Since I wrote on Friday, we have learned that these charges against Mark Foley began OVER A YEAR ago, and that the House leadership knew about them and did nothing. NOTHING.
I can't help but thinking that this is a very close parallel to what happened with the Catholic priests who were abusing children and the Bishops who moved them to other parishes rather than remove them from office.
This is the same Republican leadership who tout abstinence-only-until-marriage education, pass laws restricting access to abortion for young people, try to restrict access to the Internet -- but did nothing when they learned of one of their own soliciting teenagers literally in their own house.
Someone commented on my blog that the age of consent in DC is 16, and therefore the page might not have been a minor. But Representative Foley isn't a teenager -- he is an adult man with power over these pages. His actions, whether or not they turn out to be illegal, were immoral. They violate the very concept of consent and non-exploitation.
Surely the House leadership should have taken action long before ABC did.
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7 comments:
Woooo...you might want to back off Reverand Haffner....this IS the United States of Americal isn't it?...this man is innocent until proven guilty..we have not heard from him yet..we have not heard from the page.only from what has been published...and this ALL could be VERY misleading.....
What an interesting and informative site! I'll definitely be using this Foley story to generate conversations with my youth group about sexual abuse. Welcome to RevGalBlogPals!
ADULTS are always responsible for ADULT behaviour and actions. If a six year olg girl climbs on your lap and grinds--is she giving consent? Don't hand me this bull crap about the kid being a "Legal" age in DC. He doesn't live in DC. The IM's originate in DC...by the congressman...an adult...asking a 16 year old boy if he's in his boxers...if he's horny. Innocent? NO, creepy!
A 54 year old man--even having consenting sex with a teen is abuse--not "Gay" not sex...abuse.
The guy could be his grandfather. Think about having sex with your grandfather. Sick isn't it? So is this.
Suddenly, he checks into a rehab for alcoholism. I guess if you're a drunk, or addict in this country, it's like an insanity defense. I guess the drunken congressman couldn't resist his lust for the young kid.
Granted, it's a two way street. When he writes that he's a little horny, too, the kid responds "Cool" instead of signing off. So, the jury's out on that; but, he's a confused kid being groomed for a sexual act--or cybersex--by an older, powerful man. If the kid has any political aspirations, maybe he believed this whack-job could help him--and he decided to use it to his advantage. Or, maybe he just wanted to experiment sexually--since alluded to being a "Virgin" in one of the posts.
It's still a sad day when a man who wrote and sponsored legislation to stop internet perverts, becomes one. Sad day indeed.
Teach kids to tell. Teach kids to trust no one. Teach kids that adults need to be held accountable--regardless of their position in society--or the community.
E'nuff said?
This is really neat!
Welcome to RevGalBlogPals!
Hae any of you spent time in a mens locker room...it might be a real eye opener for you....
I just wanted you to know I linked to your blog on my blog on my post on Foley. Yours is well written and thank you. St.John's Rev Abi: Grief for the kids
Spent time in a men's locker room?
What sort of stupid question is that?
:-(
Thanks for your posts, and welcome to RGBP.
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