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You are here: Home / Politics / Let’s Not Forget

Let’s Not Forget

by John Cole|  October 3, 20065:31 pm| 46 Comments

This post is in: Politics

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That if Foley did commit a crime, he will likely be prosecuted by the terms laid out in his own overly vague, heavy-handed, and clumsy Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act:

If charges are leveled, they’ll likely be based on broad legislation inked by the man himself. It’s a safe bet that any law with a kid’s name in it will overreach, and the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act is no exception. The law, a hodgepodge of a response to MySpace panic, strikes at everything from hawking “date rape drugs” over the tubes to the use of “misleading domain names.” It penalizes the solicitation of all minors—everyone under 18—despite the fact that the age of consent is two years lower in most states. Merely channeling an invitation through the magic of fiberoptic cables is a federal crime.

Your government, hard at work, keeping your kid’s safe- from government employees. I guess these guys thought federalism meant the federal government should be involved in everything.

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Reader Interactions

46Comments

  1. 1.

    jg

    October 3, 2006 at 5:34 pm

    Toothless legislation which only serves to give the base the impression you are doign what’s in their interests? What a concept. Single party rule baby.

  2. 2.

    ThymeZone

    October 3, 2006 at 5:44 pm

    Toothless legislation

    { spits YooHoo }

  3. 3.

    Dreggas

    October 3, 2006 at 5:45 pm

    Those who protest loudest tend to bear the most guilt.

  4. 4.

    RSA

    October 3, 2006 at 5:45 pm

    So Foley selflessly offers himself as a test case for the legislation he sponsored? Would that the torture bill supporters were so civic-minded.

  5. 5.

    Keith

    October 3, 2006 at 5:50 pm

    How different would things be if congressmen knew the difference between “minor” and “juvenile”?

  6. 6.

    Mike in SLO

    October 3, 2006 at 5:52 pm

    Those who protest loudest tend to bear the most guilt

    My father always said “A fox smells his own hole” and “He who denied it, supplied it”. He was usually talking about flatulence, but it is so apropos these days!

  7. 7.

    Dreggas

    October 3, 2006 at 5:55 pm

    Mike in SLO,

    Yep my father said the same thing, too bad he won’t put down the kool-aid and look at reality for a while, he might see what I do.

  8. 8.

    Mike in SLO

    October 3, 2006 at 6:01 pm

    Dreggas,

    We’re brothers in that respect, dude! My father is drinking the kool-aid as well. I try to remind him what Republicans were when I was growing up (we were Goldwater Republicans) and to point out how they’ve taken a 180 degree turn since, alas to no avail! He’s a good man even if he is wrong, so I’ve just given up, but I long for when we agreed!

  9. 9.

    Dreggas

    October 3, 2006 at 6:05 pm

    *bashes head on desk*

    Oy

    Ok actually I should say she should get Tony Snowjob’s job.

  10. 10.

    jcricket

    October 3, 2006 at 6:08 pm

    Remember this next time Democrats oppose something like the Adam Walsh act, or any over-reaching legislation – they’re coddling the congressmen^H^H^H^H^H^HH^Hsexual predators.

  11. 11.

    Dreggas

    October 3, 2006 at 6:08 pm

    Mike in SLO,

    It’s funny how that works eh? I always faced the dichotomy of being socially liberal and fiscally conservative (probably why I can look back on the 90’s as good old days). I was raised that way by the same man who now has W. Action Figures and worships the ground he walks on. Then again he listens to Rush and reads drudge so the kool-aid is flowing.

    However he is getting fed up and slowly coming back to being the man who raised me to be tolerant, not trust the gov’t, not go to war unless necessary and not let the government take away my freedoms.

    His only problem now…coming to terms with it and finding an alternative. He feels caught between a rock and a hard place since he can’t vote dem.

    *shrugs*

  12. 12.

    ThymeZone

    October 3, 2006 at 6:09 pm

    bashes head on desk

    I know of no way in words to describe just how crazy and evil that bitch is.

  13. 13.

    Dreggas

    October 3, 2006 at 6:10 pm

    ThymeZone

    The words “let them eat cake” come to mind.

  14. 14.

    SeesThroughIt

    October 3, 2006 at 6:13 pm

    I know of no way in words to describe just how crazy and evil that bitch is.

    Which is why it’s sort of awesome that she won the GOP primary.

  15. 15.

    Mike in SLO

    October 3, 2006 at 6:14 pm

    His only problem now…coming to terms with it and finding an alternative. He feels caught between a rock and a hard place since he can’t vote dem.

    Our views (and fathers) are quite similar. I was raised to believe Democrats were about big goverment and Republicans were about keeping government out of our lives as much as possible.

    I think my father (and many of my friends) are at the same point as your father. Hell, it sounds like that is where John was during the ’04 campaign but he has seen the light so there is hope!

  16. 16.

    ThymeZone

    October 3, 2006 at 6:16 pm

    Which is why it’s sort of awesome that she won the GOP primary.

    Who did she beat? Scott Peterson?

  17. 17.

    Dreggas

    October 3, 2006 at 6:22 pm

    Mike in SLO,

    I find myself agreeing with Kos’ essay over at Cato on the case for the libertarian democrat. Some might call it fantasy but hey, the Republican majority and Halcyon years are all fantasy now too.

    Keep the gov’t out of my bedroom (they need to look in their own).

    Keep them from telling me who I can and can’t marry all the while codifying marriage benefits as part of secular tax law.

    Keep them from taking my damn guns (the dems have backed off on gun control, maybe the past 6 years have shown that being armed might NOT be a bad idea).

    Keep them doing the following:

    keep them on alert and after terrorists (not going to Iraq and definitely not capitulating to the Taliban).

    Keep them working on public works projects that serve the greater good

    Re-focus them on improving the education system not providing crap like NCLB.

    Repeal the Faith Based Initiative that provides money to religious organizations most notably christian ones to the exclusion of all others. (Let’s face it if the church provides the best charity and services then they don’t need the help just like Robert Schuler doesn’t need a big fancy car and a mansion).

    This is just a beginning.

  18. 18.

    chefrad

    October 3, 2006 at 6:25 pm

    Talk about being hoisted on his own petard!

  19. 19.

    Dreggas

    October 3, 2006 at 6:26 pm

    chefrad,

    given the situation…that could be seen as wrong on so many levels.

  20. 20.

    Mike in SLO

    October 3, 2006 at 6:43 pm

    Dreggas,

    That all sounds great to me! I have always identified with Libertarians, I just thought they went too far (I do believe in some controls). But I will go read dKos and find that post as it sounds like a great alternative to a third (sane) party. I must admit I hate getting lumped in with Democrats as I think they’ve been emasculated, but these days they are the way, way lesser of two evils! I think getting religion out of government is key, and I think that’s where the Republican party lost it—they got in bed with religious fanatics who have taken control of the party.

    It’s been nice reading your posts today, I haven’t seen you post much here. Although I’m a long time reader, I don’t post very often as others often express my views more eloquently than I ever could! This whole story has touched a nerve, however, so I’ve been posting like mad today! Keep posting here, I like your style.

  21. 21.

    Perry Como

    October 3, 2006 at 6:48 pm

    I know of no way in words to describe just how crazy and evil that bitch is.

    I think she eats a box of stupid before any TV appearance.

  22. 22.

    chopper

    October 3, 2006 at 7:07 pm

    talk about a boisterous retard!

  23. 23.

    Richard Bottoms

    October 3, 2006 at 7:09 pm

    Love the scandal. But…

    Now is the turn to pivot and start roasting Condi for her amnesia about the Tenet meeting prior to 9/11. The Christian nuts can take care of Hastert for the next few days

    We have to stay agile, we have a lot of Republicans to mangle and it’s her turn in the barrel.

  24. 24.

    Pharniel

    October 3, 2006 at 7:55 pm

    what’s absolutly halarious? the federal age of consent is 16…..which means this law is about as bad faith as you can get.

  25. 25.

    KC

    October 3, 2006 at 8:00 pm

    Gawd, the November elections can’t come soon enough. I’m not sure what Dems will do differently, but I’ll be happy just to have something different done.

  26. 26.

    Candidus

    October 3, 2006 at 8:24 pm

    Talk about being hoisted on his own petard!

    Isn’t this kind of political justice just delicious? A regular laugh uprising!

  27. 27.

    KC

    October 3, 2006 at 8:29 pm

    What I love is this:

    Those truly interested in protecting children from online predators should spend less time calling for Speaker Hastert to step down, and more time demanding that the Justice Department enforce existing laws that would limit the proliferation of the kind of filth that leads grown men to think it’s perfectly OK to send lurid e-mails to 16-year-old boys.

    That’s the statement from James Dobson’s Focus on the Family.

  28. 28.

    The Other Steve

    October 3, 2006 at 8:30 pm

    I’m not sure the Adam Walsh law applies, as it’s from late 2005 and these things happened a few years ago.

    Unless there are more recent cases.

    Ex post facto and all that Constitutional mumbo jumbo that nobody reads any more.

  29. 29.

    ThymeZone

    October 3, 2006 at 8:56 pm

    Ex post facto and all that Constitutional mumbo jumbo

    Lawyer talk!

    I’ll be you are trying to become an activist judge.

  30. 30.

    t. jasper parnell

    October 3, 2006 at 9:01 pm

    Off topic, but Rush Limbaugh is an odd fellow

  31. 31.

    Zifnab

    October 3, 2006 at 9:03 pm

    Those truly interested in protecting children from online predators should spend less time calling for Speaker Hastert to step down

    That’s the statement from James Dobson’s Focus on the Family.

    Was that before or after he said the Democrats are worse?

    It baffles my mind how even the most blindly evangelical can still bring themselves to vote Republican. I mean seriously, do these people even read the Bible?

  32. 32.

    Zifnab

    October 3, 2006 at 9:06 pm

    Off topic, but Rush Limbaugh is an odd fellow

    We’re going to stop anybody coming across these borders. No more help from Iran. No more from Syria. No more from Jordan. Nobody’s getting into this country. If we have to, we’ll go 20 miles inland in each of these countries to make sure nobody gets through, but this is on you. We will make sure nobody else gets in.

    Between Bill “Friend of the Taliban” Frist and Rush “Cut-and-Run” Limbaugh, it almost sounds like the Republicans are suggesting we cut our loses and invade a few new countries.

  33. 33.

    Paddy O'Shea

    October 3, 2006 at 9:13 pm

    One of those incredible moments in GOP Journalism. Bill O’Reilly identifies Foley as a Democrat on his broadcast.

    http://www.bradblog.com/?p=3570

  34. 34.

    Pb

    October 3, 2006 at 9:38 pm

    GOP Journalism

    No such animal!

  35. 35.

    The Other Steve

    October 3, 2006 at 10:21 pm

    Well, ok, I got a confession to make.

    I’ve known about this Foley thing for years. Me and Dan Rather were talking about it 5 years ago. We thought we’d just sit on it and wait for the right moment to bring it up. You know, when things were most politically opportune for the Democrats.

    I wanted Rather to talk about it on 60 minutes back in 2004. He told me I was being silly, and went for that damn Bush AWOL thing instead. I told him not too, I said “Dan, you can’t trust those documents. The fonts and kerning are all wrong”, but he went with it anyway. Oh well, he was ready to retire anyhow. Him and Walter Cronkite had been working with the Elders of Zion for years now, and they were ready for a new face. Fortunately Brian Williams was looking for a new position in the organization. Ahh, but I digress.

    read more

  36. 36.

    Thomas

    October 3, 2006 at 11:14 pm

    Well, this is typical clear thinking from John. John’s devoted thousands of words to this topic, and apparently thinks that this scandal is the biggest news going. He thinks Foley is the antichrist, though of course he can’t quite tell us what Foley did wrong. He thinks that the GOP House leadership engaged in some sort of criminal conspiracy to cover up the same. He thinks that the Foley scandal is indicative of everything wrong with the world, apparently, or at least everything wrong with the Republican party (if there’s a difference, it’s no longer clear). He thinks Foley should go away for years. Apparently he’s glad that this law is in place, and thinks only morons like himself could support it.

    Clear thinking left this place a long time ago.

  37. 37.

    Pb

    October 3, 2006 at 11:30 pm

    Woo, Thomas is a mind reader *and* a moron…

    He thinks Foley is the antichrist

    Back that up.

    though of course he can’t quite tell us what Foley did wrong

    Whereas you, on the other hand, think… what, exactly?

  38. 38.

    jg

    October 4, 2006 at 12:06 am

    this is typical clear thinking

    Clear thinking left this place a long time ago.

    Is clear thinking the new deep thinking? If you’re serious are you also a clear thinker? Is Thomas the new Darrell or Mac Buckets? I love how he misrepresents everything John said then accuses him of unclear thinking. Or is the opposite of clear thinking, muddy thinking? Murky? Dark? Darkly? A thinker darkly?

  39. 39.

    John S.

    October 4, 2006 at 12:07 am

    Pb-

    Don’t be so hard on Thomas.

    NAMBLA has to make sure they send around their trolls to advocate pederasty. Many of them just happen to take the disguise of GOP shills.

  40. 40.

    Pb

    October 4, 2006 at 12:30 am

    John S.,

    The Daily Show cracked me up the other day with this one…

    The North American Man-Boy Love Association, or, Congress…

  41. 41.

    Richard 23

    October 4, 2006 at 1:09 am

    Soundz like Dobson wants us to be hatin’ on teh pr0n and not teh p0lz. No sale.

  42. 42.

    The Other Steve

    October 4, 2006 at 7:28 am

    Thomas… The gift that just keeps on giving.

  43. 43.

    Lee

    October 4, 2006 at 9:16 am

    I guess now we can change the tag we use for trolls.

    Instead of calling them Freeper or RedState trolls, we call them NAMBLA trolls.

    This is a story that keeps on giving :)

  44. 44.

    capelza

    October 4, 2006 at 11:48 am

    GOt to the Moderate voice…Bob Novak has dropped a little bomb in his column. Reynolds talked Foley into running for re-election AFTER Reynolds knew about the e-mails. Foley had been thinking about quitting.

    TMV has been on fire with this one!

  45. 45.

    Bombadil

    October 4, 2006 at 12:13 pm

    Has anyone linked to Greenwald yet?

  46. 46.

    Richard 23

    October 4, 2006 at 1:20 pm

    Blogger pulls post that ‘outed’ boy in Foley scandal, claimed he’s of age

    See also: Right-Wing Scumbagwatch ‘06

    How brave of the “Passionate America” blog. The proprieter has his own “radio show” at 2pm PST on which he was going to out the page. Dunno if he’s pulled back on that or not.

    I’m not really sure what the point was unless he had evidence that this page was a democratic plant who’s mission was to tempt and tease Foley and to get incriminating evidence on him, much like law enforcement pretends to be something its not to capture potential predators (in a thought crime).

    Oh, I know, publicity for his crappy blog and crappy internet radio show. Duh.

    Developing…

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