Accusations of Same-Sex Hanky-Panky Provoke Bigoted Response, Then Apology, From Florida's Anti-Gay

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/tea-party-and-right/accusations-same-sex-hanky-panky-provoke-bigoted-response-then-apology-floridas




Yet another Republican is caught up in a potential sex scandal. But this time there's a twist: the politician in question, Florida Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll, is black, a woman, and alleged to have been sexually involved with a female member of her staff.

Carroll is an anti-gay Republican; her accuser, former staff member Carletha Cole, claims Carroll fired her after she walked in on Carroll and a travel aide, Beatriz Ramos , in a "compromising position" in Carroll's office. Carroll's marriage, family and sex life have become national talking points since the story broke on July 11, and her political future looks suddenly uncertain . Her unenviable position isn't helped by the bizarre defense she initially offered: she doesn't "look like" a lesbian , therefore she can't be one.

Seriously. Here's the quote:

The problem is that when you have these accusations that come out, it’s not just one person you’re attacking. It’s an entire family. My husband doesn’t want to hear that. He knows the type of woman I am. I mean, my kids know the type of woman I am...I’m the one that’s married for twenty-nine years. The accuser is the one that’s been single for a long time. So usually black women that look like me don’t engage in relationships like that.

Carroll's comments provoked a national firestorm, outraged responses from black lesbian and bisexual women , and a July 25 petition from LGBT organization Equality Florida calling on her to apologize. Just two days after the petition launched, Carroll issued a statement apologizing for her "wrong," "inexcusable" and "hurtful" comments.

[joeybee12]

1. Carroll is a nasty piece of work...I hope this ends her career...knr

[Zorra]

2. Here's some story background:

Carletha Cole: Lieutenant Governor Is Obstructing the Truth to Protect Her Conservative Legacy

Following her dismissal, Cole was arrested for allegedly distributing recordings that were taken in the Capital building without permission. But she was subjected to harsh criticisms and a volatile work environment before the case escalated to this degree.

As alleged in court documents, after discovering the alleged relationship between Carroll and Ramos, Cole underwent harsh criticism from members of the staff, including Carroll, Ramos, and John Konkus, Carroll's Chief of Staff, who she believes made the recording. At one point, Cole's trash can was set on fire. Ramos claims to have accidentally started the fire, but Cole's legal team believes her story masks the more harmful intentions of the blaze. Although an investigation into this extremely dangerous incident was started, it ended with Carroll signing a recommendation letter for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement agent who destroyed the evidence.

"If Cole's story really is an accumulation of lies, and the signed recommendation letter exists, then the Lt. Governor needs to be looking for the person who forged her signature," commented Webster.

Although polygraphs are not admissible in court in the state of Florida, Yahoo! News reports that Cole, in an effort to prove her honesty, took a polygraph test. The results of the test, which was administered in 2011 by a retired Senior Polygrapher of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, indicate that Cole is telling the truth.

I believe Ms. Cole.

A) Jennifer Carroll's smokesplanation is a total classic example of GOP/conservative anti-gay RW fundamentalist chrstian denial speak.

B) Ms. Cole requested a polygraph and passed it. Liars/criminals almost never request a polygraph.

So, let's paraphrase the Lt. Governor's statement:

"Let's get real here...I can't be lesbian because I'm a black hottie. I mean, look at me, it's like obvious, right? Would any black woman as hot as me have sex with another woman? These types of things just don't happen. And, seriously, my kids know I could never be one of those evil lesbians. C'mon now...I've been married for 29 years. Women married for as long as me never have lesbian affairs. And my husband does not want to hear this, further proving I'm innocent. Also, the former staff member who has accused me is single, and has been single for a long time - further proof that I am innocent."

[ohgeewhiz]

3. She's a Republican, right? So then It's OKAY...right?

But seriously, she's probably NOT a "TRUE lesbian", she's just a Republican, and a narcissistic personality who lies, just like all the rest of the Republicans.