Where’s the trust gone?
Well, on to happier news… Or not.
I’m surprised that I hadn’t written about Mark Foley before now, although I have been busy.
Let me just start by saying that I’m not sure if things are getting progressively bad, or if things are just being revealed more often, and in more public ways than before.
A few years ago, we were all aghast when the depth and breadth of the “Priest Sex Abuse Scandal” was uncovered. I think it’s safe to say that we were all disgusted by the way that not only the priests were behaving, but also about the way the Catholic church was handling it. Now, let me not be biased because I am not Catholic (Protestant here, the church is not necessary since I don’t really go to church anymore; however, I do “believe.”). I will readily agree that this type of abuse happens in all types of churches, those sickos just exist.
But, on to the real point, I guess the main message that Foley sends to us is that it’s hard to trust anyone. I mean, he was/is/was a member of Congress, and a Republican! Ok, that’s kind of ridiculous, but I would think that Repubs are more known for their religious commitments, and their steadfastness, but I guess not in his case. I realize that may be taken as offensive towards Repubs, and I’m too tired to reword it the way I mean it. Just know that I wasn’t trying to insult Republicans. My message goes to both parties, to anyone that has power, etc.
When I read this article I’m torn. In one way, I’m disgusted with the guy, and despite what some say that he’s not a sexual pedophile he’s an ephebophile, I don’t think it matters. He’s an old guy who should know better.
Supposedly, the Repubs are now gunning for “gay flesh” (my words). There’s a “list” now that “bears the names of two dozen gay and lesbian Republicans — including a female Senator, four members of Congress, nine chiefs of staff, and two White House advisors,” Mark Pitzke, and now “[d]enunciations, outings, and the general inflaming of stereotypes have become the order of the day in Washington, where homosexual officials and politicians tend to stay closeted for fear of public repercussions. A blog yesterday posted “the list,” and even CNN has nonchalantly outed two congressional workers. The Nation’s David Corn, who first mentioned it on his Web site, has raised fears of a “right-wing lynch mob.”
Are we now at the time of the “Gay Scare” (as opposed to the Red Scare back during the Cold War and the list of supposed communists)?
I guess I can finalize this with a question. Is it good or bad that politics is taking a hit?
From CNN:
According to GOP sources, Foley is concerned there may be other potential politically damaging e-mails or information out there and has concluded it’s best not to run again for office.
From CNN’s Dana Bash
This is terrible because something tells me it may be a good thing that those other emails come out. All we know is from certain emails, and Foley can make the claim that he’s never actually acted anything out, but it’s possible that these other emails could discredit him even further. It’s possible that he’s acted out his lascivious boy chasing fantisies.
On the other side of things, the argument has been repeated consistently that the Repubs “reign of terror” may come to an end in this coming Nov. 2 Congressional Election. The latest Gallop poll says that Americans will vote 59% Dem. and only 36% Repub. This can obviously be a good thing for other reasons, for example, this can lead to better Congressional hearings on the actions taken by the President and the Republican Congress internationally, e.g., the Iraq War et. al. Moreover, it has been said that there is a great chance that the Democrats will amend the War Powers Act giving more power to itself and less to the President, it was created in 1973 to
insure that the collective judgement of both the Congress and the President will apply to the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicate by the circumstances, and to the continued use of such forces in hostilities or in such situations.
From Indiana.edu
Who knows, there’s still plenty of time for the tides to turn again, we all know the spin cycle will be in full effect. But, with the way the Repubs have done is saving their asses these past 3 years, I doubt it.