By Sean Kosofsky
The scandal involving former Congressman Mark Foley from Florida is bittersweet for most of us. On one hand, a hypocrite who led the charge to persecute and prosecute online "predators" was caught possibly violating his own law. The scandal cost him his career, and may cost Republicans control of the U.S. Congress. What could feel better than that one-two punch?
On the other hand a gay man, a public servant, who had a decent voting record on GLBT issues, has lost everything because of an inappropriate pattern of hitting on young pages. Many GLBT people know all to well that these issues are not cut and dry, black or white, and if Foley had been a friend of ours, we would probably be responding with a little more patience, compassion along with the disappointment.
So what do we do with the fact that one of our own, screwed up so bad that we are all going to benefit this Nov. 7? Do we wash our hands of the drama and join the pack of opportunists blowing this scandal way out of proportion?
For the record I think Foley did the right thing by resigning. I also feel that Republican leaders who covered up the scandal should be reprimanded, or resign themselves. But let's bring some sanity to this debate, once and for all.
Foley is not a pedophile. He did not have sex with, nor did he pursue pre-pubescent children. He sexually harassed a teenager. Gay or straight, sexual harassment is wrong. Was the child a minor? Well, it all depends on the state and on the circumstances. In some states sex is legal at age sixteen, but nude photos are not legal until you are 18. "Soliciting" sex online could be another age entirely. But the gay community should not help fuel the panic that is surrounding the Foley scandal, at least in terms of the age of the page.
The most upsetting thing about the Foley scandal is that he took the scandal down a path that has only made things worse for the GLBT community. Foley should have said, "Ok. I screwed up. I hit on a teenage page that I was in a position of authority over and I am sorry. I used poor judgment and because of that I am going to resign."
Instead he checked himself into a substance abuse facility for a drinking problem. No one seems to think he really had a drinking problem, so if this is a dishonest distraction, then shame on him. But if he did have a drinking problem that still does not excuse or explain him sexually harassing a page. A thorough investigation should show whether this is true or not, because if he did have a drinking problem, that means he was intoxicated while at work, because some of this online flirting was happening while he was on the clock. Either way – he is busted. But Foley refused to face the cameras. He refused to answer publicly for what he did. He ran and hid, abandoning responsibility to his country.
Then Foley, in a bizarre shell game, said he had been molested by a Catholic Priest when he was a boy. I certainly hope he wasn't trying to insinuate that early childhood molestation would be an excuse for sexual harassment as a U.S. Congressman.
I have a great deal of sympathy for those struggling with addiction and for those who were childhood victims of sexual misconduct. But it just seems too convenient that both things happened to Mark Foley, especially after the ramifications of losing control of Congress was being laid squarely at Foley's feet. I think he might resort to just about anything to blunt the sharpness of the emotional and political pain he was feeling.
What Congress needs is fewer excuses and more honesty. Less finger pointing and more responsibility. Then, all Americans can have an honest debate about power, privilege, discrimination and public trust.
