The Foley Fallout

As I was chained to my computer this weekend writing my memo, I spent a lot of time procrastinating by checking on the news (I justify my procrastination by saying that I want to be a well informed citizen). And what a crazy news weekend it was with the dramatic departure of Congressman Foley. I promise that even as a card-carrying member of the Democratic party who really wants to take back the Congress, I do not wish these kinds of things on the Republican Party. Mainly because I don't like people preying upon innocent minors. Of far less significance are the facts that I would rather win on issues and that I don't like people giving a bad name to politics.

I know that there are far less flashy, but much more significant issues going on in the world that I don't write about in here. I think the reasons why this Foley case is so appealing to the public and I are 1) You can't make this stufff up, and 2) It hits close to home.

Honestly, the craziest epsisode of Law and Order Special Victims Unit (dealing with child predators, etc), couldn't have dreamed this plot up. I felt like every hour, something new and even more detrimental came out. I felt like I followed this story piece by piece and it just got more insane over time. First came out the shady email and information that Foley was on the committee dealing with these issues...oh the irony. Then came out the downright inappropriate IMs. Then came the questions of who knew. Then came out that Foley checked himself into rehab. Then came out that he said he was molested as a child by his priest. No one would believe it if it didn't actually happen. It's the kind of tragedy that only Shakespeare came close to writing.

Then, I think that people are obsessed with this case because it hits close to home. These were just ordinary kids. Whether you're a parent, have a little brother, sister, or cousin, or just know a kid, you worry that these things could happen to someone you know. If someone who embezzled money lived next door to you, you wouldn't feel like it's the end of the world. However, no one wants to live next to someone like Mark Foley. It's the same reason why shows like "to catch a predator" are so popular. The same reason why a lot of people also very shook up by school shootings, even the foreign Amish ones.