Man

[Paper Hearts]

And what is the age of consent in Florida and federally, since one party was in Florida? Also, is 16 only the age of consent in DC with parental permission?

[BrassFusion]

Parental permission???

Okay then.

I guess I was just trying to point out that it's possible this guy didn't break any laws.

[BrassFusion]

Perhaps he had permission by his parents? Even then, most age of consents only apply to male/female (or female/male if you're offended by the prior). Legal age of consent for straight couples is 18 in michigan, but only 16 for lesbians.

The age of consent should be the same regardless of orientation. *shrug* At any rate, we don't really know enough about the situation. Are the parents of the pages pressing charges against the guy? And if not, why do we have access to so much private information about it?

[phee]

The age of consent should be the same regardless of orientation. *shrug* At any rate, we don't really know enough about the situation. Are the parents of the pages pressing charges against the guy? And if not, why do we have access to so much private information about it?

Very true... like most things of this nature... we really don't know

[BrassFusion]

Very true... like most things of this nature... we really don't know

Well, I can't pretend I'm Super Objective Woman over here, reading the IM convos, the guy's CLEARLY a stupid douchebag and in my mind, a sick pervo. But so are many 65-year-old guys who make sexual advances toward women my age. But the sick perverted stuff they do is legal. The age of consent will forever be arbitrary, anyway.

I wouldn't vote for him myself, but other people should have the right to. And if what he was doing was legal, he deserves privacy. It's just too damn bad that he was closeted and involved himself in all that anti-child exploitation crap, cuz it makes him look like such a hypocrite.

[Troy Spiral (13)]

Often it doesn't matter what the "truth" is , its what the public image , or damage to "the party" might be caused by them not stepping down.

I'm quite sure theres many a big shot that has stepped down even though they weren't nesssiarly fully "guilty" of whatever it was they stepped down for.

[BrassFusion]

Would he be in as deep shit if the pages were girls? Sigh. I almost wish I'd never heard about this.

[phee]

Funny quote from Wanda Sykes: "He gives alchohol a bad name"

[BrassFusion]

The more updates I read about this, the more disgusted I get with the whole damn thing. I mean, Jesus Tapfucking Christ.

Now he's going to blame his being gay on being molested. Great, dude, way to invalidate homosexuality. Just be a man and admit you like the cock. No one's going to respect gay people in general until these fucking closet cases just out with it.

You just know he's going to enroll in one of those damn treatment programs and promote them once he's made a full "recovery." Because we all know that homosexuality is a mental condition, a disease that should be treated and cured like any other. Maybe someday we'll figure out how to make a genetic gay vaccine.

Oh wait, I just contradicted myself. For the neocons to genetically counteract gayness they would have to first ADMIT that it could be genetic.

I AM SO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW. I'M SORRY.

[Draco1958]

Perhaps he had permission by his parents? Even then, most age of consents only apply to male/female (or female/male if you're offended by the prior). Legal age of consent for straight couples is 18 in michigan, but only 16 for lesbians.

Just for setting the record staright. This question came up because a 17 y/o female was flashing guys on her cam in a yahoo chatroom. The age of consent in Michigan is 17 not 18. That info came from the police. One of the chatters called to verify it. It used to be 16 but was changed in the late 90's so unless it has been changed since then 17 is legal in Michigan.

As far as innocent until proven guilty goes, while we always rely on a conviction to say either answer, we must remember one thing. If someone is caught on film commiting a crime, how can one say they are innocent when it is obvious they did the crime. Same goes for emails, chat transcripts and such. Hard to claim innocence when the message is clear that one is doing something wrong. Sending a minor a message like are you horny isn't appropriate...period and if you have proof of the message, then that person is guilty of sending it provided you have proof they sent it and proof it is or was on their PC.

[BrassFusion]

Just for setting the record staright. This question came up because a 17 y/o female was flashing guys on her cam in a yahoo chatroom. The age of consent in Michigan is 17 not 18. That info came from the police. One of the chatters called to verify it. It used to be 16 but was changed in the late 90's so unless it has been changed since then 17 is legal in Michigan.

As far as innocent until proven guilty goes, while we always rely on a conviction to say either answer, we must remember one thing. If someone is caught on film commiting a crime, how can one say they are innocent when it is obvious they did the crime. Same goes for emails, chat transcripts and such. Hard to claim innocence when the message is clear that one is doing something wrong. Sending a minor a message like are you horny isn't appropriate...period and if you have proof of the message, then that person is guilty of sending it provided you have proof they sent it and proof it is or was on their PC.

It's probably "wrong"(it certainly disgusts the hell out of ME), but it may have been legal. Just like if it were a girl who turned 18 the day before he sent the first email. That would still be disgusting and sad, but it would be legal, so who are we to judge his sexual activities when they involve people who are legally able to consent?

That's why I'm a democrat- I'm a kinky pervo and I feel that my proclivities should be protected. It would be hypocritical for me not to defend gay rights and privacy rights. As long as it all happens between persons legally able to consent who DO consent, I have no business sticking my nose in it.

I don't necessarily agree with the age of consent being set at 16, but it's arbitrary anyway, and odds are good enough that some day in the future it will go a lot lower. Kids are growing up faster than they used to in some ways, if slower in others. But if their state decides they're consenting adults, I can't argue that or deny them their rights.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

I'm not sure anyone here has noticed this... Fowley is not in trouble for the IMs everyone is qouting. The one's all over ABC's website... Why? Because the guy Fowely was IM'ing with was 18. Legal. He is in trouble over the emails to a 16 year old... and those emails are not nearly as sexual as the IM's evryone is going on about.

BTW... for the Liberals and Democrats out there who doubt this...

http://passionateamerica.blogspot.com/ (Air America's blog space)

This is getting blown way out of proportion for political gain. The Democrats can't win an election based on thier policys (because the only policy they have is to stop the Republicans from doing anything) so they are trying to win control of congress with scandal.

I love our system... but I would really love to get just about everyone involved in it out and new blood put in.

[phee]

I'm not sure anyone here has noticed this... Fowley is not in trouble for the IMs everyone is qouting. The one's all over ABC's website... Why? Because the guy Fowely was IM'ing with was 18. Legal. He is in trouble over the emails to a 16 year old... and those emails are not nearly as sexual as the IM's evryone is going on about.

BTW... for the Liberals and Democrats out there who doubt this...

http://passionateamerica.blogspot.com/ (Air America's blog space)

This is getting blown way out of proportion for political gain. The Democrats can't win an election based on thier policys (because the only policy they have is to stop the Republicans from doing anything) so they are trying to win control of congress with scandal.

I love our system... but I would really love to get just about everyone involved in it out and new blood put in.

Yah.... because the republicans are in power now through honest means *Phee whipes the sarcasm off his knees*

[pharoh]

/\ Aggreed

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

You will notice that I said I wanted everyone holding public office out... not just democrats. I will vote for anyone who has a good plan that I think might work. I will not vote for anyone who's only plan is to stop "the other guy" from doing anything, no matter how benificial it is.

[phee]

I vote for improvement... no matter which form it will take

[torn asunder]

"politicians are like diapers, and should be changed often for the same reasons!" - robin williams' character, in "man of the year"...

[BrassFusion]

You will notice that I said I wanted everyone holding public office out... not just democrats. I will vote for anyone who has a good plan that I think might work. I will not vote for anyone who's only plan is to stop "the other guy" from doing anything, no matter how benificial it is.

I've never seen a Republican that had any more of a definite "plan" than a Democrat in a similar situation had. So I vote on ideology. I vote for people who'll pass a minimum of measures aimed at subjugating other human beings, and when it comes down to it, I'll try to protect my rights before I protect my money. So I vote Democrat. There's more to the party than just "stopping the Republicans."

But I question whether there's more to your party than stopping "moral decay in our nation." Their principals of economic freedom and personal responsibility seem to have fallen by the wayside in recent history.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

ugh... I don't belong to any party and I never will be. I vote for what ever canidate has the best platform. I do admit I have not voted for many Democrats in the last few elections... I did vote for Granholm last time..., but only because the only plan Dems put forward that they are going to "stop the Republicans" Look it up. Dean, the chairman of the Democratic party, has been qouted repeatedly as saying that is the only platform the Dems need.

[BrassFusion]

Uh... look WHAT up?