The Curious Case Of Eric Massa
I really don't know what's going on with Eric Massa, but I'm concerned about him. In the space of less than two weeks, we hear news that he's will not seek re-election because of a recurrence of cancer, then we hear that he's under the cloud of an ethics investigation for sexual harassment (which he at the time termed for "salty language"). Then he decides to resign altogether from the House, claiming he's being pushed out by his fellow Democrats because of his vote on the health care reform, most notably in a odd (and naked) confrontation with Rahm Emanuel.
I don't really want to get into the prurient details of the ethics investigation or the allegations that came out today. I don't really care about Massa's sexuality one way or the other. He's sponsored no anti-gay legislation; in fact, he's been at the forefront of repealing DADT. So as far as I'm concerned, there's no hypocrisy there, as there is with Roy Ashburn. Howie Klein has written an account on both politicians, putting it into the context of his own experiences, and I don't think I could state it better.
But what I am concerned about is that Massa--clearly reeling and hurting and lashing out--has agreed to appear for the whole hour on Glenn Beck to condemn the Democratic Party.
I'm not sure if Massa is aware of how much disdain Glenn Beck holds him in, comparing him to a terrorist this morning:
Conservatives are already turning on Massa in advance of the Beck interview. Michelle Malkin trashed Beck on his own radio show Tuesday for asking Massa on, while Rush Limbaugh dismissed Massa as a no-name "kook" on his broadcast Tuesday, warning, "Anybody who embraces this guy is going to get caught."
I think Massa has snapped.
A bunch of pressure and the health problems has his mind taking leave of his senses.
So many people say he used to be level headed.
I hope his health holds up long enough to allow him to address his mental health.
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
he seems to be losing his sense of social restraint and judgment.
Many people speak the way he does behind closed doors, ie locker room talk, etc. But when they start speaking that way everywhere, something's off.
Politics aside, I'd be worried about him if he were in my family. Seriously.
why is foul play ruled out?
Some stuff you can't make up!
Massa did say one very important thing on the glen feck show. He said that nothing in Washington would change without campaign finance reform.
From the look on feck's face, that was not the red meat he was looking for.
that's my take
I just watched the interview on Beck. At the end Beck apologized to his audience for wasting their time. Basically Massa was saying that if you get in the house or the senate, no matter what your party, you have to spend 7 to 8 hours a day raising money. He said with Rahm, it's either his way or the highway.
Personally, I think the guy is full of shit and I think there is more to come about him. He said he was responsible for all the things he has said and done and many of them were wrong. He sort of tried to use his health when he said he was tired of fighting in the House and knew he couldn't make a difference in the way DC runs.
I'm guessing Beck jumped on the bandwagon too quickly and wishes he had left this kettle of beans alone. I think the climax came when Massa said both sides should stop calling the other side names like socialist etc. Beck's hair stood up when he said that.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
I saw that on the USA Today blog too. I thought, really? Like Beck's audience was going to do something else with that time? I'm sure all of Beck's other shows have been excellent uses of his audience's time.
I think we should thank Beck for keeping the moron majority off the streets.
it seems that so much of the political existence of politicians these days in Washington is about getting re-elected and to wit, raising money to that end. its really ridiculous how much time, time that could best be spent doing the peoples work (our work), that instead they are out raising money for getting re-elected instead. this system really needs reform clearly. but the ones doing the 'reforming' are these same politicians. so its a vicious circle thatll keep feeding on itself as these guys will really have no vested interest in stopping it. sheesh.
The majority of Congress DOES NOT do the people's work. They spend all their time raising money to run in the next election. This is painfully illustrated by the Rethuglicans (who are only concerned with keeping their cushy jobs rather than going out in the real world to get a real job) and the Blue Dogs (who are only concerned with their re-election) and could give a fig about doing something to benefit the American people.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
If its true isn't just a question of his own private sexuality. To me Massa's criticism of Emanual sound like whining. There are things to dislike Rahm for but being a tough SOB is sort of the job of the Chief of Staff and the dems need more not less tough SOBs.
It really is bad to confront someone about a policy initiative while naked in a shower. Talk about taking work home with you.
in the showers of Congress....isn't the Senate and the House just an "Old Boys Club" (except for the few women that have been elected) anyway? Sounds to me like a bunch of retarded (Oh! I did not just say that, did I?) jocks in there.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
I don't know about the "r" word, but my perception is that a locker room is a locker room is a locker room.
"It really is bad to confront someone about a policy initiative while naked in a shower. Talk about taking work home with you"
Unless he went home with Massa, he was still in the "office" gym.
Tonight Massa said what he did was not sexual just inappropriate. My husband was in the navy and he was never in a "tickle fight". I don't know any grown person who has ever done such a thing.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
He said, "salty tickle fight"?
I heard, "salty pickle fight".
Honest enough mistake.
And Beck is a ghoul for trying to take advantage of his public breakdown.
I agree. Beck thought he was going to get some inside democratic red meat that he could talk about for the next few weeks and all he got it seems to me is a guy who appears to be up against the wall with a lot of sexual tales to tell. Telling a guy he should be "farking" him. Seeing a guy masterturbating and asking him if he needed any help with that to let him know. Doing the "tickle fight". And telling of an encounter with a nude male (Rahm) while he also was nude in a shower. I see a theme going on here. I don't know if Massa is having a breakdown or if something is about to devour him.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
...? It's Beck, remember?
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
Built his entire career on one, long, mental breakdown.
and he had a piece about Massa and his appearance on Glenn Beck's show....the poor man has gone round the bend. Beck is a drooling idiot and has no interviewing skills, but Massa didn't say anything coherent in that clip (I could not stand to watch Beck's show, so I had to settle for a clip). It is my opinion that Beck was hoping to trap him into saying some bad things about the health care bill (which Beck is rooting to fail) in particular and the Dems in general.......and the guy just babbled senselessly. And BTW, what happened to that diagnosis of cancer he originally blamed for his decision to leave? He has had half a dozen reasons for quitting.....which one is the truth? Looks like it's time for a padded jacket for Little Eric.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
He said tonight that the cancer was the cause of his saying he would not run again, not the cause of his leaving now.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
makes for wonderful entertainment if you're the sort of person who misses Jerry Springer.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
!!
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
.
I never watch him. The cringe factor is too high.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
anything else.
what the average American TeeVee Machine watcher will watch...especially if it's a train wreck like Springer or Beck.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
.
Must not be any missing blondes anywhere. How about something new about Anna Nicole Smith. Oh wait, she died. Hmm, must be something. Oh I know, the democrat might be gay and he quit congress.
?
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
Seems a bit off to have Kucinich at the top under a Massa headline.
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
I fixed it.
??
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
or do we have a rerun of Kucinich where Massa should be.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
I obviously didn't clear the code copy from the Kucinich post when I moved on to Massa.
a proper hyperlink I have no recourse but to forgive.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
they have prison showers in the House? Really? Not even private ones? Damn. Welcome to Shawshank...
Group showers was the first thing the COS demanded!
(kiddin')
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
That's "Saw his shank" according to Eric/Rahm?
"I know that there are people who do not love their fellow
man, and I hate people like that! " ~ Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
to confront him.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
remind me to not invite Massa to lend a hand.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
A lot of folks are making judgments about our former congressman based on how the national media is spinning his comments. MSNBC has been a mess of inaccurate information all day about Rep. Massa, trying to paint him as a loon.
He's not.
Having worked on his campaign and contributed to it, and working closely with his office on drafting legislation to prohibit Internet providers from slapping usage caps on broadband service (see our consumer website - stopthecap.com for more on that), I have some up close perspective on Eric that most people don't.
First, Eric Massa -does- use extremely colorful language. He's the most plain-spoken elected official I've ever met. He doesn't couch his beliefs in "something for everyone" speak. He tells you where he stands and what he thinks and you never believe for a moment you are being played. Does he use profanity? All the time. I've heard him go on a few tirades myself, but once you realize he's not directing it at you, it's not so bad. He's probably closer to a Lewis Black -- using language as comic relief more than the abuser he's been made out to be.
Second, Eric is not Mark Foley. Not even close. He's not a closeted gay man either. As he's said, he has a naval background and the antics that go along with that, especially when alcohol is involved, are what's responsible for what I am sure some aides misinterpreted, especially if they were new. Massa needed someone to tell him to grow up -- the frat party was over.
Third, there is an orchestrated beltway campaign against him, cheerlead by some in the national media who are rubbing their hands and taking things out of context to portray him as nuts. Like Chuck Todd this morning talking about a "90 minute interview" Massa did over the weekend -- "who does that" and making him out to be on some ego trip. Massa has done a weekly 90 minute call-in show on the Hornell radio station for years. It wasn't an "interview" and it's nothing unusual.
Fourth, Rahm Emanuel has been a PITA for more than just Eric Massa. He's the consummate Washington insider directly responsible for the change we can believe in not being delivered. Just ask Howard Dean. Emanuel never did all that much to get Eric Massa elected in the first place.
Massa's position on health care legislation has also frequently been mischaracterized. He's absolutely for single payer and believes this past summer of BS produced a gift to the insurance industry that is too expensive and doesn't deliver. He won't vote for garbage, and members of the 29th district have always known he's for single payer. His town hall meetings ran hours and hours this summer as he took on the Beck loons and stood up for his position. He's delivered more of the change than Barack Obama has.
Finally, everyone in his office is well aware of Eric Massa's personal manners and practices. There is a legitimate question as to why the whisper and allegation campaign suddenly sprung up now after more than a year in office. The guy is forthright in taking direct responsibility for his failures and accepts the penalties -- something the Vitters, Gingrichs, DeLays and even the Rangels won't.
I'm disappointed that Eric couldn't conduct himself in a more appropriate manner, and a hard-fought campaign to get the seat away from the loathsome Randy Kuhl has been essentially wasted with his resignation. But take my word for it -- don't accept at face value the echo chamber "he's crazy" rhetoric you're hearing now. He's anything but.
It's about damned time someone said something. Most progressive Democrats are out there making stupid statements like: "I'm completely opposed to what Obama and my party are doing, but I'm supporting them anyway."
has many redeeming qualities but you have hit the nail on the head when you wrote of conducting himself in a more appropriate manner. One of the first and most important lessons every young person should learn when entering on any career is to never piss in the out basket. When you leave make a dignified exit.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
Phillip,
I gotta tell ya, there is a suspiciously inordinate amount of time and effort being spent to discredit this man.
The Ed Show spent the first 15 minutes taking it apart, and then Puchanon declared that it wasn't much of a story.
I smell about 200 rats.
The people of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage." J.K. Galbraith
...enought about his military background to answer this. I have been wondering if he was a Navy Seal or corpsman who was involved in any combat or not? He is exhibiting signs that could be related to either PTSD or traumatic brain injury that may be undiagnosed.
Any idea if he has been in combat?
Then someone better tell him he shouldn't be appearing on Glenn Beck if he doesn't want to be painted as a loon. Going to Glennbeckistan is the same as checking into the nearest looney bin.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
Agreed glogrrl. But an unintended effect was to leave Beck grasping for some kind of dirt and coming up empty headed...er handed.
The people of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage." J.K. Galbraith
I just watched an extended clip of that little confrontation on Olbermann.......I've never seen anyone try so hard to get blood out of a turnip as Beck trying to squeeze juicy corruption stories out of Massa. Massa did a complete about-face and said everything was his fault and there was no hanky panky from the White House going on. He kept that up, blaming himself and absolving the Democrats, FOR AN HOUR! You could just see Beck deflating in front of the camera. Now, THAT was entertainment.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
Curiouser that Benjamin Bratt.
Seriously, does anyone give a rat's ass about Bradgelina?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
It's a rare happening, but there are occasions in which I feel genuine pity for a politician. This is one of them. His decision to resign was obviously the correct one, and I wish him the best.
.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
republicanism/conservatism is a mental illness and it is killing America!
I'm watching Countdown, naturally, and the Outfoxed News thought they were going to get major dirt on the Democrats, and Rahm specifically. They got nothing! LOL!
Until you respect the citizenship of those with which you disagree, you're not a true American.
I guess he learned that lesson.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
Another non story being covered by the MSM wall to wall 24/7.
I'm happier if it turns into a non-story.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
Jumped the shark or The Mystery of Al Capone's Vault? Beck misread how low even he can go.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcgIxfNim7o
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Send us off on a trip and then berated us when we got back for going. One time I pulled a coworker in to say we both heard him tell a third employee to go on a trip, and that he really should not fire him for it. He choked up and said he did not know what was going on. Turned out a couple months later we learned he was near death with colon cancer.
Mart
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