Vegas Review Journal…”
And so on, in that vein. The meme is doing its work: Sen. Reid is on the way to being “santorumed.”* Google his name, and Google’s suggested searches put “Harry Reid pederast” third. By next week, it could be first. Will some unsuspecting, innocent and trusting citizens come across this completely fanciful libel of Reid and believe it? Perhaps even a young nephew or niece of the Senate Majority Leader? Oh, we can be sure of that.
Is that fair and right?
Of course not.
Reid himself deserves little sympathy, for the collective smear on his name was prompted by his own scurrilous rumor-mongering on the floor of the U.S. Senate, where he asserted that Mitt Romney hadn’t paid his taxes for a decade based on no evidence whatsoever. Nonetheless, while giving someone a “taste of his own medicine” is no doubt satisfying and perhaps even instructive, wrong is wrong, and spreading intentional lies, even about a public figure as devoid of decency and scruples as the Senate Majority Leader, is unethical. No conduct, no matter how nauseating, by its target can justify this. Stooping to Reid’s level can only further degrade civility and dignity in American public discourse, which is the objective of political sewer-dwellers like Reid, not anyone with the best interests of the nation in mind.
Fortunately, when dealing with an individual as loathsome as Harry Reid, there are plenty of completely true statements that can and should be said that are only slightly less damning than “Harry Reid is a pedophile.” So let’s be fair to Harry: denigrate him with the truth. That’s what he truly deserves.
* Thanks to blogger Dan Savage, the former GOP Senator’s name is now a synonym for a disgusting bodily discharge.
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UPDATE 1 (8/5): Well, it certainly is an honor to get a link from the estimable Glenn Reynolds at Instapundit. Now if only more of his readers would demonstrate some respect for and comprehension of ethics rather than endlessly chanting versions of “this is war” and “Reid hasn’t denied he is a pederast!” and “the mean Democrats do this all the time, so it’s time we fought back.” Not becoming, not impressive, and definitely not persuasive. The mind-numbing repetition is reminiscent of my debate with the pot-heads.
UPDATE 2 (8/6): The commenters aren’t bothering to read the thread, so I am getting the same comments over and over. Here is a directory of the ten most common comments, and my responses to them. You’re welcome.
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Pointer: Instapundit
Graphic: Redstate
Ethics Alarms attempts to give proper attribution and credit to all sources of facts, analysis and other assistance that go into its blog posts. If you are aware of one I missed, or believe your own work was used in any way without proper attribution, please contact me, Jack Marshall, at jamproethics@verizon.net.
Ethics Alarms 
I have lost all interest in civility. The socialist Democrats have never been civil. they have always resorted to smears and lies. Their entire presidential campaign consist of nothing else.
And the State Run Media has always been their fluffers and peg boys. Enough. I will be civil when I am dealing with civil people, but Democrats have never been civil, and I am sick of fighting them with one hand tied behind my back, and of trying to be nice to them.
Harry Reid is also documented to be a crook. How did he save up a $10 million net worth on Government wages? He is as crooked as any Democrat who has ever held office.
Furthermore, I know for a fact that Harry Reid is a pedophile. A very trustworthy man told me that he saw Harry Reid anally sodomize a ten year old boy in the Senate Gym Shower room.
You can lose interest in it, but without civility, dialogue, reason and accord is impossible.
If Reid wants civility, dialogue, reason and accord, then he should act like it. He set the rules; if you dislike them, take it up with him.
You really are ethically obtuse, Rob. If the most unethical side of every dispute defines the rules, we always end up in the gutter. No one says you have to play by Reid’s gutter rules. If you do it, you are accountable.
The thing is, the most unethical side of the dispute wins, every time. And when people like Reid win, there are serious consequences for our country and our future.
I am more than willing to be accountable. It’s generally not a good idea to shoot a person either, but if I need to do so to defend myself or my family I’ll get in that gutter all day long. If I use equal force to deter Reid and others then so be it. Part of the major problem you’re having is that you really don’t understand self defense.
The unethical side has defined the rules for years. We are in the gutter, whether you like it or not. Pretending you are having tea with the queen is a game for small children.
Exactly Walter, and if the charges are not responded to, they take on a life of their own, perpetuated by the media-that-once-was-mainstream.
Interesting that probably the most “unethical” bunch around are the NYT, WaPo, ABC, NBC, CBS, etc.
And, Jack, just what kind of ” dialogue, reason and accord” do you get when one side is not in the least interested in ” civility”?
Civility, dialogue (or dialog), reason, and accord are impossible with democrats. The only thing they care about is power, and the only way to deal with them is to defeat them and cast them into the outer darkness.
Yeh, but “Harry Reid used insider trading and other corrupt practises to convert a life-time public service career into a multi-million dollar fortune” doesn’t roll off the tongue so neatly.
That’s interesting—you choose lies over truth according to what’s euphonious?
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What about Harry Reid (nepotist)? Harry Reid (grafter)? Harry Reid (in bed with Chinese “green energy” scam)?
Better.
It may not be right, but it certainly is fair.
“As the rascal judged, he must
Himself be judged by. And that’s just.”
No, it isn’t. But it’s a nice quote.
We’ve had various forms of intelligent life on this planet for millions of years, and in all that time, not for one hour has absolute equity prevailed. Why are you surprised to find that this condition extends to Reid’s situation?
We all know it’s a joke. A damn good one. And you might be a bad person too. So there.
The point is, the ethical can play at the game of pushing rumors, but only as humor and to make a point. This is a correct use of humor. However, if we believed the rumor we are making up is fact, then we are unethical. We hint right and left that we are jiving.
That’s the difference.
Yes, it’s better than what Reid is doing…but Reid also knows what he is saying is untrue. Both uses of rumor are irresponsible, because we know people WILL believe it. A crowd that seriously argues that Obama isn’t a citizen can’t be too credible when another accusation seems ridiculous and they say, “we’re just joking!” How does one know when a fanatic is joking?
There is no room for ethics when dealing with stalinists and thugs.
Punch them in the throat, kick them in the balls. Our effing country is at stake from these pigs. They’ve had the run of the place for far too long.
No discourse with these assholes. Crushing them is the only rational goal.
There is clearly no room for ethics in your skull. Caveman thinking is easy and uncomplicated, I grant you. It is also ugly, unproductive, and doomed to fail.
But trying to be “better than them” has gotten us nowhere.
I’m tired of holding back the caveman.
BTW, I’m not trying to rationalize anything away. I know it’s dirty and it stinks. I just hope we don’t have to do such things for too long lest it change us permanently.
Self defense IS ugly. Unproductive and doomed to fail? Not so much. Do you really think any of Harry’s peers want to see THEIR name forever googlized as a child molester? If it saves just one Democrat from social suicide it is worth it.
Well, he sniffed, you will never be invited to have tea with the queen.
And, if caveman thinking is doomed to fail, hows come it has worked so well for the DemocRATs.
I submit to you that you don’t have the nation’s best interest in mind.
All’s fair in love and war. This is war.
This type of meme has been perpetrated on the United States Citizenry for a long time. Things like we are a racist because we didn’t vote for Obama. We are racist because we oppose what Obama wants. We are racist because we support George Zimmerman. We hate gays because we support Chick-Fil-A’s CEO right to have an opinion and back it with his money. We are homophobic because we like Chick-Fil-A #1 chicken sandwich. All unsubstantiated claims by your friend Harry Reid and his ilk.
We are in a fight for the American Culture and you are pooh poohing a regular citizen’s effort to level the playing field.
Get the picture now?
When a people have been unfairly treated as less than human by a bunch of lying hypocritical reprobates for so long, there is going to be a little push back. Fortunately we don’t have to create a revolution to change things. Just vote in Nov.
Calling what isn’t war war so one can say “All’s fair in love and war” is transparent intellectual dishonesty. This isn’t war. This is democracy. If you turn democracy into war, all is lost. Your comment is, in order, unethical, untrue, dishonest, and dangerous. Otherwise…great point!!!
Yep, it is war. Politics is war without guns. Just words.
It is too a war, it is a war of the socialist elite against the American people. They have been working for years to reduce to penury, ignorance, and slavery. Only little old ladies like you can’t grasp it.
You may think that all is lost if we fight back, but, all is lost if we don’t fight back. I would rather go down fighting.
To the best of my knowledge Harry Reid has not denied the pederast accusation. Do youj have proof that this accusation, is false? He certainly looks creepy and I would be loathe to leave small children in his care considering the seriousness of the undenied accusation that Harry Reid is a pederast. Since Senator Reid has not issued a denial, what are we to believe about his pedastery?
Yes, we comprehend the Big Lie mechanism. Why all of you aren’t ashamed to be following in Goebbels’ footsteps, I can’t imagine. Evil weapons do not become good because you really don’t like their targets.
Aaahhh . . . the “ethicist” goes Godwin. I see I have no reason to trust you have any real understanding of ethics, even as you lectures us all about it.
Great—then get off of my blog, Jackass.
Touchy, touchy, touchy, mon captain, or should I say mein hauptman.
Weapons are not evil; they are tools.
I didn’t say “weapons are evil.” I referred to evil weapons. Lies are evil weapons. Germs are evil weapons. Don’t distort my meaning.
“Goebbels”? Reaching quite a bit, eh, Jack.
Huh? Who’s the most famous advocate of “Big Lie” tactics? What are those commenters who are saying, “Make Reid deny it!” practicing? If the shoe fits…and if you’re not a real Jack (like me), I’m calling you John.
the pedrast thing is not funny nor inventive … far more amusing would have been harry reid likes to be blindfolded and tied up by transgendered hookers ..now he does look like that type of guy
Actually, local news sources reported that Senator Reid may be implicated in pederasty-related activities. One of his primary real estate business partners brother’s (and key employee of the venture) was convicted and considered a permanent risk to children, with no hope of treatment. In spite of this knowledge and conviction, the Senator has been quite comfortable not only employing the pedophile, but trusting a major part of his business.
This isn’t rumor but rather record that a competent and unbiased reporter can track down. Senator Reid is known to all to have business dealings that stink, with people that smell even worse. At a minimum, he’s no different than Penn State administration who looked the other way as long as the football team was winning. Regarding the extent of persistent rumors that the Senator himself has very uncomfortable appetites toward children, there’s no need to pursue these without hard proof (though as many have indicated, proof will likely not be forthcoming given such persons ability to pay off the parents of potential victims and to strong-arm inquiring local media and law enforcement sources).
Most Mafia kingpins aren’t taken down by hard evidence implicating their direct involvement, as that evidence will always be erased. You go after them due to their protection and coordination of the criminal enterprise itself.
What a ridiculous comment…assuming it’s not tongue in cheek. If it is, you need to work on your technique.
Sorry. Gotta punch back twice as hard. It’s the only thing thugs and statists understand. It’s why we’ve got the mightiest military in the world.
Baloney. bring your conduct down to the gutter level of unscrupulous opponents you become indistinguishable. I don’t trust people who lie and fight dirty. I don’t care which end of the political spectrum they hail from.
We don’t care if you don’t trust us. If you want to support Obama, go ahead. But if you think you are supporting ethical people, or promoting civility, you are kidding yourself.
I guess this is what Harry Reid gets for pushing for an answer to a serious question that republicans really ought to demand an answer to themselves before Romney’s nomination is set in concrete.
What on earth are the powers pulling the GOP’s strings thinking? It’s almost as if they’re deliberately setting themselves up to lose.
Lying and irresponsible accusations do not qualify as “pushing for an answer to a serious question.” You know better. Would, say, taking Romeny’s wife hostage also be “pushing for an answer to a serious question”?
I’d most like to know whether Harry Reid has *stopped* being a pederast.
Uh-huh. “when did you stop beating your wife’ is an unfair and unethical question even used against an asshole.
It’s not a lie if everyone knows it’s not true. And besides, if you sow the wind you reap the whirlwind. As opposed to the Savage/Santorum thing, Reid is getting back exactly what he’s dishing out. If a nephew sees the meme, Reid can say: well, I made false and unsubstantiated charges about someone else, so I’m being mocked for it. Simple enough.
How many rationalizations for unfair and dishonest conduct to you want to go for? I’m sure there are a few you missed that might fit. Check my list.
It may be dishonest, but it’s hard to see how it’s unfair. And “rationalization” can just be a name for a reason we don’t like.
When Reid spoke his scurrilous lies on the senate floor, that was it, after that calls for “civility” must fall on deaf ears.
The liar, crook, derelict and pederast Harry Reid owes both Mitt Romney and the American people several apologies.
When he makes them we’ll consider backing off. Until he does we’ll continue to strive to “punch back twice as hard” as our dear leader Obama has instructed us to do.
If you engage in the same tactic that you claim is so scurrilous, you validate it. You talk like a thug—there is no enlightenment or reason in this. It’s just vengeance. Vengeance isn’t ethical. It’s corrupting.
Jack, on one fundamental level, you are correct – spreading the rumor that Reid is a pedo is uncivil and wrong. But on another level, I think that these commenters you are disputing also see the truth, and you do not. It’s been a long process, but we’re moving away from a civil society and into a civil war against tyranny.
How completely corrupt does the democratic/civic process have to get before it’s not essentially democratic or civil any more, but it becomes something else, like an entrenched oligarchy that fights tooth and claw with both brutal force and with constant disinformation to maintain power? When 96% of Congressmen are returned to office in their gerrymandered districts every term, is that still a democracy? When you can’t even hope to fire a teacher without 5 years of lawfare? When police unions and other govt unions/bureaus essentially own the local judges and politicians? Is that still a representative govt? When an ungodly mix of taxation and regulations have reached punitive, harrassing levels? Is that still a democracy? Or is that a statist tyranny?
A *lot* of people have just about completely given up on the legitimacy of the government in America today. We are abused and oppressed by our governments officials on every level and at every turn. We are fed lies and obfuscations and evasions, or just stonewalled, when we ask for explanations of obvious gov’t crimes and wrongdoings. Every day now, there are stories in the news of no-knock swat raids, illegal wiretaps, EPA bullies, schools cheating, IRS bullies, building officials bribed, bureaucrats committing theft and fraud, and countless other people in gov’t abusing their power – most of the time, you can’t even get their names printed, much less get them fired or prosecuted. And it’s always “no comment, official policy, ongoing investigation, etc.”
So, Jack, look hard at what is actually happening in this country, and tell us – are we really still a democracy? If so, how far have we got to go before we no longer are? And if not, or if we have moved into a ‘gray area’, then how unethical is the response of the people who are fighting for their freedom from these pernicious tyrants all around us?
I wondered if you had called out Reid prior to this and I looked back and saw that indeed you had. And the picture you used as illustration was quite good, let me say.
I also noticed that you ended that post with some strong accusations against Senator Reid, including that he may be a serial killer. Which he might be, how can we know? Remember BTK!
So perhaps you are the pot calling me a kettle.
But to take your concerns seriously I will say that for years, and years, and years I too felt it was better to take the high ground.
But the passes that have been given to Democrat presidents by the Mainstream Media, first to Clinton over Monica Lewinski and now to Obama over dozens of things, all worse than Lewinski have led me to the conclusion that there really is no high ground available to conservatives or Republicans.
The NY Times and the WaPo, et al reserve that area for themselves to look down their editorial noses at their lessers, or to avert their eyes from things they don’t wish the rest of us to see.
As the tea partier’s sign put it: It doesn’t matter what this sign says – you’ll say it was racist anyway.
No matter the substance of what we say, no matter the tone in which we say it, we are derided and accused of being racist, sexist, homophobic violence mongers.
We can’t shed the name, so now we are going to play the game.
The Left and their hand maidens in the MSM have only themselves to blame for the lack of civility.
The onus is on them to restore it. Let them start by condemning Harry Reid.
Pathetic. How do you get this way? What possible good can come from this attitude? How can anyone rationally respect it?
It’s about time that the civility of the Right was jettisoned. It’s a war and the Left has never played by ethics, so the Right needs to play by the same rules or simply roll over and die. The nation is on the brink of collapse because the Left has had a free hand for so long.
“It’s a war”= “I’m an intellectually lazy and unethical thug.”
“It is not a war” = “I’m an intellectually lazy and cowardly fop.”
We can play too.
I’m not “playing.” You’re not thinking. And insult me one more time with name-calling, and you’re banned. You’re my guest.
He got off easy. The most deplorable part of Reid statement–actually, one of the worst things I’ve heard a politician spew in recent memory–was that Romney’s dad would be ashamed of Romney. This from a guy whose own father committed suicide. The “gotcha” smear writes itself, though only Andrew Malcolm has put it in print.
There are no good “smears.” What the hell’s the matter with you?
Good smears drive dishonest corrupt thugs like Harry Reid from public life.
Great logic until its used on you. A completely ethically ignorant comment.
It’s a war and the Left has brought the nation to the brink of collapse. Now is not the time to worry about the finer points of ethics.
It is not a war, but it is sure convenient for people who are unethical to say it is. Eliminates all the tricky thinking and caring stuff.
Oh, you care. That is so sweet. Democrats care. Just ask them and they will tell you: “It’s for the children.”
As for your thinking, it can only be useful when it is based on a correct understanding of the way things are, which you clearly do not have.
The Democrats have turned society into one giant Prisoner’s Dilemma. There is no advantage to being cooperative while they continue to be opportunistic.
Nonsense. The truth is as effective against Democrats as against anyone else….and it is effective, if the truth-teller hasn’t disgraced himself by acting like Harry Reid.
You don’t get out much, do you?
Truth doesn’t stand a chance when most of the channels for its dissemination prefer to lie. The press coverage of Reid’s lies have been to assist him, not to take him to task.
And your concern for “ethics” is oddly focused on the gnats in American politics. Have you scolded Reid? Told him he’s “evil”? You seem more upset that Reid is facing his own tactics than in Reid’s introduction of those tactics.
This is why “ethics” gets a bad name; the folks who crow about it rarely fail to live up to “power corrupts”.
Actually Mr. Marshall does have a good post up condemning Reid’s remarks. Just look back a few days and you’ll find it. The picture he uses for it is most amusing too.
And, at the end of his post he posits a few things that might be suspected about old Dingy. Including that he could be a serial killer!
Yet now he complains that our entirely baseless concerns about Reid’s putative pederasty may be gaining traction. Lucky for Reid those serial killer accusations never grew legs.
I’ve pointed this out in a reply to our gentle author. Ethics in an unethical age can get tricky, I think we’ll all agree on that.
I simply do not agree on that fact. There are studies which have been reliably duplicated that show that once the lie is out, even denying the lie simply reinforces it. It’s the classic prisoner’s dilemma — if one side defects (the Dems spread lies) and the other does not (Republicans “take the high road”) then the Dems get magnified rewards and the Republicans get nothing.
Your method has been tried. It has failed, and we have the science to show why it failed. It’s time to drag them down to the bottom of the prisoner’s dilemma until they decide that cooperation is in order.