Sexual Harassment

[Champuckett]

It was inevitable, but it is no officially a bi-partisan Congressional affair. (I'm not counting the President or soon to be elected Senators)

Yeah, it absolutely is bipartisan and we are not just talking a handful of congressmen and senators, but hundreds, 30-50% of both houses. Look up Representative Jackie Speier's statement from last week and how many cases within congress were settled, which effectively silenced victims, if you want to find out more.

 

While the clear majority of these cases involved men doing sexual harassment/abuse to women and to a lesser degree, men doing this stuff to other men, we will see women were not innocent in this either as more victims come forward and get a chance to tell their story. It's sad stuff either way, no matter what sex, gender, or race these victims happened to be.

[Squirrel]

Here is an article (column) that I think pretty much nails it for me in a lot of ways. I'd put up a few quotes as a preview but there are too many to choose from.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/stevens/ct-life-stevens-friday-al-franken-women-dont-belong-1117-story.html

[Doomtints]

Seems like Hillary, in spite of losing the election, did indeed break the glass ceiling. Women are standing up against the misogynists who abused them in droves, esp. ones in media and politics whose misogyny affected the outcome in the election.

 

This is a good thing. After the idiotic election of 2016 (and everything since), men need to sit out the next few rounds.

[Squirrel]

And now my world is 'opening up' ... about time. James Levine is being investigated ... there have been rumors for as long as I can remember regarding him. There's a long list of conductors. Leonard Bernstein is going to top the list.

[Squirrel]

Times Persons of the Year, 2017, the silence breakers:

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/06/business/media/silence-breakers-time-person-of-the-year.html

 

'In a joint interview after the choice was announced, Tarana Burke, who created the Me Too mantra years ago, and the actress Alyssa Milano, who helped promote it more recently, focused on what was still left to do.

 

“I’ve been saying from the beginning that it’s not just a moment, it’s a movement,” Ms. Burke said. “I think now the work really begins. The hashtag is a declaration. But now we’re poised to really stand up and do the work.”

 

Ms. Milano agreed, laying out her aspirations for the movement.

 

“I want companies to take on a code of conduct, I want companies to hire more women, I want to teach our children better,” she said. “These are all things that we have to set in motion, and as women we have to support each other and stand together and say that’s it, we’re done, no more.”'

[kab21]

Looks like the democrats have taken the step (Franken resigning?) they need to so that they can really attack the 'family values' GOP in the next elections. It is utterly inconceivable that the GOP continues to (strongly) back Moore in Alabama and I believe that this choice will really bite them in the future.

 

This is going to be a really ugly 6-12 months but hopefully Dave is right and this is a turning point and changes really happen. I think he is.

[Mr. Brooks]

Looks like the democrats have taken the step (Franken resigning?) they need to so that they can really attack the 'family values' GOP in the next elections. It is utterly inconceivable that the GOP continues to (strongly) back Moore in Alabama and I believe that this choice will really bite them in the future.

 

This is going to be a really ugly 6-12 months but hopefully Dave is right and this is a turning point and changes really happen. I think he is.

Maybe I'm cynical, but I don't think it will come back to bite them at all. The Republican base doesn't think that way.

 

A whopping 71% of Republicans polled in Alabama think the allegations are complete lies.

71%! That doesn't even include those who believe the claims, but don't care. Or, those who believe the claims, and care, but will still vote for him anyway.

 

I really don't think there is anything that a Republican candidate could do, that their base won't find away to ignore or justify.

[drjim]

 

Maybe I'm cynical, but I don't think it will come back to bite them at all. The Republican base doesn't think that way.

A whopping 71% of Republicans polled in Alabama think the allegations are complete lies.
71%! That doesn't even include those who believe the claims, but don't care. Or, those who believe the claims, and care, but will still vote for him anyway.

I really don't think there is anything that a Republican candidate could do, that their base won't find away to ignore or justify.

 

It is true that the base doesn't care, but by all measures that base is shrinking.

 

Since the election, the percent of voters who identify as Ds has stayed roughly the same, while self-identified Rs have dropped about 10%. That number will continue to drop if they don't get right on this issue (and probably a couple of others).

[Squirrel]

 

Looks like the democrats have taken the step (Franken resigning?) they need to so that they can really attack the 'family values' GOP in the next elections. It is utterly inconceivable that the GOP continues to (strongly) back Moore in Alabama and I believe that this choice will really bite them in the future.

 

This is going to be a really ugly 6-12 months but hopefully Dave is right and this is a turning point and changes really happen. I think he is.

Right. I think the Franken resignation was partially a political move in order for the Dems to be able to take the high ground. And, because Minnesota has a Democrat Governor they could 'afford' to have him resign knowing they wouldn't (at least immediately) lose the seat with his appointment. However ... who knows what skeletons will be unearthed. I think there will be accusations and finger pointing across the aisle yet to come. Hard to say.

[jimmer]

The Republicans/Republican voters only care about politicians committing assault, harassment, etc when Democrats are doing it. Look who they elected President.  Look at how they continue to back Moore.

 

Doesn't matter what the Republicans do.  They will continue to get voted in and/or not be forced out.  

 

 

[kab21]

 

Right. I think the Franken resignation was partially a political move in order for the Dems to be able to take the high ground. And, because Minnesota has a Democrat Governor they could 'afford' to have him resign knowing they wouldn't (at least immediately) lose the seat with his appointment. However ... who knows what skeletons will be unearthed. I think there will be accusations and finger pointing across the aisle yet to come. Hard to say.

Yes, this isn't the end of accusations for either side. And many of these accusations will have some level of merit (until Project Veritas gets involved anyway).
 

 

The Republicans/Republican voters only care about politicians committing assault, harassment, etc when Democrats are doing it. Look who they elected President.  Look at how they continue to back Moore.

 

Doesn't matter what the Republicans do.  They will continue to get voted in and/or not be forced out.  

Alabama republicans will continue to back Moore. Core GOP voters continue to back he GOP.

But the independent and undecided voters all over the country are noticing. That is where elections are won and lost. Alabama will most likely retain their senate seat but the GOP will have burned the last shred of credibility that they had left. It is hard to believe that they have any left at all but here we are.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Yes, this isn't the end of accusations for either side. And many of these accusations will have some level of merit (until Project Veritas gets involved anyway).

 

 

 

Alabama republicans will continue to back Moore. Core GOP voters continue to back he GOP.

But the independent and undecided voters all over the country are noticing. That is where elections are won and lost. Alabama will most likely retain their senate seat but the GOP will have burned the last shred of credibility that they had left. It is hard to believe that they have any left at all but here we are.

I hope you are right, but I fear you are not.

[Mr. Brooks]

I hope you are right, but I fear you are not.

Ditto.

[biggentleben]

 

Maybe I'm cynical, but I don't think it will come back to bite them at all. The Republican base doesn't think that way.

A whopping 71% of Republicans polled in Alabama think the allegations are complete lies.
71%! That doesn't even include those who believe the claims, but don't care. Or, those who believe the claims, and care, but will still vote for him anyway.

I really don't think there is anything that a Republican candidate could do, that their base won't find away to ignore or justify.

 

Based on my Facebook feed of MN hardcore righties, nothing changed. In fact, they're rejoicing on Franken and expecting a big swing to an R in replacing him long-term.

[Squirrel]

And the outings continue in my ‘world’ ... http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/theater-arts/conductor-charles-dutoit-accused-sexual-assault-article-1.3713593

 

I remember when I got started in this industry 25-30 years ago and this conductor came to town, several of my colleagues ‘warned’ me to be wary, aloof and professional and to avoid any contact. I’ve never had any incident with him, quite the opposite, but again, many, many stories from women through the years. It’s not surprising.

[ashbury]

Lifted shamelessly from a Facebook friend's post:

 

 

 

This is 2018: when you see the name of a famous man trending on Twitter and immediately ask "did he die, or did he sexually harass someone?"

 

SPOILER: Morgan Freeman isn't dead."