The right has blamed the [tag]Mark Foley[/tag] scandal on pro-gay political correctness, “tolerance and diversity,” and the left in general, because, well, just because. Some liberal blogs and the MSM also, apparently, share some responsibility.
No one seems to find these defenses particularly compelling, so the right has latched onto to a new favorite: there’s a massive conspiracy underfoot that only they can see.
Consider, for example, what House Speaker [tag]Dennis Hastert[/tag] told Rush Limbaugh today:
“There were two pieces of paper out there, one that we knew about and we acted on; one that happened in 2003 we didn’t know about, but somebody had it, and, you know, they’re trying — and they drop it the last day of the session, you know, before we adjourn on an election year….
“But, you know, this is a political issue in itself, too, and what we’ve tried to do as the Republican Party is make a better economy, protect this country against terrorism — and we’ve worked at it ever since 9/11, worked with the president on it — and there are some people that try to tear us down. We are the insulation to protect this country, and if they get to me it looks like they could affect our election as well.”
I knew it; Osama bin Laden is behind the Mark Foley scandal. Based on Hastert’s comments, it all makes sense now. House Republicans are, as he put it, “the insulation to protect this country.”
For what it’s worth, the unhinged House Speaker isn’t the only one to embrace bizarre conspiracy theories.
[tag]Rush Limbaugh[/tag] sees the evil forces at work…
On the October 2 broadcast of his nationally syndicated radio show, Rush Limbaugh suggested that the recent resignation of former Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL), which came after allegations that Foley sent inappropriate emails to a 16-year-old male congressional page, was a “set … up” “coordinated” by the Democrats. Limbaugh also stated that “the orgy and the orgasm that has been taking place in the media since Friday and with the Democrats is … all coordinated, and it’s … all oriented toward the election.” He added, “There’s no concern about the kid,” and blamed Democrats, because “[i]n their hearts and minds and their crotches, they don’t have any problem with what Foley did. They’ve defended it over … the years.”
…and so does [tag]Sean Hannity[/tag].
“Do you find it a little more than curious that some of these instant messages that went back and forth are, you know, several years old, and were only released after the Republican primary election was finished, which makes it difficult to replace him on the ballot? Do you find the timing, the fact that they’ve had — some people have known about these for years, and that they’re only released at this point? Is that curious to you? […]
“Apparently some of these instant messages are three years old. So I think we all have to have a question raised here. I want to know why these instant messages were held back until now. Who knew about them? Why did they hold them back? Did they do it for political reasons? In other words, were they held back to maximize the political impact before an election?”
Is it really that difficult to condemn Foley for his conduct and criticize House GOP leaders for failing to take the issue seriously? Is it really that much easier for powerful far-right clowns to embrace conspiracy theories?
Don’t answer that; I know the answer.