I had a 13 year-old son who was a page

[Generic Other]

He went to the state capital when he was in the 7th grade. At the orientation, the GOP representative from our county who set up the opportunity told him not to be a "dipshit" when he was in Olympia. I was never impressed by this introduction to government that my son received.

I can imagine the feelings of the parents of the young pages. They exposed their bright, politically informed teens to crude disgusting politicians who abused their trust. They didn''t send those kids to Washington DC to be sexually harassed, they sent them to learn about how their government operates, to provide them an educational opportunity, to get letters of recommendation so they could get into good colleges. The kids came because they were idealistic, interested in politics, eager to learn about how government works.

Those boys in DC got an eyefull, didn't they?

It sounds like they protected each other better than any adult managed to do. Worst of all, the GOP apparently enabled the behavior to continue. I would hope some of the parents will sue the leadership for their inaction.

If a teacher knew of such behaviors and did not report it to the proper authorities, that teacher would be fired. Withholding knowledge of crime makes one an accomplice.

I have no respect for adults who cross this kind of line with kids. And less for those who cover it up.

[EFerrari]

1. One of my friends in grad school had been a page. She said

the sexual predations were rife and in fact, didn't want to go into details. If *she* said as much, I can only imagine what it must be like for these young people. :(

[file83]

2. But, your son did learn how his government "operates"...

That's how things get done. Intimitdation. Group think. Corruption.

I hope you gave your son a good debriefing when he returned.

[alarimer]

3. Pages need to be over 18

I think that should be a new rule. Not that it would stop all of the harrassment but it would protect some of the younger ones from this sort of vileness.

[burythehatchet]

4. Your post should be an LTTE in every local American paper nt

[Frustratedlady]

5. Let the congressmen deliver their own papers...

and maybe they'd be too pooped at the end of the day to even think of harrassing the kids.

[Generic Other]

6. Foley a cyber-statutory rapist

He has lured a minor in cyber space across real state lines for immoral purposes. A cyber-statutory rapist.

[cynatnite]

7. Sorry, I just think that's too young...

Sixteen or eighteen seems more appropriate, IMO.

[Generic Other]

9. My son went with a group of boys

under the supervision of supposedly upstanding citizens of the community. I really never thought he might be in danger.

It was years ago. I just remember how surprised I was when my son repeated the "dipshit" comment. Stupid old naive me...

[originalpckelly]

8. You said "they sent them to learn about how their government operates"

and got they got screwed just like everyone else. Of course if the story about the parents wanting no more action is true, then those are some sick ass parents.

[Generic Other]

10. They are probably protecting their sons from the media attention

Weighing whether confronting him publicly is more damaging emotionally than just letting it go.

I am cutting them some slack because they are trying to act in the kids' best interests and are probably agonizing over this shit.

Every parent today worries endlessly about sexual predators targetting their children. It's not fair to just act like they don't care.

[China_cat]

11. Look at what the media does to women

who are raped by anyone deemed to be of 'celebrity' status be it sports star or musician to protect the 'accused'. I don't think I'd want to subject a teenage son to that type of treatment...being required to turn over any mental health records, questioned on any and all sexual practices, the smears, the innuendo that the teenager somehow initiated or lured this person into such awful behavior.

Would you?

[Generic Other]

12. This will make parents all across America go nuts

For the GOP to try and underplay the seriousness of the outraged reaction parents will have is a fatal mistake on their part.

Damage control...trying to stay ahead of the story...pundits spinning the rightwing WH talking points...

Aint gonna cut it...what is the matter with these people? Maybe they should appoint Ken Starr special prosecutor.