WaTimes: Resign, Mr. Speaker

[maddezmom]

The facts of the disgrace of Mark Foley, who was a Republican member of the House from a Florida district until he resigned last week, constitute a disgrace for every Republican member of Congress. Red flags emerged in late 2005, perhaps even earlier, in suggestive and wholly inappropriate e-mail messages to underage congressional pages. His aberrant, predatory -- and possibly criminal -- behavior was an open secret among the pages who were his prey. The evidence was strong enough long enough ago that the speaker should have relieved Mr. Foley of his committee responsibilities contingent on a full investigation to learn what had taken place, whether any laws had been violated and what action, up to and including prosecution, were warranted by the facts. This never happened.

more; http://www.washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20061002-102008-9058r.htm

:D

The fundies are all over this one.

[unschooler]

1. Hastert's never been a really strong Speaker.

Delay ran the House for years. Nothing will change if he steps down.

[maddezmom]

7. Then we need Boehner to go, too!!!

[wiley]

2. If they don't sacrifice all those House Republicans over this

they will have absoilutely zero moral authority left even amongst themselves. They never had any with me, but I'm just saying

[PurpleChez]

18. But the modern rethuglican has such a high tollerance

of cognitive dissonance that they will have no problem defending Foley against all accusations while continuing their all-out pogrom against gays, their call for a zero-tollerance bible-based morality, etc. It could come out that Dim Son himself was an active necrophiliac and the Thug in the Street would be able to convince himself that it was OK.

[Benhurst]

3. The Washington Times wants Henry "Youthful Indiscretions" Hyde

to replace Hastert. :rofl:

A Republican Statesman: A lecherous old politician who can no longer get it up.

[Warren DeMontague]

10. The flag is falling...

Catch the falling flag! Waaaaaah!

[tenshi816]

12. That would almost be like a gift.

I, for one, would mention his "youthful indiscretion"-at-age-41 every time I mentioned his name. I don't know why more wasn't made of this during the run-up to Clinton's impeachment (other than Democrats wanting to play nice, as usual).

[annabanana]

14. yeah... HE'S a good choice...

[roguevalley]

4. I want his Turkish bribes exposed, the traitor.

[NewJeffCT]

15. That would be nice

I don't see that happening, though.

[usregimechange]

5. Wow!

[usregimechange]

6. kick

[usregimechange]

8. kick

[AtomicKitten]

9. they will argue

it's not like a few naughty emails are anywhere in the ballpark of

[Up2Late]

11. I hope he stays, at least until after the ReThugs lose the House...

...then he can be the first one that gets Impeached.

[NJCher]

13. look at the re-framing job they did here

I believe you will get your wish. Their thing is power, at any price. Even when it takes them down, they'll still be grasping as the Titanic sinks below the surface.

So: even the Moonie Times strikes a blow. I think this editorial, however, also signals their intention to make this a bipartisan scandal. As other posters have pointed out, however, there has to be some evidence such as the e-mails. Unfortunately the republican pages might be convinced to conjure up some accusations against a Democrat.

Look at the slick little maneuvering adjustment they've made with this editorial:

Sexual predators come in all shapes, sizes and partisan hues, in institutions within and without government. When predators are found they must be dealt with, forcefully and swiftly.

What they've done is broaden the accusation to include sexual predators when in fact, we're talking about pedophiles. Two different things: neither of them desirable but two different things.




Cher

[ShortnFiery]

16. No, pedophiles and sexual predators are one and the same ...

Foley qualifies as a sexual predator. Good people can argue whether this meets the strict definition of pedophilia. However, being obsessed with seducing minors is sexual predation. It qualifies as such because those under the age of 18 y.o. are considered too immature emotionally to be able to give an adult "informed consent."

[NJCher]

32. you've missed the point

Sexual predators are a larger, overall class. It can include predators who go after those of the opposite sex, even people their own age if the predatory tactics are present. While undesirable, it is less repulsive than an old guy going after a kid.

So by calling him a sexual predator, which he is, they've assigned a label with a broader connotation and less of a stigma. It's a language/label/republican name operation, not an exercise in accuracy. It's damage control.




Cher

[ClintonTyree]

20. I noticed that as well..........

saying that the Democrats shouldn't make a political issue out of this because, lord knows, they've got enough skeletons in THEIR closets. :puke: I didn't hear the Moonie Times calling for Republicans to not politicize Clinton's sexual peccadilloes. In fact, those hypocrites lead the charge to politicize the events, they stoked the flames of partisan politics when it was a DEMOCRAT in the headlights. Now that the shoe is on the other foot........ STOP! It's not right! :cry:
Fuck the Moonie Times and that sick, twisted old maniac that owns it. :grr:

[Up2Late]

38. But see, even though the Wash. Times is focusing on the Sex...

...(big surprise), the real issue that Hastert should be forced to resign over is The Cover-up! Think back, what brought down Nixon? Not the burglary, it was the Cover-Up.

It's the lying and the failure to "do the right thing to protect the Children" that the public always gets most upset about.

[The Wizard]

17. Muddy the water and

change the issue. Hastert and Boner Boehner are bad examples that need the spotlight, not getting swept under the rug.

[Fluffdaddy]

19. Freeper's are freaking out over WaTimes calling for the Speaker's head

Love It

[Maryland Liberal]

21. IMPEACHMENT - it's not just for the bushie anymore

This is a perfect oppertunity to finally play the impeachment card. Once Hasstart is impeached- it will be MUCH easier to impeach the Bushie. Hell - we could even link the two together and save money. IMPEACHMENT is the only way to NATIONILIZE these midterm elections. Before, we have argued the need for checks and balances. Now we can argue that they stand in way of JUSTICE.

[Stand and Fight]

36. There's no basis in law for impeaching the SotH.... n/t

[rosesaylavee]

22. Wow.

This was great to wake up to. Read last night that this editorial was coming but didn't believe it.

I live in his district - hope this means the democrats can claim this district as a WIN next month!

:bounce:

[DemGa]

23. Damage control. Rove/WH are dumping Hastert n/t

.

[Canuckistanian]

24. Where's the WSJ Editorial board on this?

If they come out for resignation, too, he's done for.

[exlrrp]

25. "Some Democrats are attempting to make this "a Republican scandal,""

ahahahahahahaha I knew they'd say that--this IS the Moonie Times we're reading

[rodeodance]

26. my local TV had a short discussion of the 'conservative" paper calling

for assturd's resignation.


Lots of interest in this issue.

[rodeodance]

28. Well so far---FoleyGate IS Repug!

[TankLV]

34. ...maybe because ONLY REPUKES ARE INVOLVED?!?!?!....

Let's see - only repukes are involved, so it is no somehow the DEMS fault for making this POLITICAL?!?!

Which nazi party wannabe's COVERED IT UP FOR 5 YEARS?!?!?!

[rodeodance]

27. Hastert says he didn't know of explicit contact (USAToday)

Updated 10/3/2006 12:59 AM ET
Hastert says he didn't know of explicit contact


By Kathy Kiely, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Dennis Hastert defended himself and other Republican leaders Monday against charges they did not move aggressively to investigate Rep. Mark Foley's contacts with teenage boys.

Hastert reiterated that House leaders had no knowledge of sexually explicit instant messages the Florida Republican allegedly sent to several congressional pages until ABC News reported about them Friday.

Foley resigned after ABC questioned him about them.

Speaking to reporters for the first time since the scandal broke, Hastert said House officials had no reason to press further when Foley explained a chatty e-mail to a 16-year-old boy in which the representative requested the former House page's photograph. That e-mail caused the boy's parents to complain, but it contained nothing sexually explicit.

"Would have, could have, should have," Hastert said. "We did what we thought ... was prudent at the time."

[rodeodance]

29. "This is about how we protect those kids." (yup--Mr. assturd, it IS)

,,,,,Republicans "failed to protect the children under their trust," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said.

Hastert refused to comment directly on the charges.

"This is not an issue of whether we have the majority or not," he said. "This is about how we protect those kids."

John Walsh, host of the television show America's Most Wanted, said he could not believe the double life that Foley led. Walsh's show profiles cases of fugitives, many of whom are accused molesters. "I feel incredibly deceived," Walsh said. "I'm absolutely appalled."

Sen. George Allen, R-Va., and Rep. Clay Shaw, R-Fla., said they will donate campaign contributions from Foley to charities. Allen is giving $5,000 to Enough is Enough, a group that advocates protection of children from Internet pornography. Shaw is giving $2,000 to the Center for Missing and Exploited Children..........

[TheCowsCameHome]

30. Hmmm. I see a bad moon rising, Denny. Mr. Sun Myung Moon

Bye, Denny.

[mom cat]

31. LOL .... Even the "son of god" wants Hastart out!

[oc2002]

33. Article in the Nation reports a internal strugle at Washington Times oped.

the Nation article indicates that the fringe right winge radicals may soon be getting the boot at the Washington Times.

[civildisoBDence]

35. Why not make it a Denny's Grand Slam breakfast?

Denny Hastert, John Boehner, Rep. Shimkus, and Rep. Reynolds.

Newsprism

[mkb]

37. Keep Going Even If Things Don't Add Up

     For those who don't understand the complexities of this
situation, that's fine, you should do the best you can with
the level of understanding you have.  I think if Republicans
get caught making errors, then for the most part it can be a
good thing. 
     People should always learn as much as they can, unless
they have a good reason not to.  This event is getting more
airplay than I would like, but some people can see much
importance in this situation, and if they can, good for them.
     I hope for those who don't have intricate interpretations
of this event to remain steady and consistent as you make your
way in the world.  This type of news is not likely to be an
important focus for you.
    I reiterate my belief to just keep as stable a situation
for yourself as possible.  Don't worry too much if you can't
figure everything out, everybody has limits to their ability. 
But quitting the world and trying to understand is not good
for you or others who you think are good people.  So I
encourage you to not let negative news or events cause
emotional stress that stops you from progress.  Good luck.