The Latest Congressional Scandal

[lizbud]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

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

So, republicans are not guilty of this huh? Let's see, to name a few off the top of my head, they are against: abortion, gay marraige, and reasonable scientific progress.

I also seem to recall John Kerry being relentlessly called a "flip-flopper" by the other side, but I guess this was just an acurate portrayal of his character and NOT a political ploy?

The republicans started that game and they absolutely know how to use it for their advantage.

[Edwina's Secretary]

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.....

[BOBS DAD]

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.

Somehow I don't think you are being completely honest with us - or yourself. You would be a "bit" more believable if your "seething" hate and distrust for Democrats wasn't coming through so strongly in your text. Your "smoldering anger" over this growing scandal and it's obvious political "leveraging power" (which by the way, I agree it should not be used to anyone individual or party's gain - but it will) and ramifications show that you do, in fact, give a rat's arse!

It has to be obvious and blatantly clear to any fair minded and clear thinking individual that if the "proverbial" shoe were on the other foot - it would be all that the Ultra Conservative Press (read that FOX Network) would be talking about!!! Anybody forget about Clinton and the never ending call for his IMPEACHMENT???

YES... YES, you are so right that there are so many, many more dire issues to be concerned and worried about (but that doesn't mean that this shouldn't be handled in an open and fairminded way so as to insure the safety of future pages and the Integrity of the Congress), but nobody seems to care as much about the failures in Iraq, the impending danger posed by N. Korea and Iran and the dismal performance and obvious failures of "your" beloved President. You say you would vote for a Democrat with sound ideals that meshed with your own. How about a sound plan for the future of the war in Iraq and a clear objective for our troops in harms way (Yes, I know that you are a proud American who proudly serves - so am I), instead of and besides "stay the course". How about a plan to deal with N. Korea and Iran, instead steadfastedly insisting to "NOT" deal with them. Let's be honest, our policies of the last 5-6 years have been a failure and it is time to do an about face and come up with some fresh ideas and drop any dogged party loyalties - and as you say, "really listen" to the candidates and their ideas as we venture to the polling booths this November!!!

[RICHARD]

I was disgusted bb the other politcos that were banging around with the pages.....


and what about that one dud with the cigar and blue dress.

And who remembers Rita Jenrette?

[Pam]

I find Foley's behavior despicable and feel that he, and anyone involved in a cover-up, should be accountable.

The inability to control one's sexual acts, fantasies, whatever you want to call them.....is not limited to any one party. Interestingly, I think the problem is more a *male problem* rather than a party problem. Women think with their heads, not their sex organs. Sorry to be so graphic. BTW, that does not mean that I would vote for Hillary! LOL!

[caseysmom]

Yes Pam I believe your right! Hehe we women do exert more self control don't we....runs from Richard......

[sparks19]

So, republicans are not guilty of this huh? Let's see, to name a few off the top of my head, they are against: abortion, gay marraige, and reasonable scientific progress.

I also seem to recall John Kerry being relentlessly called a "flip-flopper" by the other side, but I guess this was just an acurate portrayal of his character and NOT a political ploy?

The republicans started that game and they absolutely know how to use it for their advantage.

LOL when did I say that only dems are responsible for it LOL. I think you are getting a little upset about nothing. Don't get your panties in a twist because I have conservative leanings.

I don't recall ever EVER saying that Bill Clinton deserved the treatment he got for fooling around. I personally don't think it was anyone's business but his and his wifes. I CERTAINLY don't think it affected the way he ran the country. It was ridiculous and he never should have been impeached for it.

I think people are just so eager for a bear hunt that they will get up in arms about anything and everything.

You are all so quick and willing to judge me because I am conservative. LOL READ what I say. I don't ever recall saying the dems were responsible and that I think the DEMS are disgraceful for doing this. You all are reading into this far too much LOL. If you can find a sentence where I said or implied that the dems are more guilty of attack ploys than republicans then I will swallow my tongue and apologize but I don't EVER recall saying that. YOU assumed I meant that.

My hatred is seething. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. i don't HATE anyone. I don't HATE a political party. I would never be against voting for someone simply because of their political party. like i said, I don't vote AGAINST things, I vote FOR things.

YES I think it is shameful that they covered this up. HOWEVER, I think it is also shameful that this is only being brought up because it furthers someones political career. I am sorry I do not see 16 year olds as "children". Where I am from if you are over 16 you can have sex with whoever you want. 18 you are legally an adult but at 16 you can technically move out, have a job, drive a car, have sex. You just can't gamble, drink, or vote. If you are 16 or over it is not considered statutory rape. So NO I don't see why this is such a huge deal. Maybe I missed something though as I haven't been tracking every bit of info in this stupid story. Did he force the page into anything? From what I read he did not. IF I am wrong about that I am sorry as I did not see that part but from my understanding it was consentual.

This is NOT about political party, and it shouldn't be MADE about political party.

Bobsdad, again you are assuming things about me. I am Canadian first of all. i did not serve, my h usband did. Already you are assuming you know me and the way I think. I did not vote for Bush (I coudln't have even if I wanted to) I can't go out and vote for the lesser of two evils. I have to believe in what they are promising, heck I just want to KNOW where they stand. But these days I never know where anyone stands because all they ever tell me is what the other guy shouldn't be doing. Again you are all so quick to judge because I have a conservative mindset. I don't ever recall saying that I believe in bush or that I don't think he is a moron. I DO think he is a moron but I really haven't seen anyone who would be less of a moron either. Do you know what the Dems plan is for Iraq? i certainly don't. i don't recall Kerry ever stating what his plan was for Iraq during the election race. he just kept saying I have a plan, never told us what the plan was. Until I hear another PLAN (and the plan cannot consist of what we shouldn't do) I will go with the plan we have. I have not heard an alternative offered by any party. Have you? if so what is it?

[Edwina's Secretary]

Sparks...if you aren't following the story maybe you should be more careful in what you say....

I think it is also shameful that this is only being brought up because it furthers someones political career.

It wasn't brought up to further anyone's political career. It was brought up because the parents of one of the pages complained. There has been NOTHING to suggest this was brought up by anyone with a political agenda.

And you "for" and "against" argument makes little sense. If a politican is against tax hikes I should not take that into consideration? Only if he or she is for tax cuts?