Answering Republicans: Mel Reynolds(D-IL) case is not like Foley (R-FL)

[AIJ Alom]

When it comes to answering Republican pundits and freepers alike make sure you armed with our most potent weapon: the truth. My brother recently pointed out how some of his Republican leaning friends were pointing out how Reynolds was going to jail for having sex with a 16 year old campaign volunteer, but had received a pardon from Bill Clinton.
Here's a Republican blog with the following post about this supposed tragedy.
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2006/10/mel_reynolds_wo.html
Reynolds was a liberal Democrat Congressman who actually did what Mark Foley--as far as we know--only talked about. The difference is that Mel Reynolds' "affair" with an underage girl got him a Presidential pardon and a job with Jesse Jackson.


Nice response to Foley, but it is false. The facts are here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Reynolds (if you haven't noticed, I love Wiki).
In August 1994, he was indicted for having sex with a 16-year-old campaign volunteer. Despite the charges, he continued his campaign and was re-elected in November 1994. Reynolds initially denied the charges, which he claimed were racially motivated. On August 22, 1995 he was convicted on 12 counts of sexual assault, obstruction of justice and solicitation of child pornography. He resigned his seat on October 1, 1995.

Reynolds was sentenced to five years in prison and expected to be released in 1998. However, in April 1997, he was convicted on 15 unrelated counts of bank fraud and lying to SEC investigators. These charges resulted in an additional sentence of 78 months in federal prison. Reynolds served all of his first sentence and served forty-two months in prison for the later charges. At that point, U.S. President Bill Clinton commuted the sentence for bank fraud. As a result, Reynolds was released from prison and served the remaining time in a half way house.

1) Reynold did the crime, he did all the time for sexual assault, the first set of charges.
2) Clinton did not pardon him, he commuted the second sentence from time in jail to a halfway house.
3) Clinton commuted the sentence for the second set of charges of bank fraud. Reynolds still had already served 48 months of his second sentence and finished the rest of it in a halfway house.

Contrast this with Foley, DeLay, Ney, and the rest of the Republican Culture of Corruption whom have not served any time whatsoever.


Clarified the above post for freeper trolls who have difficulty understanding anything due to massive Fox/Drudge Kool Aid Consumption.

[Tatiana]

1. Minor correction... Mel was actually a representative from (IL)

And he'll never cease being a source of shame for me, as I actually voted for him the 4th time he ran for office. But there isn't an ounce of similarity between Reynolds' and Foley's situations. Reynolds was charged, found guilty, sentenced, and (as you have said) served hard time for his disgusting behavior. He was rightfully ostracized by all party leaders, both local and national. I'm inclined to think justice was served and he paid his debt to society.

[AIJ Alom]

2. Thanks. I goofed. I've got a good excuse though...Mets game is on !

Making changes as we speak.

[AIJ Alom]

3. I agree. He did pay his debt. Will George W Bush, Mark Foley, Tom Delay,

or the slew of other Republicans ever do the same ?

[EST]

4. Thank you for the reminder.

I keep forgetting that not everyone on DU has rubbed up against the truth and some are easily swayed (me, for example.)

You've done a good service.

[AIJ Alom]

5. Your welcome. We only have the truth and we unlike our comrades on the

other side of the aisle will not fear it.

[wrascal]

6. It is good to point out the truth

But hopefully people will understand noone supports Reynolds (well anyone who does is a sick bastard). Adults having sex with minors is always wrong.