Independent investigation into Foley cover-up is necessary

The revelations about Congressman Mark Foley’s inappropriate communications with a teenage page are disgusting. He has resigned and a criminal investigation is underway as it should be.

However, what is especially disturbing is the fact that the Republican leadership in the House of Representatives was aware of Foley’s actions months ago and did nothing about it. It is one thing for a pedophile to be in denial about the harm he is doing and it is something else for those who supposedly know better but refuse to intervene. (You can find a timeline of what is known at this time here.)

We have already seen what appeared to be a few isolated incidents of this kind of behavior by priests turn into a massive cover up by the Catholic Church for many years. The House Republican leadership cannot investigate itself. An independent investigation is not only appropriate but necessary.