Al Franken accused of kissing and groping radio host. Will resign.

[jackstar7]

While not as egregious as some others' behavior, I'd still like him to step down.

This is the reckoning for millennia of unchecked bullshit.

 

[werepossum]

While not as egregious as some others' behavior, I'd still like him to step down.

This is the reckoning for millennia of unchecked bullshit.

I do not at all like Franken, but assigning "millennia of unchecked bullshit" to his account seems a bit unfair.

 

[Perknose]

I hate to ask this... and I honestly don't care for trump... But can all you folks that are throwing him under the bus mention ANYTHING other than the "grab her by the pussy" bit? Maybe I'm just blind to some other actions he's dine - if so please correct me...

With pleasure! If this were a ballgame, it'd be a rout. He'd be outscoring (pun intended) Franken 11-1.

From The Guardian, a respected, mainstream English newspaper:

"They are Cathy Heller, who told the Guardian last year that in the late 1990s Trump forcibly kissed her on the lips the first time they had ever met; Kari Wells, a former model and Bravo Actress, who said Trump aggressively propositioned her in 1992 while he was dating her friend; and Jessica Leeds, who said Trump assaulted her on a plane in the early 1980s when he allegedly groped her breasts and tried to put his hand up her skirt.

[...]

There was his former business partner in the beauty pageant industry, Jill Harth, who told the Guardian in an interview last summer that Trump groped her breasts and grabbed her crotch in one of the children’s rooms at his Florida home Mar-a-Lago in 1993.

“My pain is everyday with bastard Trump as President. “No one gets it unless it happens to them. NO one!” Harth tweeted after the Weinstein allegations came to light.

Then there was Kristin Anderson, who claimed last fall that Trump touched her vagina through her underwear at a Manhattan nightclub in the early 1990s.

And Mindy McGillivray, who said Trump groped her in 2003 when she was 23, also allegedly at Mar-a-Lago.

And Rachel Crooks, who said Trump kissed her forcibly on the mouth in 2005.

Temple Taggart McDowell, a former Miss USA beauty pageant contestant, also alleged that Trump kissed her without permission, as did Jessica Drake, along with other claims. Natasha Stoynoff accused Trump of “forcing his tongue down my throat” in 2005.

A former contestant on The Apprentice, Summer Zervos – who also said Trump kissed and groped her without consent – has filed a defamation claim against the now-president. Through her lawyer Gloria Allred, she declined to be interviewed for this story."

Of course, each incident was Trumpeted all over the American press (you must have missed it) and, in each instance, multiple high ranking members of the Republican Party denounced his behavior and called for an immediate investigation!

Each time, Trump himself issued a heartfelt mea culpa and apology, and agreed that he should be investigated.

Hahahahaha, just kidding!

 

[imported_tajmahal]

It's OK whatever Senator Franken did, because President Trump is worse.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

It's OK whatever Senator Franken did, because President Trump is worse.

LOL tajjy. Who the actual fuck has said that here? But yea, drumpf is a sleazy skag who has no right to hold the highest office in the land based on his sexual predatory behavior, so I'm glad we can agree on that.

 

[jackstar7]

I do not at all like Franken, but assigning "millennia of unchecked bullshit" to his account seems a bit unfair.

Not just him. Drag 'em all.

Let everyone face the consequences.

Whine about "false accusations" all you want, but the only reason they are going to hold water is because we've been absurdly permissive of this shit for way too long.

 

[Perknose]

It's OK whatever Senator Franken did, because President Trump is worse.

Trump is worse and has repeatedly done much, much worse. Just read my post above.

Anyway, make the Trump vs. Franken score 12-1!

"In 1994, Trump took a 13-year-old girl to a party with Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire who was a notorious registered sex offender, and raped her that night in what was a "savage sexual attack," according to a lawsuit filed in June 2016 by "Jane Doe." The account was corroborated by a witness in the suit, who claimed to have watched as the child performed various sexual acts on Trump and Epstein even after the two were advised she was a minor.

"Immediately following this rape Defendant Trump threatened me that, were I ever to reveal any of the details of Defendant Trump’s sexual and physical abuse of me, my family and I would be physically harmed if not killed," Jane Doe wrote in the lawsuit, filed in New York.

The lawsuit was dropped in November 2016, just four days before the election, with Jane Doe's attorneys citing "numerous threats" against her."

 

[IronWing]

We need a National Truth and Reconciliation Day for folks to confess their past naughtiness and offer almost sincere sounding expressions of contriteness. Youtube could have a category for the resultant videos.

 

[HomerJS]

I heard Leann's interview on CNN and I understand and agree with her level of upset. I had a more benign opinion before I heard from her. Watch CNN and MSNBC "liberal" coverage. They were fair and none of them said "why did it take her over 10 years"? Unlike Fox News coverage in Alabama.

So now where do we go from here? We have multiple DC politicians accused or guilty of sexual harassment or rape.

Al Frankin sexual harassment
1 unnamed Dem and 1 unnamed Republican sexual harassment. NDA prevents names from being released
Donald Trump accused of sexual harassment and rape
Roy Moore - accused of pedophilia and sexual harassment of very young women.

What should be done with them? At a min the unnamed Congressmen should have names released. Maybe FOIA suit can get that done.

Frankin,Trump and unnamed. Seems if you call for the removal of one you need to remove all. Do you call for the removal of Moore if he gets elected?

 

[Alpha One Seven]

The heads keep rolling. I hope this really leaves a mark on the next generation of men and their subsequent offspring. We’ve been pigs for way too long.

Speak for yourself, you may be a pig but not all men or women are.

 

[jackstar7]

Speak for yourself, you may be a pig but not all men or women are.

You're part of a society that has been permissive of this shitty behavior for eons.

Ha. Just kidding. I know you're a loner, Dotty.

 

[BigDH01]

You're part of a society that has been permissive of this shitty behavior for eons.

Better 1000 innocent men go to jail than one guilty man walk free. All hail the wisdom of the mob.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Better 1000 innocent men go to jail than one guilty man walk free. All hail the wisdom of the mob.

just gotta release some rapists to make room

 

[kage69]

Very disappointing, the kissing thing anyway. The pic was a poor choice and a dumb joke but I don't consider it on the same level as say, forcibly grabbing the cat.

I suppose it's good that he addressed it and apologized, rather than deny and ridicule, but I still expected better from Franken.

Question I have now is: are there other accusers? Is Franken like the other predators where this behavior spanned multiple decades and women, or is this different somehow?

 

[Pens1566]

Appears to be minor in comparison to the other recent revelations ... still, he should probably resign.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

Notice the time of this tweet.

Enter The Stone Zone
@stonezonetweets

QUOTE: Roger Stone says it's Al Franken's "time in the barrel". Franken next in long list of Democrats to be accused of "grabby" behavior.
1:21 AM · Nov 16, 2017

 

[Bitek]

What he did was gross, boorish and immature. Genuinely disappointed in Franken. Expected better.

That said, he has sincerely apologized, acknowledged the hurt he inflicted, is accepting the investigation without dispute, and the victim has accepted his apology.

I don't see why he should resign unless the investigation finds more.

1. There needs to be space for forgiveness, provided the perpetrator takes responsibility for his actions, the actions were not deeply egregious, and the victim has been fairly compensated.

2. Zero tolerance will leave the only option for perps is to fight to the political death. EG the Moore Strategy. Lie, attack the victim, never apologize, take everyone down with you.

That option is not helpful and doesn't lead to healing. We need catharsis and reconciliation before change can take root.

 

[kage69]

I don't see why he should resign unless the investigation finds more.

The apology being accepted counts for something here, so consider me in agreement with the above.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

I bet o'reilly is chomping at the bit to say something about Franken, what a fucking shame it is, he has to keep his yapper shut.

 

[pauldun170]

Wonder what Greg Gianforte is up to?
Does the logic work like if you are convicted of assault, you should keep your job.
If you are accused of crossing the line before you were elected then you should lose your job?

Asking for a friend

 

[umbrella39]

It's OK whatever Senator Franken did, because President Trump is worse.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York

“Sexual harassment is never acceptable and must not be tolerated. I hope and expect that the Ethics Committee will fully investigate this troubling incident, as they should with any credible allegation of sexual harassment.”

Sen. Joe Donnelly of Indiana
"I agree with Sen. McConnell that the Ethics Committee should review this matte. What Sen. Franken did is wrong and regardless of political party, sexual harassmen and sexual abuse are unacceptable."

Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois
“These types of actions are simply unacceptable and should be reviewed by the Ethics Committee. Women across America should be able to feel safe in their workplace, and they deserve our support when coming forward with allegations of misconduct.”


Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois
"There is never an excuse for this behavior — ever. What Sen. Franken did was wrong, and it should be referred to the Ethics Committee for review."

Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota
“This should not have happened to Leeann Tweeden. I strongly condemn this behavior and the Senate Ethics Committee must open an investigation. This is another example of why we need to change work environments and reporting practices across the nation, including in Congress.”

Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri
"I’m shocked and concerned. The behavior described is completely unacceptable. Comedy is no excuse for inappropriate conduct, and I believe there should be an ethics investigation."

Sen. Patty Murray of Washington

“The allegations are serious, we need to take them seriously and I support an ethics investigation."


Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts
"The behavior reported today is unacceptable and deeply disappointing. I am glad Sen. Franken as acknowledged as much and has agreed to cooperate with an ethics investigation. Women who come forward are brave and deserve to be respected. We're not going to fix the problems of sexual harassment and assault until men take responsibility for their actions and change their behavior."

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island
"Allegations of sexual assault or harassment by any member of Congress, like those against Senator Franken, must be taken seriously and investigated fully by the Ethics Committee."

Others who have also expressed their support for investigations: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia.

 

[imported_tajmahal]

What he did was gross, boorish and immature. Genuinely disappointed in Franken. Expected better.

That said, he has sincerely apologized, acknowledged the hurt he inflicted, is accepting the investigation without dispute, and the victim has accepted his apology.

I don't see why he should resign unless the investigation finds more.

1. There needs to be space for forgiveness, provided the perpetrator takes responsibility for his actions, the actions were not deeply egregious, and the victim has been fairly compensated.

2. Zero tolerance will leave the only option for perps is to fight to the political death. EG the Moore Strategy. Lie, attack the victim, never apologize, take everyone down with you.

That option is not helpful and doesn't lead to healing. We need catharsis and reconciliation before change can take root.

As long as he sincerely apologizes and as long as he's a liberal Democrat and acknowledges the hurt he has inflicted there needs to be space for him to be forgiven and given another term, or 2. Yep, got it.

 

[pauldun170]

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York

“Sexual harassment is never acceptable and must not be tolerated. I hope and expect that the Ethics Committee will fully investigate this troubling incident, as they should with any credible allegation of sexual harassment.”

Sen. Joe Donnelly of Indiana
"I agree with Sen. McConnell that the Ethics Committee should review this matte. What Sen. Franken did is wrong and regardless of political party, sexual harassmen and sexual abuse are unacceptable."

Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois
“These types of actions are simply unacceptable and should be reviewed by the Ethics Committee. Women across America should be able to feel safe in their workplace, and they deserve our support when coming forward with allegations of misconduct.”


Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois
"There is never an excuse for this behavior — ever. What Sen. Franken did was wrong, and it should be referred to the Ethics Committee for review."

Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota
“This should not have happened to Leeann Tweeden. I strongly condemn this behavior and the Senate Ethics Committee must open an investigation. This is another example of why we need to change work environments and reporting practices across the nation, including in Congress.”

Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri
"I’m shocked and concerned. The behavior described is completely unacceptable. Comedy is no excuse for inappropriate conduct, and I believe there should be an ethics investigation."

Sen. Patty Murray of Washington

“The allegations are serious, we need to take them seriously and I support an ethics investigation."


Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts
"The behavior reported today is unacceptable and deeply disappointing. I am glad Sen. Franken as acknowledged as much and has agreed to cooperate with an ethics investigation. Women who come forward are brave and deserve to be respected. We're not going to fix the problems of sexual harassment and assault until men take responsibility for their actions and change their behavior."

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island
"Allegations of sexual assault or harassment by any member of Congress, like those against Senator Franken, must be taken seriously and investigated fully by the Ethics Committee."

Others who have also expressed their support for investigations: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia.

This ethics committee?

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/02/polit...ight-of-ethics-committee-amendment/index.html
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slat...al_ethics_walkback_may_be_a_real_win_for.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/02/...vote-to-hobble-independent-ethics-office.html

 

[UberNeuman]

If this is the extent of it, then Franken should not step down.

 

[bshole]

As long as he sincerely apologizes and as long as he's a liberal Democrat and acknowledges the hurt he has inflicted there needs to be space for him to be forgiven and given another term, or 2. Yep, got it.

Jesus dude, you have the guys quote and you deliberately misquote him. Do you really think that is honest or persuasive?

He said UNLESS THE INVESTIGATION FINDS MORE. Do you understand what an investigation means?

That being said, there is no doubt that I would be fired for fake breast grabbing of a female coworker, that is ironclad. That isn't exactly an apples to apples comparison though. I don't know if I would be fired for fake breast grabbing that occurred years ago when I was not with the company.

I am actually on the fence with respect to this one and would like to see the results of an investigation.

In the end, getting rid of Franken won't damage the Democrats because he will simply be replaced with another Democrat. It could damage the Democrats badly if Franken is some kind of serial sex pervert and he remains in. That is why the investigation is so important. If there were half a dozen accusers with more than 30 verifying witnesses (as is the case with Moore) it would be a no-brainer.