MSNBC Poll: Do you think Mark Foley committed a crime by writing sexually

charged email to minors?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15126702/

* 130 responses

Yes.
72%

No.
18%

I'm not sure.
10%

that busts people for doing exactly what Foley did. Why do they even have to ask this question?

Despite the R's control, the last quarter century's progressive agenda has changed the nation's attitude about these things. It doesn't matter if its a crime or not. It's unacceptable and inexcusable to the nation.

wrote sexually charged emails to their minor children. Whe the hell are they thinking?

Do you think Mark Foley committed a crime by writing sexually charged email to minors? * 463 responses

Yes.
72%

No.
17%

I'm not sure.
11%

...it's because the e-mails had reached a point where the pedophile had set up a face-to-face meeting with the child for sex. The bust usually occurs while the unwitting pedophile is waiting at the rendezvous point.

Without such intent, I'm not sure whether just e-mailing without ever planning a meeting is illegal or not. However, I believe there was a revelation yesterday that Foley had IMed at least one minor about such a meeting, plus getting alcohol for the kid.

to meet?

With all of these IMs, some inferring that they had (something about San Diego) or would meet, how do we know that they did not actually get together. If this has been an ongoing problem for a year or MORE it seems that he has had plenty of opportunity to have physical relations with a Page (minor).

http://abcnews.go.com/images/WNT/Foley_excerpt_tuesday_watermarked.pdf

As you can read, they talk about meeting during the Veteran's Day weekend. Of course, a lawyer would weasel about how this wasn't in earnest because they never set up specifics about, "9:00PM at my house" and whatnot.

I'm not a lawyer to say how damning this is or isn't to him.

yet that would offer more info as to when to meet. They could also have talked on a phone or in passing in DC. :shrug: As time goes by more will probably come out.

to go to the point of the physical contact.

That's why they tell the perps to bring specific items to the rendezvous -- usually condoms and one other unusual item. It's only if the perp brings the items that they can prove intent of something other than intending to visit with a friend you've talked to on the internet.

I don't know if sending a dirty message to a 15 year old is a crime or not.

Contributing to the delinquency of a minor maybe? I don't know.

...legally, he might not actually be in any real jeopardy at all. Politically, he's finished.

Do you think Mark Foley committed a crime by writing sexually charged email to minors? * 6647 responses

Yes.
69%

No.
20%

I'm not sure.
11%

Yes.
69%
No.
20%
I'm not sure.
12%

20% no?????!?!?

last year the base was about 36% so we're doing better. That 20% is Rush's audience...

stupid, ridiculous question.

Who gives a flying fuck whether people "think" Foley committed a crime? This pisses me right off.

but your post brought a little rage back.

point that this would be a non-issue if it's not actually a crime?

If someone can get 50 years for a crime, the public should be certain of the law without question.

On a deeper level, the poll could indicate genuine public confusion, and that is no surprise given how new cyberlaws are.

This poll does not clarify any law. It does not educate the public as to what the law is. It asks "Do you think Mark Foley committed a crime by writing sexually charged email to minors?" What happens if it comes out yes, do we get to burn him at the stake in the public square?

That question is pure bullshit. Whether or not he committed a crime has nothing, NOTHING to do with public opinion. It has to do with police investigations, prosecutorial discretion, jury selection, witness instruction, defense counsel...you know, all those things that make up a CRIMINAL TRIAL.

Polls like this are utter bullshit, so far below contempt that it hurts me to write about it, but they get such noteriety in here. All this poll represents is a free focus group for NBC's news desk, and it's a fucking joke that people respond at all to this bullshit.

I'm sorry, none of this is directed at you, but I hate these online polls by "news organizations" with the heat of a thousand suns. I should probably consider getting help for that.

That's why I didn't vote in this poll though usually do.

You said what you meant. That's all.

Along with 6 other counts for the same, and he just thought he was chatting with a 14yr old.

Scroll down a little.

http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/chldprn/fladoyle32806cr.html