MJ: I find I have a (very) small bone to pick with the BlogFather...

It is a good think Rep. Foley resigned, but I will not feel better if his actions turn out to involve 18 year-olds, versus 16 year-olds.

I am so very tired of reading about people's sex lives - virtual or real. I am tired of hearing it presented as fabulous, or glamorous, or even interesting. Am I the only one to think that the increasingly public nature of human sexuality is fueling the need for people to find more and more deviant images or experiences to supposedly satisfy themselves?

I have been physically ill reading the details of the Amish murderer's intent - please stop already! Why did the Fox news reporters on last night have to keep telling us what he brought with him and what he planned to do with those items? Stomach-turning.

It will be a blessing if none of the Amish families read the newspapers or watch TV...they will be spared the daily assault of details.

The paper this morning had a half-page article full of Instant Message details between Foley and his apparent targets. Disgusting. The targets of Foley's messages, whether 16 or 18 might be young, but they didn't sound naive. They sounded hesitant, but not horrified. They clearly wanted to keep their parents from knowing what was up. Doesn't that sadden anyone else but me?

And what, it's shocking if a 16 year old participates in one of these online chats, but as a parent you would welcome the news that your 25 year old was involved? Where's the line between "consenting adults" and "jail bait?" Come on.

And what's with the left's hypocrisy on this - isn't it clear from the IM messages that these are just young gay men "finding themselves?" Would it be less shocking if the IM's were from a 30 year old to a 25 year old? Not to me - the content would be gross no matter what the ages of the people involved.

This is what people want to do with their Internet freedoms? Ick. If I never read another blog post, web site or news story about people's sexual proclivities it would be fabulous. Unfortunately, the stories do act like car crashes...you are drawn to watch because you don't see twisted metal and broken glass every day. At least I don't.

I've seen snippets of what's out there on the Internet. I know people's sex lives make for fabulous Internet revenue, etc., etc, etc. But what I've seen is comparable to a Playboy magazine - bad enough, but not really disgusting. I know there's worse out there and I don't want the details.

But I think yesterday's article on Pennsylvania might have been the one that inoculates against further exposure. For the rest of the day I deliberately avoided any stories that mentioned what happened, and I turned the channel when the news was on.

Is this what the majority of my fellow Americans are doing when they're home at night? For this you need broadband?

It will be difficult to both avoid and keep up with the story (help me fellow bloggers), but I am waiting to see if it turns out that the Pennsylvania murderer was an Internet devotee. I've become convinced in the last few years that one reason we've seen an increase in violence and depraved behavior is because on the Internet you can find any group of people to support and encourage you in any type of sickness you can imagine.

Hugh, to answer your question from the other day on the show...that's one of the reasons he did what he did. He could. He was supported in "creating his own reality" and all that rot. Even if he never accessed a pedofiliac-supporting web site or chat room...it's all around, it's in the air.

And, certain political groups seen quite confused when it comes to sexuality.  It's good to let it all hang out, get rid of your outdated beliefs, do your own thing....oh wait...not with the minors around. Huh?

The left dominates the media, the music industry, publishing - the major organs of popular culture. Target carries clothes that make 8 year olds look like hookers...the MTV has music videos on that would make a sailor blush...popular music is full of references to 'ho's'...all of these are tools to reach minors and sexualize their lives and the world they live in. Who is surprised when some people try to act out what they have seen or heard virtually. It's infuriating whether it's targeting a 10 year old, a 20 year old, a 30 year old...or older.

Foley is just the latest example of a person using sexuality to attempt to fill some deep-seated emptiness inside. What he did was disgusting and I'm glad he's gone. I'd prefer it if he just barricaded himself in a rock cave for the rest of his life and never saw the light of day. But, I give it 3 months tops and he'll be the latest Oprah guest moaning and whining about his "addiction", or his "confusion" or his "history."

Stuff it already. If I never have to hear his name again it will be too soon. Those of you who will go from reading this to surfing racy web sites - just stop it. Quit. Walk away and go find some reality worth experiencing. If you have to use the Internet to jump-start your life...you need help. Search for "mental health services" and make the call.

The rest of you who feel compelled to keep waving your enlightenment in our faces - stick it back inside already. Enough is enough.

UPDATE: Townhall doesn't seem very link/trackback-friendly if I try to link to Hugh's post. I'll keep working on it - if anyone has a better tech solution, let me know....