Mopping up Colorado

The preliminary story published in the Colo. Springs Gazette about Ted Haggard accuser Mike Jones appearing on a local call-in radio show was extensively revised and expanded by the paper today, fully describing the "circus" atmosphere as the former male escort fielded calls from friends and foes:

"It's about time somebody put him in his place," said one caller, referring to Haggard, during the morning show, hosted by Coba Hoban and Darren McKee.

"Our entire church loves him (Haggard) very much," another caller said.

Several New Life congregants invited Jones to church. Someone wondered why Jones took the story to the media without confronting Haggard privately first.

Readers may wonder at that last bit. The caller was probably referring to the Christian mandate -- as held by both Jesus and St. Paul -- to talk directly with the person who is causing you a problem.

Among the other tidbits:

• Haggard wasn't nervous the first time Jones saw him, and in Jones' opinion "it wasn't the fist first time he had been with a man."
• Haggard was a decent tipper, giving Jones $50 to $100 extra on a $200 call.
• When Jones decided to get out of the business, Haggard begged him to continue seeing him, pleading "Please, please, Mike, can I still call you?"

Ted Haggard, Mike Jones, escorts, sex workers, tips