NEW/Updated: Statement From Al Franken:

[maxrandb]

78. For some on the "left"

what's missing is that we must believe EVERY accusation, EVERY TIME, and should castrate any that are accused, even if the accusation comes down to "we were in a sketch where we were supposed to kiss...AND HE KISSED ME Outrageous! I've never been so objectified in my life (please ignore my half nude pictures all over the internet, and the fact that I worked on the Hannity Show)...it's outrageous and demeaning that a man would kiss me just because it's in a script we both agreed to do"...we must elect purist Retrumplicans to punish the accused

For the "right" what's missing is; "hey, this is just as bad as a 38 year old man molesting 14 year old girls, and is clearly as bad as bragging about grabbing women's genitals. Clearly, we must consider this behavior as perfectly acceptable in our elected leaders if someone from the other side kissed a woman during a comedy sketch"

What's missing from this is simple; if asked to choose between Franken and Leeann to be a champion of women's equality, rights and protection from harassment in the workplace, you'd choose Franken every time, and it wouldn't even be close.

We simply must stop doing this to ourselves. Unless there is a pattern of this. Unless there is way more to this story than the account of a right-wing Hannity staffer. Unless there is pattern of harassment and sexual abuse of women that Franken has come in contact with over the years, this should be treated as nothing but a right-wing hatchet job.

If there is evidence that Franken harasses and abuses women, I will be the FIRST to demand he step down, or face prosecution if appropriate. I, however, WILL NOT participate in the character assassination of Franken based on the story of a Hannity staffer.

I recently saw a wildly popular film by a major Hollywood Studio. The actors seemed to be clothed for approximately 10% of the entire film. I guess the actors could claim they were "groped", but I think I would look at that charge with a critical eye.