Traditional Values

Let's all say it...I have a problem with alcohol, and I am checking into rehab.....
Now, look around with a pitiful, woeful expression, while praying that the people are buying into your wag the dog campaign.

This is the latest page from the spin doctor playbook. Mel Gibson used it to cover up his anti-semitism. So, why shouldn't Republicans give it the good old boy try.

So, 'traditional values' is what the G.O.P. touts these days. Isn't that the reason they have the deep pockets of the Religious Right and Evangelical Christians at their disposal. I guess accountability, honesty, and integrity weren't qualities that Mark Foley or Dennis Hastert learned at home.

I almost don't know where to start.

Mark Foley.

If Mark Foley had only chose to taken a chance on the wag the dog campaign, then maybe I would not find him a complete waste. He did not only try smoke and mirrors. This 52 year old man has decided to throw everything and hope something sticks.

This poor guy; he was sexually abused by a clergyman as a young teen, he's just been outed, and he's an alcoholic. But, wait a minute, Mark Foley wasn't just outed. There have been strong rumors about his sexuality from as early as 1996. He always declined comment and even called questions about his sexuality "revolting and unforgivable".

See, the issues are not about adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (while alcoholism is a common problem among survivors).

You know, my grandmother always said "A drunk speaks a sober mind."

So, drunk or not, Mark Foley was not acting out of character.

The issue is not his sexuality. Gay is not synonymous with predator, or sexual harasser, or anything else.

As an aside, did you know that another word for harass is molest.

A person who refuses to respect himself and others is simply that. This is not typical of all or even most, homosexuals. I would dare say that the odds of a homosexual being predatory is the same as a heterosexual.

Mark Foley earns a salary of $165,200. One hundred sixty five thousand, two hundred dollars. I think he could afford a little psychotherapy to help him with issues of sexual abuse, as well as the alcoholism.

But, excuse me, how is it that this made him carry on like this with a 17-18 year old, while he was supposed to be working FOR THE PEOPLE. Well, I'm sure he's saved a few dollars here and there, so that trip to rehab shouldn't hurt him too much. I sure hope his medical coverage ends at the time of resignation, I would sure hate to foot the bill for all of the help he needs.

So now, the issue is about maintaining a position of power. The Speaker of the House, J. Dennis Hastert has alleged that he did not know what happened, even though there seem to always be at least 10 people who have first hand knowledge of everything that happens in Washington. Surely Hastert knew his chief of staff had confronted Foley. Certainly, he knew. He knew early on. But, no one cared about the well-being of the Pages. Clearly, they are not a real concern still, they are being safeguarded after the fact (translation: lip service). What is important is maintaining a political stronghold.

Just when you think that the issue is as clear as day, here come the Republicans. There is a certain genius in being able to think outside the box. The problem comes when you assume no one else can.

Now, according to the conservative groups, the problem is the "gay agenda". It's not a matter of personal accountability, arrogance, lack of boundaries, or addictions. No.

Nor is it a matter of sexual harassment. No, there is no personal ownership here.

The issue is not that the Hastert knew for a long time that Foley used the Pages as grounds for trolling. That is not important.

What matters is the "gay agenda." The republicans are saying that they were a bit squeamish about dealing with the "gay issue", why?

They weren't squeamish when the identity of a CIA Agent was leaked.

They weren't squeamish about trying to keep quiet about the Vice-President shooting someone on a hunting trip.

The Republicans are only squeamish when it advances their position.

No one was squeamish about discussing a dress with semen on it, when they were talking about a Democratic President. There was no sensitivity at all, whether the discussion was cigars or oral sex. But, no one could address a man sending dirty messages to teenagers?

That is implausible.

That is revolting and unforgivable.

This leads me back to the 'traditional values'. This is the point where the truth comes out. The values they mean are power and profit at any cost. No matter how ridiculous the circus seems, it's still a business. All of the smoke, mirrors and pratfalls under the big top keep the money rolling in.

See, as long as we are talking about ill-fated hunting trips, CIA leaks, and lascivious e-mail, we are not talking about impeachment for a Presidential regime that lied to a nation and started a war with the wrong people and are killing young men and women to continue it. We are not talking about a Vice-President who put a CIA agent's life at risk by deciding that he could change the constitution and unilaterally deciding that he could decide what information to declassify and when.

We are not talking about anything but the show that is being staged, for entertainment purposes only.

Because, the government has figured that We, the people could not possibly keep up. We, the people are not smart enough to see the truth.

Peace.