Randall Tobias's smoooooooooth riiiiiiiide

April 27, 2007 8:53 PM

Randall Tobias, the former drug company executive chosen as Global AIDS Ambassador by the Bush administration, has resigned "for personal reasons" after having "no sex" to demonstrate Bush's abstinence-only AIDS prevention plan with alleged call girls from Pamela Martin and Associates.

Previously, Deborah Jeanne Palfrey outed Harlan "Shock and Awe" Ullman. Keep your eyes glued to the TV, America, she might name 10,000 others even though the feds don't want her to!
posted by jdfalk (63 comments total)

Will this thread survive where the last one failed? Find out here!
posted by Justinian at 8:55 PM on April 27, 2007

now see, if Bush was on THAT list he'll be out in less than a month. It involves sex after all, not anything actually obscene like war.
posted by edgeways at 8:56 PM on April 27, 2007 [3 favorites]

(see, it is possible to post to mefi without resorting to youtube!)
posted by jdfalk at 8:58 PM on April 27, 2007

ABC reported on its Web site late Friday that Tobias confirmed that he had called the Pamela Martin and Associates escort service to have women come to his condo and give him massages. More recently, Tobias told the network, he has been using a service with Central American women.

hee hee hee hee hee
posted by rtha at 9:02 PM on April 27, 2007

It's cool guys. Jesus wants me to get my dick sucked.
posted by bardic at 9:11 PM on April 27, 2007 [3 favorites]

Double post. (And the last one as deleted.)
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 9:13 PM on April 27, 2007

...if Bush was on THAT list he'll be out in less than a month. It involves sex after all, not anything actually obscene like war.

Ahem.
posted by taosbat at 9:17 PM on April 27, 2007

they're going to gag her and ABC now, definitely--it's hitting too close to home. Tobias' private cell number was among thousands of numbers listed in the telephone records provided to ABC News by Jeane Palfrey, the woman dubbed the "D.C. Madam," who is facing the federal charges. In an interview to be broadcast on "20/20" next Friday, Palfrey says she intends to call Tobias and a number of her other prominent D.C. clients to testify at her trial. ..

Elsewhere (WaPo?) it says Condi and Bush just loved him. (he should have gone to them for "no sex")
posted by amberglow at 9:18 PM on April 27, 2007

What, isn't research part of the job?
posted by R. Mutt at 9:24 PM on April 27, 2007

You know, it's to the point where the more strident these guys are on one side of an argument, the more sure it is that they're hypcorites living a double life for which the moralism and righteousness and authoritarianism is both a defensive projection and exquisite cover. At this point, I half expect to see Sean Hannity busted on "To Catch A Predator."

I want to see all 10,000 names. If the moralists aren't hypocrites, they have nothing to fear. Pass the fucking popcorn, baby. Let the show commence.
posted by spitbull at 9:32 PM on April 27, 2007 [5 favorites]

That's the ticket. "If you haven't done anything wrong, you have nothing to fear" -- it's just what they tell us when they tap our calls and video our demonstrations. Nice to see the shit turned back onto the bastards for once.

She should upload the names onto the internet -- file sharing!
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 9:58 PM on April 27, 2007 [1 favorite]

Double post. (And the last one as deleted.)

It's not a double if the first post was both deleted and markedly inferior to the new post. Sorry, Stevie.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 10:04 PM on April 27, 2007

They were massaging my colon!
posted by dreamsign at 10:08 PM on April 27, 2007 [1 favorite]

This post links to actual articles, not just a single link to a blog. This post is thus better.
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 10:11 PM on April 27, 2007

Is that the Clinton legal definition of 'no sex'?

To think that Clinton almost got impeached for something like this.

Bush and his cronies are screwing the American public,

not to mention the world,

with massive corruption, violating the Constitution many times, and complete incompetance and lack of character, yet not a single Congressman or Senator has called for his impeachment.
posted by eye of newt at 10:18 PM on April 27, 2007

yet not a single Congressman or Senator has called for his impeachment.

Where the hell have you been? It's been done. Twice.
posted by IronLizard at 10:29 PM on April 27, 2007

hypcorites living a double life for which the moralism and righteousness and authoritarianism is both a defensive projection and exquisite cover

Throughout the entirety of human history, has it ever been anything but this?
posted by treepour at 10:32 PM on April 27, 2007

I was going to look it up before posting, but my Internet link was acting up, so I just posted away.

I thought I would have heard of a call for impeachment.
posted by eye of newt at 10:47 PM on April 27, 2007

Clinton WAS impeached, but he was not convicted.
posted by papakwanz at 10:59 PM on April 27, 2007

From the links provided I'm developing a good amount of respect for that lady. She built up a strong, respected business that satisfied its clients and employees. Its fifteen-year lifespance and extensive client list is a testament to that fact. And it seems clear this business of releasing names is not something she's doing for cheap publicity or blackmail. She's been backed into a corner and is pulling out a pretty serious (and fairly played) trump card to get herself out of it.
posted by schroedinger at 11:08 PM on April 27, 2007 [3 favorites]

You know, for a swanky escort-service-to-the-stars affair, their website looks like unleavened 1993. Couldn't they, like, *escort* someone with some CSS skills?

Someone like me? Please?
posted by kid ichorous at 11:46 PM on April 27, 2007

Just what IS the lifespance of a hypcorite, anyway?
posted by cookie-k at 12:12 AM on April 28, 2007

I think it's an unladen hypcorite.
posted by cookie-k at 12:14 AM on April 28, 2007

This so-called AIDS czar is an evil bastard who deserved to go down whatever the means. Millions of people dying of AIDS in Africa and his only solution is tell them "no condoms -- just stop having sex."
posted by JackFlash at 12:33 AM on April 28, 2007 [4 favorites]

kid ichorous writes 'You know, for a swanky escort-service-to-the-stars affair, their website looks like unleavened 1993. Couldn't they, like, *escort* someone with some CSS skills?

'Someone like me? Please?'

Would you take payment in trade?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 12:38 AM on April 28, 2007

We're all wearing the blue dress now.
posted by pruner at 12:58 AM on April 28, 2007 [5 favorites]

So he got no sex, only massages from these women. Did he buy meth from them and then not smoke it, too?
posted by EarBucket at 4:10 AM on April 28, 2007 [1 favorite]

I'm having a hard time keeping it all straight: there's the Republicans sleeping with hookers, there's the ones texting teenage boys, there's the ones who are secretly gay, there's the ones with the three wives, there's the one who married his cousin, there's the ones who are blatantly corrupt, there's the ones who are undermining the principles of justice and separation of powers, and there's the ones who are driving the US bankrupt in a crazy war.

You forgot about the Republicans who DO seem to get the fact that there are people, terrorists in this world, really dangerous people that want to come here and kill us. I'd like to see a goddamn Volvo driving, latte-sipping Democrat get that! Ha!
posted by banishedimmortal at 4:30 AM on April 28, 2007 [1 favorite]

I'd like to see a goddamn Volvo driving, latte-sipping Democrat get that!

as soon as you explain why the republicans were sleeping on sept 11 ... bush was president, rudy was mayor

if it happens on your watch, you're responsible

i'd like to see a goddam pickup truck driving, skol chewing republican get that! ha!

or maybe you'd like to make an intelligent argument ... god knows rudy ain't
posted by pyramid termite at 5:27 AM on April 28, 2007

Welcome to Battle Of The Glib Stereotypes!
posted by jonmc at 5:54 AM on April 28, 2007

banishedimmortal, you forgot about the imminent danger of the corruption of the purity of essence of our precious bodily fluids.
posted by deanc at 6:12 AM on April 28, 2007 [1 favorite]

Also, please note who is Washington,DC's most famous latte-sipper.
posted by deanc at 6:13 AM on April 28, 2007 [1 favorite]

pink sugar? that's just wrong.
posted by jonmc at 6:34 AM on April 28, 2007

pink sugar? that's just wrong.

Speculation is that she was talking about neutra-sweet, which comes in pink packages.
posted by delmoi at 6:55 AM on April 28, 2007

That's Sweet & Low, delmoi. Equal's the NutraSweet, that's blue.
posted by jonmc at 6:57 AM on April 28, 2007

When all this blows over and the pearl necklaces are given out. We shall all equate this to a Happy Ending.
posted by doctorschlock at 7:04 AM on April 28, 2007 [2 favorites]

(see, it is possible to post to mefi without resorting to youtube!)
posted by jdfalk at 11:58 PM on April 27

While you're patting yourself on the back, care to explain what the fuck is up with this post? Half the links go to metafilter threads??? "former drug company executive" goes to a thread that doesn't even appear to be about Tobais on its face, let alone give you a clue about which drug company he ran, which is what linking that phrase implied.

It would have been more helpful if you just linked to a google search. Jesus.
posted by Pastabagel at 8:08 AM on April 28, 2007

or maybe you'd like to make an intelligent argument ... god knows rudy ain't

I do believe that was banishedimmortal's point - as long as ZOMG TERRARZ!! is an effective campaiging and fundraising strategy, all the revealed GOP sleaze and graft ain't gonna matter a hill of beans come 2008. From the quoted article:

In New Hampshire, Giuliani's statements about the Democrats were greeted enthusiastically, suggesting that his approach may resonate among Republican primary voters skeptical of withdrawal timetables for Iraq and wary of criticism of the administration.

But maybe the Dems are finally starting to fight back:

On Wednesday, the Democratic National Committee used the former mayor's remarks to highlight his failure "to prepare New York City for the second attack on the World Trade Center."

posted by hangashore at 10:22 AM on April 28, 2007

In their motion, a copy of which you'll find below, government lawyers claim that some discovery documents contain "personal information" about Palfrey's former johns and prostitutes that is "sensitive." The prosecution filing does not detail the nature of this confidential information, though the identity of Palfrey's D.C. customers would surely be cloaked if the protective order was signed by Judge Gladys Kessler.

Been waiting for this to bust open for a while (this is the CA madam, right?) ... if only there was a way to leak the list of D.C. johns to the entire world.
posted by mrgrimm at 10:29 AM on April 28, 2007

if only there was a way to leak the list of D.C. johns to the entire world.

ABC has the list--if they had any balls, they'd release it.
posted by amberglow at 10:31 AM on April 28, 2007

... you know, when clinton lied about sex, it didn't affect u.s. aids policy or healthcare costs. oh for a simpler time.
posted by amberglow at 10:53 AM on April 28, 2007

And very very related: the misinformation and lies we officially peddle about condoms: Each of these assertions turns up in federally funded abstinence-only sex education programs: Condoms fail to prevent HIV infection 31 percent of the time during heterosexual sex. The chances of getting pregnant while using a condom are 1 in 6. And condoms break or slip off nearly 15 percent of the time.

And each of them is wrong, ...
posted by amberglow at 10:56 AM on April 28, 2007 [1 favorite]

You forgot about the Republicans who DO seem to get the fact that there are people, terrorists in this world, really dangerous people that want to come here and kill us. I'd like to see a goddamn Volvo driving, latte-sipping Democrat get that! Ha!

Forget those Volvo drivers. Let me tell you what to get.

It's most probable that you, and every other person you love, is going to die in a (hospital) bed. It's fairly probable that you're going to die in a carseat. If you're male, and depending on your line of work, you could stand a fair chance of dying on the job.

Do you know where acts of terrorism sit on this list of threats? Go call your insurance provider, and ask them for some data. Seriously, don't take my word for it.

I'm not asking you how afraid you are of terrorism, I'm asking you to make a calculated risk assessment of all the ways your loved ones can and will suffer and die. You owe it to them.

Once you've done that, I want you to compare this list of priorities to where your tax dollars are going. Think about the fraction of our economy we're willing to sink into this, and the debt we've already foisted onto the shoulders of the next generation of Americans.

And, while you're thinking about the future, you might as well weigh in some of the liberties you're willing to cede to feel safer from terror. Try to put a monetary value on them, and add them up, because you're gonna need to explain this to your grandkids when they ask: why.

I want you to think about all that you're willing to give up, not just for yourself, but for your progeny, for this Faustian promise of safety from the most slender of threats. Ask yourself if it would also worth it to live with big, bad government if meant you'd be safe from Apache Indian attacks. Cause most likely your ancestors didn't.

If you're really a conservative, you'll "get" it.
posted by kid ichorous at 10:56 AM on April 28, 2007 [10 favorites]

Wait, now I can't discern if banishedimmortal's point was slathered in irony or in wrong...
posted by kid ichorous at 11:03 AM on April 28, 2007

On Wednesday, Tobias attended a luncheon at the State Department with Undersecretary of State Karen Hughes and actress Angelina Jolie...

I would like to have "no sex" with Angelina Jolie.
posted by Turtles all the way down at 11:10 AM on April 28, 2007 [2 favorites]

Well hell then, "no sex" for everyone! I even bet Jesus would approve.
posted by Talanvor at 11:24 AM on April 28, 2007

Official Caught Using Escort Service Demanded Anti-Prostitution ‘Loyalty Oaths’--Former U.S. AID director Randall Tobias, who resigned yesterday upon admitting that he frequented a Washington escort service, oversaw a controversial policy advocated by the religious right that required any US-based group receiving anti-AIDS funds to take an anti-prostitution “loyalty oath.” ...
posted by amberglow at 11:26 AM on April 28, 2007 [1 favorite]

spitbull nailed it upthread, it really seems like the louder they are in voicing their opinion something, the more likely it seems that they are going to get busted for doing that very thing.

It's becoming almost comical. (Or at least it would be if it weren't so sad.)

Someone should be keeping a list of all these hypocrisy outings (Limbaugh, Haggard, etc.) It would make for entertaining reading to see them all in one place.
posted by quin at 11:37 AM on April 28, 2007

The Party of Moral Values!

Republican Hypocrisy Revealed, Republican Pedophilia and Republican Sex Crimes.
posted by ericb at 12:00 PM on April 28, 2007 [2 favorites]

That will work. Thanks ericb.
posted by quin at 12:18 PM on April 28, 2007

"I want to see all 10,000 names. If the moralists aren't hypocrites, they have nothing to fear."

Two points. First - throughout history about 70% of the espionage biz has been in brothels (give or take depending on time, circumstances, etc. but not much has changed really).

Second - d'jever use your knights in chess?

Yeah, lotta scandal there in the Bush administration.

Completely unrelated, Plame looks pretty good as a blonde.
posted by Smedleyman at 12:45 PM on April 28, 2007

I'm sooooo confused, must be having too much stress this weekend. The first thing I thought when I saw this post just now was that we were talking about a different Tobias: the gay Democratic anti-Bush one. I knew "The Best Little Boy In The World" wouldn't pledge to have no sex, much less be in a straight sex scandal!
posted by Robert Angelo at 2:00 PM on April 28, 2007

Did some of you really just take my comment seriously? I thought if the patent absurdity of McCain's comment wasn't enough then the whole worn-out latte sipping thing would have given away the fact that I was making fun of the ridiculously rabid anti-Republican language of the deleted post by writing [what I thought was obviously] a ridiculously rabid anti-Democrat comment.
Christ, people, when's the last time you actually saw a Fox-only dittohead type poster on Metafilter? Even the few right-wingers on here generally attempt to make reasoned arguments -- the vast majority of self-righteous unreflective extremist knee jerk comments on MeFi come from the left.
Which was my whole point in the first place...intelligence and virtue have no political orientation..though the Republicans do look pretty bad these days.
posted by banishedimmortal at 9:36 PM on April 28, 2007 [1 favorite]

Did some of you really just take my comment seriously?

when confronted with a troll, it's my policy to one-up it
posted by pyramid termite at 5:15 AM on April 29, 2007

Christ, people, when's the last time you actually saw a Fox-only dittohead type poster on Metafilter?

Uh...every time tadellin comments?
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 5:29 AM on April 29, 2007

ABC’s Ross: DC Madam’s List Includes White House & Pentagon Officials, Prominent Lawyers

"ABC News’ Brian Ross revealed tonight that the list of customers of an alleged Washington-based prostitution service includes White House and Pentagon officials as well as prominent attorneys.

'There are thousands of names, tens of thousands of phone numbers,' Ross said. 'And there are people there at the Pentagon, lobbyists, others at the White House, prominent lawyers — a long, long list.' Ross added that the women who worked for the service, potentially as prostitutes, 'include university professors, legal secretaries, scientists, military officers.'"

posted by ericb at 9:57 AM on April 29, 2007

Official Caught Using Escort Service Demanded Anti-Prostitution ‘Loyalty Oaths’
posted by ericb at 10:03 AM on April 29, 2007

this story just keeps getting better (or worse, if you're one of those few mefites who pretends to be a fan of Bush and his staff.)
posted by jdfalk at 10:07 AM on April 29, 2007

... A federal judge ordered Ms. Palfrey to retain telephone records after she threatened to sell them to raise money for her defense. But she had already posted excerpts of the phone list on her Web site and given the list of calls from 2002 to 2006 to ABC News.

Montgomery Blair Sibley, Ms. Palfrey’s lawyer in the civil case, said on Saturday that about five lawyers had called to ask if their clients’ numbers were on the list. One lawyer asked if he could prevent the release of his client’s name or number, he said. The answer, Mr. Sibley said, was no.

“We are not in the business of trying to sell protection,” he said.
posted by amberglow at 11:26 AM on April 29, 2007 [1 favorite]

digby on exploitation, hypocrisy, and his "Central Americans": ... From what we hear, the main prostitution ring may have been made up of skilled and educated women who chose to be call girls for a variety of their own reasons. ...
Exploiting illegal immigrants or poor women is another thing altogether. Indeed, it is, as Tobias himself said, a matter of coercion and if he had anything to do with something like that he should be in much deeper trouble than just patronizing a call girl agency for a little extra-curricular massage. It's possible, of course, that this Central American "service" is also made up of young professional women who are making some extra cash on the side, in which case I make no judgment beyond his rank, laughable hypocrisy on the faithfulness and abstinence issue. But let's just say I'm skeptical. That "cultural issue" he talks about is pretty universal, but you would expect that the man who has been all over the globe and seen the results of such exploitation would have been cured of his taste for third world masseuses.
...
posted by amberglow at 4:36 PM on April 29, 2007 [1 favorite]

atrios: ...The fact that cracking down on prostitution is a Bush DOJ initiative also makes it more justifiable to highlight any Bushies who get entangled with it, as they are being implicitly accused of criminal activity by that DOJ even if it is unconcerned with those crimes. ...
posted by amberglow at 5:44 PM on April 29, 2007 [1 favorite]

Christ, people, when's the last time you actually saw a Fox-only dittohead type poster on Metafilter?

Uh...every time tadellin comments?


Hmm. I'm actually much more of a libertarian than a conservative.

But, hey, thanks for noticing.
posted by tadellin at 10:05 AM on April 30, 2007

Cheney's on the list!
posted by amberglow at 9:36 PM on May 12, 2007