Mark Foley Breaks Silence, Won't Accept Full Blame in Page Scandal

MArk Foley tells the AP he's "trying to find his way back" in the wake of the underage page scandal that forced his resignation from Congress in September 2006:

"Foley insists he did nothing illegal and never had sexual contact with teens, just inappropriate Internet conversations. Investigations by the FBI and Florida authorities ended without criminal charges. And while he concedes his behavior was 'extraordinarily stupid,' he remains somewhat unwilling to accept full public scorn. These were 17-year-olds, just months from being men, he insists. 'There was never anywhere in those conversations where someone said, 'Stop,' or 'I'm not enjoying this,' or 'This is inappropriate' ... but again, I'm the adult here, I'm the congressman,' Foley said. 'The fact is I allowed it to happen. That's where my responsibility lies.'"

Just months from being men.

Foley denies there is any hypocrisy involved, even though he was co-chair of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus which helped to create a law protecting children on the internet.

Says Foley: "The work I was doing was involving young children ... You know, you hear the term 'pedophile.' That is prepubescent. At the end of the day, they were instant messages that were extraordinarily inappropriate."

Adds Foley: "In public life, you dream of the day they'll name a hospital after you, or a bridge or a post office," Foley said, twisting a gold band on his ring finger identical to one his high-society dermatologist boyfriend wears. If I had a post office named after me today, they'd probably return to sender. It's not a pleasant place to be. It's not what I envisioned ... working this hard all my life to end up in an ash heap because of a momentary lapse of judgment."

Foley blames the "demons" inside him for doing what he did - those demons being sexual abuse by a priest, drinking, drugs, and cigarettes. He's been through a treatment program and now says he'll take it "a day at a time."

AFTER THE JUMP, the Mark Foley scandal in seven minutes.

AP Interview: Foley breaks silence on sex scandal [ap]

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Officials: Former Florida Rep. Mark Foley Won't Face Charges

Bet you almost forgot about him. An investigation has been ongoing since Foley stepped down over his inappropriate online communications with underage pages, and two federal law enforcement officials told the AP they were expecting no charges:

"The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case, said the results of a state investigation would be announced Friday. They said neither state nor federal charges were expected, although an FBI investigation has not been closed yet."

As a refresher, the Mark Foley scandal in seven minutes, AFTER THE JUMP...

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Pelosi to Foley Investigators: No Access to House Computers

Last week I posted that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement had put in a request with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to try to gain access to House computers in their criminal investigation of former Florida Rep. Mark Foley and his communications with underage pages.

That request has been denied.

Yesterday, the Palm Beach Post published an opinion piece arguing that investigator's should have access to the machines:

"Unfortunately, members of Congress have tried to use the 'speech or debate' clause to avoid searches for incriminating material. A federal appeals court ruling this summer, associated with the Jefferson case, extended congressional rights so far that the Justice Department correctly has appealed it. Prosecutors fear that the ruling might prevent them from speaking with congressional aides, a practice vital to probes into the dealings of imprisoned lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The effect on Foley's case isn't clear, since the FDLE is not a federal agency. Still, the state now should go to court, because there remains a workable solution. Rep. Pelosi should allow the FDLE access. Foley should be allowed to declare which files he thinks are protected. If a judge agrees, those files would be withheld. Rep. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, has the correct perspective: 'I don't think any of us are above the law,' he said. 'If there was a law that was broken, they should turn it over.' A lawmaker's legislative materials should be off-limits. But we already know that Foley sent all those lewd messages to former pages. In a milder exchange, he said of a teenager's shorts, 'Love to slip them off of you.' That remark has nothing to do with lawmaking. The public deserves to know whether it had to do with law-breaking."

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Florida Authorities Still After Mark Foley's Computers

I thought this case was pretty much over last August, when it was reported that The Florida Department of Law Enforcement wanted to wrap up their investigation of Former Rep. Mark Foley, and his communications with underage pages.

At that time, FDLE spokesperson Heather Smith told the AP: "We have requested to review federally owned computers that Mr. Foley used during his time as a representative, but the U.S. House of Representatives ... cited case law restrictions that prohibited them from releasing those computers."

It appears that the FDLE is still pursuing the case. The Blotter reports that as recently as last month the FDLE sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi requesting access. Wrote Commissioner Gerald Bailey to the Speaker: "We are respectfully requesting access to any and all computer equipment that the U.S. Government possesses that former Representative Foley utilized during his time in office."

According to Pelosi's spokesperson, her office is preparing a response., wants to cooperate, and is consulting House lawyers.

Previously
Mark Foley Investigation Stymied by Lack of Access to Computers [tr]

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Novak: GOP Knew of Larry Craig "Weird Conduct", Ignored It

On Bloomberg TV Saturday, right-wing pundit Robert Novak said that Senate Republicans knew about Larry Craig and his trips to the men's room for some time, but never took any action:

"I have talked to several of my sources in the Senate, and this came as a surprise to me…They knew about it. They knew that he had this problem, and it was in the closet. And it was not just a homosexual relationship. It was this weird conduct. They didn’t do anything about it. So Republicans, again, as in the case of Congressman Foley, their cover-up is coming back to haunt them."

Odds are there are more Craigs and Foleys out there. It's only a matter of time.

(via Think Progress)

SNL's "Weekend Update" also took on the Larry Craig debacle over the weekend. Enjoy.

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Mark Foley Saved by Age of Lewd Messages

Florida's three-year statute of limitations may help save Mark Foley from any criminal prosecution, ABC's The Blotter reports:

"The Florida Department of Law Enforcement did not start a criminal investigation of Foley until November 2006, making it nearly impossible to prosecute what some officials regarded as the best case, an explicit instant message sent by Foley to a 17-year-old high school student in February 2003, when Foley was in Pensacola, Fla."

Late last month, The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said the case should be closed shortly as they were not able to obtain access to Foley's computers.

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Shamhunt.Net, Where Self-Hating Americans Find Love

Our friend Aaron over at Narcissism 101 has just introduced us to the latest social networking site. Don't miss the profiles of Ted Haggard, Bob Allen, and last but not least, Larry Craig.

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Mark Foley Not Likely to Face Charges in Florida Investigation

Didn't get a chance to post this on Friday. It looks as though Mark Foley is pretty much off the hook in Florida:

"That could change if new evidence surfaces in the next week that proves Foley, 52, sent online messages to male teenagers with the intent to 'seduce, solicit, lure, entice, or attempt to seduce a child,' a third degree felony under Florida law. But as of now, the end of Foley's political career may be the most severe consequence the former congressman faces for the revelations that stunned his longtime supporters and prompted his immediate resignation, just weeks before the 2006 election. The Fort Pierce Republican represented parts of St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said this week the investigation should be completed within the next several days."

And since they don't have access to Foley's computers no such evidence is likely to materialize.

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Mark Foley Investigation Stymied by Lack of Access to Computers

Yes, the Mark Foley investigation is still ongoing in the state of Florida.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement would reportedly like to wrap up the investigation but has been stymied because neither Foley nor the House of Representatives will allow investigators access to Foley's congressional computers. The House claims only Foley can release them because they're considered "congressional work papers."

That would seem to be a bit of a roadblock to anyone attempting to uncover wrongdoing regarding electronic communications.

FDLE spokesperson Heather Smith told the AP: "We have requested to review federally owned computers that Mr. Foley used during his time as a representative, but the U.S. House of Representatives ... cited case law restrictions that prohibited them from releasing those computers."

The AP adds: "Florida investigators were working with the FBI and Foley's attorney, David Roth, to try to reach an agreement, Smith said. At the investigation's conclusion, its findings will be forwarded to prosecutors to determine if charges are warranted. Under Florida law, the age of consent is 18. A crime may have been committed if Foley is simply found to have seduced or attempted to seduce a minor using lewd or explicit language. Roth declined to comment Wednesday, citing the continuing investigation. He has previously maintained his client's innocence and said Foley never had inappropriate sexual contact with minors."

Foley, Police at Odds Over Computers [ap via sf gate]

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News: Wiiitis, NYC Club Assault, Paris Hilton, Jason Knight

Gay man assaulted by staff at New York nightclub Pacha: " The victim was passed out in the West 46th Street club's bathroom early Sunday morning when he was allegedly dragged out and assaulted before being thrown out the back door. A source said that anti-gay slurs were made during the attack, which is being investigated as a hate crime. Cops executed a search warrant last night, seizing computers, video equipment and business records. During the raid, the club's manager, who was not identified, was arrested on a warrant."

First documented case of Wiiitis: "If a player gets too engrossed, he may 'play tennis' for many hours. With the growing use of this new video game system, the risk of the Wiiitis variant may be higher than that of Nintendinitis reported in the literature, especially among adults. Physicians should be aware that there may be multiple, possibly puzzling presentations of Wiiitis.”

Party at the Hilton Hilton: "After extensive consultation with Los Angeles County Medical Personnel, including doctors at the Century Regional Detention Facility, it has been determined that Paris Hilton will be reassigned to the Community-Based Alternatives to Custody: The CBAC Program. Ms. Hilton has been fitted with an electronic monitoring device and will serve the remained of her sentence confined to her home. She will now serve the full 45 day sentence. Ms. Hilton has been in custody for five days and therefore will be serving 40 days in the Electronic Monitoring Program under the supervision of the Los Angeles County Probation Department." More...

Liza Minnelli to rap on new album: "There's always a man that you love. There's always a man that you didn't love. There's always a man that you love to love, and a man that you love too much."

Human rights watchdog calls on governments to step up prosecution of hate crimes.

George Michael says the press is jealous of him: "Me, I don't want any children, I don't want responsibility. I am gay, I smoke weed and I do exactly what I want in my life because of my talent. I represent an ideal which others have had to let go and they blame me for that. Especially men."

Jason Knight, the petty officer second class who was discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" but called back to active duty and subsequently discharged again, says that the papers regarding his most recent discharge leave the door open for him to be called back to active duty: "I can’t do anything but laugh. It’s getting to the point of being ridiculous."

Former U.S. House Clerk Jeff Trandahl breaks silence on Mark Foley case: "Trandahl resigned from his post as House clerk and announced his new job in the fall of 2005, shortly after he began questioning Foley’s behavior toward pages in private conversations with both Foley and House GOP staffers. In his remarks last week, Trandahl refuted the speculation that GOP leaders forced him out of his job. He said he had long planned to retire after 20 years of government service and noted that his departure was set well before the scandal broke. Trandahl thanked former House Speakers Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and current Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for supporting him during his tenure in the House. But he said former Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) had long sought to oust him from the job because he is openly gay."

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Former Arizona Rep. Jim Kolbe Cleared in Page Investigation

Former Arizona Rep. Jim Kolbe, who was swept up in the controversy surrounding Mark Foley and his inappropriate conduct toward congressional pages, has been cleared of any wrongdoing, according to Justice Dept. investigators.

In late 2006, a source told ABC's The Blotter that "[Kolbe was] one of a small number of 'problem members' of Congress (along with Foley) whom page program supervisors complained spent too much time socializing with pages, taking them to dinner or sporting events outside of official duties."

There were also reports that Kolbe acted inappropriately toward two former pages who accompanied him on a 1996 camping trip.

Said Kolbe of the inquiry: ''Yesterday's action by the Justice Department is powerful evidence that the allegations of wrongdoing were unfounded. I am thankful for the department's objective review of this matter and glad to have finally put this issue to rest.''

According to the AP, "Kolbe, 64, is now a fellow at the German Marshall Fund think tank and a consultant at Kissinger McLarty Associates. He focuses on issues that were his priorities when he was in Congress -- trade, aid and migration."

Officials Absolve Kolbe in Page Probe [ap via nyt]

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News: John Amaechi, Outgames, Billy Packer, Flash Mob

Sports announcer Billy Packer responds to questions about his comment to Charlie Rose that the sportscaster always "fags out" on him. Rose: "I said he fagged out on me, and it had nothing to do with sexual connotation. I got to know Charlie a number of years ago and have great admiration for his program and intellect. I can assure you I will use that phrase again and I won't think twice about it."

4,000 flash mob dancers take over Victoria train station in London: "A deafening 10-second countdown startled station staff and commuters before the concourse erupted in whoops and cheers. MP3 players and iPods emerged and the crowd danced wildly to their soundtracks in silence - for two hours."

Britney Spears is back out on the town, partying with steak juice.

Gay men receiving HPV vaccine intended for use against cervical cancer: "The prevalence of anal cancer among gay and bisexual men is very high. So that's why some people are looking at this as a possible preventive cure for anal cancer and HPV that causes anal cancer."

John Amaechi to lead West Hollywood gay pride parade as Grand Marshall.

John Mayer: breaking the waves.

Judy Shepard opens OutGames in Calgary, Canada.

Congressional page program thriving after Foley scandal: "Six months later, the Democrats have taken over Congress and a House Ethics Committee investigation concluded that Republican leaders did not break any rules in handling Foley's actions toward the pages. Not only does the House page program remain intact, it has received a record number of applications since the Foley scandal broke, according to the House's Office of the Clerk, which runs the program. A year earlier, the House page program couldn't even fill all of its available slots."

Bush appoints Sam Fox ambassador to Belgium while Congress in recess. Fox was behind the Swift Boat attack ads, and Bush's appointment may be illegal.

Keith Richards denies snorting his father's ashes with cocaine. Rep: "It was an off-the-cuff remark, a joke, and it is not true. File under April Fool's joke."

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Florida Law Enforcement Builds Criminal Case Against Mark Foley

For our past Mark Foley coverage, click here.

ABC's The Blotter reports that Florida law enforcement officials are working on possible criminal charges against former Congressman Mark Foley based on statutes regarding sexual predation over the Internet.

They are reportedly focusing on instant messages, in particular messages where instructions were given to a child, who then followed them. Said Maureen Horkan, the director of the Child Predator CyberCrime Unit in the Florida Attorney General's office: "If the child listens and complies and follows someone else's instruction, even though they are in totally separate places, that crime has been committed."

The message referred to was one in which Foley asked a 17-year-old to measure the size of his equipment.

According to the Blotter, "Federal law enforcement officials say they have had difficulty bringing charges against Foley because they have not been able to prove actual sexual contact with a minor, as required under federal law. Washington, D.C. law defines the age of consent as 16."

The Blotter says Foley has begun to "re-emerge publicly" in Palm Beach: "He was seen last week bicycling along South Ocean Boulevard wearing a helmet and bike racing outfit."

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Mark Foley Returns to Palm Beach

Page Six reports this morning that one of their spies spotted former congressman Mark Foley arriving at West Palm Beach airport with his dermatologist boyfriend Layne Nisenbaum.

Said their source: "They had a pile of Louis Vuitton carry-ons and were waiting for their other luggage. He was staring at his feet with his back to everyone. I stared at him long enough that he turned and looked at me. We made eye contact. I gave him a, 'I know what's up' smile."

I think Foley's probably pretty used to the "gotcha" stare.

In related news, it looks like the Foley scandal actually attracted pages to the halls of Congress rather than scare them away: "Congressional officials attribute the increase to the old adage that there is no such thing as bad publicity. Whatever the reason, it is now clear that the national uproar over Foley's sexually explicit e-mails -- which led to the Florida congressman's resignation and contributed to the GOP majority's rout in 2006 -- has hardly chilled the ambitions of young people who want to work on Capitol Hill."

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House Ethics Committee Releases Report on Foley Page Scandal

Republican leaders did not break any rules in handling information regarding former Representative Mark Foley's advances toward congressional pages, but they were negligent in protecting the pages, the House Ethics committee concluded in their investigation of congressional leaders.

At a 2pm news conference, Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA) said that the committee conducted more than 50 interviews and sworn depositions which resulted in 3,000 pages of transcribed testimony. Said Hastings: "Each of us on this investigative subcommittee recognizes that 20/20 hindsight is easy. And we recognize that doing the right thing in a sensitive situation can be difficult. But simply put, in situations such as the ones described in our report, doing the right thing is the only acceptable option. At those times each of us who is privileged to serve in the house, members, officers, and staff alike, has an affirmative obligation to speak up and seek appropriate action and then to follow up and make sure that that concern is properly addressed."

Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) added: "The most important contribution this report makes, and it does it well, is to tell the story of what happened."

So not a single itty-bitty ethical rule was broken by Republican leaders covering the tracks of a sex predator for years?

Nothing was really said about the content of the actual report, which can be found here...

That was perhaps one of the most ridiculously uninformative press conferences I have ever seen.

A criminal investigation by Florida authorities into Mark Foley's activities is ongoing.

REACTIONS:

Melanie Sloan, the executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington: "House Ethics Committee has proven itself yet again to be entirely incapable of investigating wrongdoing by members of Congress...The fact that when faced with such egregious facts, the ethics committee did not find that so much as a single person acted in a manner that does not reflect creditably on the House just goes to show how utterly ineffectual the ethics committee is. This report is proof positive that the ethics committee is incapable of handling allegations of wrongdoing. To restore the public’s confidence in the congressional ethics process, the new Congress should immediately move to create an Office of Public Integrity to handle complaints against members of Congress.”

AmericaBlog: "Staff and Members actions in Foley scandal posed "a present danger to House pages" - therefore, no one should be disciplined" More....

Talking Points Memo: "According to the just-released House report, Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) was told back in 2001 that Foley had inquired after an ex-page's penis size. And when the scandal broke, he tried to keep the young guy quiet. And no ethics rules were broken?"

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Inebriated, Foley Attempted Access to Page Dorm: Kirk Fordham to Testify [tr]
Hastert, Kolbe Continue to Spin Foley Scandal: Republican Leaders Contradict Earlier Statements [tr]
Foley Scandal Continues to Stir Gay Republican Pot [tr]
Former Page Jim Kolbe Knew of Mark Foley's Emails in 2000 [tr]
Hastert Asked "To Intervene" on Foley Three Years Ago [tr]
Mark Foley's Indiscretions Began in '95, as did Cover-Up [tr]
Foley is Gay, Says Attorney; Was Molested by Clergyman as Teenager [tr]
Mark Foley Scandal Updates [tr]
Investigations Begin into Cover-up Surrounding Mark Foley: Republican Leaders Knew of Misdeeds for Five Years, Did Nothing [tr]
Political Page Turner: Rep. Mark Foley Resigns Seat Over Inappropriate Emails [tr]
Male Page and Rep Mark Foley in Troubling Email Exchange [tr]

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News: Mark Foley, Condoms, Jake Gyllenhaal, Shanghai

Rumors flying on Capitol Hill that the Mark Foley report may be released imminently. UPDDATE: CNN is reporting the house Ethics Committee will hold a 2pm news conference.

The Associated Foreign Press deals a blow to male Indian self esteem: "Indian men's penises do not match international sizes and most condoms on sale in the country are too big, according to a medical study."

Shanghai gets a new gay bar, Pinkhome.

Rob Lowe devastated he coulda been McDreamy.

Rumors that Tim Gunn may not be appearing on next season's Project Runway appear to be false. Producer: "As we have in past seasons, we will find a way to work around everyone’s schedules, and are confident the team will be back." Project Runway would certainly not be the same without Tim Gunn.

The latest homophobic cartoon from the New York Post's Sean Delonas.

Brandon Voss named new editor-in-chief of New York publ. HX.

Jake Gyllenhaal dines out at Orso wearing special garment which appears to become partially see-through when flashbulbs go off. Tease.

Bette Midler blasts Britney for failing to wear panties.

Tom Ford, who always goes commando, is teaming up with Ermenegildo Zegna to introduce a new menswear line and shop in New York City next year. Ford: "Men are becoming more feminine. They enjoy shopping, they take more time over the way they look, they travel and they shop around, they finally are taking better care of themselves. Men are not only there to buy cars and art, they've realized there is also fashion."

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Vanity Fair's Mark Foley Page-Turner

Vanity Fair digs into the Mark Foley saga, providing a vivid timeline of events that led up to the congressman's downfall, as well as the damage control attempted by those around him, particularly Jeff Trandahl and Kirk Fordham. Foley's boozed up trips to the page dorm were one of the first real breaking points:

Around 2003, Fordham recalls, he took a call from Jeff Trandahl, then clerk of the House: "We have a problem The congressman showed up at the page dorm last night. He appeared to have been drinking, and he was turned away at the door." Fordham remembers agonizing with Trandahl over what to do about this overt display of uncontrolled behavior. Obviously his mild warnings to Foley were not having an impact.

And the moment that everything came unhinged:

After Kello had read Fordham only a few lines, Fordham cried, "Stop! That's all I need to know!" He heard female campaign workers weeping on the other end of the phone. When he hung up, he says he saw Foley, who was joining him on the patio, looking scared. Fordham told him the news.
"Are those instant messages authentic?" he asked Foley, who turned away, mortified.
When Foley looked back, he said, "Probably."
"Probably?"
"Yeah, I'm sure they're real," said Foley.
Nicolson joined them. "Liz, I've been stupid," said the congressman.
"Mark, I don't know how you can go on in this race," said Fordham. "Do you really want to spend the next 40 days of the campaign running around your district explaining sexually explicit e-mails to pages to your constituents?"

Fordham thought he made it clear that his old boss needed to quit, but Foley couldn't bring himself to do that. The N.R.C.C. headquarters was around the corner, and Fordham made it his next stop. There he found Representative Reynolds and Speaker Hastert. But before he could finish relaying the awful news, Reynolds's face got purple and he began to shout, "He needs to resign, and he needs to do it right now!" The Speaker just sat there, silent, according to Fordham: "He didn't react at all. This was weeks before the election, and they're thinking how this is going to impact us."

The gist of the juicy piece is that Foley was a ticking time bomb: "Everyone knew Mark Foley was gay. Everyone. And everyone who had a stake in his success—party, press, parents, staff, supporters, and pages—conspired for their own purposes to keep the closet half closed."

Don't Ask, Don't Email [vanity fair]

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Complete Mark Foley coverage [tr]
Mark Foley Attends Father's Funeral in Shadow of Scandal [tr]

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Mark Foley Attends Father's Funeral in Shadow of Scandal

Disgraced congressman Mark Foley said good-bye to his father Ed over the weekend in a eulogy that "started in the voice of a politician but quickly unraveled into sobs," according to the Palm Beach Post. Said Foley to the gathered mourners:

"And most of all, I want to thank Daddy, for not losing faith in me these last weeks he was alive, even though I had disappointed him so deeply...I disappointed him so much. But he was so good of a man."

Just days before, Foley left his rehab treatment at the Sierra Tucson facility to face an official criminal investigation opened by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement into his relationships with congressional pages. It made Saturday's funeral anything but ordinary:

"The funeral scene at the church could have been a simple portrait of grief: the flag-draped coffin, the organ requiem, tissue-toting mourners huddled in the pews, the family members in black. But on the street outside stood a battery of television cameras. And down the center aisle with the grieving family came the man in the eye of the national furor, a grimaced, wet-eyed smile on his face, congressional cufflinks dangling from the sleeves of his shirt."

Foley's father was 85, and had been battling cancer for three years.

Through the tears, Foley remembers father as good man [palm beach post]
Tearful Foley says he disappointed dad [ap]

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Mark Foley Returns to Florida as Criminal Investigation Opens

It hasn't been a good couple of months for Mark Foley. The former congressman who stepped down following the discovery of "inappropriate" emails and sexually-charged IMs and entered rehab at Sierra Tucson in Arizona has returned home to face the death of his 85-year-old father Ed after a three-year battle with cancer. Foley is said to be "devastated" over the loss.

Surely a difficult time to face both a death in the family and a media starved for any kind of contact.

Additionally, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has opened a criminal investigation into the instant messages sent by Foley: "Florida law prohibits seducing or attempting to seduce a minor. However, authorities have said the term 'seduce' is open to interpretation."

Said a spokeswoman for the organization: It was a preliminary inquiry before, but we found the basis to open up a criminal investigation."

Foley is still under investigation by the FBI as it tries to determine whether or not the congressman broke any federal laws.

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Lane Hudson, Blogger who Exposed Mark Foley, Speaks [tr]
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Lane Hudson, Blogger who Exposed Mark Foley, Speaks

In his first public interview since the Mark Foley scandal broke, blogger and former HRC employee Lane Hudson tells the Washington Blade that though he knew his efforts to expose the Congressman's interaction with pages might have political implications, they were in no way meant as a sort of "October surprise" meant to influence the November elections.

Said Hudson: "[Such accusations] only [serve] to distract from the real issue here. And the real issue is that there was a predator in Congress who, over the course of his 12 years of service, was continuously seeking out pages with unethical, immoral and inappropriate intentions. And now he’s not there. And anyone who wants to say anything different is endorsing the idea that these activities should have continued."

Hudson expresses his frustration over the willful ignorance by certain members of Congress of Foley's inappropriate advances. In fact, Hudson himself had contact with Foley as an intern at the White House under Bill Clinton in 1995. Soon after meeting Foley at a bar with other interns, the congressman made email contact. Hudson says "it was nothing explicit, nothing very salacious" though he admits to being somewhat naive at the time.

Hudson says he's not surprised he was fired by HRC and doesn't hold it against them as he understands what the linking of his blog to HRC computers meant to the organization. He also insists his efforts were not motivated by partisan politics but by a desire to expose the corruption he witnessed and heard about from others: "It disappointed me hugely that the gilded halls of Congress, one of the longest, continuously operating governments in the world, allows stuff like this to happen. And I wanted to do something about it."

Gay blogger sought to protect pages [washington blade]

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Charlie Crist's Election Eve Civil Union Flip-Flop

Charlie Crist, Florida Attorney General and Gubernatorial front-runner, has said that he supports civil unions for gay couples, but a recent statement from a Crist spokeswoman reveals a distrubing flip-flop on the eve of the election.

Said spokeswoman Erin Isaac to the Daily Business Review: "Charlie Crist … believes that private individuals may enter contractual relationships with each other; however, he does not support the state extending marital benefits to nontraditional couples."

The significant narrowing of Crist's definition has upset Log Cabin Republicans in Florida:

"[Crist's statement is] not what most gay rights supporters mean by civil unions...'Charlie Crist has adamantly said he supports civil unions,' said Patrick Howell, an Orlando attorney who supports Crist. 'He needs to put his money where his mouth is and get a constitutional amendment to create unions.'"

Does Crist really want to be drawing attention to his dubious positions on gay issues when allegations that he has had homosexual relationships are beginning to spatter across the media? Is it only so long before Crist becomes the next Mark Foley?

(via americablog)

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News: Foley Damage Control, Brazil Motels, Nancy Boy Survivor

Attorney General: Gay couples married in Massachusetts may file joint tax returns in Washington D.C., but city's tax and revenue office may reject them: "The unexpected move by Attorney General Robert J. Spagnoletti places new pressure on Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) to decide whether gay unions will be recognized in the nation's capital, potentially injecting it into the battle over gay marriage that roiled the 2004 presidential election and prompted an unsuccessful push in Congress for a constitutional amendment banning the practice."

It's a phenomenon that resembles the heterosexual male interest in lesbian porn, yet the Village Voice reports that rabid interest in yaoi comics by underage females may contribute to the downfall of the genre as awareness grows that many of the young men pictured in the sometimes explicit boy-on-boy drawings appear underage.

Gay Survivor contestant Brad Virata called "Nancy Boy" in effeminate, lispy voice by fellow competitor.

Debate on gay marriage draws hundreds in Virginia.

The unambiguously gay duo hits the Big Apple to hawk books...

Gay-friendly motels in Brazil launch ad campaign: "Here we don't mind men with men, or women with women."

Paper: Senior congressional aides participated in "damage control" conference calls concerning Mark Foley two days before the scandal broke and earlier than previously reported: "ABC News approached the Foley campaign on Tuesday, Sept. 26, with a set of e-mails in which Foley asked a former page for his photograph. The conference call the next evening, described by a Capitol Hill staffer familiar with the talks as focused on 'damage control,' also included Foley's Florida-based political consultant, Richard Johnston, and his communications director, Jason Kello, according to two people familiar with the call."

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Mark Foley Rehab Stay Extended; Movie "Flying Off Shelves"

Mark Foley's stay at the Sierra Tucson rehab facility has been extended beyond the standard 30 days, according to ABC's The Blotter: "Today Foley's attorney told the Associated Press that Foley will stay longer but did not specify how long." Does anyone want to place any bets on the date? November 8 perhaps?

In other Foley news, yesterday Radar Online noted that Foley "was adept at playing the role of a Republican congressman trying to save at-risk kids." Not only in Congress, but on screen as well. His bit part in the 2001 film The Librarians (later released on DVD as Strike Force) features Foley playing a congressman who "hires a band of violent, jet-setting vigilantes to rescue his kidnapped daughter."

And here's the clip. The Blotter reports that the movie has been "flying off shelves."

Perhaps once the dust has settled Foley can restart a career in acting. He's had the practice.

You may have missed...
NBC Correspondent Chip Reid: Foley Case "is Going to Widen" [tr]
Trandahl: Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) a "Problem Member" for Pages [tr]
HRC Employee First Published Foley Emails [tr]

For the complete Foley wrap-up, follow the jump...

You may have also missed...
Gay Republican Round-up: Mark Foley Spotted in Austin, Texas? [tr]
Inebriated, Foley Attempted Access to Page Dorm: Kirk Fordham to Testify [tr]
Hastert, Kolbe Continue to Spin Foley Scandal: Republican Leaders Contradict Earlier Statements [tr]
Foley Scandal Continues to Stir Gay Republican Pot [tr]
Mark Foley: The Early Years [tr]
Former Page Jim Kolbe Knew of Mark Foley's Emails in 2000 [tr]
Pat Buchanan on that "Flamer" Foley [tr]
Barney Frank: "Gay GOP Like Secret Jews" [tr]
Hastert Asked "To Intervene" on Foley Three Years Ago [tr]
Mark Foley's Indiscretions Began in '95, as did Cover-Up [tr]
Foley is Gay, Says Attorney; Was Molested by Clergyman as Teenager [tr]
The Talk: Foley, Jon Stewart, Hastert, Bay Buchanan [tr]
Mark Foley Scandal Updates [tr]
Investigations Begin into Cover-up Surrounding Mark Foley: Republican Leaders Knew of Misdeeds for Five Years, Did Nothing [tr]
Political Page Turner: Rep. Mark Foley Resigns Seat Over Inappropriate Emails [tr]
Male Page and Rep Mark Foley in Troubling Email Exchange [tr]

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NBC Correspondent Chip Reid: Foley Case "is Going to Widen"

On The Chris Matthews Show yesterday NBC Congressional Correspondent Chip Reid teased viewers by alluding to more charges in the Mark Foley case during the show's "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" segment. Said Reid: "I'm going to be a little cryptic here. The Mark Foley scandal investigation is going to widen a little bit."

Whatever that means is anyone's guess. Said Matthews: "Well that is damn cryptic. Can you widen it a little here?"

Watch the video.

In related news, the Washington Post reports that it is unlikely the Ethics Committee's report on Foley will be released any time before the November 7 elections.

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Trandahl: Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) a "Problem Member" for Pages

ABC's The Blotter reported yesterday that Arizona Congressman Jim Kolbe was frequently cautioned by House Clerk Jeff Trandahl that "adults should hang out with adults, pages should hang out with pages." It was a message Trandahl also delivered to the pages themselves.

According to ABC's source, Kolbe was "one of a small number of 'problem members' of Congress (along with Foley) whom page program supervisors complained spent too much time socializing with pages, taking them to dinner or sporting events outside of official duties."

Kolbe was questioned about those allegations and also reports that he acted inappropriately toward two former pages during a 1996 camping trip. Said Kolbe:

"I know there are a number of inquiries underway, and we're cooperating fully with all those inquiries, and I'm sure at the end of the time it will show that we acted appropriately and did exactly the right thing."

You may have missed...
HRC Employee First Published Foley Emails [tr]
Hastert, Kolbe Continue to Spin Foley Scandal: Republican Leaders Contradict Earlier Statements [tr]
Former Page Jim Kolbe Knew of Mark Foley's Emails in 2000 [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

HRC Employee First Published Foley Emails

The creator of the Stop Sex Predators website and the person who first published the Mark Foley page emails was an employee of the Human Rights Campaign, the NYT reported today.

"A spokesman for the group...said it first learned of its employee’s role this week and immediately fired him for misusing the group’s resources...The rights campaign’s spokesman, David Smith, said the employee, whose name he declined to disclose, was a junior staff member hired last month to help mobilize the organization’s members in Michigan."

The House panel investigating the timeline of the Foley scandal is reaching the end of its witness list. Ted Van Der Meid, a senior aide for House Speaker Dennis Hastert, testified for more than six hours Wednesday night, and Hastert himself appeared before the panel on Tuesday.

It was also reported yesterday that Foley is being treated at the Sierra Tucson rehab facility in Tucson, Arizona, and began his 30-day treatment program on October 1, two days after he resigned.

For the complete Foley round-up, follow the jump...

You may have missed...
Gay Republican Round-up: Mark Foley Spotted in Austin, Texas? [tr]
Inebriated, Foley Attempted Access to Page Dorm: Kirk Fordham to Testify [tr]
Hastert, Kolbe Continue to Spin Foley Scandal: Republican Leaders Contradict Earlier Statements [tr]
Foley Scandal Continues to Stir Gay Republican Pot [tr]
Mark Foley: The Early Years [tr]
Former Page Jim Kolbe Knew of Mark Foley's Emails in 2000 [tr]
Pat Buchanan on that "Flamer" Foley [tr]
Barney Frank: "Gay GOP Like Secret Jews" [tr]
Hastert Asked "To Intervene" on Foley Three Years Ago [tr]
Mark Foley's Indiscretions Began in '95, as did Cover-Up [tr]
Foley is Gay, Says Attorney; Was Molested by Clergyman as Teenager [tr]
The Talk: Foley, Jon Stewart, Hastert, Bay Buchanan [tr]
Mark Foley Scandal Updates [tr]
Investigations Begin into Cover-up Surrounding Mark Foley: Republican Leaders Knew of Misdeeds for Five Years, Did Nothing [tr]
Political Page Turner: Rep. Mark Foley Resigns Seat Over Inappropriate Emails [tr]
Male Page and Rep Mark Foley in Troubling Email Exchange [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

News: Robbie Williams, Whale Killing, Pervs at the Palm

Apple: Small number of iPods shipped with Windows virus; reports say two iPhones planned for 2007.

Robbie Williams gets his kit on in Rio.

Iceland to start killing whales again, defying 20-year moratorium.

Spreading gay visibility, Reichen cameo-ed yesterday on Days of Our Lives. Also, the unambiguously gay duo recently found their way through the paparazzi at the Justin Timberlake concert.

The corruption chronicles: Ken Mehlman still hasn't come clean about his relationship with Jack Abramoff.

AfterElton talks to friends and family of gay Survivor: Cook Islands contestant Brad Virata. Brother: "Filipino culture in the Philippines is not as accepting [of homosexuality] as the Asian community is here in the States. There's a very strict Catholic background over in the Philippines. Here in the States … I think it's a lot more accepting. In general, we really don't care. There's never been any embarrassment at all or anything like that. My brother's personality is that he doesn't really give a rat's ass about what other people think about him. That's one of the beautiful things about my brother...My brother's more of a Will gay than a Jack gay [from Will and Grace]. It's often hard for people to even figure out that he's a gay man because he can adapt to anything. I think it was a good move on his part to try and get an alliance with the guys. It could help him out later down the line."

The Palm restaurant celebrates gay Republican hypocrites.

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Blogger: Idaho Senator Larry Craig Had Gay Encounters

Mike Rogers, the blogger behind BlogActive, claimed yesterday on Sirius Satellite Radio's Ed Schultz Show that Idaho Senator Larry Craig has had homosexual encounters and accused the Senator of "gross hypocrisy" for his anti-gay voting record and relationships with anti-gay Christian groups.

Exposing hypocritical Republicans is nothing new to Rogers. In March 2005, GQ ran a story detailing the public figures whose sexuality has been thrown into question by the activist blogger. Those figures include Republican congressman Ed Schrock, former-RNC field director Dan Gurley, Representative David Dreier and Ken Mehlman, chair of the RNC.

"It's about someone who's been aggressive against the gay community," said Rogers of Craig.

Rogers stood firmly behind his statements and said he was prepared for legal recourse from the Senator's office. "Without a doubt in my mind, I am absolutely solid about the sources...The greatest defense against libel and slander is the truth."

Said Rogers on his blog: "I have done extensive research into this case, including trips to the Pacific Northwest to meet with men who have say they have physical relations with the Senator. I have also met with a man here in Washington, D.C., who says the same -- and that these incidents occurred in the bathrooms of Union Station. None of these men know each other, or knew that I was talking to others. They all reported similar personal characteristics about the Senator, which lead me to believe, beyond any doubt, that their stories are valid."

According to the Spokesman-Review, "Craig, who is married, denied the allegations through his staff, saying they 'have no basis in fact.' Sid Smith, spokesman for the Idaho Republican, said it would be hard to independently check Rogers' sources, adding, 'saying you have anonymous sources doesn't seem very convincing to me.'"

Smith said that a lawsuit would be giving the issue "more attention than it deserves" and said that Craig categorically denies Rogers' charges: "The senator says the story is completely ridiculous. Mr. Rogers has no facts to back up his story. [The events] absolutely did not (occur); there is no basis in fact."

Rogers defended his story: "I have never been wrong, and in this, you can't be 99 percent right. It's 100 percent or nothing...You can be gay and against same-sex marriage, but you should be honest and open. Why should the gay community protect an enemy of the community?

Listen to the audio from the Ed Schultz show here.<