Warnings About Foley’s Behavior Failed to Move Congress to Action

I find it amazing that die-heart Republican zealots are actually blaming Brian Ross for exposing this sickening issue. They, myopic as ever, seem to think this is some type of Democratic conspiracy. Please wake up…..this country is headed in the wrong direction with the current leader(?) in Washington.
Foley should be prosecuted, along with those who protected him, to the fullest extent of the law. Hasert did not know the extent of the problem? Give me a break.

Absolutely one of the most despicable stories about the hypocracy of leaders that I’ve ever heard. As bad as accounts of so-called Christian ministers of any religion who have molested and/or talked dirty to young people (or who have just been plain immoral like Jimmy Swaggard and Jim Baker). This man Foley should go to jail for his terrible example, his careless handling of his authority, and his breaking of laws meant to protect kids from such acts.
A. Castellano

that really is disgusting. if pages (especially teenage boys) who want to please and do well have to put up with this absolute crap, what has the world come to? foley better not get off because of his “alcoholism” and he better pay for creeping out and soliciting young boys who were just trying to do their job and get ahead in life. he is an absolutely despicable disgusting excuse for a man.

Why didn’t Brian Ross bring this information to law enforcement as Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) did when they were given the e-mails? If Ross and ABC News care about the safety and welfare of children, they’ll come forward with everything they know and provide reasons why they suppressed this information until now.

Absolutely! One of a “few”? What the HELL does that mean?

i was sickened and outraged by the transcript!he is definetly a pedophile and needs to go to prison for a long time,if it is found that anyone else had prior knowledge and did nothing they need to be charged as well.

I have been a republican my entire life, and so has been my family for generations.
God help us to protect our children from these pedophiles.
The GOP knew for years and did nothing to protect our children.
I don’t know what good will come from a liberal house, but heaven forbid we leave those creeps in control any longer. We owe it to our children to protect them from these sleezy pedophiles.

As a crime victim advocate for my local county district attorney’s office, I unfortunately have seen such predatory behavior and much worse. Whether text messaging or email, predatory behavior against juveniles is not only immoral, it is a violation of law. Such conduct cannot be excused by drug abuse (alcohol is a drug), or mental illness. The damage caused by such behavior can have life-long effects for victims.
I hope that those children and their families affected by Mr. Foley’s abusive behavior sue him for all he’s got, and perhaps hold those other federal officiels in charge of the page program financially responsible for their failure to advocate for and protect the children involved.
I trust the legal system will act appropriately. And if not, we need to ask, “Why not?”

If ABC News could get copies of these e-mails, then Republican leaders could have too. Five years ago pages were warned about Foley. Hastert and friends have no excuse.

Oh, this is just great. He was one of the congressmen “whose behavior with pages was being closely watched.” Wow, that inspires so much confidence in our leaders. [/sarcam]
This is a really disturbing case, but I think we need to keep digging until we get to the bottom of it. More victims need to come forward. We need to hold Foley and everyone who aided his actions to the highest legal and ethical standards, as members of Congress must be. The people must guard the sanctity of our institutions vigorously… something that hasn’t been happening. Let’s turn this ship around, people.

one of the handful? there are more ??????
What IS this Republic congress !!!

Say what you want about the media. But thank you, thank you, thank you for getting this information to the public. How many children have our public officals put at risk? How dare they protect their own, and not ours? Everyone in this congress–regardless of side should step up and say enough with party politics. If anyone, knew and did not do a thing—you are fired. How dare you, how dare you, how dare you. These children are our future leaders. You are held to a hire standard. You are intrusted with our saftey–you are our voice. How dare you turn your back and make quiet suggestions. If it was your child, what would you have wanted? They should be thrown out.

Speaker Hastert should step down from his leadership post — at least temporarily — until the FBI finishes its investigation. He could — and should — have been able to stop Foley; he had (or could obtain) the information.

I wonder how long the news media will hound this story? I give it a week. Then it will drop off the radar screen. The news media may nibble around the edges for a while but will stop well short of biting off the hand that feeds them. It should be in the news everyday until the investigations are over. Anyone with half a brain knows that the big story here is the coverup. What was most important to the House Republican leadership was to hold on to Foley’s house seat not the safety and well being of these children.

This is an example of how detach the politicians are from the general public. What Foley did is wrong; it shouldn’t matter whether he is Republican or Democrat. He needs help. The situation will be worse if others knew about it and not do anything, because they sat around and let it happen. A full-scale investigation must be done and all those culpable in any way should be held accountable for their actions or inactions.

i can’t believe how many people take sides based upon their party affiliation. You all are very small minded individuals. The fact is it’s a bad situation and Foley was wrong. Be you a Dem,Rep,Ind it really doesn’t matter. You all really do disgust me, did you ever attend school? Seriously, since when did party affiliation determine if an action is right/wrong. I am for our country and for what’s right. Many of the comments are right on, but some of this stuff just bugs me to no end.

I predict this scandal will end up like the travel scandal. Democrats tried to gin anti-Republican sentiment by outing travel that was paid for by lobbyists. All the sudden it turned out that democrats had done the same thing. Since there is already one documneted case of a gay Democratic Congressman and a page, who is to say that the 4 or 5 that the leadership were watching were all Republican. Now that the can of worms is opend, lets dump the whole thing out.

I laugh how everyone makes this is a Republican issue. Democrats/Republicans it doesn’t matter both parties would of acted the same. Democrats most likely heard about the emails and the behaviour as well. Why didn’t they act? It all stinks.

The problem here is that everyone commenting seems to think that only the “evil Republicans” are capable of this.
Got news for you, they aren’t.
Sickos are in BOTH parties, and a very unflattering light is starting to shine on their behavior.
I hope the Democratic party is ready for that, and forces any member who violate this new-found moral standard to resign immediately…just like Foley was forced to do by his leadership and constituents.

Mark my words, this event is not yet over. Trails are being covered up, but they won’t be completely destroyed. The truth will come out and when first of the Republican party leaders who knew of Foley’s indescretions is singled out you can bet that individual will NOT wish to be the only one getting a pie thrown at him.

Also, apparently the age of legal consent is 16 in DC (and in many other states). Many something should be done about that…

If they knew enough in 2001 then why did they not know the nature of the emails?Seems a little odd to warn pages 5 years ago and then play dumb when the truth comes out.There is more complicity here than the members of congress are willing to accept openly.That would destroy thier career also and demand their resignation.Brian Ross and team keep digging and find out how much they knew and when for he sake of our country.Attempted child molestion is a heinous crime being complicit in it is almost equally heinous.

Hastert, Reynolds, Boehner, Alexander . Conspiracy.

The Speaker of the House should resign. He has demonstrated that he is no leader– just a coverup guy. It is time to out all the child preditators on Capital Hill. If there is suspicion of any wrong doing with children by members of Congress, it should be immediately investigated by the FBI, not covered up like this case.

What is sad is everybody seems to be missing the point. This isn’t a Republican vs. Democrat issue. Granted it appears suspicious that emails were held for months and years to be released after the primary to achieve maximum political effect. Republicans now are covering for the same political effect. Tawdry sexual scandals have been going on there for years. If you are an evil bumb, you should be prosecuted and thrown out, not torn down or protected just for political purposes. A skunk is a skunk, no matter the stripe, they all smell bad.

Every one of these posts that tries to generalize everything to be either Republican or Democrat is missing the point here. What Congressman Foley did to those boys is despicable, but he did do one thing right: he stepped down. What I am worried about is why anyone who knew about (not suspected)his behavior, whether Democrat or Republican, politician or reporter, allowed this to continue even one day after they found out. Foley should be punished for what he did, but anyone who allowed it to happen after then knew it was happening…they should be punished for being complicit and enabling his behavior. Finally, as for a Republican leader saying that Foley was “one of a handful” being watched…he did not specify whether the “handful” were Democrat or Republican. You shouldn’t jump to conclusions and assume it is a Republican just because a Republican said it.

This story makes me nauseous. Mark Foley is obviously a sick man, and his hypocriticical pontifications on pedophilia show the depths of his denials. I actually feel sorry for him and hope he gets the help he needs.
The response by Hastert et al. reminds me of the Cardinal Law: Defend the Church/Party first. Children entrusted to their care are victimized by pederasty, but maintaining power and prestige trumps upholding the law and protecting the innocents.
If the GOP values power more than the lives of children, it needs to be voted out en masse.

Not only was Mel Reynolds, a Democrat, pardoned by Clinton, a Democrati, for having sex with an underage page, Mel Reynolds is now working as a YOUTH DIRECTOR for Jesse Jackson, Democrat, at the Rainbow Push Coalition.
Its ignorant to think that the sociopathic sickness demonstarted by Foley is relationary to a political philosophy. Any political debate is rendered mute once you allow your rational sensibilities reach this stage where any and everything is fair game.
What’s worse, committing the crime or pardoning the individual so he can continue the behavior?

After the Lewinskygate:
“It’s vile,” said Rep. Mark Foley, R-West Palm Beach. “It’s more sad than anything else, to see someone with such potential throw it all down the drain because of a sexual addiction.”
And he went to rehab for alcoholism?

This is reprehensible but not limited to republicans. Does the name Mel Reynolds ring any bells among democrats. In addition major newspapers such as the Miami Herald had the same emails as Hastert , 5 years ago, and felt them too innocuous for further review.
The IM’s were not available to republican leadership until published by ABC. As usual the dems take this for a witch hunt. Clean your own house first. Lastly, one should not assume the other members who are being watched are also republicans. It is not stated as such. But hey, lets find out.

When we need to do is vote out ALL incumbents, republican and democrat. There are far too powerful people in congress. Vote them all out, start new with everyone, and this country will be far better off. Plus, if they are finally accountable for a change, people will think before action.

Emma wrote –
“If the man did this, he is very troubled but I have another question:
How were investigators able to access these emails? Did the receipients save them – or is everything we have ever emailed available somewhere? That could be a good story too.”
Emma — everything, anyone writes on the internet is available to those with the tools to capture it. This isn’t the US Postal service — the delivery isn’t direct and there is a long trail of all of the e-mail and IM messages.

Title VII is a federal law that protects employees from sexual harassment. If these pages are employees of the federal government, Hassert and other “supervisors” had a legal obligation to commence an investigation once the report of sexual harassment was made or the employer otherwise became aware of the incident(s). The law is designed to protect employees whom the employer knew or should have known may be subjected to unlawful sexual harassment. The Republican cover-up is not simply political maneuvering. It was unlawful. The fact that the pages are minors makes it even more reprehensible.

Wow..some people here are actually comparing what Clinton did with what Foley has done! Come on people…Foley was being inappropriate with KIDS! Clinto had a consentual relationship with an ADULT! No double standard here..and no comparison.

Pretty soon you will hear the Republicans say this is a Democratic polt. When then President Clinton had the affair with Minica Lewinsky, theey wer quick to call for Impeachment. They were relentless with their attacks against the Democratic party. This administration, is not only one of the worst to hold office but one of the most corrupt. In their zeal to hold onto to power they will go to the extream to lie and chest. And this is the party of the Christian right. The so called moral party. That stands for true American values. If that is what Republicans stand for, than God help us as a nation.

The GOP is doing the same thing the Church had done for decades –cover up sexual predators among their lot. The GOP jumped all over Clinton & Monica — but at least they were both adults in a consensual affair — not a pedophile stalking minors!

This is the Catholic Church all over again. Hide and protect the pedophiles to avoid “embassement.” Hastert and anyone else, regardless of party, who know anything about this in advance should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. These people need to do hard time (10, 20, 30 years) in a real prison with the rest of the scum of the earth. This is sickening. The Republicans are the biggest phonies in Washington.

I have written President Bush and told him that I did not appreciate Tony Snow’s flip comments about “naughty emails”.
I have emailed Senator Richard Lugar’s office and told him that the Senate has a responsibility to investigate the conduct of the FBI which has been on notice since June of this year.
I have emailed Nancy Pelosi’s office apprising her of my actions as well as Congresswoman Julia Carson.
There is a stench of sulfur coming from all areas of the Federal government.
Charles J. Collet

I believe Speaker Hastert when he says he wasn’t aware of the IM’s that incriminated Foley. If this blows up into some kind of political scandal for the Republicans in the upcoming elections, I got two words they can use to fire back at the Democrats, “Gerry Studds”.

It is inconceivable that many members of Congress – in both parties – did not know or at least have an inkling of what Foley was about. And, they surely know of the others as well. What do they do about it? Nothing. These politicians are totally incapable of policing themselves because they are all egocentric personalties who see themselves above all our laws. We really must clean house in both parties. If we don’t begin electing men and women with legitimate moral fiber our country is destined to implode. We have found our worst enemy – and it is us. We must insist on term limits and NONcareer politicians who feed at the public trough while accomplishing nothing year after year.

It’s time for a change in Washington! The Foley incident is just the latest event in a pattern of lies, deceit, cronyism, and abuse of power by the party currently in power. These revelations are not pretty. It is time for ALL persons of good will to act responsibily and remove them from office. Our beloved country is at stake!

Mark Foley is just one in line of Republican congressional sex offenders. Think back a few years to Ohio Congression Donald “Buz” Lukens, who was prosecuted and convicted for having sex with a 16-year old girl, refused to resign, then was caught fondling a young elevator operator and finally resigned. A few years later he was also convicted in a House banking scandal. Why do conservative religious people continue to vote for these people?

I do not know how one can compare adultry to hurting innocent children. Mr. Foley is a sick individual and a danger to the youth of this country. Yes Bill Clinton had an affair and what man would not lie about having an affair when confronted. The US did not have any business viewing the personal mariatal issues of the Clintons, as well as, the Republicans made a laughing stock of this country in the world by attempting to impeach the president for something that should have remained between the Clintons. What a waste of tax payers money! Here are the holier than thou Republicans trying to hide a preditor in the capital! This whole administration believes they are very much above the law. When are we going to start cleaning house and getting rid of the good ol boys who feel they are untouchable?

Its a sad day when someone accused of any form of child molestation(intention) is being defended because he belongs to a particular political party. I think the parents of these children should form a SERIOUS organisation to send a no no-nonsense message to the known and unknown predators, be they politicians or not.

Congressman Foley is a horrible person. Now that he has resigned his job, does this mean he is still receiving his salary and will he also get his pension for life or will the government cut this off. Hopefully.

It’s said to see all of the slams on “Republicans.” This isn’t a Republican or Democrat issue. It’s a moral issue that is plaguing this nation. We have gotten away from our Christian roots and the principles that this country was founded on. We need to return to God before things get worse (and they will get worse if we continue down this sinful path). If someone (anyone) commits crimes such as this they should be persecuted to the fullest extend possible.

These pages were harrassed. At the first complaint of an email, Sen. Hastert knew that no normal man is going to send an email to a page that a page complains is inappropriate. Sen. Hastert knew that. We know he did, he knows he did. Hastert failed to act, so Foley continued innappropriate emails and then IM’s.

I am just as mad at this administration as any Democrat and I didn’t vote for Mr. Bush. However, this has nothing to do with Republicans and Democrats, it has to do with the moral and every other manner of corruption in our political system today. Be careful how many rocks you turn over, pedophiles know no political party!!

There may be other Foleys in the congress who use power to abuse kids. They should be put into jail for 25 years with out parol.

After this, I have decided to stay at home. I can’t vote for a Republican. They are just as corrupt as the Dems.

Not a Republican/Democratic issue? Of course it is. The Repubs have constantly thrown Clinton’s indescretions at the Democrats and attempted to tar the entire party with it. Now another in a long line of Repubs is caught with his hand in the cookie jar and they scream “No Fair!”. Remember Newt, Livingston, Hyde, Barr and various other Rep. Reps who persecuted Clinton? Hyde’s was just boyish indescretions at age 40!

Foley should be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible. Child predators must be stopped, and no one, Congress included, is above the law!
This case is distinct from Clinton/Lewinski in that it likely involves minors. However, I’d be interested in reviewing what the democrat congressmen & congresswomen had to say when it was Clinton who was being accused. Moreover, did the Republicans call for Democrat leaders to resign? If so, what were the claims and responses then?

ABC News bloger Brian Ross reports (at 6:22 pm Oct. 2) that a former senior Republican confirmed that Foley was one of a handful of members and staff whose behavior with pages was being closely watched. It seems to me that there may be a NEST of these predators and that the Republican leadership knows about all of them. Shouldn’t Democrats be demanding that Hastert and Boehner IMMEDIATELY release the names of ALL members and staff on their predator list. And demand that they disclose any evidence that these child predators have worked together in any way – just like they do in the private sector – eg. by exchanging names of possible prey. Thus, we should demand that the computers of all the other suspects (members and staff) be seized and analyzed!
Jim

Sean and Rush are about to have heart attacks over this story. Both are racing to blame the Democrats. Huh? Rush even suggested that the page was a plant and this “outing” was planned all along. Does anyone listen to these buffoons anymore. They seem to really be over the top on this one. There’s a headline on Drudge that says Fox News had the e-mails but was sitting on them.

Just when I thought that I would never forgive ABC News for the hatchet job they did on Clinton with the 911 movie.
All is now forgiven….God Bless You, ABC.
you just might have saved our Republic from these thugs.

I wish people would stop talking Republican/Democrat on this Rep. Foley/sexual predator subject. This is about leaders being hypocrites, period.

“A former senior Republican official in Congress says Foley was one of a handful of members and staff whose behavior with pages was being closely watched.”????
So they were just watching him?? At what point did they believe it was necessary to intervene? And what does this say about about their effectiveness? I am amazed at the depth and breadth of this administration’s (in)effectiveness and qualifications. Please please please people, let’s use our heads (instead of our ideologies/emotions)to vote for accountability, responsibility and quality this year. Sheesh!!

I advise both democrats and repulicians as leaders of our great nation the world leaders are watching as to how we effectively handle the Foley incident as well as the coverup. How can we preach morality to the world and condone such immorality in our own house. We should not be a house divided on protecting our children. warren