This is shocking.
Anderson Cooper from CNN talks about Michigan Assistant Attorney General Andrew Shirvell's obsession with a openly gay student council president. This video contains an interview between Cooper and Shrivell. Shrivell labeled the student as a Nazi -- as "Satans representative on the student council," and he also stalks his Facebook page --- and video tapes him outside of his house.
This is some crazy mess. Watch and discuss:
[center][youtube][/youtube][/center]
Strivell considers himself a "Christian Citizen."
Here is Strivells blog that targets Chris Armstrong. Warning: it makes many offensive and derogatory claims - includes face-book photos.
http://chris-armstrong-watch.blogspot.c ... -results=7
Questions for debate:
Should he be fired?
Is Strivell homophobic?
What are your opinions on this issue?
Public Official Targets Gay Student
Moderator: Moderators
Post #2
..."Wow" is my first reaction.
I do think he should be fired. Cyberbullying is actually not punishable by law in Michigan (which I think is a mistake) but defamation is, and that's exactly what this guy is doing. Furthermore, I completely agree that this behavior is not at all appropriate for a public servant.
The fact that he chose to use a gay pride flag (with a Svastica...) for defamation purposes indicates to me that he is in fact homophobic.
And for my personal opinion, I would not want someone showing this utter lack of concern for a citizen to be a public servant in my home town. If I lived in Michigan, I'd be writing a letter requesting his dismissal.
I do think he should be fired. Cyberbullying is actually not punishable by law in Michigan (which I think is a mistake) but defamation is, and that's exactly what this guy is doing. Furthermore, I completely agree that this behavior is not at all appropriate for a public servant.
The fact that he chose to use a gay pride flag (with a Svastica...) for defamation purposes indicates to me that he is in fact homophobic.
And for my personal opinion, I would not want someone showing this utter lack of concern for a citizen to be a public servant in my home town. If I lived in Michigan, I'd be writing a letter requesting his dismissal.
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© Divine Insight (Thanks!)[/center]
"There is more room for a god in science than there is for no god in religious faith." -Phil Plate.
© Divine Insight (Thanks!)[/center]
"There is more room for a god in science than there is for no god in religious faith." -Phil Plate.
Post #3
Welcome to planet Earth, Rhonan.
To the first two questions, I think I'd be justified in just saying 'Yes'.
My opinion on this issue is that it's very depressing to see, but the world is full of that sort of thing.
To the first two questions, I think I'd be justified in just saying 'Yes'.
My opinion on this issue is that it's very depressing to see, but the world is full of that sort of thing.
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Furrowed Brow
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Post #4
Pretty sure a UK government worker who tried the same thing would be instantly sacked...ok maybe instantly suspended and then sacked. We also have stalking laws which this kind of behaviour possible comes under. There are also descrimination and equality laws it looks to fall foul of.AkiThePirate wrote:Welcome to planet Earth, Rhonan.
To the first two questions, I think I'd be justified in just saying 'Yes'.
My opinion on this issue is that it's very depressing to see, but the world is full of that sort of thing.
What is surprising is that this issues from a person in a position of public responsibility. This sounds more like the behaviour and attitudes we see in some eastern european countries. Really can't see France, Germany, Spain, Holland, Ireland, Scandanvia etc allowing a public official to carry on like this.....though maybe I'd be surprised.
Post #5
At this point in time, I'd consider most Eastern European nations(There are obvious exceptions) more advanced than the USA as a whole.
In almost any country in Europe, his political party would've kicked him out and he'd be out of a job.
In almost any country in Europe, his political party would've kicked him out and he'd be out of a job.
Post #6
So not only do I live in Michigan but I attended U of M...
Should he be fired?
Yes but it won't happen.
Is Strivell homophobic?
Very much so. If he does not attend Westboro, he probably will.
What are your opinions on this issue?
Mike Cox (his boss) is the same guy who could not draw up charges against Kwame Kilpatrick for the Manoogian Mansion party where a stripper wound up in the hospital and a few weeks later, dead. This is the same state attorney generals office that has allowed corruption in Michigan to become rampant while watching the state crumble. So while I feel he should be fired, it will not happen.
Should he be fired?
Yes but it won't happen.
Is Strivell homophobic?
Very much so. If he does not attend Westboro, he probably will.
What are your opinions on this issue?
Mike Cox (his boss) is the same guy who could not draw up charges against Kwame Kilpatrick for the Manoogian Mansion party where a stripper wound up in the hospital and a few weeks later, dead. This is the same state attorney generals office that has allowed corruption in Michigan to become rampant while watching the state crumble. So while I feel he should be fired, it will not happen.
Post #7
A public official targeting and harassing a citizen and not losing his job is the sort of thing that wouldn't surprise me in my country... but a developed country? Really, are the people of Michigan not upset over this?Furrowed Brow wrote:Pretty sure a UK government worker who tried the same thing would be instantly sacked...ok maybe instantly suspended and then sacked. We also have stalking laws which this kind of behaviour possible comes under. There are also descrimination and equality laws it looks to fall foul of.
What is surprising is that this issues from a person in a position of public responsibility. This sounds more like the behaviour and attitudes we see in some eastern european countries. Really can't see France, Germany, Spain, Holland, Ireland, Scandanvia etc allowing a public official to carry on like this.....though maybe I'd be surprised.
At least I'm glad to hear the student himself seems to be getting ready to press charges.
[center]
© Divine Insight (Thanks!)[/center]
"There is more room for a god in science than there is for no god in religious faith." -Phil Plate.
© Divine Insight (Thanks!)[/center]
"There is more room for a god in science than there is for no god in religious faith." -Phil Plate.
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cnorman18
Post #8
Horrifying. The good news is that the righteous outrage is growing:
http://www.michigandaily.com/content/da ... ell-office
http://www.annarbor.com/news/democratic ... -m-studen/
http://www.onenewspage.com/news/Front+P ... d-Hate.htm
I give the guy a week. Even if the AG doesn't much care about gay rights, he's not going to want to keep walking around with this contemptible bigot hanging around his neck.
Sure, Shirvell has "freedom of speech," but that doesn't mean "freedom from the consequences of irresponsible and viciously hateful speech."
http://www.michigandaily.com/content/da ... ell-office
http://www.annarbor.com/news/democratic ... -m-studen/
http://www.onenewspage.com/news/Front+P ... d-Hate.htm
I give the guy a week. Even if the AG doesn't much care about gay rights, he's not going to want to keep walking around with this contemptible bigot hanging around his neck.
Sure, Shirvell has "freedom of speech," but that doesn't mean "freedom from the consequences of irresponsible and viciously hateful speech."
Post #9
Many of us are but our local government has been in the gutter for years. This guys boss, Mike Cox, recently lost in the primaries for governor to Rick Snyder. I think he is just tuned out to reality since he is finally being ousted based on term limits this fall. This is a situation where civility and reason has failed.Lucia wrote:Really, are the people of Michigan not upset over this?
Post #10
Just an update for you all. Mike Cox finally read the entire blog and has decided to suspend Strivell. The blog has been going on since May and he finally read it all...
Also, the University of Michigan has banned Strivell from campus.
Our governer made a statement on her facebook page (I know right? Facebook governor?).
Also, the University of Michigan has banned Strivell from campus.
Our governer made a statement on her facebook page (I know right? Facebook governor?).
If I was still Attorney General and Andrew Shirvell worked for me, he would have already been fired.
