My question after reading the article was what Ronnie Earle has against Maxey. My perception is that Earle has stayed above the political fray in contested primaries in Travis county and now he is in the middle of it, I wonder if this is because of his retirement. Anybody know or got any other theories?

I'm kind of disturbed at how quickly you and BOR brush this off (probably not coincidental that BOR has gone offline right after somebody finally dared talk about this story). Just another datapoint, but the whole thing stinks of corruption to me - and I liked Maxey before.

Why? It's not like Glen had any power over Earle. It's not like Earle helped him in any way. ANYONE would have done the same. The Schlockman is trying to turn this into a big deal when it's really nothing more than a loved one asking someone to help a severely disturbed person.

As for what Earle has against Maxey, look at the HD 47 primary in 2006.

Burnt Orange Report went offline this morning because the power at the servers that hosted the site went down.

"ANYONE would have done the same"

Really? You really believe that? You aren't just saying it because it's the talking point du jour? Because I wouldn't have done it (at a bare minimum, I wouldn't have had the access to Earle that Maxey's position gave him).

It's odd that anybody and everybody is saying the exact same thing here. It still stinks to me, but maybe I missed the memo on what people are supposed to say.

"Maxey confirmed they had a sexual relationship, one he characterized as at times mentor-protege and at times caretaker-patient. "

Maxey's characterization of the relationship is what I find most disturbing. Predatory Nice Guy much? Maxey recognized that Eager was struggling with addiction and still engaged in a sexual relationship with him. He obviously viewed Eager as somewhat less than an equal and thought of himself as some sort of savior. If you want to help an addict, you don't screw them.

Lush - It took me a year to pull away from the addict in my life. No one's perfect and I'm certainly not in a position to judge.

M1EK - The DA is a public official. It's not like Glen, in his capacity as a State Rep, had some kind of special access. Anyone can pick up the phone and make an appointment with him. Or run him into a club meeting which even I do from time to time. Or see him at a fundraiser for one or both of his children which I've also done.

As for this being a talking point, it's not like anyone got that from Glen. We're all intelligent people and a lot of us know what he went through during that time.

McBlogger,

Agreed. We're all imperfect, and I'm certainly not one to judge. My comment --"If you want to help an addict, you don't screw them."--was intended as a global-matter-of-fact-I'm-just-saying statement than a specific indictment of Maxey. He obviously cared very much for Eager. My hope is that anyone who might recognize themself in this story takes a good, long look at their motivations and behavior. I can't help feeling the relationship at the center of this is considerably more important than whether or not there was possible misconduct at a political level. I believe that the way we treat those closest to us says a great deal about our character. We can be well meaning and still be wrong. We should all strive for better. To that end, I would agree wholeheartedly with your statements asserting that we would all do the same for someone we cared about if we believed it would keep them from harm.

McTool,
Was your addict the Hamburglar?

I think the story speaks for itself, I wonder what didn't make the article? Sounds like this dude was trying to keep his pet druggie off the streets so he could continue to pack his fudge. I'm guessing if Maxey was an R he wouldn't be getting the benefit of the doubt on his motives from some of you. Duh.

Getting a friend into rehab -- perfectly appropriate
getting a friend a good criminal defense lawyer -- perfectly appropriate
testifying in open court requesting leniency on criminally charged friend -- perfectly appropriate
A politician asking a DA (whom mere mortals don't have much access to) to go easy on drug addled, criminally charged friend -- NOT Appropriate.

That's the ethically challenged part of this. Maxey's defensive posture doesn't serve Democrats or the gay community well on this one.

"I'm guessing if Maxey was an R he wouldn't be getting the benefit of the doubt on his motives from some of you. Duh."

Looks like *someone* has a great big chip on his shoulder. I suppose its entirely out of the question that people think for themselves. But then, I guess, you don't, do you? That would explain your disdain for the rest of us.

I don't have disdain for "the rest of us", just your dumb ass.

TallTxChick nailed it. Those who claim that Maxey didn't have superior access to Earle are deluded at best; lying at worst.