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Foley E-Mails Get Worse

By Jeralyn, Section Other Politics
Posted on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 11:43:28 AM EST
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The Note now reports Foley interrupted a House vote to engage in internet s*x with a teen.

Former Congressman Mark Foley (R-FL) interrupted a vote on the floor of the House in 2003 to engage in Internet sex with a high school student who had served as a congressional page, according to new Internet instant messages provided to ABC News by former pages.

ABC News now has obtained 52 separate instant message exchanges, which former pages say were sent by Foley, using the screen name Maf54, to two different boys under the age of 18. This message was dated April 2003, at approximately 7 p.m., according to the message time stamp.

[Hat tip Patriot Daily.]

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    Foley E-Mails Get Worse | 32 comments (32 topical)
    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#2)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 12:11:25 PM EST
    What a friggin' mess. He should have resigned years ago, apparently. There sure seems to be a lot of gay boys in our congressional page system. Is this something that is common knowledge (among some)? Is our page system something that has long been attractive to gay boys? If he gets convicted of some sex crime, I assume TL will decry the FL RSO list and his addition to it?

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#6)
    by scribe on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 12:29:47 PM EST
    Sarcastic unnamed one: there once was this quaint concept in American law and morality, known as "having paid one's debt to society". Maybe you're old enough to remember it; the whole "make my day" ethos of crimefighting followed by increasingly retributive governmental conduct and ranting pols kind of buried that concept. Sad to say, 'murca used to be the land of the second chance. Being opposed to a sex offender registry is both rational and sane. Besides, in Foley's case, if he's ever found guilty of anything, everyone will know why, and the registry is not needed. Funny, though. He's allegedly in rehab (spelled "on the lam and hiding out from the press"), but per a couple of sites his screen-name maf54 is still lurking around, and even communicated (sort of) with Wonkette. I thought, when one went into rehab, one was pretty much cut off from the rest of the world. While one was drying out. And going cold turkey from whatever addiction it was - like internet (sex with pages). No visitors, that sort of thing. So, maybe this rehab is an easy regime? Or maybe someone has Foley on ice?

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#7)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 12:52:27 PM EST
    Scribe, I'm not going to debate the RSO list, I just want to make sure those who are agin it don't change their tune when it comes to a political enemy. Any knowledge about my congressional page/gay boy question?

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#1)
    by roxtar on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 01:35:33 PM EST
    The vote was a War Appropriations Act. And Foley got so aroused that he couldn't contain himself. Simply amazing.....

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#3)
    by chris on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 01:35:33 PM EST
    But wait! I thought he only sent perverted IM's when he was so drunk he had no knowledge of what he was doing! Oh wait.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#4)
    by Patrick on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 01:35:33 PM EST
    I really don't see how this makes it worse. They guys a scumbag, I don't really see too many people stepping up to defend him. What's starting to show is partisan politics and the desire to ride this guys sickness into votes... That's nice (Not!). I'd rather be out of power than win using something like this. I heard it said once, don't take too much joy in another's woes for sure the time will come when you wished you hadn't...Aka Kharma.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#5)
    by kdog on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 01:35:33 PM EST
    Can't wait to see just how many people are involved in covering up Foley's dirty deeds. I would hope partisan politics ends when a party member starts targeting teenagers...but it appears Foley had help in the GOP keeping things quiet.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 01:35:33 PM EST
    Scribe seems to believe Foley has a trademark on "Maf54". Actually, I heard Pelosi was using it to further democratic efforts to disenfranchise, steal, (Insert favorite buzzword here) the elections.... Politics is politics and it's ugly at times, but folks this isn't and shouldn't be about politics.. My $.02

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#9)
    by jarober on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 01:35:33 PM EST
    As I've said in other comment threads, Foley should have gone (at least) a year ago - however, he did resign. Perhaps TL could explain how IM and emails are worse than: -- Barney Frank, having an (illegal) prostitution ring run out of his apartment. Frank never left Congress - he's still there -- Gerry Studds, who actually consummated a relationship with a page on capital hill - he didn't resign either, and only left via retirement in 1996. Or heck, let's go back to Clinton and Monica, for that matter. So far as I can tell, everyone involved in any of these matters was over the age of consent (in DC), and Foley is the only one who actually resigned over it.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 02:51:18 PM EST
    Was Foley around during the Clinton impeachment? Does anyone know? I wonder how he would have voted.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#11)
    by scribe on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 02:51:18 PM EST
    Your last sentence shows the distinction: "Every one of those in the earlier cases was over the age of consent". None of Foley's victims were over 18 at the time he wrote the emails in question (I was going to write "pursued", but thought better of it). Chasing after the under-18 crowd is, in this situation, likely a crime. One of the emails I've seen posted even references to the kid saying (in so many words) "wait three weeks, I'm still under 18 and don't want to get you in trouble" and Foley responding to the effect of "oh, yeah". Of course, if anyone should know what is and is not illegal, Foley should, having been a big mover behind these kid protection laws.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#12)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 02:51:18 PM EST
    James Robertson, How convenient that you still fail to mention the Republican Congressmen, Daniel B. Crane, censured for the same conduct as Gerry Studds in the same year. He didn't resign either. As for your Bill & Monica comment, get over it; you are grasping at straws.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#13)
    by Byron Wayne on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 02:51:18 PM EST
    He should of been investigated at least 5 years ago. Reports coming out that his behavior was suspect as far back as 1995. Pages being warned since 2001. To try and spin this using others behaviors and past is not acceptable. Newt tried to get the other 2 congressman ousted, and Republicans tried to get at Clinton. They failed to do the right thing with Foley and covered it up for at least 5 years perhaps even longer. No excuse, these leaders need to go.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#14)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 02:52:40 PM EST
    -- Gerry Studds, who actually consummated a relationship with a page on capital hill
    Well, I guess that answers my question...

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#18)
    by soccerdad on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 03:27:59 PM EST
    Studds relationship was with a 17 year old page if I remember correctly and he should have been forced to resign. Of course the added hypocrisy here is that Foley was on the committee for exploited children.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#15)
    by kdog on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 03:49:32 PM EST
    I heard it said once, don't take too much joy in another's woes for sure the time will come when you wished you hadn't...Aka Kharma.
    I agree Pat...could this be karma coming back to bite the GOP for making Clintons sex life a political issue? I must admit I'm a little ashamed of myself for taking such a perverse pleasure in watching this guy (and hopefully some GOP leadership as well)go down in flames. It's not cool...but I can't help it. I am thoroughly enjoying the circus. It's the timing more than anything...right before an election during a time of sex crime/child predator hysteria. A screenwriter couldn't have come up with this.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#16)
    by Patrick on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 03:49:32 PM EST
    Scribe Studds' victim was 17. Although I've heard argument that the age of consent in DC is 16...Which would place foley in a "safe zone" too.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#17)
    by Dadler on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 03:49:32 PM EST
    Sarc, Suffice it to say, gay people are all around you, all the time. For every openly gay person there is a gay person sadly and tragically hiding it. We still live in a country that is extremely dangerous for gay people in many places, social strides or no. The more apt question is how many of these hiding people, like Foley, are living lives of anger and self-hatred and turning that inside out on others? And why we still insist on marginalizing people into that loathing and fear and secret life?

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#19)
    by Sailor on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 03:51:41 PM EST
    There sure seems to be a lot of gay boys in our congressional page system.
    Is this something that is common knowledge (among some)? Is our page system something that has long been attractive to gay boys?
    1) What a homophobic remark, the least you could have done is say 'not that there's anything wrong with that.' SUO, I expected better from you. And who do you think selects the pages? This is not a self-selected group and rethugs have been in power all the time this scandal has been going on.
    What's starting to show is partisan politics and the desire to ride this guys sickness into votes... That's nice (Not!). I'd rather be out of power than win using something like this.
    Which would leave who, the predators in charge? The repug leadership that covered it up? At this point, do you really want to see that? And maybe it just seems partisan because only, by their own wishes, were repubs involved.
    They guys a scumbag, I don't really see too many people stepping up to defend him.
    Tony Snow, Hastert, Drudge, are trying to downplay it and blame the victims and Reynold's Chief of staff tried to bribe ABC not to run the story. (I can provide links if you want Patrick.)
    don't take too much joy in another's woes for sure the time will come when you wished you hadn't...Aka Kharma.
    I agree with you there, but getting rid of any politicians who knew about this and didn't report it is a favor to the nation. And yes, I would say the same about dems, even tho it is political because of the party involved, it isn't political to me. A friend of mine's daughter was a page and I know of others who tried to become one. I hate to borrow ProfMarcus' line, but I do take it personally and even with everything I have seen in the last 6 years, this goes way beyond the pail [sic] because it makes me want to puke.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#20)
    by Sailor on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 03:57:20 PM EST
    Studds' victim was 17.
    Yeah, but it was consensual, completely wrong for a person in position of authority, but consensual. foley's emails were to a kid who complained to his parents, his boss, and thought the emails were 'creepy' and 'sick, sick, sick.' Bit of a difference.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#21)
    by Patrick on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 04:53:17 PM EST
    Hastert is trying to down play it? No, I don't see it that way just yet. If how it was reported to them in 2005 is accurate according to the Miami Herald or whatever paper had the story at the same time, then I don't see them as downplaying. If that's all the info they had, they didn't have enough. If he knew more or had valid investigative avenues and didn't follow-up on them then he should step aside, that hardly makes him a "predator in charge." Who cares what drudge says, he's not an elected official. Lumping them all together when they are bit players to make them all sound equally culpable smacks of poltics to me, despite what you say. Kinda jumping the gun a bit aren't we. Like the democratic leadership, bot that had some good sources...or inside info.
    And maybe it just seems partisan because only, by their own wishes, were repubs involved.
    I see you discount totally the timing of this story. What's another few months of keeping it secret if the Dems can use it as an Oct surprise. Yeah, if it wasn't about politics someone as shrewed as you would wonder about that too.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#22)
    by Al on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 04:53:17 PM EST
    I'm still not seeing the right-wing trolls condemning Foley and his protectors unconditionally. It's a simple thing, really.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#23)
    by Patrick on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 05:31:09 PM EST
    Al, The your not looking... Sailor,
    Yeah, but it was consensual, completely wrong for a person in position of authority, but consensual.
    WTF? Whatever! HE was 17, that's underage, not to mention the authority he had...That's a small nail to hang your hat on IMO.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#25)
    by Sailor on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 07:01:17 PM EST
    Patrick, I was equating consensual to non-consensual, no argument it was wrong ... 36 years ago. Then in 1983 they established an oversight board ... which looked the other way. Like I say, want links, I'll be happy to provide them. We may still disagree, but at least you'll have all the facts.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#24)
    by Byron Wayne on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 07:03:51 PM EST
    Patrick Although I've heard argument that the age of consent in DC is 16...Which would place foley in a "safe zone" too. Faulty thinking Internet and federal laws is 18 not to mention many of these occured in other states not in DC

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#26)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Oct 03, 2006 at 09:21:50 PM EST
    Patrick wrote:
    What's starting to show is partisan politics and the desire to ride this guys sickness into votes... That's nice (Not!). I'd rather be out of power than win using something like this.
    It is not the desire to ride the guys sickness that is foremost, It's the desire to to ride his goddamn hypocrisy. And I'm sure we can all take comfort that when you have the cuffs slapped on someone in similar circumstances the kindness and understanding you show now will still apply.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#27)
    by Che's Lounge on Wed Oct 04, 2006 at 12:23:25 AM EST
    I just wonder if any Dems knew about it? It's quiet. Too quiet.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#30)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Oct 04, 2006 at 09:09:48 AM EST
    Sailor, I thought your comment to me yesterday was kidding but then I read Dadler's comment (which oddly enough didn't show up until this AM?!). Guys, I've made my living in the movie biz in LA for over 15 years now. Read what I wrote, not what you might imagine me to have meant.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#31)
    by Sailor on Wed Oct 04, 2006 at 09:26:05 AM EST
    Hastert is trying to down play it? No, I don't see it that way just yet.
    He's blaming the Dems for it. The dems didn't even know about it because the rethugs never informed them originally when the complaint was made by the boy. Republicans would put personal responsibility above party and do the right thing here; rethuglicans would do just what they are doing; it's clinton's fault; I was drunk; I was abused by a priest; I don't recall that , oops you have proof so I'll try another excuse.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#32)
    by Dadler on Wed Oct 04, 2006 at 11:32:14 AM EST
    Sarc, I was only reacting to what I perceived to be an odd question on your part. I'm sure the percentage of gay people in the page program is probaly consistent with the percentage in the general population. I also didn't quite understand the context. We you saying that it's a concern if there WERE an overrepresentation of gay people in the page program? I just didn't get your point. What do you do in H-wood, btw? With a Writer's Guild member card in my pocket, I'm curious. Peace.

    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#29)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Oct 04, 2006 at 11:32:15 AM EST
    And my thanks to Little Rock for his unintentional endorsement of my previous comment. From his "Heck of a job"
    My law firm has represented at least a dozen men charged with the same offense, and they are arrested on the spot. Police give no quarter to them, preferring to arrest, do a perp walk (compare NBC Dateline's "To Catch a Predator" on again Friday night), and name them in the local press, and charge them in circuit court before the ink is dry on the booking form.
    Re: Foley E-Mails Get Worse (none / 0) (#28)
    by Patrick on Wed Oct 04, 2006 at 12:32:05 PM EST
    Oscar, You apparently have a different definition of kindness and compassion than I. Of course you can make it look that way by taking quotes out of context, but if you read my entire post..well you get the idea. I can assure you he'd be treated no differently by me. Byron, It's not faulty thinking, it's just what I heard and didn't take the time to look it up. 18 is where I think it should be, but if it wasn't 18, then it really wouldn't make the situation any less distasteful to me personally. Perhaps less criminal, but still just as disgusting.

    Foley E-Mails Get Worse | 32 comments (32 topical)