We hate traveling for work: It’s all the hassle of packing, catching a plane, and getting somewhere without the vacation payoff. And sometimes we stumble to the hotel with mismatched socks or newsprint on our nose. But we’re a little baffled as to why Barney Frank was photographed wearing a man’s belt around his neck when he was checking himself and husband Jim Ready into the Charlotte Marriott for this week’s Democratic National Convention.
Of course the photo (above) first appeared on right-wing blogs and was eventually posted by the Grand Poobah of propriety, Rush Limbaugh, so there’s every chance its been altered or misrepresented in some way. But if it’s real, eesh!
Barney, we’ve teased you about your sartorial choices in the past, but this is not a good look!
Kevin B
Three things strike me about the picture that make me almost certain it’s photoshop (not including its inherent ridiculousness). First, the edges of the belt, especially the inside edges of the rivets, seem far too crisp, like it wasn’t cropped perfectly. Second, it doesn’t seem to be the same scale as the rest of the picture; if it’s real, it would almost have to be a child’s size. Third and perhaps most importantly, you can see all of the rivets, which leaves the obvious question: how is it staying in place without the buckle fastened? The part around the back of the neck looks fine, but that would be much easier because of the shadows involved. Alternately that part is real and he’s wearing a lanyard of some sort, perhaps with his credentials?
The Realist
Definitely Photoshopped.
Olive Austin
I can see how that could happen. Was he also wearing knee pads?
jkb
Ah come on!! Anyone should know that he is just advertising for naughty boys to discipline.
NateOcean
autoerotic asphyxiation ?
LubbockGayMale
Give the guy a break… maybe he just overate and needed some relief! A belt might fall out, so hang it around the neck… just be sure to button the pants up before standing up!
Dumdum
@LubbockGayMale: What is a Lubbock? Is that like a Lorax? I am going with Nate on this one. Auto-erotic asphyxiation.