easyt65
DP Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2005
- Messages
- 2,061
- Reaction score
- 6
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Undisclosed
Let me start off by saying that I think Foley is a scumbag who deserved to lose his seat. If evidence of criminal activity is found, he deserves to go to jail. I believe Hassert knew about it and sought to hide it. I also believe that other politicians - both GOP and democrats knew about this (or at least smelled the 'smoke') and chose to ignore it. I think the DNC chose to ignore it because of their past scandals, the possibility of exposing some of their own if this blew up, and to stash it away to use for (a) political leverage/weapons at the appropriate time if this story ever came to light.
It has come to light, and the Dems are definitely stepping forth and claiming the 'higher ground' regarding ethics, morality, and descency.....NOT SO FAST! (What I am about to write/paste is NOT an attempted excuse of/for Foley/Hassert or anything else going on right now, but it IS a statement declaring again that the democrats should tread lightly - that 'people in glass houses should not throw stones'. America is so jaded regarding politics right now that any attempt to strongly add voice to the controversy by the dems would/will only be seen as the same Ol' BS politicizing of the issue and not true desire to clean up Washington or a true concern for kids/Americans!)
Top 10 Democrat Sex Scandals in Congress
Information compiled from the Washington Post, “Congressional Sex Scandals in History,” and other sources.
10. Sen. Daniel Inouye.
The 82-year-old Hawaii Democrat was accused in the 1990s by numerous women of sexual harassment. Democrats cast doubt on the allegations and the Senate Ethics Committee dropped its investigation.
9. Former Rep. Gus Savage.
The Illinois Democrat was accused of fondling a Peace Corps volunteer in 1989 while on a trip to Africa. The House Ethics Committee decided against disciplinary action in 1990.
8. Rep. Barney Frank.
The outspoken Massachusetts Democrat hired a male prostitute who ran a prostitution service from Frank’s residence in the 1980s. Only two Democrats in the House of Representatives voted to censure him in 1990.
7. Former Sen. Brock Adams.
The late Washington Democrat was forced to stop campaigning after numerous accusations of drugging, assault and rape, the first surfacing in 1988.
6. Former Rep. Fred Richmond.
This New York Democrat was arrested in 1978 for soliciting sex from a 16-year-old. He remained in Congress and won re-election—before eventually resigning in 1982 after pleading guilty to tax evasion and drug possession.
5. Former Rep. John Young.
The late Texas Democrat increased the salary of a staffer after she gave in to his sexual advances. The congressman won re-election in 1976 but lost two years later.
4. Former Rep. Wayne Hays.
The late Ohio Democrat hired an unqualified secretary reportedly for sexual acts. Although he resigned from Congress, the Democratic House leadership stalled in removing him from the Administration Committee in 1976.
3. Former Rep. Gerry Studds.
He was censured for sexual relationship with underage male page in 1983. Massachusetts voters returned him to office for six more terms.
2. Former Rep. Mel Reynolds.
The Illinois Democrat was convicted of 12 counts of sexual assault with a 16-year-old. President Bill Clinton pardoned him before leaving office. :shock:
1. Sen. Teddy Kennedy.
The liberal Massachusetts senator testified in defense of nephew accused of rape, invoking his family history to win over the jury in 1991.
As you can guess, in each case the party rallied the troops in defense of its scandalous member, and the Political Attack machines on both sides went into overdrive - 1 party protecting the perpetrator, and the other condemning the member's/Party's actions while trying to capture the prized 'higher ground'! The great never-ending cycle! Republican - Democrat, they are pretty much all the same. The biggest difference I have found is this: The GOP is more apt to turn on its own members and either leave their seat or call for the seat to be vacated. The pact/rule they have put into effect is a perfect example of their being at least a little willing to sacrifice a member who has even just been INDICTED, not even proven to be guilty. The Dems rally the troops, defend, and almost NEVER even consider giving up power/their seat! still, all in all, the evidence shows that neither one has the political Holy Grail in Washington called the ethical/moral/legal 'Higher Ground'!
It has come to light, and the Dems are definitely stepping forth and claiming the 'higher ground' regarding ethics, morality, and descency.....NOT SO FAST! (What I am about to write/paste is NOT an attempted excuse of/for Foley/Hassert or anything else going on right now, but it IS a statement declaring again that the democrats should tread lightly - that 'people in glass houses should not throw stones'. America is so jaded regarding politics right now that any attempt to strongly add voice to the controversy by the dems would/will only be seen as the same Ol' BS politicizing of the issue and not true desire to clean up Washington or a true concern for kids/Americans!)
Top 10 Democrat Sex Scandals in Congress
Information compiled from the Washington Post, “Congressional Sex Scandals in History,” and other sources.
10. Sen. Daniel Inouye.
The 82-year-old Hawaii Democrat was accused in the 1990s by numerous women of sexual harassment. Democrats cast doubt on the allegations and the Senate Ethics Committee dropped its investigation.
9. Former Rep. Gus Savage.
The Illinois Democrat was accused of fondling a Peace Corps volunteer in 1989 while on a trip to Africa. The House Ethics Committee decided against disciplinary action in 1990.
8. Rep. Barney Frank.
The outspoken Massachusetts Democrat hired a male prostitute who ran a prostitution service from Frank’s residence in the 1980s. Only two Democrats in the House of Representatives voted to censure him in 1990.
7. Former Sen. Brock Adams.
The late Washington Democrat was forced to stop campaigning after numerous accusations of drugging, assault and rape, the first surfacing in 1988.
6. Former Rep. Fred Richmond.
This New York Democrat was arrested in 1978 for soliciting sex from a 16-year-old. He remained in Congress and won re-election—before eventually resigning in 1982 after pleading guilty to tax evasion and drug possession.
5. Former Rep. John Young.
The late Texas Democrat increased the salary of a staffer after she gave in to his sexual advances. The congressman won re-election in 1976 but lost two years later.
4. Former Rep. Wayne Hays.
The late Ohio Democrat hired an unqualified secretary reportedly for sexual acts. Although he resigned from Congress, the Democratic House leadership stalled in removing him from the Administration Committee in 1976.
3. Former Rep. Gerry Studds.
He was censured for sexual relationship with underage male page in 1983. Massachusetts voters returned him to office for six more terms.
2. Former Rep. Mel Reynolds.
The Illinois Democrat was convicted of 12 counts of sexual assault with a 16-year-old. President Bill Clinton pardoned him before leaving office. :shock:
1. Sen. Teddy Kennedy.
The liberal Massachusetts senator testified in defense of nephew accused of rape, invoking his family history to win over the jury in 1991.
As you can guess, in each case the party rallied the troops in defense of its scandalous member, and the Political Attack machines on both sides went into overdrive - 1 party protecting the perpetrator, and the other condemning the member's/Party's actions while trying to capture the prized 'higher ground'! The great never-ending cycle! Republican - Democrat, they are pretty much all the same. The biggest difference I have found is this: The GOP is more apt to turn on its own members and either leave their seat or call for the seat to be vacated. The pact/rule they have put into effect is a perfect example of their being at least a little willing to sacrifice a member who has even just been INDICTED, not even proven to be guilty. The Dems rally the troops, defend, and almost NEVER even consider giving up power/their seat! still, all in all, the evidence shows that neither one has the political Holy Grail in Washington called the ethical/moral/legal 'Higher Ground'!
