Sun Dec 10, 2017, 03:32 AM
Collimator (1,469 posts)
A Thought Occurred To Me About The Franken Fiasco.
The current upswell of recognition and concern over the issue of sexual harassment started with the exposure of powerful men who were using their positions to access women for sexual abuse and then intimidate them into keeping quiet about it.
The #MeToo has moved beyond those first revelations about famous men to encourage women to open up about the persistance of sexual harassment/abuse/ assault in everyday life. This is clearly to the good, because it stinks that one half of the human race has to go around living in fear of the other half of the human race. We are acknowledging that it is not just famous men who make women's lives difficult by meting out such treatment. But fame and power extend a man's reach to do greater harm by putting him beyond the reach of consequences. Enter Al Franken. This is not a man who used his power and position to seek out victims for his personal satisfaction and then furthered the use of his power to keep his victims quiet. Franken's power did not intimidate women into suffering through unwanted sexual behavior and remaining silent out of fear of retaliation should their stories not be believed. These women weren't freed from humilation and fear by the #MeToo movement to come forth and reclaim their personal power. Franken's power was never a threat to them, it was a threat to the people who already have power. Those individuals have no desire to give up what they have. And until Franken became a threat to them, there was no roll call of violated, demeaned, or offended women whispering in support networks, waiting for the day when Franken could be exposed without risking their careers or reputations. The power being exercised here is not about victims finding their voice. It is about finding "victims" of minor gaffes or misunderstandings and tweaking their narratives to silence Franken's voice and growing political power. If Al Franken had never become a Senator--if he had continued in his career as an entertainer, it is very unlikely that these women would have bothered to include their experiences with him in the chronicles of #MeToo declarations. Franken's power made him a target; he did not use his power to target others. Franken's actions fall into the spectrum of social improprieties if intentional and extend into the realm of misunderstandings that occur between people all the time. Unfortunately for those who look toward a progressive future, there are people who understand very well how to take advantage of a misunderstanding to bring down a powerful person.
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62 replies, 5616 views
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Author | Time | Post |
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Collimator | Dec 2017 | OP |
agincourt | Dec 2017 | #1 | |
Collimator | Dec 2017 | #3 | |
RestoreAmerica2020 | Dec 2017 | #6 | |
RandomAccess | Dec 2017 | #23 | |
TheDebbieDee | Dec 2017 | #54 | |
Kablooie | Dec 2017 | #2 | |
green917 | Dec 2017 | #7 | |
Guilded Lilly | Dec 2017 | #34 | |
Kirk Lover | Dec 2017 | #48 | |
Kablooie | Dec 2017 | #50 | |
Kirk Lover | Dec 2017 | #51 | |
betsuni | Dec 2017 | #4 | |
KT2000 | Dec 2017 | #5 | |
parkia00 | Dec 2017 | #8 | |
lostnfound | Dec 2017 | #9 | |
susanna | Dec 2017 | #10 | |
bluestateboomer | Dec 2017 | #11 | |
scarletwoman | Dec 2017 | #12 | |
onetexan | Dec 2017 | #13 | |
Demit | Dec 2017 | #14 | |
LisaL | Dec 2017 | #15 | |
Demit | Dec 2017 | #18 | |
barbtries | Dec 2017 | #16 | |
Pacifist Patriot | Dec 2017 | #17 | |
Demsrule86 | Dec 2017 | #19 | |
CommonHumanity | Dec 2017 | #20 | |
treestar | Dec 2017 | #21 | |
mythology | Dec 2017 | #22 | |
Ligyron | Dec 2017 | #28 | |
BlueWI | Dec 2017 | #29 | |
questionseverything | Dec 2017 | #35 | |
dansolo | Dec 2017 | #46 | |
flamingdem | Dec 2017 | #24 | |
Different Drummer | Dec 2017 | #25 | |
Fluke a Snooker | Dec 2017 | #26 | |
BlueWI | Dec 2017 | #30 | |
Fluke a Snooker | Dec 2017 | #44 | |
dansolo | Dec 2017 | #47 | |
Fluke a Snooker | Dec 2017 | #53 | |
Thor_MN | Dec 2017 | #55 | |
BlueWI | Dec 2017 | #59 | |
Fluke a Snooker | Dec 2017 | #60 | |
LisaL | Dec 2017 | #31 | |
questionseverything | Dec 2017 | #32 | |
George Eliot | Dec 2017 | #36 | |
LisaL | Dec 2017 | #37 | |
Mme. Defarge | Dec 2017 | #40 | |
Fluke a Snooker | Dec 2017 | #43 | |
Mme. Defarge | Dec 2017 | #45 | |
Fluke a Snooker | Dec 2017 | #49 | |
Demit | Dec 2017 | #52 | |
Fluke a Snooker | Dec 2017 | #56 | |
Demit | Dec 2017 | #58 | |
Fluke a Snooker | Dec 2017 | #61 | |
blm | Dec 2017 | #27 | |
Binkie The Clown | Dec 2017 | #33 | |
Amaryllis | Dec 2017 | #38 | |
leftstreet | Dec 2017 | #39 | |
Mme. Defarge | Dec 2017 | #41 | |
erinlough | Dec 2017 | #42 | |
BootinUp | Dec 2017 | #57 | |
tblue37 | Dec 2017 | #62 |
Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 03:40 AM
agincourt (1,996 posts)
1. yes
you hit it.
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Response to agincourt (Reply #1)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 03:48 AM
Collimator (1,469 posts)
3. Thank You
But as verbose as I was, I don't think that I really clarified my point. (Possibly because of the lateness of the hour.)
Weinstein's (and the others') power protected him from accusers. But Franken's power exposed him to accusers. Does that make sense? Right now, I'm too tired to tell. |
Response to Collimator (Reply #3)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 04:37 AM
RestoreAmerica2020 (3,310 posts)
6. The distinction you noted is clearly about the use of power, abuse of power
...something that is used to intimidate, oppress which does not describe Franken. I agree, he was targeted because he had power, not because he used his power. He's one of the good guys... I sincerly hope he does not resign. Thanks for your post!
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Response to Collimator (Reply #3)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 03:19 PM
RandomAccess (5,210 posts)
23. You got it right --
This sentence stuck out for me: Franken's power was never a threat to them, it was a threat to the people who already have power.
Followed by this: The power being exercised here is not about victims finding their voice. It is about finding "victims" of minor gaffes or misunderstandings and tweaking their narratives to silence Franken's voice and growing political power. Makes the point brilliantly, IMO -- And welcome to DU! |
Response to Collimator (Reply #3)
Mon Dec 11, 2017, 01:59 PM
TheDebbieDee (11,119 posts)
54. Yes, Franken's power DID expose him to accusers who came to
consider their incidental contact with him in the past as an assault.
Also, all Democratic opposition now knows that it only takes 6 or 8 people to allege to have been brushed up against a Dem pol to panic the Dem party who will then... [img] ![]() |
Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 03:47 AM
Kablooie (18,030 posts)
2. I've wondered if the Dem leaders were feeling threatened by Franken's growing influence.
So they eliminated him before he could become a threat to their power.
This is what it felt like to me. If so it could be the the death knell of the Democratic party because anyone who is strong and competent will be destroyed leaving only the mediocre and incompetent to fill the ranks of the party. |
Response to Kablooie (Reply #2)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 04:49 AM
green917 (442 posts)
7. Absolutely!
I think this whole thing was a right wing hit job that kristen Gil8brand jumped on because she wants to run for president and this "scandal" gave her the opportunity to remove her greatest possible democratic challenger without having to actually beat him in a primary. I think this whole fiasco should tell all of us that out democracy is well and truly fucked!
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Response to Kablooie (Reply #2)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 04:26 PM
Guilded Lilly (5,574 posts)
34. Ive felt this way since the pile on occurred. Political motives cant be excluded
Response to Kablooie (Reply #2)
Mon Dec 11, 2017, 11:48 AM
Kirk Lover (3,608 posts)
48. To me your theory sounds insane and paranoid. n/t
Response to Kirk Lover (Reply #48)
Mon Dec 11, 2017, 12:46 PM
Kablooie (18,030 posts)
50. Yeah, it could be. I'm not claiming this is fact.
But canning such a competent Senator in such a quick and dramatic way raises questions.
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Response to Kablooie (Reply #50)
Mon Dec 11, 2017, 12:55 PM
Kirk Lover (3,608 posts)
51. I understand that the female Senators were talking and texting about Franken and they agreed that
the next accusation that came forward was going to be the straw that broke the camels back...and that is what happened.
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Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 04:02 AM
betsuni (21,732 posts)
4. Thank you!
I've said before that Franken's the victim and was scolded, but he is. Obviously.
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Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 04:03 AM
KT2000 (20,309 posts)
5. very good points
and spot on regarding the use of power. I always get back to the point of intention. Does anyone think Franken's intention was to assault a woman?
As these incidents will be used to bring someone down, the real effort to stop sexual harassment of women will eventually fade and the real abusers will keep doing it. |
Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 04:59 AM
parkia00 (560 posts)
8. I believe this is a pre-emptive strike.
It seems the Democrats right now do not have a clear leader which all factions can look to and support to eventually become a contender for the next Presidential elections. So any Democrat that starts to have a growing influence will be targeted by the other side through false news and suggestive allegations and that, is all it seems to take for us to turn on one of our own and take that leader down. When that leader is burdened by such "scandals" that make them unsuitable for candidate for the top office, they will turn on the next leader with growing influence. And the same idiots spineless Democrats will take him/her down as well.
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Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 05:03 AM
lostnfound (15,534 posts)
9. Yes, and it won't be the last.
Politicians, professors, journalists perhaps.
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Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 05:09 AM
susanna (5,231 posts)
10. Power is, and has always been, the main distinction in sexual harrassment.
Your take is insightful and important.
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Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 05:14 AM
bluestateboomer (490 posts)
11. Yup!
Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 05:28 AM
scarletwoman (31,893 posts)
12. Absolutely right on! Thank you for articulating this so well! nt
Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 05:37 AM
onetexan (11,640 posts)
13. Well said
Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 05:50 AM
Demit (11,238 posts)
14. Fiasco is right. The whole series of events never made sense to me.
It never fit in right with the other examples of abusive men that came to light.
This part of what you wrote describes very well what has always bothered me— "...there was no roll call of violated, demeaned, or offended women whispering in support networks, waiting for the day when Franken could be exposed without risking their careers or reputations. The power being exercised here is not about victims finding their voice. It is about finding "victims" of minor gaffes or misunderstandings and tweaking their narratives..." Minor incidents, from long ago, descriptions of which sounded tweaked; half of the purported victims that, when found, being kept anonymous, yet hailed as "brave;" the insistence that the only remedy to this long ago alleged behavior was the draconian ending of a career...it all felt manufactured. What scares me is the part the Democrats played in it. |
Response to Demit (Reply #14)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 06:12 AM
LisaL (44,674 posts)
15. Not just any career.
Franken was elected by many people. If you are going to override the will of the people, at least give the guy a hearing like he asked.
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Response to LisaL (Reply #15)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 07:35 AM
Demit (11,238 posts)
18. It's a hysteria that's going to look very foolish in time to come.
A major misstep by the Democrats. It will not get them anything. Who do they think will admire what they did? Not Republican voters. The Republican mindset is authoritarian; it values strong leadership but it also values loyalty. I don't know what else Kirsten Gillebrand has in mind to further polish her brand but her ease —also the ease of the Democrats as a party—in being disloyal won't appeal to authoritarians at all. I'm a female, feminist, dyed-in-the-wool Democrat and it sickens me.
And your point is a good one: the way the Democrats handled this, as if it was their decision only, was too high-handed, too autocratic. It was, simply, anti-democratic. |
Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 06:22 AM
barbtries (27,089 posts)
16. well said.
he's not like the others yet was treated as badly or worse.
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Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 07:04 AM
Pacifist Patriot (24,301 posts)
17. Thank you, so very true.
Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 09:00 AM
Demsrule86 (65,375 posts)
19. I don't consider Franken to have done anything...wrong ...don't believe the first two and the
anonymous ones are just laughable.
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Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 11:09 AM
CommonHumanity (157 posts)
20. Yes and so perfectly articulated. Thank you
Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 11:13 AM
treestar (80,853 posts)
21. And yet it does not work with Republicans
Once they are in power, they hang onto it, no matter who says what.
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Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 01:25 PM
mythology (9,527 posts)
22. Except it's not always about forceful displays of power
He at least gave Tweeden the impression he wrote a skit just to kiss her, he told another woman that he's an entertainer so he gets to do this, but more than that you don't seem to get that sexual harassment isn't always about making a threat any more than a rapist needs to have a knife in order to rape somebody.
Feeling as though you have the right to put your hands on somebody is in fact establishing that you have power over somebody. That you have the right to touch them without their consent. Taking that moment to touch somebody where they don't want to be touched, is in fact a display of power. |
Response to mythology (Reply #22)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 03:44 PM
Ligyron (6,930 posts)
28. I agree with your points.
However, I don't see them applying to Franken.
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Response to mythology (Reply #22)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 03:49 PM
BlueWI (1,736 posts)
29. The facts were not established.
Last edited Sun Dec 10, 2017, 07:30 PM - Edit history (1) You're summarizing heresay, some of it purposefully framed by right wing sources that support and deny sexism. One of the most outrageous elements of this episode is the interruption of fact finding in a rush to judgement, which is exactly what your statement does.
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Response to mythology (Reply #22)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 04:27 PM
questionseverything (9,088 posts)
35. you always forget to add...is accused of
Response to mythology (Reply #22)
Mon Dec 11, 2017, 11:41 AM
dansolo (5,376 posts)
46. Al has denied every one of those allegations
You are repeating questionable allegations as if they are established facts.
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Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 03:21 PM
flamingdem (38,844 posts)
24. The dem leaders need to answer for this stupid mistake
I believe they are realizing now the dust has cleared
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Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 03:24 PM
Different Drummer (6,145 posts)
25. Well stated and accurately so. n/t
Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 03:29 PM
Fluke a Snooker (404 posts)
26. The big KEY is that Doug Jones win
With Jones, we control the senate, as Collins and Murkowski will flip, giving us 51-49 until we retake next year in 2018. This is worth the sacrifices we make with Franken, Conyers, and others, because we can replace them all with even stronger, younger progressives, which in itself is a net win for us, because then the replacements will have the power of incumbancy.
But with a Jones victory in Alabama, we absolutely stop Trump dead in his tracks until we impeach him in 2019, and indict him in 2021 with a President Kamala Harris-run DOJ, along with his entire family. THIS IS WHAT IS AT STAKE. And don't worry about Al Franken, as his career as a political pundit will be rich and full. |
Response to Fluke a Snooker (Reply #26)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 03:52 PM
BlueWI (1,736 posts)
30. So removing a senator from a once-reliable Dem state,
disenfranchising those who supported and voted for him, under the shadow of Trump, shouldn't be a concern.
I disagree completely. |
Response to BlueWI (Reply #30)
Mon Dec 11, 2017, 11:37 AM
Fluke a Snooker (404 posts)
44. It allows us to keep on advancing the narrative
In Alabama, if we show that the Democratic Party is serious about maintaining high standards for our own progressive officials, then the voters will realize that they should be voting for the party of integrity over the party of the pedophile. And keep in mind that Franken will no be replaced by a crazed Republican, but by a dynamic progressive individual whom will have an even bigger progressive impact on the Senate.
Long game, folks. We need to transform the United States from a hyper-nationalist white privileged cesspool into a functional component of the globalist progressive agenda. This is the entire goal of our Democratic Party, and should be our ONLY focus. |
Response to Fluke a Snooker (Reply #44)
Mon Dec 11, 2017, 11:43 AM
dansolo (5,376 posts)
47. So Al is just collateral damage to allow the Dems to "advance the narrative"
Apparently you are more concerned about the narrative, than whether it is true or not.
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Response to dansolo (Reply #47)
Mon Dec 11, 2017, 01:51 PM
Fluke a Snooker (404 posts)
53. The only TRUE narrative is what matches the truth
And the truth is that capitalist, white supremacist ideology, conflated with Western Civilization and the principles of the oppressive nature of the United States construct vis a vis a flawed Constitution, should be shitcanned as soon as possible so we can get a true globalist, progressive agenda that relies more on human need, not corporate greed.
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Response to Fluke a Snooker (Reply #53)
Mon Dec 11, 2017, 02:07 PM
Thor_MN (11,843 posts)
55. Were you a writer for Monty Python?
Lynching Franken will have no effect on tomorrow's election in Alabama, nor Trump's staying in office. Thomas will remain on the Supreme Court regardless of disenfranchising Minnesota voters.
If Trump leaves office it will be because of money laundering, collusion with Russia and violating the Constitution, not his sexual misconduct. |
Response to Fluke a Snooker (Reply #44)
Mon Dec 11, 2017, 06:13 PM
BlueWI (1,736 posts)
59. Does that narrative include due diligence and respect for process?
Neither was done in this case.
Plus - at this point, the election cycle for the Minnesota senate seat has been moved up by two years. Hopefully the dynamic new progressive is ready to run and win a statewide race in a now-purple state. I understand the reasoning and strongly disagree with the way it was done. There were other options such as censure that were left off the table. The optics of the resignation were highly unfortunate. We're not just moving pieces on a chessboard, there are flesh and blood people, relationships, and voters that all have a stake in the process. Don't need lectures on what the focus should be. We are all capable of critically and strategically thinking. The Democratic voters that are aggrieved and disenfranchised by this abrupt and rash process need to be heard. |
Response to BlueWI (Reply #59)
Tue Dec 12, 2017, 07:17 PM
Fluke a Snooker (404 posts)
60. The end result of a permanently progressive governance should be the ONLY acceptable result.
The fact is far more people are hurt with the status quo of the white supremacist construct in place, aka the US Constitution. More and more people are realizing that it exists to oppress non-progressive individuals, particularly those whom are not white males. As such, anything we can do to advance our agenda short of actual warfare is considered fair game.
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Response to Fluke a Snooker (Reply #26)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 03:55 PM
LisaL (44,674 posts)
31. WTF makes you think that by kicking out Franken, you are going to get Jones?
Response to Fluke a Snooker (Reply #26)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 04:25 PM
questionseverything (9,088 posts)
32. stop equating conyers with franken...conyers went thru the process and lost,settled
franken deserved the investigation,still does
harris has shown she does not have the judgement to be a senator not alone pres frankin had the nerve and guts to demand the votes be counted to win his seat,took 8 months for you to act like some other nameless dem will be that tough is foolish |
Response to Fluke a Snooker (Reply #26)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 05:10 PM
George Eliot (701 posts)
36. Sacrificing Franken will NOT assure a Jones win - crazy idea
Republicans just don't think that way. Can't you tell that? They circles the wagons for their own. They lie, cheat, steal and win and as long as they win, their constituents are fine with it. My opinion and we'll see.
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Response to George Eliot (Reply #36)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 05:11 PM
LisaL (44,674 posts)
37. Exactly. What is the logic there?
You kick out Franken and all of the sudden Alabama will elect Jones? In what Universe?
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Response to Fluke a Snooker (Reply #26)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 08:58 PM
Mme. Defarge (7,721 posts)
40. So, you believe
that the ends justify the means? Vraiment?
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Response to Mme. Defarge (Reply #40)
Mon Dec 11, 2017, 11:33 AM
Fluke a Snooker (404 posts)
43. As long as the process is legal, ABSOLUTELY!!
Voting is on process of progressive transformation. We must avail all our tools, including past the point where the tools are necessary anymore.
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Response to Fluke a Snooker (Reply #43)
Mon Dec 11, 2017, 11:37 AM
Mme. Defarge (7,721 posts)
45. Anything can be made legal.
But truly ethical and fair to all stakeholders?
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Response to Mme. Defarge (Reply #45)
Mon Dec 11, 2017, 12:26 PM
Fluke a Snooker (404 posts)
49. "Stakeholders"?? The country is NOT a corporation
At least it's not SUPPOSED to be.
A progressive movement depends on the majority vote of its citizenry. And if a majority of citizens want a progressive, non-GOP-blasted agenda, then that's the way we go. Legal, ethical, and morally complicit in its beauty. |
Response to Fluke a Snooker (Reply #49)
Mon Dec 11, 2017, 12:56 PM
Demit (11,238 posts)
52. The word stakeholders has a different meaning from the word stockholders.
Response to Demit (Reply #52)
Mon Dec 11, 2017, 03:33 PM
Fluke a Snooker (404 posts)
56. Stipulated.
Still, the vast majority of the world is vested in a progressive United States. Billions will die, as well as the planet, if the GOP keeps its course. And the Jones/Moore senate race is pivotal in this ultimate dire strait. The narrative that Franken's exodus has caused will help Jones over the finish line. This is an INTEGRATED, not SEGREGATED, issue. Big picture, please.
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Response to Fluke a Snooker (Reply #56)
Mon Dec 11, 2017, 04:39 PM
Demit (11,238 posts)
58. Well, if you wanna go really big picture, I'm partial to the Frozen Snowball theory.
But in our more immediate timeline, I very much doubt a cause/effect relationship between throwing out Al Franken and electing Doug Jones.
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Response to Demit (Reply #58)
Tue Dec 12, 2017, 07:18 PM
Fluke a Snooker (404 posts)
61. The Red Giant Sun will vaporize Earth before that happens
Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 03:34 PM
blm (110,760 posts)
27. Hear, hear.
Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 04:25 PM
Binkie The Clown (7,911 posts)
33. When everyone claims to be a victim then the word "victim" doesn't mean a damn thing anymore. nt
Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 08:37 PM
Amaryllis (9,445 posts)
38. Brillilan distinction.
Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 08:41 PM
leftstreet (34,858 posts)
39. DURec
well said
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Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 08:59 PM
Mme. Defarge (7,721 posts)
41. Bless you
for your brilliant contribution to the conversation.
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Response to Collimator (Original post)
Sun Dec 10, 2017, 09:17 PM
erinlough (2,176 posts)
42. This removal from office for the stated reasons has been bothering me.
As a rape survivor I am bothered that unwanted kissing and poor, and tasteless jokes are equated with forcable rape. I can agree with Conyers removal as he threatened woman and hurt their careers, but Franklin....I just don’t see it. As women we need to be very precise about what we allege and what we want from all this.
When I was 18 and was raped I thought it was my own fault for being in the wrong place. I never called it rape or told anyone. I very much relate to Moore’s victims when I listen to them because they are telling my story. Franken’s accusers don’t ring true and I wish I could see their situation as serious, but I don’t. |
Response to Collimator (Original post)
Mon Dec 11, 2017, 03:51 PM
BootinUp (43,840 posts)
57. Nail meet hammer. Nt
Response to Collimator (Original post)
Tue Dec 12, 2017, 07:22 PM
tblue37 (57,324 posts)