Monday, October 02, 2006

That's Nice, But...

I suppose this was inevitable...
Former Representative Mark Foley of Florida has checked himself into a rehabilitation facility for alcoholism treatment, and Republican leaders in his state were meeting today to try to find a replacement for Mr. Foley, who resigned abruptly on Friday after reports surfaced of sexually explicit communications with Congressional pages.

(...)

Mr. Foley, Republican, said in a statement distributed to the media that he accepted “full responsibility for the harm I have caused.”

“I strongly believe that I am an alcoholic and have accepted the need for immediate treatment for alcoholism and related behavioral problems,” he said.

In his statement, dated Sunday, Mr. Foley did not specifically address the accusations against him, saying only that “the events that led to my resignation have crystallized recognition of my longstanding significant alcohol and emotional difficulties.”

This is all well and good, and maybe Foley will be able to rehabilitate himself to some degree, but unless Hastert, Boehner, and everyone else involved in the coverup does the same, this does not change the bigger story one tiny little bit.

The Republican leadership knowingly harbored and covered for a sexual predator. Whether said predator was under the influence of alcohol or personal demons is utterly immaterial, except insofar as they did not force him to get help.

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