<p>I’m sorry I was not clear enough. What I feel about the emails is irrelevant. My suggestion is that the emails weren’t actionable and, last time I looked, Congress was subject to laws and rules that affect what can be done in a given situation. I still fail to see how the emails and the page’s refusal to file or pursue a complaint justify doing more than meeting with Foley, hearing his explanation, and obtaining his promise that he would not contact the page again. From all accounts, it appears these events did cause some people to keep a closer watch on Foley. Good. I don’t see what more could have legally been done based on the facts as we know them now. </p>
<p>I’m boring myself by repeating this endlessly so I’ll yield to your more interesting discussion with HH and Xiggi.</p>
<p>It is not a homosexual issue because Foley is not being charged with gay sex (D.C. is not Texas after all). He accused of abusing a MINOR. What Clinton sexual abuse. He was blown by a 20 something woman.
If you don’t see the differences, sorry I can’t help you.</p>
<p>Are you all sure that this wasn’t an actual relationship? As in two-sided? Inappropriate and possibly criminal, but could the boy and family been trying to prevent disclosure of the fact that the relationship was more complicated than just “Congressman Foley sending inappropriate IMs?”</p>
<p>Yes, gla, he is accused of solicting sex with a minor, which is statistically much more common among the gay population than the heterosexual population, however hard you try to spin it. What is, is. Look it up. Personally, I do not care what consenting adults do to/with each other. However, I object to the disingenuousness with which people try to pretend that “grooming,” and soliciting sex with minors is not much more prevalent in the gay culture.</p>
<p>Sure, what zooserman suggested is possible. It’s very possible that a young person – flattered and perhaps even attracted to a powerful, well known older person – might have engaged in sex with the person. Still, the older person would have been a predator, and in many areas, their behavior would have been illegal. The older person also would have IMO lacked a moral compass.</p>
<p>HH, would you like to provide some documentation for your claim in post #448? I think you are wholly wrong. Male predators and sex solicitors against young women are rampant.</p>
<p>Allmusic, yes, and is it not all about power? For the record, it is very easy for me to condemn the bahavior of Foley, and all of it. This is different from hiding behind all the fine greyish lines that people have drawn to “justifY” or “explain” the actions of our political leaders. Now and … then. </p>
<p>Does the fact that the victim turned 16, 18, or 19 makes THAT much difference in the court of morality and decency. A great number of schools do send sophomores and juniors to various internship programs in DC. Does the fact that they just graduated from being teenagers make them fair game for the powerful men with agile zippers? </p>
<p>If the issue is abuse of power, why is the age or sex of the victims so relevant?</p>
<p>“Yes, gla, he is accused of solicting sex with a minor, which is statistically much more common among the gay population than the heterosexual population,”</p>
<p>I’d like to see some links to research providing that.
Given the number of women whom I’ve encountered who were molested by older males when the women are young, I have a hard time imagining that gay men are more likely to molest minors than are heterosexuals.</p>
<p>AM: Ask Bob Beckel. I really don’t want to go there. It’s all readily available on the internet, if you are truly interested in learning about it. Or look through a few gay magazines, especially the personals. Did you even look at the wiki link I posted?</p>
<p>Yes, I’m with gla. The research that I’ve seen has unequivocably shown that males are more likely to be molesters than are females, however I’ve never seen stats saying that gay men are more likely to molest than are hetero males.</p>