Teknosis

Now Ex-Florida U.S. Rep. (Ex. R-FL) Foley's AOL IM Exchange That Led Him To Resign - Foley's Name Cannot Be Removed From Florida Ballot: Republicans To Lose Seat In Upcoming Election?

Updated Oct. 5, '06

Maf54 (7:25:14 PM): hey 

Auto response from Xxxxxxxxx (7:25:14 PM): scrounging for food...brb 

Maf54 (7:25:25 PM): ok 

Maf54 (7:25:35 PM): kep scrounging 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:31:51 PM): boo 

Maf54 (7:32:13 PM): bo dude 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:32:17 PM): lol 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:32:26 PM): whered ya go this afternoon 

Maf54 (7:33:39 PM): i am in pensecola...had to catch a plane 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:33:47 PM): oh well thats fun 

Maf54 (7:34:04 PM): indeed 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:34:14 PM): what are you doing in pensecola 

Maf54 (7:34:21 PM): now in my hotel room 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:34:39 PM): well ..like why did you go there 

Maf54 (7:35:02 PM): for the campaign 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:35:29 PM): have you officialy announced yt 

Maf54 (7:35:45 PM): not yet 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:36:06 PM): cool cool... 

Maf54 (7:37:27 PM): how my favorite young stud doing 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:37:46 PM): tired and sore 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:37:52 PM): i didnt no waltzing could make you sore 

Maf54 (7:38:04 PM): from what 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:38:34 PM): what do you mean from what 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:38:42 PM): from waltzing...im sore from waltzing 

Maf54 (7:39:32 PM): tahts good 

Maf54 (7:39:32 PM): you need a massage Maf54 signed off at 7:39:37 PM. Maf54 signed on at 7:40:35 PM. 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:40:44 PM): got kicked off? 

Maf54 (7:41:24 PM): must have 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:41:57 PM): ugh tomorrow i have the first day of lacrosse practice 

Maf54 (7:42:27 PM): love to watch that 

Maf54 (7:42:33 PM): those great legs running 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:42:38 PM): haha...they arent great 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:42:45 PM): thats why we have conditioning 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:42:56 PM): 2 days running....3 days lifting 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:43:11 PM): every week 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:43:14 PM): until the end of march 

Maf54 (7:43:27 PM): well dont ruin my mental picture 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:43:32 PM): oh lol...sorry 

Maf54 (7:43:54 PM): nice 

Maf54 (7:43:54 PM): youll be way hot then 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:44:01 PM): haha...hopefully 

Maf54 (7:44:22 PM): better be 

Maf54 (7:46:01 PM): well I better let you go do oyur thing 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:46:07 PM): oh ok 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:46:11 PM): have fun campaigning 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:46:17 PM): or however you spell it 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:46:18 PM): lol 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:46:25 PM): ill see ya in a couple of weeks 

Maf54 (7:46:33 PM): did any girl give you a haand job this weekend 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:46:38 PM): lol no 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:46:40 PM): im single right now 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:46:57 PM): my last gf and i broke up a few weeks agi 

Maf54 (7:47:11 PM): are you 

Maf54 (7:47:11 PM): good so your getting horny 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:47:29 PM): lol...a bit 

Maf54 (7:48:00 PM): did you spank it this weekend yourself 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:48:04 PM): no 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:48:16 PM): been too tired and too busy 

Maf54 (7:48:33 PM): wow... 

Maf54 (7:48:34 PM): i am never to busy haha 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:48:51 PM): haha 

Maf54 (7:50:02 PM): or tired..helps me sleep 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:50:15 PM): thats true 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:50:36 PM): havent been having a problem with sleep though.. i just walk in the door and collapse well at least this weekend 

Maf54 (7:50:56 PM): i am sure 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:50:57 PM): i dont do it very often normally though 

Maf54 (7:51:11 PM): why not 

Maf54 (7:51:22 PM): at your age seems like it would be daily 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:51:57 PM): not me 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:52:01 PM): im not a horn dog 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:52:07 PM): maybe 2 or 3 times a week 

Maf54 (7:52:20 PM): thats a good number 

Maf54 (7:52:27 PM): in the shower 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:52:36 PM): actually usually i dont do it in the shower 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:52:42 PM): just cause i shower in the morning 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:52:47 PM): and quickly 

Maf54 (7:52:50 PM): in the bed 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:52:59 PM): i get up at 530 and am outta the house by 610 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:53:03 PM): eh ya 

Maf54 (7:53:24 PM): on your back 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:53:30 PM): no face down 

Maf54 (7:53:32 PM): love details 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:53:34 PM): lol 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:53:36 PM): i see that 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:53:37 PM): lol 

Maf54 (7:53:39 PM): really 

Maf54 (7:53:54 PM): do you really do it face down 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:54:03 PM): ya 

Maf54 (7:54:13 PM): kneeling 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:54:31 PM): well i dont use my hand...i use the bed itself 

Maf54 (7:54:31 PM): where do you unload it 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:54:36 PM): towel 

Maf54 (7:54:43 PM): really 

Maf54 (7:55:02 PM): completely naked? 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:55:12 PM): well ya 

Maf54 (7:55:21 PM): very nice 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:55:24 PM): lol 

Maf54 (7:55:51 PM): cute butt bouncing in the air 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:56:00 PM): haha 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:56:05 PM): well ive never watched myslef 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:56:08 PM): but ya i guess 

Maf54 (7:56:18 PM): i am sure not 

Maf54 (7:56:22 PM): hmmm 

Maf54 (7:56:30 PM): great visual 

Maf54 (7:56:39 PM): i may try that

Xxxxxxxxx (7:56:43 PM): it works 

Maf54 (7:56:51 PM): hmm 

Maf54 (7:56:57 PM): sound inetersting 

Maf54 (7:57:05 PM): i always use lotion and the hand 

Maf54 (7:57:10 PM): but who knows 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:57:24 PM): i dont use lotion...takes too much time to clean up 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:57:37 PM): with a towel you can just wipe off....and go 

Maf54 (7:57:38 PM): lol 

Maf54 (7:57:45 PM): where do you throw the towel 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:57:48 PM): but you cant work it too hard....or its not good 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:57:51 PM): in the laundry 

Maf54 (7:58:16 PM): just kinda slow rubbing 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:58:23 PM): ya.... 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:58:32 PM): or youll rub yourslef raw 

Maf54 (7:58:37 PM): well I have aa totally stiff wood now 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:58:40 PM): cause the towell isnt very soft 

Maf54 (7:58:44 PM): i bet..taht would hurt 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:58:50 PM): but you cn find something softer than a towell i guess 

Maf54 (7:58:59 PM): but it must feel great spirting on the towel 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:59:06 PM): ya 

Maf54 (7:59:29 PM): wow 

Maf54 (7:59:48 PM): is your little guy limp...or growing 

Xxxxxxxxx (7:59:54 PM): eh growing 

Maf54 (8:00:00 PM): hmm 

Maf54 (8:00:12 PM): so you got a stiff one now 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:00:19 PM): not that fast 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:00:20 PM): hey 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:00:32 PM): so you have a fetich 

Maf54 (8:00:32 PM): hey what 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:00:40 PM): fetish** 

Maf54 (8:00:43 PM): like 

Maf54 (8:00:53 PM): i like steamroom 

Maf54 (8:01:04 PM): whats yours 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:01:09 PM): its kinda weird 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:01:14 PM): lol 

Maf54 (8:01:21 PM): i am hard as a rock..so tell me when your reaches rock 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:01:23 PM): i have a cast fetish 

Maf54 (8:01:27 PM): well tell me 

Maf54 (8:01:32 PM): cast 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:01:44 PM): ya like...plaster cast 

Maf54 (8:01:49 PM): ok..so what happens 

Maf54 (8:01:58 PM): how does that turn you in 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:02:02 PM): i dont know 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:02:04 PM): it just does 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:02:08 PM): ive never had one 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:02:16 PM): but people that have them turn me on 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:02:27 PM): and if i had one it would probably turn me on 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:02:29 PM): beats me 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:02:32 PM): its kinda weird 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:02:50 PM): but along with that i like the whole catholic girl look....thats our schools uniform 

Maf54 (8:03:02 PM): ha thats wild 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:03:14 PM): ya but now im hard 

Maf54 (8:03:32 PM): me 2 

Maf54 (8:03:42 PM): cast got you going 

Maf54 (8:03:47 PM): what you wearing 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:04:04 PM): normal clothes 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:04:09 PM): tshirt and shorts 

Maf54 (8:04:17 PM): um so a big buldge 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:04:35 PM): ya 

Maf54 (8:04:45 PM): um 

Maf54 (8:04:58 PM): love to slip them off of you 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:05:08 PM): haha 

Maf54 (8:05:53 PM): and gram the one eyed snake 

Maf54 (8:06:13 PM): grab 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:06:53 PM): not tonight...dont get to excited 

Maf54 (8:07:12 PM): well your hard 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:07:45 PM): that is true 

Maf54 (8:08:03 PM): and a little horny 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:08:11 PM): and also tru 

Maf54 (8:08:31 PM): get a ruler and measure it for me 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:08:38 PM): ive already told you that 

Maf54 (8:08:47 PM): tell me again 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:08:49 PM): 7 and 1/2 

Maf54 (8:09:04 PM): ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm 

Maf54 (8:09:08 PM): beautiful 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:09:38 PM): lol 

Maf54 (8:09:44 PM): thats a great size 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:10:00 PM): thank you 

Maf54 (8:10:22 PM): still stiff 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:10:28 PM): ya 

Maf54 (8:10:40 PM): take it out 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:10:54 PM): brb...my mom is yelling 

Maf54 (8:11:06 PM): ok 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:14:02 PM): back 

Maf54 (8:14:37 PM): cool hope se didnt see any thing 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:14:54 PM): no no 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:14:59 PM): she is computer dumb though 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:15:01 PM): it makes me so mad 

Maf54 (8:15:04 PM): good 

Maf54 (8:15:08 PM): haha 

Maf54 (8:15:11 PM): why 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:15:23 PM): cause she cant do anything 

Maf54 (8:15:31 PM): oh well 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:15:41 PM): she couldnt figure out how to download a file from an email and open it 

Maf54 (8:15:53 PM): haha 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:16:14 PM): and she only does it like a million times a day 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:16:16 PM): oh well 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:16:18 PM): whatever 

Xxxxxxxxx (8:16:53 PM): well i better go finish my hw...i just found out from a friend that i have to finish reading and notating a book for AP english

Maf54 signed off at 8:17:43 PM.

___

E-mails Show Foley Sought to Rendezvous with Page

October 02, 2006 12:14 PM

Brian Ross and Maddy Sauer Report:

In addition to explicit sexual language, former Congressman Mark Foley's Internet messages also include repeated efforts to get the underage recipient to rendezvous with him at night.

"I would drive a few miles for a hot stud like you," Foley said in one message obtained by ABC News.

The FBI says it has opened a "preliminary investigation" of Foley's e-mails. Federal law enforcement officials say attempts by Foley to meet in person could constitute the necessary evidence for a federal charge of "soliciting for sex" with a minor on the Internet.

THE BLOTTER RECOMMENDS

• FBI Opens "Preliminary Investigation" of Foley
• READER DISCRETION STRONGLY ADVISED: Foley's Exchange with Underage Page
• Check Out Video Reports by Brian Ross on Our Home Page

In another message, Foley, using the screen name Maf54, appears to describe having been together with the teen in San Diego.

Maf54: I miss you lots since san diego.
Teen:   ya I cant wait til dc
Maf54: :)
Teen:   did you pick a night for dinner
Maf54: not yet…but likely Friday
Teen:   ok…ill plan for Friday then
Maf54: that will be fun

The messages also show the teen is, at times, uncomfortable with Foley's aggressive approach.

Maf54: I want to see you
Teen:   Like I said not til feb…then we will go to dinner
Maf54: and then what happens
Teen:  we eat…we drink…who knows…hang out…late into the night
Maf54: and
Teen:  I dunno
Maf54: dunno what
Teen:  hmmm I have the feeling that you are fishing here…im not sure what I would be comfortable with…well see

Foley resigned Friday after ABC News questioned him about the Internet messages.

He says he has checked into a rehabilitation facility to deal with alcohol and behavioral issues.

___

Session Start (AIM - Tyson:maf54): Thu Aug 19 22:56:23 2004
Tyson: hey, Mark.
maf54: hey tyson
Tyson: i've got a quick question, if you don't mind.
maf54: ok
Tyson: what do you think about Zach Wamp (TN-3)?
maf54: why
Tyson: i ran into him at the Atlanta airport about 2 weeks ago. i introduced myself and recalled that we sat next to one another during the President of Chile's address to a joint session of Congress when i was a page. he asked what i was doing now and i told him about being in training with AirTran, but that i desire to return to the Hill one day, despite my lack of a degree. he seemed interested and asked if i could send "Pauline" in his Chattanooga office some info... saying that he could try to get me into an entry level position in his DC office. given that i'm quite liberal, i'm just curious just how conservative an environment i could expect... and if trying is even worth it.
maf54: of course it would be worth it
Tyson: well, i'm not ignorant to the fact that getting back to DC would be a dream come true, but i just don't know how well i could function in his office if he's a bible-thumping, gay-hating, bomb-dropping republican. while i'm confident i can remain focused on serving the people of the third district, i don't know if betraying my own political and social beliefs are worth achieving my dream
of getting back on the Hill.
Tyson: plus, who's to say that he was even being genuine in his offer. he could have just said that to get me off his back so he could drink his Starbucks.
maf54: well thats a consideration
Tyson: i don't know much about him.
Tyson: hence why i'm asking you.
maf54: hes a trip
Tyson: a good trip or a bad trip?
maf54: a trip
Tyson: lol
Tyson: :-p
Tyson: well, that doesn't help me much
maf54: so are you single now
maf54: no ties that bind
Tyson: the divorce should be final in the next two weeks.
Tyson: why do you ask?
maf54: cool
maf54: cause
Tyson: you lookin' for a boyfriend?
maf54: yup
Tyson: are you ever gonna come out or are you happy in the closet?
maf54: with a nice d***
maf54: i love the closet like you do
Tyson: WHATEVER! :-p
maf54: oh ok
Tyson: i've been so flaming at training the past four weeks. (i graduate tomorrow by the way)
maf54: cool congrats
Tyson: thanks. i don't have to do my operating experience until Thursday, so that gives me 5 days with no work and free flight bennies... i'm trying to decide what to do...
maf54: cool
*** maf54 signed off at Thu Aug 19 23:13:21 2004.

Session Start (Tyson:maf54): Tue Jan 18 15:47:06 2005
Tyson: well, i no longer work for AirTran, so i don't think i'll be seducing in Palm Beach anytime soon. :-(
Session Close (maf54): Tue Jan 18 15:50:10 2005

Session Start (Tyson:maf54): Tue Jan 18 16:19:20 2005
maf54: what happened
Tyson: passenger turned in a complaint. i wasn't given any details, so i couldn't defend myself. since i was still on probation, they just let me go.
maf54: reslly
maf54: when do you thimk this happened
Tyson: i don't have a clue. i wasn't given any information. i was just told that someone complained. that's it.
Session Close (maf54): Tue Jan 18 16:42:24 2005

___

Opinions                           expressed by                           Andy Martin                          on this site are solely the opinion                           of                           Andy Martin                          . Political Gateway tries to bring                           input from all sides of the political arena to allow                           free and open discourse on a range of subjects.                                                                                                   

                         

"Foleygate" may derail Republican ticket in Florida                         

                          Comments? [email protected]
                        

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Category:                             Political Commentary - Moderate                              
                            Posted                             Sun Oct 01,2006 12:45 AM                              Last Edited:                                                         

CONTRARIAN COMMENTARY FOR OCTOBER 1, 2006 [Florida Politics]

“FOLEYGATE” MAY DERAIL REPUBLICAN TICKET IN FLORIDA

FALLOUT FROM RESIGNATION OF PEDOPHILE CONGRESSMAN MAY SINK GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE CHARLIE CRIST

(MIAMI, FL)(October 1, 2006) The law of unintended and unexpected consequences is about to sweep across Florida politics like a category 5 hurricane.

At the beginning of last week (September 25th) the question of which Florida Republican was “gay” did not involve U. S. Representative Mark Foley. Rather, interest was focused on gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist.

Both mainstream media (Miami Herald, 8/20/20) and alternative media (Orlando Weekly 9/21/06) had alluded to a 2005 controversy in which Crist was asked point blank if he was gay, responded “no” and later called a radio talk show to deny being a homosexual. Crist stated “No man. No. I love women. I mean, they’re wonderful.” But no woman has been visible in Crist’s life for decades. He denied fathering a child by an emotionally disturbed woman in a Mr. Goodbar encounter in the 1990’s.

Then the Foley firestorm ensued.

But Foley is now yesterday’s news. Temporarily at least. He has resigned, gone into seclusion and is probably on his way to prison.

Charlie Crist, however, is still a candidate facing a formidable Democratic Party challenger. Crist may have expected that the “gay” issue had dissolved along with the electoral prospects of his primary challenger Tom Gallagher. In a bizarre twist of fate, Foleygate is now likely to focus rapier-sharp attention on Crist’s peculiar lifestyle and in particular on the absence of any significant female figure in his life ("mom" doesn't count).

Crist was briefly married decades ago. To date, his former “wife” has never been quoted or even identified. I expect Florida media will be making massive efforts to locate the former spouse and to pose the question: did you divorce Charlie after seven months of “marriage” because you discovered he was gay? What did cause the end of your seven-month marriage?

As I indicated in my earlier column on Foleygate (see PoliticalGateway.com or ContrarianCommentary.com) I knew Mark Foley well in the 1990’s. Mark often had female arm candy on display. Crist is peculiar in that he has not even gone to the extent of brandishing a Foley-style female companion.

In the wake of the explosive and embarrassing impact of Foley’s resignation, are Florida voters more or less likely to support another Republican with a blank slate on human relationships? The answer is obvious and apodictic.

A simple Google search reflects that Crist’s sexuality has been a matter of intense concern for both the right and left. Gay rights groups, moreover, who were burned when Foley’s sexuality embarrassingly morphed from homosexuality into pedophilia, may take preemptive action to force Crist’s hand, to avoid another “Foley surprise.”

My prediction: Crist’s “lifestyle” is about to become the focal point of the Florida gubernatorial campaign, and Crist will inevitably be asked questions about his sexuality in campaign debates between Crist and his Democratic opponent. How the issue plays out will decide whether Democrats retake the Florida governorship. Crist's “lifestyle” may fuel the “hypocrisy gap” which has emerged from Foley's anti-gay posturing at a time when he was seeking the company of underage males.

For Democrats, Mark Foley’s resignation from Congress, and the inevitable follow-ups, will be the gift that keeps on giving. Today I checked the Miami Herald, where a gay beat reporter has posted 2003 messages from Foley to prospective male lovers. On and on it goes.

It is a given that both the media and gay community knew much more about Foley than ever reached public awareness. The same may be true with Crist. In Crist’s case, even if he is not gay, attention focused on his nomadic lifestyle may be sufficient to defeat him and discolor the Republican Party’s ticket. Crist lives in a rented apartment, owns virtually nothing, and has ambiguous relationships with women, none of whom have reached any prominence in his life for decades. It is not a pretty picture even if he does not, a la Foley, hang out in bars where men are the primary occupants.

Despite his protestations, Crist is obviously not leading a “normal” lifestyle by either gay or heterosexual standards. In a party where “Family Values” have become a leg iron, Charlie Crist’s personal lifestyle reflects the most “anti-family” existence of any major party candidate in America this year.

At the beginning of last week, Charlie’s peculiarities were of secondary importance. Today those concerns have become the paramount issue in the gubernatorial race. The terrible swift sword of unintended consequences may have struck a mortal blow at Crist.

Charlie, you’ve got a problem.

Category 5? Foleygate may yet become a Category 10 hurricane for Florida Republicans and gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist.

___

Opinions expressed by Andy Martin on this site are solely the opinion of Andy Martin . Political Gateway tries to bring input from all sides of the political arena to allow free and open discourse on a range of subjects.

Jeb Bush should tell Americans the truth about Mark Foley, Charlie Crist

Comments? [email protected]

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Category: Political Commentary - Conservative   
Posted Wed Oct 04,2006 3:55 AM   Last Edited: Wed Oct 04,2006 4:06 AM

CONTRARIAN COMMENTARY FOR OCTOBER 4, 2006 [Florida/Illinois Politics]

WHAT WILL MARK FOLEY TRY NEXT? THE "TWINKIE DEFENSE?"

FOLEY SLIMES ANONYMOUS CLERGYMAN AFTER "ALCOHOL" EXPLANATION IS REJECTED

FOLEY MAY ADMIT HE'S GAY, BUT HE'S BEING CLOSETED BY SOMEONE

ARE FLORIDA GOVERNOR JEB BUSH AND CANDIDATE CHARLIE CRIST KEEPING FOLEY IN SECLUSION?

(NEW YORK)(OCTOBER 4, 2006) The nation is now getting a better look at Mark Foley's scheming and manipulative personality. First, Foley denied any impropriety in his behavior. When confronted by ABC News with hard evidence, Foley immediately resigned. Then he checked himself into "alcohol rehabilitation." When close associates found Foley's "alcoholism" preposterous, Foley reached for the new au courant slime tactic: slime a priest.

Foley was manipulating at warp speed Tuesday. He may be calling himself a "gay man" but he remains closeted until after the election, in the meantime spewing forth his venom through a legal mouthpiece. Foley's behavior is disgraceful, but consistent with his manipulative personality.

The language of David Roth, Foley's attorney, at a news conference was a joke. Roth said that Foley had "directed [Roth] to make the statements as part of Foley's recovery." If Foley is secluded in treatment, the patient does not control "recovery" or make decisions about treatment or direct that public statements be issued by attorneys. Those decisions are made by the treating professionals, not the patient.

Roth was being used by Foley to make self-serving claims while Foley continues to hide from the public under the ruse of "treatment."

Foley slimed an anonymous priest, and then said that his "civil counsel" prevented him from disclosing just whom he was accusing. No doubt that victimized clergyman will turn out to be dead by the time Foley does his due diligence and finds a deceased priest to defame. The "molesting clergyman defense" was merely ripped from the headlines, and represents just another layer of Foley's crass manipulation of the controversy and attempt to shield himself by adopting the format of a Law and Order episode.

Foley gave no reason why he waited 40 years to slime the priest, or why he is willing to slime the priest after the election but not before. Foley's entire "news conference" through David Roth was a joke and insult to the intelligence.

In the meantime, Foley is ripping apart decades of progress by gays in altering public perceptions. Foley conflates his "child molestation" (however unlikely the fact that it ever took place) with homosexual acts. There is absolutely no connection.

All that is left is for Foley to claim is that he committed homosexual acts, and internet sex, due to his over-ingestion of junk foods: the Twinkie Defense. The "Twinkie Defense" arose almost thirty years ago when a crazed individual convinced a California jury that he had killed a gay San Francisco supervisor and the mayor because of over consumption of junk food and especially Twinkies and Coca-Cola. The defense was junk science then and it is a joke now.

So what does Foley have to hide? Who's he covering for? What's his angle?

For years, Florida gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist has been dogged by rumors he is gay. Unlike Foley, who resorted to female arm candy to put reporters off the scent, Crist maintains a "monastic" lifestyle, and makes no pretense of living a normal existence.

Air America carried an interview with an individual who said that Foley had attended "gay parties" with Crist. True? Not true? I would like to know. I do not believe a person's sexual orientation should be a disqualification for office. But lying to the public is a serious matter. One of the people I detest most in Illinois politics is a character named Tom Roeser. But Roeser had it pegged just right this week when he said cries of "privacy" by Republican candidates and public officials concerning violations of party policies were nonsense [TomRoeser.com].

Which brings us to Governor Jeb Bush. Jeb Bush has known for over a decade Foley had "a problem" with right-wing Republicans. Jeb helped Foley cover his tracks. What did Jeb know and when did he know it? Bush is hiding no less than Foley and Crist. He owes the public a full accounting. Unlike the president, who can legitimately claim ignorance of the scandal, the president's brother in Tallahassee is knee deep in the big muddy on this one, having covered for Foley and now possibly covering for Crist.

Finally, a few words with my own lawyer's hat on. David Roth is an excellent criminal lawyer, one of the best in Palm Beach County. But Roth has disclosed that Foley also has "civil counsel." Who are they? Why is Foley hiding their identity, when they are orchestrating a cover-up of the identify of the supposed molesting priest? Doesn’t getting out the truth promptly count for anything? Must Foley manipulate and control everything? This is treatment? It sounds to me more like Foley is treating us to another slice of his control freak personality.

Criminal lawyers are great at defending criminal cases, but there is no criminal case yet. Foley may be making matters worse for himself and for Republicans by using tactics more akin to a criminal defense than a public accounting of his failed stewardship.

The bottom line: Foley is prolonging and exacerbating Foleygate by seeking to manipulate the process of disclosure. If Mark had any legitimate priest to name, he should/could have named him Tuesday so the priest, if living (doubtful), could defend himself. Seeking to conceal information on the advise of "civil counsel" and disclosing facts through a criminal lawyer, is nothing more than yet another Mark Foley sham. When will they ever learn?

In the meantime, Foley's manipulation can only injure Republicans in New York, Illinois and Florida where the controversy is concentrated. More broadly, Foley's shenanigans and ongoing manipulation and pretense endanger every Republican running for office in 2006. It is time someone took Mark to the woodshed and told him to stop playing continuing games with the public trust he debased so thoroughly. But then Foley might claim he was being" abused" and the harsh treatment was injuring his "recovery."

Foley was, and continues to be, a classic scam artist. His misbehavior has nothing to do with his being gay. It has everything to do with his flawed character and personality disorder. And if he continues the way he is going, and Jeb Bush continues to aid and abet him, the result will be disaster for Republicans in three critical states.

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Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2006. Martin covers Florida politics with a wealth of personal experience. He was active in the Florida Republican Party in the 1990’s and ran against Charlie Crist in the 1998 U. S. Senate Republican primary. Martin carried Miami-Dade County in a landslide but lost statewide to Crist. Comments? E-mail: [email protected]. Media contact: (866) 706-2639. Cell (917) 664-9329.