It's just so darn hard to figure out what is the most disgusting and offensive aspect of the Mark Foley/Congressional page scandal. But what the heck, I'll give it a try.
- Congressman sends icky, sexual emails and IMs to underage kids working as Congressional pages.
- Congressman claims he was drunk during all the email and IMs sent. I was curious about this and checked the time stamps (some were blacked out, some were not): one message was sent in the middle of the day, and another shortly after a war appropriations vote that Foley participated in. This suggests to me that either he's lying or he's pretty much spent the last five years in a constant state of intoxication. Guess which one I think it is?
- Congressman also happens to be head of committee in charge of missing and exploited children. (I guess it's a great way to score free child porn. "Honestly, Officer, it's research!")
- Republican pundits repeatedly invoking Clinton/Lewinsky scandal, when Lewinsky was 22 years old, well over the age of consent.
- Republican pundits equating homosexuality with pedophilia. In fact, statistics show that most pedophiles are heterosexual.
- Republican leaders and at least one newspaper were made aware of these messages but did nothing.
- Republican pundits blame Democrats for timing and "orchestration" of the scandal, when ABC News, which broke the story, has said Republican sources disclosed the emails.
- Dennis Hastert refuses to resign, and continues to deny his role in overlooking the scandal, even though evidence is rapidly mounting that he was, in fact, told of it and did nothing.
- President Bush defends Hastert.
- Repeated characterization of emails as merely "friendly," despite explicit talk of orgasm, etc.
- Right-wing pundits blame the victim, saying the page "wasn't coerced" and "egged" Foley on (e.g., Matt Drudge, Michael Savage).
- Republican pundits blame "tolerance and diversity" for fostering pedophilia (See CNN Situation Room broadcast) and claim that if they had disclosed the emails and taken action against Foley, they'd be accused of "gay-bashing." (See No. 5 above)
- UPDATE: After reading today's paper, I had to add Dennis Hastert's comments Tuesday, that forcing his resignation would aid Islamist terrorists. ("We are the insulation to protect this country, and if they get to me it looks like they could affect our election as well.")
It's an embarassment of riches, it is.
You can fool some of the people some of othe time, but knitters are KNOWN for reading directions!
ReplyDeleteCarol- thank you for once again organizing and verbalizing the things bouncing about in my head. Well said!!
ReplyDeleteDont forget FOX (e.g. FAUX) News (also AP and perhaps others) running reports where the label underneath video of Foley listed him as a Democrat.
ReplyDeleteNow what can we all do about it?
ReplyDeleteThat's what makes me mad, that terrible feeling that the everyone involved will not be accountable for their role.
I don't care if the pages were running around in assless chaps, Foley was a grown man, they were underage, and he was an elected official. It just proves that some members of the Republican party believe they are truly above any law.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I wonder if the phrase "assless chaps" is going to show up in Google searches. I sure hope so.
ReplyDeleteI've lurked for awhile and not commented, but today's post was SO right on every point, that I had to thank you for voicing my thoughts so well. At first I didn't understand what all the fuss was about "overly-friendly" emails and IMs, but when I actually read some of what was on abcnews.com.... ewww. I couldn't even get through it. How despicable - of Foley and Hastert's office at the least, and of who knows who else?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your insightful post on this issue!
ReplyDeleteAs for #13: Why must everything come back to the "war on terror"?!? How exactly is Hastert preventing terrorism?This administration makes me sick. Getting away with anything you want in the name of protecting the country is NOT leadership!
For my money, #5 is definitely the worst - but it's a very tight race for second-most-despicable.
ReplyDeleteAmen, sista!! I really hate how the GOP twists everything to benefit THEMSELVES and make the rest of the us look like the bad guys.
ReplyDelete=:8
#13...what a frickin' cop out, Denny.
ReplyDeleteI am, and have always been, embarrassed that Denny Hastert hails from my state. Now I'm also nauseated.
ReplyDeleteOnce again you have eloquently put into words the feelings muddling about in my head. You speak the truth, girlfriend! The worst is feeling like there is nothing I can do about the mess.
ReplyDeleteI have a very good friend who is a recovering alcoholic. He says that a good deal of the time, rehab is a tool to keep the politician/movie star away from the press until the next scandal pops up. Rehab is unassailable.
ReplyDeleteSo is alcohol an issue here? I doubt it. "Hi, my name is Mark F. and I like teenage boy-ass."
I fear that the list will continue far beyond 13 items.
ReplyDeleteRevolting and stupid (with or without alcohol) as Foley's actions were, the Republican cover up and spin, are once again, loathsome in the extreme.
Protect us from our protectors.
Jude in obscureknitty
"How exactly is Hastert preventing terrorism?"
ReplyDeleteHe's not, but if an Al-Qaeda bomb were set to go off in D.C., who would you rather take cover behind -- the 400 lb Denny Hastert or the 100 lb Nancy Pelosi?
I think I'd prefer Denny as a human shield. And what better use for that marble-mouthed ass-clown?
I'm kinda glad they're relating this to Monica-gate. One sniff of sexual misconduct, and Kenneth Starr probled like a truffle-smelling pig into the life of the president. Looks like the same thing will have to happen with the speaker of the house.
ReplyDeleteNow here's where I disagree. All the horny old men on Capitol Hill were clearly getting off hearing about young female interns blowing the president in the oval office. I don't think they will find adrunken old guy hitting on teens nearly as tit-illating.
ReplyDeleteWait! What am I saying? Of course they will! After 40 years of reluctant missionary position with their high-hair wives?
ReplyDeleteFrom your mouth to God's ear, Joe.
Well said!
ReplyDeleteAnd now a rhetorical question:
Why isn't Congress obligated to report a SUSPICION of child abuse (which it is)to the appropriate authorities juss tas any teacher, doctor, child care worker, principal, dentist, nurse -- anyone who has contact with minors?
Well said! Thanks for a great post.
ReplyDeleteVery well said: If one of my daughters were getting emails from that crud, the headlines would read "Where's Foley"
ReplyDeleteCarol, I stumbled on your blog while looking for info on leaf-peeping in the Poconos... I LOVE this well put-together list and have forwarded it (I credit you of course) to my mother and others - it is wonderful - and I agree with the person who wrote the list could stretch well beyond 13. Keep it up!
ReplyDeletebest regards - R
In fact, Carol, i found your blog by google searching the phrase "assless chaps."
ReplyDeleteAnother major win for google.