There are many problems with this particular tack. Firstly, the story was out in the news in its raw unspun form for a good two or three days before the spin alchemists got their mitts on it. Second, the news reached the ears of distressed soccer moms, and other folks who are completely repulsed by such deeds before the spin alchemists could take the sting out of it.
But perhaps the most important thing with regards to the spin alchemists is this issue more than any other they have tried to spin has exposed them, one and all, as the waffling liars that they are. Where each one of them was once a rabid homophobe bashing gays left and right, now they are suddenly the champions for the homosexual American.
How see through is that? While the people who listen to them are somewhat devoid of real brainpower, even stupid people know when someone is pissing on their legs and telling them it's a warm, summer rain. I just don't see that many people buying the bullshit. I know I don't.
In conclusion, please remember, this scandal is dynamite! It has already cost one Republican seat in congress. It is sure to cost more. The issue with the Foleygate scandal is enticement to pedophilia, not homosexuality. Homosexuality in this instance is a red herring. What Foley did was a crime. It is a crime by virtue of laws he himself spearheaded. While the present attention Foleygate is receiving does divert attention to other perhaps more important issues, the unflattering light that is being cast on congress and the Republican Party is a good thing. That light might well illuminate the other scandals in which the Republicans played a part. Don't look this gift horse in the mouth. It might well turn out to be the "big one" for which so many of a progressive mindset have prayed. Not only should Foley's actions be scrutinized, so should the actions of anyone in power who knew what was happening, yet did noting to stop it. This goes for any member of either political party who knew what was happening. Those who were more worried about appearances than about the well-being of the minors involved have no business in office. It's obvious they care only for their political ambitions. The victims of Foley are not the responsible ones. They are kids, whether they are six or sixteen. Foley IS the adult. Foley IS the abuser. Foley IS the one who started things. Foley IS responsible. His protestations of alcoholism and his own sexual abuse are excuses or attempts to minimize his guilt or punishment. He IS the victimizer, not the victimized. Damage control is highly unlikely to be effective. The news was allowed to circulate far too long for the spin alchemists to make their bullshit stories believable. By doing what they are doing at this point, the spin alchemists as listed above are only destroying their own credibility. They are digging their own graves with their forked tongues.
I apologize for the length of this article, but I thought it was of paramount importance to remind all and sundry what the issues are and what the possible ramifications could be as I see them. In summation, I ask that we keep the pressure on congress, the media, and the spin alchemists. Don't let them up for one second. Don't give them one micron of wiggle room. Beat this dead horse until there is nothing left of the carcass but the empty shells of fly pupae in the depression where it once laid.
Whether or not Foley had a successful political career depends on how you look at it. If political success is measured by mendacity, hypocrisy, and betrayal of trust, then yes, he had a successful career, and yes, it's all pretty much behind him now. However, if you measure political success by helping people, being trustworthy, and honest, then Foley fails miserably. In that case, it's a good thing he is no longer working as a public servant.
I read an article on Foleygate in Time Magazine today. It provided a rather comprehensive and surprisingly spin free assessment of the situation. There was one particular passage that really caught my eye, let me share it with you now.
"G.O.P leaders are so desperate to find someone else to blame, that they have been reduced-with no indication they see the irony-to blaming a vast left-wing conspiracy. 'The people who want to see this thing blow up,' [Fat] Hastert told the Chicago Tribune, 'are ABC News and a lot of Democratic operatives, people funded by George Solos,' the liberal financier who has just become a bogeyman of the right. [Fat] Hastert went on to say, without producing any proof, that the revelation was the work of Bill Clinton's operatives. But that line of argument, of course, suggests that Republicans would have preferred to keep Foley's secrets locked away, presumably at the pages' peril. And the Democrats for once are showing the good sense to stay out of the way when the other side is self-destructing. Sighed one of the younger House Republican aides who sits in on key meetings, 'Foul play on the Democrats' side? If that's the only card left to play, we are in serious trouble.'"
Source: Time, October 16,2006, Pg. 34
You know, there are times in life when people should really take a long hard look at what they are trying to say. In the scramble to spin the story, the Republicans and the spin alchemists are so busy trying to put this thing in a more friendly light, they neglect to even consider whether or not their spin is helping matters, or hurting them. It is clear from the excerpt above that Fat Hastert has no clue that by saying what he said, he is admitting that the biggest problem he sees on this issue is not the abuse by Foley, but the fact that ABC News got wind of the story in the first place. If he's trying to make himself and his party look like good guys, he's really going about it the wrong way. Following a Mia Culpa with a, "but it's THEIR fault," just looks tacky, and doesn't help them look like they are as contrite about the situation as decorum demands.
But what can you expect? He knows his goose is cooked. Even though in other parts of the Time story it is said that Fat Hastert's job might not be in as much peril as it may seem, it is clear to me at least, he's not too sure he's going to survive the fallout of the investigation.
If he knew, and let it continue, then he shouldn't survive. His job as a public servant (as well as all members of congress) is first and foremost to serve the public. It is not to keep his seat in congress, cover up scandals, lie to the public, or allow congressional pages to continue to be abused by a pedophile. Since it's obvious that he did the latter things and didn't serve the public interest (or the interests of the pages for that matter), he has no right to sit in the chair he is sure to lose.
I find it hard to have any empathy or sympathy for Foley, Fat Hastert, or any of the other antagonists in this congressional melodrama. The only ones for whom I feel empathy or sympathy are the pages. They will have to go through their lives dealing with the fallout of this scandal. Whether they were active participants in the goings on, or true victims, the stain of this scandal will be on their names from now until their deaths. This is so wrong!
Blessed be!
Pappy
by
Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 863 comments)
on Thursday, October 12, 2006 at 4:54:41 AM
