I do believe the victim. There are times I change my mind on that.

[kydo]

But new information has to come to light for me to go from believing to not believing any more.

With regards to the latest person accused of sexual harassment/assault, Al Franken. I believe the person making these charges.

However, I still support Al Franken. And of course if new information arises, I will re-assess that belief. And also for the record I would do the same towards anyone else currently or in the future that gets accused of anything. I don't care what letter appears after their name or if the person accused is someone I like.

Franken, to the best of my knowledge doesn't have a reputation like many other people accused of sexual harassment/assault recently. There were also multiple accusers in most of those cases. Right now there has only been one person to come forward.

What Franken did was wrong. He said so, and apologized. His behavior to the accusations was different to the many of the other men of recent similar accusations.

Now maybe this might sound harsh but sexual harassment/assault charges are not all equal. What I mean is, what Franken is accused of is not the same thing Roy Moore is accused of. Yes, there is unwanted sexual advances in some form in both cases, but that's where the similarity ends. Now that does not mean Franken gets a pass. He doesn't.

I will always believe the victim. And unless new information arises that proves otherwise there is no reason not to believe the victim.

Hopefully all this leads to progress on an issue long over due for progress.

[Not Ruth]

1. It is possible to support the victim and the perpetrator, just as it is possible to support neither

Or one or the other.

[kydo]

18. Humans are funny that way.

[wryter2000]

2. And shes accepted his apology

I wouldn’t accept an apology from the man who raped me. There have to be gradations of horribleness. What Franken did is not the same as what others have done.

[kydo]

17. Yep. n/t

[brush]

3. The photo was obviously staged and Roger Stone tweeted last night that something was coming...

Al Franken's way today.

Seems there is more to this story that will come out.

Was Stone party of this whole thing?

I mean how did he know what was coming?

[HipChick]

8. Hannity was in it too...

[kydo]

10. You know, staged or not doesn't matter.

And yeah the crazy on the right is loving this.

But so what? It was an offensive picture, staged or prank. I never found most stupid sex jokes funny. Hated Andrew Dice Clay.

However, with regrades to Franken, and many people that are shown something really stupid they did when younger, or maybe drunk, or just did not understand at the time how dumb that was, feel. I know how I feel when that happens to me. I am mortified at how stupid I was and I try to apologize right away. There might still be other ramifications but I readily except that. There is also the chance my apology will not be accepted. Franken has done that.

Now the politics being played. Yes, I am sure the crazy right knew this was coming and are helping to spread it, and will beat the dead horse.

I still stand with Franken. His issue is not the same as the issues Moore has. I know the right will milk it has such, but karma is a bitch.

[BannonsLiver]

4. We all have our way of looking at things.

I don't believe anything that she has said, including the kiss. Not. One. Word.

[kydo]

6. Like I said. I believe the victim until something new arises to cause me to rethink that.

But that is just me. Everyone has different ways. It's what makes us awesome.

[Kirk Lover]

11. Oh the best lies have little nuggets of truth. But this is being blown WAY OUT of proportion.

So we're gonna investigate Al for a fake grope and taking a liberty with a kiss that she ultimately agreed to - which I'm not saying it's right he did that at all - but we're not going to investigate 20 plus women with this dotus....so yeah I have a problem with that.

[kydo]

13. Oh I do too.

[standingtall]

5. Sexual assault is more serious than

simply saying my bad. Sexual assault is a crime that someone should go to jail for.

[Dem2]

9. Who is accused of sexual assault?

?

[kydo]

15. Yes it is. But who is being accused of sexual assault and who his being accused of harassment?

n/t

[meow2u3]

7. The BIG difference between Franken and Moore

Franken behaved inappropriately with an adult woman, the incident appeared to be a one-time thing, and he not only confessed to, and apologized for, his misbehavior, he also is sincerely contrite.

Moore, on the other hand, not only trolled high schools and other teen hangouts, e.g., malls, for vulnerable teen girls to prey on, he also made--and is still making--excuses for his predatory sexual behavior even to the point of accusing his victims of lying for the express purpose of discrediting the women--whom he targeted when they were girls. He shows zero remorse.

So why do repukes reward GOP sexual predators, but when a Democrat does 1/1000 of what repukes do, they want the Democrat to resign? Apparently, to them, it's not what done, but who does it.

[kydo]

12. Yeah it's that IOKIYAR or whatever. But more like having a 2x4 going through your head.

And complaining about the splinter in the other persons eye. I read that some where in the bible. Part of all that red writing. But the word hypocrisy sure comes to mind.

The two are completely separate issues. The crazy right will try to compare them as the same and claim their guy is a victim. He is not.

This will not end well for those trying to use this to further their own agenda.

[meow2u3]

19. I'm fed up with this IOKIYAR shit!!

It's time we bombard the media, demanding they call out repukes on their blatant double standards which seems to condone corrupt, criminal behavior when done by Republican politicians, but those same reTHUGS demand that Democrats who do 1/10 of what repukes have done be disproportionately punished permenently.

Repunks expect Democrats to be perfect angels while they lie, cheat, steal, and rape the country with impunity. Enough is enough!!!

[kydo]

20. You and me both.

Watching this play out is sickening.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

14. Judging from what I've read so far

what he did seems inappropriate but he seems to be handling things in an appropriate manner and I am fine with him being investigated by the SEC. However, until or unless additional (and/or more serious) allegations surface, I think calls for his resignation are just a bit over dramatic IMHO.

[kydo]

16. I could not agree with you more!

Spot on!