Once again in a long series of terrible failures of government, we find ourselves in the early stages of enlightenment in reference to a GOP scandal, specifically, the criminal acts of Rep. Mark Foley. From the swift severity of what we have learned thus far, there was clearly an intentional failure within the House leadership, specifically with Dennis Hastert, to cleanse the halls of our government from those who would seek to harm our nation's children. Worse, the events revealed thus far have raised a grave suspicion that Foley deliberately abused his power in order to pursue his deviant and criminal sexual behavior while the Speaker of the House, the Chairman of the Page Committee, and the Majority Whip deliberately suppressed Foley's criminality merely for political reasons, thus endangering the personal, emotional, and physical safety of young men and women in the service of their government.
At this very early stage, there is clear indication of illegal sexual conduct by Foley, who swiftly resigned. Due to the enormous exposure of his alleged crimes, he will most certainly face justice. However, one must ponder why he was not subject to the justice he deserved when this allegation was presented `months (and perhaps, over a year) ago?'
The most striking indication that there was a concerted effort to conceal this criminal scandal is the recent statement by Representative Dale Kildee, the only Democrat on the House Page Board, in which, he stated that he "was never informed of the allegations" of Haley's lewd treatment of young boys in the Page Program. By deliberately withholding this critical allegation, Haley was not properly weeded out, but rather, he was given an unspoken endorsement to continue if not intensify his criminal behavior. Shockingly, he was also allowed and praised by Hastert for helping to write `stricter' legislation to battle the very crimes he was allowed by Hastert (et.al) to commit.
From the very little we are allowed to see thus far, we can deduct several horrible conclusions:
1. Mark Foley was not made to face justice or removal from his seat for his criminal pedofillia.
2. Both John Shimkus and Thomas Reynolds failed in their institutional and moral duties to resolve the possibility that one of their collegues was perpetuating sociopathic, criminal behavior and endangering the safety of children within the House of Representatives.
3. Dennis Hastert was fully aware of criminal acts being committed under his leadership. Instead of exposing this serious potential danger to children working at the House of Representatives, Hastert engaged in an illegal cover-up; a criminal act in itself.
4. Because Foley was not punished and was "warned" but not reprimanded or exposed, he was likely more emboldened in conducting his criminal acts.
It is clear that Hastert (et. al.) did nothing about this for purely political purposes. The glaring reality is that he chose to preserve a false image of integrity for his party above the safety and rights of children who, along with their loving families, committed themselves at an early age to act upon their patriotism and sacrifice a piece of their youth in the service of their government. Therefore, at the very least, Dennis Hastert must resign for the good of the whole government.
This disgraceful behavior by the Speaker of the House and every member who had helped Mark Foley victimize children transcends political affiliation. While it is my opinion that this is yet another example of the savage decadence of a Republican Party drunk with power, I hold the firm belief that I would demand the same actions were it a group of Democratic Congressmen in a Democratically controlled House.
Our Legislative government, despite its waxing and waning level of polarity, is singular as an institutional entity. Should corruption or criminality afflict any member across political affiliations, it is the duty of every person with knowledge of it to step forward and proceed with the removal of that member. More importantly, it is the duty of the leadership, and specifically Dennis Hastert to address such problems in a timely and overt manner for the sake of his body. Dennis Hastert has failed to do so. Further, there is growing proof that he intended to abandon his duties for political gain (or salvation,), which, in criminal terms, is being an accessory to the crime after the fact (a possible felony.)
Certainly the overwhelming majority of Democrats are in complete agreement with this necessity. Thus, it is crucial for Democrats to call directly upon Republican institutions to do what is right in this disturbing series of events. Our Democratic leaders must call on Republicans to demand that Dennis Hastert resign his leadership position and his seat in the House of Representatives. Further, it is crucial for all of us to speak up and press the justice department to do a thorough independent investigation into this matter and prosecute all accomplices, despite their prestige, to the fullest extent of the law.
This is yet another sad example of the decadence of GOP Congressional power. What is sadder is that because we are deliberately left in the dark about matters as sinister as Mark Foley's institutional pedophilia, we must wonder if we are merely scratching the surface of a vast wave of criminality within the government that is sworn to uphold the dignity and values of Constitutional proportions.
Dennis Hastert has deliberately concealed a pedophile in his House. Dennis Hastert must resign.
UPDATE:
I just sent this to the House Ethics Committe, the Minority Leader, the GOP and the DNC.
Please be sure to write to each of them as well.
UPDATE 2:
Think Progress Has an excellent timeline of the cover-up.
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