The Foley incident

[Stayne]

So, as I'm sure you've all heard, Senator Foley liked to cyber with teenage boys and ended up resigning from office over it. It was reported shortly after that Foley has now come out of the closet. He is a gay man.

I've had a few reactions to this that I thought others might like to weigh in on.

1) I feel this does a great disservice to homosexuals. Homosexuals aren't child predators. Some people, no matter thier orientation, are child predators. But the way this came out seems to categorize homosexuals as child predators.

2) If the US wasn't so anti-gay and actually allowed people to live thier life as hetero or homosexual, would this scandal have happened? I have to wonder if Foley had been allowed to have a partner and be the homosexual that he is, would he have been a child predator? I know there is no way to know the answer to this. But if americans weren't so superficial about these things I wonder how many scandals could be prevented.

Of course, if americans weren't so superficial, the Lewinski scandal wouldn't have been a scandal at all. :p

[MidnightStalker]

1) I don't believe it was disservice to homosexuals. In fact, having come out of the closet as a congressman (well technically after he resigned) and as a conservative show how widespread homoseuxality really is. There have been rumors about his sexual orientation since the getgo, so really I don't think it was a big surprise.

As he stated, he was molested as a child by a clergyman. High percentage of pedophiles/perverts such as Foley have had sexual trauma/abuse in their childhood. Not surprisingly, I'm sure this is also why he is gay (sexual abuse has a high tendancy to affect one's sexual indentity in early childhood).

So to say he did this act because he is a homosexual would be naive and ignorant at best.

2) I don't believe American social standards is what caused this incident to occur. I don't believe this happened because he was homosexual. If he were straight, I'm sure he would have gone after young women.

[stas]

2) If the US wasn't so anti-gay and actually allowed people to live thier life as hetero or homosexual, would this scandal have happened? I have to wonder if Foley had been allowed to have a partner and be the homosexual that he is, would he have been a child predator? I know there is no way to know the answer to this. But if americans weren't so superficial about these things I wonder how many scandals could be prevented.

absurd. there are plenty of people out there who are child predators that have regular relationships. i have a cooworker whose ex-husband molested one of their daughters friends (thats the reason hes now her ex). yes, he still would have been a child predator.

[xero]

I heard he checked into rehab for....alcoholism?

Why not one of those We-Can-Make-You-Not-Gay 'Rehab' centers? They could fix his shit right up!!

Also, gay anti-gay Repubilcans make me laugh on both the outside and inside.

[Zogo]

If the US wasn't so anti-gay and actually allowed people to live thier life as hetero or homosexual, would this scandal have happened? I have to wonder if Foley had been allowed to have a partner and be the homosexual that he is, would he have been a child predator?

can't say for certain.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/10/new_foley_insta.html so this is what the politicians are doing during those boring sessions..if I was a C-SPAN cameraman I'd take it off that fixed position and keep tabs on all of the pedophiles in congress.

[Zogo]

I heard he checked into rehab for....alcoholism?

that could be stunt to deflect blame..many have said they never saw him drink once..but maybe he only drank in private.

[puppychow]

i am amazed that others aren't screaming how CONVEINENT it is that

1) he gets shuttled off to rehab for alcohol problems
2) now we learn he 'was' molested by someone in the church.

It's called damage control.

But as was previously stated, gay men dont typically go after younger boys. It's not the norm. Thats what str8 pedophiles do. And there is so much press coming out now about people who know him well being iffy about the alcoholism claim.

Whatever the case may be about all the above, way to not take responsibility for ones actions and say you were at the mercy of other factors.

this is political spin imo.

edit: zogo - just beat me.

[xero]

But as was previously stated, gay men dont typically go after younger boys. It's not the norm. Thats what str8 pedophiles do. And there is so much press coming out now about people who know him well being iffy about the alcoholism claim.Are you serious? He talked dirty on the internet to a 17 year old boy. That is a LONG shot from calling him a pedophile.

How many men his age would turn down sex with a 17 year old girl?

Let's at least be realistic about this.

[puppychow]

apparently he talked to many boys - but no, at the moment i cannot back that up with ages. just sayin. sure it will be out soon.

[Telos]

First of all, he is a Representative, not a Senator. Second, he is a Republican, not a Democrat as Fox news would have you believe over and over again.

I live in his district and even used to work for the guy in 2000 (re-election campaign) and in 2001 as an intern in Washington, D.C. I, and everyone else in his district, knew that he was gay. It was never officially announced, or even talked about much, but it was definitley know. However, being a republican district there was a "don't ask don't tell" kind of mentallity. Interestingly, he was also the most moderate of the Republicans in congress.

I am not making excuses for the guy, but when I knew him I would never have thought him to do such a thing. He was very sharp, and had aspirations for Senator. In fact, while working for him we amassed a sizable war chest for such a campaign, but he abruptly quit it. Most of us believe, and still believe to this day that it was because the opposition would threaten to out him. His lapse into alcoholism is probably what really destroyed his life. Abused as a child, and the combination of alcoholism, he was basically a time bomb. In fact, these stories of abuse explain his fight for children's rights in the past.

Again, I make no excuses, but these weren't 8 year olds he was writing to, in fact many pages and interns are older. So while it is still inexcusable, I don't think its hypocritical.

[VeeKaChu]

2) If the RULING PARTY wasn't so anti-gay and actually allowed people to live thier life as hetero or homosexual, would this scandal have happened?
Fixed.
OTOH, King George is loving this. Keeps the nation distracted, he'd rather we not notice that 19 American soldiers have died in Iraq so far this month (yeah, that the first FOUR days in October...)

[Rand]

What kind of pensions is he still able to get? If he turns out to be guilty, do you feel that he should still be able to receieve political pensions?

[dys]

Why don't we all just cut to the chase and make this a political D vs R debate? because that's so obviously relevant to the subject and all...

[Ignatz]

This issue is not all about homosexuality. It's about abuse of power and misuse of time. If Foley were doing this exact same thing with female underage pages, he'd be in just about as much trouble.

The only thing the homosexual aspect adds to it is the fact that the Republican Party caters to homophobes and flourishes in an atmosphere of anti-gay rhetoric, making the fallout from this issue a circus of terrifyingly hilarious gall and hypocrisy.

[VeeKaChu]

Why don't we all just cut to the chase and make this a political D vs R debate? because that's so obviously relevant to the subject and all...That's a capital idea! You start!

Tell us how disgusted you are with the Republican party; their constant corruption, their hypocrisy, their support- nay CODIFYING- of torture and the destruction of the Constitution- the horrible waste of taxpayer dollars inherent in their un-willingness to do their ELECTED job of overseeing and checking the criminal actions of the executive branch in it's embarrassingly failed foreign policy, etc etc etc.

Because I know you're disgusted by it, like all Americans are.

[dys]

Absolutely. It doesn't matter to me though, Dem or Republican, they're all filthy, corrupt and ignore a huge amount of what actually matters to the citizens of the country. GEE, VEEK YA GOT ME.

[Corsair]

Vote Libertarian!

[schtoofa]

It sounds like the guy had some problems (not related to being homosexual - I could care less what someone's sexual orientation is). It's unfortunate, really. Too bad, too, because IMO it would be a good thing for American politics to have a homosexual Republican Representative.

Fixed.
OTOH, King George is loving this. Keeps the nation distracted, he'd rather we not notice that 19 American soldiers have died in Iraq so far this month (yeah, that the first FOUR days in October...)

Hey, it's not Bush's fault the liberal media is going crazy with the story. Plus, don't you think, the war-hating liberals would probably rather that the country not notice the progress made by the Army Corps of Engineers' campaign to rebuild/improve life for the Iraqis? Renovating or building 3,000+ schools so far?

C'mon now. Which story better promotes the Democratic agenda and would more likely get Democrats in office?

Unfortunately, for both parties it's all about obtaining more power.

[Stayne]

Hey, it's not Bush's fault the liberal media is going crazy with the story.

Gimme a fucking break, schtoofa. Our so-called "liberal media" has intentionally been labelling Foley and Hastert as democrats.

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/10/05/olbermann-gets-the-word-out-on-foxs-labeling-of-foley-as-a-democrat/
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/10/04/google-news-ap-dennis-hastert-is-a-democrat/

FOX news and the AP have both misreported their party. That's not an innocent mistake. So, kindly stop marching to the old GOP drumbeat of the mythical "liberal media" crap.

Also, don't misunderstand my initial questions. I'm not trying to make excuses for Foley, I'm just wondering if he had been allowed to be openly gay if the issue would have happened.

[MidnightStalker]

In a world where labels mean most...

[Stayne]

In a world where labels mean most...

That's beside the point. If our media were so liberal, you'd think they'd be sure not to make such an error or even possibly err to the other side. Instead, labelling representatives and congressmen in the middle of a scandal as democrats turns out to be cropping up in several places.

As for the media actually being liberal, let me quote Colbert.

"Reality has a well-known liberal bias."

[Bricktop]

http://www.drudgereport.com/page.htm

ROFL if it's true. Obviously there's substance to it if he resigned, but the actual instant messages everyone's been laughing about might've been a prank...

[MidnightStalker]

Sounds fake. Highly dubious.

[dys]

LOL

What a freaking circus.

[Tone-Loc]

Fake? Oh give me a break... that's why Foley immediately cracked by resigning, professed his homosexualtiy, that he was molested by clergymen, and ran into rehab.

If this was all fake, and just embarassing (rather than real), all he need do is the obligatory checking himself into rehab bit... like every other freaking politician and celebrity.

[Bricktop]

It's not claiming the whole thing's fake (I don't think), just that the specific IMs everyone's been laughing about all the time are.

[schtoofa]

Gimme a fucking break, schtoofa. Our so-called "liberal media" has intentionally been labelling Foley and Hastert as democrats.

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/10/05/olbermann-gets-the-word-out-on-foxs-labeling-of-foley-as-a-democrat/
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/10/04/google-news-ap-dennis-hastert-is-a-democrat/

FOX news and the AP have both misreported their party. That's not an innocent mistake. So, kindly stop marching to the old GOP drumbeat of the mythical "liberal media" crap.


Mistakes are going to happen regardless of whatever bias there may or may not be. Plus, labeling the media as typically having a liberal bias doesn't mean that 100% of all news is chosen to support a liberal agenda or is presented in a way that favors the liberal agenda. I guess I'm saying these mistakes don't disprove that the media is liberally biased. I bet they happen frequently, since people make mistakes, but this one is standing out because it's a "hot" story right now.

Also, don't misunderstand my initial questions. I'm not trying to make excuses for Foley, I'm just wondering if he had been allowed to be openly gay if the issue would have happened.

That I don't know. Have you seen anything that talks about what kept him from being openly gay? Public pressure, fear, party leadership? Who knows?

[dys]

Nigger Innis anybody?

[MidnightStalker]

Fake? Oh give me a break... that's why Foley immediately cracked by resigning, professed his homosexualtiy, that he was molested by clergymen, and ran into rehab.

If this was all fake, and just embarassing (rather than real), all he need do is the obligatory checking himself into rehab bit... like every other freaking politician and celebrity.
Sir, do you even know what I was talking about? I called Bricktop's link fake. Ergo, this would imply that I believe the messages were real. My statement, in fact, only helps your leftist extremist views on republicans. So please, give me the break.

[Tone-Loc]

Sir, do you even know what I was talking about? I called Bricktop's link fake. Ergo, this would imply that I believe the messages were real. My statement, in fact, only helps your leftist extremist views on republicans. So please, give me the break.

First, drop the sir... I am not that old.

Secondly, there is some misunderstanding. My comment was about the content of the news within the link, not about your comment. I was basically incredulous with the notion that there could be the excuse for this whole mess that it was all just a fake/joke.

The link is not fake. It is a real link to the drudge report. Whether the contents are real are not... I guess that remains to be seen.

[MidnightStalker]

Ugh. I mistaked you with VeekaChu too for some reason. Nevertheless, I think we all know my my implications by saying the link is fake. The Drudge Report seems to be awfully shaky.

[Stayne]

Saying that the media has a liberal bias is like saying that science has a liberal bias. Neither of them are out to promote a liberal agenda, they are just doing thier job.

If anything, the media has a sensationalist bias. Rreporters are looking for the story that will give them a big name, move them up the charts, give them front page, etc. If that means reporting on a scandal in the whitehouse, they do it. If the story is in Iraq covering an alleged massacre on civilians, they do it. If the story is about people trapped in the own homes following a huge hurricane, they cover it. Its about having a sensational story. Its not about promoting a specific agenda or party.

FOX, on the other hand, is a blatant GOP propaganda machine. The EIB network (radio netowork that carries Limbaugh and Hannity) is GOP propaganda. PBS has been transistioned into a GOP propaganda station. So, with these powerhouses (well, PBS isn't a powerhouse, but it at least used to be balanced) all spouting full-on GOP propaganda, the MSM chasing the sensational story, we are left with a media that is NOT liberally biased and if anything is right-leaning (averaging it all out... if that is possible).

Individual stories will lean one way or another. But just because a reporter asks the president a hard question doesn't make him liberal. Just because a program critiques the president doesn't make the show liberal. If that were the case, then, following that logic the media MUST have had a right-wing bias during the Clinton administration. We all know that it was never accused as such.

So, I repeat. The media is not liberally biased. It is sensation-seeking. That characteristic cuts at both parties equally... unless one party dominates the political arena and does a lot of stupid shit. Then they end up getting cut more often. But its not because of any bias of the media, its because the reporters are looking to break a hot story.

[MidnightStalker]

Lol. The media isn't bias! Only FOX, EIB, and PBS networks are.

[Stayne]

I suppose if you want to include The Daily Show and Colbert Report and Bill Maher in the MSM group, which they aren't, then you could say they are liberal biased. Or, if you wanted to bring up Air America, a democratic attempt to rival EIB, then they are liberal biased. But the number of people who watch/listen to these sources hardly compare the the numbers who watch FOX News, listen to EIB, or watch CNN. So, again, you take the big guns, average them together, the result is right-leaning.

[MV8]

There is no EIB network. It is something that Limbaugh made up...


"The Rush Limbaugh Show is distrubuted nationally by Premiere Radio Networks, a division of Clear Channel. On the air, however, Limbaugh identifies his program as part of the fictional Excellence in Broadcasting Network, or EIB Network, as well as the Limbaugh Institute for Advanced Conservative Studies. His chair is referred to as the "prestigious" "Attila the Hun Chair", and his microphone is referred to as the "Golden EIB Microphone"; as seen in publicity photos and his webcam, his microphone is actually gold-plated."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EIB_Network

[Moniker]

I suppose if you want to include The Daily Show and Colbert Report and Bill Maher in the MSM group, which they aren't, then you could say they are liberal biased. Or, if you wanted to bring up Air America, a democratic attempt to rival EIB, then they are liberal biased. But the number of people who watch/listen to these sources hardly compare the the numbers who watch FOX News, listen to EIB, or watch CNN. So, again, you take the big guns, average them together, the result is right-leaning. Of course, by this logic, the average software company is located in Washington state since so many people buy Microsoft. Oh wait, we're talking about seperate entities, not viewership. So, no, it doesn't "average" out to right leaning.

FOX News and conservative radio wins out hardcore because it's plain more fun to watch/listen to than CNN/MSNBC/PBS. I mean, Bill O'Reilly is a charismatic guy who packs in the ratings. Same with Hannity. TV and radio are mediums that are biased towards entertainment, not information. If I want to inform myself about something, I take my time and read a factual article in a newspaper or book. If I want entertainment, I watch TV.

I will always listen to/watch an entertaining show that talks about something I disagree with than a boring show that talks about something I agree with. Whether it's the O'Reilly Factor, Daily Show, or Colbert Report doesn't matter.

Edit: Stayne, you're essentially just saying the liberal version of what conservatives say. They say the media has a liberal bias and that Fox News is fair, you say the media has a conservative bias and that [whatever you listen to here] is fair.

[larcain]

So, I repeat. The media is not liberally biased.

That mecca of conservative education (just in case you're confused, that's called "sarcasm") UCLA, did a study that disagrees.

http://mason.gmu.edu/~atabarro/MediaBias.doc

One of the most curious and surprising statistics in all of American politics is that an overwhelming number of journalists are liberal. For instance, Elaine Povich (1996) reports that only seven percent of all Washington correspondents voted for George Bush in 1992, compared to 37 percent of the American public. Lichter, Rothman and Lichter, (1986) and Weaver and Wilhoit (1996) report similar findings for earlier elections.

Now, you might be able to argue with the conclusions of the study, but the percentages in that quote speak for themselves.

BTW, i recall a total of ZERO front page articles in the LA or NY TIMES condemning Bill Clinton for pardoning Mel Rynolds for not just sending disgusting e-mails but actually HAVING SEX with an underage page. If I missed those front page stories, please link me to them as I would like to have the right impression of these bastions of truth and justice.

[Zogo]

these last few days have been hilarious..I love watching FOX news go down in flames. I was watching hannity try to defend the GOP by bringing up mel reynolds. the last line of defense "the democrats did it too!"

ladies and gentlemen two wrongs do make a right!

http://www.drudgereport.com/page.htm

ROFL if it's true. Obviously there's substance to it if he resigned, but the actual instant messages everyone's been laughing about might've been a prank...

this is damage control..the pages want to remain in the closet.

[Zogo]

Renovating or building 3,000+ schools so far?

are you talking about these ones? http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/iraq_rebuilding_dc

bush said they did a heckuva job.

That mecca of conservative education (just in case you're confused, that's called "sarcasm") UCLA, did a study that disagrees.

http://mason.gmu.edu/~atabarro/MediaBias.doc

did this study take into account all of those "reporters" that are paid by GWB to report news stories that only GWB agrees with?

[larcain]

Well, at least youre true to form.

[MidnightStalker]

are you talking about these ones? http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/iraq_rebuilding_dc

bush said they did a heckuva job.
That's refrence to one police academy. How can you confuse the two?

[Zogo]

That's refrence to one police academy. How can you confuse the two?

one of the 3,000 possibly. 75 million dollars btw.

[Zogo]

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/10/05/olbermann-gets-the-word-out-on-foxs-labeling-of-foley-as-a-democrat/

I just watched the video..that's pretty amazing..we're witnessing full brainwashing here.

[schtoofa]

are you talking about these ones? http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/iraq_rebuilding_dc

bush said they did a heckuva job.

No, I'm talking about these ones:


http://www.defendamerica.mil/images/photos/may2006/articles/ai052206c1.jpg

MOSUL, Iraq, May 22, 2006 — A newly constructed school located in the center of Dahuk will serve approximately 840 students and 36 teachers.

This new two-story complex consists of a 12-room classroom school with a detached exterior lavatory building, a play-yard and a generator building, all of which is surrounded by a three-meter high perimeter wall.

The exterior and interior walls are of masonry construction with a concrete super structure and terrazzo tile flooring. The exterior wall finishes are cut stone and plaster.

“The architectural design and material selection was made by a local Iraqi engineer in coordination with the Director General of Education and then provided to the Dahuk Residence Office,” said Joshua Adekanbi, Dahuk resident engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The Director General of Education uses a standard primary school design with the same floor plan. Since the plans are recycled, varied exterior architectural elements are chosen for each school.

This $460,000 project was funded by the Iraqi Relief and Reconstruction Fund and built by a local Iraqi construction company. Of the 317 school projects funded by the Iraqi Relief and Reconstruction Fund in the northern region of Iraq, 315 are complete and two are in progress. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers participated as the contracting and construction management and quality assurance of the over-all project.

Editor's Note: Polli Barnes Keller is the Deputy Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region North.

and here

CAMP TAJI, Iraq, April 27, 2006

http://www.defendamerica.mil/images/photos/apr2006/articles/ai042706b1.jpg

...

Fred Nightengale, resident engineer on Camp Taji, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, visited the school April 12, to take a look at the renovations. Nightengale has been in Iraq for almost a year working on various projects.

“Basically we did the construction management for the contract,” he said. “Our mission was to rehab the building, build two classrooms, paint, repair the roof, repair tiles and fix the windows. We came along with the brigade to inspect the work.”

...

“It was a chore trying to get the work done with classes in session,” said Nightengale, “but (the school) appreciated the work. There was a lot of stuff that needed to be done.”

For the Iraqis, helping the community is very important.

“Most of the contractors were very interested in helping the community,” said Nightengale. “They donated extra items and work to help out in the community.”

...

The small local all-girls school educates approximately 360 girls from the area in basic knowledge skills and Islamic fundamentals.

“We teach them the Islamic religion and about new developments in the world,” said School Headmistress Rushed. “We work to make sure they are good girls and start their lives as good mothers or helping their communities.”

The school is especially crucial to the community because it offers more than an initial start in the educational careers of the students.

“The school is very important, because it is the only school that serves the people in the area,” said Rushed, “and it is a primary and intermediate school. We teach first grade to ninth grade. I’m very happy for the project, because it helps the students. The public is thankful for the help of the Coalition Forces, who were a part of this project.”

and this

MUQDADIYAH, Iraq, Feb. 27, 2006 — Through the efforts of Iraqi locals and coalition forces, the schools in Iraq's Diyala Province are getting a makeover.

“The conditions of the schools, many that I have seen, are so bad and so dirty,” said U.S. Army Maj. Rhonda A. Keisman, a civil affairs team leader in the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division. “They are not conducive to a learning environment. We have made great progress in that.”

Keisman, her civil affairs team and Iraqi engineers have been monitoring the construction of three schools here. The projects will benefit many civilians in Muqdadiyah.

“With the Muqdadiyah Technical School, which is a fairly large project, will benefit quite a few people with a population of approximately 140,000,” said Keisman. “This project has been under construction now for approximately two months and should be complete within another two months.”

The projects here are checked by Keisman and an Iraqi engineer to ensure the contractors are meeting all necessary requirements.

The projects being worked on in the Diyala Province are being turned over to the Iraqi government, much like security responsibilities in Iraq.

“The goal is to turn the projects over to the Iraqi government, not only for funding, but for prioritization and getting them to use a method to determine which projects they want to do and in what order,” said Keisman.

With the partnership between coalition forces and Iraqi officials, the quality of living conditions for students will continue to improve.

“The renovations are needed for those schools that are ongoing, because they have gone for many years without any work maintenance or upkeep,” said Keisman.

and this


http://www.defendamerica.mil/images/photos/jan2006/articles/ai011106a1.jpg

DAHUK, Iraq, Jan. 11, 2006 — Within a community, the activities occurring in two specialized types of buildings hold great sway and influence for the residents of the community – they are schools and religious structures. Because of the influence a school can have on the current and future society, it is important to the reconstruction of Iraq to provide sound lasting facilities that will positively influence the future of this country for years to come.

The Kovak Primary School in the Dahuk District is one of those buildings. This 12-classroom school was newly constructed from the ground up. A year in the making, it is now complete and ready to house 36 teachers and about 825 students.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had contract over watch of this project.

“The Dohuk Resident Office has managed several different types of projects throughout northern Iraq, but the school construction and renovations are special…. they make you smile. I’ve never seen children so excited to go to school,” said Derek Walker, project engineer.

“You can see the future of not just the country, but perhaps the world, in the happiness of the faces of these children who long to enter them. I can honestly say I know we’ve made a difference in their lives,” he said.

Walker is no stranger to these efforts, he has aided in the renovation or construction of 30 schools, in Iraq. He is on his second deployment in two years.
...




and this


http://www.defendamerica.mil/images/photos/oct2005/articles/ai101105c2.jpg

MOSUL, Iraq, Oct. 12, 2005 — School days are here and Sulayminyah school renovations are nearing completion.

Seven out of ten schools renovated in the Sulayminyah district are complete. The other three are ninety percent finished and will be ready for business by Oct. 15.

...

The Sulayminyah Province, Ministry of Education, along with the U.S. Corps of Engineers Sulayminyah resident office are working together to complete the Sulaymaniyah School Renovations Project in order to provide better facilities.

The school renovations began in August and included plaster repair and painting the interior and exterior of the buildings. Upgrades were made to the electrical, water supply and bathrooms. Workers repaired many of the schools' fences and gates, as well as replaced or repaired classrooms' doors.

Ceiling fans and window screens were installed, as well as, new playground equipment installed on existing playgrounds and new playgrounds added where there were none. Drinking fountains and ceramic tile floors were also added to these facilities. The schools not yet complete will have new septic systems and playgrounds completed and should be finished by Oct. 15.

...

The Sulaymaniyah resident office, currently has 78 projects in process, including construction and renovation of several primary and secondary schools, clinics, and electrical substations.



and this


Baghdad, Iraq—Slightly more than six weeks from now, approximately 18,000 Iraqi school children will sit in freshly refurbished schools when their new school year starts.

A team of Iraqi and U.S. government entities announce today that renovations of 43 schools in the northern and southern governorates are funded for repairs, with contracts awarded for the work. As part of the Iraq Relief Reconstruction Fund, over $1.3M was set aside to continue a nationwide school repair program.

Repairs include rehabilitating sanitary facilities, and electrical and mechanical systems, as well as structural repairs to schools in Karbala, Dahuk, Najaf, Basrah, and Qadisiyah.

“And, we’ll keep working toward clean, safe and healthier learning environments for the Iraqi children,” said Karen Durham-Aguilera, Director of Programs at the Project and Contracting Office, Baghdad.

“The announcement of funding for 43 more schools comes after a whirlwind construction program of school renovation begun just over a year ago. Since June of last year, 656 of the total 800 schools in reconstruction have completed,” she added.

According to Durham-Aguilera, renovation costs for each school averages $30 – 35K, and plans are for all of the 43 projects to be completed before the end of September.

“Over $86M from the Iraqi Relief Reconstruction Fund was committed to the Iraqi Ministry of Education to renovate 800 schools in Iraq,” Durham-Aguilera said. “These particular projects are the last phase of renovation and/or repairs of existing schools,” she added.


(yes, these reports come from the Army/US military web site. Claiming bias because it's not the AP or whatever is a worthless counter to these stories, so don't bother)

play ball, zogo!

[puppychow]

i think its rather ironic that we are providing new schools for children that some of whom will be terrorists. i don't think that its wrong that we are helping the infrastructure - while we are there might as well try to build some goodwill, but many reports and intel coming out recently point to the fact iraq will be a new hotbed of terrorist development in the region. The US will be pulling out of IRAQ in 2009 or 10, after a democrat most likely wins the presidency (law of averages and republicans are very vunerable at the moment), and then Iraq is going to implode (and we won't stop it this time).

And then we will be asking what those last 10 years were for.

srry, off topic I guess.

[MidnightStalker]

That's like saying it's ironic that we're providing a free public education in the US for future criminals. Should we stop?

[MV8]

we should maybe disband all of our various law enforcement agency's because there are still criminals. Or maybe for their own safety. I am tired of seeing funerals for policemen, we should keep them safe by ending thier missions, just tell them to stay home..

just an idea...

[Zogo]

(yes, these reports come from the Army/US military web site. Claiming bias because it's not the AP or whatever is a worthless counter to these stories, so don't bother)

play ball, zogo!

I can claim bias on any source..because every source does have bias.

in one perspective building buildings looks somewhat worthwhile..but do we realize that a majority of iraqis support violence against us now? we've tried doing this before with HUD homes and other feel good gov't programs. in the end they end up rundown and fallen apart..a waste of money.

That's like saying it's ironic that we're providing a free public education in the US for future criminals. Should we stop?

yes, I don't like the public school system.

[Moniker]

in one perspective building buildings looks somewhat worthwhile..but do we realize that a majority of iraqis support violence against us now? substantiate this please

[MidnightStalker]

substantiate this please
every source does have bias.
...

[Cyberdemon]

Since you idiots can never get over the "biased media" stuff, I'll just shoot the obvious question into the wind.

How is any of this actually important beyond Foley resigning and working out his personal problems? Yeah, his behavior was inappropriate, but Hastert's suddenly on the defensive and the GOP is losing broader support. I don't mind that personally, but it doesn't make much sense; especially given the argument that Clinton's sex scandal was just a partisan smear over a blowjob that didn't affect his performance.

[MV8]

I don't understand how clinton getting blown by monica was not sex, but text messages are? :confused:

[WhiteFox]

Hi, my name is Matt Foley, and I live in a van down by the river.

[Rand]

I don't understand how clinton getting blown by monica was not sex, but text messages are? :confused:

Some of the reports so far have been that there were underaged pages that he has been inappropriatedly communicating to? As far as I know, Monica was an 'adult'.

[Stayne]

Monica was a 22 yr old college grad. The Lewinski mess is not related in any way to the Foley case except by right-wing nut-jobs trying to say "Clinton did it" and make it look like democrats are just as bad as republicans.

EVEN if Clinton had done it, that wouldn't make the current situation OK. After all, Clinton was impeached. Isn't making the argument that "its ok because Clinton did it" about like saying "its ok to bomb buildings because McVeigh did it"? Its a retarded argument.

Foley stepped down just as he should have. The problem is with the republican leadership who knew about the issue and didn't put an end to it. The problem is with those who quite possibly took money from Foley to keep his secret and keep him in his seat to maintain the republican majority (again, politics first priority, america second priority).

Its a shame that it all comes down to partisan politics. However, its not like the Democrats are the ones who have been dividing the country for the past 5 years. The republicans have been vilifying democrats and liberal-minded people from every podium at which they can speak. The president has been a big player in politicizing every event. And then, when something comes out against the republicans, they continue to vilify the democrats for "playing politics" with it. I just don't understand how so many american citizens continue to fall for thier bullshit. Too much FOX "News".

Our system of government is based upon checks and balances. In the past 4 years, those balances have not existed, the executive branch has been strengthened well beyond what it should be, and our supreme court has been stuffed with right-wingers. There are no checks. There is no balance. America needs a blue branch to balance and check the red branches. Having a red government is dysfunctional.

In summary, right-wingers make retarded arguments, there is some major scandal going on with republicans, republicans NEED to lose control of one of the branches to restore balance to government.

[Zogo]

substantiate this please

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060927/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraqi_opinion

Since you idiots can never get over the "biased media" stuff, I'll just shoot the obvious question into the wind.

the US media is biased in favor of republican and democrats..as far as the bias between con/lib I don't know how you could quantify it accurately. there are too many variables and factors.

How is any of this actually important beyond Foley resigning and working out his personal problems? Yeah, his behavior was inappropriate, but Hastert's suddenly on the defensive and the GOP is losing broader support. I don't mind that personally, but it doesn't make much sense; especially given the argument that Clinton's sex scandal was just a partisan smear over a blowjob that didn't affect his performance.

in the grand scheme of things it's trivial..it is more salacious because being gay is generally taboo, and it's also taboo to have a large age gap in a relationship..and to top it all off he's another crusader legislating against the very things he's doing.

it's somewhat more disturbing compared to clinton because with clinton I don't think there was some congressional coverup..but with this we now know that there are other gay republican staffers lurking in the shadows. the GOP is losing ground because they appear to be hyper hypocrites right now.
politicians care about protecting themselves more than citizens..

Hi, my name is Matt Foley, and I live in a van down by the river.

hi, my name is steve foley and I am not drunk or on steroids.