Posted on 10/02/2006 1:27:37 PM PDT by areafiftyone
WASHINGTON - At least one former congressional page is disputing another former page's claims that pages were warned five years ago to beware of U.S. Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fort Pierce.
Matthew Loraditch, a page in the 2001-2002 class, told ABC News he and other pages were warned about Foley by a supervisor in the House Clerk's office. Loraditch, the president of the Page Alumni Association, said the pages were told "don't get too wrapped up in him being too nice to you and all that kind of stuff."
But another page, who asked not to be named told The Palm Beach Post, "The program in no official capacity warned us about it," and he said that Loraditch had posted an explanation for his comments to ABC on the college social network, Facebook.com.
Loraditch's Facebook.com statement said: "I have received several heated responses from my fellow pages about media involvement in the current situation. I want to respond with a few points and thoughts.
"Firstly, as to the ABC "Warned" story, while I may have inadvertently used the word, "warned," in communication, I can assure you it was not intended. The fact of the matter is in an informal situation a supervisor mentioned that Foley was a bit odd or flaky and did not connote by tone or otherwise that he should be avoided.
"Secondly as to talking out in general, . . . I don't think anyone can argue that protecting kids, pages, or whomever from sexual predators is anything but the most important of this whole saga. Nothing comes in front of the safety of the page program, not the page program, a member of congress, no one.
"Thirdly, I have stressed several key points in my contact with media that all situations with Mr. Foley occurred after we had finished our service as pages. That if anything had happed while we were in Washington, it would have been dealt with. That I have full faith and trust that any of the supervisors and staff we worked with would have properly dealt with any situation like the current one. That the page program is one of the most wonderful and educational experiences a youth can have.
"Fourthly, although not all of you know people who have had these horrible conversation with Foley, I do. And frankly that gives me all the more reason to speak out. . . .
"Finally, if i have hurt or offended anyone, I am sorry. And I love my page friends and I cherish my relationships with the page program staff, however fracture some of this may have made them. I want you all to know that I truly believe that I'm doing the best that I can do."
The other page said most pages are angry at Loraditch's comments and that the page program did its best to ensure the safety of pages, with strict rules and curfews.
Also Monday, the placard that once designated Foley's office was gone early this morning, two days after he resigned amid allegations of inappropriate communications with a minor.
Around 10:30 a.m., a congressional employee put up a new sign reading, "Office of the 16th Congressional District of Florida.
"The other page said most pages are angry at Loraditch's comments and that the page program did its best to ensure the safety of pages, with strict rules and curfews. "
When I saw this bozo on FOX, I said to my wife, "This guy is flaky!" I bet he is involved somehow. Lover scorned??
They usually hang out below bridges...
"Democrats are in an uproar about Foley and pages....
but they have NO PROBLEM with homosexuals serving as BOY SCOUT leaders. "
WRONG. They are in an uproar about Hastert, et al. covering it up!
Wonder if Charlie knows he is next??? A whole different kind of hurricane sweeping across Florida.
"Ralph" looks a lot like Jack Nicholson.
You know that and I know that but the media (dems) will NOT play it that way.
And you're here to do their bidding for them?
Don't let the facts hit you in the A$$.
Are you accusing Speaker Hastert of lying?
Frankly, I am a little concerned.
The way this is playing out in the press is very bad, and these hits keep coming. One of these times, it may stick. If it does, we will lose both houses of Congress.
Most of these pathologies are hidden from the public. No one knows what goes on in people's minds. You just can't find out until they do something and are caught.
Therein lies the difficulty.
"Don't let the facts hit you in the A$$."
And you need a course in reading comprehension, ass hole. I know the 'facts' and am not critizising anyone but Foley. Get a f'ing clue shithead. Damn, I am getting tired of jerks failing to comprehend 3rd and 4th generation responses. Read the thread and get off my back!
"Are you accusing Speaker Hastert of lying?"
Hell NO buttwipe, I am accusing the MSM of lying. READ THE THREAD!
sw
If SHE knew this why didn't SHE bring to the attention of someone in charge of the pages, senate majority leader, speaker of the house, her own congressperson, etc. Perhaps as a journalist, having her eye out for the unusual, she would notice something others wouldn't see. ANYONE who now comes forward and says "well, gee, I knew, why didn't anyone else", but didn't do anything to try to stop it is aiding and abetting.
Cindie
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