Comments
The coach of a team, the teacher in a classroom, the driver of a bus, the captain of a ship, the producer of a rock concert, these people have some responsibility of those under them during the time that relationship exists.
The Speaker of the House is not and never was responsible for the behavior of the adult representatives within the House. The representatives are expected to behave as defined within House rules and any additional caucus rules. The Speaker is not expected to be their mommy. The only way Hastert would be responsible is if statutory rape were taking place inside the House chambers, and even then, any representative present would also be responsible.
This is a jackass witch hunt and forced upon us by the MSM. I regularly visit sites that have not even mentioned this event, yet deal daily with current events. It's just not an event.
Posted by: Amador | Oct 6, 2006 10:21:35 AM
Amador,
I'd hold him responsible...not for what Foley did, but for "not knowing", since everyone and their uncle seems to have known. Foley hasn't operated in a vacuum for the last ...what is it now, 8 years???
And, yes, everyone in a position of leadership who knew and didn't do anything is responsible, i.e., Democrats as well.
This is a cover up. And that is what is going to hurt Republicans, not what Foley did - because most people understand there are bad apples on both sides of the aisle.
If you think losing credibility is a plus for Republicans, I'd have to disagree with you. This could be particularly damaging on other fronts, like the war.
Posted by: Mrs. R. | Oct 6, 2006 10:29:38 AM
Is this another piece of classic art I'm supposed to appreciate? Twyla Tharp or something? I mean, I don't want to embarrass myself again by saying it looks kinda gay.
Posted by: km | Oct 6, 2006 10:49:04 AM
km...but you are right. It does look kinda gay.
Personally, I prefer Klimpt.
Posted by: Pulchritudinous Patriot | Oct 6, 2006 1:54:30 PM
Amador - Hastert is responsible for referring any complaints regarding/submitted by pages -including those having to do with the behavior of "adult representatives within the House" - to the bipartisan Page Board.
His failure to do so has created at the very least the appearance of impropriety, and to my knowledge he's yet to explain why he didn't report this - even to the other Republican(s) on the Board.
I regularly visit sites that have not even mentioned this event, yet deal daily with current events. It's just not an event.
Wait, let me check on that.
Pronunciation: i-'vent
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin eventus, from evenire to happen, from e- + venire to come
1 a archaic b: the final outcome or determination of a legal action c : a postulated outcome, condition, or eventuality (in the event that I am not there, call the house)
2 a : something that happens : b : a noteworthy happening c : a social occasion or activity d : an adverse or damaging medical occurrence (a heart attack or other cardiac event)
3 : any of the contests in a program of sports
4 : the fundamental entity of observed physical reality represented by a point designated by three coordinates of place and one of time in the space-time continuum postulated by the theory of relativity
5 : a subset of the possible outcomes of an experiment
6 : something that is mentioned on web sites that a: are frequented by Amador, and b deal daily with current events (if it hasn't been mentioned on sites that Amador visits frequently, it's not an event)
Looks like you're right. I don't know how I could have missed that.
People keep telling me (and my wife) that we're being "duped", we're "falling for the lies" of the (Democrats/MSM/whoever), that our opinion is being "forced" on us, and it seems like what's motivating at least some of those people is that they don't want the Democrats to be happy with the way this is resolved. I'm basing my opinion on the facts as I know them, nothing else.
Posted by: John from WuzzaDem | Oct 6, 2006 3:27:14 PM
Is Hastert responsible for the abuse in 1997 when it started? (earliest email) That was before Hastert bacame speaker, but during the Slick Willie 'everything goes' Administration. This is evidently a case of 'monkey see, monkey do'. Don't you just love it when a plan comes togather? Another genius Rovian plot. If the dim's win and Peloshi becomes leader we can all contact our rep's that are left and ask them to make sure she is up to her a** in alligators while draining the swamp. LMAO at the fool. Nothing moves in the house so nothing can be done in the Senate. Two years of dead space. That wouldn't be different, but the same as the 40 years the dim's spent ruining the country.
Posted by: Scrapiron | Oct 6, 2006 5:28:31 PM
Is Hastert responsible for the abuse in 1997 when it started? (earliest email)
I really don't know what it is you're asking.
Are you suggesting that Hastert decided not to inform the Page Board about the complaints that were lodged because his predecessor didn't?
Posted by: John from WuzzaDem | Oct 6, 2006 5:41:30 PM
Okay, what crime was committed, exactly ?
Oh, is it the democrat party's coverup of what they knew and when they knew it ? Yeah, I blame Hastert, after all, he's the Speaker.
Really people, there are tens, if not hundreds of real crisis in the world today. Many of them are life and death, like here in my home state, where 5 Amish children lost their lives to a madman who was able to wander through life believing in a horrible past he never actually lived. We have been talking about God and the possibility that there are many Amish in Heaven. They have showed us how to forgive and how to die with honor and courage.
Next to that, I piss on the democrat party and the MSM for their daily sewage. My new heros are bearded farmers who work so hard, they have little time for anything else. When they are in their early twenties, the Amish boys go to town and live among us doing the things we do, and living the modern life. Most of them return. Why ? Because they find us shallow and flippant leading meaningless lives.
Posted by: Amador | Oct 6, 2006 7:07:25 PM
Don't you think it would be wise to wait until all the facts come to light before you start calling for Hastert's head? Or is he guilty until proven innocent? Or have we missed the proof of his guilt? If so, please present the proof and the sources, along with the names of the committee members who conducted the investigation. I apparently missed it.
Posted by: show me | Oct 6, 2006 7:13:19 PM
You didn't miss it, show me. the whole thing is a giant smeer campaign. Throw shit at the wall 24/7 and see what sticks.
Posted by: Amador | Oct 6, 2006 7:19:53 PM
Right you are Amador! And I expect nothing less from the media and the Dems. What I don't expect, and can't tolerate, is the panic-stricken, knee jerk reaction that is on display here!
Posted by: show me | Oct 6, 2006 7:46:07 PM
I guess when the FBI got the comlaint from the Soros group this summer and concluded there was nothing in the e-mails that warranted an investigation, it was part of the proof of Haster's big plot to ignore this?
Look - There are two levels of communication. E-mail and IM's. The e-mails were creepy but not worth doing mroe than telling Foley to stop doing it. No one knew - excpet the dems who sat on them- about the IMs until last Friday.
As soon as anyone did, Foley was tossed.
The inability of you all to see that is beginning to be obtuse.
I am the father of a child who was messed with by someone in a position of trust. I am extremely sensitive to this issue. And I am tired of seeing people in the blogosphere do what you and a few others are doing. The issue of adults messing with kids is tough and and not at all easy to catch or stop. If it were, it would have been a long time ago. If I suspected for a second that Hastert was not being sincere in this I would be driving to DC to march in front of his office demanding he go.
I am not suggesting that you are being forced to do anything. It is clear that you and the Mrs. are hard headed enough to stop taking in facts or listening regarding this without the dhimmies making you do anything. But they do appreciate your efforts.
Posted by: hunter | Oct 6, 2006 8:52:29 PM
So Democrats are the ones to blame for this mess?
Just because they took advantage of the situation, or even manipulated it, who provided them the ammunition and opportunity?
Yes, I'm ready to get rid of Hastert yesterday. When Republicans lose seats this November (just a couple of weeks ago they were closing the gaps with Dems, even moving ahead in some races)whose fault will it be?
Whoever left them vulnerable for such an attack right before the midterms.
I'm surprised more Republicans aren't livid with Hastert for not running a tighter ship.
By all accounts he was warned three or four times about Foley. At the very least, he should have investigated it, or informed the two members on the page board about Foley, which he did not. That spells cover up.
Hang on to Hastert if you like. I'd rather hang on to some credibility, especially when other issues, like the war in Iraq, will live or die on trust and credibility.
Politics is a tough business. Always has been, always will be.
I do not understand, at all, where you guys are coming from.
Sounds more like you see this whole thing as drunken pissing contest with Democrats.
Really, don't you have anything better to defend than man-boy "love" and/or the environment in the House that allowed it to flourish?
Posted by: Mrs. R. | Oct 6, 2006 8:54:00 PM
Mrs. R,
I see you ahve chosen obtuse.
As this is your blog and I am a guest, I will excuse myself and wish you well. I have enjoyed your humor and your unique style for a long time. I never thougth I would see you immune to fact and reason, but it is your site.
Good luck,
Posted by: hunter | Oct 6, 2006 9:22:50 PM
Amador - Regarding the Amish, amen. Now, PAY ATTENTION TO THIS: When I heard Hastert had been informed of Foley's behavior I said I would give him the benefit of a doubt - I didn't know what he was told, how many times he was told or what he did.
Now we know that he failed to inform the members of the Page Board that any complaints had been lodged. He didn't inform REPUBLICANS on the board. He screwed up. In politics, when there's a screwup - especially when someone does something that might be perceived as covering for someone else - someone takes a fall. Hastert himself said the buck stops with him, and he screwed up.
What I WANT is for this situation to be defused for the good of the party. What I WANT is to make sure that Republicans maintain a majority. I'm of the opinion that having Hastert step aside will help us to achieve that.
As far as the Democrats are concerned, are you under the impression that I'm rooting for them? You've been coming to this site for a while, I'm sure you know better than that. Are you seriously suggesting I'm part of a "smeer" campaign?
show me - What you missed was the gigantic blunder Hastert made when he failed to inform the members of the Page Board that complaints had been lodged against Foley. You've also apparently missed your turn - the courthouse is down the street, this is a blog. How long have you been following politics? In Washington, you submit your resignation if you've screwed up, and/or if your stepping aside helps the party.
You're not reading a panicked, knee-jerk reaction, you're reading the opinions of people who base those opinions on the facts as they see them and what they think is necessary for the party. If you can't tolerate that opinion then I will change my mind immediately. Oh, sorry, what I meant to say was, if you "can't tolerate" that opinion, don't read it.
Posted by: John from WuzzaDem | Oct 6, 2006 9:25:48 PM
hunter - OK, so I'm obtuse, hard-headed, a tool of the Democrats, I refuse to listen to facts, and, apparently, I'm somehow making things worse for abused children.
You can knock off the insults, dude. Seriously.
Posted by: John from WuzzaDem | Oct 6, 2006 9:33:15 PM
Hunter,
It's a shame you can't tolerate others having a different opinion than yours, especially on matters which both sides have valid points to make.
I said I hope I'm wrong about Hastert. I said that Democrats, their operatives, and/or members of the media should be skewered if they're found to be complicit in this scandal and just as severely as anyone else. But that's not good enough for you.
Fine.
I'm supposed to support Republicans no matter what, even if I think they are wrong? I don't even know these people, and as far as I'm concerned, they answer to the citizens of this country, not the other way around.
And, if I had a top ten list, starting with God, family, and country, Hastert sure as hell wouldn't be on it.
Neither would blogging.
Good luck to you, too.
Posted by: Mrs. R. | Oct 6, 2006 10:02:33 PM
John from WuzzaDem. What specifically, were the complaints against Foley? Who lodged them? Can this be corroborated? And in Washington you submit your resignation if you've screwed up? Or do you mean if it 'appears' that you have screwed up? And you might want to tell that to the Kennedys, or William Jefferson "Democrat from Louisiana", or Bill Clinton, or maybe Barney Frank. And how does Hastert stepping down help the party? Oh, and I think the Iraq war is hurting our party in the polls. So should we have someone "stepdown" for that? Yeah, screw the investigation. Let's just be politically expedient. Oh sorry, what I meant to say was I can't tolerate your opinion therefore I will continue to respond to it.
Posted by: show me | Oct 6, 2006 10:14:35 PM
I want to make one more thing clear: If I'm wrong about Hastert failing to inform the Page Board that complaints had been lodged against Hastert and it turns out he didn't know what was going on, I'll eat my fucking words.
You know why? Because my opinion is based solely on the facts as I know them at this time. He's yet to explain this blunder, but if he does, I could still change my mind.
You want to disagree with me? Fine, but don't insult me or my wife, call us cowards or insult us. Clear?
Posted by: John from WuzzaDem | Oct 6, 2006 10:22:22 PM
Show me,
O.J. got away with murder, so I guess every other guy who slashes his wife's throat should get away with murder.
Two can play high-school debating games.
Are you trying to equate Congressmen preying on pages with the war in Iraq?
Apparently.
Posted by: Mrs. R. | Oct 6, 2006 10:32:37 PM
show me - I didn't see your last comment before I wrote the one that appears below it.
Once again, my opinion not based on what the Democrats don't want, it's based on what I think would help in the upcoming elections. Hastert has said himself that he cannot go out and raise money for candidates. That hurts a lot of people who are already in tight races right now.
BTW, I worked to get Clinton elected the first time around, and the failure of "my" party to condemn his actions was the catalyst that fueled my departure, so don't throw those assholes in my face. I have no desire to be anything like them.
If you don't like my opinion, don't read it.
Posted by: John from WuzzaDem | Oct 6, 2006 10:47:08 PM
John from WuzzaDem and Mrs. R. What both of you seem to be missing is that it is far too early to make any final judgements. I, like most people on the Right, will base our decisions on sound facts, not on news flashes from an orgasmic media feeding frenzy. If the investigation proves that Hastert was culpable then he should go. But if he would be thrown overboard now, it would be tantamount to an admission of guilt regardless of what the facts would end up revealing. And it would result in the Dems demanding more heads no matter what the truth would be. I don't think you understand the average Republican. Have a little faith in us! And on a personal note, I came acrossed this site several months ago, and thought it was brilliant and hillarious! You were fantastic at magnifying the irrational and biased frenzy of the mainstream media. But now you seem to be drowning in it! Don't lose your focus here. I'm not your enemy. And I don't want to escalate anymore 'friendly' fire. But for God sake, step back, take a break, turn off the f*cking tv, and chill!
Posted by: show me | Oct 6, 2006 11:29:27 PM
Show me,
I appreciate you calming down. I will do the same. I assume we're on the same side.
But, for God's sake, stop ordering me around! :-)
UPDATE: BTW, you're still making assumptions that are totally wrong, but I'll let them pass.
Posted by: Mrs. R. | Oct 6, 2006 11:45:59 PM
I admit. I love your fire and independence. That's probably why John fell in love with you. I'm glad you're on our side!
Posted by: show me | Oct 7, 2006 12:01:12 AM
Dude, I don't think you're my enemy, but for God's sake please stop inferring that I'm being influenced by the media. If you've read this blog you know what I think of them, their opinions and their agenda.
And I'm not exactly a Republican neophyte, nor am I alone. Right off the top of my head, Captain Ed and Tony Blankley are on the same wavelength, and I think both of them have a pretty good understanding of the average Republican.
So I'll chill out, but I'll leave the TV on. I'm only watching CSI: Miami, anyway.
PS: Stop hitting on my wife, man.
Posted by: John from WuzzaDem | Oct 7, 2006 12:12:41 AM
John, You still have the funniest site around. And a helluva wife! Now turn that damn tv off and get busy!
Goodnite! ;-)
Posted by: show me | Oct 7, 2006 12:24:22 AM
El tren es grande.
Posted by: Dodger | Oct 7, 2006 12:52:22 PM
Dodger,
From what I've been reading today,
El elefante en el cuarto es enorme y él va a tomar una mierda grande y va a golpear el ventilador
Posted by: Mrs. R. | Oct 7, 2006 4:39:36 PM
Does anyone have a chocolate-iced, cream-fille donut? 'Cause, I could really use one right about now.
Posted by: Jeff H | Oct 8, 2006 8:40:56 PM
If I may knock on the door and apologize for being a harsh guest, I would like to do so.
This site is too cool, and I agree with too much, and laugh my ass off too often, to simply walk away from this. After all, I am not a dhimmicrat to simply quit something.
There was nothing intended as a personal insult to eithr of you.
Posted by: hunter | Oct 8, 2006 11:42:43 PM
Hunter, for the low, low price of one single chocolate-iced, cream-filled donut, all will be officially forgiven.
{legalese: I am not authorized to offer "official forgiveness" on behalf of either of the proprietors of WuzzaDem; the forgiveness, while official, will only be from me}
Posted by: Jeff H | Oct 9, 2006 6:32:03 AM
Donuts are easy. Delivery can be tough.
Posted by: hunter | Oct 9, 2006 6:39:10 AM
Hunter,
No apologies necessary. Glad to see you back.
Posted by: Mrs. R. | Oct 9, 2006 7:48:01 AM
I don't even know what you're talking about, hunter.
Posted by: John from WuzzaDem | Oct 9, 2006 8:22:08 AM
Well, crap--it's way past time for breakfast, and I still don't have a donut...
Posted by: Jeff H | Oct 9, 2006 8:35:50 AM
I'm wagering it was the incipient frustration at now knowing who the dancer and choreographer is/were that lit the fire in the belly of so many guests!
The time for revelation is clearly at hand!
WHAT DO WE WANT?!
INFO ON THE PIC!
WHEN DO WE WANT IT?!
NOW!!
P.S. -- I don't know which author on this site developed the hilarious (to me) Mad Magazine-like photo dialogs I see from time to time, but kudoes. I'll likely be ripping you off -- I mean, paying homage to your style -- as time and circumstance allow.
P.P.S. -- Though I appreciate the Republicans' approach to public scandal (which leans toward the stock and guillotine) as contrasted to the Democrats' (which leans toward excuse and minimization), I, too, am among those who would advise holding off on the axe until after a swift and thorough investigation. And for those who impede the investigation? You could line them up for the chopping-block. But let's not lose sight of the fact that Foley is a low-level hypocrite and perv, and it shouldn't be too much trouble to clean his mess up. Cheez, the other side managed to get through Chappaquiddick and every other thing Barney Frank did all right. Why can't we?
P.P.P.S. -- I wonder what the Independents do when this sort of thing arises?
Posted by: wrymouth | Oct 9, 2006 10:52:56 AM
WHAT DO WE WANT?!
INFO ON THE PIC!
WHEN DO WE WANT IT?!
NOW!!
Wrymouth,
Don't know much about the picture other than the dancer is lamenting to a discordant, unsettling piece entitled Orange Rolls and Opera Torte.
Posted by: Mrs. R. | Oct 9, 2006 5:46:01 PM
Orange Rolls and Opera Torte.
Mmmmm, those sound yummy. Wonder where I could get that recipe.
Posted by: John from WuzzaDem | Oct 9, 2006 10:18:33 PM
John: "Wonder where I could get that recipe."
Call former Congressman Mark Foley.
Posted by: Jeff H | Oct 10, 2006 12:12:02 PM
Jeff,
Wrong, it's a high-level staffer who rooms with one of the...
Oh, never mind. Who cares, anyway?
Posted by: Mrs. R. | Oct 10, 2006 9:38:16 PM
Mrs. R.: "Oh, never mind. Who cares, anyway?"
Exactly.
Posted by: Jeff H | Oct 11, 2006 8:04:24 PM
