But the problem here, Mr. Foley, isn’t that you’re gay — the problem is that you were sexually preying on teenage boys who were your subordinates.

What an embarrassing press conference. A parody of the accusations that the GOP make against Democrats.

I just learned that the age of sexual consent in the District of Columbia is 16 years old.
Interesting. The Post says Foley is in a gray area legally. Well, he might avoid jail but he had no business collecting a federal paycheck.

Left by Preston on October 4th, 2006 at 6:22 am

I think Foley was trolling for young boys and the whole thing is disgusting, but I have to consider several what-ifs concerning the NON-SEXUALLY EXPLICIT E-MAILS.

What if Foley was a female? Would “her e-mails” have been considered inappropriate? Might they have been considered “grandmotherly” instead?

What if Foley was straight instead of gay? Would e-mail messages of the type Foley sent (again non-sexual ones) be considered illicit or would Foley immediately have been suspected of being gay because no “man” would send e-mails like that to boys?

What if Foley had sent the e-mails to girl pages? Apparently everybody knew he was gay, so would they have been considered sexually inappropriate from a straight man or would they automatically have branded him a predator of young girls?

I’m not citing the above “what-ifs” to be a smart ass or to defend Foley. I’m really curious what others think? I’m not sure myself. I had a guy who worked for me who was one of the “overly-friendly” types. He’d hug everybody - one of those boisterous types who I knew wasn’t making any sexual advances but it irritated some of the more sensitive females in the office. I had a hard time deciding how to handle that situation.

Left by dianne on October 4th, 2006 at 7:24 am

The Post says Foley is in a gray area legally. Well, he might avoid jail but he had no business collecting a federal paycheck.

I agree 100% Preston: Foley should have been ousted from office a long time ago. And Hastert should have been the one to have done so.

Left by Robbie on October 4th, 2006 at 8:41 am

I hope Hastert is the next casualty.

I lost any respect I had for ol’ Denny when he acted all indignant over the legal search of Jefferson’s office….. as if Congressmen are above the law.

I am so fed up with our elected officials these days, I just wish we could throw them all out and start over again - with TERM LIMITS.

Left by Terr on October 4th, 2006 at 9:34 am

That troll is nothing more than a disgusting waste of space. Now that he’s been caught, he’s desperately trying to label himself with every ‘dysfunctional’ tag he can get his slimy hands on… everything but what he is: a P-E-D-O-P-H-I-L-E.

What’s even more disgusting is he’s a disgrace to people who have been molested, are gay, and actually battling alcoholism. His façade is a perfect example of why phobias and prejudices exist in this world.

If he were half the man his chromosomes classify him to be, he’d admit what he’s done. Instead, he’s toying with the public in hopes of strengthening his legal strategy. Soon we’ll hear he ‘doesn’t remember’ from the alcohol-induced ‘black-outs’… Eventually, he’ll file lawsuits asserting discrimination along with come constitutional-violation crap.

Diane, I’ll give my two-cents… If Foley were man/woman, straight/gay, alcoholic/not, potato/tomato, I would stand to say even non-sexually explicit e-mails while not illegal, would still be inappropriate. His relations with the pages should be professional, regardless. Period.

Foley is an adult and he knowingly used his position as leverage to prey on children… therefore, he is a pedophile. He knew what he was doing was wrong, and anyone who had knowledge of this should be charged with criminal omission as well.

Left by kw on October 4th, 2006 at 10:09 am

Funny thing I’m seing more outrage about this thing than I’ve seen over actual child rapist cases. I guess it’s because Foley is a congressman and the outrage is understandable. However, there is no doubt that the democrats are absolutely beside themselves with joy over their good fortune so close to election time.

What I’d like to see now is a full investigation of the matter, including an investigation of any other lechers that are in the hallowed halls..we may as well clean “House” (no pun intended)

Left by dianne on October 4th, 2006 at 10:44 am

Funny thing I’m seing more outrage about this thing than I’ve seen over actual child rapist cases.

I think it is a particular type of betrayal when an a figure of authority abuses power like this. When priests, teachers, public servants turn around and prey on children there is a vicseral reaction.

We all know there are bad people in the world and sometimes people are hurt- I’m not sure if people have the energy to become emotionally involved in each instance of abuse.

I’m not making a judgement call on which is the right approach I’m just trying to make sense of your observation.

Left by Preston on October 4th, 2006 at 12:17 pm