Operation Human Shield
When I heard that Republicans were backpedaling and pointing fingers, each trying to prove that he didn’t put politics over pedophilia, I wasn’t much surprised. If Foley were a Democrat and the underage boy was an adult woman, I’m sure GOP leadership would have been aghast. Instead, what makes them squirm is the uncomfortable questions more than the allegations they never investigated.
Fortunately, Tom Reynolds has a way to deal with the questions. He brought a bunch of children to his press conference to ensure that the discussion never strayed beyond topics appropriate for the ears of children. You almost have to admire the man for doing something so clever, transparent and brazen.
The sheer shamelessness of such a maneuver tells you all you need to know. These guys have gotten too secure in their power, too comfortable in their incumbency. They’ve destroyed even the pretense of accountability. It’s time to see them gone.
October 5th, 2006 at 11:56 am
Yeah, but like you said last time, the only viable replacement is Democrats. I’m of the opinion I don’t like either party. Lesser of evils, I don’t think there is one.
October 5th, 2006 at 2:57 pm
Mark Twain said something like, “The Congress is America’s only permanent criminal class.” It’s still true…
October 5th, 2006 at 3:37 pm
I agree with a lot of what Hugger says, perhaps for largely different reasons.
I have thought from the beginning that Hastert was an ineffective leader, and I would welcome his relinquishing his leadership role.
He makes Sen. Frist, by comparison, look like a statesman.
Interestingly, however, the Democrats had a similar situation in 1983, that I remember quite well.
It involved Rep. Gerry Studds, of Mass., but it involved actual sex, which could well be the case with Foley – time will tell.
Studds’ hometown responded with a “coming out” parade for him, and the Democratically controlled House censured him.
While the Speaker was reading the terms of the Censure, Studds turned his back to the Speaker and to the Chamber in open defiance.
Studds was handily re-elected in 1984, and I believe once or twice afterwards, until he decided not to run again.
I don’t recall his Mass. House colleague, Tip O’Neil receiving much negative press for his handling of the matter, but perhaps someone can shut Chris Matthews up for a second or two to inquire as to how his boss handled this situation.
Make no mistake, though, that the Republicans have handled their leadership in the House and the Senate poorly.
Query whether Pelosi and Reid would, or will, do better.
Time will tell on that issue, also.
October 6th, 2006 at 10:49 pm
Remember Nancy Pelosi’s improper campaign fund-raising, and the subsequent fine? That didn’t exactly stop her from criticizing Tom Delay over his charge of conspiracy to violate election law, Pelosi demanding that Delay step down.
Both the R and the D critters are horrible lying hypocritical bastards.