The price of power: Repubs shield child molester to keep majority

[Rodeo]

Representative Mark Foley, a Florida Republican, resigned this week after accusations that he sent sexually explicit Internet messages to teenage Congressional pages.

It turns out that Speaker J. Dennis Hastert and other Republican leaders have know about Mr. Foley's conduct for ONE YEAR, but did nothing so they could keep his seat for their party.

Foley served in the House leadership as a deputy whip. House leaders acknowledged that they had known about the sexually explicit messages for nearly a year, but had kept the matter quiet.

I'm not saying this kind of slime is exclusive to the Republican Party, I'm saying it happens when either party gets used to power, and all its trappings. That they would cover up this kind of conduct is both disgusting and telling.

We need new leadership. We need to let the Dems get the power. When they get fat, happy and corrupt, we will throw them out. And start the cycle again.

The Repubs have been in power too long. This sleazy cover-up tells us how badly they want to stay.

[bt1211]

I know some of you guys have this little thing going where you kick the neocons. Lord knows the neocons on this BB can/will tie the liberals to all of the worlds problems but .... doesnt this ever get old???

[Rodeo]

Just pointing out one of the things the majority party is doing to hold on to power.

It's of interest to me, I know it's not to everyone.

[bt1211]

I agree, when I read the story that was the first thing that came to my mind, that they knew about it for a year. You know they were hoping it would stay under wraps for a few more weeks.

I read most/all political threads here just for the laughs, maybe today I need to take a break from it. Sorry.

[Tobra]

It is a sick sad world, interesting to me when it comes out.

Which is worse, sitting on it to stay in power, or sitting on it until right before the election to gain political advantage?

[lendaddy]

It's not that we we're trying to hide it, it's that we're all child molesters and don't think he did anything wrong.

[Rodeo]

Originally posted by Tobra
It is a sick sad world, interesting to me when it comes out.

Which is worse, sitting on it to stay in power, or sitting on it until right before the election to gain political advantage?

If you have any indication that the Dems sat on this, I'd like to see it.

Otherwise, I would hope that you would condemn what the Repub leadership did.

[hytem]

I'm concerned about the direction of the Republican party. It has become too ideological. Less diverse than the Democrats.More lock-step in its voting habits. And intolerant of losing. Much too intolerant. A bad sign in a democracy.

I'm in favor of the diverse parties of old--with right, left and center elements. The old right Democrats are now all Republicans-mainly from the South. The most pragmatic politicians are those at the center--where most of the votes are, anyways. I'd like to see both parties more in the center--especially the Republicans--where there is a common meeting ground. Neither the right nor the left have all the answers.

[Rodeo]

The interesting thing to me about this episode is that it is not about ideology, it has nothing to do with political beliefs.

Its about power. It shows how addictive power is. It shows what people will give up to hold on to power, how they will compromise their core values.

[wrecktech]

"Repubs shield child molester"

Where is it reported that he is a child molester?

"Representative Mark Foley, a Florida Republican, resigned this week after accusations that he sent sexually explicit Internet messages to teenage Congressional pages."

"teenage" is that 13 or 19?

[Rodeo]

All pages are high school students. Foley apparently had crushes on a number of young boys.

I'm sure we will eventually learn the ugly details that Speaker Hastert has known for a year now.

[legion]

Originally posted by Rodeo
All pages are high school students. Foley apparently had crushes on a number of young boys.

I'm sure we will eventually learn the ugly details that Speaker Hastert has known for a year now.

You need the Tin Man and Dorothy for a trifecta.

[wrecktech]

I have checked several news sites and have not found the claim he is a child molester? Did you just add this accusation for effect?

[Rodeo]

What do you call him?

[Rodeo]

More precisely, what do you call a 52 year old man that cruises the internet for 16 year old boys?

I hope you are not going to defend him, or those that covered up for him. That would be really sad.

[wrecktech]

I don't call him anything. I understand the term "molester" to involve physical touching. I would call the situation very sad and I am continualy amazed at the deviance of our elected officials of both parties.

[Rodeo]

The fact that he is a Republican is irrelevant. He could just as easily be a Democrat.

The fact that the Republican leadership covered up for him, trying to sneak him by the election in order to retain power, is what bothers me. It just shows how low people will stoop for power. It's like heroin.

[wrecktech]

Originally posted by Rodeo
It's like heroin.

Actually it is probably worse. Sure doesn't make me proud like our elected officials should.

[lendaddy]

Originally posted by Rodeo
More precisely, what do you call a 52 year old man that cruises the internet for 16 year old boys?

Barney Frank?

[Rick Lee]

Don't forget Gerry Studs (D-MA) who was censured for having an affair with a teenage page. And then there was Mel Reynolds (D-IL), still in prison, I think.

Everyone knew Foley was a pillow biter. I knew that 10 yrs. ago. But I didn't know he was a NAMBLA type. I hope someone makes him a good boyfriend in prison. Good riddance.