Foley is a lot of things

[joemurphy]

He is an alcoholic, a hypocrite, a gay man, and is certainly a man drawn to pedophilia if not an active pedophile. We can pity him, but we can't condone or excuse his actions.

Hastert and the other Republicans knew Foley had problems. Instead of sharing this information with those that would have insisted that action be taken to keep him away from young boys and get Foley some help, they did nothing. Indeed, worse than this, they hid the information from other House members that definitely would have taken aggressive action.

Under the circumstances, I find it hard to see the Republican Party as the party of "family values". If its leadership is any indication, it is a party of power-mongers and hypocrites.

[Spazito]

1. He's no alcoholic, none of his friends and colleagues saw him drinking

He is bullshitting and not doing it very well. As to the rest, you are correct.

[mcscajun]

4. There are plenty of secret drinkers in the world.

I recall a telling line from The West Wing, when Leo McGarry was discussing his alcoholic history:
"I don't get drunk in front of people. I get drunk alone."

Whether he is an alcoholic or not, it does NOT excuse his inappropriate behavior. NFW.

[Spazito]

6. Not drinking in public doesn't mean people close to you don't know

Closet drinkers close friends and family do know, the general public would not.

I agree whether he is or is not is a moot point regarding his actions as if the fact he is gay, however, I don't believe he is an alcoholic, I DO believe he is trying to say he is to attempt to mitigate his actions.

Edited to add: It seems I am not alone in my skepticism

Some question Foley's alcoholism claim

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- When disgraced former Rep. Mark Foley announced he was entering rehab for treatment of alcoholism and "other behavioral problems," some of those who have known him for years were shocked and suspicious.

Some friends and acquaintances said they rarely saw him drink.

A former colleague, Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., said on Fox News Channel: "I don't buy this at all. I think this is a phony defense. The fact is, I think he's responsible for what he did here and I think it's a gimmick."

Foley abruptly resigned from Congress after being accused of sending lurid Internet messages to teenage boys who served as pages on Capitol Hill. The FBI and Florida law enforcement officials are investigating whether the Florida Republican violated any laws

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110AP_Foley_Alcoholism.html

[MazeRat7]

9. Not always and in most cases family/friends don't know the extent.

[Spazito]

10. I don't question they may not know the extent but they know enough

to know there is a problem. There are rare cases, where it can be hidden from everyone but those are rare. It is more often the case people, including friends and family, close their eyes and ears to the problem convincing themselves it is not that bad and claim not to have known, imo.

[MazeRat7]

11. Not that rare really... and I agree about the closing of eyes and ears.

[mcscajun]

12. Oh, I agree. I seriously doubt he's an alcoholic. I don't doubt

for a MINUTE he's desperately looking for all kinds of cover, every dodge and excuse possible to head off direct responsibility for his actions. OF course, that TOO is bullshit, as no therapy group for sexual offenders would ever let him blame the alcohol, even if it Were True. That lame-ass strategy is called "deviance disavowal": "It was the alcohol that made me do it, I'm not really a deviant."

He's full of shit in every possible direction.

[Swamp Rat]

2. GOP: the party of alien lizard pedophile cannibals

[Old and In the Way]

3. Would he represent the average or norm for a Congressional Republican?

For a Party that professes and projects such moral superiority, they sure do seem to have a problem finding people who live up to their standard.

The "Do As I Say, Not As I Do" Party.

[SoCalDem]

5. Republiars are sure good judges of character, aren't they?

:)

[rustydog]

7. Maintaining the Majority was utmost in Boener's, Hastert's

and other GOP leaders minds. Let Foley chase after some teen boys, we'll tell the children to watch out for Foley and we can keep control of Congress which is so much more important than running a pedophile out of congress.

[Bucky]

8. Right. A guy with all these problems is very plausibly a drinker.

Lack of witnesses mean nothing to a compulsive sneak like Foley. I buy the explanation; I just don't buy the excuse.

[novalib]

13. PITY HIM????!!!!!

Did I read your post correctly????!!!

Did you say that we can PITY Foley???!!!!

WTF???!!!

PITY FOLEY?

PITY Foley???!!!!!

I Have NO Pity for that Republican piece of shit!!!

He is slime -- pure slime -- JUST LILKE ALL THE OTHER REPUBLICAN DOUCHEBAGS who support the current Bush cabal/thug regime stinking up Washington, DC.

PITY for FOLEY???!!

No, thanks!!