Wichita — Two of Kevin Yoder's fellow Republicans in the Kansas congressional delegation say his brief nude swim last year in the Sea of Galilee is out of line with what Kansans expect from elected officials.
Sen. Jerry Moran said Monday that what he's read and heard about the incident in Israel in August 2011 suggests something stupid happened. He said such incidents distract from important issues in politics.
And Rep. Mike Pompeo said elected officials have an obligation to act in ways that live up to the trust voters put in them.
Yoder has apologized for the incident, which occurred on a fact-finding trip to Israel with other members of Congress.
Kansas GOP Chairwoman Amanda Adkins said the brief nude swim should not overshadow Yoder's work in Congress.
Comments
Alfred_W 9 months ago
If he'd kept his breeches on, could we still trust him?
StirrrThePot 9 months ago
(snort)
StirrrThePot 9 months ago
Nope, the naked truth is out.
fearthephog512 9 months ago
Eww everyone could see his Galilee ...
Pastor_Bedtime 9 months ago
Between Akin's comments and skinnydipgate, what a week!
beatrice 9 months ago
And it is only Monday!
Gadhelyn 9 months ago
Let's see how often the GOP can shoot themselves in the feet this week!
TheSychophant 9 months ago
You got that right brother.
BTW, can anyone out there explain to me the difference between a legitimate rape and a illegitimate rape. Wonder if it has anything to do with whether the child involuntarily conceived ends up a bastard.
verity 9 months ago
I thought all rape was illegitimate as in illegal? But it seems now that legitimate rape is the bad kind and illegitimate rape isn't really rape and you might get pregnant? Of course, there's the man on boy rape and I think that causes pregnancy in hardly any cases. I'm confused.
extopgun 9 months ago
It should be obvious to the most casual observer that he only meant that in some cases (50%+) that it was consentaneous sex in which the lady involved changed her mind and lied. The person at fault is the ignorant not stupid doctor who related this to him. The great danger lies in the fact that he believed the doctor. If you would ahve voted for him before this story, you should vote for him now.
verity 9 months ago
Source for the 50%+ figure please.
oletimer 9 months ago
This whole story is about the stupidest thing I have ever read. So the guy went swimming. BIG DEAL!! IF this is all he does wrong, elect him. With all the problems in the world, our elected officials go after Yoder? REALLY? What a bunch of morons.
beatrice 9 months ago
So if it had been your daughter you took along on a business trip, and you were swimming with other people and their wives while on this business trip when suddenly one of your co-workers stripped naked and jumped into the water, you wouldn't even think it worth a mention from the boss? (we are the boss of elected officials, by the way)
He represents the American people. He should have enough sense to keep his drawers on and not act like a drunken fratboy at a pool party.
flyin_squirrel 9 months ago
First off, if I am on a business trip, I don't have my spouse and daughters with me. Secondly, if I have my daughters with me, I am not going to strip down to my thong (underwear) and jump in the water at night (from the articles I have read, nobody had a swimsuit). And lastly, we were all born nude, so unless something sexual is happening, it shouldn't be a big deal to see a naked body.
beatrice 9 months ago
While I agree that it shouldn't be a big deal to see a naked body, in our society it still is. What makes you think the wives only wore thong underwear? Also, if the wives are stripping down to their thongs, maybe Yoder isn't the only one we should be criticizing.
These are our representatives -- is this really how you want to be represented?
flyin_squirrel 9 months ago
I was talking about myself wearing a thong, not the wives. Either way, nobody had swimsuits so I am sure everyone was down to some sort of undergarment in front of daughters.
smitty 9 months ago
weren't some of those young women also nude? parents present? or have I been reading Drudge?
DougCounty 9 months ago
Lighten up a bit--skinny dipping (for both sexes, by the way) is a Kansas tradition and I hope it continues to be.
nudist 9 months ago
This is sick and disgusting. Only Bill Clinton has the right to be lewd while in office.
TheSychophant 9 months ago
At least Bill had the discretion to do it in private.
faceit 9 months ago
I find your definition of discretion hard to swallow.
LarryNative 9 months ago
Bea, would you be opening your pie hole if he was a democrat?
kansasdaughter 9 months ago
Oh but he 'was' a democrat!
verity 9 months ago
Good one. And he wasn't an extreme rightwinger until he decided to run for the US House.
beatrice 9 months ago
I'm typing ... but yes, I would think it poor judgment even by a democrat.
hear_me 9 months ago
Skinny dipping is not the issue. Skinny dipping in a foreign country when representing the US is. He obviously was not sensitive to possible cultural issues. Totally inappropriate behavior.
extopgun 9 months ago
AMEN was to winning my vote, don't know why they moved it hee.
blindrabbit 9 months ago
While Diana Nyad swims 90 miles from Florida to Cuba looking for Fidel Castro; Kevin Yoder swims nude 10 feet into the Sea of Galilee. Several possible explanations: (1) He was testing to see if his right-wing beliefs were strong enough to allow him , like Jesus, to walk on water, (2) Since Eric Cantor, a Jewish member of congress, and leader of the group wanted to see if Yoder was Christian or perhaps a candidate for conversion to Judism, (3) Yoder wanted to see if he could float, but later realized that was not Galilee but The Dead Sea instead, much to his embassasment, (4) Since he was voted one of the most "hot" members of Congress, he wanted to impress both members of Conress as well as their wives with his physic (5) wanted to see if he could repeat the story if by catchiing a few fish he could therefore convert them into masses enough to feed them all, (6) wanted something more sensational to deflect comments about his refusal to take a blood/breath test from a suspected DUI incident last year (7) Wanted to see how much loyalty his conservative constituents in Johnson County were willing to put up including his bigoted ways, (8) Since his original baptism did not take, he wanted a re-do
extopgun 9 months ago
physique
nocrybabies 9 months ago
I think we will need a magnifying glass to see the evidence clearly.
tolawdjk 9 months ago
Why am I reminded of Frank the Tank streaking in the quad....
appleaday 9 months ago
(4) Since he was voted one of the most "hot" members of Congress, he wanted to impress both members of Conress as well as their wives with his physic
Who thinks he's hot? I think he looks like Eddie Munster.
hear_me 9 months ago
He is younger than he looks. You're right. It's the hairdo that makes him look old.
extopgun 9 months ago
upper or lower???
blindrabbit 9 months ago
Breaches trust, author inteded "britches", "breeches", "boxers" or even "bloomers"
flyin_squirrel 9 months ago
Yoder just won my vote.
beatrice 9 months ago
I don't doubt that someone showing their teabags in public was enough to win you over.
flyin_squirrel 9 months ago
Has nothing to do with seeing his teabags and more to do with showing he isn't some uptight politician who takes everything in life serious except my tax dollars.
extopgun 9 months ago
mine too
blindrabbit 9 months ago
appleday: Hot, not by me, picked this up on the web; , but the Eddie Munster comment has already been assigned to Paul Ryan, but agree with you, maybe we need two of em! Maybe, they were cloned, birthed out of the GOP galexy, in a place, far, far away.
extopgun 9 months ago
blind is right
nytemayr 9 months ago
String him up by his speedos!!!!!!!!!
beatrice 9 months ago
He didn't even have the good sense to wear speedos.
(Has "good sense" and "speedos" ever been used in the same sentence before?)
Did_I_say_that 9 months ago
Speedos versus nude. Tough call.
Andini 9 months ago
Shrinkage!!
LarryNative 9 months ago
GOP members openly fear nudity and sex which is why a large percentage of them are sexual deviants.
yourworstnightmare 9 months ago
Non-issue. Next.
brutus 9 months ago
This is news? You have got to be kidding me.
beatrice 9 months ago
Really? Public nudity by a United States representative while on a business trip isn't news to you? I find that surprising.
TheSychophant 9 months ago
I really wouldn't give a damn about his drinking and skinny dipping if he didn't wear his right wing so-called "family values" persona in huge letters around his neck. His actions violated his professed values and renders him an unmitigated hypocrite. It doesn't surprise, as it seems many right -wing politicians are shameless opportunists who talk the talk to get the vote, but never walk the walk.
His duplicity, and not his actions per se, warrant condemnation.
blindrabbit 9 months ago
Nothing unusual here, as Thomas Frank related in "Whats The Matter With Kansas", Kansans will vote against all their best interests as long as their representatives pin their "God" medals on their chest. As a result we get Yoder, Jenkins, Ryun, Pompeo, Kobach, Klein, Brwnback, what the heck I could add more but don't want to destroy the keyboard.
beatrice 9 months ago
It isn't that he was skinny dipping. Of that, I truly couldn't care less. I just can't get my head around the timing. The more I think about it, the more I think -- he is an elected, professional representative of other people on a business trip with co-workers and their spouses.
Who takes their clothes off in that situation?
Simply ask yourself, would you take off your clothes in front of co-workers at a company picnic, and if one of your co-workers did, would you think it no big deal? I don't believe so.
extopgun 9 months ago
You misjudge me.
riverdrifter 9 months ago
This jerkbait is a close ringer for Bill Hader on Saturday Night Live. I can't wait to see what SNL does with this! http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/bios/bill-hader_37.shtml
Agnostick 9 months ago
Not even smart enough to get blitzed out of his mind before going for a swim. Whatever happened to good ol' common sense?
Alceste 9 months ago
Alceste doesn't care much for what Yoder has done thus far and shall continue to do representing Alceste in the House. However, Yoder is the ONLY Kansas member NOT to sign Grover G . Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform TAXPAYER PROTECTION PLEDGE. That took some gumption......(or it was by design so as to fool....)......
by Alceste
snap_pop_no_crackle 9 months ago
Sometimes you just want to get some sunshine on your yarbles.
TheSychophant 9 months ago
Are you speaking of the liquid variety of the moonshine, or the wave/particle variety? Or was it just a very clever intended pun. Either way, I enjoyed your comment.
took_the_money_and_ran 9 months ago
I'm using that as my epitaph.
Ronda Miller 9 months ago
If I can't swim naked In the sea of Galilee Then I'd rather be in Kansaa For to swim so free(ly) Among mixed company Sounds like a grand time to me God gave me the body He wanted me to have So I flaunt it in the bath Though others may laugh I continue to accept Large or small pee pee Let's give the man a hand For showing us his gland Sans the suit and sober to boot
Frankie8 9 months ago
You are way beyond weird. What were you thinking when you wrote that and put it in the paper.
oldbaldguy 9 months ago
he is the one who refused to take the breath test when he was stopped on K 10 remember? this is probably a drinking problem and inhibitions. darn shame.
jafs 9 months ago
Yes.
rockchalker52 9 months ago
"Simply ask yourself, would you take off your clothes in front of co-workers at a company picnic, and if one of your co-workers did, would you think it no big deal? I don't believe so.' beatrice
It's a deal, but how big it is depends on the kind of company (a nod's as good as a wink to a blind owl). I worked for a sales outfit. There were some skinny dippin' lake parties. None of us were representing anything but our own self-interests, though....ok, bad example, but trust me it was different.
question4u 9 months ago
The AP has interviewed Israeli police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld who has confirmed that public nudity is a violation of the law at the Sea of Galilee and that Yoder could be charged with indecent exposure by Israeli authorities, even though it is a year later.
According to some here, there's nothing newsworthy about a US congressman getting drunk, stripping down in public while representing the United States in a foreign country and possibly facing legal action for his indiscretion. After all, drunken frat boys do it all the time.
Moran and Pompeo are not dumb enough to make excuses for the bizarre actions that even Yoder won't or can't explain. He is obviously not the only politician in history to act like an idiot, and, yes, some from all political parties have done stupider things.
However, to say that it it's no big deal and isn't newsworthy, when it is in fact in the news both nationally and internationally, is a pretty good sign that you like keeping your head in the sand. Just ignore it and it will go away. No one is really laughing at Kansas if you can't hear them.
Frankie8 9 months ago
Oh, seriously, people! I am a self avowed prude and not ashamed of that. You should respect others sensibilities and not be offensive. Some people do not want to look at a nude body no matter how natural it is. Am I the only one that is getting sick and tired of numerous references to the nether regions which I was taught should not be mentioned at all in polite society......oh, wait.
Frankie8 9 months ago
Nope, that's a pomegranite.
extopgun 9 months ago
YES, you are
vertigo 9 months ago
I'd rather have a Rep that I know can get a little tipsy and act like a human every now and again rather than one that was all stuffy and would get irate if another person went skinny dipping. Nobody likes a party pooper. Nobody.
Relax, have some fun... if you don't like it, remove yourself from the situation.
No harm, no foul. Right?
Katara 9 months ago
The drinking & the nekkediness doesn't bother me. I am more disturbed that he chose to do these things at a place that a lot of folks consider to be a holy site.
Ronda Miller 9 months ago
Frankie, God also gave us eyelids. Close your eyes, advert your gaze, pray to get past the moment. To me one body part is no different than another. I teach young children the 'proper' name for those parts all the time because their parents can't bring themselves to say the word. Good heavens.
AreUNorml 9 months ago
Republicans are obsessed with nudity. Oh the shame of being in public with your bits hanging out. The irony being that their supreme sky genie pops us all into existence exactly in that fashion. Maybe if half of them weren't certifiable perverts and sexual deviants, they wouldn't assume every inch of flesh is a porno in the making.
riverdrifter 9 months ago
Yoder was just showing his shortcomings... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3I3bN...
Ronda Miller 9 months ago
Lmao, yes, I'm sure if we polled available research, we'd find a fairly even split between perves of both parties - it may have something to do with egos and office.
Glenn Reed 9 months ago
.... Oh, geeze....
Who cares about this? I mean, honestly, who friggin' cares...
What is Yoder's position on education, both funding and standards? What is Yoder's position of tax policy? What is Yoder's position on abortion? Gun control? Birth control? These are important things, things we should focus on rather than what one wears (or doesn't wear) while swimming.
The biggest question I've got is why this associated press blurb got the front-page spot on this website? Surely there's more important things that could have gotten that spot...
Agnostick 9 months ago
No NO NO!!!
He was SOBER!
riverdrifter 9 months ago
I wondered what caused this drought.
QuiviraTrail 9 months ago
Reportedtly, there were several congressmen and they were all drunk and nude. Did they disrepect their faith since the Sea of Galilee is a holy site? Too bad he doesn't have any opposition in the general election.
vertigo 9 months ago
Actually Yoder was the only one nude. Others were partially clothed.
Agnostick 9 months ago
Make great success for fine Kansas peoples!
Borat for Congress Kansas #3! Much success, clean beaches, no naked pee-pees! by Agnostick
Liberty275 9 months ago
make very nice!
jackbinkelman 9 months ago
KY [heh, heh]; Complete idiot.
beatnik 9 months ago
the thing that bothers me is that bothers me is that he just proved he is not smart enough to be making the kinds of decisions that a congressman needs to make
camper 9 months ago
The lack of support must have been painful when diving into the lake I'm sure. And I'm sure the lack of support from his fellow Republicans now is painful too.
KansasConscience 9 months ago
Who cares if he went skinny dipping?
The problem is that he's incompetent in Congress and needs to be voted out.
texburgh 9 months ago
"Kansas GOP Chairwoman Amanda Adkins said the brief nude swim should not overshadow Yoder's work in Congress."
I think that's the same thing Amanda Adkins said about Democrat Anthony Weiner. Oh, wait, no, he had to resign because after all he was still wearing his underwear. Kevin decided to let it all hang out in front of fellow Congressmen, their wives, and even the daughter of another.
That's not Amanda's hypocrisy. Can't you see how different the two situations are?
blindrabbit 9 months ago
Just add another name to the list of Krazy Kansas Krap: Make us all proud! Kobach Klein Koch Dorothy Jenkins Ryun Phelps Brownback Abrams Owen Pompeo Toto Kevin Yoder You're Not (are) In Kansas Anymore
oxymoron 9 months ago
This is our illustrious congressman who refused to take a sobriety test, used fake children and dog in his campaign photo, misused a blog site named stephenemoore to combat moore in the last election. Now we having him showing the same ruthless disregard for truth, dignity and freakin' common sense. Kansas deserves better.
OzD 9 months ago
Seriously, who DOESN'T get naked on a fact-finding trip to Israel.
camper 9 months ago
Yep, this occurred right around the same time he and his fellow Republicans were holding the global economy hostage in a game of chicken during the debt ceiling crisis. Obstructionism is hard work too. I don't blame the guy for letting loose a little.
tuschkahouma 9 months ago
why haven't any of our resident trolls dare to touch this one.......family values and swimming nude in a holy sea....oh wait a minute these people don't care about disrespecting holy sites here either with trafficways....they're americans... europeans always know when the american is around.....
beatnik 9 months ago
it's interesting that he is sorry now when it comes out, don't remember him being sorry before getting caught
faceit 9 months ago
Big deal. Nancy Pelosi went skinny-dipping when she went to Israel and now they call it the Dead Sea.
guess_again 9 months ago
....this is all based on circumcisional evidence.....
verity 9 months ago
I have to hand it to Moran and Pompeo on this one---they didn't circle the wagons and protect their own while condemning any Democrat who strayed.
Disk2Legacy 9 months ago
So what! So far, he is the best Congressman we have had in years.
tir 9 months ago
At best the incident makes Yoder look silly and irresponsible. I didn't vote for him, and he sure doesn't represent me in D.C.. If this makes people who did vote for him think twice about re-electing him, I think that's a good thing.
Ronda Miller 9 months ago
People should stop holding 'it' against him.
riverdrifter 9 months ago
SOP when skinny dipping.
riverdrifter 9 months ago
Just sayin!
lscc2012 9 months ago
Leslie Soden for City Commission 2012!!!
Slowponder 9 months ago
Three bricks short of a full load.
chipmunk 9 months ago
Too bad Jim Carey wasn't there to give Kevin some advice:
Your balls are showing by mshrumhed
JayhawkFan1985 9 months ago
I'm reminded of the opening lines to the 1970s sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati...
"the senator, while claiming to not be intoxicated...was unable to explain his nudity."
I never thought that could happen in real life...
riverdrifter 9 months ago
Yoder just made Lettermans's Top Ten list: "Hey, that's how we party in Kansas."
osur351 9 months ago
Nothing like Kansas Proud!
jafs 9 months ago
It's fascinating, but also disturbing, to see those who generally hold themselves up as moral and righteous supporting this sort of behavior.
Obviously, if this were a D, they'd be all over it, shouting about moral values and the decline of our society.
But, here, somehow, they're all loosey-goosey and freedom loving.
And, they don't even see the contradiction.
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