This is the way I see it
If someone is a heterosexual, that doesn’t bother me one damned bit.
If someone is a homosexual, that doesn’t bother me one damned bit.
If someone is a pedophile that bothers me all to hell and back.
Now some Republicans are dragging up old stories about Democrats and trying to even the balance in the current news about Congressman Foley. That’s pathetic, and yes it’s lame.
I wouldn’t feel any different about what Foley did if he was a Democrat or an Independent. Yes, his party is the party of “family values” and all that shit, but the bottom line is he is apparently a disgusting pedophile and someone tried to hide that for political reasons. What exactly are those family values? I want a definition. Where is that righteous Rightwing indignation now? Is it okay to allow politics to trump those family values if it helps the party?
For a party who was so angry about two consenting adults having sex and one of them lying about it, they seem much less disturbed when an adult makes sexual overtones to an under aged child. I find that rather hypocritical, myself.
If someone is a homosexual, that doesn’t bother me one damned bit.
If someone is a pedophile that bothers me all to hell and back.
Now some Republicans are dragging up old stories about Democrats and trying to even the balance in the current news about Congressman Foley. That’s pathetic, and yes it’s lame.
I wouldn’t feel any different about what Foley did if he was a Democrat or an Independent. Yes, his party is the party of “family values” and all that shit, but the bottom line is he is apparently a disgusting pedophile and someone tried to hide that for political reasons. What exactly are those family values? I want a definition. Where is that righteous Rightwing indignation now? Is it okay to allow politics to trump those family values if it helps the party?
For a party who was so angry about two consenting adults having sex and one of them lying about it, they seem much less disturbed when an adult makes sexual overtones to an under aged child. I find that rather hypocritical, myself.
posted by pissed off patricia at 4:39 AM
37 Comments:
You nailed the exact point that pisses me off about the political frenzy surrounding this whole thing. Foley's party affiliation and sexual orienttaion and alcoholism, whether Democrats have had trouble keeping their business in their pants in the past, none of that is relevant. (Although the family values hypocrisy is certainly noteworthy.) Talk of whether or not Foley is homosexual is ridiculous. Statistics show that pedophilia is not a homosexual phenomenon.
There is evidence that Foley is a pedophiliac predator. Period. There is evidence that the Republican leadership placed a wing of protection around Foley, thereby enabling him to continue victimizing kids. Period. These are the only relevant issues, and they must be dealt with appropriately and harshly.
And Stella heartily agrees with me. =)
This mirrors my thoughts on this EXACTLY!
Maybe we should provide them with a dictionary and highlight the word hypocrite !
"rather hypocritical" That 's the understatement of the year - how about flaming hypocritical. Actually this behavior lines up nicely with the party of war, the party of torture and now the party of support your local sexual predator. Ugly, ugly business. How are the local papers dealing with it over there?
*sniff, sniff*
I think I'm smelling hypocrisy. Big time.
Exactly right! It looks like the GOP right has been much less offended, yet the contortions that they are going through to appear outraged are worthy of a circus freak.
While I agree a cover-up is reprehensible, I am not rushing to judgement about pedophile claims.Am I crazy or should there be a difference between sending creepy emails, making rude suggestions, etc and actually assaulting a young person (there is no evidence he has ever touched anyone)? Not to excuse behavior for which I hope he is punished but some specificity as to his crime might be in order before he is crucified.
signed, Overly Analytical Troutsky
Alcohol treatment? Alcohol treatment? who in the hell is he kidding? Following the Gibson playbook, he'll be asking to have lunch with the pages so they can tell him how not to try and screw them.
Pop,
I have to agree that you have penned a tome that reflects what I think most thinking people are feeling. The despicable thing to me is that the Repugs have downplayed what they knew, kept folks like Capito from knowing what they knew, and have mismanaged this like they've mismanaged the war and our country. Of course, Foley should go, but there are a number of other heads that shoudl roll, and that fat fuck Hastert is at the top of the list.
Troutsky, take a breath, and don't be quite so analytical. With all due respect, assualt is verbal, battery is physical and both are illegal. In any setting other than Congress, Foley would have subjected himself, his employer, or both to a sexual harassment suit, but Congress exempts itself from such things. Dishonest bastards.
He spent the last year crafting and pushing thru legislation to make exactly what he did a felony. He also stipulated the punishment: "your life will be ruined" Upon being found guilty as charged(what? he hasn't been charged yet??? whyever not?) his picture and name will be put up in every relevant state pedophile website. That would be, if I'm not mistaken, EVERY state, since he was a national politician who was thinking about a presidential run (?didn't I read that somewhere?).
I say, he was right, and the legislation that he wrote, his party voted for, and his pretseldent signed into law, would be best exercised by penalizing himself to the full extent. And I hope he's the first to be prosecuted under same. Now, THAT would be ironic. ha
It has always made me furious that the Republicans will always say, but way back when this person did this, like it matters; the Republican Party is not only a party of Hypocrisy but a party of people who cannot hold themselves accountable in any manner.
Well Troutsky, seems you are on a "fishing" trip so here goes...
US Senator Foley, the "elected official" in question appears to have denounced and help make into a criminal law the exact behavior you are suggesting we excuse! Sen. Foley represented and help pass the law that makes it a crime to solicite a minor 16 or under on the internet using WORDS or any other method.
Gee, perhaps you might think that it is too bad he didn't wait for the kid's next birthday because after all it is only a meaningless internet conversation. It won't lead to ACTUAL predatory sexual behavior or anything.
Sorry Troutsky, as the mother of a sixteen year old, I beg to differ with that asshat opinion.
Sorry, post correction, US Represenative Foley, not Senator. My apologies.
just a quick aside on the alcohol rehab defense. i have been so drunk that i woke up in a hotel room in downtown las vegas without any idea where i was or how i got there. i never sexually harrassed anyone's kids, gone on racist rants, or any the stuff these guys are trying to blame on demon rum. also, if the dude was such a flamin' drunk that should have been evident to his collegues and the leadership also. that the speaker of the house (third in line to succeed the presidency) knew, fucking knew, about a drunken member of his congress and his party who was sexually pursuing teenagers and, worse than doing nothing, tried to keep it quiet is reprehensible beyond expression. (that sound coming from the barn is me beating the plowshare back into a sword. it's OK really, i hate farming)
I was just listening to the Rush Limbaugh show (ya, call me a sadist), and one of the callers said this should be a rallying point for Republicans, this dirty smear...they've completly lost it. Amazing.
don't these guys have any firends? others knew about Foley's e-mails, Cunningham started driving around in a Rolls, buying antiques. Didn't anyone take them aside and say something? Didn't they have anyone to say "Hey, are you OK? Hitting it a little heavy aren't you?" it's sad that no one even cares enough to help them out. what kind of value system is that?
peace, peter
frederick,You obviously don't know the new political rule on this topic. If there are 250 republicans criticizing something a republican has gotten caught doing and one democrat criticizing the same thing, the republicans (through their FoxNews and AMTalker surrogates) are to accuse the democrats of a smear campaign. This rule has a major corollary -If a bitarisan group consisting of significantly all democrats (the minority) and enough republicans block legislation the White House is pursuing, republicans are to accuse the democrats of being obstructionist; and a minor corollary - If the republicans are split on an issue and can't get enough votes for legislation that either the repub leadership or white house is pursuing, republicans are to accuse the democrats of being obstructionist. Note, if the legislation being sought concerns national defense or the war on terror, republicans are to accuse the democrats of being soft on defnse (or terror, ora "cut and run", as appropriate in context).
just another smoke screen -- ok, i'm not saying he wasn't a perv nor that they hide it
but why did this come out now?
to me when i see this high profile stuff - - i try and look at what else they are trying to do even worse behind the scenes...
If this was going to come out as a plan to be a help to the dems...as the right is saying now...I want to ask this... What happened to someone letting this cat out of the bag for helping in 2004? It was known from what I can gather early on in 2000-2001...so why didn't it come out in 2004? Perhaps some recent underage kid (or his mommy) decided to stop the GOP dead in its tracks with this information. We sure could have used it in 2004...I'm just sayin'...AND somebody needed to do something about it anyway...the conservatives weren't going to! And yes...Hastert is a FAT FUCK...I fell soooo much better now.
I am Canadian and therefore do not pretend to know much about your American political parties. But how can anyone who has heard this story doubt his dishonerable and preditory motives.
This all seems very insidious. Gee, where did I see that word recently? ;-)
Believing in righteousness, instead of actually practicing it, are reasons why the neo-con nationalists have a hard-time with their credibility, from my viewpoint at least. Do they think they can fool all the people, all the time....
Great point! They are all just full of shit. the end.
Pedophiles don't stand a chance in prison because even convicts have a code of honor that says "hands off children." I guess that's my way of saying those politicians who try to downplay the seriousness of this are lower than cons.
Foley's attorney gave a press conference. No remorse at all. Says he was abused as a youth by the clergy. What a dirt bag, making himself look like a victim.
Hi POP. Sorry I have been away for a while. Great post as usual.
Indignation from the right wing fanatical Christian right?
Ha! Only if it can enable them to stomp on someone else's rights.
Fear not...they will manufacture a way to blame the children he abused. Oh... I know...maybe the kids seduced that unsuspecting adult...
I only hope some liberal activist judge puts his ass in prison where the other inmates can have their way with him.
Justice will then be served.
Whew! Sorry for the rant. I am out of practice.
Absolutely!
Homosexuality and Heterosexuality are part of someone's natural makeup...it cannot be changed CONTRARY to popular belief.
However, both people usually are consenting and it usually doesn't involve someone taking advantage of someone else.
A fully grown man contacting someone who is still a child sexually is a horrible thing that can absolutely wreck a person for their life. He should pay for everything he has done.
Well, of course he'd have a problem with two consenting adults of the same sex being together...many people hate themselves.
Ugh, now I feel gross talking about this.
It's been a week and a half for crimes against children hasn't it?
"Yes, his party is the party of “family values” and all that shit, but the bottom line is he is apparently a disgusting pedophile and someone tried to hide that for political reasons."
It is so ironic that the party that has continued to bash us over the head with their "Family Values" theme over and over, has helped to cover up for someone that is more worried about "Family Jewels". What a bunch of monsters!! And then the position that he held makes it worse.
Exactly! Where is the f#%king Starr Style investigation now!?
I commented elsewhere - the party is imploding - they couldn't make it easier for the Dems if they tried. Now if the Dems can just ride the wave right...err...left...you know what I mean;)
This whole sordid episode just sprouted new legs. His lawyer is out there trying to turn this piece of human crap into a victim.
His whole congressional/legislative raison d'etre was missing and exploited children. Foley is a 24 carat pervert. He needs to be sent away.
Right. Sure. "Why did this come out now?" It's the Democrats' faults. It's the fault of Hastert's staff. Why, it must be the fault of the pages. Those dirty little boys did it!
All this looking for hidden motives and pointing fingers every which way provides cover for the people who should be blamed. Foley, of course. Hastert for doing nothing or covering it up. Shimkus and Reynolds for knowing what was going on but passing the buck to Hastert and not following it up. LaHood for his attempt to blame Hastert's staff for Hastert's failures. Any and all in the House who want to excuse Hastert, like Boehner, who says Haster is "responsible" but doesn't think there should be any consequences for such an egregious failure to act properly.
Enough is enough. When you screw up, saying you are responsible, or saying, "He is responsible" isn't any good. There should be consequences or the word "responsibility" is meaningless. And those who excuse these failures need to pay a price as well, because the questions that come to me when I look at this is, "What sort of person do I want representing me in Congress? Do I want people who pass the buck, who fail in major ways and pass the buck, who put Party ahead of right and wrong?"
It isn't all that complicated, in the end, and PoPs posting is right on the mark. Blow all the smoke out of the room and you are left with a child molester and his enablers. Who do you want representing you?
What are you wearing right now?
Chagrin.
That's a pun on more levels than you are capable of understanding, maf54.
Did you hear that Faux News is now trying to make people think Foley is a Democrat?? THREE times they showed his picture with (D-FL) under it!!
UNbelievable!!
Who is eating this shit??
(Oh and hi patricia - sorry that my first comment on your blog is so angry - but that's just what these repugs do to me!!).
PoP,
You said it exactly right. Alcohol does not turn someone into a sexual predator. And being a pedophile has nothing to do with orientation.
I don't care a fig about what any consenting adult wants to do in the sex department. That is none of my business, but when it comes to children (including teenagers) and/or non consensual violence, then it is wrong, wrong, wrong.
What is it about the super right wing that they just can't tell and accept the difference?
Holy Christ, the guy made a mistake and should be punished. But you make it sound like it's all Republicans.
Clinton lied right to your face and still to this day lies and doesn't admit anything. Foley admits his wrongdoing nd is trying to get help. I think he should be punished absolutly. Not to mention public embarressment is by the far the worst punishment.
I have an awesome value system. This guy probably did to. Mistakes happen to everyone and they pay for them. But you can't hold the entire party accountable.
President Clinton lied about a sexual indiscretion with someone who was OVER LEGAL AGE OF CONSENT.
Your party chose to WASTE over SIX MILLION of my TAX DOLLARS to attempt to impeach him - and failed to find sufficient evidence to remove him from office.
FORMER Congressman Foley (R-FL) (florida... Jebbie Bush's state...) solicited sex from UNDERAGE MINOR CHILDREN. HUGE difference. ENORMOUS difference.
All republians are scum. You qualify as such, doctor rick, by your DEFENDING this asshat.
(sorry, PoP... I cannot stand to watch someone drag out the old "Clinton got a blowjob" crap to dry and defend the indefensible)
I'm with you. Priest or senator, Boy Scout leader or whatever, the children are OFF LIMITS. Period.
The Republican attempts to divert attention by bringing old stories just shows how much in contempt they hold the American people: they think we're all idiots.
(Yes, yes, I KNOW, the Shrub WAS elected....)
Clinton was impeached you fool,...they opted not to remove him though.
im‧peach
–verb (used with object) 1. to accuse (a public official) before an appropriate tribunal of misconduct in office.
Note the word ACCUSE. Accusations are made all the time, doctor rick. I can accuse you of being a mass-murdering pedophilic rapist, but simply accusing someone of something does not make them guilty, nor is it a CONVICTION.
And name calling is typical Neocon for "I can't refute what you say, so I will call you names and try to make you so angry that I look intelligent".
Doesn't work with me, Snookiedimples.
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