The Mark Foley scandal is once again a beautiful opportunity to watch the major news networks shirk in fear from mentioning the representative's
republican affiliation.
As I've noted in past diaries with the William J. Jefferson bribery scandal, these same news organizations have no problem referring to democrats in their titles and blurbs. In fact, they delight in mentioning a democrat's affiliation in their headlines and first few paragraphs.
But with Foley? Not on your life. He is "lawmaker" and "representative" only.
Follow me on the flip for the evidence:
First lets look at how CNN referred to the William J. Jefferson bribery scandal last May. Note the title of the article:
Democratic congressman denies bribery charges
Jefferson: 'I have never intended to dishonor my office'
Monday, May 15, 2006; Posted: 7:04 p.m. EDT (23:04 GMT)
NEW ORLEANS (CNN) -- A Louisiana congressman at the center of a federal corruption probe told constituents Monday that he is innocent and will stay in office while fighting any charges brought against him.
"I wish to say emphatically that in all of my actions that are here under scrutiny, that I have never intended to dishonor my office, or you, the public, and I certainly did not sell my office," Rep. William Jefferson, D-Louisiana, told reporters.
Hmmm.
Now lets look at how CNN is currently running the Foley scandal. From their homepage as of right now, October 3rd, 10:07pm P.S.T.:
Foley: Clergyman abused me
Former Rep. Mark Foley was molested as a teen by a clergyman, his attorney says. David Roth added the admission was made as part of Foley's recovery program at a treatment center. The growing scandal erupted Friday when Foley quit amid questions over e-mails allegedly sent to a former page.
FULL STORY
Gee.
What political party is Mark Foley, CNN? Hmm. No idea here.
Maybe if I click the link I'll find out?
Attorney: Clergyman molested Foley as teen
POSTED: 11:32 p.m. EDT, October 3, 2006
Story Highlights
* Attorney says Foley was molested as a teen and is gay
* Foley never had sexual contact with a minor, is not a pedophile, lawyer says
* Report: Congressman had cybersex with teen before 2003 House vote
* Attorney: Foley will elaborate when he is released from treatment center
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (CNN) -- Former Rep. Mark Foley was molested by a clergyman when he was between the ages of 13 and 15, his attorney said Tuesday amid allegations that the congressman exchanged inappropriate e-mails and instant messages with teen congressional pages.
Foley, a Florida Republican, resigned Friday amid questions over e-mails he allegedly wrote to a former page, asking the boy what he liked to do and requesting a photograph.
I bolded the various places his republican affiliation could have, but wasn't, added. In fact it only appears in passing in a larger sentence. More like where Foley lives. Oh, he's a Florida republican, he lives over in Republicania, it's by Broward Country, you know it, right Sylvia?
What a freaking joke.
Then there's the wasteland of Faux, which while not busy trying to call him a "D-FL" on O'Liely's show, has the following minimalist headline on the homepage:
Foley Claims He Was Molested By Clergyman
Disgraced ex-rep says he was victimized as a teen, wants public to know he's gay, denies sexual contact with minor.
No mention of party, natch.
And in the article itself?
Attorney: Foley Was Molested as a Teen by a Clergyman
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
WASHINGTON -- Former Rep. Mark Foley was molested between the ages 13 and 15 by a clergyman, his attorney David Roth told reporters late Tuesday.
Roth said Foley also wants Americans to know that he is a gay man. The former lawmaker was admitted on Saturday night to a mental health facility, where he will remain for at least 30 days.
As so often is the case of victims of abuse Mark ... kept his shame to himself for almost 40 years," Roth said.
Roth said Foley wanted to release the name and religious affiliation where his alleged molestation occurred, but was advised by counsel to delay naming names. However, details of the clergyman, the timeframe and the situation will be released when counsel advises Foley to do so.
"Mark sustained trauma as a young adolescent," Roth said. He "attributes this to his inappropriate IMs and text messages, but does not make any excuses for them."
THe "former lawmaker" has to be the new "Some people say" of republican spin machine frauds like Fox.
So whither affiliation? Finally:
Foley resigned from Congress last week after news broke of inappropriate e-mail correspondences between the Florida Republican and a male teenage congressional page written more than a year ago. He had served 12 years representing the West Palm Beach district.
Wayyyyyyyyy down in the last paragraph, buried in a transitional sentence, we FINALLY get to find out which political party Mark Foley belongs to.
Hmmm.
Well then, how did Fox cover the William J. Jefferson scandal back in May?
Rep. Jefferson Vows Innocence in Bribery Scandal
Monday, May 15, 2006
NEW ORLEANS -- U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-New Orleans, said Monday he will not resign in the face of a federal investigation that has netted two guilty pleas from people who implicated him in a bribery scheme.
Jefferson declared his innocence during an afternoon news conference outside the federal building in New Orleans.
Thanks, CNN and Fox! Good work! Exactly the same standards you had in the William J. Jefferson headline in which his political party affiliation was in your FREAKING HEADLINE AND FIRST PARAGRAPH, YOU HACK FRAUDS!!!