Mark Foley is not a gay man, he is a pedophile. Homosexual men have relationships with men not boys.
In vino veritas, in wine is truth.
Under the influence of alcohol people often will do things that in a sober state they have thought about....

It seems to be a spider's web of lies. Hastert says one thing, then another. He can't remember. Foley suddenly is a molested alcoholic. It sure sounds like people knew, or should have been smart enough to know that there was something evil going on...but NOTHING substantial was done.

I Know Barney Frank and Foley is no Barney Frank

Its a shame that he's going to come out this way. Now the idiot flocks of sheep in america will assume that all gay men are pedophiles, just like they've been taught from the likes of the GOP conservatives. Gay men are NOT pedophiles. I hope the enlightened people of america will use their brain for once and separate things. Given the sad state of our country these days, I am not counting on it.

Mark Foley is a Disgrace to public servants everywhere. I am in a public servant, I am in the Military. What he did distained himself. Thank God Congress, are President, and Florida wants something done. May God Continue to Bless this great nation

Geez... maybe I should commit a horrendous crime and blame it on the pervert who molested me when I was 11. Can I get a "Get out of jail Free" card now, please?

I'm ready for my close-up Mr. DeMille. Be sure to get my good side, I'm thinking of running for Congress or at the very least, opening a bordello.

It is unlikely that someone goes fishing for 5 or 6 years (that we know of) and never catches a fish. All of his IM's are trying to get an underage person to meet him for sex. He must have been successful at least a few times, or he would not have continued. I think we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg. I also believe that this may be a common practice and that is why they are covering it up. I don't think it was only him. There is much much more to this story, and it is going to be the biggest scandal we have seen in a long long time.

As a true conservative who has never had a problem with individual liberties such as gay rights, I think this new "news" is appalling.

Now Foley is an abuse victim and is gay. Yeah. Play the trauma card. Did Rove write his statement? Seems to me that the Republican leadership is still suffering from an '04 hangover. When in doubt, try to demonize gay people. It worked well in '04 so why not try it again?

When will most Americans wake up and realize that being "conservative" is not about the bible? It's certain principles. Less government and more citizen responsibility.

The 21st century "Get out of jail free card": "I'm a Gay American molested by a priest...oh yeah a Catholic priest"

This is the worst type of fraud a person can commit...IF Foley walks then every individual ever convicted of any crime while under the influene should be EQUALLY treated and pardoned, should that be the outcome...ITS ONLY FAIR....the spin doctors are at it hard and heavy...now its "I was molested"...what next..."the dog told me to do it" .....please...this is a prime example of the fox watchin the hen house....

HE SHOULD GO TO jail. I THINK HE IS USING THE CHURCH THING TO SAY THIS IS WHY I DID IT. SHAM ON HIM. I DON,T THINK HE WAS EVER WITH A PRIST!!!!!!

As a mental health professional, I've been bothered by the recent misuse of the word "pedophile" by the media and others. Pedophilia refers to a pattern of attraction to people who are physically children (ie prepubescent), and has nothing to do with age of consent laws. My understanding is that the minimum age for pages is 16. While sexual contact with 16 year olds is against the law in many states, it does not make one a pedophile.

First the alcohol, now the clergry...Seems like the man will place the blame anywhere but where it belongs....on himself! What happened to taking responsibility for your own actions?

Funny how the Republicans that made such a fuss out of the Lewinski affair are now complaining about the publicity the Foley business is getting. Personally, I think there is a difference between consenting sexual encounters among 2 adults and an old geezer abusing his power position to get hot on young boys. Especially considering the geezer was in charge of preventing pedophilia in the internet. The hipocrisy of the whole thing is simply repulsive.

Just because he is a big shot with money, he is no better than anyone else that does the same thing but goes to prison for it. I am sure money will pay his way out, probaly our tax money. That sliming dog.

Foley, and only Foley, is responsible for his actions. The Republican party is not responsible for the things that he did. He used his position to take advantage over young men that aspire to serve this country. All those that were aware of his acts and seeked to cover it just to hold a seat in Contgress should step down and be sanctioned. I just hope he never got to do anything with these young people, although I believe by reading one particular IM that he met at least one and offered to provide him liquor in his house. shame on him.

What I want to know is, would everyone be as upset if this were a young GIRL? Although that would be as bad as this is, I somehow think that because it was a young BOY this is getting more coverage. This is so sad because this guy is a monster and should be put away. For him to "blame" alcohol and claim to have been molested as a youngster is even sicker.

Foley needs to give us a break. A pedophile is a pedophile.
"Gay" isn't an excuse for being a pedophile. "Alcohlism" isn't an excuse for being a pedophile. I'm gay and I'm offended that Foley is attempting to connect this to being gay.

Gee, of course Mark Foley is not lying to the public when he claims to be a molested alcoholic who never had improper physical contact with a minor. Why should we doubt him? All his other lies certainly don't illustrate a pattern? Of course, based upon Foley's claims, we should feel sorry for him, because he is obviously a victim here in claiming he is the only one who was ever molested.

No wonder the GOP leadership ignored the red flags and is blaming the Democrats for this scandal. Not accepting responsibility for anything seems to be one of the "core values" nowadays for Republican. Sick.

An alcohol rehabilitation facility? ....really? since when does being a pedophile means that you can be treated for alcoholism???!!... and recover from engaging in sexual interactions with minors?

It's time for the republican majority bozos in D.C. to submit their resignations and go home !!