Not everything in the world is about losing the weight.

You know...I used to talk a lot about current events and political issues on my blog...probably more than anything else. It was the bulk of what I talked about...but in the last 6 months or so..maybe more...that has changed. I noticed reading over my blog entries that almost all I ever talk about it what I eat...and how much I workout..and my weight loss goals. That's fine and dandy...but well, there is more to me than what I ate and how I am doing with my weight loss goals.

I am going to make an effort to my have my blog reflect the well rounded person that I believe I am.

In that vain....let me tell you how angered I am by this whole Rep. Foley situation. It is so angering...on so many levels. Let me break down those levels for you.

1. Someone used his level of power in order to make innapropriate contact with Congressional pages. These are high school students for gosh sake. And now we know that this had been happening for years. His emails and IMs...they literally make me ill. Rep. Foley talked with these pages about sexual content, but also talked with them about inviting them over to drink alcohol, etc. There is no proof that he actual did these things...but it is well within the realm of possibility. But even if he didn't...what Foley did...is take that Congressional Page position...which really should be a wonderful learning opportunity for a young person...to be exposed to their government and how the system works...and he turned it into something dirty and abusive. I hope he is ashamed. And I hope...he is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Foley did things that can shape and change young people's lives forever...FOREVER. And...at the same time he became a spokesperson for bills and action against children's pornography and online predators. I don't know if I have found a more profound example of the pot calling the kettle black.

2. The possible cover-up. It has come to light that key members of the Republican Party knew about the innapropriate actions of Rep. Foley....and they did not stand up and put a direct stop to it. That is unacceptable to me...completely. That to me is almost worse. Do I believe they knew exactly what was going on and to what extent? No, I don't. But I believe they knew something...and that is enough. If you have an inkling about something like this...you investigate it...you find out...because children's lives and futures are on the line. You DON'T brush it under the carpet because of fear of political backlash. I guess key individuals felt the possibility of lost votes was more important that what might or might not be happening to children who are working in the building. And you know...I would feel the same way if key Democrat officials knew what was going on with Clinton during the Lewinsky scandal and just ignored. But you know what...it's somewhat different. What Clinton did was wrong...and can easily be seen as an abuse of power...absolutely. However...Monica was an adult, not a child...and she was a consenting adult. So, it is disturbing and morally wrong, but not nearly in the same ball-park as what Foley did....and how the Republicans who knew...did nothing. How would those individuals feel...if it was their child who was involved...and someone knew and didn't do anything to stop it. I imagine in that situation...they could understand my outrage.

3. His long line of excuses. That so angers me. Let's see excuse #1: I was molested as a child by a priest. That's an excuse?? If it happened, it is tragic...but that does not explain or condone his behavior. And from news reports...I have heard that this excuse may not be true. It may be though...since I know the Catholic Church is better than anyone else at hiding abuse. but still...not an excuse. Excuse #2: I am gay. I don't think this admission of his was meant as an excuse. But well...I think coming out of the closet now...is mudding up the issue. In terms of the statistics...over 90% of pedofiles or online predators are heterosexual. I am angered that Foley is helping that incorrect impression that gay men are sexual predators or pedofiles. Grr. Excuse #3: I was drunk when I wrote those emails and IMs. He is now in inpatient drug and alcohol treatment. Well...good for him for getting treatment, but it is no excuse. And...they have shown that some of those emails and IMs were sent minutes prior to him making a congressional vote. So...if he was drunk when sending the IMs...he was also drunk when voting on issues that effect this country.

There ya go...my list of angering responses to the Foley scandal...and how now it is becoming political spin from both sides...instead of being something where everyone's concern is finding out the truth and protecting children and attempting to heal damage that has already been done. Ugh. Grr.