Carl Hiaasen on the Mark Foley scandal

[DoYouEverWonder]

Foley contrite, but only after he got caught
CARL HIAASEN

New rule for all members of Congress: Keep your hands where we can see 'em.

In a dubious feat of multitasking, then-Rep. Mark Foley engaged in online sex with a former Congressional page in April 2003 while Foley was on the floor of the House of Representatives, preparing to vote on an appropriations bill for Iraq.

Afterward, Foley asked for a ''good kiss goodnight,'' and suggested that the boy visit him over the Veteran's Day weekend. ''We may need to drink at my house so we don't get busted,'' Foley chirped.

Now unmasked and disgraced, Foley has rabbited off to rehab, where he is said to be remorseful, shattered, etc. Meanwhile, his lawyer spins a woeful tale of an unnamed clergyman who supposedly abused Foley in his youth.

Whatever. It's not as if the West Palm Beach Republican voluntarily marched forward and confessed to making lewd passes at high school boys. He got contrite only after he got caught.

Even if Foley really has an alcohol problem, which would be news to many of his friends, it doesn't alter the unforgivable fact that he used his position as a congressman to troll for teenaged sex partners.

more....

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/columnists/carl_hiaasen/15697473.htm

I love the part about the pious stiffs. Paging Ken Starr.