First it was alcohol; now it’s childhood abuse

October 4, 2006

To a certain extent, I’m tempted not to write about [tag]Mark Foley[/tag]’s latest defense/excuse for his deplorable conduct. The scandal isn’t just about him anymore; it’s about how congressional [tag]Republicans[/tag] dealt with the problem. (The “it’s not the crime, it’s the cover-up” cliché comes to mind.)

That said, the latest revelations are noteworthy and may continue to have a significant political impact.

Disgraced former lawmaker Mark Foley’s behavior was affected by [tag]alcoholism[/tag] and childhood molestation but he “never attempted to have sexual contact with a minor,” his attorney said yesterday in the first extensive defense of the Florida Republican’s actions, which have rocked Congress and the GOP. […]

Lawyer David Roth told reporters in Florida that Foley was intoxicated when he sent lewd electronic messages to former House pages but was always sober when conducting official business during his 12 years in Congress. Roth said he could not explain new reports of an exchange in which Foley appeared to be having Internet sex with a youth while participating in a House roll-call vote.

Roth also said that Foley is gay, and that when Foley was 13 to 15 years old he was abused by a clergyman. Foley, who is single and Roman Catholic, will fully cooperate with law enforcement officers and will preserve all records, e-mails and other items they might want to review, Roth said. “Nothing will be altered,” he said.

It seems highly unlikely that anyone will find this latest explanation compelling, or that [tag]Foley[/tag] might somehow garner some sympathy. Indeed, many people simply don’t believe the defense. Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) said on Fox News Channel: “I don’t buy this at all. I think this is a phony defense.”

Indeed, Foley’s lawyer insisted the disgraced former lawmaker never had sexual contact with a minor and never tried to arrange to meet up with a minor in person — though both claims appear to be contradicted by IMs obtained by ABC News.

The next question, of course, is why these details still matter.

TNR’s Michael Crowley, responding to the latest revelation about Foley interrupting a floor vote to engage in Internet sex in 2003, raised an interesting point:

For reasons that may not be entirely logical, every new revelation like this raises the odds that GOP leadership heads will roll.

The more I think about it, the more I’m inclined to agree with this. Crowley’s right; it’s not entirely logical. Learning about Foley’s indefensible conduct in 2003 should have very little bearing on Hastert & Co.’s political fate in 2006, but when it comes to the public, parents, sex, and politics, logic isn’t always what matters most.

Every new revelation is a reminder to the nation of what Foley did, and how little his colleagues did to intervene. A 16-year-old kid knew enough to think the emails were “sick,” but congressional leaders didn’t. The more disgusting the news, the more disgusted people feel. And the more sickened the national mood, the stronger the urge to see some kind of dramatic change occur as a result of the scandal.

For what it’s worth, criminal charges against Foley now appear to be a foregone conclusion.

Federal investigators who have interviewed several former pages have unearthed instances of conduct by Mr. Foley that will almost certainly lead to a full criminal investigation, including grand jury testimony, to determine whether the former lawmaker violated federal sex crime laws, government officials briefed on the matter said Tuesday. They spoke on the condition that they not be named because they were discussing details of an investigation.

Prosecutors have yet to issue subpoenas or search warrants but have discussed ways to safeguard evidence in the case, the officials said, possibly issuing what are known as preservation letters, directing government agencies or private entities, like Internet providers, not to destroy any electronic data that might be relevant.

As for the political defense, I’d just add that Fox News has finally figured out a way to help Republicans through this mess: they’ve changed Foley’s party identification.

foley

According to C&L, Fox News showed this image, with the incorrect party affiliation, three times last night.

At least he didn’t say he was molested by Democrats as a teenager.

But what has always puzzled me is why anyone would ever buy the explanation of “I’m gay because I was molested as a youngster”. This isn’t like smoking or alcohol, where the first sampling of it unlocks some hidden pleasure zone deep in the brain. Unless the anti-gays really ARE afraid it would open some pleasure zones they are repressing.

A man saying he became gay because of a teenage molesting makes no more sense that a woman saying she sleeps around because she was raped as a teenager. If anything, it would make them more cautious or even repulsed.

  • This is certainly a case were The Base are the people most greatly offended against. Why they can’t see that they’ve empowered a bunch of self-centered egotistic narcissists I don’t know. They call themselves “Values Voters” but it seems all they value is defaming liberals, progressives and Democrats, all the while ignoring the failures of the Republican’ts they put in office. The Kool Aid drinking must be going fast and furious for them not to perceive just how morally decrepit Congress has become due to their blind obedience to leaders such as Pat Robertson and James Dobson, who put money ahead of morality, power ahead of people, and church ahead of God.

    But in the end I have no hope The Base will come to their senses. The filters on their minds are too strongly embedded to displace.

  • Awww Shucks…. We all know how Delay kept votes open for hours to get the results he wanted. Foley was just passing the time having by cybersex with a 16 year old. It seems like a perfectly normal thing for a corrupt and hypocritical member of a corrupt and hypocritical institution to do, doesn’t it?

  • I’m just surprised that Foley didn’t blame his personal problems on abortion or evolution…

  • First—see that party affiliation under Foley’s ugly mug? If I were Dean, I’d sue the freaking daylights out of FOX for defamation and slander. They can’t sequester the evidence; it’s in the public domain. Wouldn’t it be fun to know that Sean Hannity’s employer would be handing the Democratic Party a lot of money that, in turn, would put a Democrat in the White House two years from now? Oh, the irony of it all !!!

    But coming back to Foley—here’s a guy who founded and chaired a Congressional body for “missing and exploited children.” Here’s a guy who knows just how bad these things are—and he now claims first-hand knowledge, as a victim. It seems he would have brought out the sordid details of “Mr. Clergyman” a number of years ago—not now.

    Playing the “I-was-a-victim” card is a 24-carat fake.

    He’s also referring to his alcoholism, and evidence shows that he “interrupted a floor vote to engage in *** activity?” He’s saying he was drunk when this happened? Does this lead one to believe that this man was intoxicated, to the degree that he was unable to think clearly, during a floor vote—and the GOP House leadership structure allowed this—for how many years?

    Wow—we can throw a person in jail for getting behind the wheel, or stumbling down the sidewalk, or passing out on a park bench, after “tipping one too many”—but we can let that same person have control over the decision-making apparatus of the federal government? We can let him vote to make war on a sovereign nation, or to determine if kids get a hot lunch at school, or if someone can aford to go to college?

    And the House leadership allows this?

    The only thing that’s worse than an abusive drunk is the individual—or individuals—who, although not victimized by the drunk, continue to enable that drunk’s abusive bahavior.

    So, either the alcohol excuse is bogus—or it serves as yet another indictment of the GOP House leadership’s neglectful indifference. They do not need to be “thrown under a bus.” They need to be strapped to the side of a tanker-truck full of gasoline, and parked on the railroad tracks, to wait for the next freight train….

  • This proves Foley is very dangerous . . .he has no shame. If he were truly abused by a clergyman, he should tell the media who the person is and prevent further abuse to others. But I suspect he isn’t even an alcoholic. This is just about him. He still is not remorseful except for himself.

  • Wow. Talk about taking a ride on the excuse train. Well, he’s gone, his seat will probably go Democratic and the Republican leadership is in hot water. Unfortunately, it involved victimizing children so I am unable to rejoice.

  • Needless to say, Foley continues to dig his own grave and he should realize that his actions are simply inexcusable.

    But Dale I’d argue it is not just “the Republican Way”… The famous “I am a gay American” speech was also a great example of not taking responsibility for some very serious ethical transgressions (and before you jump down my throat, I don’t mean sexual) by a Dem politician… Who the hell cared if he was gay?? But in a way he tried to link his sexuality for his serious ethical lapses as Governor.

    Bottom line: All this excuses and blame crap carried out by today’s political/social “elites” AFTER they are caught isn’t a governement or even party issue, but a wider social problem of people not taking full responsibility for their actions.

  • Indeed, Foley’s lawyer insisted the disgraced former lawmaker never had sexual contact with a minor and never tried to arrange to meet up with a minor in person

    OK, taking him at his word, did he ever have sexual contact with a former Congressional page 17 or older? If they were of the age of consent, this doesn’t Foley’s actions anymore acceptable. Part of what makes this entire episode so disgusting is that Foley used his position and power to seduce teenagers — either minors or otherwise. This is one — albeit small –reason the Republicans freaked out over Monica Lewinsky. Clinton purportedly abused his office and power to “force” an intern into oral sex.

    Somebody needs to rub this blatant hypocrisy in the Republicans’ faces.

  • Step 1- Get the Jesus thumpers in to turn this gay man back into a straight man.
    Step 2- Get drunk and start emailing and IM-ing sexually suggestive messages to the Bush Twins. (these emails would not include actual sex so they would not be against the law. Also the twins are not minors so I don’t see any problems. Oh and it is not a homosexual act it is a heterosexual act.) I’m sue the GOP will back me up.
    Step 3 – Sue FOW News, win, and turn it into a home shopping channel.

    This guy is a real piece of work. I can see why Republicans would want to break the law to keep him around.

  • Think Progres is reporting that Reynolds in fact talked Foley into running for this term–in light of the fact that he knew of Foley’s troubles.

  • Regarding Fox News identifying Foley as a Democrat three times, you’d think competing news organizations would have a field day with it. Although with Fox News’ ratings falling fast, other news organizations don’t see much competition. Still it makes you wonder what other dirty tricks Fox News has up its sleeves.

  • In regard to Foley’s claim of being molested by a Roman Catholic clergyman, CB wrote:

    “Indeed, many people simply don’t believe the defense. Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) said on Fox News Channel: ‘I don’t buy this at all. I think this is a phony defense.'”

    Rep. King is a member of the Knights of Columbus and a fire-breathing Catholic. Bio here: http://peteking.house.gov/index.cfm?SectionID=2&ParentID=0&SectionTypeID=2&SectionTree=2

    Thus, it’s no surprise that King would “kick to the curb” his fellow Republican, Foley, and defend Catholic clergy ’til his last breath.

    Nevertheless, it’s great to see Republicans eat their own.

  • @1. I don’t think he’s saying he’s gay because he was molested (or only gay when he’s drunk?) Or at least I hope not.

    He’s trying to do three things:

    1. Play the pity card a couple of ways – I was abused, I’m an addict. Break out the violins.
    2. Officially come out of the closet in an attempt to raise the “oppressed person,” shield. Don’t pick on me unless you want to be called a homophobe. (Rather like playing the “race card.”) Puke.
    3. Make it all about him, not his victims. This is the key reason I’m convinced he is an addict. Can you say attention whore?

    tAiO

    p.s. Fox news is the TV equivalent of the National Enquirer. Or should I say the NY Post? Both are owned by Murdoch I believe.

  • I’m just surprised that Foley didn’t blame his personal problems on abortion or evolution…

    That’ll come on Katie Couric’s “Free Speech” segment tonite…

  • Regarding comment #1…

    It never occured to me that Foley was offering an excuse for his being gay until you mentioned it. But you might be right. I took your thought and expanded on it here.

  • Why is the Christian right so obsessed with sex? The Republican Congress and Administration have botched almost aspect of running the country (Iraq, Afghanistan, budget deficit, Katrina, global warming, social security, health care, prisoner abuse, N. Korea, Iran, Ben Laden, Al-Qaida, energy) and the Republican conservatives stick by them until a sleazy senator from Florida is discovered to be a pedophile. Clinton’s sexual escapades attracted the same disproportionate reaction. Foley’s actions are reprehensible, but they are not on the scale of attacking a sovereign country under false pretenses and killing tens of thousands innocent Iraqi citizens, inciting anti-western terrorist organizations around the world, ignoring global warming, and other gross mistakes by the Republican party. The Foley scandal will be soon forgotten, but the party’s other disasters will be with us and the rest of the world for generations. Too bad there isn’t a sexual aspect to global warming, them perhaps the Christian-right would care about it.

  • The more I think about Foley the more offensive I find him. First it comes out that he’s a child abuser (we can quibble about pedophile/ephebophile, but the guy clearly was taking advantage of others based on his status, Congressman, versus their status, Congressional Page). Bad enough, but now, on the advice of his lawyer, he “admits he’s gay”. First of all isn’t that just a tad homophobic? I may “admit” theft or murder or cowardice or racism or homophobia. I don’t “admit” being male, or white, or Democrat. Those are facts which I simply acknowledge. In today’s climate, with all the active homophobia around, it does more justice to the English language to “admit” being closeted and than being gay.

    What really irked me was the further admission (fact?) that Foley was molested by a clergyman, when he was 13 to 15 y/o. Does that *explain* anything? Is receipt ofmolestation ever are excuse to molest others? I don’t think so. If anything the experience should be a real-world reason for NOT being an abuser. Like having a father who’s an abusive drunk … many people use that as an early learning experience, namely, don’t drink at all, or at least drink responsibly.

    Whatever the reason (or lack thereof), I’m glad the boil burst. Now, if the pattern set by the RCC follows, many more congressional pages will have the courage to come forward, and this scandal will alter what had been expected to be a Diebold outcome this November. It’s fun to see Republicans eating their own, at last. If some Democrats go down too, good. But it should finally pop this fundamentalist walk-on-water with the hypocritical Christians, of which I think we’ve all had a belly full.

  • You people are way too cynical.

    It’s the new Rove scandal strategy, once you are fucked, but before the indictment, switch parties.
    “Look, another democrat has been indicted”

    It’s pure genius.

  • I think the switch to “D” is engineered by the same people who are claiming that Bush is not a “true conservative” (now that he’s more widely seen as a failure. To the neanderthals at FauxNoose, if Foley is bad, he must be a Dem. QED.

    (In all seriousness, Fox needs to post an apology. Once is a mistake. Three times is purpose).

  • I have some direct experience (that I am not going to detail) in both the issues that Foley is bringing up as a defense. I know numerous men who were homosexually abused as children (in two cases by their own fathers), who did not become “gay” as a result. This is a direct play into the bullshit of the Christian Right about homosexual “recruitment.”

    Second point, if Foley is indeed an alcoholic, and is serious about achieving sobriety and getting some balance in his life, you do not do that by offering “I was an alcoholic” as an excuse for anything. I think anyone here who has ever been involved in a 12-step group will verify that the person who attempts that will be privately “straightened out” pretty quickly.

    This is all about a desperate little toad who is terrified of being thrown in the pot of boiling water (after turning up the heat), who is grabbing at any straw he can find. Back when I took instruction about Water Safety to be a lifeguard, they told us that our job was not to get killed trying to save someone, and that there could be a time when we had to keep out of reach of their arms that they didn’t drag us under, too. I think the Republicans never learned such a lesson, and didn’t know to keep their chin tucked so the drowning victim couldn’t wrap his arms around their throat in his terror and kill them.

    But then, finding them unmoving at the bottom of the pool is exactly where they belong.

    Basically, what you have with Foley (and I say this as a heterosexual who has numerous gay friends, being in the business I am in), is proof of the psychopathology that will develop and metastasize through life in the closet. Every gay friend I have who ever dealt with any major problems in their life has told me that the first thing was to “come out” about themselves, so they didn’t have The Big Secret to hide, so they could actually deal with the Real Problems. As long as you’re in the closet to the point you want to hang out with the people who want you dead, this is how you’re going to end up.

  • One of the reasons I don’t watch TV is that I object to having my program constantly interrupted by ads. But, perversely, one of the reasons I prefer the paper version of my newspaper to the online one is that I get to see the ads — how big they are (how much money is spent) and who buys them.

    Hopefully, the mills of Dems are grinding slowly but surely and, eventually, there’ll be a big stink (I like the idea of compensation, too ) about Fox’s “little mistake” in assigning party denomination to “ex-Congressman Mark Foley, (D-FL)”

    In the meantime… Today’s NYTimes carried a full-page ad from Fox : “Thank you, America, for making us number 1”

    What a coincidence…

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