Family Research Council leader caught w/ gay prostitute

SuperFemme · 05-12-2010, 12:06 PM

McCollum says he needed Rekers in case challenging state gay adoption ban

Attorney General Bill McCollum Tuesday defended his personal intervention into the selection of an antigay expert witness in the case defending the state's gay adoption ban, saying his office "searched a long time" for someone and that George Rekers was the only one of two they could find.

Records show that McCollum personally requested that the state's Department of Children & Families hire Rekers at $300 an hour to help the state defend the case. When the agency balked at the price tag, McCollum's office persisted, ultimately leading to DCF paying pay him $120,000 over two years.

McCollum said that while he would not hire Rekers again knowing what he knows now -- that Rekers vacationed for two weeks in Europe with a gay male escort from Miami and received sexual massages from him -- he suggested that without Rekers the agency would not have been successful.

DCF lost the case in circuit court and the matter is now on appeal.
Here's a Q and A between McCollum and reporters today:

Q: Did you push for Rekers because he was the only expert you could find that represented the point of view that you wanted to take in that case?

A: The attorney generals office played its traditional role and defended DCF and the legal challenge, McCollum said. "There was a search that I oversaw and saw for the best available experts. Dr. Rekers was one of the two expert witnesses we used in this case. We recommended both to the department. They decided to hire Dr. Rekers and they paid him.

"If I knew what I know today would I recommend him again? Of course not. Would I ever recommend him again? No. But he was the best available at the time.''

Q: Was he the only available?

A: "There were two."

Q: There were only two you could find in the whole nation?

A: "There were only two willing to step forward and testify and we searched a long time. His credentials were very good and, on paper, excellent. That's why we recommended it because those kinds of people that we were able to fill for the job. It's nice to quarterback in hindsight but we didn't know his background that we know today. Nobody else did."

Q: Does it raise some questions about about the nature of hiring an expert witnesses? ...If you are trying to find an expert witness who will only say one thing and you can only find two people who will only say one thing does that raise any questions in your mind about the legal principle here?

A: "If you want to look at the whole system of law today, the battle of expert witnesses needs to be addressed. But the way our system works today, expert witnessses are important. You have to establish your case. We happened to be on the side of the state. You've got to get the very best you can."

Q: If you didn't have an expert witness what would have happened to your case?

A: "If you don't have an expert witness you aren't going to be as successful...I didn't try the case. These are our lawyers for the department and I'm proud of our lawyer team."

Q: Should the state ask for its money back?

A: "I can't comment on the litigation itself. It's an ongoing process."

Read more: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/naked...#ixzz0njuJWUrR

SuperFemme · 05-12-2010, 12:09 PM

Commentary: Professor George Rekers explains it all
Fred Grimm | The Miami Herald

last updated: May 10, 2010 01:31:55 PM

If Professor George gets away with this, I'm going straight to Rentgirl. It's my bad back.

Not that I'm suggesting George Rekers went straight to Rentboy, the explicit website where his fellow traveler advertises a willingness "to do anything you say as long as you ask."

Professor George, as he styles himself on his website, ProfessorGeorge.com , offers a vaguely plausible (alcohol might help) explanation. He didn't procure the services of a 20-year-old male prostitute to join him on a 10-day-jaunt through England and Spain for purposes of prostitution. "Following medical advice Professor George Rekers requires an assistant to lift his luggage in his travels because of an ongoing condition following surgery."

With a line like that, and a note from a doctor, who knows how many relationships I might have salvaged?

To be fair, Professor George has never testified that gays don't make splendid international traveling companions.

George Rekers was paid handsomely by Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum ($60,900) and the state of Arkansas ($60,000), to flog gay men and women as unfit parents. Particularly adoptive parents.

As a bonus, at no extra charge, Rekers testified in Miami-Dade Circuit Court that he also considered American Indians to be in the same risky category.

Best I can tell, Rekers has never disparaged the fitness of gays or Indians to hump his baggage. George Rekers comes with a lot of baggage.

Rekers, 61, of North Miami, a Baptist minister and a retired professor of behavior science, has long provided academic cover for the Christian right's anti-gay agenda. He's written books, delivered lectures and provided pithy quotes that intimate a scientific basis for opposition to gay adoption and gay marriage.

SuperFemme · 05-12-2010, 12:13 PM

I am wondering who will expertly hate on us now that Georgie is unavailable?

He was crucial as an expert witness in both Florida and Arkansas banning adoptions by gays. BUT according to the AG's office in FL, there were only two such *experts* willing to come forward and testify.

I am hoping that his fall from grace will result in more than a resounding *thud* as conservative groups trip over themselves to put some distance between Professor George and their organizations.

I am hoping that there will be nobody left. Dare I hope that his actions take away his credibility as an expert in appellate court?

UofMfan · 05-12-2010, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperFemme

I am wondering who will expertly hate on us now that Georgie is unavailable?

He was crucial as an expert witness in both Florida and Arkansas banning adoptions by gays. BUT according to the AG's office in FL, there were only two such *experts* willing to come forward and testify.

I am hoping that his fall from grace will result in more than a resounding *thud* as conservative groups trip over themselves to put some distance between Professor George and their organizations.

I am hoping that there will be nobody left. Dare I hope that his actions take away his credibility as an expert in appellate court?

Well, I think his credibility is basically in shambles now, or at least I hope so.

As for who is left? There is always some wing nut willing to step in, I am afraid. Let's hope not.

SuperFemme · 05-12-2010, 12:26 PM

Let's hope.

BTW, what is his problem with Native Americans? I had no idea he had it out for more than just us.

Cyclopea · 05-12-2010, 08:23 PM

Soon · 05-14-2010, 08:58 AM

Sleazy deal snares McCollum

05-12-2010, 12:09 PM	#2
SuperFemme Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Permanently Banned 10/24/2010 Preferred Pronoun?: She. Relationship Status: Married (one of 18,000) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Atascadero, CA Posts: 4,933 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,309 Thanked 7,108 Times in 2,327 Posts Rep Power: 0	Who will fill Georges shoes? Commentary: Professor George Rekers explains it all Fred Grimm \| The Miami Herald last updated: May 10, 2010 01:31:55 PM If Professor George gets away with this, I'm going straight to Rentgirl. It's my bad back. Not that I'm suggesting George Rekers went straight to Rentboy, the explicit website where his fellow traveler advertises a willingness "to do anything you say as long as you ask." Professor George, as he styles himself on his website, ProfessorGeorge.com , offers a vaguely plausible (alcohol might help) explanation. He didn't procure the services of a 20-year-old male prostitute to join him on a 10-day-jaunt through England and Spain for purposes of prostitution. "Following medical advice Professor George Rekers requires an assistant to lift his luggage in his travels because of an ongoing condition following surgery." With a line like that, and a note from a doctor, who knows how many relationships I might have salvaged? To be fair, Professor George has never testified that gays don't make splendid international traveling companions. George Rekers was paid handsomely by Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum ($60,900) and the state of Arkansas ($60,000), to flog gay men and women as unfit parents. Particularly adoptive parents. As a bonus, at no extra charge, Rekers testified in Miami-Dade Circuit Court that he also considered American Indians to be in the same risky category. Best I can tell, Rekers has never disparaged the fitness of gays or Indians to hump his baggage. George Rekers comes with a lot of baggage. Rekers, 61, of North Miami, a Baptist minister and a retired professor of behavior science, has long provided academic cover for the Christian right's anti-gay agenda. He's written books, delivered lectures and provided pithy quotes that intimate a scientific basis for opposition to gay adoption and gay marriage.

05-12-2010, 08:23 PM	#6
Cyclopea Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Lesbian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Exit Zero Posts: 1,267 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,694 Thanked 1,615 Times in 632 Posts Rep Power: 226200	__________________ http://forum.axishistory.com/images/...arious/eye.jpg

05-14-2010, 08:58 AM	#7
Soon Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: femme Relationship Status: attached Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: . Posts: 6,896 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 29,046 Thanked 13,093 Times in 3,386 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	St. Petersburg Times Sleazy deal snares McCollum

05-12-2010, 12:06 PM	#1
SuperFemme Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Permanently Banned 10/24/2010 Preferred Pronoun?: She. Relationship Status: Married (one of 18,000) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Atascadero, CA Posts: 4,933 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,309 Thanked 7,108 Times in 2,327 Posts Rep Power: 0	McCollum says he needed Rekers in case challenging state gay adoption ban Attorney General Bill McCollum Tuesday defended his personal intervention into the selection of an antigay expert witness in the case defending the state's gay adoption ban, saying his office "searched a long time" for someone and that George Rekers was the only one of two they could find. Records show that McCollum personally requested that the state's Department of Children & Families hire Rekers at $300 an hour to help the state defend the case. When the agency balked at the price tag, McCollum's office persisted, ultimately leading to DCF paying pay him $120,000 over two years. McCollum said that while he would not hire Rekers again knowing what he knows now -- that Rekers vacationed for two weeks in Europe with a gay male escort from Miami and received sexual massages from him -- he suggested that without Rekers the agency would not have been successful. DCF lost the case in circuit court and the matter is now on appeal. Here's a Q and A between McCollum and reporters today: Q: Did you push for Rekers because he was the only expert you could find that represented the point of view that you wanted to take in that case? A: The attorney generals office played its traditional role and defended DCF and the legal challenge, McCollum said. "There was a search that I oversaw and saw for the best available experts. Dr. Rekers was one of the two expert witnesses we used in this case. We recommended both to the department. They decided to hire Dr. Rekers and they paid him. "If I knew what I know today would I recommend him again? Of course not. Would I ever recommend him again? No. But he was the best available at the time.'' Q: Was he the only available? A: "There were two." Q: There were only two you could find in the whole nation? A: "There were only two willing to step forward and testify and we searched a long time. His credentials were very good and, on paper, excellent. That's why we recommended it because those kinds of people that we were able to fill for the job. It's nice to quarterback in hindsight but we didn't know his background that we know today. Nobody else did." Q: Does it raise some questions about about the nature of hiring an expert witnesses? ...If you are trying to find an expert witness who will only say one thing and you can only find two people who will only say one thing does that raise any questions in your mind about the legal principle here? A: "If you want to look at the whole system of law today, the battle of expert witnesses needs to be addressed. But the way our system works today, expert witnessses are important. You have to establish your case. We happened to be on the side of the state. You've got to get the very best you can." Q: If you didn't have an expert witness what would have happened to your case? A: "If you don't have an expert witness you aren't going to be as successful...I didn't try the case. These are our lawyers for the department and I'm proud of our lawyer team." Q: Should the state ask for its money back? A: "I can't comment on the litigation itself. It's an ongoing process." Read more: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/naked...#ixzz0njuJWUrR

05-12-2010, 12:13 PM	#3
SuperFemme Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Permanently Banned 10/24/2010 Preferred Pronoun?: She. Relationship Status: Married (one of 18,000) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Atascadero, CA Posts: 4,933 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,309 Thanked 7,108 Times in 2,327 Posts Rep Power: 0	I am wondering who will expertly hate on us now that Georgie is unavailable? He was crucial as an expert witness in both Florida and Arkansas banning adoptions by gays. BUT according to the AG's office in FL, there were only two such experts willing to come forward and testify. I am hoping that his fall from grace will result in more than a resounding thud as conservative groups trip over themselves to put some distance between Professor George and their organizations. I am hoping that there will be nobody left. Dare I hope that his actions take away his credibility as an expert in appellate court?

05-12-2010, 12:26 PM	#5
SuperFemme Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Permanently Banned 10/24/2010 Preferred Pronoun?: She. Relationship Status: Married (one of 18,000) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Atascadero, CA Posts: 4,933 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,309 Thanked 7,108 Times in 2,327 Posts Rep Power: 0	Let's hope. BTW, what is his problem with Native Americans? I had no idea he had it out for more than just us.