Comments on: freeSpeech: Bob Schieffer

CBS News' Chief Washington Correspondent Speaks Out About The 'Abuse Excuse'

[lanaedawn]

This is the first freespeech in awhile that I've agreed with. I, too, am tired of everytime anyone in the public eye, whether politician, actress, model of musician, gets caught doing something wrong they go into 'rehab'. Since when did Mel Gibson have a drinking problem?

Congress has spent more time lately dealing with the indiscretions of its members than it has on actually doing its job. It seems every time they are in session there is another scandal, whether from the Democrats or the Republicans. This isn't an issue of party affiliation, its an issue of a group of grown men and women who run around acting like they are above the law, playing childish games to get what they want.

Just once I wish the elected officials would hold themselves to a higher standard. If you choose to be in office then you should also choose to put your individual perversions on hold-no homosexual *** (unless you openly ran as homosexual)), no extramarital affairs, no weird porn, no transvestites, stop gambling and getting yard and house work done that may raise questions later. If they can't adhere by these standards then maybe they shouldn't run for office!

[sockermom3]

I have the upmost respect for Mr. Schieffer. I applaud him for his "free speech" comments about Rep. Foley. The way our government has handled this situation is a disgrace and of course instead of holding the people accountable that need to be, they are talking about doing away with the Page Program. I was so impressed by Mr. Schieffer's honest speech, that I actually gave him a standing ovation in my own family room.

P.S. Katie - I think you're doing a great job!

[cccquinn-2009]

Bob Schieffer is still the best thing on any evening news program. This item on last night's broadcast was the best analysis I've heard of this situation.

How ridiculous to say, as posted above, that the only issue here is making Foley take personal responsibility for his actions. The Republican leadership, which covered this up in order to help keep their party in power, should resign and apologize profusely to the citizens they were supposed to serve. They are hypocrites with no credibility or integrity - or moral compass, for that matter.

[gypo_logger]

This one is so ugly, with so many involved leaves no apparent way of fixing it.... this goes all the way up to the #3 man in our government, you or someone like yourself may be our only hope. There is no doubt that you can get through the right doors to help us, be careful Bob, we need men like yourself if these guys will molest kids, no telling what else they are capable of.... That was the most heart felt news clip I have ever heard!

Jerry

[blondegeek]

"Who saves IM like this for 3 years? I guarantee it was not a Republican."

Whatever party we subscribe to, those IM's, coming from a CONGRESSMAN--and a Right(eous) Republican no less, were shocking... I would have save them and showed them to everyone as well, because it's just unbelievable that someone could rise so high in our nation's government, and be no better than a child-molesting pervert.

Seriously, nothing surprises me anymore.

b

[gogators62]

Foley has not taken personal responsibility. He is excusing his behavior due to the overused reasons of "Alcohol & *** Abuse as a child". Our society no longer finds it necessary to take responsibility for individual actions. I feel this is a very severe problem that is a major factor in our crime rates. Something as simple as a slip and fall due to a person's lack of paying attention becomes a lawsuit for the unfortunate company who owns the property where it happened. This is not a political issue. It is another example of the lack of character and ethics in our society. Global warming is a severe problem and legacy we are leaving our children. The lack of ability to protect and educate our children is right up there if not ahead of Global Warming. We, as adults, are leaving behind a shameful legacy to our children and future generations.

[kpdkpd1]

PERSONAL RESPONABILITY was taken care of. Foley is gone and deserves whatever happens to him. What he did was wrong. The point is Democrats have nothing against what he did or think the behavior is wrong. They celebrate the actual behavior as they have in the past. They and Bob Schieffer are hypocrites. Who saves IM like this for 3 years? I guarantee it was not a Republican. This story was released at the time it was released for pure politics. Nice try, though. This will backfire like Dan Rather's lies backfired.

[michaelz06]

A quick look at history would indicate that neither party can claim the moral "high ground" exclusively. If Foley was a Democrat, etc, etc, the Republicans would be screaming coverup and using the scandal for their political advantage....what's new here?? It is time to figure out a way to change the dynamic so that our elected leaders do their job, as opposed to concentrating on keeping it.

[dzandstra]

What ever happened to PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY? The news media has spent great efforts to point out the possible failings of everyone involved EXCEPT the actual culprit. Foley was supposedly warned (according to the media) some time back that his contact with and e-mails to male page was inappropriate. A RESPONSIBLE ADULT would take the warning to heart and stop. He is responsible for his actions.

I should also add that is the alegations are even somewhat true, why isn't he in jail? If this were a typical American citizen, he wouldn't have had time to pack before being arrested. Is this a case of political correctness gone extreme? Are homosexuals the new sacred cows of our society?

Finally, it seems that to garner public sympathy, all one has to do is claim (unsubstantiated) that he was molested as a child.....particularly by a clergy member. I would almost think that a member of Congress, with their health care program, would have been able to get the psychological help that would have been needed tofix this problem.

[nolalou]

kpdkpd1, it was not Democrats sitting on this story, it was Republicans! If they had done something about this when they heard the 1st complaints about Congressman Foley's inapropriate e-mails and even more graphic IM's to 16 year old Pages, there would have been nothing to Sit on!

Go ahead and re-hash a 30 year old story if you want, but it has nothing to do with the current leadership's failures!