The Republican party along with the help of the media is spinning Mark Foley’s sexual activity with a minor into a political issue.
The responsible thing for the Republicans to do is to provide information on Foley for his admitted sexual behavior with a minor and allow the police to conduct an investigation to ensure the young men and women who have been abused are given justice and those who are continuing to serve in the congressional page program are protected.
Instead the Republicans and media have convoluted the issue to the degree that one could think it is a political issue rather than a capital crime. For example, the media has dredged up a 23-year-old case against Gerry Studds, a former Democratic congressman from Massachusetts who was overwhelmingly censured by Congress in 1983 for sexually exploiting a 17-year-old page. While Studds' behavior is reprehensible, it is has nothing to do with Foley’s admitted sexual activity with a minor.
The Republicans are seeking to distract the public from the real issue by saying, see, the Democrats are no better than Mark Foley—therefore, Foley’s sexual exploitation of a page is merely another incident. If bringing Gerry Studds into the picture wasn’t enough, Republican Congressman Christopher Shays of Connecticut brought Ted Kennedy and Chappaquiddick into the fray. This is more than politicizing the issue—it is comparing apples to oranges—obfuscation at its best.
One can only hope the public views the sexual exploitation of congressional pages as the crime that it is and not a political issue. Foley didn't do what he did because he's a Republican any more than Studds did what he did because he's a Democrat. They did what they did because they are using sexual contact with minors for their own needs to mitigate their own emotional pain.
The political stench inside the beltway has rendered congress senseless. They don't deal in issues, only in political advantage and disadvantage. It's no wonder the public is confused. What else can the public think when political leaders make excuses for Foley or splash the mud from his scandal onto their political opponents?
It seems our congresspersons are so busy bickering with each other they've forgotten Foley admittedly sexually exploited an innocent and potentially future politician.
Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, author, "If I'd Only Known...Sexual Abuse in or Out of the Family: A Guide to Prevention, specializes in: Mind, Body, Spirit healing and Physical/Sexual Abuse Prevention and Recovery. As an inspirational leader, Dr. Neddermeyer empowers people to view life's challenges as an opportunity for Personal/Professional Growth and Spiritual Awakening. http://www.drdorothy.net
Source: www.articlecity.com
