Mark Foley: But, but, the pages were almost 18....and they never said "no."

[marmar]

from ThinkProgress:



Foley: I’m not a pedophile because the pages were almost 18.»

Today, former Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) finally broke his two-year silence after the revelations about his lurid IM conversations with congressional pages. Foley conceded that his behavior was “extraordinarily stupid,” but throughout the AP interview, he stayed on the defensive:

– Says he’s not a pedophile: “The work I was doing was involving young children … You know, you hear the term ‘pedophile.’ That is prepubescent,” Foley said, noting a “huge difference” from lurid chats with teens on the brink of adulthood.

– The children didn’t say no: “There was never anywhere in those conversations where someone said, “Stop,” or “I’m not enjoying this,” or “This is inappropriate,” he said.

It was a “momentary lapse of judgment,” Foley claimed. But he “carried on the computer conversations for months, asking about masturbation, sex, and other details,” the AP notes.

UPDATE: Watch part an interview with a West Palm Beach television station: http://thinkprogress.org/2008/11/12/foley-interview/

[nichomachus]

1. Actually those attracted to post-pubescent children

are properly referred to as "hebophiles."

So, he's technically correct

[brendan120678]

3. Yes, if you want to get "technical,"...

then Foley is correct. He isn't a pedophile.

However, he is still a scumbag.

[gollygee]

5. I agree that he isn't a pedophile

but his behavior was still grossly inappropriate.

[thecrow]

2. "The children didn’t say no"

This is the predator seeking defense by blaming the victim.

The point is, Mr. Foley, YOU ARE THE ADULT in this situation that never should have initiated the actions. PERIOD.

[JBoy]

11. He said his actions were stupid. He didn't say they were wrong.

Next time he would just be more careful.

:scared:

[sharp_stick]

4. Isn't 17 legal

in DC for consensual sexual contact?

I find the pedophile argument for 17 year olds kind of weak, hell I was somewhat busy at 17 with a 19 year old woman and I think I knew what I was doing. I wasn't any damned good at it but I sure knew what I was doing and I would have taken a shot at a willing 30 year old too.

[nichomachus]

10. Depends on the state -- it ranges from 14 to 18

And there are exceptions made for closeness in age. In other words, an 18 year old won't necessarily get in trouble for fooling around with a 17 year old. In some cases, it's like four years difference, but again, it ranges state by state.

Here's a chart

http://www.avert.org/aofconsent.htm

And as you'll see, it's all very very complicated

[Lucy Goosey]

6. Why did he decide to be interviewed? Did he think it would be good for his image?

If he thinks he's doing himself a favor here, he really lacks self awareness.

[shadowknows69]

7. Somehow I don't think it would have made a difference to Foley

If they were only 15, or 14, or 12.

[skooooo]

8. He's SORRY for chrissake!

What do you people want???

:eyes:

:sarcasm:

[helderheid]

9. keep blaming the victims asshole.