AXING FOLEY

CORRECTED COPY OF PREVIOUSLY-SUBMITTED POSTING, in which I discovered some typos and an excluded full-name reference to one of your ABC reporters, who originated the reporting on the Foley story:

Initially, I thought U.S. Representative Mark Foley, R-Florida, a hypocrite for having publicly condemned pedophilia and pedophiles; indeed, having sponsored or co-sponsored legislation to prosecute the very persons of which, it would be subsequently revealed, he appeared to be one.

Upon deeper thinking on the subject, however, I can honestly understand Foley's perspective. He doesn't see himself (nor do I) as a pedophile, since the young man, and I emphasize "MAN," in question was "16" at the time of the "alleged" infraction, is in fact "17" now.

In most if not all states in our Union, I believe the age of consent for males is at most 16 years of age (perhaps less in some southern states where cousin marriage may still be legal on the books?).

How does this make Foley a pedophile?

Furthermore, he was guilty of no more than emailing/instant messaging the page, AND, this is most important--the young man corresponded with him willingly, thus indicating CONSENT.

It may appear morally unsound to some, considering the vast age differences between Foley and the page, but do we condemn older men when they marry younger women? By example--was Aristotle Onassis a pedophile for having married former First Lady of the United States Jacqueline Kennedy, some 30 years his junior at the time (although many considered her nothing more than a high-priced call girl anyway, for having consecutively married two multi-millionaires with great power)?

The only difference here is of the gender of the persons concerned--that's right, THE ONLY DIFFERENCE, since the page was over 16 years of age, Foley is guilty of nothing. In fact, even had the relationship between Foley and the page been consummated, Foley would still be guilty of no legal infraction.

The most negative thing you can say about Foley is he behaved "unethically," since pages are under the auspices of the U.S. House of Representatives, charges of that body's individual members, whom they serve (and sometimes service, apparently). With said page being under Foley's jurisdiction, decisions could conceivably have been made in relation to his advancement, merit, termination, etc., based upon an appearance of impropriety--whether it occurred or not--because of Foley's poor judgment by "allegedly" engaging with him in an extra-professional manner. That is Foley's only mistake--poor judgment!

I think certain segments of our society get all worked up over behavior such as that "alleged" to have been committed by Foley, because we are so over-protective of our young males--the "spreaders of the seed," as it were, and continuants of the family name. When Platonic-like relations occur between older and younger men, they immediately assume the worst, base on at least a subtle homophobia, perhaps in other men owing to a sub-conscious homosexual yearning in themselves?

The silence of most Democrats on this "scandal" is so quiet it's deafening. But they and the media elite (Ross included) are guilty as hell, you can be sure, for their intent was only to "leak" this, thus enraging the Christian Right, homophobes and ultra-conservatives enough so members of his own party would hang Foley, thus leaving the Dumbocrats to appear innocent of mud-slinging. But theirs and the media's hands (ABC correspondent Brian Ross's in particular) are filthy dirty with slop--SHAME ON YOU YOU DESPICABLE, UNETHICAL PIGS!

Now it's time to turn the page (PUN DEFINITELY INTENDED) on this Foley story and move on!

Jim Moran

Initially, I thought U.S. Representative Mark Foley, R-Florida, a hypocrite for having publicly condemned pedophilia and pedophiles; indeed, having sponsored or co-sponsored legislation to prosecute the very persons of which, it would be subsequently revealed, he appeared to be one.

Upon deeper thinking on the subject, however, I can honestly understand Foley's perspective. He doesn't see himself (nor do I) as a pedophile, since the young man, and I emphasize "MAN," in question was "16" at the time of the "alleged" infraction, is in fact "17" now.

In most if not all states in our Union, I believe the age of consent for males is at most 16 years of age (perhaps less in some southern states where "cousin marriage" may still be legal on the books?).

How does this make Foley a pedophile?

Furthermore, he was guilty of no more than emailing/instant messaging the page, AND, this is most important--the young man corresponded with him willingly, thus indicating CONSENT.

It may appear morally unsound to some, considering the vast age differences between Foley and the page, but do we condemn older men when they marry younger women? By example--was Aristotle Onassis a pedophile for having married former First Lady of the United States Jacqueline Kennedy, some 30 years his junior at the time (although many considered her nothing more than a high-priced "call girl" anyway, for having consecutively married two multi-millionaires with great power)?

The only difference here is of the gender of the persons concerned--that's right, THE ONLY DIFFERENCE, since the page was over 16 years of age, Foley is guilty of nothing. In fact, even had the relationship between Foley and the page been consummated, Foley would still be guilty of no legal infraction.

The most negative thing you can say about Foley is he behaved "unethically," since pages are under the auspices of the U.S. House of Representatives, charges of that body's individual members, whom they serve (and sometimes service, apparently). With said page being under Foley's jurisdiction, decisions could conceivably have been made in relation to his advancement, merit, termination, etc., based upon an appearance of impropriety--whether it occurred or not--because of Foley's poor judgment by "allegedly" engaging with him in an extra-professional manner. That is Foley's only mistake--poor judgment!

I think certain segments of our society get all worked up over behavior such as that "alleged" to have been committed by Foley, because we are so over-protective of our young males--the "spreaders of the seed," as it were, and continuants of the family name. When Platonic-like relations occur between older and younger men, they immediately assume the worst, base on at least a subtle homophobia, perhaps in other men owing to a sub-conscious homosexual yearning in themselves?

The silence of most Democrats on this "scandal" is so quiet it's deafening. But they and the media elite (Ross included) are guilty as hell, you can be sure, for their intent was only to "leak" this, thus enraging the Christian Right, homophobes and ultra-conservatives enough so members of his own party would hang Foley, thus leaving the Dumbocrats to appear innocent of mud-slinging. But theirs and the media's hands (Ross's in particular) are filthy dirty with slop--SHAME ON YOU YOU DESPICABLE, UNETHICAL PIGS!

Now it's time to "turn the page" (PUN DEFINITELY INTENDED) and move on!

Oh its to bad there was not as much out rage over Barney Franks boyfreind running a gay porno ring out of the congressmans house. Frank did not even brak up with the guy.

I say B Ross waited to do this as a pre-election hit piece. ABC's home page, you need to cover your eyes... With Foley doing this, can you image what else goes on with many of the others in DC?!! What they have on each other and what they do for power. Many of the good people leave after a few terms. So many perverts among us and it didn't help w/ Mr. Clinton messing with the young intern, not a good example and the net gone wild w/porn.. I will cut the TV off for the next few
days so I do not have to see or hear about Foley's mental and sexual probs. He should have known better and went for help. It's disgusting. Older guys going after young boys. It's not just him either. Think about it.

The "Victom" sounded into sorta, if you have read the 6 pages of e-mails. Maybe he wasn't sure, but Foley darn sure was. Page's age needs to be moved up to 18. These are people placing their children in places they can't supervise, like sending your kids to Michael Jacksons place. You have no idea what is going on. Some responsibility lies with the parents. Lets pretend Foley is your average next door neighbor. He would already be in jail, no job, no computer, and no privacy, as they rake him over the coals. Won't happen here, whether Dem or Reb. National news won't do it, unless there's a roar. We'll see how loud it gets. I get so angry at how the Gov didn't step into the Catholic scandal, because this didn't have anything to do with church, and the seperation, but rather assalts on children. Period. Just like here, this doesn't have anything to do with politics. Just plain ol' sick behavior. Lie-detector tests for anyone in Government, will be the only way I will believe they aren't all bought by something. As a National safety issue, I wonder what would've happened if a forien agent in the guise of a child had tempted Foley?

Shame some congressmen who knew about this creep, kept quite.
ALMOST AS BAD AS OUR LAST PRESIDENT SEXUALLY USING AN INTERN IN OUR WHITE HOUSE, BUT HE KEPT HIS JOB AFTER THAT COVERUP, DIDN'T HE.
DOUBLE STANDARD, YOU BET, BIG TIME !!

After the Foley story broke I asked myself one question, "How long will it take for the Republicans to bury it the way the Brian J. Doyle story was buried" Your station ran the story of Brian J. Doyle Deputy Press Secretary for Homeland Security and his arrest for soliciting sex with a 14y/o girl on the internet; within two days the story disappeard. I was curious so searched for updates and found this By PHIL DAVIS
Associated Press Writer

BARTOW, Fla. (AP) - A former press aide for the federal Homeland Security Department pleaded no contest Tuesday to charges that he had sexually explicit online conversations with someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl.

Brian J. Doyle, 56, who resigned from the department shortly after his April 4 arrest, faces up to five years in prison under the plea agreement. The deal calls for 10 years of probation and requires him to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, prosecutors said. His sentencing hearing is set for Nov. 17.

Further along it is revealed: Doyle, of Silver Spring, Md., could have been sentenced to up to 115 years in prison if convicted of the 23 felony charges, including 16 counts of sending pornographic movie clips to a minor.

And the coup d'gra: While the case raised questions about homeland security hiring, Secretary Michael Chertoff said it was an individual's "misstep," not a security breach.

Under Florida law, a defendant making a no-contest plea settles the charge without admitting guilt.

Now we have Mr. Floey of Florida will he plead no contest as well and get 5 yrs at a Club Fed minimum security prison or get put to work on a road crew like any 20y/o black would. I would love to believe that a House inquiry into paige abuse would turn up something, but the Republicans hold the House and I doubt they will allow their dirty laundry to be aired in public.

Where is the equality in justice? BTW Secretary Chertoff was wrong; had a foreign agent used a child to entice Doyle, he would have been subject to blackmail and be a security risk.

I do hope ABC covers the "Press Aide sentencing hearing Nov.17th and discloses to the American people the inequity of the judicial system here. As for Doyle or Foley "misstepping" I would consider the commision of 23 felonies to be a bit more than that.

Susan..then why didn't he go after girls?

It has been reported that the Republican Leadership knew about Mr. Foley's improprieties at least a year ago. By failing to report his conduct to the FBI, or even the suspicion of soliciting minors over the internet, the Republican Leadership could be an accessory to a crime.

Foley's e-mail excerpts sound a bit to much like "grooming" to me. I hope that an extensive investigation is conducted. This has nothing to do with being gay. It has everything to do with being a pedefile. They are two unrelated issues. Don't make a victim of this young man. He's already suffering enough.