Comments on: Alderman charged with groping sailor

By: David

David — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:47:37 +0000

This story gives no evidence other than “he said/he said.” We can speculate all we want, but until we have more facts, we really don’t know anything.

By: David in Denver

David in Denver — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:14:40 +0000

What was this sailor doing during the first 30-second grope? Trying to decide if he liked it or not?

By: David Gibson

David Gibson — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:11:19 +0000

“Me thinks the lady doth protest too much”.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 22 May 2009 11:52:44 +0000

Is this alderman married? Aren’t there normally two sponsors – husband and wife? I have a feeling that there is more to this story. The midshipman has known Shropshire for several years. If Shropshire is guilty, didn’t the midshipman have some previous idea that Shropshire was sexually attracted? Why would a midshipman risk his navy career with a false accusation?

By: Morgan

Morgan — Fri, 22 May 2009 11:04:33 +0000

Entering into the Naval Academy requires top grades, academic excellence, some smarts and maybe the help of one’s local congress person.

Sounds like a reasonably large sponsor program.

My own relatives in Annapolis sponsored some nice midshipman. Polite,courteous, well-mannered young men. They were welcome to store some of their civilian clothes with my relatives and change out of their uniforms into regular clothes and relax for a while when on leisure time for an occasional afternoon away from the the academy for a few hours. Welcome to dine with the family if they wanted to.

He could have simply left and gotten himself another sponsor. But after all this, even if I were a straight man with no sexual interest in handsome
guys and not turned on by a close-fitting uniform,I wouldn’t want to sponsor him. After hearing about that situation, he would be a concern instead of a nice, mature young Navy man able to take care of himself out to interact with the local community.

By: SteveMD2

SteveMD2 — Fri, 22 May 2009 06:17:06 +0000

The Naval Academy has a program where new midshipmen can be assigned to local families, who agree to act as a family away from home. Generally, they have Sat PM and most of Sunday off, get met by the sponsor family, and within the sponsors house need not wear uniforms, can relax, watch Tv. And also go with the sponsor etc to a movie, shopping etc.

We did this for a couple academy kids when our kids were in HS. One went on to a successful naval career. Two girls(you can sponsor up to 2) both gave up and left the academy.

Re the guy Shopshire, don’t know anything about him. If the allegations are true, it is too bad he isn’t a republican. He could then be part of the trailor for the Movie “outrage”

We live about 10 mi from Annapolis.

By: Ed Gould

Ed Gould — Fri, 22 May 2009 05:52:29 +0000

I hope the sailor has witness(es). Its not clear from the article but in Chicago an alderman is essentially a city council man.

I would suggest if there no witnesses that the sailor drop the charges. I hate to say it but he is in a rough position as it as usual another persons word against his and usually (unless a change of venue occurs) he will lose.

By: Gene

Gene — Fri, 22 May 2009 01:56:59 +0000

@Larry
I don’t really know anything about the program, but, it sounds like you’re saying that all Fresh Air Fund kids ought to expect to be groped sometime during their stay with their host families too; or, that all foreign exchange students are required to participate in an orgy as part of their obligation to their host families?

Perhaps all rape victims were just asking for it too. Look at the way they dress. They put on that snappy naval uniform and all. What the heck do they expect?

Is it still 1971? Haven’t we progressed at all?

By: jon

jon — Fri, 22 May 2009 01:10:38 +0000

The alderman had to touch the sailor twice before the sailor got out of the car? Sounds like a bit of indecisiveness to me. Disappointed, the sailor thinks:”Damn, this old guys a bottom, I’m outa’here’.

By: Larry in Tucson

Larry in Tucson — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:45:01 +0000

What is a 21 year-old doing hanging out with a 61 year-old man? It seems that he wanted something: access, influence… Its interesting that when something is asked of him, he ran down the street with his skirts over his head. It looks to me like a case of playing the big “straight” tease to keep the old guy salivating. I wonder how many dinners and parties this young innocent attended and accepted the access it granted without a qualm. When the old guy had the temerity to touch him he all of a sudden develops scruples???????