Foley's Resignation Sends GOP Scrambling

Foley Also Major League Hypocrit it appears...

The House in 2005 passed Foley-sponsored legislation that would subject child sex offenders to stringent monitoring requirements and tough penalties for failing to comply with registration requirements. "We track library books better than we do sexual predators," Foley said.

Foley said he was "sorry" today after the emails to the former pages under the age of 18 were revealed. In the emails, sent from his AOL account, Foley had made repeated references to sexual organs and sex acts.

In Congress, Foley has been considered one of the foremost critics of child pornography and pedophiles. Among other measures, he succeeded in getting a law passed that allowed organizations like the Boy Scouts of America and Boys and Girls Clubs to have access to FBI fingerprint background checks to help protect children.

The report may have meant instant messages where it says emails.

The report may have meant instant messages where it says emails.

the emails released yesterday were creepy but deniable. It must be the IM

ABC seems to pretty much own this story, and they said they are going to release all the details on tonight's newscast.

Catch, it is the oldest story in the world that perverts show up as crusading anti-perverts - what better way to exercisee their obsession?

It's a victory for Democrats,

I'd say this is a victory for children more than democrats.

It's a victory for Democrats,

not really.

Its just another sad expose of a sad human being that somehow got into power. I wonder if he has broken any laws ? Let's hope so he is off the street.

Chill888,

yeah... there seems to be a lot of those in the Republican party these days.

By "victory for Democrats," I'm referring to th likelihood that there will be a Democrat representing that Congressional District after November, rather than a pedophile. In the conflict between Democrats and pedophiles, I see that as a victory.

In the conflict between Democrats and pedophiles, I see that as a victory.

Oh, well gee, Brad, I'd hope so. :P

Oh, well gee, Brad, I'd hope so. :P

Hey, it seemed obvious to me, too, StacyM - and yet you can see I got called on it.

;-)

By "victory for Democrats," I'm referring to th likelihood that there will be a Democrat representing that Congressional District after November, rather than a pedophile. In the conflict between Democrats and pedophiles, I see that as a victory.

Ah OK .. thx for clarifying. I thought the Page involved was a lefty

Ah OK .. thx for clarifying. I thought the Page involved was a lefty

Damn, let's don't even start down that path.

;-)

Kind of like Libya being on the defunct UN Human Rights Council.

Yeah well it was an excellent position to scope out new sources I guess.

Can the Republicans put another candidate into that spot for the elections?

It appears that the Republicans can choose another person to run in his place, but the ballots are required to keep Foley's name. This mean the GOP can keep the seat that was deemed safe, but will have to get voters to pick Foley on the ballot.

What should Foley go to the pokey for? It doesn't seem to me that he broke any laws. COming on to someone who isn't interested isn't illegal so far as I am aware.

It can probably be defined illegal depending upon the circumstances if the person is underage. Which they were.

The speed with which Foley resigned, the terseness of his resignation letter, its immediate effective date, with no fight what-so-ever, likely means that he's been caught doing something. My bet is that the D.A. came to him and said "we're going to charge you" and he was told to get out of the party NOW to hope that its over before the election.

Now - I'm looking this morning and amazingly, and unless I missed it, only FOX NEWS has the article still prominently on the front page. WTF.

It could be that Foley quit so quickly because he's in a homophobic party in a homophobic society.

But it does seem like he may be indictable under his own legislation.

LOL, so if it was a teenage GIRL, it'd be completely ok?

Its not the homosexual part I have a problem with. Its soliciting sex with children that is the point.

What if it was a 20-something woman? What if it was a 20-something man? What if the page was over the age of consent (in some states he would be)?

Lewinski was over the age of consent, but that didn't protect Clinton. On the other hand, Newt Gingrich had a habit of stepping out on his marriage, and it never hurt him.

A Republican? I wonder how he feels about the Patriot Act now?

If the Patriot Act helped to catch a pedophile then fine by me.

More importantly I wonder how he feels about the sexual predator laws he helped pass

Rep. Foley (R-FL) may be prosecuted under child sex predator laws he helped pass.

In Congress, Rep. Foley (R-FL) was part of the Republican leadership and the chairman of the House caucus on missing and exploited children.

He crusaded for tough laws against those who used the Internet for sexual exploitation of children.

"They're sick people; they need mental health counseling," Foley said.

But, according to several former congressional pages, the congressman used the Internet to engage in sexually explicit exchanges.

They say he used the screen name Maf54 on these messages provided to ABC News.

Maf54: You in your boxers, too?
Teen: Nope, just got home. I had a college interview that went late.
Maf54: Well, strip down and get relaxed.

Another message:

Maf54: What ya wearing?
Teen: tshirt and shorts
Maf54: Love to slip them off of you.

And this one:

Maf54: Do I make you a little horny?
Teen: A little.
Maf54: Cool.

The language gets much more graphic, too graphic to be broadcast, and at one point the congressman appears to be describing Internet sex.

Federal authorities say such messages could result in Foley's prosecution, under some of the same laws he helped to enact.

"Adds up to soliciting underage children for sex," said Brad Garrett, a former FBI agent and now an ABC News consultant. "And what it amounts to is serious both state and federal violations that could potentially get you a number of years."

That is the whole point. Many, many Republicans have a moral face, and project that higher ground to the public. Then we find them to be completely the opposite; bribes, this child thing, campaign irregularities, etc. I am always surprised to hear them say that about Dems and get away with it.

Yeah, this idiotic people who confuse individual ethic with "social values" are the most rotten inside.

This highway billboard bought out by some neo-conservative interest group for the election season reminds me on my daily commute to "vote my values". Values are meaningless without the actions in our everyday lives that hold them up, but I hold the advice close to me when I see reports like this.

I guess it's kind of like our "tight" airport security. Banned items are always getting through.

Unfortunately, people don't publicize their inner child-molester when they run for public office.

I guess people like this are the reason that Republicans seem so convinced that if they let gay people get married they're going to want to start marrying animals. Maybe all the gay people they are acquainted are pedophiles. Maybe they just need to get out more.

A republican? Homosexual pedophile? Somehow I'm not shocked. I'm appaulled, but I'm not shocked.

I don't think him being a republican is particularly relevant to being a pedophile. If he is one at all. 16's over the age of consent as far as I know.

I guess it is ok to generalize everyone else except for the party we support. Hmmm....

It's nice to be blind.

It is a joke, people.

Nobody labels people like republicans label people. They deserve some of their own medicine.

The age of consent varies from state to state... In Michigan it is 16, but is is still creepy and wrong for a 16 year old to sleep with a 60 some year old.

Also worth noting that the wire services are incorrectly reporting them as emails - they were messages on AOL Instant Messenger.

Explains the war against terror, now, doesn't it?

But this story has more to do with a sick individual than his party.

You're right. Even so, I wouldn't be surprised if Democrats fail to capitalize on this (and all the other recent Republican gaffes) come election day. Because they never say why they're better. Neither party does. They're too busy pointing fingers to make a case for their own integrity.

Is there such a thing in politics anymore?

Yep! Just like all liberals are terrorist commies!

It seems homosexual contact is illegal in Louisiana as well.

Well it is certainly illegal in Bush's world

Are you kidding me? Do you have children? Would you like it if some old man came up and propositioned them for sex? Have you actually read the IMs he sent these pages?

I'm ashamed off all of you.

Good. That means we're on the right track then.

Ugly Bastard...screw Foley's life-he is the only one to blame for ruining his life (thought neo cons always preach "responsibilty belongs to the individual") what about the trama caused by this Perv to the teen-how would you want unwanted advances by this old TROll or what if he approached your child...i wish no ill to anyone but as my grandmother always said GOD DOESNT LIKE UGLY! and its of his own doing

Hmm...I and many of my friends were the objects of advances by ugly old trolls when we were in high school. Perhaps that's why I'm so @!$%#ed up.

You know, I'm pretty sure that the vast majority of right wing, family values politicians abhor this behavior as much as you do.

...and yet, it now appears that many of them, including apparently the Speaker of the House, have gone out of their way to prevent Foley from being held accountable, and as a result may have actually enabled the behavior to continue. I don't doubt that they "abhor his behavior," but how do you suppose they justify their own behavior, knowing that Foley may have been carrying on the same kinds of things with other children in the meantime? Is it worse to be a pedophile, or to cover for a pedophile?

Hey, wait, what happens if we find out he had sex with some kid? Does that make Hastert and Co. responsible and "accomplises?"

No, probably not, but would be a pretty damning way to lose the election.

Sorry to say it Vulgrin but that's not going to happen before November. We're talking about people with power and money. Delaying tactics will be used in the background to stall things until after the election.

Fine with me. Stall until about September of 2008.

Don't worry. 2008 will be the ugliest election yet. Here's an indicator of how ulgy thing will be.
Presidential election expenditures:
1996 - $400+ M
2000 - $650+ M
2004 - $1.2+ B
2008 - $2.1+ B (prediction)

It will be an interesting 2008. :)