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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI can't be the only person feeling deeply uncomfortable with Michael Avenatti
If hes got it, he should produce it. But feeling increasingly uncomfortable with his use of women as chess pieces.
Link to tweet
Brianna Wu, liberal feminist
Funtatlaguy
(10,870 posts)Really needs to deliver today or tomorrow.
tazkcmo
(7,300 posts)It's the client's call as per his tweet.
Funtatlaguy
(10,870 posts)Cuthbert Allgood
(4,921 posts)so that they can make an informed decision.
tazkcmo
(7,300 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)and refuse to "own" his behavior if it's not and Republicans try weaponize it against the Democratic Party.
Sadly, there is a far bigger market for salacious sex allegations than for documented perjury. The first dramatic week of presenting principled evidence and demands for investigation by our senators gained us a week's delay in the vote and some shift in public opinion. But it's the subsequent sex allegations that have thrown the Republicans into severe disarray, with Kavanaugh's nomination hanging by a thread. That's the way it is.
Eliot Rosewater
(31,109 posts)For fuck sake, how many years has this shit gone on here?
justgamma
(3,665 posts)If nobody else does, I get it. Glad I'm not the only one.
wasupaloopa
(4,516 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)on our side was a significant factor in throwing the presidency and senate, and possibly the house, to the Republicans. Just being "on our side" isn't enough.
But as I said, hope for the best. Where there are 2 and more credible accusations of sexual abuse against a specific man being considered for a judicial position, there are very likely to be more.
Credible ones ethically presented and in dignified manner. We need to use every opportunity to underline the differences between us and the Republicans.
lillypaddle
(9,580 posts)wasupaloopa
(4,516 posts)Put so many strings and hoops and he may as well just forget it.
Also to hell with playing nice! This is about our country and freedoms and democracy!
You can explain the need for your niceties if the fascists let you.
Eliot Rosewater
(31,109 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)For purposes of discussion. As opposed to the conservative right. And he is left ideologically, as are Ralph Nader, Michael Moore, and presumably Jill Stein. No need for knee-jerk head-smashing (I need another emoji for that one).
Eliot Rosewater
(31,109 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)confirmation. It's about the bloodless putsch archconservatives are trying to pull off by getting control of elective government and the courts.
Not every thread should be used as a faggot to be lit and tossed on that internal bonfire. What's happening right now is very important. To put it mildly. Those people are well to the right of even the Republican electorate, who don't know it. Enemies of democracy.
Eliot Rosewater
(31,109 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)I raised it, but I kept to truth I thought applicable to the conversation.
Eliot Rosewater
(31,109 posts)was started TO distract and divide us.
Even having nothing to do with "that guy" and I wish to fuck someone would put a stop to this.
Have to run to local march and support protest in support of union workers
cwydro
(51,308 posts)Its consistent wherever you comment.
Who is stopping you?
manor321
(3,344 posts)We have no idea what the woman is even going to say. Why is Brianna assuming rape or attempted rape?
And Stormy is extremely happy with his representation.
TheBlackAdder
(28,189 posts)Doremus
(7,261 posts)avebury
(10,952 posts)and is doing just fine. I would rather have his client conduct an interview right before the hearing as the interview, combined with the hearings, might keep Dump from over shadowing the Kavanaugh debacle with his will I or won't I fire Rosentein game.
HipChick
(25,485 posts)avebury
(10,952 posts)NewJeffCT
(56,828 posts)she was one of the first women that got attacked by trolls in Gamergate.
That said, I think it's pretty obvious that Avenatti is playing the media for attention while the paperwork and everything else is being finalized. I have not seen many that are against Trump that have been able to steal the media attention away from Trump.
justhanginon
(3,290 posts)That certainly does not make it "crap" on a discussion site.
brush
(53,773 posts)They come out like clockwork. Guess they prefer milquetoast Dems who roll over at the thought of being skewered by repugs.
Seems to be some jealousy involved too.
HipChick
(25,485 posts)Doremus
(7,261 posts)wasupaloopa
(4,516 posts)victims.
He should say what ever delays the vote .
He is on our side.
PaulX2
(2,032 posts)Taking on the billionaire serving Republican horde.
Never surrender when you are right.
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)elleng
(130,887 posts)none of which, imo, are rational.
monmouth4
(9,694 posts)redwitch
(14,944 posts)FarPoint
(12,351 posts)Michael is a Democratic Gladiator!
Eliot Rosewater
(31,109 posts)FarPoint
(12,351 posts)Let's drown the flamebaiters out.,
USALiberal
(10,877 posts)Eliot Rosewater
(31,109 posts)"sigh" instead of saying what needs to be said
SIGH
uponit7771
(90,335 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I think a lot of people are jealous of him. Yes, he is a bit flashy and a showman, but he's on our side and I think his heart is in the right place.
elleng
(130,887 posts)Let's GROW UP.
Response to oberliner (Original post)
Post removed
Hekate
(90,667 posts)Often very concerned about Democrats behaving well in the face of severe beatings by the GOP.
rzemanfl
(29,557 posts)I think we will hear from this woman that she was used as another kind of piece or they tried to. She is very courageous.
Meadowoak
(5,545 posts)Fighters in our party.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)Yes, indeed. Thanks from posting a tweet from a "Spacekatgal!" and she's a "liberal feminist," too.
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)That's, like, a way to attack a woman?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brianna_Wu
Brianna Wu (born July 6, 1977) is an American video game developer and computer programmer. She co-founded Giant Spacekat, an independent video game development studio, with Amanda Warner in Boston, Massachusetts. She is also a blogger and podcaster on matters relating to the video game industry, and ran for Congress as Massachusetts Representative in 8th district.
Or is it the fact that she was an actual Democratic candidate the part that bothers you about her?
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)I don't live in MA, though, so I can't vote for her. I had not heard of her running this year. But, then, I don't follow other states' primary elections.
Still, the concern is palpable.
still_one
(92,187 posts)R B Garr
(16,950 posts)will argue about liberal feminists now. So predictable.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)I was not aware of Brianna Wu. I don't follow primary races in states other than my own, and I have absolutely no interest in the world of gaming. Never heard of her.
I see she lost her primary in that state, and is planning to try again in 2020. Brava! I wish her every success. But, snarky "concerns" about Michael Avenatti are of no help at all. If his client drops a bombshell tomorrow, that could easily throw another monkey wrench into the works at the Senate hearing on Thursday.
So, more power to him, i say. He apparently knows more about effective timing for stuff like that than I ever will.
My problem is the constant presentation of "concern" about things about which there should be no concern. Someone has a story that will harm Kavanaugh's confirmation? I sure hope so. I am definitely concerned about him getting seated on the SCOTUS. But I'm not concerned at all about Avenatti's strategy.
R B Garr
(16,950 posts)Twitterverse personas either, but keeping priorities straight should be the main focus. You are right. The Republicans are the enemy, so keep the attacks/focus on them.
JonLP24
(29,322 posts)If you haven't heard of Gamergate then you have been living under a rock. That is how people like Milo and Candace Owens got their start.
The Gamergate controversy stemmed from a harassment campaign conducted primarily through the use of the hashtag #GamerGate. The controversy centered on issues of sexism and progressivism in video game culture. Gamergate is used as a blanket term for the controversy as well as for the harassment campaign and actions of those participating in it.
In August 2014, the harassment campaign targeted several women in the video game industry; notably game developers Zoë Quinn and Brianna Wu, as well as feminist media critic Anita Sarkeesian. After Eron Gjoni, Quinn's former boyfriend, wrote a disparaging blog post about her, #gamergate hashtag users falsely accused Quinn of an unethical relationship with journalist Nathan Grayson. Harassment campaigns against Quinn and others included doxing, threats of rape, and death threats.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamergate_controversy
There was a huge left wing / right wing divide on this.
OilemFirchen
(7,143 posts)Though I suspect that wouldn't have stopped our OP.
Nevilledog
(51,087 posts)Disclose the info too early and the repubs would try something like they did yesterday with the whole Rosenstein kerfluffle. Disclose it Wednesday and repubs will have no time to massage their response. That allows Thursday's hearing to commence with the new allegations hanging over the whole process and gives rise to a stronger argument that the vote shouldn't proceed at this time.
Meadowoak
(5,545 posts)guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)Avenatti is revealing the truth, and Trump must hide the truth.
It is called Karma.
WeekiWater
(3,259 posts)I'm not the biggest Avenatti fan but it's hard to imagine feeling "deeply uncomfortable" with him. He is a player making a name for himself. Those going to him for representation know exactly what they are getting. I think the uncomfortable part is claiming he is using women. He might be doing so for personal gain on the one hand. On the other, he is an immediate equalizer for women who have been assaulted by the powerful. The game is rigged against women. He evens that out almost immediately.
ismnotwasm
(41,976 posts)Or just giving him the side eye. That doesnt mean he isnt useful or sometimes correct
procon
(15,805 posts)dance circles around the like of Trump. He's using Trump's tactics to outwit his opponents, and for the most part, people are eating it up. It's his schtick, his modus operandi, and like Rachel Maddow's formulaic style, at times its both intriguing as it is annoying.
Yeah, we know he's playing a role, using twitter as his playground, the taking advantage of the media that is always looking for controversial stories, but he's so damn good at it, I suspect most of us give him a bit of slack because he delivers the goods he promised.
Hermit-The-Prog
(33,332 posts)LisaM
(27,806 posts)On the other hand, Rachel Maddow loves to do long, drawn-out, circular lead-ins too, so the interview on her show last night was rather inconclusive. He did a long teaser, she didn't ask him straight out what he was getting at.
spooky3
(34,444 posts)Within a specified time frame. She has not authorized him to say more yet.
Cuthbert Allgood
(4,921 posts)Until you get hurt, of course.
I think we could do without lawyer bashing on DU.
LisaM
(27,806 posts)Talking about the ads, some of which are exploitative.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)although she was unsuccessful in primary.
Her opinion isn't coming from support of Kavanaugh, trump, GOPers, etc. I have concerns about Avenatti as well, but if he comes through tomorrow, all the better.
OilemFirchen
(7,143 posts)Their motives aren't exactly a secret, FTR.
spooky3
(34,444 posts)But I dont think Wu has a fair take on Avenatti. His client hired him and directs his actions, not the reverse. So I can assume only that she approved the approach he is using; otherwise, she would fire him.
And Avenatti did not state that his client alleged rape. He said she was a victim and a witness.
FarPoint
(12,351 posts)We need Michael Avenantti...having more like him would be helpful....we need to stop being weak, fighting will pillows and go for the jugular...
world wide wally
(21,742 posts)gibraltar72
(7,503 posts)I take him at his word when he says he's got em. I also believe him when he says he wants to be sure they are safe before they go public. We've seen how far the cult will go. I'm more uncomfortable with the surrender weasels we've got in our party. And the go along get alongs.
dawnie51
(959 posts)Avenatti plays the rethugs game, better than they do. And for now, we have to fight them in kind. They wait for maximum opportunity, they plot, they hedge. What is jarring to us is that we have to do this to, because how the info is dropped, and when, has become as important as the actual info. Thugs have known this forever, and used it against us. Until he is proven unworthy, I love me some Avenatti.
Sugar Smack
(18,748 posts)the more comfortable I feel with Michael Avenatti.
brush
(53,773 posts)FromTheAshes
(128 posts)COMING OUT.
saidsimplesimon
(7,888 posts)He is looking for those clicks and bragging rights, while pretending to run for political office. imo
Avenatti is an excellent attack dog. The tweets "promising" more to follow reminds me of a flim/flam peanut shell diversion. It also reminds me of the reality show has been.
Squinch
(50,949 posts)to trying to discredit him.
They are among us.
meow2u3
(24,761 posts)and beating him at his own game.
Demsrule86
(68,556 posts)you what yesterday I think where unnamed Democratic leaders have 'issues'.
R B Garr
(16,950 posts)OilemFirchen
(7,143 posts)This makes three, at least.
Not that I'm counting.
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)I feel your frustration, though I giggle at it as well.
Kingofalldems
(38,454 posts)betsuni
(25,475 posts)Squinch
(50,949 posts)GusBob
(7,286 posts)I hope he has a good reason for the tease release of whatever information he has
I cant figure why he wont just lay it out already, there most be a reason
still_one
(92,187 posts)according to some "script"
The guy in the WH sure doesn't
Laffy Kat
(16,377 posts)However I think the taunting is calculated for a reason.
betsuni
(25,475 posts)Nitram
(22,794 posts)scoring points in the court if public opinion. That will greatly aid his clients. This shitstorm is entirely political and can only be won at that level.
elfin
(6,262 posts)He is whip-smart and entertaining and has represented Ms Daniels well, but this is beyond SERIOUS.
Whenever he is off-screen for a while, he comes back loud and strong. Benefits him more than his clients at this point IMO.
I do not want the Dem's image to be him. I don't want bombast. I am so f(*&kig tired of bombast. I think he may be a sitting duck for revelations of past misdeeds of his own for "inappropriate" behavior. No facts here - just a personal hunch based upon over 60 years interacting with and observing libidinous males.
I do not want this oh so serious issue used by anyone as a launchpad for more fame and $.
budkin
(6,701 posts)I like fighters, and he's one of the toughest.
SDJay
(1,089 posts)he's promised something and not delivered. I may have missed something along the way, but I don't hold his ambition against him. We need every live pulse we can get at this point. Our society and our future as a democracy and decent society is at stake. I don't care if he's got ulterior motives, and my sensitivity to discomfort is all but gone after nearly 2 years of the orange scumbag.
Funtatlaguy
(10,870 posts)grantcart
(53,061 posts)I believe he said that if they accused Daniels of lying he would release the CD.
They never accused her of lying and eventually caved on the law suit.
Or am I remembering wrong?
dmr
(28,347 posts)I don't like what they do. Most of what they put out there is demoralizing bullshit.
I understand where Brianna's coming from, but I disagree with her idea that he is using women as chess pieces.
There is a huge difference in how Avenatti is playing the media/ social games compared to the GOP. Seems to me he's been spot on with everything he has said thus far, and his timing's been spot on, as well.
While Kavanaugh was repetitiously rattling off his talking points on the State-run Fox last night, Avenatti was on MSNBC suggesting a need for FBI involvement, specific questions to ask, as well as stating that when the time is right, there is definitely more to come.
I like that we have a smart, savvy, truth seeking attack dog on our side. It feels good for a change.
I wish other Dems would be more bulldog-like - thankful Avenatti is.
I don't buy into the "he's using victims" line. I see the GOP asserting he was using Stormy Daniels for money (?). I'm not buying it.
He's exposing the liars and rapists in the GOP and for the most part beating the shit out of them at their own media games. I LOVE IT.
dameatball
(7,397 posts)Just another dent in their armor. Those that think his claim of representing yet another accuser is not a significant issue for the Repubs to deal with are IMHO incorrect.
Squinch
(50,949 posts)One of the reasons I like him is that he makes the trolls shit pickles and act obvious.
libdem4life
(13,877 posts)You know, I've had my thoughts about it too, but they really don't count. Who the hell else is standing up for women? Who the hell else is willing to take the slings and arrows For Them. He is their Avenger. And he isn't "doing it right? I'm so very sorry you're "uncomfortable". No one held their hand over your mouth while trying to dig their hard penis into your female parts.
This is just thinly veiled slut shaming...women as chess pieces in the hands of a what, Porn Lawyer? How the hell do you think he earned the right to speak to the country...when no one...including the holier than thou women Senators will peep. Certainly not "playing fair".
So how "comfortable" do you feel about our aged, white, male Senators on this so-called committee? Fair?
I think not. I'll take Avenatti. And if I needed help in this arena, I wouldn't call Chuck Grassley or Orrin Hatch...or Collins and Murkowski, for that matter. Would you?
Trust Buster
(7,299 posts)lunatica
(53,410 posts)Well all know if hes just inflating his own worth by the results. Im not worried. What happens happens.
OnDoutside
(19,956 posts)he's doing, are Republicans, not the victims.
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)Link to tweet
@MichaelAvenatti
Replying to @Spacekatgal
This is an outrageous and baseless attack. How dare you. You have no idea what you are talking about. You have no idea what I have been instructed to do by my client. You have no idea what the strategy is. You have no idea why we have done what we have. You are clueless.
11:59 AM - 25 Sep 2018
marlakay
(11,457 posts)to listen and watch because of it.
OilemFirchen
(7,143 posts)You remember that horrible scandal, right?
Have some patience.
MyNameGoesHere
(7,638 posts)Well maybe there are two that are really, deeply, hugely, mega, bigly uncomfortable. But I don't think there are more than three in the entire universe that are deeply uncomfortable.
Adrahil
(13,340 posts)He has a sense of what needs to happen here. and he's willing to do what has to be done. And so far, he's been on target. He has been careful to not overpromise.
Sancho
(9,067 posts)...and she may be a government employee who could be fired, so they are preparing to protect her job?
No one knows..
Demit
(11,238 posts)No matter how "deeply uncomfortable" his strategy makes an onlooker feel.
And this woman, regardless of her bona fides, is an onlooker, an outsider.
Jesus, all this tongue-clucking. Makes you wonder what the point of it is.
Caliman73
(11,736 posts)The implication that Avenatti's "use of women as chess pieces" I would imagine, would be offensive to the women who are presumably working with him and being represented by him. It sounds as though Ms. Wu does not believe that those women have any agency in the situation. Pretty poor idea of women from a liberal feminist, but that's just me.
If Avenatti is "using women" then that will come out and he will get his day of reckoning.
I may have certain feelings about Avenatti's constant presence on the media, but it appears that so far, his work has been to advance the position of his clients, against the GOP, as well as promoting himself.
H2O Man
(73,536 posts)The woman in question apparently determined that Mr. Avenatti is the person she wants to represent her. She has to know that lawyers "play chess," and choose the person she believes is the best chess player. She has that right. Ms. Wu is spouting meaningless nonsense.
Crunchy Frog
(26,579 posts)redstateblues
(10,565 posts)Azathoth
(4,608 posts)Trump has debased our politics beyond repair. Life and death issues like war and hurricane deaths are now fodder for his reality TV hijinks. A rape accusation is minor by comparison.
Avenatti's whole claim to fame is that he is able to out-Trump Trump. He can grab the news cycle, string the tabloid media along, and deprive the other guy of oxygen by making everything about himself. If the goal is to meet Trump on his own terms, Avenatti is the man to do it.
Denzil_DC
(7,233 posts)Explanation from Wu here:
Link to tweet
Link to tweet
✔
@Spacekatgal
1/ That Tweet about @MichaelAvenatti is getting a lot of commentary, positive and negative. A few things:
First of all, I like Michael Avenatti a lot. He loves to race sports cars, I love to race motorcycles. I like the guy for that.
Also love that he stands up for sex workers.
Brianna Wu
✔
@Spacekatgal
2/ Im not against @MichaelAvenatti being our nominee in 2020, though he does not have my vote yet. I appreciate the fight hes bringing to Trump.
His teasing a rape allegation to come felt distasteful to me personally. Reasonable people can disagree on this.
Brianna Wu
✔
@Spacekatgal
3/ Democrats have a big tent. And if I disagree with someone on one thing, it doesnt mean I dont like them or respect them.
I do stand by my statement that this particular move feels off to me. You do not have to share that opinion. Form your own!
Link to tweet
✔
@Spacekatgal
Im deleting that Tweet, not because I dont stand by my statement. But its a distraction, and I have no interest in a public beef with Michael Avenatti, who I respect.
The stakes are very high this week with #kavanaugh. I hope Avenattis client is able to have her voice heard.
rzemanfl
(29,557 posts)Denzil_DC
(7,233 posts)Nah, I've no interest in perpetuating this. And given my track record, by the time I've OP'd it, a handful of dupes will have appeared!
If you have the time and energy, feel free to post it yourself, though.
rzemanfl
(29,557 posts)Denzil_DC
(7,233 posts)SMC22307
(8,090 posts)Charles P. Pierce
"On behalf of Stormy Daniels, he helped run Michael Cohen into the loving arms of Robert Mueller's prosecutors, to whom the former bully-boy lawyer is spilling his guts."
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a23455699/michael-avenatti-brett-kavanaugh-accuser/
lapfog_1
(29,199 posts)Kingofalldems
(38,454 posts)She believes in Avenatti.
JonLP24
(29,322 posts)boston bean
(36,221 posts)LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)Maybe something entirely different will knock it off the cycle this afternoon, and you guys can go back to it again. Fingers crossed, right?