National Center for Missing & Exploited Children rethink statement on Foley (kind of)

Last night on their News and Events page, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children had placed this statement:

Congressman Mark Foley’s resignation is a great loss to Florida and the nation. He has been a hard-working, dedicated and effective Congressman. He will be missed.

Now they have:

Congressman Mark Foley’s resignation is a loss to Florida and the nation. He has been a hard-working, dedicated and effective Congressman.

So Foley is no longer a “great loss”, he’s just a loss. And he will no longer be missed…though he is a loss.

Or perhaps they thought that as it had already been stated his resignation was a loss to the nation, then it would be redundant to say he would be missed, loss already implying such.

Update: The Center has again rethought their statement (you knew they would) to read:

“In response to the numerous media inquiries we have received, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is issuing the following statement regarding the resignation of Florida Congressman Mark Foley:

News reports regarding interactions over the Internet between former Congressman Mark Foley and Congressional pages are deeply troubling and convey strong suggestions of child sexual exploitation. NCMEC is not privy to the specific facts of the case and thus, it is inappropriate for NCMEC to comment or speculate about them.

Child sexual exploitation via the Internet has become an enormous problem, reaching into every aspect of society. It is imperative that every person become more vigilant and that we enhance steps to keep children safe online.

Congressman Foley has been an effective and dedicated Member of Congress. Nonetheless, if it is determined that he has engaged in acts which have harmed children or put them in jeopardy, like any other person, he must be held accountable. If he has violated the law, he should be prosecuted.”