Hastert's Real Friends Not at Tribute

Hastert's Real Friends not at Tribute
by David Masciotra

The Herald News: December 27, 2007

A n obvious benefit to entering politics is earning the freedom to violate almost any social norm or conventional morality without punishment. Behavioral standards that apply to ordinary people are alien in the world of "public service."

A revealing dispatch from the political world of amorality was sent to viewers of C-SPAN Dec. 15 with a broadcast of a tribute dinner for Dennis Hastert, former Speaker of the House.

There he sat as a poster boy for Weight Watchers, except he was not selling anything because everyone had already bought his favorite product: Dennis Hastert.

Luminaries such as Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley surrounded the former Speaker in awe. They offered him bipartisan praise, never pausing to give their consciences relief.

Although I tuned in 30 minutes late, I don't think I missed an address of gratitude from Jack Abramoff, both a friend and partner to the Speaker. Perhaps, the imprisoned charlatan was too busy dreaming that when he is released he may again be able to swindle impoverished American Indians.

Considering all the cooperation he received from Hastert, who collected more than $100,000 from Abramoff and held fundraisers at his restaurant, Jack at least should have sent a postcard.
Apparently, felons forget their manners on occasion.

Also noticeably absent from Hastert's ball was the Colombian military, condemned by every human rights organization for indiscriminately killing innocent civilians in a "war on drugs," and violently silencing dissenters.

At some point during the national finger-wagging at Clinton over private, consensual sexuality, the former president expressed concerns over human rights abuses in Colombia. Ol' Denny replied by leading a congressional delegation to Colombia, which urged the military to "bypass the American executive branch and work directly with Congress."

How rude of murderous Colombian thugs not to show up to Hastert's dinner and give him a well-deserved "thank you."

When the ceremony ended with a sickly benediction from Wheaton College President Duane Liftin, calling Hastert "the Lord's servant," I was heartbroken that one of Hastert's best friends failed to appear.

Former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley of Florida, maybe still in "rehab" or preparing to "find Jesus" and work as a lobbyist, could not attend the dinner. Certainly, he must have sent a letter or more likely an e-mail expressing his appreciation for the assistance Hastert provided throughout Foley's tenure as congressmen.

For three years Hastert knew that Foley made sexual passes and sent sexually explicit e-mails to teenage boys who worked as congressional pages. Any good Speaker would have demanded Foley's resignation and inquired as to how far these sexual encounters went.

Hastert permissively watched as Foley made television appearances to boast about Foley's plan to protect children from online predators.

Since Foley, the Colombian military and Abramoff failed to pay tribute to the former Speaker and friend, none of these topics were broached during the ceremony.

Daley, congressmen, businessmen, academic and religious figures lauded a man who used his power to aid and comfort the worst kind of con artists, perverts and killers.

But he is such a "nice man," with a "good family."

David Masciotra