Posted on 10/01/2006 4:57:38 PM PDT by Gothmog
Congressional page sex scandal
Studds is remembered chiefly for his role in the 1983 Congressional page sex scandal, when he and Representative Dan Crane were censured by the House of Representatives for separate sexual relationships with a minor – in Studds's case, a 1973 relationship with a 17-year-old male congressional page. The relationship was consensual, but violated age of consent laws and presented ethical concerns relating to working relationships with subordinates.
During the course of the House Ethics Committee's investigation, Studds publicly acknowledged his homosexuality, a disclosure that, according to a Washington Post article, "apparently was not news to many of his constituents." Studds stated in an address to the House, "It is not a simple task for any of us to meet adequately the obligations of either public or private life, let alone both, but these challenges are made substantially more complex when one is, as I am, both an elected public official and gay."
As the House read their censure of him, Studds turned his back and ignored them. Later, at a press conference with the former page standing beside him, the two stated that what had happened between them was nobody's business but their own.
Back onboard
Studds was re-elected five more terms after the censure. He fought for many issues, including environmental and maritime issues, gay marriage, AIDS funding, and civil rights, particularly for homosexuals. In 1995 the Republican-controlled Congress abolished the House Merchant Marine and Fishing Committee, of which he had been chairman.
Since retiring from Congress in 1997, Studds has been a lobbyist for the fishing industry. His partner is Dean T. Hara.
But, what I have not seen is anyone remember in this whole Foley case how Dem Rep Gerry Studds (MA of course)was let off with censure and welcomed back by the Dems wholeheartedly. I wonder if Studds served with Pelosi?
Anyway, Foley and Studds are different in 'consent,' (although not according to common sense or the law), but no one has pointed out the sharp difference in response to Dems in these cases -- so I will.
B I N G O!
I have been waiting for ONE person to bring this up
Now that I think about it, he must have served with Pelosi and most of the top-ranking dems, he retired in 1997. I wonder if Pelosi sat on any committees with him, co-sponsored any legislation with him, etc.
And lets not forget a more recent example of how the dems respond to their ethical scandals - "Cold Cash" Jefferson is still serving!!!
The republicans just don't know how to fight back!!!
Seems that the assumption here is that republican leadership knew of the sexual tone in the IMs, so far, they've said they only knew of the email Foley sent requesting a picture.
From what I read in the IMs it seemed that the kid was going along. He didn't say "I don't like the tone of this conversation you pervert, I don't swing that way." Instead he said he was getting a little excited.
Gosh, ain't Google great? How about Pelosi and Reid working with pedophile Studds:
http://whale.wheelock.edu/archives/whalenet96/0350.html
"Phillips also credited the tenacious fight waged by opponents of the Dolphin Death Act in the Senate and the House, especially by Senator Boxer and Representative George Miller (D-CA). They were helped by many other members,including Senators Joseph Biden (D-DE), Bob Smith (R-NH), and Harry Reid (D-NV) and Representatives Gerry Studds (D-MA), Sam Farr (D-CA), Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Richard Gephardt (D-MO), and Frank Pallone (D-NJ)."
I don't care what this bill was, if y'all are interested in it check out the link. But it ascertains Pelosi and Reid had no problems with pedophilia before a republican was involved.
The GOP leadership may be blameful or blameless in 20/20 hindsight, but the details are not going to matter. They are going to be blamed and tarred repeatedly over the next weeks regardless.
What matters is that when it became obvious to them, they took immediate action to end any association with him. Contrast that with the dems behavior re: Studds. They accepted him wholeheartedly.
What happened to Dan Crane? The comparison of the consequences would be very revealing...
WHAT ABOUT PERVERT BORDELLO OPERATOR BARNEY FRANK AND INTERN SCREWING POTUS BILL CLINTON. THE HYPOCRACY IS GIGANTIC
TODAY DEMO MURTHA CALLED THE GOP FULLY CORRUPT. QUITE A STRETCH FOR AN UNINDIGHTED CO CONSPIRATOR IN THE KEATING FIVE. LIKE MCCAIN
Finally, with Foley having made a career out of protecting youngsters from internet stalkers, it's the hypocracy that's bothering people. As a friend of mine put it in another forum, "this is one issue where we right-wingers and you liberal nuts agree."
Just googled this scandal...
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=2509889
According to this story, Dan Crane was defeated in HIS district. Guess they had very different constituents..
Yo, yo, yo...
Comprehensive thread here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1711810/posts
Does anyone know where in any archives to go to investigate what Pelosi, Reid, Clinton, the MSM had to say on the Studds, Barney Frank, Mel Reynolds, etc circumstances to see what they did to speak against those guys misbehavior?
Actually, the comparison I was asking was between Studds(D), and Dan Crane(R). Studds was repeatedly re-elected, Crane was defeated. Both had consensual - and apparently legal - relationships, but different constituents. I would have to add that the 1970s was a much more liberal time than now.
Finally, with Foley having made a career out of protecting youngsters from internet stalkers, it's the hypocracy that's bothering people.
That's one issue here - and the internet stalking is something that didn't exist in the 1970s. And what Foley did was criminal.
I have never forgotten what Gerry Studds did with an under-age page.
No have I forgotten his total "in-your-face" reaction when he was caught in a relationship that involved someone legally no capable of giving consent.
What Foley did was wrong.
But AT LEAST Foley was ashamed of what he did -- he KNEW that what he had done was wrong. HE RESIGNED.
Lock foley up. as for studds he got a pass in 1983. We now live in the era of dateline nbc. A couple of the to catch a predator shows and thats it. No tolerence for it at all. I just wish they could get the american public as riled up over islamofacists.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.