Out Politico Polis Issues Virtual Challenge for Chambliss
Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss hoped to forget the "all fags must die" comment one of his staffers left on Joe My God last week.
Sadly for Chambliss, who doesn't seem inclined to investigate who precisely sent the hateful message, progressive gay Democrat Jared Polis has issued a virtual challenge.
Polis, a former internet entrepreneur, offered to go to Chambliss' office to find the culprit, a task even an internet neophyte could accomplish.
"It’s extremely easy," Polis said on Anderson Cooper 360 Friday. "We know which computer it came from and all you need to do is look at the browser history. If one of them erased their browser history, boom, you’ve figured out who it is."
He continued, "If they can’t figure it out, I will go down there myself and do it for them.” So, Chambliss, will you accept Polis' offer?
Watch Polis' appearance, AFTER THE JUMP...
Awesome. If Chambliss doesn't accept Polis' offer, then he obviously condones the remark. It'll be interesting to see what the repercussions are, if any.
Posted by: Tre | Sep 27, 2010 1:43:24 PM
chambliss may have done it himself.
Posted by: gary j | Sep 27, 2010 1:46:07 PM
Given that he's a Senator and, his office probably deals with sensitive information all the time, I'd be surprised if all the histories weren't wiped clean every day.
Posted by: Rodney Wollam | Sep 27, 2010 2:09:52 PM
I've already sent a letter to the Senate Ethics Committee (copy below, which was received 9/23) to investigate both Sen. Chambliss' & Sen. Isakson's offices.
Chambliss is not up for re-election, but Isakson is & Chambliss' "taking responsibility" could be a red herring.
I'm giving neither the benefit of the doubt.
September 22, 2010
United States Senate
Select Committee on Ethics
220 Hart Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Select Committee on Ethics:
My name is Ryan [last name redacted], and I live in Los Angeles, CA. As you are aware, a vote was held in the Senate to invoke cloture on the Defense Authorization Bill (S. 3454) on September 21, 2010, which included the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. I am writing to The Committee to make you aware of improper conduct that has stemmed from either Senator Saxby Chambliss or Senator Johnny Isakson’s Atlanta, GA office.
On September 21, 2010 Joe Jervis posted an article entitled “DADT Cloture Vote Fails In Senate 56-43” on his blog Joe.My.God (attached printout) , which is a blog dedicated to gay and lesbian issues. At 12:25 pm the same day, an individual named Jimmy posted a comment on the article, “All Faggots must die” (attached screenshot of comment).
This type of language is foul, inappropriate, and deeply offensive, and should be condemned. No one employed by the Federal Government should be allowed to use such language, and coming on the heels of a vote on “Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” this language is all the more hurtful to members of the gay and lesbian community.
In response to this hateful comment, Joe disclosed the IP address of Jimmy as 156.33.20.72 (attached printout). A WhoIS search (attached) on the IP address confirms that it belongs to the US Senate. Searching for the IP address through IP Tracing & IP Tracking (attached) provided the location as Atlanta, GA along with the latitude & longitude. Senator Saxby Chambliss confirmed that “he is investigating whether one of his staffers left a threatening slur.” “A spokeswoman for [Senator Johnny] Isakson, who is up for re-election, said his staff quickly ascertained that the message did not originate with them” (attached Atlanta Constitution Journal article).
The Committee must launch an investigation into both Senator Saxby Chambliss and Senator Johnny Isakson’s offices to determine who posted this hateful message because it is improper conduct. All Senators must be held accountable for the actions of their staff especially when the use of governmental property, including Senate servers – paid for with my and other taxpayers’ dollars – is used in such an unacceptable manner. The Committee then must condemn this type of rhetoric, admonish either Senator for it coming out on one of his computers, and handle this matter with the staff person involved in a professional and appropriate manner.
I look forward to your correspondence at the below address in resolving this matter.
Sincerely,
Ryan [last name redacted]
Posted by: Ryan | Sep 27, 2010 2:26:23 PM
Of course chambliss condones the remark, as it's effortless to identify the responsible party or parties. He's virulently antigay, and this is what he believes. Of course it's not acceptable to openly condone it, and he's danced around the issue while failing to identify the one responsible, giving that person a pass. No one will be punished because chambliss believes nothing wrong has occurred.
Posted by: TANK | Sep 27, 2010 2:49:29 PM
Dude, is my comment too offensive ?
Posted by: JackFknTwist | Sep 27, 2010 4:43:52 PM
OK, I think the guy who posted the comment about gays is a really bad, bad person.
Posted by: JackFknTwist | Sep 27, 2010 4:48:25 PM
Thanks.
Posted by: JackFknTwist | Sep 27, 2010 4:50:21 PM
Rep. Polis is gay, yes, but progressive? No. Your description of Jim requires a little editing for accuracy.
Posted by: Elsie | Sep 27, 2010 8:23:38 PM
Public employee uses government computer during work hours to post this comment and there is essentially a big yawn --
Imagine if the comment had called for the death of jews or blacks . . .
The level of officially condoned hate is staggering
Why is this up to this pig rightwing nut job to investigate and punish?
He does not own the computer -the public does
He does not employ the person who sent it -the pubic does
Our marginal status and lack of rights continues unabated
Cause?
The outsized power of the senate and
utter lack of any real powerful Progressive voice in our public discourse.
Posted by: captain underpants | Sep 27, 2010 8:40:18 PM
Uh, Captain, have you forgotten that the Republicans have fucked the Constitution by controlling the Senate with it's 40-person junta?
Posted by: David R. | Sep 28, 2010 1:20:04 AM
get 'im, Jared. awesome.
Posted by: justaguy | Sep 28, 2010 5:25:34 AM
Sadly for Chambliss, who doesn't seem inclined to investigate who precisely sent the hateful message , progressive gay Democrat Jared Polis has issued a virtual challenge. Polis, a former internet entrepreneur, offered to go to Chambliss' office to find the culprit, a task even an internet neophyte.
Posted by: like pages for facebook | Oct 12, 2011 9:44:45 PM