First, I’m going to preface my comments with the thought that Mark Foley’s actions are indefensible.  I do not want anyone to get the idea from the following comments that I am defending him in any manner.  What he did amounts to a gross abuse of authority and trust.

Now, on to the crux of this post.  The whole story is being sensationalized by the news media and politicians.  Buffalo Geek points out how this issue is being politicized.  Calling Foley a pedophile is a quantum stretch of the meaning of the word.  The DSM IV characterises a pedophile as having either intense sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child (typically age 13 or younger).  A congressional page must be a junior in high school and at least 16 years of age.  There is a world of difference in the emotional makeup and maturity of someone 13 or younger and a 16 or 17 year old.  Many, if not most, 16 and 17 year olds are quite capable of handling a sitution presented by someone like Foley and are not going to suffer any long lasting harm.  The same can not be said for a 13 year old.

The news about Foley deserves to be told and it is important to know who was complicit in allowing this type of behavior to occur.  However, let’s keep it in the proper context and stop talking about abusing children and pedophilia.  That is nothing but propoganda and sensationalism.