Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., resigned from Congress today, after questions arose about emails he sent to a former teenage male page. Foley issued a simple apology, “I am deeply sorry and I apologize for letting down my family and the people of Florida I have had the privilege to represent.” His re-election bid all but certain, this revelation is simply astounding. ABC News reported that Foley also exchanged bizarre and inappropriate instant messages with current and former teenage male pages. “Do I make you a little horny?” he apparently asked one.
How will the Republicans spin this? How will the far right withstand the storm on this one? Has Karl Rove weighed in yet? Foley was the great protector of our youth. The Foley Child Safety Legislation passed the Senate this past July, strengthening sex offender penalties. “For too long our nation has tracked library books better than it has sex offenders. That day is coming to an end,” said Foley. America’s Most Wanted John Walsh praised Foley when the legislation passed the House of Representatives in November of 2005:
Rather than sitting and waiting for the laws to change, I went to Capitol Hill, along with representatives of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. We marched through the halls of Congress, bringing our message straight to the hearts of those who can fix the problem.
I have some great news to report. They listened.
Members of Congress have worked together to close the loopholes and to fill in the cracks of the current sex offender registration system.
Representative Mark Foley of Florida and his staff worked for a year writing a comprehensive bill with some important conditions.
Bully for Foley.
Look, let’s say Folay is gay.? His behavior does not mean that he is gay.? He is a sexaul predator.? And let’s not tear down the good he did while in Congress. Walsh is right. This legislation was incredibly important. The issue is that, once again, we discover the hypocrisy of the right wing. Democrats are far from perfect, but we already know that. It’s the Republican Party that has claimed moral superiority.
You guessed it. Yet another reason to vote Democratic. The country needs a rest.