And this just in…
In an interview today with CNN…
“*other * things that might have affected campaign…” Priorities.
It’s so rare that the more senior Congresscritters slip up like that…it’s kind of like seeing an ivory-billed woodpecker or something.
I think Michael Kinsley gave that phenomenon his own eponym, the Kinsley Gaffe–when a politician accidentally tells the truth.
Very valid point, and I regret my error. The press conference announcing the event happened in 1983; the sex happened in 1973.
Still, if we’re using the standard suggested above, that just means the Dems were the Pedophila Party for ten years longer than I thought!
My point, for the terminally clueless such as eleanorigby, is that outrage over this is correctly levelled at Foley, and perhaps at Hastert, and I have stated before this thread ever got going that Hastert should resign his post, and perhaps even his seat, if it turns out he knew about this. But to then say something like, “This means the Republicans are the party of pedophila” is asinine.
Unlike many people here, I try to respond to each situation on its merits. When a Democratic Congressman crashed his car and blamed Ambien, I stood up for that defense and him. Before this thread got started, I castigated both Foley and Hastert. I’ve defended Ted Kennedy on these boards many times against spurious accusations of “murder”. It irritates me no end to not only see partisan politics infact each and every event here, but to then be accused of being a partisan hack myself.
Find me some significant cites where you’ve defended Republicans, eleanorigby, and then we can talk about casting high moral value around. My post did not attempt to cast the gOP in any particular light; it was intended to puncture the silly idea that ANY political party deserves to be tarred by events like this.
I don’t object if you lay Iraq deaths at the GOP’s door – those deaths are arguably a result of party positions legitimately held and acted upon. I argue there is a good reason for them, of course, but I don’t dismiss outright the idea that they are fairly imputed to the actions of the GOP. In contrast, THIS scandal is fairly laid at the feet of individuals.
No, no, jayjay! It was Foley who was checking out unscouted parts of Louisianans in an effort to find one of them!
::: tries to keep up the deadpan delivery, fails :::
In general, I agree with this statement. In this particular situation, I think it depends on how far up the food chain the cover-up goes.
Fine! Just the individuals, those that knew, or should have known. Who cares if it turns out they are all Republicans! Not the least little bit! Chuck them out, along with whatever Democrats participated in this cover up!
No problem with any of that!
Depends on which scandal you mean, eh what? Foley’s hitting on kids, or the party leadership’s party-before-principle coverup in an election year?
Now who’s being asinine? According to you (see below) we are not allowed to impugne a whole political party, but lookee who’s doing so right here? Oy.
Um-this is excellent reasoning and I even lauded you on it. Problem is-I never claimed that the GOP was the party of pedophilia. You’re mixing me up with someone else. Another problem-at the time of first post, calling you out, I had not read the GD thread. Nice try.
Sorry, but you come across as one. Perhaps it’s your love of the abstruse legal point. Or perhaps it’s your pompous posting style-I don’t know and don’t really care. For evey outrage perpetrated by the current party in power-that would be the GOP-you seem to come up with cautionary remarks, hedging comments and bluster. No, I won’t bother searching for any. I don’t go looking for this kind of stuff, but if it comes to my attention, it must be commonplace. You know your own “debate” style well enough, I’m sure. You’ve been called on this before. None of this is new to you.
Well, I would say that your meaning was not clear. I’m not sure why I need to be seen defending GOPers (as if they have any defense at this point)-how does that make this even? (and what is “this” and what is “even”?). I was quite clear earlier in this thread, re my hostility towards your posts. You are obviously an intelligent and successful lawyer. And?
god, see-you’re reasonable and then you go off into weirdland. So, the deaths that I lay at the GOP’s door (and where did I say that, I wonder)-they’re the result of “party positions legitimately held and acted upon”? Never mind that they are needless, wrong, morally repugnant and useless–a complete waste of young talent. This is why I call you a lawyer disparagingly. You see the “rationale” behind the shit-but don’t see the shit. Thanks for the bone throw, the “I don’t dismiss outright…” bit. Big of you, but more than this nation will EVER see from the GOP or the current Admin.
As to your last remark-what of the whole Hastert/Boehner hot potato game? The count is 3 GOPers + who knew (or didn’t “know”) about this. From all accounts, Foley was a sleazebag from way back. Tell me that the RNC and the GOP didn’t know of his proclivities. I like fairy tales.
Considering that the GOP first knew about Foley’s indiscretions as early as 2001, that currently there are eleven high-ranking Republicans who appeared to have participated in the Foley cover-up, and that House Page Board Chairman John Shimkus didn’t inform the other board members about Foley’s emails from last year, calling the GOP the “Party of Pedophelia” doesn’t seem to be far off the mark…
Maybe we should compromise and just call them the “Party of Cover-Ups.”
Nightclothes optional.
I’m NOT doing that here. I’m using a ridiculous example to show how absurd it is. Does it pass the most basic plausibility test that I would serously conclude, based on the actions of one man, that one of the two main political parties in the United States was pro-pedophilia for any length of time, let alone longer than ten years??
My sincere apologies. I think I conflated remarks from you and vibotronica. In any event, you certainly didn’t say any of what I just suggested you did. My carelessness.
That remains to be seen. I think it’s certainly possible, and I think it should be immediately and vigorously investigated – in the other thread, I said that Hastert et al should be immediately hauled in front of a grand jury and his testimony locked in before he has a chance to “recall things differently”. And if he’s in fact innocent of any cover-up activities, so much the better; this will be a quick chance to clear his name.
I’m not willing to leap immediately to the conclusion that he’s guilty, but the issue is serious enough that it deserves serious response.
Now, now. Mustn’t use Buggergate to stain the reputation of the entire Party. That would be wrong. Just ferret out and thoroughly expose everyone who knew, or ought to have known. If it turns out that they are entirely Republicans, one must do as stern duty demands!
Hey, Bricker, why did the Republicans all run to Wal-Mart?
I agree, actually. As I said in GD, at the very least, if Hastert knew and did nothing, I want him out of the Speaker’s chair. Better that he resign his seat completely, and anyone else who knew.
Which is why I have not wavered in my support for your appointment as Special Prosecutor for the SDMB in re Buggergate, et. al, stark staring decisis.
Sic 'em, Bricker! Ride 'em and spank 'em!
I’ll second Bricker as a Special Inquisitor.
Oh, crap. Just when I working up a good head of steam, aka righteous idignation, you have to come all reasonable and gracious. Damn you! <shakes fist> 
I am guilty of a whoosh, I suppose. Make that a being whooshed. I didn’t see your dredging up of Stubbs as a highlighting of absurdity. I saw that as a “legitimate” argument brought forth by one who is sympathetic to the GOP. (and frankly, it’s plausible that the spin docs will drag that shit out of the sewer).
I’m not Bricker, but I’ll bite. Why did the Repblicans all run to Wal*Mart?
To have sex with their underage subordinates?
Sorry, I’m not good at jokes.