Unfortunately, I must again revisit Jim Jordan’s entanglement in the sex scandal involving Dr. Strauss and Ohio State’s wrestling program.
In a recent CNBC interview, John Harwood asked Congressman Steve Stivers, R-Ohio, who is Chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, why Jim Jordan is still allowed to remain in Congress and run for Speaker of the House, given Jordan’s alleged failure to report Strauss’s sexual abuse. Stivers gave a rather surprising answer. He referred to the ongoing investigation by Ohio State, stating: “I’m looking forward to seeing their results.”
Pressed by Harwood on whether Jordan would be forced out if the allegations made by the wrestlers were substantiated, Stivers said: “Let’s let the investigation happen and the facts come out then we’ll deal with what the facts are, as opposed to rumors.” Does this leave open the door, that if Ohio State’s report is damning to Jordan, the Republican leadership might indeed force him out? In any event, Stivers did little to lessen the uncertain future Jordan faces.
Also, NBC News reported: “Former Ohio State wrestling coach urged Rep. Jim Jordan’s accusers to recant, texts show.” In that news article, a former Ohio State wrestler stated: “What a world we’re living in when a member of Congress is digging up dirt on sex abuse victims like us.” The wrestler asked not to be identified “because my family is terrified” of being targeted by Jordan’s defenders.
Recently, Mark Coleman, Olympic Wrestler and UFC tournament champ, attempted to “clarify” the remarks he made weeks ago when he said Jordan must have known of the abuse unless he’s got “dementia or something.” Now, in a somewhat baffling effort to lessen the impact of his remarks, Coleman told CNN he no longer stands by his statement. But then, according to CNN, he goes on to say: “I’m clarifying because its been on my mind for a long time and I feel guilty that this happened, and I want to clarify it. Not change it. I said what I said.”
Confused? Well, Yes and No. There’s probably a lot going on here.
One can only imagine how this story impacts Coleman and the other wrestlers that have come forward. Next to Trump, Jordan is one of the most polarizing figures in the country. How many of these folks who are just going about their daily lives, minding their own business, would want to get tossed into this political maelstrom? How many of these accusers would jump out of the storm, if given the chance?
This same scene is repeated every day in courtrooms across the country. The reluctant witness, subpoenaed to testify, is, for the most part, a sad human spectacle. And, why would it be otherwise? Who, in the world, would want to testify, or in this case speak, against a life-long associate? Few of us growing up have not heard or participated in the high-pitched chant: “Tattle-tale, Tattle-tale.” I have even seen folks ignore a subpoena and risk arrest and contempt of court.
I return again to the morality of it all. Why is Jordan putting his former students, who were Strauss’s victims, through this pain? Is it more important to Jim Jordan that he hold on to a Congressional seat where he plays the role of a “legislative terrorist” than stopping the continuing torment he’s causing to his former friends and students, who were subjected to Strauss’s alleged depravity?
And, it’s all so transparent. Jordan’s not fooling anyone.
NBC News released a July 4, 2018 text from former wrestling Coach Hellickson. The text message was to former wrestler Yetts, one of the wrestlers that broke the story. Hellickson said, “If you think the story got told wrong about Jim, you could probably write a statement for release that tells your story and corrects what you feel bad about. I can put you in contact with someone who would release it.”
Yetts held firm, but, unbelievably, Coleman’s clarifying statement was then released by Shirley and Banister, a conservative public relations company, employed by Jim Jordan.
On top of all this, Jordan, under a perverted and obstructionist definition of Congressional oversight, continues his unrelenting efforts to destroy the Mueller investigation—screaming such things as “deep state,” “FISA Court violations,” and “Democrat lawyers on Mueller’s team.” Well, the “deep state” is just a sinister word for bureaucracy; prosecutors don’t abuse FISA Court judges; and, Mueller, Rosenstein, and Sessions are all Republicans.
Jordan took the Congressional Oath of Office: “I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic…”
Russia interfered with our 2016 elections and they are still continuing the same activity today—this strikes at the heart of American Democracy. It’s what we are as Americans. We savagely disagree with each other, but in the end we vote!
Yet, Jordan has now moved from what former Republican Speaker John Boehner, once called a “legislative terrorist” to one who now threatens our very Democracy itself. He has introduced in the House a resolution to impeach Rod Rosenstein, so that the Mueller investigation can be scrapped.
Please support Janet Garrett in her attempt to rid The People’s House of Jim Jordan, and in his place elect a Congresswoman who will build bridges and work to pass legislation that helps the residents of her district, not harm them. Janet Garrett is well grounded and her election will go along way to restore “normalcy” to a once proud institution that has become anything but normal.