Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder <a href="http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/20/gop-lawmakers-reprimanded-after-swim-in-sea-of-galilee/?hpt=hp_t1" target="_blank">http://politicalticker.blogs.c...pt=hp_t1</a> Hell, Jesus only walked on it, this guy had to go all commando. Let's hear it for the GOP! "There's no question there was a sense of lightheartedness and there were those who were drinking alcohol," said Rep. David Schweikert of Arizona, who was at the dinner but did not swim. After prodding from the waiters, some of the Americans dived in. Of the 30 members of Congress on the trip, a little more than half went swimming in the Sea of Galilee. Yoder, who's serving his first term in Congress, was among the last to jump in, and was the only one who was completely nude. As he dived into the water naked, someone screamed that he was not wearing any clothes, according to the GOP sources. Soon after that the swim came to an end. As the trip began last August, several of the Republican members participating told GOP Whip Kevin McCarthy that they wanted to swim in the Sea of Galilee for religious reasons, and at least two congressmen on the trip say they swam, fully clothed, because of the spiritual significance of the body of water. Rep. Steve Southerland of Florida jumped in holding his 21-year-old daughter's hand. She is now headed to be a missionary."
Originally Posted By DDMAN26 Well not everyone approved: <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/gop-ticket-criticizes-kansas-rep-nude-plunge-224324401.html?_esi=1" target="_blank">http://news.yahoo.com/gop-tick...l?_esi=1</a>
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder Oh well, that makes it all better. At what point does this ever sound like a good idea? You know what this reads like? It reads like a group of Israeli waiters pulled a huge prank on a bunch of gullible, drunk, self righteous GOP members (no pun intended). The Israeli version of snipe hunting, and these blowhards fell for it.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder There are a long list of pranks here. Add naked in the Sea of Galilee to the list. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snipe_hunt" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snipe_hunt</a>
Originally Posted By 182 As swimming naked in any public place is not a good idea but from what I can tell a lot of people swim here <a href="http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sea_of_galilee_dusk_from_tiberias_israel.JPG" target="_blank">http://simple.wikipedia.org/wi...rael.JPG</a>
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 It's strange. I grew up fundamental Baptist, and we sure had an unhealthy obsession with Israel. It's treated as holy land for Christians, but without any regard for the, you know, israelites. It's all about the places and the fact that "end times" eschatology talk about a new Israel. But, there isn't too much respect for people living in Israel, Jews, Palestinians, etc. We have this Zionist attitude about the country, but not the people, and it's only because of our "Judeo-Christian" beliefs that we side with Israel as often as we do. I'm not really surprised by the cavalier attitudes of the Republicans here, and the fact they felt compelled to swim in the sea. They probably felt they had some religious right to do so, even if it was a little culturally inappropriate. To them, Israel is a means to an end...
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "As swimming naked in any public place is not a good idea but from what I can tell a lot of people swim here." And all you provide is a picture, nothing YET AGAIN to back up what you claim. Even if people swim in it, this guy gets a pass from you for doing it naked? Let us know your answer when somebody else tells you what to say.
Originally Posted By utahjosh I've been boating on the Galilee. It's beautiful, and people swim in it every day.
Originally Posted By utahjosh Examples: <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g297765-d325469-Reviews-Sea_of_Galilee-Tiberias_Galilee.html" target="_blank">http://www.tripadvisor.com/Att...lee.html</a> I don't condone doing it naked, though. Show some respect, and personal dignity sheesh.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder Dishonest response josh. Seen any naked Congressmen while doing it? Do you excuse this guy?
Originally Posted By utahjosh My response was not dishonest in the least. My first post was simply to settle the idea that swimming in the lake is common.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder That obviously wasn't the issue. The issue is obviously the impropriety of this congressman and the ensuing cover up. Whether it is common is a smokescreen.
Originally Posted By utahjosh Obviously you are guessing my intentions incorrectly. My second post, which you did not see before you incorrectly reacted to my first post, proves it.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder I read all your posts. Your response still avoids the main issue.
Originally Posted By ecdc Apart from this being an official trip as official representatives of the United States...I guess I don't get it. Sounds like they had some fun. Again, probably not the sharpest move as representatives of the country (and holy crap, can you imagine the Republican outcry if this had been a bunch of Democratic leaders?), but I'm all for loosening up and having a good time. Almost makes me like Republicans more. Almost.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder The swimming part isn't the issue- it's the nakedness and the fact all this happened over a year ago. And you're right- if Dems did this, the GOP would be screaming blaspheny.
