Michigan's Attorney General's Office: Keeping Our Freedoms Under Watch

September 29, 2010 6:18 AM

An interview with Andrew Shirvell, the assistant Attorney General of the state of Michigan regarding Chris Armstrong, the first openly gay student president of the University of Michigan Student Assembly. Armstrong is currently the target of the blog Chris Armstrong Watch. He's labeled a racist elitist liar, a privileged pervert, and is accused of having a radical homosexual agenda. Facebook postings are used extensively as proof. The author of the blog? None other than the assistant Attorney General himself.

Andrew Shirvell was cited by the AG for "immaturity and lack of judgment outside the office" two weeks ago, but as of yet the blog posts continue.

posted by Anonymous (179 comments total)

When Mike Cox says 'Dude, you're being an unreasonable jerk to people over their sexual orientation and you need to knock it off,' well, my hat is off to you, sir, because that demonstrates serious, long-term commitment to being an asshole.
posted by Uniformitarianism Now! at 6:24 AM on September 29, 2010 [12 favorites]

Why does that blog put so many words in inverted commas? I thought multiple exclamation marks were still the industry standard indicator for 'writer is clearly insane'.
posted by permafrost at 6:28 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

This reads so much like a 10-year-old yanking on his crush's pigtails in class.
posted by uncleozzy at 6:28 AM on September 29, 2010 [40 favorites]

Methinks the gentleman doth protest too much...
posted by widdershins at 6:29 AM on September 29, 2010 [12 favorites]

Useful, as I've been trying to contact Satan's representative on the student assembly. I reckon Old Nick with his extensive furnace experience will be a useful ally in resolving the winter heating problems in the dorms.
posted by Abiezer at 6:33 AM on September 29, 2010 [6 favorites]

The likelihood of sexual predilection (or sexual offense) is directly proportional to the virulence with which that predilection is vilified.

Someone help me phrase that more eloquently.

In other words, when Shirvell gets caught toe tapping in an airport bathroom don't be surprised.
posted by MasonDixon at 6:39 AM on September 29, 2010 [3 favorites]

Aside from him being an immature bigot who should be fired immediately, watching that video I feel like I'm watching some bad movie about an introverted, socially awkward, unbearably annoying 10 year old boy who magically found his body aged 20 years. I can't believe he even manages to talk to a judge without getting a gavel thrown at him with speech mannerisms like that.
posted by cmonkey at 6:39 AM on September 29, 2010 [4 favorites]

This guy is completely insane.
posted by overeducated_alligator at 6:42 AM on September 29, 2010

There's something very, very wrong with Andrew Shirvell. He needs help.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:42 AM on September 29, 2010 [4 favorites]

At this point I'd welcome a radical homosexual agenda.
posted by The Whelk at 6:44 AM on September 29, 2010 [23 favorites]

Let me take a wild guess.... is Shirvell a Republican?
posted by edheil at 6:44 AM on September 29, 2010 [2 favorites]

Dear god that video is physically painful to watch.
posted by The Whelk at 6:46 AM on September 29, 2010

I saw Shirvell on CNN and my reaction is he is totally un-professional and can he just grow up please very much?
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 6:47 AM on September 29, 2010

"You're the only guy running this blog, and you're putting Nazi swastikas on this guy. You're a grown adult - does that seem appropriate to you?"

When did CNN start questioning lunacy like this? Good to see!
posted by Happy Dave at 6:48 AM on September 29, 2010 [18 favorites]

For reference on my Mike Cox comment, for those of you fortunate enough not to hear about his delightfully mealy-mouthed bigotry on a regular basis, click here. He's a peach.

on preview: Abiezer, those dorms are Historic Buildings and to monkey with the ass-bitingly-cold/fiery-hot extremes maintained by their sorry excuse for climate control would detract from the great legacy of Wolverine history. Also, if they worked, then students might stay there to party, and not go outside and wander through traffic lanes as if they themselves were actual cars. Another fine Ann Arbor tradition. (I kid because I love.)
posted by Uniformitarianism Now! at 6:48 AM on September 29, 2010 [4 favorites]

If Michigan is anything like Virginia there are actually quite a few assistant Attorney Generals, so referring to him as the asst. AG is probably giving him more importance than is actually the case.
posted by ghharr at 6:50 AM on September 29, 2010

It's all perfectly simple. Andrew Shirvell just demands that Chris Armstrong's hot, manly ass be booted out of the student president's office right now, and that he be stripped naked and scourged mercilessly with whips in the middle of campus until the tears trickle from his beautiful eyes and he begs and pleads to stop stop oh god don't stop. I don't see what anyone could possibly make a big fuss over about that.
posted by rusty at 6:51 AM on September 29, 2010 [30 favorites]

I was impressed by the CNN interview. The presenter (Anderson Cooper) had done his research and really took Shirvell apart without being shrill or appearing too confrontational.

I can't think of any prominent British TV/radio interviewers who would be able to do such a good job (which is significant because there is perhaps a tendency here to view all American broadcast news as being in the Glenn Beck mould).
posted by mattn at 6:53 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

Isn't there some sort of clause called "unprofessional conduct" that would allow an attorney general to dismiss an employee who is engaging in long-term stalking and harassment of a 20 year old student?

Hell, isn't that grounds for prosecution?
posted by shii at 6:54 AM on September 29, 2010 [5 favorites]

AC: You're a state official. This is a college student. What are you doing?

C'mon AC. It sounds like this: "You're a state official. This is a private citizen. What the fuck do you think you are doing? "
posted by three blind mice at 6:56 AM on September 29, 2010 [2 favorites]

so referring to him as the asst. AG is probably giving him more importance than is actually the case.

Yes, I was confused about that as the final link refers to him as a "staffer" and "civil service employee". Is everyone who works for the AG and Assistant AG? Regardless of all that though, I find it very hard to believe he will have his job for much longer.
posted by ninebelow at 6:57 AM on September 29, 2010

Yes, I was confused about that as the final link refers to him as a "staffer" and "civil service employee". Is everyone who works for the AG and Assistant AG? Regardless of all that though, I find it very hard to believe he will have his job for much longer.

Probably all the lawyers.
posted by ghharr at 6:59 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

He's able to do this and remain in his high position in the government?

I'm in complete awe.
posted by dry white toast at 6:59 AM on September 29, 2010

The guy obviously wants to get fired. Then he can be the victim, suing the state for violating his rights.
posted by yesster at 6:59 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

Okay, I've watched the video and even read a few of the blogposts (one was titled 'OUTRAGE ALERT' - good of him to provide content warnings like that) and aside from standard-issue frothing at the mouth about gay 'lifestyles', I can't see what about Chris Armstrong he's 'watching'. Aside from Chris Armstrong himself of course.

Closely. Veeeery closely.
posted by Happy Dave at 7:00 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

Incredible this guy is assistant AG and I can't get a job
posted by r_nebblesworthII at 7:02 AM on September 29, 2010 [13 favorites]

Can anyone decipher what message Anderson Cooper is blinking in morse code?
posted by cjorgensen at 7:06 AM on September 29, 2010 [4 favorites]

Dude looks like Peewee Herman without the funny.
posted by felix betachat at 7:06 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

Incredible this guy is assistant AG and I can't get a job

Well, it's just Michigan. A state government job here is like McDonalds anywhere else. Shit, I'm more impressed by the people working at the Culver's down the road than anyone in our state gov. They actually manage to serve people.
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 7:08 AM on September 29, 2010 [6 favorites]

Yes, I was confused about that as the final link refers to him as a "staffer" and "civil service employee". Is everyone who works for the AG and Assistant AG? Regardless of all that though, I find it very hard to believe he will have his job for much longer.

Probably all the lawyers.


This is typically how the titles work, all the lawyers in the AG's office are "Assistant AGs" like all the lawyers in the DA's office are "Assistant DAs."
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 7:08 AM on September 29, 2010 [2 favorites]

'Um (clears throat) excuse me, Anderson...' times 100.

This guy is a clown. So childish.

But, to be fair, Mr. Cooper totally got him by calling him a 'cyberbully' to tie it into the national Cyberbully media obsession.
posted by glaucon at 7:10 AM on September 29, 2010 [3 favorites]

Yikes. Swastika on a rainbow flag? You can get a law-talkin' degree without knowing anything about the 20th century?
posted by Mister_A at 7:11 AM on September 29, 2010 [3 favorites]

Well, looks like his boss is a DOMA imbecile, so that explains why Andrew Shirvell still has a job. Also, that's one messed up URL.
posted by cjorgensen at 7:11 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

"No one's questioning your right to do so, we're questioning your judgement. Thank you for your time."

ICE BURN
posted by echo target at 7:13 AM on September 29, 2010 [4 favorites]

In case anyone feels like writing a letter.... You know mine's in the mail.
posted by cjorgensen at 7:14 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

What the fucking fuckety fuck FUCK, Michigan.



F U C K
posted by Joseph Gurl at 7:25 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

Letter sent.
posted by Joseph Gurl at 7:29 AM on September 29, 2010

How do you get to be an Attorney General AND ALSO accuse someone unironically of being an elite anything?
posted by boo_radley at 7:29 AM on September 29, 2010

Wow, what a steaming pile of fail.
posted by DWRoelands at 7:31 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

Andrew Shirvell has been a shit forever.

When I was an undergraduate student here he used to be a shit.

Now that I work here, ten years later, he's still a shit.
posted by kbanas at 7:35 AM on September 29, 2010 [3 favorites]

If Michigan is anything like Virginia . . .

Oh, it's really, really not.
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:38 AM on September 29, 2010

kbanas: "
When I was an undergraduate student here he used to be a shit."

Oh? What do you mean?
posted by boo_radley at 7:42 AM on September 29, 2010

Christ what an asshole.

I really wish Anderson Cooper and the rest of the media would ALWAYS DO THIS to assholes. That interview was fucking great.
posted by Threeway Handshake at 7:43 AM on September 29, 2010 [3 favorites]

From his blog: "...This watch site will not dignify this absolute garbage by linking to these items, which are all pro-Armstrong, anti-Christian propaganda pieces that would have undoubtedly made Joseph Goebbels proud."

Glad we have Mr. Shirvell around to remind us of the oft-forgotten ties between gay rights and the Nazis. Forgot that in my history classes.
posted by JauntyFedora at 7:43 AM on September 29, 2010 [4 favorites]

NOTICE to CRAZY people who have an AGGRANDIZED view of their INTELLIGENCE:

STOP writing KEY WORDS that you feel are IMPORTANT in CAPS. I have read a few MANIFESTOS from time to time by BOMBERS, KILLERS, the CRIMINALLY INSANE and just PLAIN INSANE people, and I have seen this OFTEN. It's quite ANNOYING and MARKS you as NUTS. I can't help but to IMMEDIATELY DISMISS the rantings of anyone who does this on a REGULAR BASIS.

Asst. AG, Lawyer, Professor, or just a Mental Mensa member, I simply cannot take seriously any person who actually writes this way

In my opinion, people who have to repeatedly stress specific words in their rantings are doing so because they are so self-centered, self important, and arrogant that they think the unwashed, ignorant masses will miss the point of what they are trying to say in their infinite intelligence and wisdom, unless the appropriate measures are taken to highlight the things they feel are key to their point.

Just because we think of you as crazy, and dismiss you as a pathetic, confused little boy or girl, that does not mean we are stupid. That just means you are completely blind to your errors in thinking, and that you are so wrong on so many levels you need an elevator to finish a thought.
posted by Debaser626 at 7:44 AM on September 29, 2010 [17 favorites]

When Mike Cox made his unsuccessful bid to be the Republican candidate for governor here his logo was basically the Fox News logo but with Cox instead of Fox. That's pretty much all you need to know.
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 7:44 AM on September 29, 2010 [5 favorites]

Well, I guess we know what Buster Bluth grows up to be.
posted by norm at 7:45 AM on September 29, 2010 [9 favorites]

Last comment: it is a shame I actually have finished battling ANGEL for now, because there is a Pure Michigan ad in here just itching to be made.
posted by Uniformitarianism Now! at 7:45 AM on September 29, 2010

Surely he did all of this just to get on Anderson Cooper.
posted by Sticherbeast at 7:45 AM on September 29, 2010 [3 favorites]

At this point I'd welcome a radical homosexual agenda.

I think most days, the homosexual agenda looks something like this:

1. Pick up milk on way home.
2. Haircut tomorrow 2:00 PM.
3. Get oil changed Saturday AM.
4. Call mom about pie recipe.
posted by Devils Rancher at 7:46 AM on September 29, 2010 [34 favorites]

Shirvell fails to see how trasparently obsessed he is with Armstrong.
posted by gallois at 7:48 AM on September 29, 2010

and that you are so wrong on so many levels you need an elevator to finish a thought.


I will go on RECORD that after re-reading my POST, I have NO IDEA what the above ACTUALLY MEANS, and frankly, It makes absolutely NO SENSE.
posted by Debaser626 at 7:50 AM on September 29, 2010 [4 favorites]

At this point I'd welcome a radical homosexual agenda.

I think most days, the homosexual agenda looks something like this:

1. Pick up milk on way home ON A SKATEBOARD.
2. Haircut tomorrow 2:00 PM ON A SKATEBOARD.
3. Get oil changed Saturday AM ON A SKATEBOARD.
4. Call mom about pie recipe ON A SKATEBOARD.
posted by Think_Long at 7:51 AM on September 29, 2010 [37 favorites]

Oh? What do you mean?

I mean that to my recollection when I was an undergraduate here from 1998 - 2003, he was involved in all sorts of similar douchebaggery, although at that time he obviously wasn't an assistant attorney general but instead was just another student - but I seem to recall him injecting himself into all sorts of polarizing political issues. I also seem to remember that he used to often write similar screeds for the Michigan Review - our libertarian paper.

This is my recollection. A quick Google-search turned up not a lot of evidence to back that up, but that's what I recall.
posted by kbanas at 7:51 AM on September 29, 2010 [2 favorites]

As a former MI resident who still loves his home state, this is completely embarrassing and horrifying.

I'd snark, but it's just so awful I can't even think of a way to do it.
posted by HostBryan at 7:51 AM on September 29, 2010

I think most days, the homosexual agenda looks something like this:

Do all of this on an offroad bike or a thrasher skateboard and make that homosexual agenda radical!
posted by chavenet at 7:55 AM on September 29, 2010

arrgh. nice one, Think_Long!
posted by chavenet at 7:56 AM on September 29, 2010

Or extreme!
posted by entropicamericana at 7:58 AM on September 29, 2010

I guess my only concern is that either the Michigan Attorney General's office doesn't spend a lot of time performing due diligence on its job applicants or this guy is some sort of political hire to appease the taliban, whom we all know can only be represented by the most intellectually obstinate examples of the genus.

One thing that Anderson Cooper didn't really get into with him was why the current campaign after the man had already been elected. Does the Rover Permanent Campaign strategy reach even into the student councils? It's another Red Scare that has metastasized beyond the political and into the racial, sexual and religious orientations as well. I wish we had some leadership in this country that would stand up and shame these people for what they are instead of constantly being put on the defensive by cheap tactical stunts like these.

And what does it take to get a guy fired these days?
posted by jsavimbi at 8:01 AM on September 29, 2010

HostBryan: "As a former MI resident who still loves his home state, this is completely embarrassing and horrifying.

I'd snark, but it's just so awful I can't even think of a way to do it."

I feel your pain. I'm just so glad this isn't in South Carolina...

I read about this guy a couple days ago, but didn't want to give him any pageviews. I've now read as much of that blog (sorry, watch) as I can stand, and watched that awful video. Painful doesn't even begin to describe it. I had to force myself to keep watching it.
posted by This Guy at 8:02 AM on September 29, 2010

ON A SKATEBOARD.

That's the totally gnarly, ragin', tubular homosexual agenda.
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:07 AM on September 29, 2010

Gay Retro Skate Punks are hurting America.
posted by The Whelk at 8:15 AM on September 29, 2010 [5 favorites]

Truly radical homosexuals shred it on one of these. All the rest are fronting. Also: LOLMICHIGAN.
posted by everichon at 8:16 AM on September 29, 2010

Someone help me phrase that more eloquently.

This
posted by mmrtnt at 8:26 AM on September 29, 2010

I don't entirely know how I ended up on this particular page, but the following passage leapt out at me as instructive. On this day in July, our protagonist has spent three hours holding this sign outside Pride Night at a local nightclub:

It was at this point, however, that I was physically attacked by several of Armstrong's supporters. One or more individuals, who I could not positively identify, grabbed my styrofoam sign. The crowd then tore it to pieces and stomped on it gleefully. In attempting to hold onto my sign, my right arm was significantly bruised and remained so for over a week. I did not fight back, even though I would have been within my rights to do so. Instead, I continued my peaceful witness and hummed Amazing Grace as I began to walk away...

As I was violently attacked by Armstrong's supporters on a public sidewalk this past July, images of other recent hate crimes against Christian believers and racial minorities filled my mind... As I was viciously attacked by Armstrong's thugs for simply holding a sign with a message that they did not like, I also recalled fellow Michigan pro-lifer Jim Pouillon, who was mowed-down in a hail of bullets and killed last September 11, 2009 while witnessing for the rights of the unborn outside of the local high school in Owosso, Michigan. Jim, an elderly man who wore leg braces and carried an oxygen tank, was killed by a pro-abortion fanatic who did not like Jim's powerful pro-life sign.

With flashes of Jim's martyrdom in my thoughts, and knowing that gun fire was not uncommon around Necto, the hostility of the crowd that July evening/morning told me that I was in serious danger. Thanks to the Lord above and my guardian angels, the Devil did not get all that he wanted outside of Necto.

Questions:

1) Isn't it remarkable how people who manifestly aren't bound by the truth, or objective reality, still wind up plainly disclosing the ridiculousness of their position? I mean, if you're going to live in this particular make-believe world, why not come right out and invent a claim that you were punched in the face or somesuch, thereby giving you a non-goofy (imaginary) vicious attack to complain about? Would it make this material any less legally defensible?

2) What exactly are the hiring practices at the Michigan Attourney-General's office?
posted by bicyclefish at 8:29 AM on September 29, 2010 [2 favorites]

D'oh. Link to the page I drew that excerpt from is here.
posted by bicyclefish at 8:30 AM on September 29, 2010

you need an elevator to finish a thought.

I kinna llike it. It seems to play off the saying, "His elevator doesn't stop at all the floors"
posted by mmrtnt at 8:34 AM on September 29, 2010

Maybe this shold be posted in AskMefi, but I'd like to petition for a mouseover popup on every MeFi username that says "Privileged Pervert". Even if it's for just one day.
posted by CynicalKnight at 8:35 AM on September 29, 2010 [2 favorites]

Ah, he lives in the Goateed-Spock alternate universe. That explains a lot. What's left unexplained though, is where's the portal, and can we shove him back through it?
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:39 AM on September 29, 2010 [2 favorites]

Just as a note on Shirvell's continued employment: he was Cox's campaign manager in '06. Dude's getting told not to be so public, but not chastised for his views.

And hey, now's a good time to donate to Virg Bereno, because Cox's buddy Snyder's lookin' a lock for the governor's office, and that's no good for anyone in Michigan.
posted by klangklangston at 8:45 AM on September 29, 2010 [2 favorites]

And that Pouillon thing is pretty weird too.
posted by klangklangston at 8:48 AM on September 29, 2010

His conspiracy theories will go orbital when the AG (inevitably) cans him. Then we can look forward to blogging in caps-lock.
posted by gallois at 8:57 AM on September 29, 2010

"must be gay" and "has a crush", ha ha. The guy is dangerously obsessed. If I were Chris Armstrong I'd be fearful for my life. Restraining order, maybe carry a self-defense weapon.
posted by Nelson at 8:59 AM on September 29, 2010 [5 favorites]

bicyclefish: "I also recalled fellow Michigan pro-lifer Jim Pouillon, who was mowed-down in a hail of bullets and killed last September 11, 2009 while witnessing for the rights of the unborn outside of the local high school in Owosso, Michigan. Jim, an elderly man who wore leg braces and carried an oxygen tank, was killed by a pro-abortion fanatic who did not like Jim's powerful pro-life sign."

This is a bit of a derail, but man, the description of Pouillon's death is crazy inaccurate. And Our Hero seems to be idolizing a monster: "Soon after the murder Pouillon's estranged son James M. Pouillon, a podiatrist in Grand Rapids, criticized his father in an online post. This post, which was quickly circulated in the media, attributed Pouillon's activism to a "pathological hatred of women", claimed that he had wished to provoke others into violence against him, and concluded that "Owosso is now rid of a madman."
posted by boo_radley at 9:02 AM on September 29, 2010 [5 favorites]

"As I was violently attacked by Armstrong's supporters..."

"OMIGOD, OMIGOD, OMIGOD! I was violently attacked by Armstrong's supporters! They took my sign and smashed it and look, I got this bruise! They bruised my ARM! If it weren't for God and all the angels, they might have TRIPPED ME. or PULLED MY HAIR!"
posted by mmrtnt at 9:03 AM on September 29, 2010 [2 favorites]

I think most days, the homosexual agenda looks something like this:

1. Pick up milk on way home.
2. Haircut tomorrow 2:00 PM.
3. Get oil changed Saturday AM.
4. Call mom about pie recipe.

Damn I knew I'd forgotten to schedule my afternoon hour to endanger and corrupt America's fine, upstanding young men and convert them to the homosexual lifestyle.

I'll have to be sure to put that on my calendar for tomorrow.
posted by blucevalo at 9:06 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

blucevalo: "I'll have to be sure to put that on my calendar for tomorrow."
Please discuss with the Gay Secretary so that your action item is addressed by the Gay Commitee as outlined below.

Gay Agenda

• Gay Attendees
• Gay Absentees
• Gay Call to Gay Order
• Gay Secretary Reads Gay Minutes of Last Gay Meeting to assent of all and records Gay Addenda
• Gay Topics
• Gay Action Items
• Discussion of new Gay Action Items
• Assignment thereof
• Updates on Outstanding Gay Action Items
• Authorizations for Gay Spending


• Other Gay Business/ Gay Round Table


• Gay Adjournment

posted by boo_radley at 9:21 AM on September 29, 2010 [23 favorites]

Among other things, Shirvell has published blog posts that accuse Armstrong of going back on a campaign promise he made to minority students; engaging in “flagrant sexual promiscuity” with another male member of the student government; sexually seducing and influencing “a previously conservative [male] student” so much so that the student, according to Shirvell, “morphed into a proponent of the radical homosexual agenda;” hosting a gay orgy in his dorm room in October 2009; and trying to recruit incoming first year students “to join the homosexual ‘lifestyle.’”

So this Armstrong guy is in a fraternity?
posted by cjorgensen at 9:24 AM on September 29, 2010 [4 favorites]

Discussion of new Gay Action Items

...basically it vibrates.
posted by The Whelk at 9:24 AM on September 29, 2010 [2 favorites]

God, if Rick Snyder becomes governor, the UP should cut its losses and dismantle the Mackinac Bridge. Shack up with Canada or Wisconsin or stay Superior and single, I don't care, but just DTMFLPA.

/sorry about the 'last comment.' I c&p'd out of Word, as a reminder that I have Other Duties once the daily headache uploads.
posted by Uniformitarianism Now! at 9:29 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

Wisconsin will probably have Scott Walker as its governor, so the UP would be best off going it alone or hooking up with Canada.
posted by drezdn at 9:35 AM on September 29, 2010

Mr. Armstrongs' "secret society" peers include:

Gerald Ford, U.S. president
Frank Murphy, U.S. Supreme Court justice and U.S. attorney general
Mike Bishop, Michigan Senate majority leader
Clifford Taylor, Michigan Supreme Court chief justice
Roger Wilkins, civil rights leader and Washington Post editorialist
Gerald Ford, U.S. president
Frank Murphy, U.S. Supreme Court justice and U.S. attorney general
Mike Bishop, Michigan Senate majority leader
Clifford Taylor, Michigan Supreme Court chief justice
Roger Wilkins, civil rights leader and Washington Post editorialist

cpmeon people find the motive
posted by clavdivs at 9:40 AM on September 29, 2010

d'oh

Bo Schembechler, University of Michigan football coach
Fritz Crisler, University of Michigan football coach
Lloyd Carr, University of Michigan football coach
Fielding H. Yost, University of Michigan football coach
Red Berenson, University of Michigan hockey coach
Don Canham, University of Michigan athletic director
Tom Harmon, Heisman Trophy winner
Jim Abbott, MLB pitcher
Marty Turco, NHL Goalie
Jake Long, NFL Offensive Tackle, the #1 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft
posted by clavdivs at 9:41 AM on September 29, 2010

In other news, Gerald Ford's still dead.
posted by blucevalo at 9:46 AM on September 29, 2010

This guy is a tea party superstar waiting to happen. As soon as he gets shitcanned, he can write his own ticket on FOX, Beck and Rush as a martyr of TEH GAY AGENDA. He'll be on the wingnut welfare program for life and has a bright future as a future canidate for US House, if not the Senate.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:50 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

Recently, I found some letters from my best friend from my (residential) high school that he sent me after I left under rather forced circumstances, as well as some that I wrote but never sent. What I'm saying is "I thought I knew from really obvious misplaced repressed homosexuality, then I met Chris Armstrong Watch."

From there:

"I have done NOTHING immoral OR illegal. Sadly, the same cannot be said for Armstrong and his fellow radical homosexual activists and "allies."

It just seems so obvious that Mr. Shirvill would be happier if he rearranged some of that punctuation.

"I have done NOTHING immoral OR illegal, sadly; the same cannot be said for Armstrong and his fellow radical homosexual activists and "allies."

And even if that's an entire misread of the orientation, it is clear that he's insanely jealous of the personal freedoms the people he obsesses over choose to exercise. It'd amuse me if it didn't make me so sad.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:51 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

Also,

In fact, that night Armstrong was reportedly at a concert featuring the notorious anti-Catholic bigot, "Lady Gaga."

What's with the scare quotes around Lady Gaga? If anything, given rumors, I could maybe understand "Lady" Gaga, but I don't think anyone's arguing that Lady Gaga is not, in fact, Gaga.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:58 AM on September 29, 2010 [2 favorites]

Also, that's one messed up URL.

Is that a "story server" URL? If so, they're still around? That's like finding a coldfusion site, a genuine Internet Relic.
posted by maxwelton at 10:08 AM on September 29, 2010 [2 favorites]

Pious nitwit, Andrew Shirvell, is stalking Chris Armstrong, harassing him, libeling him, being a homophobic bully, misusing his position of power to behave like a sociopath and do a smear campaign. It really does look like Shirvell is both envious of Armstrong in so many ways and yearning obsessively for him.
posted by nickyskye at 10:11 AM on September 29, 2010 [2 favorites]

"If this Concerned Alumnus gets ahold of that Chris Armstrong, hell show him what for. This Concerned Alumnus will grab him so tight, and he'll try to get away, but he won't be able to because he'll feel the strength of...

"What?

"What are you all looking at?"
posted by mmrtnt at 10:31 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

Shirvell's issues are, I think, fairly obvious-- at least to those outside of whatever cultural and familial bubble he grew up in.

The interesting thing (and the truly annoying thing, apart from the disgusting persecution of a college kid) is that takes such an extreme case for an American journalist to have the guts to be incisive, confrontational, and relatively direct in a broadcast interview.
posted by darth_tedious at 10:48 AM on September 29, 2010

Like others have remarked earlier, this guy sounds like he has serious mental and/or psychological issues.

I hope that after he accidentally runs into a light post, he gets the help he needs.
posted by chillmost at 10:53 AM on September 29, 2010

Best Anderson Cooper quote: "Do you consider yourself a bigot?"
posted by wemayfreeze at 10:59 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

ninebelow: "so referring to him as the asst. AG is probably giving him more importance than is actually the case.

Yes, I was confused about that as the final link refers to him as a "staffer" and "civil service employee". Is everyone who works for the AG and Assistant AG? Regardless of all that though, I find it very hard to believe he will have his job for much longer."

He's "Assistant TO The Attorney General", see..
posted by symbioid at 11:05 AM on September 29, 2010 [2 favorites]

All I can say is that I wish I had seen this guy in front of the Necto that July night. I would have gladly just walked right past him & delivered an innocent little forearm shiver.

For those of you not and never affiliated with our little cow town and her faux-liberal reputation, here's a profile of the Necto. Shirvell undoubtedly was there because it has been gay-friendly since forever, but what he failed to understand is that most of us townies here really ARE gay-friendly. We eat at the /Aut/ Bar and we dance at the Necto. (Disclaimer--it's been 15 years since MRs. Bubba & I went to the Necto. Point of fact, it was still the Nectarine Ballroom then). And we don't take kindly to idiots standing in front of places like the Necto with hate signs.

When I saw this FPP, I mist the ASSISTANT AG part, because I couuld believe this stuff from Mike Cox as well. But again, before you all start thinking about voting us out of the Union, Cox got elected as AG through Bush coattails & a vacuum in state Democratic leadership when the former AG got elected governor. As she leaves that job, the vacuum will probably get Rick Snyder elected.

I'm not opposed to leaving Michigan, y'all, but I got a job here and I don't have one any/everywhere else. I'm rambling now, I knnow. Apologies to the rest of the 49 states & to Chris Armstrong on behalf of all of the rest of us who are not nutbags.

BTW, it was good to see that the student who wants open-carry firearm laws on the fucking campuses did not get elected to any student government position. It was scary enough when he sponsored an "open-carry" picnic just outside downtown.
posted by beelzbubba at 11:23 AM on September 29, 2010 [4 favorites]

Textbook closet case.
posted by Scoo at 11:23 AM on September 29, 2010

Poor Armstrong, this must be a nightmare to deal with. Is Shirvell actually doing anything illegal here? It seems like the swastika on the face thing would at the very least be a violation of Blogger's guidelines.
posted by NoraReed at 11:27 AM on September 29, 2010

oh my god. How can this person hold down a job while being so professionally crazy?
posted by Theta States at 11:34 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

The guy is dangerously obsessed. If I were Chris Armstrong I'd be fearful for my life.

Exactly. At least Armstrong has retained an attorney. I hope that at minimum he can file harassment charges against Andrew Shirvell.
posted by ericb at 11:45 AM on September 29, 2010

Here's Andrew Shirvell protesting alongside Fred Phelp's Westboro "God Hates Fags" Church.

Michigan's PrideSource identified him as a participant at the chuch's protest of The Laramie Project in May.
posted by ericb at 11:52 AM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

A local Michigan television station's news coverage [video | 05:41] of Andrew Shirvell's cyberbullying of Chris Armstrong.
posted by ericb at 11:57 AM on September 29, 2010

517-241-7093 is the number to call to reach the person who is "fielding" the several bozillion complaints they're receiving. If you call the AG office directly they give you this number. But, what the hell, tie up their lines too: [phone].
posted by Baby_Balrog at 12:02 PM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

Mr. Cooper totally got him by calling him a 'cyberbully' to tie it into the national Cyberbully media obsession.

Watch the video (I just posted). The news segment shows videos that Attorney General Mike Cox had produced (and in which he himself appears) to show in schools to address the problem of cyberbullying in Michigan.
posted by ericb at 12:08 PM on September 29, 2010

Here's Andrew Shirvell protesting alongside Fred Phelp's Westboro "God Hates Fags" Church.

Wait... Andrew Shirvell is a white skinhead? Wow.
posted by Theta States at 12:09 PM on September 29, 2010

oh my god. How can this person hold down a job while being so professionally crazy?

Welcome to the Great Lake State!
posted by clavdivs at 12:10 PM on September 29, 2010

Just because we think of you as crazy, and dismiss you as a pathetic, confused little boy or girl, that does not mean we are stupid.

"Just because we think of you as CRAZY, and dismiss you as a PATHETIC, CONFUSED little boy or girl, that does not mean we are STUPID."

FTFY!!!
posted by ericb at 12:10 PM on September 29, 2010

CynicalKnight: Maybe this shold be posted in AskMefi, but I'd like to petition for a mouseover popup on every MeFi username that says "Privileged Pervert". Even if it's for just one day.

I wish I was actually privileged enough to be able to put this on a t-shirt.

What really gets me --because I've read so much of his website because I'm apparently a masochist of the not-fun variety - is the section where he talks about Chris Armstrong removing posts on his Facebook profiles about "gay orgies" in the dorms, which were obviously* jokes. The problem with this guy is that if he ever came out of the closet, he'd probably end up being disappointed because even the most demented, debauched of us (I'm including myself in this, so feel no qualms speaking for the group) couldn't keep up with his active fantasy life.

* Okay so maybe it's not 100% certain that those were jokes. But I'd bet the possibility of me stumbling on a gay twenty-something college dorm orgy again sometime in my life on it. (The possibility is not much, but even as low as it is, its value in my portfolio, especially compared to the rest of my net worth, is quite high.)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 12:17 PM on September 29, 2010 [3 favorites]

I think most days, the homosexual agenda looks something like this:

1. Pick up milk on way home. ...

Wrong!

8:00 a.m. Wake up. Wonder where you are.

8:01 a.m. Realize you are laying on 100 percent cotton sheets of at least a 300 count, so don't panic; you're not slumming.

8:02 a.m. Realize you are actually in your own bed for a change. Wake stranger next to you and tell him you are late for work so you won't be able to cook breakfast for him. Mutter "sorry" as you help him look for his far-flung underwear. You find out that you tore his boxers while ripping them off him last night, so you "loan" him a pair of boxer-briefs, but not the new ones because you never intend to see him again.

8:05 a.m. Tell the stranger, whose name eludes you, "It was fun. I'll give you a call," as you usher him out the door, avoiding his egregious morning-breath.

8:06 a.m. Crumple and dispose of the piece of paper with his telephone number on it when you get to the kitchen.

8:07 a.m. Make a high protein breakfast while watching Good Morning America. Wonder if the stories you've heard about George Stephanopoulos are true. Decide they must be.

8:30 a.m. Italian or domestic? Decide to go with three-button Italian and the only shirt that is clean.

8:45 a.m. Climb into red BMW and try not to look too much like Barbie driving one of her accessories as you pull out of your underground parking. Prada or Armani sunglasses? Go with Prada.

9:35 a.m. Stroll into office.

9:36 a.m. Close door to office and call best friend and laugh about the guy who spent the night at your condo. Point out something annoying about best friend's boyfriend but quickly add "It doesn't matter what everyone else thinks, just as long as you love him."

10:15 a.m. Leave office, telling your secretary you are "meeting with a client." Pretend not to notice her insubordinate roll of the eyes (or the cloying "poem" she has tacked to her cubicle wall).

10:30 a.m. Hair appointment for highlights and cut. Purchase of Aveda anti-humectant pomade.

11:30 a.m. Run into personal trainer at gym. Pester him about getting you Human Growth Hormone. Spend 30 minutes talking to friends on your cell phone while using Hammer Strength machines, preparing a mental-matrix of which circuit parties everyone is going to and which are now passé.

12:00pm Tan. Schedule back-waxing in time for Saturday party where you know you will end up shirtless.

12:30 p.m. Pay trainer for anabolic steroids and schedule a workout for next week. Shower, taking ten minutes dry off while you check-out your best friend's boyfriend undress with the calculation of someone used to wearing a t-back and having dollars stuffed in his crotch.

1:00 p.m. Meet someone (for whom you only know his waist, chest and penis size from Manhunt) for lunch at a hot, new restaurant. Because the maître d' recognizes you from a gay bar, you are whisked past the Christian heterosexual couples who have been waiting patiently for a table since 12:30.

2:30 p.m. "Dessert at your place." Find out, once again, people lie on Manhunt.

3:33 p.m. Assume complete control of the U.S., state, and local governments (in addition to other nations' governments); destroy all healthy Christian marriages; recruit all children grades Kindergarten through 12 into your amoral, filthy lifestyle; secure complete control of the media, starting with sitcoms; molest innocent children; give AIDS to as many people as you can; host a pornographic "art" exhibit at your local art museum; and turn people away from Jesus, causing them to burn forever in Hell.

4:10 p.m. Time permitting, bring about the general decline of Western Civilization and look like you are having way too much fun doing it.

4:30 p.m. Take a disco-nap to prevent facial wrinkles from the stress of world conquest and being so terribly witty.

6:00 p.m. Open a fabulous new bottle of Malbec.

6:47 P.M. Bake Ketamine for weekend. Test recipe.

7:00 P.M. Go to Abercrombie & Fitch and announce in a loud voice, "Over! Way over!"

7:40 P.M. Stop looking at the hunky photographic displays at Abercrombie & Fitch and go to a cool store to begin shopping.

8:30 p.m. Light dinner with catty homosexual friends at a restaurant you will all be "over" by the time it gets its first review in the local paper.

10:30 p.m. Cocktails at a debauched gay bar, trying to avoid alcoholic queens who can't navigate a crowd with a lit cigarette in one hand and a Grey Goose in a cheap plastic cup in the other. Make audible remark about how "trashy" people who still think smoking is acceptable are.

12:00 a.m. "Nightcap at your place." Find out that people lie in bars, too.*

posted by ericb at 12:21 PM on September 29, 2010 [13 favorites]

Plagerist! Oh, wait.
posted by cjorgensen at 12:24 PM on September 29, 2010

Well, I sent my letters. I think I am glad I have a good lawyer. A person with poor reading comprehension skills may interpret what I wrote about Andrew Shirvell as implying he has sex with dogs, but for the record, just because I used the term "He's screwed the pooch," does not mean I actually believe he's ever sexed up a canine (male or female).
posted by cjorgensen at 12:30 PM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

My homosexual agenda is more like:

* Pick up cat food on the way home
* Get burrito for dinner, or maybe Indian pizza
* Drink beer, watch baseball (GO GIANTS!!)

If this douche was following me around and blogging about my every move, he and his reader(s) would probably die of boredom. I hope.
posted by rtha at 12:40 PM on September 29, 2010 [6 favorites]

He comes across in the AC interview as being devoid of charisma, profoundly uncomfortable, incapable of understanding the questions being asked of him, and unable to understand basic laws and definitions.

I think he might be overqualified for an Assistant AG position.
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:48 PM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

Hehe, I keep reading it as Andrew Shrivell.
posted by thinkpiece at 1:14 PM on September 29, 2010

Here's Andrew Shirvell protesting alongside Fred Phelp's Westboro "God Hates Fags" Church.

I love the guy to Andrew's right. His face is priceless. He knows the guy next to him is a huge douche and he's holding up a LOVE sign anyway.
posted by morganannie at 1:15 PM on September 29, 2010

He comes across in the AC interview as being devoid of charisma, profoundly uncomfortable, incapable of understanding the questions being asked of him, and unable to understand basic laws and definitions.

I think he might be overqualified for an Assistant AG position.

GOP candidate for VP, maybe?
posted by mmrtnt at 1:16 PM on September 29, 2010

Well, it's just Michigan. A state government job here is like McDonalds anywhere else. Shit, I'm more impressed by the people working at the Culver's down the road than anyone in our state gov. They actually manage to serve people.

I know quite a few very smart people who work for MI state government agencies and they all make way less than they would in private industry. Most of them work for the state it because they believe in what they're doing, and most of them *are* doing some good in spite of the terrible bureaucracy and tight resources. They're not martyrs or anything, but I think anyone who voluntarily sticks it out in such a shitty environment deserves a little respect.
posted by pjaust at 1:30 PM on September 29, 2010 [2 favorites]

Mr Shirvell has issues. Big issues. If you know what I'm saying. And I think you do.
posted by Decani at 2:53 PM on September 29, 2010

I think most days, the homosexual agenda looks something like this:

1. Pick up milk on way home.
2. Haircut tomorrow 2:00 PM.
3. Get oil changed Saturday AM.
4. Call mom about pie recipe.

I think I'm gonna be sick.
posted by mreleganza at 3:08 PM on September 29, 2010

If only the deeply homophobic, Mike Cox - who uses his position to take away gay rights - would get so caught up in this that he had to resign too.

Oh frapjous joy, that'd be great.

Wait, they could also take Oakland Co. sheriff Mike Bouchard and his anti-gay/ anti-medical marijuana crusades with them too.
posted by NorthernLite at 3:09 PM on September 29, 2010

I saw "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and I thought this could never happen in real life.

I stand corrected.
posted by pianomover at 3:26 PM on September 29, 2010 [2 favorites]

I know it is preaching to the choir, because MetaFilter is an enlightened place. But I wanted to point out two very recent examples of why this is so important.

Last week, a 13 year old gay kid here in Houston named Asher Brown went home and shot himself in the head as the result of anti-gay bullying.

Last week, a Rutgers freshman drove to the George Washington Bridge and committed suicide by jumping off because his roommates filmed him having sex with another man.
posted by jph at 4:09 PM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

Assistant Attorney General Buster Bluth
posted by MegoSteve at 4:15 PM on September 29, 2010

ericb: That's Patrick Bateman's agenda.
posted by elsietheeel at 5:42 PM on September 29, 2010

But I wanted to point out two very recent examples of why this is so important.

Well, at least we know what end he seeks with his campaign tactics.
posted by jsavimbi at 5:42 PM on September 29, 2010

From the blog:

But it was the FB wall post by 'gay' student activist Tommy Habratowski that made it clear to all who were not present exactly what took place at Armstrong's dorm on the evening of October 24th:

Had a blast last night. Thank you for hosting the night of
homosexual shenanigans.

Merriam-Webster's on-line dictionary defines "shenanigans" as "questionable practices or conduct" and "high-spirited or mischevious activity." Put "homosexual" in front of "shenanigans" and it is quite apparent that Habratowski was indeed referring to a "gay" orgy.

what
posted by en forme de poire at 7:29 PM on September 29, 2010 [5 favorites]

Gay AND high-spirited! The Horror!

what is the feeling called -- there has to be a word for it, probably German -- when you're embarrassed to be in the same species with someone?
posted by Devils Rancher at 7:37 PM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

Because, as we all know, "homosexual shenanigans" couldn't POSSIBLY watching Rosalind Russell in "The Women" while enjoying face masks and fruity mixed drinks while shopping the A&F catalog online...

It also couldn't POSSIBLY be tuning in to endless hours of baseball while downing beers and junk food and making comments about which player has the best ass....

I participate in homosexual shenanigans all the time, and rarely do they involve orgies. (Well, not in the past few years, anyway...)
posted by hippybear at 7:54 PM on September 29, 2010 [4 favorites]

Michigan Daily's Sept. 15th editorial: From the Daily: Undisguised bigotry
"Often, it’s best to turn the other cheek in the face of hateful ignorance. But when hate speech is extreme and public, it must be confronted. Andrew Shirvell, a University alum and a current assistant attorney general for the state of Michigan, has taken aim at the Michigan Student Assembly President Chris Armstrong almost exclusively because Armstrong is MSA’s first openly gay president. Shirvell’s undisguised hatred for members of the LGBT community has compromised his ability to serve as a public official. Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox shouldn’t be comfortable employing someone who’s bigotry so clearly has the potential to influence the work he does on behalf of Michigan taxpayers. Cox must take decisive action to respond to Shirvell’s hate speech — and his pro forma slap on the wrist this week isn’t going to cut it...."

and from Michigan Daily, Sept. 28: MSA President Chris Armstrong responds publicly to criticism

Detroit Free Press, Sept. 15: Cox rebukes worker whose blog slams gay student

I honestly hope that Armstrong gets a restraining order. In all seriousness, if someone like Shrirvell were tracking me like that? I'd find it extremely scary.
posted by batgrlHG at 8:06 PM on September 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

MSA President Chris Armstrong responds publicly to criticism

"I will not back down. I will not flinch. I will not falter. I will not succumb to any unwarranted attacks. What I will do is I will carry on with the utmost pride and vindication ... I will continue to fight like hell for the students of this university and to better this campus,” Armstrong told the assembly. “I believe in this assembly, and I believe in this government.”

Wow, what a class act Mr. Armstrong is. More power to him.
posted by waraw at 9:14 PM on September 29, 2010 [2 favorites]

Devils Rancher: "Gay AND high-spirited! The Horror!

what is the feeling called -- there has to be a word for it, probably German -- when you're embarrassed to be in the same species with someone?

Well, there is a neologism that has become popular in recent years: "fremdschämen" means "feeling ashamed / embarrassed on account of something someone else did". It certainly applies here - I honestly wonder how this man can go through day-to-day life suffering from these delusions and a huge persecution complex to boot; feeling fear, anger and disgust at the happiness of other people; stalking a person that he believes has been sent by the devil himself to pervert the youth of America. It feels like an affront to rational thinking, and it's embarrassing that this guy doesn't have the introspective power to see how ridiculous his standpoint is.
posted by PontifexPrimus at 2:22 AM on September 30, 2010

“I, along with the rest of this assembly, were elected to this body to represent the University. And nothing said about us, or regarding our personal merits, will waive our commitment to serve the student body.”

So these are those uppitty gays we were warned about?
posted by Theta States at 6:53 AM on September 30, 2010

Shirvell's kind of anti-liberal, anti-gay screed is nothing new for the Michigan Federation of College Republicans. In 2006, the president of the MFCR, Justin Zatkoff, got his eye-socket broken in a drunken fight with a friend while visiting the U-M campus in Ann Arbor. But a blog formerly run by the College Republican National Committee took Zatkoff's story at par value that it was an angry liberal mob who put on the beat down:

Last Wednesday, Truth Caucus posted pictures of a disfigured Zatkoff under the headline "Hate Crime: College Republican Allegedly Beaten By Liberal Thugs."

The post cited a source close to Zatkoff who said he may have been attacked by members of the pro-affirmative action group By Any Means Necessary or a gay rights group. The story attracted national attention and was soon picked up by other sites like Wonkette.com, a Washington gossip blog, and dailykos.com, a well-known liberal blog.

The actual perpetrator came forward, but that brought no public retraction from Zatkoff, Truth Caucus, or the Michigan College Republican Chair Don Carlson who linked to the TruthCaucus blog from the state college Rebuplican site.

At the end of the Freep story, a Republican with at least some sense of what compounded the problem said: "It sounds like a lot of people who didn't know the full story started talking about this and it got blown out of proportion," Scott said. "It's the importance of real journalism over blogging, I guess."

Kudos to AC 360 and to CNN. And thank you to everyone who is calling the AG's office. As a citizen of Michigan, I hope thatthe calls and letters will have some effect on the future employment of this Rove wanna-be.
posted by beelzbubba at 7:33 AM on September 30, 2010

Democratic AG candidate calls for Mike Cox to fire assistant over blog attacking U-M student body president.
posted by ericb at 7:36 AM on September 30, 2010

Mike Cox to Anderson Cooper last night:

"Mr. [Andrew] Shirvell is sort of a frontline grunt assistant prosecutor in my office. He does satisfactory work and off-hours, he's free to engage under both our civil service rules, Michigan Supreme Court rulings and the United States Supreme Court rule."

posted by ericb at 7:49 AM on September 30, 2010

"Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox appeared on Anderson Cooper's show last night to defend Andrew Shirvell, his staffer who maintains an exceedingly homophobic blog about the University of Michigan's openly gay student body president, Chris Armstrong.

Though Cox admitted Shirvell's actions are 'unbecoming' and that he's 'clearly a bully,' the outgoing Attorney General insisted Shirvell's well within his Constitutional rights: 'Here in America, we have this thing called the First Amendment, which allows people to express what they think and -- and -- and engage in political and social speech.'

He did point out, however, that if Armstrong were to receive a restraining order of some sort, then perhaps Shirvell could, in theory, be reprimanded.

'If a personal protection order was sought by Mr. Armstrong and granted in the Michigan civil service or a disciplinary code,' said the Attorney General, 'we could start looking at things in terms of perhaps sending to an employee assistance program.'

In the end, Cox, who lost his gubernatorial bid to Republican Rick Snyder, threw up his hands about the entire affair, and said, 'The reality is, I'm out of office in three months. I have a duty to defend the Michigan Constitution. I have a duty to defend the Michigan civil service rules, even at those times when I don't like it.'"*

Video. Transcript.
posted by ericb at 7:55 AM on September 30, 2010

I am a strong free speech advocate. I've had arguments with military personnel on flag burning. I'll defend pretty much anyone's right to say any damn thing they wish.

But the idea of speech without repercussion is silly. I like the fact that these guys (Shirvell and Cox) are speaking out. In my mind this is exactly how it's supposed to work. They are stepping forward and proving themselves to be idiots.

Just because someone has a right to say something doesn't mean they get to stay employed when they exercise that right. A shop owner can put an insensitive sign in his window. I'll defend his right to do so. Sure won't shop there though, and I might even join a protest outside his store.

Both these guys are in such strong opposition to the office in which they are trusted. I'm glad they are speaking out. Now it's time for them to go work somewhere else.
posted by cjorgensen at 8:05 AM on September 30, 2010 [1 favorite]

Based on what little I've read of Shirvell's blog, it seems he's crossed the line between free speech and outright slander at least a couple of times.
posted by hippybear at 8:45 AM on September 30, 2010

University of Michigan student body president seeks restraining order against assistant state attorney general
posted by rtha at 10:29 AM on September 30, 2010

yessssssssssssss!
posted by Theta States at 10:41 AM on September 30, 2010

From rtha's linked article: "This story has been updated to reflect that Andrew Shirvell is banned from returning to the U-M campus."
posted by ericb at 11:23 AM on September 30, 2010

"In the personal protection order application filed Sept. 13, Armstrong calls Shirvell 'a threat to my own personal safety' and details several instances where Shirvell followed Armstrong’s friends as they partied in various Ann Arbor locations, hoping to confront Armstrong.

Armstrong also writes that Shirvell called Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s office twice over the summer after Armstrong took a job there to lodge complaints against Armstrong.

On Sept. 6, Armstrong asked for an escort from the University of Michigan’s Department of Public Safety after Shirvell showed up at Armstrong’s Ann Arbor home. Armstrong also said in court documents that Shirvell showed up at 1:30 a.m. at a house party Armstrong was holding on Sept. 4."

Geesh. Shirvell really is 'off-his-rocker.'
posted by ericb at 11:26 AM on September 30, 2010

Dear Mr. President,
There are too many states nowadays.
Please, eliminate three.

PS I am not a crackpot.
posted by Theta States at 11:38 AM on September 30, 2010 [2 favorites]

I'm beginning to understand some of the language used by Shirvell and his ilk: radical homosexual agenda means expecting to be treated as equals. I get it now.
posted by beelzbubba at 12:27 PM on September 30, 2010

Based on what little I've read of Shirvell's blog, it seems he's crossed the line between free speech and outright slander at least a couple of times.

And into harassment as well. He should be disbarred and fired at the minimum.
posted by cjorgensen at 1:27 PM on September 30, 2010

PDF of the request for a restraining order

It's a narrative, and it's stressing me out just reading it. I can't imagine the stress of having a guy like Shirvell following me around, following my friends around, calling my work, blogging about me. This is not normal behavior.
posted by rtha at 4:30 PM on September 30, 2010

Based on the narrative of that restraining order request, and this .pdf which outlines Michigan's anti-stalker laws, I'd say that Shirvell has crossed more than a few legal lines with his behavior.
posted by hippybear at 6:04 PM on September 30, 2010

Actual text of Michigan's stalking statute

It's shocking to me that the Attorney General seems to think that Shirvell's behavior lies within free speech protection, when it clearly falls under this statute.

I hope the restraining order is simply the magic key that Armstrong needs to start wielding the full force of the law against this maniac.
posted by hippybear at 6:08 PM on September 30, 2010

I am with beelzbubba 100% on this. This is not what Ann Arbor is like, this guy is a nutcase and needs to be sanctioned by Cox.

It will be interesting to see what happens with this next week. I've mixed feelings about Judge Francis putting off making a decision about this, (disclaimer: I've known Judge Francis for many, many years and have tremendous respect for her. Her father was the first and only African American Mayor of Ann Arbor, her sister is Alma Wheeler Smith, a state Senator), I believe that Shirvell poses a real threat and should be dealt with, I hope that happens quickly.

If you live in Michigan please contact anyone you know with enough clout to press the AG and the Governor to respond to this.
posted by HuronBob at 6:20 PM on September 30, 2010

It's shocking to me that the Attorney General seems to think that Shirvell's behavior lies within free speech protection, when it clearly falls under this statute.


I don't have the slightest bit of sympathy for Cox, who is by all accounts also a big homophobic jerk, but my guess here is that Cox does in fact know that Shirvell is waaaaaay over the line, but is scared to fire him. Shirvell has name-dropped the Alliance Defense Fund a few times, and I bet that if he were to get fired, it would be a matter of seconds before his friends at the ADF filed a lawsuit on his behalf claiming anti-Christian discrimination. Cox would definitely not be excited about that prospect.
posted by naoko at 7:59 PM on September 30, 2010

The AG ain't budging, he is in campaign mode against our David Leyton. He cannot fire him unless the smuck did this on CO. time plain and simple. moral turpintine and all that will not apply. Cox would not be crazy enough to have this SMUCK pull a stunt. But there seems the undercurrent of local and state politics that seems to ask one question: WHY?

I've known Judge Francis for many, many years and have tremendous respect for her

cool. ask her if she remembers Thelma Pryor. Gram had Mayor Wheeler for coffee once and i met him (roots go back 165 yrs in A2 for me) nice man, he played catch with me for about 15 minutes and i asked him germy-monster questions as a 8 year old would.
Gram voted for him but after the HRP...question knowwhattamean. and that one vote margin...only in A2

gram had pull and would be LIVID as a republican at this crap.

i predict he will be gone in 10 days by resigning, he is toast politically.
posted by clavdivs at 8:00 PM on September 30, 2010

but my guess here is that Cox does in fact know that Shirvell is waaaaaay over the line, but is scared to fire him.

nononono.
it shows more power to have the smuck resign when the obvious pressure of his decision set (ing) in then just boot him.
posted by clavdivs at 8:05 PM on September 30, 2010

This just in:

Attorney General Mike Cox changed his stance Thursday, suspending Andrew Shirvell after the assistant attorney general attracted national attention for a controversial blog that ridicules and denounces a University of Michigan student leader for his gay advocacy, religious beliefs and character.

The suspension came a day after Cox told CNN he didn't intend to fire Shirvell, citing civil service rules that protect government employees from being "fired willy-nilly" for exercising their rights of free speech.

Detroit News
posted by pmurray63 at 11:05 PM on September 30, 2010 [2 favorites]

As mentioned in that Detroit News article, Chris Armstrong Watch has been moved behind an invite-only login wall. (Google Cache link to the blog as it stood for the last Google scrape before it went private, sometime on Sept 28.)

The Google cache either didn't capture the lengthy nonsense about "homosexual shenanigans" which en forme de poire quotes above, or else that entry was deleted before the blog was taken private.

As to the rest of the content of that Detroit News article... sounds like Cox has been caught in a firestorm and decided to finally do something. Good.
posted by hippybear at 5:46 AM on October 1, 2010

Well, okay then.
posted by rtha at 5:48 AM on October 1, 2010

Persectued Christian suddenly finds more time to persue his enlightened path!

Oh noes!
posted by Theta States at 6:42 AM on October 1, 2010

i'm happy to be wrong.
posted by clavdivs at 7:21 AM on October 1, 2010

im happy alot
posted by clavdivs at 7:21 AM on October 1, 2010 [2 favorites]

I'm taking credit for the suspension.

I wrote letters to the U of M president, Armstrong, the asshat in question, the asshat's asshat boss, and the Michigan State Bar. I had the Governor on my list for today. And these were mostly sincere letters. I may have been a bit scathing and stern, but it's hard to write about someone that is hateful without descending to that level.
posted by cjorgensen at 7:40 AM on October 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

Stories I'm reading locally show that he has taken a "personal leave".

It's personal leave of absence, not suspension, Cox spokeswoman says.
posted by morganannie at 8:43 AM on October 1, 2010

Kick ass! That's what I suggested he should do. You know, develop a sudden need for family.
posted by cjorgensen at 10:06 AM on October 1, 2010

Based on the "where there's smoke, there's fire" maxim... I keep wondering when Shirvell is going to develop a sudden need for "family".
posted by hippybear at 10:34 AM on October 1, 2010

I think Shirvell is a total douchebag, but I also hope he gets some help while he's on this "personal leave." What he's doing falls so far outside the norm of even "weird internet stuff" that I feel bad for him. Not bad like he shouldn't have to suffer the consequences of his actions, but bad like, he's a human being who's clearly in some sort of distress. Whether he gets help from a non-whackjob shrink or a non-whackjob pastor, I don't care, but I hope he gets it. If not for his sake, then for Armstrong's, and other out gay people.
posted by rtha at 1:42 PM on October 1, 2010

“‘If I was still Attorney General and Andrew Shirvell worked for me, he would have already been fired,’ Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) tweeted yesterday. In its article that has been pulled, the Detroit News reported that Cox fired back at Granholm for the tweet. ‘I don’t know why she’s so freaking irresponsible. … she went to Harvard Law School,’ Cox said. ‘The civil service rules are a huge shield for free speech and she knows that.’ (Legal experts have said that Cox has a case to dismiss Shirvell.)”*

posted by ericb at 2:26 PM on October 1, 2010

Michigan AG Hopeful David Leyton Would Fire Andrew Shirvell.
posted by ericb at 2:31 PM on October 1, 2010

Jesus, I hope the poor guy that this douche is targeting is being careful. Andrew Shirvell with more free time on his hands is a terrifying thought. Although thank goodness he's finally out of that position. WTF.
posted by theredpen at 4:03 PM on October 1, 2010

How long till we discover Shirvell's secret stash of homosexual pornography? Isn't this always the case, the ones that protest the loudest and the most vehemently opposed to a particular issue are inevitably participating in the same behaviour they would have you believe is immoral.
posted by Fizz at 9:34 AM on October 2, 2010

How long till we discover Shirvell's secret stash of homosexual pornography?

Austin had a "Gay is Sad" guy named Mark Weaver who paraded around with signs and stuff back in the 80's and 90's, and when police discovered an entire basement full of gay porn (I forget what the police were doing in his basement, but I think it was semi-unrelated) he explained it was for "research purposes."
posted by Devils Rancher at 10:05 AM on October 2, 2010

Shirvell to Face Hearing Over Blog Attacks.
posted by ericb at 11:00 AM on October 2, 2010

Well, all my gay porn is for research purposes. What else would I do with it?
posted by cjorgensen at 7:23 PM on October 2, 2010 [1 favorite]

I do some heavy research into what makes me reach orgasm.
posted by waraw at 7:27 PM on October 2, 2010

Frank Rich | New York Times: The Very Useful Idiocy of Christine O’Donnell.
posted by ericb at 7:08 AM on October 3, 2010

Oops ... posted in the wrong thread.
posted by ericb at 10:18 AM on October 3, 2010

Andrew Shirvell Court Hearing Delayed Three Weeks.
posted by ericb at 12:53 PM on October 4, 2010

I don't understand our legal system sometimes. A young man has been stalked, photographed, harassed where he works and lives... his friends have been likewise harassed at their places of work and home... public buildings where he has entered have been picketed... he has been the object of slanderous internet postings... and the man who has done all these things finds himself suddenly taking leave because his actions have inspired national outrage (and he will face a disciplinary hearing that may end up with him losing his job)...

And suddenly the legal system decides to postpone the hearing which might grant the harassed man a personal protection order from the man who is harassing him?

If someone can help me understand why this has been delayed, I'd welcome the clarification.
posted by hippybear at 5:55 PM on October 4, 2010

This article says that Armstrong requested the delay himself, apparently because he needs time to notify all of the parties to the case. This is probably a "service of process" problem.

More generally, court hearings get delayed all the time. The main thing most courts do is decide to hear things later.
posted by Mid at 7:02 PM on October 4, 2010

Thanks, Mid. I appreciate that.
posted by hippybear at 8:15 PM on October 4, 2010

Chris Armstrong breaks his silence.
posted by morganannie at 5:28 AM on October 7, 2010 [1 favorite]

I got my reply from the State Bar of Michigan. Basically it says that the "authority to investigate and discipline lawyers for violations of the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct rests with the Attorney Grievance Commission and the Attorney Discipline Board."

How to do this is outlined here.

Here's the form.

What fun!
posted by cjorgensen at 12:16 PM on October 12, 2010

Michigan Civil Rights Commission condemns Shirvell

Armstrong drops protection request

Shirvell's attorney threatens to sue UofM
posted by mrgrimm at 11:00 AM on October 28, 2010