The revelation of sexually oriented instant messages and emails between Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) and a teenaged former page shows that paedophiles exist in all sectors of society, even our most "revered" institutions.
Ironically, Foley had himself sponsored tough legislation in Congress to protect children from sexual predators online.
Now comes the revelation that Foley had been molested by a Catholic priest when he was a teenager. I hope that's not true.
But it doesn't matter. It's no defense for what he's been up to the last few years; that it (his own molestation) was made public now seems to suggest he thinks it might be during, say, future legal action against him. And apparently being a victim of a sexual predator decades ago did not result in his feeling empathy for young people today.
Though, as his lawyer today stated, Foley had "no inappropriate sexual contact with any minor," he still may be guilty of a crime, as even solicitation of sexual activities is prohibited. Foley now claims to have problems with alcohol, but that would not turn him into a predator so much as bring out desires that were already within him.
And who knows what might have eventually happened had Foley not been found out. Years before the recently published emails were written some pages had been warned to steer clear of Foley. He may well have continued to the point where he acted on his proclivities in a very real way.
Some on the blogosphere already know my political orientation. But I'd be writing this post whether Foley's political affiliation were Red, Blue or Green. The truth is what matters most, not party loyalty.
Let revelations of inappropriate behavior between adults and youths never be politically motivated; they should always be done first and foremost to protect the children.
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