Foley at father's grave: 'I disappointed him'

[graywarrior]

BY BRIAN SKOLOFF

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ROYAL PALM BEACH -- Former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley sobbed Saturday as he delivered a eulogy at his father's graveside, alluding to his resignation from Congress amid an Internet sex scandal as disheartening to his father.

"I disappointed him so much," Foley said crying, while surrounded by about 50 friends and family. "But he was so good of a man."

Edward Foley, a longtime educator, died Tuesday of complications from cancer. He was 85.

The father and son had a close relationship during the years, though in the last weeks of Edward Foley's life, the former congressman had been in a secluded Arizona treatment facility.

{Link}

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061119/NEWS/611190410/1017/NEWS0501

[wisteria]

1. It is a difficult time for the man, I feel we need to let him alone now. n/t

[jobycom]

2. I feel for him, and send him sympathies. Not a time to play politics. nt

[Hav]

4. .

Agreed. He did some questionable things but life has really kicked him hard the last weeks.
There is no need to attack him when he is already going through hell.

[Botany]

3. No anger here. Just pity

Mark Foley .... I hope you do find peace and remember a parent's
love never dies.

[graywarrior]

5. Just posting the news, folks. Don't kill the messenger.

Posted several other news items from Sarasota, which I do every chance I get.

[jobycom]

6. I know. Didn't think otherwise of you. nt.

[graywarrior]

7. Thanks. I would hate to cry on my birthday.

[jobycom]

10. Happy Birthday!

:party: :toast:

[Hav]

11. .

Well then, happy birthday ;).

And just for clarification, neither did I see the OP as an attempt to kick Foley.
I also think that many here agree that it can't get much worse when you are losing your father or mother as they are the ones who accompanied you your whole life.

[graywarrior]

15. Thanks, homies.

[Botany]

8. Don't worry G.W.

I have no urge to kill the messenger. ..... thanx for the post.

Nice to see how DU reacts with class and sympathy to another's
pain .... no matter who.

[Infinite Hope]

9. People need to realize something about closeted gays...

You're forced to live 2 realities, one is your public reality and the other is your hidden self. Your private self quite often tends to get out of control because it begins with lies to hide your persuasion and the secret life spirals downward from there because lies breed actions. Your ability to search for a partner, especially when a closeted public servant, are minimal and a lonely person can get caught up in activities such as those of Foley to seek to relate to others in similar situations and people who won't danger him when they know his information.

That's not an excuse for what he did. There is no excuse. But it's a reason. A reason for questionable habits of closeted people. 2 realities. If only our society could get to a place where persuasion was seen as being as insignificant as it is.

[jobycom]

12. Excellent post, thanks.

I've felt a great deal of sympathy for Foley over this, without really forgiving him for his public hypocrisy or for the harm he may have done to teenagers. But aside from his position, he's just another gay man forced to live a lie by an oppressive society.

The saddest part, to me, right now, is that he was in rehab when his father died. He was cheated of his last days with his father because his party and society in general can't accept who he is. His anguish must be horrible. I see nothing to be happy about in that. I truly wish him the best of luck, with the understanding that he must pay for any harm he has done to any teenagers he molested, if he did.

This in no way implies I'm sorry to see him out of office, mind you, but that's just politics. This is a bigger issue than politics.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

13. I don't envy him his burden.

And I'm so pleased to see folks here say it is time to lay off for a while. I agree.

[williesgirl]

14. How about - You SHAMED him. Closer to the truth.