Foley scandal fault of moralizers

[Joseph Farah:] Although your homophobic, bigoted column "Outrage in the GBLT caucus" was more than expected, it is truly outrageous that you have sunk to a new low – and for you, that's a stretch. How dare you suggest that Democrats, people who are citizens of this land and the children of God (not the petty tyrant you worship, but the real God) are somehow so immoral that they would not be outraged at the behavior of Mark Foley. How dare you callously declare that the Democrats are simply the party of "sin," never once even considering the fact that Democratic beliefs might actually be based on a true morality. Ever heard of "innocent until proven guilty," Mr. Farah? That is supposed to be hallmark of American justice.

What that means, Mr. Farah, is that no one, not even a member of a pseudo-Christian cult as yourself, can be judged based solely on their "lifestyle choices." Just because someone is gay, or a Democrat, or a Catholic, or a Jew, you cannot make any judgments about their character. Yet you choose, Mr. Farah, to denigrate all Democrats because they refuse to pre-judge all those who don't meet your narrow-minded definition of "moral" – which includes about 9 percent of this country, if polls on those who are "Bible-believing" are correct. You hardly speak for a majority, Mr. Farah.

TRENDING: Reigning Mrs. World arrested after taking tiara from winner in ugly meltdown

Those of us who are liberal choose these moral and political tenets because we believe they are the best way to bring about a just society. We don't think that anyone should be automatically considered an immoral person, a threat to their society even, just because they don't agree with the "theology" of Jerry Fallwell, Pat Robertson or you, Mr. Farah.

You want to talk about the party of sin? Let's talk about the lies told by this administration to justify their illegal and immoral war. Lying is still a sin, correct?

You want to talk about sexual sin? Let's talk about former Rep. Dan Crane, who received the exact same punishment as former Rep. Gerry Studds, for doing the exact same thing. You didn't mention that in your little screed, did you? Perhaps you think it was perfectly acceptable for Mr. Crane to indulge in an illicit affair with a 17-year-old girl (and not be expelled from his House seat). At least he wasn't a fag, right?

And what about Newt Gingrich, who had the gall to lead the impeachment of the president while simultaneously carrying on an adulterous affair with his own staff person. How many times have you decried his behavior, Mr. Farah?

You want to stand up for morality and decency? Then you need to start talking honestly. Make sure you include all the "pro-family" Republicans who have lied, cheated, stolen, raped, etc. Make sure you hold all politicians to the same standards before you start throwing stones at anyone else. Make sure you remember that Democrats have children, too.

If you want to blame a sin for Mr. Foley's behavior, let it be the sin of the closet, into which you anti-gay hatemongers force gay people. It is in the closet where people like Rep. David Dreier, Mark Foley, ex-Rep. Ed Schrock and Sen. Lindsey Graham all reside, where morals and values are corrupted. The closet is where you want gay people to live, so you now need to take responsibility for the results of those wishes. The blame for Mark Foley is yours and yours alone, Mr. Farah, you and all the other moralizing hypocrites.

William