5) Foley is emotionally nine, so the page, being older, was the one being predatory.
4) This is part of the vast left-wing conspiracy to undercut the war on terrorism.
3) Jerry Falwell has already told Foley God has forgiven him, and so should you.
2) Because the page was circumcised, this is an anti-semitic effort to smear Zionism and Judaism.
1) Foley was abused as a boy by Clinton. This is all Clinton’s fault.
“My client was, in fact, actively participating in a sting operation intended to ‘out’ underage gay pages who were illegally trolling for older men.”
Sorry, I know it’s not as important as the loss of habeus corpus protections. But this story just keeps getting funnier. Rush had himself twisted into a pretzel today, and Hannity has pretty much welded Chevrolet cars and trucks to the notion that “pedophilia isn’t a big deal. ”
Plenty of serious stuff to deal with, yes. But we need a real howler right now, just for morale’s sake.
Sadly, I have a feeling this is going to be a tragic announcement of Foley’s self-inflicted death, followed by conservative talking heads outraged at the media which hunt which only republicans go through.
I hope, not, though. What Foley did was despicalbe, but not worth the loss of a human life.
Connections between male prostitutes and the White House emerged again in early 2005, when James Dale Guckert, working under the pseudonym Jeff Gannon, was given privileged access to the White House despite his lack of suitable press credentials. Gannon first came under scrutiny when he repeatedly gave President Bush softball questions during press conferences – leading many to charge Gannon was a White House plant. Photos emerged of Bush embracing Gannon and appearing very affectionate towards him during meetings. It later came out that Gannon had previously placed ads on homosexual escort service websites.
We find out that Karl “The Dumpling” Rove is behind this and they have photos of Foley with various Dems??? I hope the hell not, but you know the GOP will mov eheaven and earth to “make it right” in their twisted world. With Faux News help of course…
Or another school shooting. That seems to be the distraction of choice lately. You’re right, though. One more missing pretty white girl and we might not ever be reminded by the media that there’s an election in five weeks.
Since the Repugs have been fond of diversion in the past, “Look, a unicorn!”, I can be persuaded they could throw one of their own under the bus to distract from the fact they just put the Constitution in the shredder. In their view they would just be losing a homo and managing to get all the MSM to focus on a sex scandal. And, surprise, blaming the liberals for springing this just before an election. Otherwise they might be talking about “adios habeus corpus”.
but Foley’s lawyer isnt a politician hes not gonna announce other people’s invovlement, this is related to Foley himself, his status, his health, something …
WHAT ABOUT THE GUTTUNG OF HABEUS CORPUS AND THE DEATH OF OUR CONSTITUTION?
Comment by ForTruth — October 3, 2006 @ 5:05 pm
It is interesting that this hasn’t been covered isn’t it? Perhaps they’re afraid they’ll be held indefinitely for no reason and denied legal representation.
yeah but FOley cant know who did or did not know about his emails, and any statement of ‘its just me’ would scream of politics and not stop anyone from rooting out coverup allegations…
foley’s lawyer COULD pull other people into the shitstorm, though. foley is going down regardless so what does he care about saying rep. X knew 3 three years ago etc. etc.?
Could go either way. Foley could have cut a deal that saves the party for unknown payoff once he is out of jail (or maybe even the deal is that he avoids jail somehow).
The other option, is that he names names, etc, and the whole stinking bunch is done in. But I view that as unlikely.
Either way, given how things always seem to work out for this bunch of corrupt scumbags, Im sure this will not be something we want to hear. Despite the fact that things look bad constantly for republicans, so far, seems to have not mattered one bit to the results of where this country is heading (the crapper).
Actually, since Repugs believe that homosexuality is a sickness, Foley can say that he in now “cured” and falls under the protection of the Americans With Disabilities Act and sue to get his job back.
Unfortunately this scandal is the weapon to be used against the GOP for the election, since the religious conservatives really don’t care about the unlawful detainees bill or the Iraq war.
Foley’s attorney said Foley was abused by a priest when he was 13-15 years old. He is a gay man. He is an alcoholic with mental issues.
That is the bombshell.
So – that’s it.
And that is supposed to be a Bombshell? And by the way, we don’t know that it was a Catholic Priest. And gee, he wants us to know he is gay. WOW! No bombshell to me!
Trueblue: OK, he was abused. That’s terrible.
That does not in any way excuse his behavior.
- – Ditto. Let’s call fundamentalism what it is: religious addiction.
Someone predicted yesterday, Foley would come out and say he was abused by a priest. Man I am glad I wasn’t forced to go to church. If godless means escaping the wrath of sexually oppressed preists, then I am Godless.
Foley is working very hard to stay ahead of something. Checking into rehab and claiming to be an abuse victim aren’t directed towards saving his political career, which is surely shot. Foley knows that criminal charges of some sort are coming down the pike.
So he had severe emotional problems so what? We knew that. Why is this a bombshell? That Hastert and Reynolds knew him for so long and were aware of his condition and yet gave him free reign and did nothing?
For those keeping score, here’s a summary of GOP spin attempts:
9. GOP House leadership was not aware of Foley’s behavior and so should not be blamed.
8. GOP House leadership WAS aware of Foley’s behavior, but thought the problem had corrected itself.
7. GOP House leadership was aware of Foley’s behavior, but did not take action out of fear of being accused of “gay-bashing.â€
6. The underage pages are to blame for Foley’s behavior.
5. The media is to blame for not reporting the story earlier.
4. Democrats are to blame for either possibly “condoning the behavior†or for not making it public earlier.
3. Bill Clinton is to blame for attempting to allow gays to serve their country in the military.
2. Bill Clinton is to blame for receiving consensual oral sex from an (adult) intern.
1. The Catholic church or God Himself is to blame for the molestation Foley suffered as a child, i.e. Foley is the victim.
That the party of “personal responsibility†is attempting to divert blame away from its own members is not surprising. However, this doesn’t take away from the fact that their lack of accountability borders on pathological, if not criminal, behavior.
Not surprising. Every one of the perverts in Focus on the Family wants you to believe Gays are deviant and prey on young boys. It’s called “projecting”. The once innocent and abused children will become adults and continue the pattern of abuse by targeting the innocent/weaker ones who they themselves have issues. Without intervention and serious conseling, there is little hope they will have a normal life.
F**K the monsters who create monsters and forgive the adults who did this to them.
Most of the perps are indeed victims themselves, and this does not help the perps when getting sentenced. A perp is a perp. And the Republicans now all of the sudden want compassion and tolerance for this guy. Ha, usually the Republicans want perps locked up forever.
Remember, its the liberals who are compassionate, tolerant, and understanding, we get shit all the time for this. The damn right wingers go off on everyone who screws up, they forget they are human and fallable. Oh well they deserve whatever they get.
ah well, the ultimate irony, another Gay Republican big wig … maybe this will blow the top off this gay bashing party when one of their own fesses up for a change… the closet is the problem, of course .. what other Repub leaders are to follow?
Pardon me….a clergyman. Could’ve been any one of a number of religious clergymen….an inman, a priest, a shaman, a minister, a pastor, a self-proclaimed bullshitter, a tv evangelist….
Where is the personal responsibility? If Foley had such traumatic experiences in his youth, it was his responsibility to seek treatment for the problems that came from that experience. This does not absolve him from his guilt in perpetuating the cycle of abuse.
Well, I am truly sorry if Mr. Foley was molested by a priest some forty years ago. It does not excuse his behavior forty years later. I’m aure the statute of limitations has run out on the abuses that Foley endured as a child, and it’s hard to say what good a civil lawsuit would do. I mean, whatever the priest might have done to him, it certainly didn’t stop him from rising all the way to the US House of Representatives.
Just out of curiosity, I wonder if the priest that abused him was a “first timer”? Or was he brought into Foley’s church after getting caught doing the same thing at another church. The answer wouldn’t matter now after four decades, but I was just curious.
His attorney, david rogers said Mark only made these emails when he was drunk, but NEVER drank when doing House business, but then how come he was enticing a minor during a House vote – so how do you explain that. either he was drunk doing House business or wasn’t drunk and was trolling for children. And I love the “gay man” and “I was molested by a priest” defenses. Assholes.
Blaming the church won’t play well with the religious nut job base either. It’s the normal moderate thinking people that would be more understanding of this.
so the bombshell is a pathetic attempt at garnering public sympathy?
i think only a part.
the other parts being:
-Condi and the 911 lies
-death to HABEUS CORPUS
what’s going on with the republicans? just can’t seem to trust anything they do or say anymore. goodness knows, if we can’t trust them with the children in our backyard – we sure the hell can’t expect republicans to protect our country.
The conservatives wanting Hastert’s head five weeks before the election can’t be good news for all those hard-working Republicans running for erection (er- I meant “election”). It sounds like Boehner, the House Majority leader, is feeling the heat too, because he’s pointing at Hastert. Starting to look like a Mexican firing squad (a circle). Geeeez. How tragic. Couldn’t happen to a better group of guys.
So he was “molested” huh? Who dreamed up this lame excuse? Betcha it was Karl Rove. Also I find it quite cowardly to hide in a rehab center when there’s no indication he’s an alcoholic.
This is just a bunch of lies to try and save Republican butts. I say throw all the bums OUT in November.
These nutbags are really too much. Do they know the worst kind of evil doers are right in their midst? Do they know that people are gonna be gay no matter what legislation they pass? Do they know people are gonna be sexual beings no matter how much religion and strength they involve themselves in? Do they know they live in denial, hell no. Do they know they are hippocrites of the worst kind?
That’s the game; make him a victim so an investigation will be perceived as heaping more abuse on a guy who has suffered enough. They don’t miss a trick.
This fits exactly with the textbook description from FOTF’s guide to homosexuality. Dobson and Perkins both believe gays come from families in where the father and son have bonding issues. The solution?
Put the young boy and his father in the shower together so the son can see how big his dad’s penis is compared to his own.
Dobson is a child psychologist who wrote this bit of “professional” advice for his followers who wonder if their sons might be gay:
Meanwhile, the boy’s father has to do his part. He needs to mirror and affirm his son’s maleness. He can play rough-and-tumble games with his son, in ways that are decidedly different from the games he would play with a little girl. He can help his son learn to throw and catch a ball. He can teach him to pound a square wooden peg into a square hole in a pegboard. He can even take his son with him into the shower, where the boy cannot help but notice that Dad has a penis, just like his, only bigger.
JP,
I wouldn’t say it perverts the child. Well, most of the children.
It traumatizes them, gives them a lot of imtimacy issues, but pervert? I don’t know…
Let’s see what the post-bombshell analysis will be:
You’ve got a 52 year old child predator who last week resigned because the sh*t was about to hit the fan. 4 days later his lawyer says he was molested by a priest/clergyman…
my question is:
What did he know and when did he discover this?
Over the weekend…I’ll bet my money on “I kept this a secret for a really, really, really long time and instead of getting help for 40+ years, I decided to do the very thing that was done to me – to those who were innocent.”
The only people who are going to buy this sh*t are the ones who are unknown abusers and molesters themselves.
Comment by trueblue — October 3, 2006 @ 6:29 pm
JP,
I wouldn’t say it perverts the child. Well, most of the children.
It traumatizes them, gives them a lot of imtimacy issues, but pervert? I don’t know…
——————————————————————————————
trueblue,
Perverted in this context is a perversion of their sexuality and depending on the serverity of the abuse – especially if done by the parents – destroys normal sexuality. Growning up in an abusive household myself I can tell you this takes years of therapy and constant closeness and intamacy with people who are kind and giving.
are we supposed to feel sorry for Foley and forget what he did? if anything, he didn’t learn a lesson from his alleged molestation – that it’s wrong to target kids as sex objects… and he may indeed have not had any inappropriate “physical” contact with minors, but the law doesn’t require contact in order for a crime to have been committed… he’s screwed, and hopefully those who protected them are, too…
I guess it goes without saying that Foley’s lawyer had no new information about the gutting of habeus corpus and the death of the US Constitution! Do you have any new information for us, or are you going to continue playing into the Republicans’ hands by helping distract the country from the real criminals in Washington?
What a tool. Next he will say he has cancer or use the Twinkie Defense.
Am I the only one who didn’t see a Priest put a gun to his head on the floor of the house and force Foley to IM that kid and invite him over for underage drinking?
Trueblue,
You’re welcome. I would like to add that the signal or warning sign of an abusive/active perverted adult is someone who is in complete denial of any wrong doing by their past abusers. In most cases, they will defend them to the very end-especially their mother and/or father. If you should ever want to confront someone on this, seek professional assistance first and tread lightly. If confronted, odds are someone who exhibits behavior like Mark Foley (what we know thus far), would likely or eventually become violent.
I have NEVER in my 51 years of life, seen such a juvenile display of “denial of responsibility†as I have with this mess. Grown men – millionaires – elected leaders of this country – passing the blame like a bunch of school-yard sissies.
#96 JP: Let’s see if I can shed some light on who will believe this: Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Matt Drudge, Katie Couric, Bill O’Reilly, Dennis Hastert, John Boehner, John Shimkus, everyone at the Wall Street Journal, the rest of the delusional crew at Fox News, Ben Stein, Ann (Pus Crack) Coulter, Michelle Malkin, George Bush, Dick (head) Cheney, Karl Rove, Condoleezza (I don’t recall, I don’t remember, where’s my new shoes) Rice and of course Tony Snow (job). If I left anyone out please feel free to add to the list.
I am surprised the “clergy” wasn’t an “Ayatollah” and the Pages all Muslim. Foley just took the war on Terror up a couple of notches. We shouldn’t be chastising him we should be awarding him the Nobel “Piece” prize.
Wouldn’t it have been better if he’d checked himself into a de-gayification camp and found Jesus? Then he could blame his sinful gay lifestyle, instead of blaming gay priests, and get the religious right in his corner. Who does he get behind him with this gambit?
Despite his history of abuse as a victim, Foley is still responsible for his actions as an adult. While it is true that a large percentage of offenders were originally victims, not all were. The level of trust violated (high with a priest and with a Congressman) is related to the level of trauma.
This mess also points to our country’s continuing lack of parity for mental health treatment as well as our society’s lack of integration of homosexuals, both being additional traumas.
BTW, I really wonder if the Foley situation somehow triggered the guy in PA to kill those Amish students, as he admitted in his suicide note to having molested children 20 years ago.
Comment by clb72 — October 3, 2006 @ 7:07 pm
Wouldn’t it have been better if he’d checked himself into a de-gayification camp and found Jesus? Then he could blame his sinful gay lifestyle, instead of blaming gay priests, and get the religious right in his corner. Who does he get behind him with this gambit?
——————————————————————————————
The Church of Scientology. This is the story the GOP really doesn’t want you to know. Foley hung out with the Scientology clan and is likely being treated for his “addiction” in Clearwater, FL.
Foley sent his “Gone to Detox Mansion†fax from Clearwater, Florida. Are there any rehab joints there that aren’t run by Scientology? Remember, that’s the same cult that says they can ‘cure’ homosexuality ….
Clearwater is known as the town Scientology built … or at least the town Scientology almost completely redeveloped. Clearwater is also home to Narconon, L. Ron Hubbard’s homemade rehab program.
And it turns out Foley was no stranger in Clearwater.
At a 2003 Scientology meeting, Foley gave a speech and was photographed happily accepting “leatherbound copies of Dianetics and The Way to Happiness.â€
In 1999, Foley joined three other Scientology-friendly politicians in condemning Germany for outlawing Scientology — German law is very strict about cults, because of previous problems.
The Clearwater Scientologists also held a fund-raiser for Foley’s aborted Senate run; he dropped out after the gay thing was mentioned.
And on Friday, the Creative Loafing blog in Tampa reported that Foley attended a Scientology gala in Los Angeles five years ago.
SOUTH PARK was ahead of its time with TOM CRUISE and the SUPER ADVENTURE CLUB
So what if he was molested. What kind of an excuse is that? Does that mean we are supposed believe the guy that wrote the lawyer on internet predators didn’t know he was being and internet predator – bullshit!
Time for all poloticians to stand up and admit when they are wrong and stop the all the whining!
Congressman Mark Foley (R-FL) was still using the America Online screen name now associated with attempts to solicit underage boys, RAW STORY has learned.
As recently as 10:50 AM EST today, users of the AOL Instant messaging were surprised to find Foley signed briefly onto the chat service, using the screen name Maf54.
The login was used in now-public emails and instant messages with underage boys.
Foley signed on only briefly this morning, but has reportedly continued to use the screen name occasionally as the scandal surrounding it unfolds publicly.
BlogActive has taken a screen capture of Foley’s online status this morning, available here.
—-Using a computer to go online? During Rehab?
This man does not act like someone who is taking personal responsibility. He acts like someone looking for his next victim.
It’s not about whether or not Foley is sick. That’s established. And it’s not about what might be the contributing factors, such as having been molested as a child.
It’s about the republican leadership covering up his criminal and unethical behavior, for over a year.
BTW, I really wonder if the Foley situation somehow triggered the guy in PA to kill those Amish students, as he admitted in his suicide note to having molested children 20 years ago.
More likely that Foley saw the story about the guy killing the Amish and said “Ding! I got it! I will tell them that I was molested, then everybody will feel really sorry for me and this will all go away. Pass me the kool-aid.”
Well, BFD. I found out the other day that Foley’s parents attended a Catholic church. No surprise there that he likely was abused by a priest.
When are the pundits going to turn this around on the Dems? After all, Foley was originally a Democrat, but after not winning any elected posts, he change party affiliations in the 80’s (Reagan era) and the rest is pederas-history.
I’m really sorry Foley was mosested as a child, but that doesn’t excuse his actions now. He’s had 40 years to get treatment. He’s responsbile for his actions, just like any other pervert.
This puts the whole thing in a new light. Wow, he’s really had to beat the odds to get where he is today. When it comes to the cycle of abuse, Foley is the GOP’s Lance Armstrong. Inspirational, really. Talk about a Profile in Courage. Take that JFK!
so…I’m an alcoholic. But I didn’t bother seeking treatment until I got caught. And that alienates the liquor lobby.
I’m gay. That alienates the gay, lesbian, transexual, transgender lobby. And those hetrosexuals who support tolerance and acceptance. But it really mobilizes the Conservative Christian Base that loves bashing gays. But this kid wasn’t a consenting adult.
I’ve got it! A member of the clergy molested me! Oops! Now I’ve just managed to p!ss off the Conservative Christian Base by blaming it all on those whose lives are devoted to following Christ.
Maybe next it will be that John Kerry’s wife fed him too much katsup and turned him into a pedophile, who knows. They have an excuse for everything. What really gets me is that the Christian Coalition is standing behind Dennis Hastert, incredible. Nothing like covering up a child abuse scandal to get you through the pearly gates…
OK, I have an angle on the Foley scandal…if the FBI have known about this since early summer 2005, then who else knew?
1. The Justice Department
2. Florida GOP
….this was already beyond Hastert in July 2005, right? So why did the FBI do nothing? I’m missing something, I think..
It’s never the crime, it’s always the coverup…should’ve learned from Nixon.
BTW – Think progress – Habeas Corpus was voted to be suspended last week… did you miss that?
Yes I predicted on Monday that Foley probably was molested by a Catholic priest when he was a young teenager > he learned his behavior from a sicko clergyman! Now Foley is passing along his perversions to other young teenagers, who someday might molest young teenagers > see the abuse just gets passed from one generation to the next!
Being molested as a young teenager is very sad and Foley has my sympathy for that. However even if he had been molested at a much younger age which would possibly have actually had an effect on his sexual preferences, it still wouldn’t excuse what he’s done. Being molested at 13-15 doesn’t make you a pedophile, your sexuality is well established by then.
The Repugs have “swift boated themselves.” Just another Newt Gingrich moment in the People’s house.Just give them enough rope and they will hang themselves.
Bombshell. That was the bombshell? His being molested by clergy at 15? More like a capgun to me compared to what is going on right now. So he is a drunk who was molested at 15….what next he slept over at Michael Jackson’s house and drank some grape juice? Or how about he feels so alone because he is a gay man in the republican party. That should bring sympathy…from someone I guess..not me.
Anybody that would believe a word this attorney says is a fool. This guy comes across as the prototypical shister attorney. What is worse is that this story plays right into the stereotype for pedophilia. I just wish that they would stop digging and not turn this into a hate crime as well.
#151 Well said, Dallas….This is a desperate attempt by Foley to deflect responsibility for his own deviant acts by blaming some unnamed boogey-man — an unidentified, heretofore unknown “clergy” (i.e. Catholic priest)…This a pathetic effort by Foley to garner media sympathy by tying himself to the scandal in the Church. No one should believe a word this pederast has to say.
o’ lets not forget that perkins is trying to link homosexuality and pedaphilia. and said that the majority of pedaphilia comes from gay men. THAT IS A F. LIE. 98% OF PEDAPHILIA IS FROM STRAIGHT MEN. see republicons just make shit up and through it out there hoping someone will latch on to save their political base. and this admin. ran on corruption free, family values blah, blah, blah. and looks like the rainbow of true colors is shinnin. peckerwoods anyhow. f.liars, all of them. hey get your facts straight before you spew.
Another common misconception about sex offenders is that if you were abused as a child, you’re more likely to abuse others as an adult. Although prior abuse CAN lead to many other psychological issues, including alchoholism, depression, and physical abuse; there isn’t statistical evidence that shows that they “more likely” than the general population to become sexual predators themselves. There is plenty of documentation in this regard in sex offender theraputic research.
The key thing to remember is that Sex Offenders are master manipulators- he may have been molested as a child; or he may be using that to deflect the accusations and to gain sympathy. They’ll use any excuse at their disposal to justify their actions once they’re discovered. His statement that he “never acted” on his attempts to lure victims is 99.9% predictable. Almost ALL sex offenders when caught say that this was their “first time” they ever did it. I once saw a research paper that, on average, sex offenders molest 30 or so victims before they’re caught.
We might never know if he was molested. If he was to be prosecuted and placed under supervision, a polygraph & plethysmograph would be required, and his therapist might find out the truth at that point. Either way, the fact that he would publically state that he was victimized (true or not) strikes me as a timed, manipulative attempt to change perceptions. The cynic in me says that this might have been coordinated with Repub leadership to give them an “out” (no pun intended).
Background- I supervised juvenile sex offenders for 5 years as a probation officer.
What is it, what is it, hurry.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:04 pmHEY TP,
WHAT ABOUT THE GUTTUNG OF HABEUS CORPUS AND THE DEATH OF OUR CONSTITUTION?
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:05 pmWell, I guess we need another terrorist attack to shut you liberals up.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:06 pmAs this news breaks Bush will be signing into law THE TERROR BILL …..cover up
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:08 pmComment by ForTruth — October 3, 2006 @ 5:05 pm
Right there with ya. Don’t worry. I’m not letting it go. Noone is.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:08 pmI know!
5) Foley is emotionally nine, so the page, being older, was the one being predatory.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:10 pm4) This is part of the vast left-wing conspiracy to undercut the war on terrorism.
3) Jerry Falwell has already told Foley God has forgiven him, and so should you.
2) Because the page was circumcised, this is an anti-semitic effort to smear Zionism and Judaism.
1) Foley was abused as a boy by Clinton. This is all Clinton’s fault.
Maybe Foley’s attorney has news about the gutting of habeus corpus and the death of our Constitution. OR WHY ELSE WOULD THIS STORY BE HERE ON TP?
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:11 pm“Bombshell”? Gina Lollobrigida is going to be there? VA VA VOOM!!!
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:12 pmFoley had sex with Hastert? (Hope I didn’t ruin your dinner.)
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:13 pmFoley will run as an Independent for his old seat.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:13 pmhastert also mailed boys!!!!
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:13 pm“My client was, in fact, actively participating in a sting operation intended to ‘out’ underage gay pages who were illegally trolling for older men.”
Sorry, I know it’s not as important as the loss of habeus corpus protections. But this story just keeps getting funnier. Rush had himself twisted into a pretzel today, and Hannity has pretty much welded Chevrolet cars and trucks to the notion that “pedophilia isn’t a big deal. ”
Plenty of serious stuff to deal with, yes. But we need a real howler right now, just for morale’s sake.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:14 pmWayne and ForTruth – we’re now just one missing white girl short of Iraq, habeas corpus, torture and warrantless wiretapping disappearing for ever…
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:15 pmFoley Bombshell: I’ve been a closet democrat this whole time.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:15 pmSadly, I have a feeling this is going to be a tragic announcement of Foley’s self-inflicted death, followed by conservative talking heads outraged at the media which hunt which only republicans go through.
I hope, not, though. What Foley did was despicalbe, but not worth the loss of a human life.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:15 pmFoley pricked a pack of pickled pages?
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:17 pmI’ll bet this month’s paycheck that it will be something aimed at absolving Hastert, GOP House leadership, et al.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:17 pmThis can’s be good. The “Republi-can’ts” have really screwed
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:17 pmthe pooch on this one. Foley, Foley, Foley..my God.
Connections between male prostitutes and the White House emerged again in early 2005, when James Dale Guckert, working under the pseudonym Jeff Gannon, was given privileged access to the White House despite his lack of suitable press credentials. Gannon first came under scrutiny when he repeatedly gave President Bush softball questions during press conferences – leading many to charge Gannon was a White House plant. Photos emerged of Bush embracing Gannon and appearing very affectionate towards him during meetings. It later came out that Gannon had previously placed ads on homosexual escort service websites.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:18 pmDid he kill himself?? I hope not.:(
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:19 pmHe’s going to tell us where bin Laden is?
He’s going to tell where the weapons of mass destruction are in Iraq?
He sent the anthrax letters?
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:19 pmA democrat is involved
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:19 pmlive feed of the 5:45 ET presser here:
http://www.cbsnews.com/media/1998/01/01/video1.wmv
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:20 pmlive feed here
5:45 ET
http://www.cbsnews.com/media/1998/01/01/video1.wmv
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:21 pmWe find out that Karl “The Dumpling” Rove is behind this and they have photos of Foley with various Dems??? I hope the hell not, but you know the GOP will mov eheaven and earth to “make it right” in their twisted world. With Faux News help of course…
Texas Juice
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:23 pmfoley’s attorney:
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:24 pm“we have just uncovered documentary evidence that the page was 16-going-on-35, if you know what i mean.”
#13 Terry,
Or another school shooting. That seems to be the distraction of choice lately. You’re right, though. One more missing pretty white girl and we might not ever be reminded by the media that there’s an election in five weeks.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:26 pmWhat will the “bombshell” be? That Democrats made him do it?
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:26 pmSince the Repugs have been fond of diversion in the past, “Look, a unicorn!”, I can be persuaded they could throw one of their own under the bus to distract from the fact they just put the Constitution in the shredder. In their view they would just be losing a homo and managing to get all the MSM to focus on a sex scandal. And, surprise, blaming the liberals for springing this just before an election. Otherwise they might be talking about “adios habeus corpus”.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:26 pmbut Foley’s lawyer isnt a politician hes not gonna announce other people’s invovlement, this is related to Foley himself, his status, his health, something …
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:26 pmHEY TP,
WHAT ABOUT THE GUTTUNG OF HABEUS CORPUS AND THE DEATH OF OUR CONSTITUTION?
Comment by ForTruth — October 3, 2006 @ 5:05 pm
It is interesting that this hasn’t been covered isn’t it? Perhaps they’re afraid they’ll be held indefinitely for no reason and denied legal representation.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:27 pmThe guy Foley was shagging has been sent to Guantanamo “the young boy was a terror suspect” end of story -
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:28 pm#27 Wayne – I think we’ve just hit on the ‘October Surprise’ – someone’s going to make Katy Couric disappear.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:29 pmyeah but FOley cant know who did or did not know about his emails, and any statement of ‘its just me’ would scream of politics and not stop anyone from rooting out coverup allegations…
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:29 pmTim
foley’s lawyer COULD pull other people into the shitstorm, though. foley is going down regardless so what does he care about saying rep. X knew 3 three years ago etc. etc.?
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:31 pmDoes anyone remember those slow news days back when all we had to deal with was a stupid propoganda film from ABC?
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:33 pmAmerica’s Least Wanted
What bombshell? Are they going to find out that he’s straight?
Let it not be said that the Republican Party doesn’t protect children. This just in: GOP House Passes Pederast Reform Act of 2006.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:33 pmCould go either way. Foley could have cut a deal that saves the party for unknown payoff once he is out of jail (or maybe even the deal is that he avoids jail somehow).
The other option, is that he names names, etc, and the whole stinking bunch is done in. But I view that as unlikely.
Either way, given how things always seem to work out for this bunch of corrupt scumbags, Im sure this will not be something we want to hear. Despite the fact that things look bad constantly for republicans, so far, seems to have not mattered one bit to the results of where this country is heading (the crapper).
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:35 pm#27 Wayne – I think we’ve just hit on the ‘October Surprise’ – someone’s going to make Katy Couric disappear.
Yeah, her viewers.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:36 pmmay be this
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Foley_had_cybersex_in_House_chamber_1003.html
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:37 pmHe had an affair with this man:
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:40 pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrCX_u6FvwA&eurl=
These October surprises that the administration announced back in September tickle my fancy for sure.
It’s like X-Mas with a very very bad Santa. Hmmm….
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:43 pmActually, since Repugs believe that homosexuality is a sickness, Foley can say that he in now “cured” and falls under the protection of the Americans With Disabilities Act and sue to get his job back.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:48 pmUnfortunately this scandal is the weapon to be used against the GOP for the election, since the religious conservatives really don’t care about the unlawful detainees bill or the Iraq war.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:52 pmTalk about an October surprise! Wow! Not what the neocons had in mind.
Sorry for the pages that were involved. It is sick, sick, sick!
Must ask questions to Hastert and the other “leaders” on the Hill concerning the Foley matter:
What did you/they know? When did you/they know it? What did you/they do about it to stop it?
I doubt they can spin those questions to their advantage.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:52 pmCrooks and LIars has it.
Foley was abused by a priest when he was kid.
He’s pulling out all the stops isn’t he? Alcohol, past sexual abuse as a child. What else.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:56 pmFoley was abused by a priest.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:57 pmThen why didn’t he get help for it? Why didn’t he sue the Catholic church? Why did he take his sickness out on underage males?
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:58 pmOK, he was abused. That’s terrible.
October 3rd, 2006 at 5:59 pmThat does not in any way excuse his behavior.
Foley’s attorney said Foley was abused by a priest when he was 13-15 years old. He is a gay man. He is an alcoholic with mental issues.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:02 pmThat is the bombshell.
So – that’s it.
what bs … he’s crying out for sympathy… oh, and he’s gay is the bombshell???
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:02 pmAnd that is supposed to be a Bombshell? And by the way, we don’t know that it was a Catholic Priest. And gee, he wants us to know he is gay. WOW! No bombshell to me!
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:02 pmTrueblue: OK, he was abused. That’s terrible.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:02 pmThat does not in any way excuse his behavior.
- – Ditto. Let’s call fundamentalism what it is: religious addiction.
I wonder what Dobson and Focus on the Family will say now. Get rid of all the gays priests?
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:04 pmFoley was abused by a priest.
Comment by blahblah — October 3, 2006 @ 5:57 pm
““
so much for the neo-con pundits ‘liberal spin’
God is angry.
If I were the neo-con Fox pundits I would just shutup.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:05 pmUPDATE: Attorney says Foley was molested by a member of the clergy between the ages of 13-15. 5:02 pm
BFD!
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:05 pmWhat is it about republican voters that they elect people like this yet they think they are infallible?
They vote a dunce in as president.
They vote a war monger/profiteer in as vice president.
They vote Constitution and Bill of Rights hating religious extremists and racists in as representatives.
What is wrong with the voting decisions of the republicans?
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:06 pmSomeone predicted yesterday, Foley would come out and say he was abused by a priest. Man I am glad I wasn’t forced to go to church. If godless means escaping the wrath of sexually oppressed preists, then I am Godless.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:06 pmFoley is working very hard to stay ahead of something. Checking into rehab and claiming to be an abuse victim aren’t directed towards saving his political career, which is surely shot. Foley knows that criminal charges of some sort are coming down the pike.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:06 pmIf it’s true, I’m sory he was abused.
How does this make up for being a Child predator??
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:06 pmlooks like the “Bombshell” was just a dud excuse.
Figures……
I was bad because I was a victim too, sooo freekin lame.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:07 pmIt *IS* a liberal conspiracy!!! OMFG!!!11!
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:07 pmFoley needs to now out the Preist and the church were it happened. Then file charges.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:07 pmOK,
So he had severe emotional problems so what? We knew that. Why is this a bombshell? That Hastert and Reynolds knew him for so long and were aware of his condition and yet gave him free reign and did nothing?
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:07 pmthis is the right’s way of showing the base they’re all in the same boat.
argumentum ad misericordiam.
appeal to pity. a favorite right wing tactic when caught with their pants down.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:08 pmFor those keeping score, here’s a summary of GOP spin attempts:
9. GOP House leadership was not aware of Foley’s behavior and so should not be blamed.
8. GOP House leadership WAS aware of Foley’s behavior, but thought the problem had corrected itself.
7. GOP House leadership was aware of Foley’s behavior, but did not take action out of fear of being accused of “gay-bashing.â€
6. The underage pages are to blame for Foley’s behavior.
5. The media is to blame for not reporting the story earlier.
4. Democrats are to blame for either possibly “condoning the behavior†or for not making it public earlier.
3. Bill Clinton is to blame for attempting to allow gays to serve their country in the military.
2. Bill Clinton is to blame for receiving consensual oral sex from an (adult) intern.
1. The Catholic church or God Himself is to blame for the molestation Foley suffered as a child, i.e. Foley is the victim.
That the party of “personal responsibility†is attempting to divert blame away from its own members is not surprising. However, this doesn’t take away from the fact that their lack of accountability borders on pathological, if not criminal, behavior.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:10 pmso the bombshell is a pathetic attempt at garnering public sympathy?
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:10 pmthe bombshell… is another distraction…
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:10 pmoh, and of course he was…
Not surprising. Every one of the perverts in Focus on the Family wants you to believe Gays are deviant and prey on young boys. It’s called “projecting”. The once innocent and abused children will become adults and continue the pattern of abuse by targeting the innocent/weaker ones who they themselves have issues. Without intervention and serious conseling, there is little hope they will have a normal life.
F**K the monsters who create monsters and forgive the adults who did this to them.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:12 pmMost of the perps are indeed victims themselves, and this does not help the perps when getting sentenced. A perp is a perp. And the Republicans now all of the sudden want compassion and tolerance for this guy. Ha, usually the Republicans want perps locked up forever.
Remember, its the liberals who are compassionate, tolerant, and understanding, we get shit all the time for this. The damn right wingers go off on everyone who screws up, they forget they are human and fallable. Oh well they deserve whatever they get.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:12 pmah well, the ultimate irony, another Gay Republican big wig … maybe this will blow the top off this gay bashing party when one of their own fesses up for a change… the closet is the problem, of course .. what other Repub leaders are to follow?
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:12 pmHA! – I knew religion was to blame for all of this!!!
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:13 pm#46.
Pardon me….a clergyman. Could’ve been any one of a number of religious clergymen….an inman, a priest, a shaman, a minister, a pastor, a self-proclaimed bullshitter, a tv evangelist….
….oh – the possibilities.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:13 pmWhere is the personal responsibility? If Foley had such traumatic experiences in his youth, it was his responsibility to seek treatment for the problems that came from that experience. This does not absolve him from his guilt in perpetuating the cycle of abuse.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:13 pmWell, I am truly sorry if Mr. Foley was molested by a priest some forty years ago. It does not excuse his behavior forty years later. I’m aure the statute of limitations has run out on the abuses that Foley endured as a child, and it’s hard to say what good a civil lawsuit would do. I mean, whatever the priest might have done to him, it certainly didn’t stop him from rising all the way to the US House of Representatives.
Just out of curiosity, I wonder if the priest that abused him was a “first timer”? Or was he brought into Foley’s church after getting caught doing the same thing at another church. The answer wouldn’t matter now after four decades, but I was just curious.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:14 pmawwwww, pooor Foley… he knows not what he does!
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:14 pmWar4sale,
You forgot to include, America is to blame for tolerating gays and diversity.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:14 pmSince when does being molested as a child turn someone gay?
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:15 pmHis attorney, david rogers said Mark only made these emails when he was drunk, but NEVER drank when doing House business, but then how come he was enticing a minor during a House vote – so how do you explain that. either he was drunk doing House business or wasn’t drunk and was trolling for children. And I love the “gay man” and “I was molested by a priest” defenses. Assholes.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:16 pmBlaming the church won’t play well with the religious nut job base either. It’s the normal moderate thinking people that would be more understanding of this.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:16 pm78. Didn’t you read the memo? That’s how becoming gay works. Duh.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:18 pmAmerica’s Least Wanted
i think only a part.
the other parts being:
-Condi and the 911 lies
-death to HABEUS CORPUS
what’s going on with the republicans? just can’t seem to trust anything they do or say anymore. goodness knows, if we can’t trust them with the children in our backyard – we sure the hell can’t expect republicans to protect our country.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:18 pmThe conservatives wanting Hastert’s head five weeks before the election can’t be good news for all those hard-working Republicans running for erection (er- I meant “election”). It sounds like Boehner, the House Majority leader, is feeling the heat too, because he’s pointing at Hastert. Starting to look like a Mexican firing squad (a circle). Geeeez. How tragic. Couldn’t happen to a better group of guys.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:19 pm77,
Right, I knew I’d miss at least one! By tomorrow they’ll have six more excuses.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:20 pmComment by ann — October 3, 2006 @ 6:15 pm
Since when does being molested as a child turn someone gay?
————————————————————————————-
It doesn’t. It does pervert the molested child – especially if it happens before puberty, before a child is supposed to experience sexuality.
In a way, he and world is lucky he’s gay – he won’t have any children of his own to harm in the privacy of his home and get away with it. And many do.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:20 pmSo he was “molested” huh? Who dreamed up this lame excuse? Betcha it was Karl Rove. Also I find it quite cowardly to hide in a rehab center when there’s no indication he’s an alcoholic.
This is just a bunch of lies to try and save Republican butts. I say throw all the bums OUT in November.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:20 pmWhat is it going to take to get something about the Detainee Bill on the front page, TP?
When did this become a political tabloid?
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:21 pmThese nutbags are really too much. Do they know the worst kind of evil doers are right in their midst? Do they know that people are gonna be gay no matter what legislation they pass? Do they know people are gonna be sexual beings no matter how much religion and strength they involve themselves in? Do they know they live in denial, hell no. Do they know they are hippocrites of the worst kind?
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:21 pmIn alcohol rehab, they teach personal responsibility. I guessa he ain’t that far along yet?
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:24 pmThat’s the game; make him a victim so an investigation will be perceived as heaping more abuse on a guy who has suffered enough. They don’t miss a trick.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:24 pmThis fits exactly with the textbook description from FOTF’s guide to homosexuality. Dobson and Perkins both believe gays come from families in where the father and son have bonding issues. The solution?
Put the young boy and his father in the shower together so the son can see how big his dad’s penis is compared to his own.
I kid you not – it’s on their website.
http://www.family.org/docstudy/newsletters/a0021043.cfm
Dobson is a child psychologist who wrote this bit of “professional” advice for his followers who wonder if their sons might be gay:
Meanwhile, the boy’s father has to do his part. He needs to mirror and affirm his son’s maleness. He can play rough-and-tumble games with his son, in ways that are decidedly different from the games he would play with a little girl. He can help his son learn to throw and catch a ball. He can teach him to pound a square wooden peg into a square hole in a pegboard. He can even take his son with him into the shower, where the boy cannot help but notice that Dad has a penis, just like his, only bigger.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:26 pmI think it’s safe to say that after the past several days, the most relieved guy in America is Sen. George Allen.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:28 pmJP,
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:29 pmI wouldn’t say it perverts the child. Well, most of the children.
It traumatizes them, gives them a lot of imtimacy issues, but pervert? I don’t know…
Why is everybody all of a sudden Foley is telling the truth? I’ll believe he was molested when he starts naming names, like say, Pat Robertson…
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:32 pmLet’s see what the post-bombshell analysis will be:
You’ve got a 52 year old child predator who last week resigned because the sh*t was about to hit the fan. 4 days later his lawyer says he was molested by a priest/clergyman…
my question is:
What did he know and when did he discover this?
Over the weekend…I’ll bet my money on “I kept this a secret for a really, really, really long time and instead of getting help for 40+ years, I decided to do the very thing that was done to me – to those who were innocent.”
The only people who are going to buy this sh*t are the ones who are unknown abusers and molesters themselves.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:33 pmComment by trueblue — October 3, 2006 @ 6:29 pm
JP,
I wouldn’t say it perverts the child. Well, most of the children.
It traumatizes them, gives them a lot of imtimacy issues, but pervert? I don’t know…
——————————————————————————————
trueblue,
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:38 pmPerverted in this context is a perversion of their sexuality and depending on the serverity of the abuse – especially if done by the parents – destroys normal sexuality. Growning up in an abusive household myself I can tell you this takes years of therapy and constant closeness and intamacy with people who are kind and giving.
are we supposed to feel sorry for Foley and forget what he did? if anything, he didn’t learn a lesson from his alleged molestation – that it’s wrong to target kids as sex objects… and he may indeed have not had any inappropriate “physical” contact with minors, but the law doesn’t require contact in order for a crime to have been committed… he’s screwed, and hopefully those who protected them are, too…
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:38 pmAha, JP.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:40 pmThanks for the clarification.
ThinkProgress,
I guess it goes without saying that Foley’s lawyer had no new information about the gutting of habeus corpus and the death of the US Constitution! Do you have any new information for us, or are you going to continue playing into the Republicans’ hands by helping distract the country from the real criminals in Washington?
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:43 pmWhat a tool. Next he will say he has cancer or use the Twinkie Defense.
Am I the only one who didn’t see a Priest put a gun to his head on the floor of the house and force Foley to IM that kid and invite him over for underage drinking?
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:44 pm…and and the preist was a democrat…and poor foley..awwww..what a lame snow job.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:45 pmTrueblue,
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:48 pmYou’re welcome. I would like to add that the signal or warning sign of an abusive/active perverted adult is someone who is in complete denial of any wrong doing by their past abusers. In most cases, they will defend them to the very end-especially their mother and/or father. If you should ever want to confront someone on this, seek professional assistance first and tread lightly. If confronted, odds are someone who exhibits behavior like Mark Foley (what we know thus far), would likely or eventually become violent.
Bill Moyers to be interviewed by Lou Dobb’s now on CNN..
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:50 pmThat’s a Bombshell????
I have NEVER in my 51 years of life, seen such a juvenile display of “denial of responsibility†as I have with this mess. Grown men – millionaires – elected leaders of this country – passing the blame like a bunch of school-yard sissies.
It makes my stomach turn!
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:51 pmDidn’t someone PREDICT this yesterday???
Man, you guys are good!!!
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:52 pmwar-4-sale:
very nicely lspelled out.
good detail.
thanks.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:52 pm#96 JP: Let’s see if I can shed some light on who will believe this: Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Matt Drudge, Katie Couric, Bill O’Reilly, Dennis Hastert, John Boehner, John Shimkus, everyone at the Wall Street Journal, the rest of the delusional crew at Fox News, Ben Stein, Ann (Pus Crack) Coulter, Michelle Malkin, George Bush, Dick (head) Cheney, Karl Rove, Condoleezza (I don’t recall, I don’t remember, where’s my new shoes) Rice and of course Tony Snow (job). If I left anyone out please feel free to add to the list.
October 3rd, 2006 at 6:58 pmBig freaking deal, so Foley was molested as a kid and decided to turn around and pass his pain onto a nwhole new generation. Way to go.
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:00 pmInspired by Mr. Evil’s post:
“I don’t think anyone could have anticipated the abuse by a clergyman.”
-Republican Official of Choice
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:02 pmI am surprised the “clergy” wasn’t an “Ayatollah” and the Pages all Muslim. Foley just took the war on Terror up a couple of notches. We shouldn’t be chastising him we should be awarding him the Nobel “Piece” prize.
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:02 pmIf you READ the Rawstory story, they stated “A CATHOLIC PREIST’.
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:03 pmROTFLMAO!!!
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:03 pmIt doesn’t matter if he was molested by a cleric or a polar bear. Foley is a thinking being and he thinks preying on young adults is acceptable.
Throw the book at him.
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:04 pmWouldn’t it have been better if he’d checked himself into a de-gayification camp and found Jesus? Then he could blame his sinful gay lifestyle, instead of blaming gay priests, and get the religious right in his corner. Who does he get behind him with this gambit?
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:07 pmWell we just found 1…..WMD……mark foley
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:08 pmWould it be wrong if I said…
He he he… :) Ha Haaaa HHAAAA!!!!
BWAHH HAAA HAAAAAAA!!!!
Hooooo… sheeesus *kneeslap* :) Haaa Haaa Haaaaaa!
err… Yeah, that would be wrong…
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:12 pmOT, sorry.
Judges Postpone Verdict in Saddam Trial
Seems they are afraid either descision they make will increase violence.
Heck-of-a job, Bushie
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:14 pmoops. Forgot the link.
http://my.earthlink.net/article/top?guid=20061003/4521e040_3ca6_1552620061003-591413436
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:16 pmWho was this clergy man? come on name names or we have to assume you are lying. Also by not naming him you are covering for a molester.
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:21 pmDespite his history of abuse as a victim, Foley is still responsible for his actions as an adult. While it is true that a large percentage of offenders were originally victims, not all were. The level of trust violated (high with a priest and with a Congressman) is related to the level of trauma.
This mess also points to our country’s continuing lack of parity for mental health treatment as well as our society’s lack of integration of homosexuals, both being additional traumas.
BTW, I really wonder if the Foley situation somehow triggered the guy in PA to kill those Amish students, as he admitted in his suicide note to having molested children 20 years ago.
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:21 pmComment by clb72 — October 3, 2006 @ 7:07 pm
Wouldn’t it have been better if he’d checked himself into a de-gayification camp and found Jesus? Then he could blame his sinful gay lifestyle, instead of blaming gay priests, and get the religious right in his corner. Who does he get behind him with this gambit?
——————————————————————————————
The Church of Scientology. This is the story the GOP really doesn’t want you to know. Foley hung out with the Scientology clan and is likely being treated for his “addiction” in Clearwater, FL.
http://www.wonkette.com/politics/scientology/battlefield-foley-204681.php
Foley sent his “Gone to Detox Mansion†fax from Clearwater, Florida. Are there any rehab joints there that aren’t run by Scientology? Remember, that’s the same cult that says they can ‘cure’ homosexuality ….
Clearwater is known as the town Scientology built … or at least the town Scientology almost completely redeveloped. Clearwater is also home to Narconon, L. Ron Hubbard’s homemade rehab program.
And it turns out Foley was no stranger in Clearwater.
At a 2003 Scientology meeting, Foley gave a speech and was photographed happily accepting “leatherbound copies of Dianetics and The Way to Happiness.â€
In 1999, Foley joined three other Scientology-friendly politicians in condemning Germany for outlawing Scientology — German law is very strict about cults, because of previous problems.
The Clearwater Scientologists also held a fund-raiser for Foley’s aborted Senate run; he dropped out after the gay thing was mentioned.
And on Friday, the Creative Loafing blog in Tampa reported that Foley attended a Scientology gala in Los Angeles five years ago.
SOUTH PARK was ahead of its time with TOM CRUISE and the SUPER ADVENTURE CLUB
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:23 pmSo what if he was molested. What kind of an excuse is that? Does that mean we are supposed believe the guy that wrote the lawyer on internet predators didn’t know he was being and internet predator – bullshit!
Time for all poloticians to stand up and admit when they are wrong and stop the all the whining!
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:30 pmvia Raw Story:
Congressman Mark Foley (R-FL) was still using the America Online screen name now associated with attempts to solicit underage boys, RAW STORY has learned.
As recently as 10:50 AM EST today, users of the AOL Instant messaging were surprised to find Foley signed briefly onto the chat service, using the screen name Maf54.
The login was used in now-public emails and instant messages with underage boys.
Foley signed on only briefly this morning, but has reportedly continued to use the screen name occasionally as the scandal surrounding it unfolds publicly.
BlogActive has taken a screen capture of Foley’s online status this morning, available here.
—-Using a computer to go online? During Rehab?
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:33 pmThis man does not act like someone who is taking personal responsibility. He acts like someone looking for his next victim.
Press Conference of Foley’s Lawyer via TPM
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:43 pmIt’s not about whether or not Foley is sick. That’s established. And it’s not about what might be the contributing factors, such as having been molested as a child.
It’s about the republican leadership covering up his criminal and unethical behavior, for over a year.
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:43 pmIf he was abused, then my sympathies are with him; but my sympathies ended when he started going after kids himself.
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:46 pmNo doubt Rick Santorum will blame this on Boston liberals…
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:46 pmMore likely that Foley saw the story about the guy killing the Amish and said “Ding! I got it! I will tell them that I was molested, then everybody will feel really sorry for me and this will all go away. Pass me the kool-aid.”
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:47 pmWell, BFD. I found out the other day that Foley’s parents attended a Catholic church. No surprise there that he likely was abused by a priest.
When are the pundits going to turn this around on the Dems? After all, Foley was originally a Democrat, but after not winning any elected posts, he change party affiliations in the 80’s (Reagan era) and the rest is pederas-history.
October 3rd, 2006 at 8:05 pmSome guys have all the luck Foley,…… details?
October 3rd, 2006 at 8:07 pmNot really surprising news. Dichotomy of character fits well with this background.
October 3rd, 2006 at 8:10 pmThat’s the bomb shell? BFD.
October 3rd, 2006 at 8:14 pmI’m really sorry Foley was mosested as a child, but that doesn’t excuse his actions now. He’s had 40 years to get treatment. He’s responsbile for his actions, just like any other pervert.
October 3rd, 2006 at 9:03 pmWow…Just when I thought Foley couldn’t be more of a piece of human trash, he manages to lower the bar….
“I’m an alcoholic….No, wait. You’re not buying that? Ummmm…Errr…I mean, I was abused by the clergy…Yeah, that’s the ticket!”
Foley is a pervert, a predator, and a pederast. And now he tries to slander others in a pitiful effort to save his sorry skin. Pathetic.
October 3rd, 2006 at 10:15 pmThis puts the whole thing in a new light. Wow, he’s really had to beat the odds to get where he is today. When it comes to the cycle of abuse, Foley is the GOP’s Lance Armstrong. Inspirational, really. Talk about a Profile in Courage. Take that JFK!
October 3rd, 2006 at 10:26 pmso…I’m an alcoholic. But I didn’t bother seeking treatment until I got caught. And that alienates the liquor lobby.
I’m gay. That alienates the gay, lesbian, transexual, transgender lobby. And those hetrosexuals who support tolerance and acceptance. But it really mobilizes the Conservative Christian Base that loves bashing gays. But this kid wasn’t a consenting adult.
I’ve got it! A member of the clergy molested me! Oops! Now I’ve just managed to p!ss off the Conservative Christian Base by blaming it all on those whose lives are devoted to following Christ.
ummm…9/11? Clinton?? Murphy Brown???
October 3rd, 2006 at 10:28 pmDid his attorney disclose the name of the clery person who molested him?
October 3rd, 2006 at 10:33 pmPULLING UP A RADISH –
October 4th, 2006 at 12:30 amAnd lets not forget he announced that he is gay. The repugs have got to love that.
October 4th, 2006 at 12:42 amMaybe next it will be that John Kerry’s wife fed him too much katsup and turned him into a pedophile, who knows. They have an excuse for everything. What really gets me is that the Christian Coalition is standing behind Dennis Hastert, incredible. Nothing like covering up a child abuse scandal to get you through the pearly gates…
http://www.getsomejosh.com
October 4th, 2006 at 12:45 amOK, I have an angle on the Foley scandal…if the FBI have known about this since early summer 2005, then who else knew?
1. The Justice Department
2. Florida GOP
….this was already beyond Hastert in July 2005, right? So why did the FBI do nothing? I’m missing something, I think..
It’s never the crime, it’s always the coverup…should’ve learned from Nixon.
BTW – Think progress – Habeas Corpus was voted to be suspended last week… did you miss that?
October 4th, 2006 at 1:41 amSo, it happened – what – some 40 years ago? Anyone else thinking said clergyman will conveniently have died (of age) a few years ago?
Not that I don’t trust Foleys word.
October 4th, 2006 at 2:49 amYes I predicted on Monday that Foley probably was molested by a Catholic priest when he was a young teenager > he learned his behavior from a sicko clergyman! Now Foley is passing along his perversions to other young teenagers, who someday might molest young teenagers > see the abuse just gets passed from one generation to the next!
October 4th, 2006 at 4:50 amBeing molested as a young teenager is very sad and Foley has my sympathy for that. However even if he had been molested at a much younger age which would possibly have actually had an effect on his sexual preferences, it still wouldn’t excuse what he’s done. Being molested at 13-15 doesn’t make you a pedophile, your sexuality is well established by then.
October 4th, 2006 at 4:56 amWhere are the parents of these Pages?!
October 4th, 2006 at 8:01 amThe Repugs have “swift boated themselves.” Just another Newt Gingrich moment in the People’s house.Just give them enough rope and they will hang themselves.
October 4th, 2006 at 8:11 amBombshell. That was the bombshell? His being molested by clergy at 15? More like a capgun to me compared to what is going on right now. So he is a drunk who was molested at 15….what next he slept over at Michael Jackson’s house and drank some grape juice? Or how about he feels so alone because he is a gay man in the republican party. That should bring sympathy…from someone I guess..not me.
October 4th, 2006 at 8:56 amjust had this thought… excuse if already mentioned…
“a member of the clergy” would be of a non-catholic version…
if it was catholic, i’m sure it would be designated “a priest”…
not?
October 4th, 2006 at 10:27 amAnybody that would believe a word this attorney says is a fool. This guy comes across as the prototypical shister attorney. What is worse is that this story plays right into the stereotype for pedophilia. I just wish that they would stop digging and not turn this into a hate crime as well.
October 4th, 2006 at 10:53 am#151 Well said, Dallas….This is a desperate attempt by Foley to deflect responsibility for his own deviant acts by blaming some unnamed boogey-man — an unidentified, heretofore unknown “clergy” (i.e. Catholic priest)…This a pathetic effort by Foley to garner media sympathy by tying himself to the scandal in the Church. No one should believe a word this pederast has to say.
October 4th, 2006 at 11:30 amhere come the excuses from foley. hey, save it dirty butt
October 4th, 2006 at 12:03 pmo’ lets not forget that perkins is trying to link homosexuality and pedaphilia. and said that the majority of pedaphilia comes from gay men. THAT IS A F. LIE. 98% OF PEDAPHILIA IS FROM STRAIGHT MEN. see republicons just make shit up and through it out there hoping someone will latch on to save their political base. and this admin. ran on corruption free, family values blah, blah, blah. and looks like the rainbow of true colors is shinnin. peckerwoods anyhow. f.liars, all of them. hey get your facts straight before you spew.
October 4th, 2006 at 12:07 pmAnother common misconception about sex offenders is that if you were abused as a child, you’re more likely to abuse others as an adult. Although prior abuse CAN lead to many other psychological issues, including alchoholism, depression, and physical abuse; there isn’t statistical evidence that shows that they “more likely” than the general population to become sexual predators themselves. There is plenty of documentation in this regard in sex offender theraputic research.
The key thing to remember is that Sex Offenders are master manipulators- he may have been molested as a child; or he may be using that to deflect the accusations and to gain sympathy. They’ll use any excuse at their disposal to justify their actions once they’re discovered. His statement that he “never acted” on his attempts to lure victims is 99.9% predictable. Almost ALL sex offenders when caught say that this was their “first time” they ever did it. I once saw a research paper that, on average, sex offenders molest 30 or so victims before they’re caught.
We might never know if he was molested. If he was to be prosecuted and placed under supervision, a polygraph & plethysmograph would be required, and his therapist might find out the truth at that point. Either way, the fact that he would publically state that he was victimized (true or not) strikes me as a timed, manipulative attempt to change perceptions. The cynic in me says that this might have been coordinated with Repub leadership to give them an “out” (no pun intended).
Background- I supervised juvenile sex offenders for 5 years as a probation officer.
October 4th, 2006 at 1:24 pm