The Latest Congressional Scandal

**lizbud** · 10-08-2006, 12:02 PM

I really thought this congress couldn't get any worse. They've proved
me wrong. I am so discusted with this whole bunch.

Brian Ross

Foley's Behavior No Secret on Capitol Hill A GOP staff member told congressional pages to watch out for former Congressman Foley.
Federal Investigation of Foley Begins

October 1, 2006— It turns out Foley's obsession with 16- and 17-year-old male pages has been known to Republicans on Capitol Hill for at least five years.

But other than issue a warning, little else seems to have been done about the congressman.

A former page has come forward to tell ABC News warnings were issued about Foley to the pages in 2001.

Matthew Loraditch says pages were told to watch out for Foley.

"It was a slight cautionary statement, you know, 'Don't get too wrapped up in him being too nice to you and all that kind of stuff.' You know, 'He's a nice guy, but he's a little bid odd,' and that sort of thing," Loraditch said.

ABC News has obtained Internet messages sent by Foley to three different pages after that warning.

Two of them were sent to pages in the 2001-2002 class, with sexually explicit messages, most too graphic to be broadcast, from Foley using the screen name Maf54.

Maf54: To be honest, I am a little to interested in you. So that's why I need to back off a little.

Teen: Ya slow things down a little im still young…like under 18. don't want to do anything illegal…im not 18.

Maf54: cool..dont forget to measure for me.

A reference to his request that the page provide the measurements of his sexual organ, a request he repeatedly made to another page as well.

Former pages tell ABC News the pages involved with Foley were afraid to offend the powerful Republican congressman.

"So there would definitely be some hesitation especially for the people who want to move up in politics eventually," Loraditch explained. "You know, you don't want to get involved in something like that."

The FBI's preliminary investigation of Foley began over the weekend, with agents in the cyber unit of the FBI already examining some of the Internet messages.

It's possible Foley could end up being prosecuted under laws he helped to enact as the co-chairman of the House caucus on Missing and Exploited Children

**Edwina's Secretary** · 10-09-2006, 06:37 PM

Well Liz....I have read some of the "conversations" and YUKE... he was really disgusting! It isn't just dirty talk...it is poorly done dirty talk...

I also heard a clip of that crazy woman running for congress from Florida.....says it is all the Democrats' fault. She thinks there should be an investigation of which Democrats failed to tell the House leadership about it. And Fox Network...that bastion of "fair and balanced" had a show about it with Foley listed as FL-D.

And according to my local newspaper's editorial page today....it is all Clinton's fault.....

Setting the example of taking responsibility....accountability???? Or the Blame Game?

And don't you wonder about the guys who got the messages? I saw one of them on a news show. His explanation for why he carried on the messaging was a little suspect to me. Said, "if you want a career in DC you need contacts"....contacts about whom you have some dirt I suspect.

**BOBS DAD** · 10-09-2006, 07:55 PM

Do You Think That Was It, Edwina? Could Be... I Can't Figure It. Seems Like You Would Report This To Somebody Almost Immediately Upon It Happening? I Know I Would.

I Heard That One Of The Pages Claims To Have Had Sex With Foley, But Some Years After The Page Experience. I Don't Think This Should Be Played As A Campaign Card Against Or For Any Particular Party. There Are Far More Important Issues To Base Your Vote(s) On - Like Iran, Iraq And N. Korea To Mention A Few. I For One, Believe These Have All Been Severely Mismanaged For The Entire Bush Presidency.

The Foley Scandal Is Disgusting And Embarrassing And Real Shame For Those Affected, But The Latter Issues Could Have Far More Dire Consequences For The World.

**sparks19** · 10-09-2006, 10:48 PM

You know what? who gives a rats arse. it was years ago. It is only being used as a way for one party to desecrate another. He didn't have sex with him from what I hear so who cares. I think it is a sick and twisted that this is being used to further someone's political career.

Remember..... Americans should vote FOR things not AGAINST things. If all a candidate can tell me is why I SHOULDN'T vote for the other party and can't tell me what they actually stand FOR then they can be sure I will not be voting for them. I want to know what I am voting for, not what I am voting against.

**caseysmom** · 10-10-2006, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by sparks19

You know what? who gives a rats arse. it was years ago. It is only being used as a way for one party to desecrate another. He didn't have sex with him from what I hear so who cares. I think it is a sick and twisted that this is being used to further someone's political career.

Remember..... Americans should vote FOR things not AGAINST things. If all a candidate can tell me is why I SHOULDN'T vote for the other party and can't tell me what they actually stand FOR then they can be sure I will not be voting for them. I want to know what I am voting for, not what I am voting against.

Something tells me if he was a democrat you'd give a rats arse....just a guess

**sparks19** · 10-10-2006, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by caseysmom

Something tells me if he was a democrat you'd give a rats arse....just a guess

Not really. I just think it is stupid.

I think this type of political bullsh!t is just that.... BULLSH!T. Like I said, this new wave of "don't vote for him because he did this" is crap and I will not ever vote for someone who can't tell me where they stand but can only tell me why I shouldn't vote for the other guy. How did this happen? Let's get back to telling us what they have to OFFER.

and while I may have a conservative mind set... I am not against democrats and I am not always for republicans. IF a dem were to run for office and had ideals that meshed with mine I would vote for him. There are many republicans I would NEVER vote for. Like I said, I won't vote for ANYONE who can't tell me what they are for and can only tell me what they are against. BUT on the whole I think politicians are all sleazy and we all know they are all dishonest

**Pembroke_Corgi** · 10-10-2006, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by sparks19

You know what? who gives a rats arse. it was years ago. It is only being used as a way for one party to desecrate another. He didn't have sex with him from what I hear so who cares. I think it is a sick and twisted that this is being used to further someone's political career.

We should give a rat's arse because it was a terrible abuse of his power. That is terrible- and the fact that we should be even angrier is because the republicans COVERED IT UP!!!

Clinton had an affair with an adult, and look at the scandal- Foley is abusing teenage minors and republicans let it slide! That is why we should give a rat's arse.

**Edwina's Secretary** · 10-10-2006, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by sparks19

He didn't have sex with him from what I hear so who cares.

There is so much in what you wrote that is simply factually wrong. But this statement is frightening. So a guy exposing himself to young girls or boys...or anyone for that matter is okay as long as he doesn't have sex? Taking pornographic pictures of children, would, by your definition be okay as long as there is no sex. The old "heavy breathing" phone call is okay as long as there is no sex. A man using minors for his own sexual gratifications (have you read the transcipts??????) is okay as long as there isn't penetration.

Wow.....