Now we know exactly how sincere Hank Poitras was in his non-apology for his racist, misogynistic online history. Because what you see above is the chair of the Windham County Republican Committee cackling and sniggering his way through an OnlyFans video depicting a sex act, which he gleefully shared on his YouTube channel in an effort to defeat a candidate for school board in Chester.
Shared, need I add, in apparent violation of OnlyFans’ Acceptable Use Policy.
This story was reported by The Chester Telegraph’s Cynthia Prairie, and no one comes out of it looking good. But the main point for my purposes is, should Hank Poitras occupy a position of influence in the Vermont Republican Party? I cannot see how party chair Paul Dame or Gov. Phil Scott can possibly tolerate his presence.
The details, outlined as briefly as possible because of the very high Ick Factor:
Jesse Bailey is a candidate for school board in Chester. Apparently his wife operates an OnlyFans channel with spicy, although not overtly explicit, content. Soft core, you might say. Her channel came to Poitras’ attention, and he couldn’t resist sharing it with all the sensitivity and gravitas of a preteen who just discovered his dad’s Playboy collection.
I viewed the video so I could verify The Telegraph’s description of its content, but I’m afraid you can’t even if you wanted. While I was writing this post, the video was removed “for violating YouTube’s policy on nudity or sexual content.” That’s right, Planet Hank posted a video too offensive for the insatiable content Godzilla of the internet.
One can legitimately ask whether Bailey’s wife’s activity should be a factor in whether he should be elected to the school board. (Hell, I’d ask if Bailey gave any thought to the potential consequences of running for office when his wife is active on OnlyFans. The risk of discovery would seem to be too high.) Poitras could have done so in a more discreet way — and a more politically effective way — and a way that wouldn’t have exposed him to legal action by OnlyFans.
But Planet Hank can’t help himself. He’s just an asshole through and through. If he’s the kind of person who’s welcome in the Vermont Republican hierarchy, well, I think that speaks volumes about how deeply the rot of Trumpism has penetrated the VTGOP.
Phil Scott natters on at every opportunity about the unique civility of Vermont politics. His tolerance of Hank Poitras makes a mockery of those high-toned sentiments.
The Vermont Political Observer. 
You give “What would you suppose I should do?” Scott and Dame way too much credit for having decent goals. Both of them are more then happy to be hooked up to the proven rapist Trump’s political wagon.
Sure, every once in a rare while Scott uncurls from his fetal position long enough to whisper into the corner some complaint about the rapist god-king of Scott’s freely chosen and warmly embraced GOP/VTGOP, but at the end of the day Scott remains a proud and loyal member of that organization.
Judge people by what they do first and what they say second only.
If consenting adults choose to participate on OnlyFans or a similar site, then it’s no one’s business except those participating and their customers. What one’s spouse does, provided it doesn’t directly impact the work (like Mitch McConnell’s wife for instance) shouldn’t be brought into any of these discussions. Hank doing this is sexist and despicable, and an attempt at controlling a woman’s body through shame.
“One can legitimately ask whether Bailey’s wife’s activity should be a factor in whether he should be elected to the school board. (Hell, I’d ask if Bailey gave any thought to the potential consequences of running for office when his wife is active on OnlyFans. The risk of discovery would seem to be too high.)”
Nope. I don’t know about the content, but as long as it’s all adults and they’re following the laws and rules, then it’s not okay. Even asking this question is a form of slut-shaming. We cannot criminalize adult sexuality while simultaneously being run by the monsters in power who have done far worse and are still getting away with it.
P.S.
There should be a warning on that photo, I can practically smell his breath through that shit-eating grin he has.
He is not well. Like a lot of people out there who haven’t *yet* commited a crime but seem hell bent on making life miserable for the rest of us.