freeSpeech: Bob Schieffer

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

(CBS)  So Congressman Foley has checked into an alcohol rehab center. And he says he was sexually abused as a kid. So what?

Whether its stealing money or something to do with sex, alcohol rehab and the 'abuse excuse' have become the hide outs of choice.

I'm sorry, that is not an excuse. Nor should we waste a lot of time focusing on that part of this story.

The real problem here is not Foley. There will always be weirdos and they can be dealt with. The disgrace is how the congressional leadership handled all this.

The top Republican, House Speaker Dennis Hastert, and his senior leaders are in a fight among themselves about who knew what and when. But the fact is, people knew about this and did nothing about it until they were forced to by public disclosure.

Congressional leaders seemed more worried about saving a congressional seat than saving a kid. Disgusting, but not surprising. Because that is what this Congress has become: an incumbent protection society, which accomplishes virtually nothing.

There is only one reason for government: to improve the lives of its citizens, but this Congress has forgotten that. To raise the money needed to get to Washington, congressional candidates have to sign off with so many special interest groups that by the time they get here, they can't compromise on anything, so nothing gets done, except to raise more money.

This sorry story is not the first sign of a new sex scandal. It is just further evidence of a Congress that has lost its way.

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Bob Schieffer is broadcast journalism's most experienced Washington reporter. He is CBS News' Chief Washington Correspondent and also serves as anchor and moderator of Face The Nation, CBS News' Sunday public affairs broadcast.

Schieffer served as interim anchor of The CBS Evening News from March 10, 2005 until Aug. 31, 2006. He will be a regular contributor to The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.

[cbsurv]

It is astounding that one in five Americans and one in two Southerners are trying to label Barack Obama in a way that would justify his assassination.
I am sure that we all would agree that there are some things that are worth fighting for -- our freedom and human rights, the lives of our loved ones, our strongest, highest beliefs. And if someone or some power were trying to steal these things, we might all feel that that would be worth fighting against.
People who hate what progress our country is proudly making know that these things are held sacred. All they have to do is make some nut out there believe the threat to their country and to their family is real, and one of them might feel justified to take action to mitigate it by trying to KILL OUR PRESIDENT!!!!!!!
It is a known fact that before harm is done to someone they are first labeled. The labeling of our president started with "......he's got a chip on his shoulder." " ......he's an Arab" and "he pals around with terrorists", now "........he's a racist", and "he hates white people". Then he is "trying to steal your health insurance and kill your elders in the process along with your job and your future". To show he is truly a threat that needs to justifiably be dealt with, he is "not even an American citizen" so he is the ultimate illegal alien that has stolen the highest American job! This despite the fact that he HAS submitted proof. Now he and his administration are the new Nazis. This is directed at those who would act to "protect" this country from someone who would try to harm it!!!!!!!
Those who propagate this labeling want someone, somewhere in this country, to be so driven by the fear of the above ideas that they feel justified to actually take a step to kill him. We stood by and watched it happen to doctors that performed legal abortions. That we cannot accept, and we cannot stand by and watch it happen again. Good people must stand up against the continued attempts to character-assasinate, and even worse, to encourage real assassination attempts on our President.
I hope you can use your position to shine light on this psychological scheme before it is too late.

[jw218389]

I know A LOT of people that were abused as children - but they don't have *** with 16 year olds... I REALLY believe that the GOP has become CORRUPT after over a DECADE in power...

It's time for some new criminals to run the government - it will take at least 4 years for them to become as CORRUPT AS THE GOP and even then, Democrats like women that are at least 18 - must be something to do with religious oppression that make the GOP want to make love to anything that moves - regardless of their age...

VOTE THE GOP OUT!!!! They are (as the saying goes) corrupted by power absolutely!!

[michiganm1]

Good job Bob. I find it ironic that the Republicans talk about "personal responsibility" but morons like Delay, Cunningham, Ney, Foley blame all their problems on drinking and Democrats. Even if it was true that Democrats exposed the page problem (even though facts show it was a Republican), I want it exposed. Do we not have a right to know what is going on with Congress. Of course, Hastert claims to accept responsibility, but goes on all the right wing nut programs and blames Democrats. The right wing nuts are convinced that the page was an adult (therefore, we should be proud of the Republican Congress) and that there was only one page and he was a prop of the Democratic Party. Give me a break-accept "personal responsibility" for once Republican Party.

[my1opinion]

Outstanding! You stated what needed to be stated using clear, easily understood language. I found no bias or politics in what you stated or why you stated what you stated. What you stated has needed to be stated for a long time and, in my opinion, is and was the politically correct thing to state. Thank you.

[michaelz06]

to fmwilkes.....perfect analogy. What is it they say about power? Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Neither party is better than the other in the scandal department. This time, it just happens to be the Republicans.

Now if we could focus on issues with a broader impact......such as how to extricate from the mess in Iraq, while still giving those people a fighting chance at the democracy we promised would be better than life under Saddam.

[jimshepard2]

Mr. Schiefer,
It was a good speech and advice was good for our nation but too bad your righteous judgement only speaks up when it is not your party. Been plenty of times you should have spoke up with your party's many leadership flaws which the space I have would not be near enough to print,Clinton's many escapades,the many Kennedy's times of hyprocrisy and not owning up to mistakes but convering up like even recent drunk driving accident in Washington by one more Kennedy and Tip Oneil had many examples of covering up his Democrat problems from congressmen. Hope you look in future at your Democrat party befoer you are so quikc to judge any Republican

[fmwilkes]

Our very first president (not that I was around) warned against political parties. The quote was "Beware of political parties and meddling in European affairs"..George Washington. I imagine that he never dreamed of middle eastern affairs but the first part of the quote showed much wisdom. These days I don't see much difference in our two party system than I do in the "cryps" and the "bloods" other than the way they dress. None of the above have our countries interests at heart. The first two groups are only concerned with the citizen at voting time. Ultimately all four "gangs" are obessed with money and power at any cost. "Often disappointed but never surprised". FM Wilkes/Vietnam veteran

[fangers1]

I wish we could get honorable people to serve in congress and in our media. Congress plays to the media and the media plays to congress.

And woe to those who try to do what they consider right. Democrats and Republicans both should clean their houses up, but there is too much money to be won/lost as these "people" do everything they can to keep/win power.

[fdelorey1]

I would love to hear what Mr. Schieffer thinks about these other Congressional weirdos that I am quite sure he attends press parties with.
Rep. Barney Frank. The outspoken Massachusetts Democrat hired a male prostitute who ran a prostitution service from Frank%u2019s residence in the 1980s. Only two Democrats in the House of Representatives voted to censure him in 1990.
Former Rep. Fred Richmond. This New York Democrat was arrested in 1978 for soliciting *** from a 16-year-old. He remained in Congress and won re-election%u2014before eventually resigning in 1982 after pleading guilty to tax evasion and drug possession.
Former Rep. Gerry Studds. He was censured for sexual relationship with underage male page in 1983. Massachusetts voters returned him to office for six more terms.
Former Rep. Mel Reynolds. The Illinois Democrat was convicted of 12 counts of sexual assault with a 16-year-old. President Bill Clinton pardoned him before leaving office.

[lindsfrn]

As far as I'm concerned, you could have Bob Schieffer on every night for the free speech segment. I don't mind hearing different points of view, but it would be nice to have intelligent, well thought out commentaries

[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!