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.

---

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.

[stunsal]

Bob hits in right on the head, as usual. The excuses of this congress have sickened me as well. None of these piggish bureaucrats have done one thing for the people of this country. It's time for a change!

[juliathmsn]

I didn't know Dan Rather still worked for CBS!

No doubt it is bad when a public servant goes after someone in a predatory manner.

What what Schieffer have done had he been Speaker and gotten this news and known to have go after a man who may be *** would have brought down hell to pay for on him.

Is it possible he was in a Catch 22 situation?

[virtrack]

Way to go Bob Schieffer. Tell it like it is. I like this freeSpeech segment.

[jayb343]

I couldn't agree with Bob's comment more. It seems like every time an elected official gets caught with his/her hand in the cookie jar, they play the "abuse" card. This doesn't work for the average citizen and shouldn't work for them. If he has a problem, I am sorry and he should get help. Then, after he gets help, he should be prosecuted to the extent the law (which he voted for) allows. It is high time ALL citizens are treated the same, regardless of whether or not they are elected officials.

This evenings Free Speech with Bob Schieffer is right on the money. How annoying to know this congress is running our country the way they do. The first time shame on them, the second time shame on us. This scandal has also engolfed one of the congressmen(Tom Reynolds but who%u2019s naming names) in my area of Upstate NY- it's time that us voters are heard all the way back to Washington.

Keep up the fantastic work Bob.

[hwahorn1]

Bravo Bob Scheiffer on your "free speech" segment Oct.4. You were great as CBS anchor also. Thanks for giving us the unspun facts!

[bill429924]

Bob you made a fool of yourself with that hate speach you just gave. You didn't even do a clever job trying to mask your predjudices and political bias.

[virtrack]

We need to get this administration out of office. It is going to take the next administration years to straighten out the mess this country is in.

[szweir]

I am gratful that Bob is able to cut through the bull and really get to the heart of the problem.

The present leaders of Congress have again proved to be dishonest and not just in the way they take money which is only stealing and they have continued to express a propensity for that.

To protect a pedophile and leave him in a position to abuse children is an unconsciousable act and deserves being throw out of Congress at the very least and this does not mean they should not be jailed.

Hastert has always been considered decent but he shows he is just the same as the rest of the Bush team and must be punished with more then a removal from his job. Covering up may be a good method of hiding everything else but not harboring a criminla for what they feel is their political survival. They do not deserve to survive.

[glvyse]

The Free Speech was dead on the money right tonight. No excuses tonight. I remember at the age of 7 one knows the difference between right or wrong. Foley knew and so do the congressional members as well. So shame on them. Fire them all.

[cpneal52]

Bob Schieffer's commentary on a Congress that has seemingly lost it's sense of responsibility to a public that elected them is right on target. We should all "keep the heat" on this group. Without such, how can we expect leaders to be accountable to the ones who elected them to LEAD, not just to be a self preservation body?

[sueb62-2009]

Spot on Mr Schieffer. I believe both sides of the ailse are in this mode. I fear backlash will be onesided but backlash is necessary.

[jordan kentfield]

Bravo Bob! Refreshing to hear the truth.

[cindybear54]

I applaud Bob Shieffer! Thanks for not being intimadated into not saying what needs to be said. I am so tired of elected officials placing themselves above the law! I say, hold them accountable to the law and proscecute them just like anyone else would be. I appreciate Mr. Schieffer's honest and straight forward manner of saying what should be said.

[skyedancer1]

Right on, Bob! This prevalent notion that someone else is responsible for the choices we make in life is leading us into a black hole for which I have to wonder if there is a return. Apparently, Congress took a page from the Roman Catholic church, denial will correct inexcusable, reprehensible behavior. So much believing in the ethical and moral leadership of those who are positioned to and responsible for making our world a better place to live.

[phansonnurse]

Bob was absolutely great tonight - as always. When I heard he was going to be doing the "Free Speech" segment I waited with baited breath. He did not disappoint. As always he was right on target. How are we going to get rid of Senators and Representatives who only think about their next election and do nothing for the people in between elections? Please keep it up, Bob, and help us come up with a solution.

[carolr50]

Way to go Bob!!! I was listening to the news in my kitchen and was startled to hear someone actually calling a "spade" a "spade" and being brave enough to express an honest opinion. And one with which I completely agree! Washington politics has sadly become ALL about saving their seats in the House or Congress and has lost sight of what is really important in the lives of the American people. Thank you for speaking out!

[dmjames1]

Thanks for your outstanding and straight forward comments regarding our Congressmen and their distorted ethics and continued cover-ups and cop-outs for their behavior. Mary from NC

[spudlutz]

Dear Mr. Schieffer,

Thank you for eloquently and intelligently expressing your views on Congressman Foley and the cover-up by his peers. You clearly stated what is in the hearts of all Americans. Congress needs to be held accountable for it's detestible behavior. Thank you for expressing this and bringing it to the forefront for all of us. Maybe Congress will listen now.

[elvaelva-2009]

It's about time! Way to go Bob! We agree with you 100%. We like it when you tell it, like it is.

[tinaferg]

Did Bob really use the word "weirdo," ? I know this was the Freedom of Speech segment and Bob has that, but he is still inextricably connected with CBS news. This is 2006 and people who don't agree with us or our life styles should not be referred to as "weirdos." It is diversity that can make us a stronger society. We are all not the same, but we all, in America, have the same rights. It's nice to keep Bob on in some capacity after Katy came, but this is ridiculous. Bob is either losing it due to his age or he should be fired.

[glory123-2009]

Bob's comments were right on the mark! He voiced the sentiments of many Americans%u2026.this Congress will stop at nothing.

[liberalmedia]

I am glad that CBS has decided to keep Bob Schieffer on this segment regularly. His editorials are always full of good sense, like this one.

I also think that Bob makes a pretty clear case for Congressional reform. As someone who has covered Washington for so many years, he has probably seen just about everything, so when he says the system is broken, I believe him. He is not just talking about the current Congress, but the entire system in which congressmen and congresswomen vote the way their lobbyists and financial backers tell them to.

We need to support congressional reforms that change the way business is handled on Capitol Hill. Those people (congressmen and congresswomen) are supposed to be up there representing us - all of us, not whoever can donate the most cash to their campaigns.

[drskouby]

The "free speech" by Bob Schieffer is a good example of Schieffer's and CBS's bias. It's not that what he says about congress and the 'abuse excuse' doesn't have truth in it. It does!

However, I'm about Schieffer's age and it's clear to me that these things could have been said most any time for the last 50 years. Where has Schieffer been?

I think he chooses to say these things now because he (and Rather and CBS) are as much interested in politics as in news. Futhermore, to impune everyone without regard to what participation or complicity they may have had is using the emotion of the moment in the manner of the usual 'dirty' politics that we all see these days.

Schieffer is entitled to whatever political beliefs he wishes but I strongly question his motivation (and his ethics) when he mixes his politics with 'news'!

[d10ani]

Mr. Schieffer has returned to me something which I have been missing as of late-confidence in our Media and faith in the principle of journalistic honesty/bravery. God bless you always Bob!

[wearybones]

Bob, You are right on target! Keep up the good work and believe me, there are lots of us out here that feel exactly as you do! Wish I could e-mail your article to everyone in my address book! Hazel in FL.

[gwutah]

Bob,

Did I miss something?

I did not realize that anyone had been charged in the "*** scandal" you refer to.

In any event, I believe that the courts will decide whether any crime occurred. Shouldn't you shut up until then?

[pirkey76]

Way to go Bob !! At last someone who isn't afraid to speek up about our congress. It had seemed like everyone was afraid of what GWB might do if you did. Thanks for remembering what is important.

[mbpr06]

Bob Schieffer provided some introspection for all Americans this evening. If the Speaker of the House was apathetic regarding the conduct of Congressman Foley, many more Americans are apathetic about the state of our domestic and foreign affairs. The lack of electorate discourse about social injustice, immigration, economic disparity, swelling Federal government and deficits, and the war in Iraq is glaring and a sad commentary of our times. We truly deserve the government we elected, for they mirror our own selfishness.

[erythangel]

Fantastic reporting, Bob! I hope the people in Washington are paying attention and start doing their job!

[uforje]

Bravo Bob Schieffer Bravo! Finally someone in the media coming out and telling it like it is. I am fed up with this administration and Congress. They work for me and in any other business I would fire such incompetents. So stand up and do the job you were hired to do and stop wasting my hard earned tax dollars. Maybe if the rest of the media had taken such a stand earlier, acting as a watchdog for the people, we would not be mired in the hell hole known as Iraq.

[knugentrn]

Just listened to your commentary (WED 10/04), AMEN!!! Did you know the opposite of progress is congress. I am currently taking a Western Civilization course at the local community college. I cannot believe the similarities between ancient Rome before the revolution and our congress today. ***, lies, greed, cover ups, and the answer that congress can come up with is to end the page program?? Why punish those who want to learn the workings of the government because some adults do not and cannot behave appropriately. Has the catholic church taking over congress, too. Thank you for your sane assessment of the situation.

[lydiarich]

Wonderful! Hooray for you! So imperative that we have people like you in the media that aren't afraid to take a risk and tell it like it is.
We applaud you here in Denver, Colorado - many of us educators and parents agree wholeheartedly with you comments tonight!

[pointswest8]

BRAVO, BRAVO, BOB - Most of the time it seems that those who are (so called) running things couldn't be further "off the mark". And the rest of us (the American people) are left out of the running of "our" country. Government has taken on a life of it's own and that has NOTHING to do with the "job" of doing what should be done for "The Good of the Whole". Thank you for saying the words and thinking the thoughts of the People. EVERYONE in D.C. should go home, permanately, and be replaced by American citizens who want to do (what WE do best) a good job and get a paycheck for that job; and if not done well, get fired. Bob, have you seen Aaron Russo's documentary American: Freedom to Fascism? If not - well, see it, hear it, feel it. And those of us in Denver, Co. do support your comments. Keep up the straight-talk.

[cadego]

drskouby seems to be offended that a member of the media actually has an opinion worth sharing. How is this any different than any op-ed page in every major newspaper in the country?

At the risk of offending Mr Schieffer, I have to say I didn't much care for his style as the evening anchor. However I find his op-ed style on Free Speach quite refreshing and a great addition to the evening news. I wouldn't mind listening to his opinions every night, much the way I look forward to Andy Rooney's on 60 minutes each Sunday. I don't always agree with him, but he does provoke thought.

I surely hope the nay sayers of this journalistic approach to the evening news do not sway Curric and company to take it away. I for one am hooked on it.

[lestb35]

Right on drskouby. I really like Bob Schieffer but this is political from top to bottom and nobody knows at this point who knew what when. And I still maintain this stuff is pretty tame as far as teen activity (not condoning just commenting.)

[joeshields56]

'an incumbent protection society, which accomplishes virtually nothing' ... exactly right!

Once in, an incumbent has it made with so much special interest money it hardly matters how bad they are, there is no way for an honest challenger to defeat them. They can run unlimited (dishonest) attack ads against their challengers that makes it impossible to overcome. Many good people don't even try.

What can be done to correct this?

The Supreme Court has ruled that money is a form of speech (and they are right, money sure talks)and to deny Special Interest groups the right to contribute to candidates denies their rights. But what about the representative right of the common man with his one vote (and a much smaller wallet)?

Wouldn't a compromise work here? How about letting wealthy corporations and special interest groups continue to contribute all they want to candidates for the Senate, but implement the needed campaign finance reforms and ethic rule changes for House of Representative candidates such that they can not take special interest money.

Return the House of Representatives to the common man as it was originally conceived by our founding fathers (maybe even with term limits).

Remove the obstacles and distractions for at least this government body to do the will of the people and perhaps honest hardworking men and women can go to Washington and lead the other bodies by good example alone.

Would be a nice check and balance that is missing now.

[oddjob123]

Yay! well said we need more people like him! good at telling the cold hard truth well said.

[tarquinius2]

The US has become a de facto Oligarchy. In fact, most true oligarchys had a lower incumbancy rate then our so called Democratic Republic.

[leblack-2009]

Fantastic! Watching this Congress has been increasingly disappointing and heartbreaking. Small people who have lost their focus and intent - they are not conducting themselves as honorable individuals, sent to Washington to act in the greater good. I would welcome a candidate ( from either party ) who offered evidence of good character. Disgusting? You bet.

[nhdobbins-2009]

Right on Bob, you had more positive mail than the negative even if it was 50 years of "No Comment" you said it right tonight and I commend you for doing so.
Neil Dobbins

[nhdobbins-2009]

GOOD WORK BOB,
I HAVE READ THE REPLYS TO YOUR COMMENT TODAY (10-04-06) MOSTLY POSITIVE. IN ANSWER TO ONE "NOT HEARD IN 50 YEARS"..........YOUR ALRIGHT BY ME AND A JOB WELL DONE. THANKS FOR BRINGING IT TO THE FOREFRONT.
NHDOBBINS

[huronman]

Bob...I always thought you were a light weight...your last two appearances - troops - page scandal have given me hope. How refreshing

[aircal]

As a former DC resident, and frontline airline employee at National Airport, I was privy to lots of political rumors. I was also privy to lots of bad behavior by big name politicians as they thought they were invisible at the airport. Closeted *** Congressman lusting after cute Pages was "an open secret." Cheating Congressmen who made "inappropriate remarks" were to be tolerated. We were expected to know when they were traveling with their spouse and when the affectionate woman they were with was not related. As airline employees we were supposed to Bow to the Power and never to do anything that would turn a member against our airline.
Bob is right on. Cover Up.. but of course.

[aircal]

As a former DC resident, and frontline airline employee at National Airport, I was privy to lots of political rumors. I was also privy to lots of bad behavior by big name politicians as they thought they were invisible at the airport. Closeted *** Congressman lusting after cute Pages was "an open secret." Cheating Congressmen who made "inappropriate remarks" were to be tolerated. We were expected to know when they were traveling with their spouse and when the affectionate woman they were with was not related. As airline employees we were supposed to Bow to the Power and never to do anything that would turn a member against our airline.
Bob is right on. Cover Up.. but of course.

[joeshields56]

Bob Schieffer is the new Eric Sevareid. Long may he reign (and often we hope).

[rattlesnakec]

Schieffer's analysis was on-point, succinct, and brilliantly written. House Leadership did not care enough for Foley to ask him to step down to seek treatment, and they did not care to protect the pages. They cared only for themselves and the one family the Republican Congress values, the family of the Bush Administration: that is why they work to keep Congress predominantly Republican.

I wish Schieffer had included one other point: Republicans have been in charge of Congress since the early 1990's. While the Republican-led House was screaming "family values," damning Bill Clinton for a dalliance with a woman over the age of 21, and ultimately impeaching him, one of their own was seeking sexual contact with, and trying to seduce, teenage boys, and House leadership knew it.

It is more than ironic that Republicans have stirred up their base of support with the rallying cry of "family values" to get Bush elected in the first place, get him reelected, to deprive *** of Constitutional and Civil Rights, all the while the same Republicans are ignoring or covering up (aiding and abetting) Foley as a sexual predator. A minor is sexually abused when a sexual predator tries to seduce that minor, regardless of the result of that seduction. If Foley is found guilty of crimes that occurred after House Leadership was informed of his behavior, each one of them should be charged with being an accessory, as they allowed the abuse to take place. So much for family values.

[teford2]

Thank you Bob, for saying the truth, and not holding back the things that needed saying.Bob this type reporting, brings back memories of when the news really had something to say.



Tim&Charlene

[mwe3wm]

Thanks CBS for this form.

We all agree with Bob.

However I think with Bob's 4th appearence, CBS now needs to call Free Speech Bob's Editorial's.

If Kati can't keep the audience then give Bob back the anchor.

Michael Edwards
Texas

[oddjob123]

Yeh Bob we need more commnets by you *to cbs people if the read this Bob needs to be promoted