Posted on 10/04/2006 4:57:03 AM PDT by Perdogg
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a political conspiracy unravel as fast as this one that involves former representative Mark Foley.
Let’s recap.
1. On September 29th Foley is approached by ABC NEWS about salitious Instant Messages with a former page and abruptly resigns. Four days later he turns himself into rehab.
2. Through investigation by several bloggers, including yours truly, it is discovered that during the last few years, liberal watchdog group CREW may have had specific knowlede of the IM’s existance, and of Foley’s activities, and might have possibly been in possession corospondence between Rep. Foley and former page(s). Additionally a known “Republican Gay Outer”, Mike Rogers of Blog Active was found to have materially participated in the IM messaging of Foley and admitted to have been on a “campaign” to out Foley since at least as far back as March 2005, and specifically attempted to threaten Foley in January 2006, thus may be guilty of using threat or intimidation to influence a US Congressman’s vote on US legislation.
Yesterday Gateway Pundit uncovered that Mike Rogers had an a “partner” (although not known to be an accomplice at this point) in John Aravios of America’s Blog in a campaign against Foley as well. Gateway Pundit notes that there is no evidence that Aravios actually had specific evidence, but then holding evidence, and having knowledge of someone holding it are still crimes.
World Net Daily picked up on the story here, and puts together nicely what appears at this point to have been an orchestrated effort on the part of several leftwing activists to “pull the trigger” on this story just prior to midterm elections.
Additionally, while Mr. Foley appears by his resigning to have admitted to participating in IMing and emailing former pages, it’s not clear if all the recorded IM’s are authentic. The FBI, which is looking into the matter, as I mentioned here, will use specific forensic analysist to determine if in fact the corospondence discovered so far is in fact valid. Already it has been discovered that several IM’s may have in fact been tampered with.
At this point it’s not know the full involvement of those - or of others yet to be discovered - is. However, I do know that the specific focus of the FBI at this point is to determine who knew about Foley’s activities, when they knew it and specifically who withheld evidence in what may be a Federal Crime. Yet like in many investigations, there is sometimes the uncovering of other crimes that takes place. It should be said at this point that the attempt to attempt to extort or influence, or threaten a US congressman, in order to infuence legislation, or an election is a Federal Crime, and if in fact principals were involved in such an orchestrated plan it will be discovered.
Again, I must point out that even as a constituant of former respresentitive Foley, I detest his actions, and do not condone and accept them in anyway. In fact I support his prosecution if applicable laws have been broken. But again, those who particpated before the fact in the “outing” of Foley, seem to have had at this point specific knowledge of his activities and if proven at the least are guilty of conspriracy to withhold evidence, and obstruction of justice.
We shall see as the day(s) progress.
ping
As far as I've heard... Foley did not have any physical contact. He is disgusting, no doubt, but didn't DO anything. Where's the crime?
The Republicans need to go on the offensive NOW....
Introduce an emergency PROTECT THE PAGES AND INTERNS ACT. Any Congressman who is sexually bothering (physically or through correspondence) ANY page or intern, regardless of age, will temporarily resign pending investigation.
If the investigation determines there was sexual misconduct, that Congressman will be out the door, without any of the wonderful Congressional perks.
Any personal correspondence of a personal nature between a Congressman and ANY page or intern will be done through the Congressional page office (i.e., copied) and/or their parents will be copied .
See how many DEMOCRATs will vote for passage.
The pages and interns aren't there to be hit on by our sleezy politicians. Many companies have policies like this, I don't see why we can't expect the same from our Congress.
ping
And the demonrats wonder why no one trusts them anymore.
Did you see this?
http://buffalogeek.wnymedia.net/archives/822
If the IM's have been "tampered with" then that information needs to come out LOUD AND CLEAR to the American Public. That needs to become the "story".
Other than that, yep, there are some issues here. The Dims and their running dogs are really good at "impresisonistic" propaganda. They put out a huge, street-sweeper kind of accusation, and by the time the truth of the matter comes out, the "meme" has done its work and moved on.
For example, the Plame mess will confirm many in their thinking that Republicans are vengeful, mean-spirited, and sneaky for election cycles yet to come, EVEN though we now know that probably the sneakiest person involved was the Independent Prosecutor. If he were to be disbarred tomorrow for misconduct in this matter, the charge has already done its work.
Here where the distinction will be between criminal acts and merely morally and otherwise repellent behavior, there is no effective defense.
Dims don't care for truth, for children, or for anything other than power. Like the rulers in 1984 they talk about the good of the people but what they want is control for its own sake.
Yep. ain't sex without intercourse. I would post more, but I want to ask for the latest "measurements" from my neighbor's son.
As far as I've heard... Foley did not have any physical contact. He is disgusting, no doubt, but didn't DO anything. Where's the crime?
The Republicans need to go on the offensive NOW....
Geez Louise, talk about shooting yourself in the foot! Republicans should repudiate this piece of crap, not defend him.
By holding them, did they cause the statute of limitations for any potential crime to pass when the ims were sent? Often times the SOL for federal crimes is 5 years.
If so, this might explain why they were held back.
Tom Lifson has an article out this morning that got me thinking -
http://www.americanthinker.com/comments.php?comments_id=6269
Is this the ket? -
According to Lifson, Aravosis (one of the known liberals outing gay congress people) said he obtained the latest information about the five-term congressman from Foley’s former chief of staff, Kirk Fordham.
QUESTION - Did Fordham have acccess to Foley's IM account information, screen name and password? Very likely. Could he have passed this information onto Aravosis and Rogers? Very possible. Could some of the IMs been manufactured then by Rogers or Aravosis, those being reported by ABC? Probable.
We know someone logged onto Foley's IM account yesterday when he was in a treatment center for 20-30 seconds, according to Fox News. Could this have been Rogers or Aravosis? I am sure the feds will know shortly if they already do not.
Ping! More info here.
So this is the GOP strategy? Question the timing? Because---shock and amazement--political opponents may have held the info for max impact? First, what a shocker. Second, who cares? What's worse? What Foley did is worse.
If I am right about my post #12, then the democrats are just as bad as Foley and will pay dearly at the polls.
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2006/10/foleygate-altered-images-whats-going.html
Check this out for me.
This may be a small point, (but who knows in this nutty spin cycle) however I thought I heard Foley's lawyer say yesterday at the press conference that Foley checked into a rehab center on Sunday. If anyone sees a transcript of Foley's attorney's press from yesterday, please ping me to it.
Macsmind has been the go to point for this story.
Great investigating. I have gone to the site numerous times during the day for updates.
If what? If Foley's not really a disgusting pervert? Well if he's not really a pervert, how come we're not hearing him decry the phony IMs? How come instead we're hearing him say he's an alcoholic who was diddled by a priest? I can't stand when things like this happen, because it makes both FR and Rush pretty much unbearable. People just can't deal with reality. I don't even get why it's a big story. Perv congressman? Ho hum.
That is my understanding, that is why someone logging onto his IM account yesterday is odd. See post #12.
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.