Journalist Raised Question of Foley's Sexuality 10 Years Ago.

[kpete]

The Journalist Who First Raised the Question of Foley's Sexuality Recalls Congressman as 'Master of Aversion'

Ten years ago, I outed Foley as a gay man for The Advocate, the national gay and lesbian newsmagazine. But aside from one story in the St. Petersburg Times, no other Florida or national publications would touch the tale, either because Foley and his camp did a great job of shooting the messenger or because of the inherent fear the media have to delve honestly and without judgment into a person's sexual background.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=2509649&page=1

[DesertRat]

1. This has nothing to do with his sexuality

It's about being a Pedophile. Having a sick desire to be sexual with a minor. The issue would be the same thing if he sent those disgusting IM's to a girl.

[Lerkfish]

3. agreed.

[kpete]

4. I agree with you

not about sexuality at all...

this is a sick, sick individual

[mzteris]

6. actually

it's about his complete hypocrisy AND preying on a minor.

However, what it is not - is pedophilia. Pedophilia is preying on the non-sexually mature - *most* though admittedly not all - 16 yos are "sexually mature".

Let's keep the focus on what it is.

There is nothing wrong with being gay.

There is nothing wrong with being "attracted to" someone who is sexually mature - even if that person is much younger than yourself.

However, there IS something "wrong" with acting on that attraction - especially with a MINOR - and most especially if there is an "imbalance of power" with particular conditions like a semblance of a "workplace" environment (as would be the case with a Representative and a Page).

It's about the hypocrisy, the lack of judgement, the preying & abuse of power, AND the COVERUP.

[Joanne98]

2. he saz Kolbe's a closet case too.

I bet the "christians" don't know that.

[Orangepeel]

5. everybody knew he was gay. that's not the issue.

everybody remotely involved in Florida politics knew that Foley was gay (just like everybody knows Charlie Crist, the current GOP gubernatorial candidate is gay). The hypocrisy of supporting a political party that hates people like you as long as they don't have power is an issue, but being gay isn't.

But I didn't know Foley was a pedophile. Apparently, that was a secret for a much, much smaller circle.

[Bucky]

7. I so don't care about Foley's sexual orientation. Geeze.

It's the pedophilia and the abuse of power.

[rosesaylavee]

8. Need to be careful not to confuse

the Repugs and other bigots. Being gay/lesbian doesn't preclude that one is also a pedophile. Same as one can be a heterosexual and not be a pedophile too. The fact that Foley IS doesn't represent the whole group.

Go very slow in explaining this to RWingers ... they may not understand it the first time through. :sarcasm: