" It's my right as an entertainer."

[catrose]

136. I agree

As many times as Dems have gone along with the latest RW "scandal" (Sherrod & Acorn, for starters), you'd think they'd recognize the methodology. I thought Al handled it well--asking for an investigation, not wanting to make the conversation about him, saying that he remembers the occasion differently (as opposed to denying he knew her or nope, never did it). And didn't Tweeden say she didn't think an investigation was necessary? How often does that happen, that the accused wants to investigate but the victim doesn't?

Other differences between Franken & Moore, Trump, et al.: Franken was not in a position of power over his accusers. They did not stand to lose their jobs or risk injury or death if they objected to whatever it was he did (if anything). Also, all these events took place in public (except maybe the dubious intern), during photo shoots. The women who worked with him behind closed doors had different stories.

As a survivor of assault and harassment, I'm horrified by the Senate women and the men that went along with them. I thought one of the things that made us better was our insistence on due process for everybody. I spent many years in the union hearing that that the union stands by everyone, gives everyone a chance to defend themselves. Supposedly it's in our legal code that the accused has the right to see/hear the accuser in court. Instead, the Mean Girls swung into action, and accusers who were anonymous or coached by Roger Stone brought down a hard-working senator with no chance for him to defend himself. I don't understand why it's weak to say, "These are terrible accusations, and we will investigate them and take action against Senator Franken if necessary."

"Believe women" sounds as earnest as "Believe the children," which I heard several decades ago, when childhood abuse survivors came forward. Unquestioningly believing the children (or what people thought the children said) led to the MacMartin preschool and Keller day care trials, the latter ending with innocent people spending decades in prison, years "lost to other people's delusions."

I don't feel any better about our senators rushing to judgment, throwing aside legal protections, for the sake of "believing women." Yes, I know what it's like to not be believed, both as a child and a woman. But how about we believe with discernment and still preserve everyone's rights: the accusers' right to be heard, the accused's right to be confronted with those accusers and to defend. After all, over 50% of white women voted for Trump; over 60% voted for Roy Moore. These people are not reliable.

Instead of admiring our brave senators rushing to believe women and chase off one of their number, I think think they're gullible idiots, which may not be the impression they wanted to give.

I haven't read every word Al Franken has written, but I've read enough to agree with the OP. One of the bravest things he did was when he discovered his wife was an alcoholic and his best friend was an addict, he turned the spotlight on himself, asked why his nearest and dearest had these issues, and sat himself down in Alanon to work his own program. Most people are content to point fingers at the identified patient and feel smugly superior.

In honor of Al Franken, I'll watch "Stuart Saves His Family" again this holiday.