Resign, Mr. Speaker

The Washington Times ^ | 10/3/2007

[Taggart_D]

The facts of the disgrace of Mark Foley, who was a Republican member of the House from a Florida district until he resigned last week, constitute a disgrace for every Republican member of Congress. Red flags emerged in late 2005, perhaps even earlier, in suggestive and wholly inappropriate e-mail messages to underage congressional pages. His aberrant, predatory -- and possibly criminal -- behavior was an open secret among the pages who were his prey. The evidence was strong enough long enough ago that the speaker should have relieved Mr. Foley of his committee responsibilities contingent on a full investigation to learn what had taken place, whether any laws had been violated and what action, up to and including prosecution, were warranted by the facts. This never happened....

[Taggart_D]

If he resigns, I'm not voting.

[Homer1]

He should resign. The Republicans should also be working on their list of Democrats who were also aware of this, and getting those names out there, as well - so that they can resign too.

[Taggart_D]

Why should he resign?

[Dane]

Hmm, when is Tony Blankly, the writer of this editorial, going to resign from the Washington Times?

The human resources director of The Washington Times has been arrested on charges of soliciting a teenager for sex on the Internet.

[xcamel]

~~**WRONG**~~

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

It's possible Hastert is also a victim. Evidence indicates it is the Democrats who knew and sat on the info. All this hysteria is playing into the Democrats' hands.

[Joe Boucher]

cause he's a lousy leader.
He has no control over the house republicans much less the full house and he with the majority.

[kinoxi]

Why should he resign?

He's got an R in front of his title apparently. All republicans share a common guilt due to the 'vast right wing conspiracy' mentality. Other than that he doesn't seem to be in any way shape or form involved.

[wideawake]

There's no reason for him to resign over Foley.

There is no reason for Rove to resign over Wilson.

There is no reason for Rumsfeld to resign over WMDs.

There is no reason for Delay to resign over fundraising.

There is no reason for Scalia to recuse himself over his friendship with Cheney.

This is a typical Democrat ploy - if you can't unseat someone electorally, try to unseat them through the press.

If Hastert caves, that's weakness in the face of the enemy.

[wideawake]

With whom do you replace him, smart guy?

[rhombus]

There MUST be an investigation and it MUST be led by Barney Franks. If that would be inappropriate perhaps Gary Studds could be lured out of retirement.

[DB]

So lets see just how far we can self destruct...

Hastart made a complete fool of himself with the Rep. William Jefferson/FBI fiasco claiming congress has special rights above the law - which was properly crushed by a federal judge.

[Always Right]

Strange that the Washington Times is saying this.

[listenhillary]

From what I've heard so far.

Hastert had emails that were not suggestive. Democrat operatives had the instant messages that were disgusting. They've had them for a couple YEARS and sat on them.

Democrats should fall on their swords. All of them.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

There is a slight possibility that the house with its strong border control put a crimp in the North American Union.

They are now being punished.

[Suzy Quzy]

The SAME people that are calling for every republican's head over this are the SAME people that want GAY BOY SCOUT LEADERS!!!! and GAYS in the MILITARY!!!! HYPOCRITES!!

[wideawake]

Would you say Reynolds wrap is your preferred brand? Or are they in collusion with the Illuminati, the trilateral Commission and Opus Dei too?

[Roccus]

You're right! Hastert thought he had this "handled" months ago. WRONG! This is the kind of leadership the country needs??? He//, the Republican leadership in Congress can't deal with problems in its own ranks, can't deal with the opposition party and we're supposed to expect them to deal with the islamic attempt at world domination???
Give me a break!

[kinoxi]

Good point.

[Taggart_D]

Great response! Thanks

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

What ever?

[JCEccles]

To Joe Boucher: "With whom do you replace him, smart guy?"

The magnificent, inspiring, moral, protect-the children leader Nancy Pelosi.

Obviously.

Be careful what you wish for, Joe Boucher.

[llevrok]

The Republicans should also be working on their list of Democrats who were also aware of this

I agree.

Two basic questions: Who knew (R or D) and when did they know (R or D)?

If it can be shown that some one knew 1 minute before the story broke and did not do any thing to protect the children, they too should be dismissed.

There is a sickness in Congress that must be addressed.

[muskah]

Maybe one good thing to come out of this is that the people demanding we send gay leaders to camp with our sons will get it finally. Not holding my breath.

[mtntop3]

NPR had this as its lead into the 6 a.m. est news this morning. The Wash. Times was described as a "Washington conservative newspaper".

It is the first time that I recall a Wash. Times editorial ever being mentioned on NPR - in fact the Wash. Times has never even existed for NPR as far as its listening audience is concerned.

NPR is blatant in its bias. The process of omission and the elucidating of sought-after liberal comments from those it interviews makes it a daily propaganda source rather than a news source. Its only value is to know what the enemy is up to.

It has lately received a great deal of money - millions - through bequests from rich liberal widows and couples (whose ancestors in many instances earned it. And subsequently become even more arrogant in its bias.

[JCEccles]

Give me a break!

How about Nancy Pelosi gives you Hastert's head on a plate at her inaugural as the new Speaker of the Huse instead?

[Roccus]

Typical aparatchik response!
Anger at the ineffectual leadership of the party immediately translates to favor of the opposition.
Get a brain!

[palmer]

Reactionaries. Reading the IMs is sickening, so they forget about the fact that the emails were basically inoccuous and that's all that the Speaker saw. The FBI saw the emails and concluded the same thing. Ditto for the parents.

[JCEccles]

Maybe one good thing to come out of this is that the people demanding we send gay leaders to camp with our s

You fail to understand the liberal and MSM methods.

There will be no moral consistency in their stances. The congressional page fiasco they've manufactured is useful ONLY for ther purpose of seizing power. Once in power, they will immediately revert to full gay pro-gay agenda mode all day everyday.

[palmer]

Why change leadership in response to a dem/gay activist plot right before the election? If the leadership is ineffective, why not wait until after the election?

[musikman]

Right after William Jefferson resigns.

[PogySailor]

What utter BS. If what Hastert knew was limited to the e-mails he had no evidence to pursue the matter further. To now look back with 20-20 hindsight and say he should have done more is ridiculous.

As soon as the IM information became available, Foley was shown the door. Hastert has asked for a DOJ investigation.

[Grut]

If Hastert caves, that's weakness in the face of the enemy.

Then why hasn't he already resigned?

[Roccus]

To be totally honest, I'd rather see a Second Amendment solution before the election! Neither party is capable of leading the country in the fight against islamic world domination.

[olezip]

Not much talk about the accomplishments of Foley is there? So the conservatives want Hastert to resign because Foley sent "dirty" emails to some kid. Not only that but Foley supposedly used Instant Messenger to talk dirty. Wow! I wonder if he also used the "n" word in 1970.

Why does the Washington Times not take a look at the overall impact homosexuals have on government effectiveness? Or the relationship between pedophiles and homosexuals (100% or 90%)?

Or silence owing to fear of being called a homophobe by the homosexual rights crowd (Democrats)? There are many aspects to the lack of common sense by today's leaders, both Republicans and Democrats alike, but especially Democrats.

[auto power]

Precisely.....if Hastert has to resign, then so should Barney Frank and all others who have corrupted the political system.

[true_blue_texican]

AMEN!!!

[true_blue_texican]

Democrats should fall on their swords.

Maybe we can give them a little push :-0

[freedom4me]

Let's see, two Florida newspapers saw the e-mails and did nothing. According to Drudge, law enforcement saw the e-mails and felt there was nothing to pursue. ABC had the e-mails since August. Brian Ross was too busy to pursue. Hastert "heard" about the e-mails and now he supposed to resign. Hardly.

How interesting is it that ABC is getting e-mails from other pages possibly implicating other members of Congress. Can you say 'backlash'?

If I were Hastert, I'd say, "I'm not going anywhere until the FBI, Justice Department investigation is complete."

[Grut]

When you're in charge, you're responsible for the things nobody tells you about, too. If Hastert didn't know, he should have. Sorry, but there's no other way to ensure that bosses take their jobs seriously.

[palmer]

My honest opinion is that if this scandal works and the dem/media manage to split the republicans before the election, then we deserve every bit of crap legislation they send out (and Bush signs) in the next two years. Of course I would also double or triple my contributions to GOA and NRA to fight a good fight, but it would be defense, just trying to keep the few 2-A rights we have managed to regain.

[Renegade]

I'm STILL waiting for your response to Post # 3 . WHY should he resign ???

[true_blue_texican]

Right after William Jefferson resigns.

How 'bout right after William Jefferson goes to prison!!!

[SMM48]

He should resign. The Republicans should also be working on their list of Democrats who were also aware of this, and getting those names out there, as well - so that they can resign too.

I might go along with you if I was assured any guilty DemocRAT would resign.

[1234]

Why should he resign?

pls. read the entire editorial-'nuff said'.

[muawiyah]

Yes, Congress, as the premier branch of the federal government DOES HAVE SPECIAL RIGHTS ~ one of which is to first get approval of the Speaker of the House to conduct a raid on a Congressman's office in the precincts of the House.

If you don't like that idea, may I recommend a suitible police state somewhere else for your retirement.

One thing America doesn't need is another person who disputes the rights of the House of Representatives to set its own rules.

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

Ouch.

[cricket]

. . . The Republicans should also be working on their list of Democrats who were also aware of this, and getting those names out there, as well - so that they can resign too.

That is the 'horse' here; and it needs to come before the cart of any Repubs resigning..

Had Hastert done more. . .on the 'less' info that he had at the time; (no IM's. etc ..) then the Repubs would have been attacked for discriminating against Gays. . .there is a no win here for Repubs; save to get to the truth of this scandal. The first truth has been dealt with; perp Foley is gone. WHO/HOW/WHY this has erupted now. ..rather than 'then'; needs investigating.

The Dems are political terrorists; and theyk are feverishly engaged. Hastert is tossed; they will NOT be appeased. . .

Repubs need to change the dialogue; the focus here; and NOW.

[gotribe]

If the Times wants someone to resign, they should call on all Senate republicans to resign. They've been a complete failure for Bush.

[newcthem]

I agree with you. We should demand that Barney Franks lead the investigation.