Reflections on a scandal

Re “Foley-Page E-Mails Not News to GOP,” Oct. 1

This story took my breath away. Ten years ago if there had been even a whisper of such behavior in the Clinton administration as that of Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.), the mainstream media would have been rolling on the ground and frothing at the mouth. Hand-wringing, lurid, graphic reporting would have followed. Where has your indignation gone? Instead, you bury this political pedophile story on page 20.

The GOP congressional leadership, reported to have had knowledge of Foley’s disgusting behavior for months, chose to sacrifice the safety of these young people for the sake of covering up a scandal in a critical midterm election year. There are only two reasons for this: They are ignorant, or they are indifferent. Indifference is a punishable crime; ignorance is cause for their resignation.

MARION LEWISH

San Diego

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Here’s what Foley said about Bill Clinton [during the Monica Lewinsky scandal]: “It’s vile. It’s more sad than anything else, to see someone with such potential throw it all down the drain because of a sexual addiction.” Love the hypocrite, hate they hypocrisy?

HENRY ROSENFELD

Santa Monica

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If the Republicans can’t even keep a 16-year-old page safe, what makes them think they can keep America safe?

PEGGY ALBRECHT

Westlake Village