Posted on 10/03/2006 4:09:22 AM PDT by Taggart_D
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....
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Yes, we can get a blue-ribbon panel: Gerry Studds, Mel Martinez and, for partisan balance (as it was last time) Dan Crane.
Ah, for the old days of the Democratic House, when all scandals were bipartisan. The Keating Four became the Keating Five because the dems had to find an R. And even though McCain was tangentially involved, compared to the rest, the whole process addled his brain forever.
No, my point was that Hastert said he couldn't remember discussing the issue, which put Reynolds in a bad spot, PLUS when it became clear he should have taken interest, him saying he didn't makes it look like he wasn't on the job.
I don't believe Hastert knew it was that bad with Foley. If he did, why would he start such a big investigation to find out WHERE this info came from?
Hastert should resign...later and not for this "scandle". He should resign, later, because he's been about as incompetent a House Leader as we could possibly have.
How has he been incompetent? I grant that he's not flashy and that stupid comment about the separation of powers concerning the search of Jefferson's office was ill-advised, but what else do you have to complain about?
The problem with your assertion of negligence is that Hastert did do something. He turned it over to Justice, and he had the congressman reprimanded.
The subject matter of the E-mail was such that it did not rise to harassment, or any other charge, and was apparently just "too" friendly, which drew a complaint from the former page's parents. In other-words, it embarrassed the youth, and Foley was advised to terminate any relationship, friendly or otherwise with the boy and to cease such communications.
Nothing else was brought to light, until the ABC expose. But, some Dem's must have known about the subsequent IM's, and they held it from the republican leadership to use as a political weapon during this election..
The idea that Hastert had enough without the IM's, to ask this gay congress-critter to resign, his only objection being that he was gay and wrote a friendly letter, is ludicrous on it's face.
About the only time I've seen Hastart actually act like he's totally awake and has some spine was when he was demanding that the FBI return the files the had ceased from Jefferson's office. Files that they only entered his office and took after Hastart had ignored their requests for almost nine months.
He betrayed DeLay and defended Jefferson.
No I am not Cariville but:
No, we dont have to accept it but we can not let it turn into a lynching or a suicide. We can choose to fight on our time in our own ways.
However, I think it best that right now we stand behind Hastert, who is being railroaded on this issue. Other concerns can be addressed at a later point, and would like to shelve any calls for resignation until after the election.
No doubt the Speakers office got more than one complaint about Republicans tolerating an homosexual in their midst. That's why I've recommended the Republicans repudiate homosexuality and refuse to seat members who are homosexual.
I do agree with you.
Only to you. The Speaker of the House has more important business with which to be concerned than the turgidity of the sex organs of the male members.
The separation of powers statement in the face of a civil insurrection and attempted coup by rogue FBI agents was spot on. I've been waiting on him to take action against these guys and he's been a bit slow.
I agree, in my original post I said he needed to resign, but not now and over this. Beyond that I don't feel sorry for him at all. He as much to blame for his current problems as the Democrats. Two things to consider:
1) How often do you see Pelosi on TV? Before this came up when was the last time you saw Hastert on TV? When was the last time in your lifetime that you saw the House Minority Leader on TV 50 times more often then the Speaker? If he had been a half decent Speaker all along this wouldn't be working so well against him.
2) If DeLay had been empowered, not assassinated, this probably wouldn't be happening.
The GOP, like the namby pamby Senators and Pentagon top brass and officials are all whimps and until we [GOP & Military Leaders] learn how to FIGHT to WIN this nation will be in constant peril from terrorists and the LEFT!!
Amen to EVERY ONE of your statements!
It's not like the Speaker was making an unusual decision ~
Thank you!
Becki
Why didn't the asshole/s who wrote that sign it?
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