i've been glad that my blogging friends haven't really posted much on the whole congressman foley situation. i don't think anyone is ignoring it, but there has been such a whirlwind of things happening in this country in the last few weeks, i think we've all been a little weary.
tonight, i read a great response that i want to share with you.
(i also upgraded to blogger beta. woo.)
9 comments:
I disagree with several things said in the linked article, but my main contention is this:
I don't give a good god damn about his political leanings. What does pique my curiousity, is the possibility of a larger group of Republicans conspiring to cover his ass. That's what makes it political, when a group people comprised of the same political party work to make sure that something like this doesn't get out.
It makes me angry that a party that claims "values" and fights for the rights of the unborn, will actively work to cover its own ass in an attempt to maintain power.
I didn't make this sexual misconduct political, the media didn't make this sexual misconduct political, the politicians made this sexual misconduct political.
whats blogger beta?
sara - blogger beta is blogger's next step to improve itself, the way you can access it, etc.
adam - you are entitled to be upset with the behavior of the republicans in this particular incident. but, i think you're incorrect in saying that the media hasn't made this scandal political. yes, the republicans, in whatever ways that they attempted to cover it up also made it polical, but i think you're response resonates with this quote from the linked article, "In the last two days, I have heard people (in both the media and on the streets) politicize Mr. Foley’s misconduct, exalting in the lurid revelations about the hypocrisy of 'Republican moralists.' Ah ha! God’s own political party is covering up sin in its midst!"
we don't have to ignore his political affiliation, nor the affiliation of those that may have covered up illegal actions. but we also shouldn't just assume that it is all a part of a grand scheme. let's look into it, investigate who knew what, what actually happened, and procede from there.
furthermore, those of us who profess a faith in Christ, which you do not, should never rejoice in the downfall of another person. which, in my opinion, is the main emphasis of this article. despite our varying political leanings, we should react with compassion, caring, empathy and love. we should also seek to help any victims.
finally, i must admit that what has perterbed me the most about the coverage of this whole situation is that they continue to call his alleged infractions homosexuality. pedophilia and homosexuality are two completely different things. it's not like he is accused of having an affair with a man of his same age. these are teenage boys that he is interested in, texting, etc. i think the homosexual community has long fought to seperate itself from this sort of thing. yet, the news agencies reporting keep bringing them together.
In no way am I exalting or reveling or any other activity that implies happiness in this revelation. Dude needs help.
I also read that in Florida or maybe DC, the age of consent is 16, and so (excepting the state line crossing), what he engaged in was not pedophilia. And one may argue that he was enticing kids from a state with an age of consent at 18 or whatever, but that's an arbitrary line and I think that pedophilia is generally defined for interactions involving children of a much younger age than these pages were/are.
And as far as compassion, I have very little for someone who engages in this behavior over the course of 10 years and more and then when it comes out, releases through his lawyer that he is gay and was molested by priests. Call me cynical, but I see it as a ploy to make people feel sorry for the guy. I'm sorry he was molested. I'm sorry he is a member of a political party that makes it very difficult for someone to "come out" about their sexual orientation. Being molested by a priest does not mean you lose all ability to understand that what you're doing is reprehensible and help should be sought. Unless he plans on claiming insanity, he's well aware that preying on pages was not a good thing and being molested or being gay doesn't change that.
i didn't mean to say that you were rejoicing/exalting in this guy's downfall. but, i do see in your response the politicization of the issue. it's not created by you, but you're furthering it just the same. neither party is blameless, nor do either hold the monopoly on "values", compassion, etc.
I agree wholeheartedly and I don't like a lot of the things the Dems are doing right now, or rephrased, I don't like that the Dems aren't doing a lot of things right now.
But, in this case, Republicans by all means hold the monopoly on "values" as the political definition goes. I think the way the far religious right and the GOP court each other and toss the word values around is rather sickening, but the left isn't even trying to co-opt it, much less behave like it.
Anywho, as far as I've read, the Dems are blameless in this situation (Foley). The whole thing was kept from their knowledge.
I don't know what you want if you don't want the issue politicized. The guy is a politician, using the political arena to hit on young boys, covered by his political party. Are you referring to the bipartisanship of the whole issue? Like, this shouldn't be a Republican thing? I'd be just as angry if it was a Democrat caught doing this stuff.
I'm tired of politicians abusing their powers.
"I'm tired of politicians abusing their powers."
exactly. which, i point back to the linked article, and it's emphasis. neither side is perfect, neither side fails more than the other, and, in my opinion, neither side is more moral. yes, part of one party has tried to act like they have the exclusive moral fiber, but that is mainly because they are framing morality to only deal with a few issues. others of us realize that morality plays into most every aspect of governance. (ah, damn, look at me getting all partisan.)
and, i agree that the dems have stayed relatively quiet on this issue, for which i applaud them. they don't have too much room to talk.
perhaps in the future, neither party will make a big stink about a scandal. they will just deal with it appropriately, without partisanship.
wow, full of love, for YOURSELVES Give it a break already
thanks for joining the conversation. although, anonymous, i disagree that with your assessment that i am full of love for myself. that is not to say that i don't love myself, but i try to do so in the fashion of, "love your neighbor as yourself." and that follows as i continue to learn how to love the Lord, my God with all of my heart, mind and soul.
so, regarding the foley scandal, i have suggested, through the linked article, that no one should revel in the downfall of another. even if we do feel that it points out the hypocrisy of a party that has campaigned on moral values.
this does not mean that we ignore scandal, but neither should we celebrate catching someone. i hope, and expect, that the whole thing will be examined. if there was a cover-up, i hope that those responsible receive the appropriate discipline.
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