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Pugster

(229 posts)
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 08:35 PM Nov 2017

Gillibrand: I believe Franken's accuser

Source: The Hill

A Democratic senator says she believes the woman accusing fellow Democratic Sen. Al Franken (Minn.) of groping and kissing her without consent during a USO tour in 2006.

Asked if she believes the woman accusing Franken, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said, "I do."

Gillibrand's remarks came after Leeann Tweeden, a morning radio anchor in Los Angeles, wrote a post on the radio station's website Thursday in which she said Franken grabbed her breasts while she was sleeping during a USO tour to entertain troops in the Middle East in December 2006.

Tweeden included a photograph of the incident as proof.

Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/defense/360689-gillibrand-i-do-believe-frankens-accuser

46 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Gillibrand: I believe Franken's accuser (Original Post) Pugster Nov 2017 OP
The women accepted his apology Matthew28 Nov 2017 #1
Please explain how it was not sexual assault. If a woman is asleep or drunk they are free game??? 4139 Nov 2017 #29
How is this sexual assualt it doesn't look like he even touched her, maybe his finger tips doc03 Nov 2017 #34
Exactamundo. People need to lighten up. nt oasis Nov 2017 #38
The person who took the photo said it was STAGED, And they all were joking about it at the time.... Old Vet Nov 2017 #43
Is the photog covering his own butt? Protecting his career? 4139 Nov 2017 #44
Which part? The Kiss or the Photo? maxsolomon Nov 2017 #45
Ethics to investigate. Kingofalldems Nov 2017 #2
Apparently she's also a "birther" so should we believe her about that also? bagelsforbreakfast Nov 2017 #3
Not much difference. christx30 Nov 2017 #6
Not much difference? Between a 14 year old and an adult woman??? n/m bagelsforbreakfast Nov 2017 #8
I question the sincerity about anyone who equates an habitial child stalker with the Al Franken still_one Nov 2017 #17
Ditto. notdarkyet Nov 2017 #37
The age is different, but doing sexual things christx30 Nov 2017 #19
so pantomiming sexual stuff in a goofy photo with an adult woman equates to assaulting bagelsforbreakfast Nov 2017 #24
he wasn't accused of pantomime assault ClarendonDem Nov 2017 #30
look at the photo... n/m bagelsforbreakfast Nov 2017 #31
She considers the Kiss the assault maxsolomon Nov 2017 #46
I'd say there is a big fucking difference. bathroommonkey76 Nov 2017 #13
Definitely a big fucking difference. Like selling weed to your buddies vs. selling heroine to kids. docgee Nov 2017 #26
Very important, since he's apologized and not tried in any way to deny. JNelson6563 Nov 2017 #4
I believe her too mountain grammy Nov 2017 #5
Pretty late and moot at this point. ancianita Nov 2017 #7
Whatever Franken did, whatever his thought process or intention... BobTheSubgenius Nov 2017 #9
Something smells rotten in LA. democratisphere Nov 2017 #10
A known Trumpette caught lying about the very photo at the heart of the 'scandal'? sandensea Nov 2017 #11
So then, BootinUp Nov 2017 #25
Considering she's already been caught lying, the fact that Roger Stone knew, & above all the timing, sandensea Nov 2017 #33
Bullshit. NanceGreggs Nov 2017 #12
I tend to agree. But just as we have BootinUp Nov 2017 #14
Who didn't see that coming? LisaL Nov 2017 #18
Bad joke? More like a counter offensive. Whiskeytide Nov 2017 #39
Libs need to stay away from the USO. Dawson Leery Nov 2017 #21
can they do their own thing without getting involved with the wingnuts ? JI7 Nov 2017 #36
I don't believe her either CatMor Nov 2017 #23
We have to hold people on our side to a higher standard than the GOP. LongTomH Nov 2017 #15
Sure we do....but think about this adigal Nov 2017 #16
+1000000 SammyWinstonJack Nov 2017 #20
And where did that get us? LisaL Nov 2017 #22
Im really disappointed in the rush to judgement YessirAtsaFact Nov 2017 #42
Al Franken is 1.5 in the richter scale MaryMagdaline Nov 2017 #27
So sick... humbled_opinion Nov 2017 #28
She's already been caught in a lie videohead5 Nov 2017 #32
Exactly! busterbrown Nov 2017 #35
All those in this thread The Wizard Nov 2017 #40
I wish I was in NY so I could not vote for her and support a primary opponent. lark Nov 2017 #41

4139

(1,893 posts)
29. Please explain how it was not sexual assault. If a woman is asleep or drunk they are free game???
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 09:51 PM
Nov 2017

doc03

(35,151 posts)
34. How is this sexual assualt it doesn't look like he even touched her, maybe his finger tips
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 11:17 PM
Nov 2017

at the most, with that flack jacket on she couldn't even had felt it. The photo was obviously Franken just joking around for the camera.
He was a comedian at the time you know. Besides that the women is not 14 years old either. He didn't grab her by the ---- like trump brags on doing.

Old Vet

(2,001 posts)
43. The person who took the photo said it was STAGED, And they all were joking about it at the time....
Fri Nov 17, 2017, 04:56 PM
Nov 2017

That statement is from the person who was there and took the picture. If true it definitely changes things.

maxsolomon

(32,992 posts)
45. Which part? The Kiss or the Photo?
Fri Nov 17, 2017, 05:10 PM
Nov 2017

Can you explain how "she accepted his apology" is an assertion that either was not Sexual Assualt?

 

bagelsforbreakfast

(1,427 posts)
3. Apparently she's also a "birther" so should we believe her about that also?
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 08:46 PM
Nov 2017

I think there's a difference between Roy Moore putting his hands down a 14 year-olds pants and Franken kissing an adult woman and making a goofy photo he apparently sent her. But some on here feel otherwise. Your mileage may differ.

christx30

(6,241 posts)
6. Not much difference.
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 08:52 PM
Nov 2017

Both were not consensual. Both of them need to be punished.
Don't give Frankin a break just because he's our guy.

still_one

(91,966 posts)
17. I question the sincerity about anyone who equates an habitial child stalker with the Al Franken
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 09:14 PM
Nov 2017

incident. In fact, I might be inclined to believe they have ulterior motives, and might not even be who they want us to believe they are

christx30

(6,241 posts)
19. The age is different, but doing sexual things
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 09:19 PM
Nov 2017

on an non-consenting woman is the same. "Well... she's not a kid. That makes it better, somehow."
The way I look at it, what he did was just as bad as what Moore did. Doing things like that is NEVER ok. It can never be explained away, it can never be forgiven. Making excuses is what the other side does "Well, ya see... the Bible tells us.." You either treat women with respect, or you don't. You don't pantomime sexual stuff at a sleeping woman. The only thing you do is assure she doesn't fall over.
Anyone that does anything else is absolute garbage, as far as I am concerned.

 

bagelsforbreakfast

(1,427 posts)
24. so pantomiming sexual stuff in a goofy photo with an adult woman equates to assaulting
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 09:26 PM
Nov 2017

a 14 year old? I think you're swimming against the tide on this one.

 

bathroommonkey76

(3,827 posts)
13. I'd say there is a big fucking difference.
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 09:04 PM
Nov 2017

One was a child and the other was an adult woman.

Stop pushing Roger Stone's narrative for this story. Anything associated with that swine is toxic.

docgee

(870 posts)
26. Definitely a big fucking difference. Like selling weed to your buddies vs. selling heroine to kids.
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 09:31 PM
Nov 2017

JNelson6563

(28,151 posts)
4. Very important, since he's apologized and not tried in any way to deny.
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 08:51 PM
Nov 2017

Let's string that fucker up!11!!

BobTheSubgenius

(11,535 posts)
9. Whatever Franken did, whatever his thought process or intention...
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 08:54 PM
Nov 2017

...to lump it in with the Roy Moore debacle is over the top, IMO.

sandensea

(21,530 posts)
11. A known Trumpette caught lying about the very photo at the heart of the 'scandal'?
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 08:54 PM
Nov 2017

I'm sure Senator Gillibrand doesn't actually believe a word of it.

And btw, who got Tweeden her glasses? Rick Perry?

BootinUp

(46,928 posts)
25. So then,
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 09:30 PM
Nov 2017

U suspect this statement in the OP is about political expediency, political ambition or whatever?

sandensea

(21,530 posts)
33. Considering she's already been caught lying, the fact that Roger Stone knew, & above all the timing,
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 10:10 PM
Nov 2017

I'd say the chances of this being precisely that are better than average.

NanceGreggs

(27,813 posts)
12. Bullshit.
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 08:56 PM
Nov 2017

I don't believe this woman for a second.

Tweedon included a photograph as "proof"? No, she included a photograph that was obviously a "hamming it up for the camera" shot - and whether some people find it offensive or not is irrelevant. The fact remains that Franken was assuredly NOT posing for a photo of himself sexually assaulting a woman.

Should there be an investigation into a SNL member yukking it up for the camera? Oh, yes, by all means. Our very democracy depends on it! Let's spend millions of taxpayers' dollars "investigating" accusations of sexual misconduct against a former comedian-turned-senator.

Forget about Trump and his systematic destruction of the country. I can't think of a more pressing challenge facing us as a nation than getting to the bottom of what Al Franken was thinking when he hammed-it-up for the camera.



BootinUp

(46,928 posts)
14. I tend to agree. But just as we have
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 09:06 PM
Nov 2017

Single issue purists and other purity tests, now we have to believe any woman making an accusation. The RW saw that and turned it into a bad joke.

Dawson Leery

(19,348 posts)
21. Libs need to stay away from the USO.
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 09:21 PM
Nov 2017

It is a cesspool of right wing d-grade celebs.
Same goes for Country.

CatMor

(6,212 posts)
23. I don't believe her either
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 09:26 PM
Nov 2017

I think it has been embellished with some help from others. I'm disappointed in Gillebrand for her statement. He apologized for the photo that shows he didn't actually touch her. As far as the other accusation he doesn't remember it happening that way.

I'm more interested in the tax reform the republicans are trying to get passed. That is something that affects us all.

LongTomH

(8,636 posts)
15. We have to hold people on our side to a higher standard than the GOP.
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 09:07 PM
Nov 2017

I'm really disappointed, I thought better of Al.

 

adigal

(7,581 posts)
16. Sure we do....but think about this
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 09:10 PM
Nov 2017

Dems always eat their own. The Republicans has a sex offender as their leader, and want to send their pedophile to the Senate, but yes, let's force Franken to resign right this very second. Doesn't matter that he called for an investigation. Doesn't matter that the charges are far less serious than those against Trump and Moore. Let's get rid of this guy right NOW, this guy that is a strong voice against Republicans who, if they had their way, would:
- take away our healthcare
- take our $$$ and give it to billionaires
- take away kids' healthcare
- put Muslims in camps
- kill every elephant on the damn planet
- throw every immigrant, legal or illegal, out of the country
- put Hillary in jail
- throw reporters in jail
You know what this is like???
"But her emails!!!!!"

YessirAtsaFact

(2,064 posts)
42. Im really disappointed in the rush to judgement
Fri Nov 17, 2017, 10:37 AM
Nov 2017

My inclination is to give the accuser the benefit of the doubt when it comes to sexual assault.

But this looks like a prank photo that the wing nuts are using to attack Franken and create a distraction.

This came from a right wing talk radio station host with no evidence other than a goofy photo.

Franken’s escort officer didn’t see any creepy behavior on Franken’s part.

Second hand accounts of what the photographer said state that the woman was actually awake and a willing party to the joke.

This smells like bullshit to me.

MaryMagdaline

(6,849 posts)
27. Al Franken is 1.5 in the richter scale
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 09:47 PM
Nov 2017

Roy Moore is 12 in the Richter scale on Andreas fault. Roy is a menace to society. Al wronged a single person and has been forgiven. He was forgiven because the offense COULD Be forgiven. Ongoing stalking of children cannot be forgiven especially when there had been no acknowledgement that the behavior is wrong.

humbled_opinion

(4,423 posts)
28. So sick...
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 09:49 PM
Nov 2017

of the false equivalence, for the GOP it is distract, distract, distract, some idiot actually told me today that he will never believe the Moore accusers because "Where were they when the GOP establishment and Luther Strange were doing opposition research on Moore ? If the evidence is so compelling why did it take the WAPO until the race became between a Democrat and a Republican to report it, he said it stinks of the Chicago Way and then rolled eyes and said it's not like any of them have a photo....

videohead5

(2,151 posts)
32. She's already been caught in a lie
Thu Nov 16, 2017, 10:09 PM
Nov 2017

You can clearly see he is not touching her in the photo and here is what the person that took the photo said...Photographer: [S]he was playing dead and SHE wanted him to ‘revive’ her. I took the picture it was a funny moment everyone was smiling having a good time.

busterbrown

(8,515 posts)
35. Exactly!
Fri Nov 17, 2017, 01:41 AM
Nov 2017

Jesus..You think someone who was sexually helpless trying to get off someone.. taking an incredible career ending risk..would take a photo op of the situation? Give me a break

The Wizard

(12,482 posts)
40. All those in this thread
Fri Nov 17, 2017, 09:08 AM
Nov 2017

who have taken Roger Stone's bait have been put on full ignore as I suspect they could be trolls or just reactionaries.

lark

(23,006 posts)
41. I wish I was in NY so I could not vote for her and support a primary opponent.
Fri Nov 17, 2017, 10:25 AM
Nov 2017

She is such a total hypocrite and ass. Where is her outrage on Moore and drumpf who assaulted women and children regularly? She is part of what's wrong with Dems, always ready to turn on each other but forgive the rw anything. Bah, I'm done with her.

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