Congressional skinny-dipping in the Sea of Galilee?
Apparently they were simply attempting to walk home. From Politico.com:
The FBI probed a late-night swim in the Sea of Galilee that involved drinking, numerous GOP freshmen lawmakers, top leadership staff – and one nude member of Congress, according to more than a dozen sources, including eyewitnesses.
During a fact-finding congressional trip to the Holy Land last summer, Rep. Kevin Yoder (R-Kan.) took off his clothes and jumped into the sea, joining a number of members, their families and GOP staff during a night out in Israel, the sources [said]. Other participants, including the daughter of another congressman, swam fully clothed while some lawmakers partially disrobed. More than 20 people took part in the late-night dip in the sea, according to sources who took part in the trip.
More from Politico.com:
These GOP sources confirmed the following freshmen lawmakers also went swimming that night: Rep. Steve Southerland (R-Fla.) and his daughter; Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) and his wife; Reps. Ben Quayle (R-Ariz.), Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) and Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.).
Many of the lawmakers who ventured into the ocean said they did so because of the religious significance of the waters. Others said they were simply cooling off after a long day. Several privately admitted that alcohol may have played a role in why some of those present decided to jump in.
This could have implications at least for Quayle, the son of the former vice president. Ben Quayle has significant primary opposition for his Arizona seat from Dave Schweikert, a tea party-backed candidate.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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127 comments Add your comment
bdawg
August 20th, 2012
8:50 am
I’m a Democrat….who gives a rip about alittle skinny dipping. Aren’t there bigger fish to fry right now?
honested
August 20th, 2012
8:51 am
td,
We’ve experimented with the military ‘no bid’ contract method of healthcare finance (as brought to us by the nice people in for-profit insurance companies) and that plan has failed miserably.
Only by providing ‘outcome based care’ (you know, responsibility for the treatment solving the problem) can we eliminate the remaining largest waste in medicare.
The system is supposed to keep retirees healthy, not pay country club dues for providers.
honested
August 20th, 2012
8:52 am
td,
‘parasites of society’
Really?
How many of the recipients of inherited wealth are on medicare?
zeke
August 20th, 2012
8:56 am
wonder if they are going to change the motto for missouri to “show me caus’ i’m stupid” state?
mark
August 20th, 2012
8:59 am
I’m fairly certain that the likes of St’s Peter, Andrew, James and John, and maybe even Christ himself all skinny dipped in the Sea of Galilee…
zeke
August 20th, 2012
9:04 am
td, how many tours of duty did you have? it is one liberal calling seals gutless because they are trying to swift boat obama. he should not have called them gutless as some would call bush cheney romney (ryan too young).
Hide-n-seek
August 20th, 2012
9:06 am
Which “last summer?” Why are you reporting on this now? Really…….
GaBlue
August 20th, 2012
9:25 am
Don’t care about their state of undress. However, I’m wondering who pays for our Congressmen’s family vacations to israel? My Congressman regularly goes there on their dime, in exchange for what exactly, he’s not entirely forthcoming. Sorry, doctor, but I can’t afford to pay for your family’s vacation, so I guess I’ll just “understand” that you can’t be bothered to represent me.
tim
August 20th, 2012
9:33 am
Another congressional jackass……….
Proud Voter
August 20th, 2012
9:34 am
With all of the political tensions in the Middle East and a heated presidential campaign in full throttle, and they do this? To me it proves once again the disdain the Republicans have for their position in American government. This act is totally disrespectful and should never have happened on many levels.
motorcyclist
August 20th, 2012
9:41 am
Republicans wasting our tax dollars yet again. Hypocrites.
kenneth smith
August 20th, 2012
9:48 am
And the GOP want to fix the government. I wish my family could take a vaction paid for by the people would paid more taxes than one that get to go on this vactions.
Fed Up Citizen
August 20th, 2012
10:12 am
Why were they there in the first place? And on who’s dime? Don’t we have enough problems here to take care of?
Bobby
August 20th, 2012
10:12 am
People going swimming in the Sea of Galilee is not exactly newsworthy. It was neither illegal or an oncommon thing to do.
The big news should be: Why was the FBI investigating this in the first place?!? And who ordered them to do so?!?
mini mimi
August 20th, 2012
10:21 am
Morality hypocrites these GOPers are
myview
August 20th, 2012
10:34 am
The major story here is the attempt to influence American foreign policy via of a trip and entertainment provided by an interest group. Based on Governor Romney’s comments on his recent visit to Israel, it seems to be working. Reminds one of the Georgia General Assembly.
Morning Reads August 20, 2012
August 20th, 2012
11:02 am
[...] FBI investigates whether or not a Congressman went skinny dipping in Isreal. FBI? Really? – Larry Summers on why he thinks government won’t shrink. – If you’re [...]
honested
August 20th, 2012
11:05 am
myview,
Now there is the real question.
Of course, I seriously doubt there will be an answer.
Report: GOP lawmakers, including Ariz. Rep. Ben Quayle, scolded for Israel antics – AZFamily
August 20th, 2012
12:42 pm
[...] PhoenixAccount of overseas skinny-dipping fuels clarifications, accusations on HillFox NewsAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Washington Post (blog)all 472 news [...]
Moodri
August 20th, 2012
1:32 pm
Hey, Monroe:
Where did you ever get the idea that Secret Service employees can’t vote? They can cast ballots just like any other person legally entitled to vote.
Monday mania: Congressmen, cats, and more | lying for a living
August 20th, 2012
1:42 pm
[...] FBI probes Congressional skinny-dipping in the Sea of Galilee. During a fact-finding congressional trip to the Holy Land last summer, Rep. Kevin Yoder (R-Kan.) [...]
MitigationElf
August 20th, 2012
2:03 pm
Come on folks… Whats a skinnydip? I support skinnydipping members of Congress! (Though eyebleach will be appropriate for some.) I would even pay to see some skinnydip – Hey new way to rais campaign funds! I cant believe how anal and uptight the Republicants are!
#RepealtheReprimand #Vote4Skinnydippers #YodersKindaHot #Iwannasee
john prichard
August 20th, 2012
3:31 pm
the reason this is an issue is because had they been democrats it would have been a top story on Fox “news” and talked about for days! and also i’m sure they were there on taxpayer money
teje bar
August 20th, 2012
4:44 pm
members of congress=–spending millions in taxpayer cash on some junket, partying hard with tax money, calling it a “fact finding trip!” 5 star hotels, first class travel, 5 star meals—all the booze they want!! All paid by taxpayers!!!! Party on Congress–it’s not your money!!!!!
The wheel turns ...
August 20th, 2012
4:50 pm
Surely there’s no need for high-poweredPR representation …
Linda Koch
August 20th, 2012
10:33 pm
And don’t think that some of them didn’t pee in the Sea of Galilee while drunk and nude/half nude, etc. fundamentalist Christians repubs will still vote for them – how disgusting – those brainwashed dummies will vote for them simply because they’re repubs!
BIg Hat
August 20th, 2012
11:04 pm
I hold my elected officials to lower standards, and they always seem meet them.