Mark Foley, R-Fla, resigned from Congress on Friday following media disclosure of sexually explicit e-mails he sent to a 16 year old former Page. The messages were inappropriate and contained sexual content that probably renders the actions of sending them to a minor over the internet illegal. Subsequent reporting indicates that there were other incidents in which similar communications and advances or overtures were made to other Pages by Foley. Apparently, the matter will now be investigated by the FBI more than a year after the occurrence was first reported. Congressional Pages are positions in which students are given the opportunity to experience how Congress does business, as they carry messages and do basic administrative or “gofer” tasks for the Members. To include being sexually propositioned by Members of Congress as part of that internship or curriculum would be a real stretch. Members of Congress are expected to treat Pages, who look up to them as potential role models, with respect. There is an office in the Capitol with a Congressional member specifically assigned to administer the Page program and to assure that these young people are supervised and not mistreated. In the case of Foley, the Congressman was a sexual predator instead of a mentor, teacher or role model.
But the analogy goes to another level. The Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert, was alerted to the situation and the problem of reported misconduct by Foley more than a year ago. We do not know how much more Hastert knew of Foley’s peccadilloes, but even the single publicly reported incident should have been sufficient notice to take serious action. Instead, Hastert’s office says they merely told Foley to “stay away” from that particular Page. The Speaker now professes outrage that a member of Congress has “breached a public trust,” but says nothing of the breach of trust he himself failed to uphold by taking action against Foley as soon as he became aware of the misconduct. Again, fox in charge of foxes roaming about in the henhouse.
Newt Gingrich came up with a purported excuse that would be laughable, were the offense not so serious. He claims that if Hastert had taken action when he first heard of the complaint by the parents of the 16 year old, Hastert might have been accused of “gay bashing.” We are talking about a mature adult in a position of power making improper sexual advances toward a 16 year old minor that was under his authority or influence. Whether same sex or heterosexual, the offense was equally abhorrent. Political affiliation too should have been totally irrelevant. Gingrich’s attempt to trivialize it indicates the level of moral bankruptcy to which Congressional behavioral standards have sunk.
That the matter could have been dealt with, even without as much public embarrassment, serves to demonstrate how jaded and corrupt Washington has become. Let’s look at a scenario. Speaker of the House and Majority Leader Hastert, after getting word of the parental complaint regarding the 16 year old former Page, walks into Foley’s office and closes the door. Hastert says to fellow Republican Congressman Foley:
“It has been brought to my attention that there are allegations against you of sexual improprieties involving a former Page who is 16 years old. I am not accusing you of anything, nor am I judging you. I am not even asking you to explain to me what did or did not happen. What I am asking you to consider is whether, upon full investigation of this incident and any related conduct, and publication of the findings of that investigation, you would feel comfortable continuing to represent your district in Congress. You have one week to give me your answer to my question”
That is how private and backroom deals are made in Congress. It is fair to assume that Hastert would have received Foley’s resignation “for personal and family reasons” within that week. Any subsequent actions by the 16 year old Page would have been directed to Foley as a private citizen. And some measure of discipline would have been maintained with respect to the behavior of Congressional members respecting Pages. But instead, the prevailing "standard" of discipline seems to be doing whatever you feel like, as long as you don’t get caught. Delay, Cunningham, Frist and a host of others provide us examples of how well Congress polices itself regarding ethical and moral conduct. Is it any wonder then why this Congress would pass legislation approving use of torture, authorizing searches and seizure of property and communications in violations of the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, and erecting a “Berlin Wall” over 1/3 the length of the border with Mexico? These are the “foxes” that we have placed in charge of our nation's business, the security and well being of us “chickens.” If you get an invitation to dinner from this Congress, you might first want to ask which of your neighbors is likely to be on the menu.
No comments:
Post a Comment