Why this Foley Thang Feels Sooooooooo Good

It may seem a bit mean that this Foley scandal has brought us so much joy.  I know I feel a little bit guilty when everytime it is mentiomed I giggle, wave my hands in the air and do a little happy dance...but it just feels so right.  So I dance, and celebrate this beautiful, beautiful scandal.

But many may wonder why liberals are over the moon about the revelations about Congressman Foley and its aftermath.  For those who are curious, let me shed some light.

First of all, eight years ago we had a marvelous president.  He had worked wonders with our economy, we were at peace, people had jobs, things were sure looking up.  Kenneth Starr, who had spent a fortune in government dollars trying to pin criminal charges on the President for a failed land deal in vain, instead went after the President for sexual activities.  He was impeached, but an effort to remove him from office didn't work.  

Following that national disgrace we had to endure years of puffed up republicans, claiming to be the bearers of all that is good, virtuous and holy.  Democrats were incapable of leading, because they weren't MORAL enough.  Republicans had "family values" and God liked them best.  

Anytime there was a hint of impropriety in the ranks of the republicans they would get their loudmouth radio and tv personalities out there beating the Clinton/Monica drum.  Democrats never once stood up to them because they are scared little spineless weenies.  The democrats just let it slide, for eight years.

Well, after eight years of being shamed into silence and losing every single election since, we have a glimmer of hope.  With each passing day this scandal weakens the republicans, not because democrats are tearing them down, but because they are cannibalizing themselves.  It is a beautiful thing, because it brings the promise of a return to some balance in government, and perhaps some checks on this hideous Executive.  

Perhaps most beautifully, though, it is bringing about the end of this false piety, revealing the dark smelly underbelly of conservatism, and negating years and years of righteous indignation served up by piggy right wingers.  Oh you can still hear them try the old talking points, sputtering..."But! But!  Bill Clinton did it!  It was sex with a subordinate!  It's the SAME THING!!!"  through their tears, but anyone with a brain knows it isn't, it really isn't even close, and it is perverted just to try to equate the issues.

So I do my happy dance.  I embrace the promise of a return to REAL decency, where perhaps we can see a light at the end of the Bush Presidency tunnel, a return to some balance, less slimy rhetoric from the right.  These are all great things.  It is high time for them.

Dance with me!

•  Tip Jar

  Oh, ah, dance in smarty pants...

  by liberaltruthsayer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 06:50:59 AM PDT

  •  If real people hadn't been hurt

    If real actual people hadn't been the victims of Mark Foley's predation I'd be doing a happy dance when he got his comeuppance.

    If real actual people hadn't been the victims of Michael Brown and Michael Chertoff's criminal incompetence after Katrina and Rita I'd be doing a happy dance when they got their comeuppance.

    If real actual people hadn't been the victims of Jack Abramoff, Tom Delay, Michael Scanlon, Ed Buckham, Duke Cunningham, John Doolittle, Conrad Burns, Tony Rudy and the rest of the gang's criminal corruption, I'd be doing a happy dance when they got their comeuppance.

    If real actual people hadn't been the victims of Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, Dick Cheney, L. Paul Bremer, Henry Kissinger, George Tenet and the other members of the Iraq invasion cabal I'd be doing a happy dance when they get their comeuppance.

    If real actual people hadn't been the victims of the last six years of the George W. Bush presidency, I'd be doing a happy dance when he gets his comeuppance.

    But real actual people have been slandered, molested, abandoned, driven into poverty, abused, tortured, detained, kidnapped, and killed by the leaders of the right wing.

    So all I want to do is kick them out of power, put them on trial, and put them in jail.

    I'll save the happy dance for my wedding.

    by The Cunctator on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:19:39 AM PDT

    •  All the more reason to dance...n/t

      by liberaltruthsayer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:22:35 AM PDT

    •  Yes. I am not gleeful. It is important for this

      scandal to be investigated and made public, but I am hardly happy that this scum was imposing himself on boys for years, and that he was enabled by an institution. I am disgusted and glad to see the discomfort of some of these perpetrators, and hope to see more of them dragged out into the light, but the fact that these incidents occurred nauseate me.

      by Xapulin on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:43:34 AM PDT

  •  I gotta completely disagree,

    with the glee, but here's a 4 'cuz I love Mr. Smarty Pants!

    by CJB on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:25:15 AM PDT

    •  you are a real sweetie,

      I love him too...

      and the way my little boy dances along!

      by liberaltruthsayer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:26:33 AM PDT

•  Schadenfreude

  THIS is why it feels so good. ;)

  by JR on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 06:51:58 AM PDT

  •  Yes indeedy...

    It does feel good for this reason, and yes my catholic upbringing does give me reason to feel shame about this, but NOT TO MUCH!!!

    by liberaltruthsayer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 06:53:49 AM PDT

    •  My Catholic upbringing makes me enjoy this more

      As a still-practicing Catholic, I have watched the rightward slide of the Church with disgust and horror.  For the second national election cycle in a row, my church is distributing pamphlets titled "Voters Guide for Serious Catholics" that outline "non-negotiable issues" for evaluating political candidates.  What are they?  Abortion, Euthanasia, Gay Marriage.  Screw the poor and the oppressed.  Hell, even CAPITAL PUNISHMENT was mentioned as a "negotiable" issue when evaluating political candidates for support in line with Catholic values.

      I'm getting ready to walk out of that place and never return.  It's gone a long way from the Church I knew in the '70s and '80s.

      by beemerr on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:02:44 AM PDT

      •  I walked in 2004

        when living in St. Louis, and the archbishop said that anyone running for office and being pro-choice would be denied communion, and anyone supporting them too...I said I had enough.

        It broke my heart, it shook my faith.

        by liberaltruthsayer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:04:24 AM PDT

      •  Geez, you'd think

        the sexual exploitation of children would be on that list, too.

        by trueblue illinois on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:26:02 AM PDT

      •  I still don't get it ...

        Jesus went on and on about the poor and humble.  Hardly said a darn thing about sexual behavior. Did I miss the encyclical where they repealed the New Testament?    

        by lgmcp on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 11:34:02 AM PDT

•  I'm not happy about this...

  This just shows what horrible shape our government is in today. It points out the need for responsible Democrats to take control of the legislature and bring some sanity back to Washington, but it is a sad time nonetheless. And this is far from the end of false piety. Hypocrisy and false piety are as old as the human race and they are not going anywhere. We need to be eternally vigilant against such hypocrisy because it is not going away anytime soon.

  by rebop on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:01:14 AM PDT

  •  true...but we should still dance

    because it has been a LONG bad time.

    Be a little happy.

    by liberaltruthsayer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:05:17 AM PDT

    •  I'm very happy

      that Foley is NOT a Dem. Can you imagine what this would have done to our hopes and dreams for November and beyond? shudder

      by trueblue illinois on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:27:46 AM PDT

      •  shudder, gag, and probably a lot of vomit...

        I know what you mean.  It boggles the mind.

        by liberaltruthsayer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:29:05 AM PDT

      •  Yeah...

        I'm happy about a that!

        by rebop on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 08:00:47 AM PDT

      •  They're looking for Dem pedophiles as we speak

        to pin this on.  Looking high and low, even dare I say it, beating the Bushes for them?

        Unfortunately, even if they don't find one, they'll just go right ahead and say they did.  

        In fact, didn't Fox news already label Foley a Democrat?  That one really made my jaw drop, even for Fox.  I'm getting tired of calling things Orwellian; the accuracy of his dystopia is creating vocabulary tedium.  

        by lgmcp on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 11:37:40 AM PDT

      •  But he is a Dem.

        Fox and the AP said he was.

        ;^)

        by JaciCee on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 11:46:00 AM PDT

    •  I'm happy...

      that our chances of re-taking the House have improved significantly.

      by rebop on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 08:01:36 AM PDT

      •  Yes very very much so

        it is a big relief.  Deserves a little dance.

        And no, I am not shaking my bootie over perverts, I am shaking my bootie over justice.

        by liberaltruthsayer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 08:06:50 AM PDT

        •  And maybe a little teensy tiney touch of revenge?

          Which is sometimes related to justice, but is not exactly the same?  

          I know our party line involves turning the other cheek, whereas the party line of the Christian Right involves an eye for eye ... but what one believes is morally correct and what one really feels and craves inside are not always the same thing, are they?  Even for us normal (non-predator) folks.  

          by lgmcp on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 11:42:25 AM PDT

•  Lest You Forget - -

  Dancing is sinful.
  Propositioning boys isn't.

  by johnnygunn on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:02:43 AM PDT

  •  Oh I am a happy sinner

    I will dance dance dance!

    by liberaltruthsayer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:05:48 AM PDT

    •  And pootie shall dance with you!

      Kitty Cat Dance!

      by Flip You Melon Farmer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 08:16:56 AM PDT

      •  ahahahahaahahaha

        go pootie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        by liberaltruthsayer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 08:26:45 AM PDT

•  my sig:

  by condoleaser on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:03:15 AM PDT

•  Outraged? Yes. Happy? No.

  It's a disgusting thing to get excited about.  Sure, it's fine to be happy when someone we support beats a Republican in an election, but not in something like this.  It's really just sick to be excited that a someone is an internet predator, even if that someone is a person we don't like.  What about the page that had the IM conversation?  What about all the others who may be involved?  These people were or are kids.  It's sick, and certainly not something I am happy about happening.

  by theboz on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:03:33 AM PDT

•  If you think that feels good...

  ...wait until Republicans start complaining about Foley's name being on the ballot. Wait until they start complaining about CONFUSION over who is actually being voted for. Wait until they start crying that its UNFAIR that they have to keep a predator's name on the ballot after he cut and ran.

  Do you think they'll berate themselves over the mistakes? How's this for a protest sign:

  "If you can read this, YOU MUST BE REPUBLICAN!"

  I wonder how that sign now fits up their ass sideways.

  by JohnGor0 on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:05:38 AM PDT

  •  I am not happy about boys as targets

    I have a son.

    But I am delighted that this is causing a feeding frenzy on the right, and I am enjoying the posturing and theatrics.

    by liberaltruthsayer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:07:43 AM PDT

•  I'm ashamed for you.

  We share the same goals, but I take no joy in sexual exploitation of minors.  Real people had their lives wrecked by this man, and my bleeding heart (I'm proud to own one!) goes out to them.  

  by osterizer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:08:04 AM PDT

  •  Get serious...

    Don't be ashamed for me, I am not celebrating the exploitation of minors, and if you think so you are a thoughtless twit.

    I am a parent. I care about nothing more than children.  

    I am horrified at the allegations.

    I am taking glee at the fallout.

    by liberaltruthsayer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:10:02 AM PDT

    •  You're backpedaling.

      In your comment, you claim to be "horrified at the allegations".

      In the article, you claim to be "over the moon about the revelations about Congressman Foley".  ("And" its aftermath -- but your statement said you were happy about the revelations themselves.)  

      Did your over-the-moon-ness change to horror in the past 21 minutes?  

      by osterizer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:20:01 AM PDT

      •  I am over the moon

        about the revelation, not at the allegations.

        You are a seriously twisted, sad person.

        I am glad that I can celebrate the end of oppression, lies, manipulation, and the chance at recovering my nation.

        by liberaltruthsayer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:22:04 AM PDT

•  Wait

  You're HAPPY about this?  This is disgusting and an abuse of a position of power in government.

  Let's stop taking the "must hate Republicans at all costs" pills for a second and gain a little perspective.

  I hope this diary doesn't find it's way to one of the myriad red blogs that will hold this up as the reason DKosers are fringe and crazy.

  by airwave on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:11:06 AM PDT

  •  Are you nuts?

    Have you lost your mind?

    I don't hate republicans at all costs, happen to be married to one.  He is more outraged than even the most liberal among us.

    I am not making the case for molesting boys you insane people, I am not taking joy in it either.  I AM taking a great deal of joy in finally seeing these perverted souls get their due.

    For you to interpret my words as otherwise is just sick, and for those who pretend NOT to be enjoying this, I have to say I think you are lying.

    by liberaltruthsayer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:15:49 AM PDT

  •  What's enjoyable

    This party valued power above morals, party above country.  They assumed a superior moral posture in the taking of their power, but because they couldn't take the risk of losing a seat of power in the service of their stated moral posture, they lost both the power, and the moral posture.

    It's enjoyable becuase those of us with half an eye open on the Republicans knew they were doing this -- it just wasn't as obvious to the rest of the world all along.  Tom Delay was one pinnacle of a very complex iceberg.

    I'm a parent too.  And I'm mad as hell about how glib people are about the victims of this whole thing.  Especially people like Drudge: if I were the page who he's outed, or the father of that child, I'd be letting Drudge know how badly he's fucked up in person.

    Nonetheless, the timing of this couldn't be more inconvenient to the Republicans, and it's a symptom I think of a whole structure falling apart.  As their policy credibility among Americans has started to collapse, people who were familiar with their dirty laundry have no doubt become emboldened to bring the rest of the house down, and whether it's out of spite or genuine concern for the Republic is hard to ascertain.  Or both.  I'd be pissed if I had been lorded over at 16 by a bunch of guys who thought they were kings of the world, instead of public servants.

    This event represents the light at the end of the tunnel.  Finally, these reprehensible scrumbuckets are being revealed for their true selves to more and more Americans.  It sucks that it had to get this far, but get this far it did.  I can't change that the operative event was horrible and loathsome, but I feel no guilt in reveling that the party is now OVER.  Let them run some guy in Foley's place.  His seat is GONE.  Let Hastert resign his Speakership.  His seat is GONE.  We already had a good chance of taking the house before this.  Now it's going to be a TIDAL WAVE.

    by slippytoad on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:48:06 AM PDT

    •  How very eloquent and true...

      you may be a slippytoad, but I like you.

      by liberaltruthsayer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:49:59 AM PDT

•  Maybe I want to join you,

  but I can't, and here's why:

  I remember exactly how pissed off I was when they were all doing their finger-pointy snoopy dance over Clinton's blow job.  I don't want to look like that kind of holier-than-thou, tongue-sticky-outy sadass.

  I'll take the fallout from this, but even if they deserve everything they get, I'm sad and disgusted.

  by CJB on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:20:02 AM PDT

  •  Who isn't sad?

    I am sad over the abuse of children.

    I am sad over the disgrace and shame to our nation.

    I am saddest over the horrible, disgusting, tragic abuses of our President, and the total lack of oversight by the legislative.

    I am happy because there is a chance.

    I would be happier still if the democrats had stood up to these cowardly perverted bastards and fought for our country, but I will take what I can get anymore.

    by liberaltruthsayer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:25:17 AM PDT

  •  LOL just reread that...

    I ADORE your use of "tongue-sticky-outy"....

    beautiful!

    by liberaltruthsayer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:41:42 AM PDT

•  How do Republicans dodge this?

  Let us count the ways:

  It was his staff's fault.

  It was George Soros' fault.

  It was Bill Clinton's fault.

  It was "Democratic operatives'" fault.

  Hastert was too busy cutting the deficit "by $40 billion" to be bothered.

  It's ABC's fault.

  Foley was alchoholic.

  Foley was gay.

  It was the kids' fault.

  And Foley is really a Democrat, anyway.

  by LithiumCola on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:25:59 AM PDT

  •  You are so right

    it is totally transparent, and is why I refuse to sit on my ass and mope, when I can dance for the first time in a very long time.

    by liberaltruthsayer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:27:33 AM PDT

  •  Ugh, yes

    I heard someone call in to a local radio program, parroting the talking points that "Democrats knew, and they did nothing, so they're worse!"

    I'm not sure anyone really believes it, other than kool-aid drinkers, but it's pretty annoying to see them dodging the real issues.

    by pshaw on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:35:04 AM PDT

    •  MY MIL is a two fisted Kool-aid drinker...

      and I had resisted calling her to goad until yesterday when I couldn't take it anymore.  I knew I was setting myself up for an hour long lecture about how Bill Clinton did the same thing, and if this were a democrat it would be a "gay rights issue" but I didn't care.  I called, and had a little fun dancing circles around her rhetoric.

      by liberaltruthsayer on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 07:44:48 AM PDT

•  Hold the glee

  There have been far too many "gotcha" moments throughout this crazy Republican revolution.  It exhausts me to even think about compiling the mile-long list of times when we said "Oh, they can't possibly slip their way past this!"  But they did.

  Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed, we now live in a country that finds it perfectly reasonable to detain innocent people and torture them for years on end, and we're all just a single suspicion away from being accused of being "enemy combatants" by ... well ... just about anyone.  

  There's something hauntingly sad about seeing so much gloating over this scandal.

  Aside from the fact that there are far too many unhappy parallels to the way Republicans acted during the Clinton-Lewinsky affair, it just breaks my heart that the GOP buddy system is falling apart far too late to stop events that will result in so many deaths and atrocities.  Where were the GOP whistleblowers before the 2004 elections, when we had a chance to turn the Titanic around on Iraq and Afghanistan?  Where were all these helpful Congressional aides telling on each other before the coerced votes on torture?  Where were all the concerned Republicans when it was time to shed a little light on the backdoor deals that went into stripping habeas?

  Ach, keep the glee in your pants.  I just want my country back.  I'll do the happy dance when I see it turning around and coming back home.

  by MsSpentyouth on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 08:48:55 AM PDT

•  I dance.

  But not because of the victims to this incredible mess of a presidency.  I dance because the American public can see these worms for what they are. Hypocrites.

  by JaciCee on Thu Oct 05, 2006 at 11:44:52 AM PDT