I guess the definition of a kid has changed since you and I were one of those creatures. I figured I wasn’t a kid anymore when I was 18 and had the right to vote, marry and sign a contract of my own free will. And at that age I also figured that I was fully responsible for whatever came out of my mouth (certainly my part-time employers and college professors thought so.) They didn’t treat me as a “kid” who might mis-speak herself and be forgiven for same. But that’s not our world today, according to our illustrious vice president. The “boys” you see in the photo above are between 24 and 34, not 12 and 15. Don’t take our word for it, ask Mother Jones.
J.D. Vance would like you to do anything but pay attention to those abhorrent leaked texts from young Republicans that Politico covered on Tuesday. And if you do read them, he wants you to think they’re just “kids” saying “edgy, offensive” things.
Except that they appear to be full-grown adults, according to Mother Jones’ analysis of public records and reports of the participants’ ages.
The messages, culled from thousands of private texts between 11 young GOP leaders in four states, were exchanged between January and mid-August of this year, according to Politico. The texts show the Republicans extensively using racist, antisemitic, and homophobic slurs, among other consistently bigoted insults. Here’s a taste from the Politico story:
William Hendrix, the Kansas Young Republicans’ vice chair, used the words “n–ga” and “n–guh,” variations of a racial slur, more than a dozen times in the chat. Bobby Walker, the vice chair of the New York State Young Republicans at the time, referred to rape as “epic.” Peter Giunta, who at the time was chair of the same organization, wrote in a message sent in June that “everyone that votes no is going to the gas chamber.”
Since Politico’s story published, several prominent Republican politicians and organizations have condemned the messages. The National Young Republicans group said in a statement that the language used was “vile and inexcusable,” adding, “such behavior is disgraceful, unbecoming of any Republican, and stands in direct opposition to the values our movement represents.” The statement called for participants in the chat to resign from any leadership roles in GOP groups.
As you’re aware by this time, Elise Stefanik and Markwayne Mullin have condemned these chat expressions. Stefanik said she was appalled and Mullin said that endorsing Nazis was a bridge too far and he was not prepared to go there. But Vance is hell bent on sanewashing the un-sanewashable.
On an episode of “The Charlie Kirk Show” on Wednesday, Vance dismissed the messages as representing only the immaturity of “kids,” arguing that they were getting far too much attention.
“By focusing on what kids are saying in a group chat—grow up! I’m sorry,” Vance said. “Focus on the real issues. Don’t focus on what kids say in group chats.”
One problem with this defense? The people in the group chat aren’t “kids.” By scanning public records and media reports, Mother Jones determined the ages of eight of the 11 participants in the chat: They appear to range from 24 to 35. Ages for three other participants—Bobby Walker, Michael Bartels, and Rachel Hope—were not publicly available. Bartels declined to comment to Politico, and the outlet could not reach Hope for comment. Walker told Politico parts of the chat “may have been altered, taken out of context, or otherwise manipulated,” adding, “The language is wrong and hurtful, and I sincerely apologize.”
At least we’re seeing some kind of remorse here although it’s backhanded, with allegations of tampering, quotes out of context, all that. I hope that somebody will explain to me the context in which “I love Hitler” is appropriate. The only instance I can think of is if somebody is writing a satire and it would have to be a pretty tasteless satire at that.
This is far from over. Let’s see what Vance’s or the “kids” next move is.
Personally, I think they are saying the quiet part out loud. Subtext no more, since shitler is leading the country and encouraging all of this. Someone said this the logical conclusion their politics have been leading up to.
Gosh…I guess these nazi pissants know nothing about WW2. There are patriots in this land who will respond as Aldo the Apache did to the captured German officer…when he asked for Intel, the man said phuck you. Aldo exclaimed…well…see…
we like that, as we have no entertainment but killing nazis. He called out to his bat wielding comrade known as the Bear Jew. He exclaimed to the Bear Jew…this German wants to die for his country…OBLIGE HIM!!! You phuckers want a war…some will OBLIGE YOU! The beauracrats and comfortable will cut and run. I personally know some who will meet your lies to ensure you’ll not tell another. Kids my ass. No, it was boys younger than them, THAT DIED YOU STUPID MUTHERPHUCKERS. Way to go Vance you slimy cat eating cocksucker. You too are a nazi, and someday someone somewhere will tire of your shit also. I’ll throw a celebration party.
“Except that they appear to be full-grown adults”
Or in this case, a little more than ‘full grown’, mainly outwards.
I know ‘fat-shaming’ is unfashionable now, perhaps it shouldn’t be. If that is what these people look like as young adults I shudder to think what they’ll look like as seniors.
Poster boys for self indulgent gluttony.
Kids? Obviously, immature, no manners/civility or decent up-bringing. Today’s RW are mostly, NO Class, in-bred, elitist trash! RW have turned into greedy perverts & criminals, to succeed! It’s the only way, they can survive!
The age requirement to be a “Young Republican” is between 18 and 40. Yeah, you could be a “Young Republican” and run for President or VP. Vance is only 41 himself – he isn’t long out of that bracket.