Andrew Shirvell Attempts To Explain Anti-Gay Blog to Anderson Cooper, Fails To Justify Bigotry
Anderson Cooper pulled no punches last night when he interviewed Andrew Shirvell, the Assistant District Attorney from Michigan who spends his time blogging about Chris Armstrong, the openly gay President of the University of Michigan's student body.
"The University’s first openly 'gay' student body president ... is actively recruiting your sons and daughters to join the homosexual 'lifestyle," reads a typical post on Shirvell's virtual digs, Chris Armstrong Watch, where he also calls Shirvell "Satan's representative." Again, homophobes can be so flamboyant!
The story has grown over the past few weeks, and Shirvell's looking more and more like a pariah. Even his boss, Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, has called him "immature," but, as with Saxby Chambliss, the Republican Senator whose staffer last week left a homophobic message on Joe My God, Cox doesn't seem inclined to punish Shirvell.
Asked about Shirvell, Cox simply said, "I don't agree with Mr. Shirvell's tactics, his judgment, or his word choice, but nonetheless I recognize his non–work-related blog is protected by our Constitution." Yes, well, so is free press, which is where Cooper comes into the story, ready to get to the nitty-gritty of what he calls a "strange" story. That's putting it nicely.
"Are you a bigot?" "Aren't you a cyber-bully?" "It appears, though, that you're obsessed with this young gay man." That's just a sampling of Cooper's exchange with Shirvell, who can't seem to understand why so many people are mad at him, because, as he puts it, he's simply playing politics.
"I sense anger in your voice," Shirvell tells a somewhat amused, and just as confused, Cooper.
Watch Shirvell squirm and Cooper question, AFTER THE JUMP.




Closet homo for sure... walks like a duck, talks like a duck... must be a self hating homo.
Posted by: Marcos D | Sep 29, 2010 10:25:12 AM
Hey everyone-
please visit the following link:
http://www.google.com/support/blogger/bin/request.py?page=main_tos&blog_ID=507642431034690306&blog_URL=http://chris-armstrong-watch.blogspot.com/
Flag Chris Armstrong Watch as "Hate" so Blogspot will take down this ridiculous blog...
Posted by: Daniel | Sep 29, 2010 10:49:22 AM
Alternatively, you should e-mail miag@michigan.gov and let them know that you're upset with Andrew Shirvell & that he's a bad representative for the state & Michigan Attorney General's office.
Posted by: Daniel | Sep 29, 2010 10:51:06 AM
It is this kind of hate that feeds people, who feed their children the same. That is what caused two young kids to kill themselves recently. We should not make little of these nut cases. He is clearly unstable and deeply in the closet. Mix that with right wing religion, like with the Rev Long, and you have a dangerous combination waiting to explode.
Armstrong is wise in taking legal action, and a restraining order is a wise thing to get as well. As for us, I emailed both Mr Cox and the president of the University.
presoff@umich.edu
miag@michigan.gov
Posted by: patrick nyc | Sep 29, 2010 10:53:43 AM
Mentally ill closet case.
Posted by: anthony | Sep 29, 2010 11:12:52 AM
What if Shirvell had created this blog/hate campaign against a black or female student body president? Would there even be any debate whether or not he should be fired? While Shirvell is clearly disturbed, the Attorney General is also at fault for not taking swift action to terminate him. The AG has the right to dismiss any employee, civil servant or not, for conduct unbecoming a State employee. I can't see how this can be viewed as anything else. In addition, I think Chris Armstrong should obtain a restraining order, as Shirvell seems capable of crossing the line to acts of violence. This is, yet again, another example of how gay and lesbian Americans are not afforded equal protection under the law because of the tacit approval of bigotry by elected officials.
Posted by: tgstock | Sep 29, 2010 11:13:21 AM
I'm not gay but found Shivell to be a very offensive human being. All the stuff he is saying about Chris Armstrong is the same crap people say about Obama, if you notice. In neither case should this be condoned. This is when Freedom of the Press goes beyond common sense and becomes only messages of hate. Shivell and Mike Cox both make me ashamed to say I live in MI.
Posted by: CarolO | Sep 29, 2010 11:22:00 AM
These Republicans are truly disgusting. As long as someone's bizarre behavior is directed toward one of the three boogeymen: the Gays, the Illegal Immigrants, or the Muslims, everything is fine.
Posted by: phineas | Sep 29, 2010 11:25:07 AM
He seemed slightly autistic to me as well. Go to Mr. Shirvell's blog and click the report abuse link on the top of the page. On another note, I find Anderson Cooper to be almost intolerably handsome.
Posted by: TC | Sep 29, 2010 11:28:00 AM
Dear Mr. Shirvell,
It's easy to hide behind your religion and the First Amendment, when it's suitable for you.
Since you think think personal attacks are par for the course in political campaigning, how would you feel about investigations into your private life? What's your ideology? Where's your wife/girlfriend? Are you gay, or unable to reconcile your sexuality with your religion?
I have my suspicions... but at least, I see a mentally unstable, ethically defective man unjustifiably attacking a young college student. A state AAG committing crimes he's elected to help prosecute is enough justification for firing in my books.
In the meantime, you might want to pick up a book: "The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World" by Alan Downs. It's a helpful look at what you might be going through. At least, leave Mr. Armstrong alone and try to find some peace.
Posted by: JTlvr | Sep 29, 2010 11:42:59 AM
Andrew-
In the 2nd paragraph: "...where he also calls Shirvell "Satan's representative."
I think you meant to say he calls ARMSTRONG "Satan's representative."
Posted by: Matt | Sep 29, 2010 11:44:20 AM
This man has an unhealthy and sick obsession with this college student! the worse aspect is that he is an Asst AG for the State of MI! His animus is beyond his faith or his sexuality this man is def ill.... and most likely a closet self loathing Homosexual.
Posted by: alexInBoston | Sep 29, 2010 11:45:11 AM
Truly scary. This man needs to be watched. He is clearly disturbed.
Posted by: Daniel | Sep 29, 2010 11:45:51 AM
I get the idea that Shirvell was the victim of anti gay bullying in school.
This extreme reaction to a democratically elected student body president screams "how dare that cute dude get a free pass in spite of being afflicted with "Teh Ghey when I suffered because of the existence of people like him!"
Also, shades of Roy Cohn.
Posted by: Acronym Jim | Sep 29, 2010 11:49:16 AM
The person who needs to step down- and very soon - is Mike Cox. For a State Attorney General, who creates pamphlets against cyber-bullying, to continue to work alongside this wack job is beyond reprehensible. His inaction to fire Shirvell makes him an accessory to cyber-bullying himself. Why aren't the courts putting a stop to this behavior in Armstrong's defense? This is not free speech. It is defamation of character at least. Shirvell is an obsessed stalker.
Posted by: Mr. West | Sep 29, 2010 12:02:57 PM
What I don't get is how isn't this libel and slander? Those are both against the law even before cyber bullying laws.
Posted by: Randy | Sep 29, 2010 12:07:38 PM
RE: "Mr. Shirvel's affect and speech pattern"
Very good observation. He has some kind of disorder. He obviously wrestles with obsession. He needs medical care.
Posted by: Royy | Sep 29, 2010 12:09:21 PM
My gaydar exploded when Shervill spoke. OMFG! Mr Armstrong, please get a restraining order immediately; do not pass go, do not collect $200. This man makes Norman Bates look like the model of sanity. He is a loose cannon looking for a target and, I'm afraid, you are it for whatever reason.
Posted by: mad1026 | Sep 29, 2010 12:10:54 PM
i can understand why TooBoot thinks this guy has Asperger's Syndrome (I have AS), as it was one of the first things that came to my mind (first thing being that he was 1) gay, and 2) ashamed of his feelings for a handsome, out college kid.
I have no idea if this nutjob has AS or not, but his eye movements, and body language could also be indicative that he doesn't COMPLETELY beleive what he's saying, that there is some sort of awful internal conflict. I didn't find him sincere, despite his protests to the contrary.
Posted by: Ben | Sep 29, 2010 12:21:32 PM
You can call and complain: 517-241-7093
The office has been receiving those calls all day.
Posted by: dan | Sep 29, 2010 12:30:32 PM
Holy shit! This is a very sad, disturbed, pathetic man. Mental instablity pours out of him and that dump truck full of rationalization for his twisted, sick behavior makes him a case study for psychosis.
My guess, he'll be fired from his job and brought up on charges for cyber-bullying or possibly libel. I'm sure he goes to work knowing the AG of the state has half the other lawyers working under him collecting other grounds not only for termination but also law suits.
This guy needs some time in a mental facility.
Posted by: Bart | Sep 29, 2010 12:36:47 PM
Again amazed at how these nutbags apparently just only hear their own spew and nothing else. I'd love to watch him and Ann Coulter get into an argument.
Posted by: Joseph | Sep 29, 2010 12:37:17 PM
Shirvell, a future member of the ten-member-strong GOProud!
Posted by: TonyJazz | Sep 29, 2010 12:39:09 PM
I just called the AG office that Dan listed above, they had to bring in people to answer all the calls. I also emailed them and the President of the University. My fear is that they will fire Shirvell and he'll go over the deep end and try and harm Armstrong, I hope that the University supplies him with security.
Posted by: patrick nyc | Sep 29, 2010 12:59:40 PM
"...who is the object of Mr. Shirvell's considerable attention." mm hmm. I bet he is.
Posted by: Grant | Sep 29, 2010 1:36:04 PM