Hastert Yanks Press Releases On Efforts To ‘Keep Kids Safe in Cyberspace’ From His Website
House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert first claimed he was made aware of Foley’s emails to a young congressional page by media reports on Thursday. He has now admitted he was actually informed last fall. Up until this morning, the top of Hastert’s website highlighted the congressman’s efforts to “Keep Kids Safe In Cyberspace,” with press releases from 8/29 and 8/22, as well as a link to an 8/29 event.
If you’re (cynical) like me, you don’t believe in coincidences when it comes to politics, particularly Republican politics. Especially now that the Republican Congressional leadership is in full “circle the wagons” damage control mode, Dennis Hastert’s staff probably figured that removing any trace of anything that could possibly be used against the Speaker of the House would be a smart thing to do. Perhaps. To this observer, though, it just looks as if Hastert is doing his imitation of a turtle retreating into it’s shell.
Check it out for yourself:
Doesn’t exactly make you think of a man with nothing to hide, does it?? No wonder Conservatives are becoming increasingly angry and disillusioned at Hastert’s apparent inaction. This morning, the uber-Conservative Washington Times is calling for Hastert to resign. From where I sit, Hastert isn’t the only one who should do the right thing and resign. The list should also include Thomas Reynolds, John Boehner, and John Shimkus. It seems clear at this time that the priority among the House Republican leadership was to keep this story under wraps until after the midterm election.
So much for taking care of the People’s business…never mind looking out for the welfare of our children.
