Posted by
Ronni on Sunday, October 01, 2006 1:15:43 PM
On Friday, when I first learned of the circumstances surrounding Mark Foley's resignation I asked myself "isn't that the Congressman who has been on TV promoting child protection legislation?" It was and I was stunned. Stunned to the point that I could not stop thinking about the boy, his parents and Mr. Foley's family. I don't know his personal circumstance but those who love him are in a very difficult place. Everyone involved is.
If I were to tell my husband that I was stunned he would roll his eyes and give me one of those "don't be so naive" looks. Maybe I am and that little girl who was educated by mostly nuns and priests in K thru 12 still lives somewhere in my psyche. Then again, I am always stunned when someone, who has the world by the tail, will risk everything for a dollar or a dalliance.
Now, we find out that his perversion was known to the Republican leaders in Congress. I'm not sure if they could have forced him to resign sooner but it also doesn't sound like they tried. I do know that less than 40 days before an election his selfishness and the leaders' stupidity could cost them the House. They better have a good spin machine on this one.
Sexual perversion is not new in politics and we only have to remember former President Clinton's many liasions (some by force) and my former Governor McGreevey's appointment of his gay lover to head NJ's Homeland Security. Only Clinton remained in office but that's a topic for another day. Mark Foley is not the first and I doubt he will be the last.
Apparently, he thought that by being in the forefront of child protection legislation that he could better hide his own perversion. I guess he didn't take to heart that old adage "everything comes out in the wash". Methinks he will from this day forward.
This is a sick situation caused by a sick person. I hope for his own sake he seeks help and for our sake I'm glad he's out of power.