Lest We Forget: The Statesman’s Sleazy Tactics

Letter to the Editor writers reminded us of how sleazy the Statesman’s investigation of Larry Craig was. Writes Glen Schorzman of Marsing:

Dan Popkey’s Sept. 13 column breezily ignores his central role in the Sen. Craig tragedy. He forgets to mention his trips to Washington D.C.’s, Union Station, where he prowled the restrooms with glossy photos of the senator, in a futile attempt to find someone to back up his mysterious source (reported in Boise Weekly). He also ignores his Peeping Tom inquiries into the private lives of people whose last contact with the senator was decades earlier. Small details, I guess.

I am one of the fraternity members who spoke with Mr. Popkey during his inquiry. I will state flatly that he crossed the line from responsible journalist to obsessive stalker during that conversation.

I don’t know what happened in that stall in Minneapolis, but I believe Larry Craig. He has been a friend for more than 40 years, has been a guest in my home and is always welcome. When I finished talking with Mr. Popkey, I sprayed my telephone with Lysol.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Senator Craig’s guilt (or lack thereof) doesn’t change the fact that Dan Popkey operated an investigation that is more legitimately the province of the National Enquirer than a respectable journalist.

On the same token, the sleezyness of Dan Popkey’s investigation doesn’t exonerate Craig. He delivered a deceptive speech, deceiving even our state’s governor, as well as public officials who stood behind him. His whole problem began with trying to hide this matter from the people of Idaho. As an adult of 62 years, the Senator is responsible for his own actions. To simply label Craig a victim of the Statesman forwards the idea of helpless cultural victimhood.

While a longtime friend may believe Craig, how am I, as an average Idahoan, to believe someone who has twice attempted deception on me and continues to bring a dark cloud on Idaho?