the difference between a Dem and a repug

CA-04: Doolittle enabled sexual predator

This is the kind of story that I wouldn't give much credence to (friend defending friend), except that Doolittle has tried to link Democrat Charlie Brown to NAMBLA because -- check this out -- Brown is a member of the ACLU (!!!!).

To Doolittle, this is proof that Brown supports sexual predators. Or something. But then again, by this lame-ass standard, so does Doolittle.

Rep. John T. Doolittle -- under fire for his connection to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff -- has been attacking his Democratic opponent, Charlie Brown, for belonging to the ACLU. To Doolittle, Brown's membership in the ACLU is enough to characterize him as an extremist liberal, since the group has defended sexual predators such as the North American Man Boy Love Assn. in the past.

"It is astounding that anyone could defend a group dedicated to aiding and abetting pedophiles," Doolittle said in a recent press release.

But Doolittle himself came to the defense of a dentist accused of sexually assaulting six patients while they were in his chair. Doolittle told a criminal jury in 1987 about his friend: "I consider him to be a very truthful individual," according to a transcript of his testimony.

Doolittle, then a state senator and attorney, served as an important character witness for the friend, David Roy Phipps, who eventually was sentenced to three years' probation. Phipps also had his dental license placed on probation for five years by the state dental board, which required him to attend to patients only with an assistant at his side.

Doolittle's testimony was important in a lenient sentence for his friend. But, of course, this story doesn't have a happy ending.

Doolittle's efforts may have proved effective for his friend in 1987. But in 1994, Phipps assaulted another patient, according to court documents filed with the 3rd Appellate District Court of Appeal.

One patient in 1994, listed as Marie Y., said after being administered nitrous oxide she "felt Phipps's hand go underneath the dental bib to give her breast a sudden squeeze or caress, putting his hand completely over it; he squeezed her right breast three times and her left breast once."

In December of that year, Phipps was charged with attempted sexual battery by restraint, a felony, and misdemeanor sexual battery. The case went to trial in 1995, and Phipps eventually pleaded no contest to two counts of misdemeanor sexual battery. He served 365 days in the Placer County jail, the documents show.

A psychologist hired by Phipps testified before the dental board, which again had initiated disciplinary action. The psychologist said Phipps experienced "some arousal" from the touching and that he saw himself as a "pleaser" to women patients.

So Doolittle is going to play this bullshit game? Fine.

Charlie Brown is a member of an organization dedicated to protecting the Bill of Rights. Prominent Republicans Dick Armey and Bob Barr are consultants for the organization, so it can't possibly be that "radical".

Doolittle, on the other hand, aided and abetted the sexual predations of his friend.

Game. Set. Match.

(Daily Kos)