Back in 1974, when I was working at the Democratic National Committee, Congressman Wilbur Mills of Arkansas was considered one the most powerful politicians in Washington. As chairman of the important Ways and Means committee, Mills held a near-absolute authority over any legislation with fiscal consequences.
As I recall, Mills, who had been a lawmaker for decades, was being considered as both a '76 presidential candidate and a potential Supreme Court justice. Until the stripper incident. That's when his career literally ended with a splash in the Tidal Basin in front of the Jefferson Memorial. Let me explain.
At 2 a.m. on October 9, the congressman’s swerving limousine was pulled over by park police near Washington’s Downtown Mall. Fanne Foxe, a 38-year-old exotic dancer, bolted from the car, ran down the road and jumped into the Tidal Basin. Park police fished her out and handcuffed her when she tried to do it again.
Mills was found inside the car with scratches all over his face. At first, Mills’s aides denied that he was present at the scene. Later, the congressman blamed these denials on "miscommunications." Foxe was a “close friend,” Mills said, and he merely was trying to give her a ride home after she became too intoxicated.
After the Tidal Basin incident, Mills disclosed he was taking medication for back pain after a surgery the year before. He also admitted he, “drank booze, and I mixed the drinks with some highly addictive drugs.”
A month after the incident, Mills was reelected to Congress; but, not long after, he did something that shocked many. He made a public appearance at a Boston burlesque theater where Foxe was performing.
“I’d like you to meet somebody,” Foxe told the audience at the end of her act. Then she called out, “Mr. Mills, Mr. Mills! Where are you?” The lawmaker walked on stage. They exchanged a few words and then she kissed him on the cheek. Not long after that, Wilbur Mills resigned his chairmanship of the Ways and Means committee and joined Alcoholics Anonymous.
So why have I told you this story? Because it seems eerily familiar.
Remember GOP Senator Larry Craig’s toe tapping incident in a men's public restroom -- and all the denials -- that ultimately forced the Idaho lawmaker from office? Well now there is another sordid incident. This one involves Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert of Colorado who was accused of vaping in a public theatre.
At first she vehemently denied the charge; but, when confronted with video proof, she changed her story. Interestingly, that same video showed Boebert groping her male companion. Despite apologizing to her constituents, questions still linger. Here's what she said:
"There's no perfect blueprint for going through a public and difficult divorce, which over the past few months has made for a challenging personal time for me and my entire family. I've tried to handle it with strength and grace as best I can, but I simply fell short of my values on Sunday. That's unacceptable, and I'm sorry."
I wonder if Mills and Craig would be sorry? If Boebert runs for reelection next year, are there any guesses how voters will react?
-DF
I hope the voters kick her butt out of Congress. There needs to be some sort of decorum to members of Congress. She and a few others now in Congress fail miserably. They should resign or at the least get kicked out of Congress. Respect for the institution is absolute.
Bad behavior seems to be running amuck in Congress and the Supreme Court. Justice Thomas is a prime example of what the Republicans think is acceptable so why not Marjorie Taylor Green, Bobert, Trump and the rest of the immoral crazies. It seems the worse you are, the better the Candidate.