UPDATED Franken apologizes after groping allegation: 'It was clearly intended to be funny but wasn't

[DonViejo]

Last edited Thu Nov 16, 2017, 01:45 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: The Hill


BY REBECCA SAVRANSKY - 11/16/17 11:13 AM EST

Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) apologized after a woman accused him of kissing and groping her without her consent in 2006.

“I certainly don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit in the same way, but I send my sincerest apologies to Leeann," Franken said in a statement. "As to the photo, it was clearly intended to be funny but wasn't. I shouldn't have done it.”

His comments come after a woman published a piece Thursday on KABC, where she is a morning news anchor, accusing Franken of kissing and groping her without her consent during a USO Tour in December 2006.

Leeann Tweeden said Franken was the headliner on the tour and told her he had written some lines for her in a skit he put together.

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/360669-franken-apologizes-after-groping-allegation-it-was-clearly-intended-to-be

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UPDATE

Al Franken photo staged according to photographer who took the photo.

Link to tweet

[a kennedy]

1. Well there you have it.......

Glad he responded professionally, but shoot, and I get it was in jest, and back then??? Just dang it, still NOT acceptable.

[madaboutharry]

2. Even when this behavior is meant as a joke it is still hurtful

to the person on the receiving end.

Jokes that include another person's sexuality is always harassment.

I have no doubt that Sen. Franken will have more to say.

[efhmc]

13. I am thinking the same thing.

Women too often are used as the recipients of male "funny" as though we are here for their amusement. I think Sen. Franken is a good senator and an okay guy but he still is a male and most/many men have a long way to go to understand how their normal day to day behavior harms women.

[emulatorloo]

27. Statement from photographer to throw into the mix

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10029850108

Al Franken Photo Staged

Al Franken photo staged according to photographer who took the photo.

Photographer: [S]he was playing dead and SHE wanted him to ‘revive’ her. I took the picture it was a funny moment everyone was smiling having a good time

https://twitter.com/Feisal_Hagi




-----------
Dunno how I feel about any of this yet but appears there may be more to the story?

[SandyZ]

38. My initial reply was it being a joke. Further in this thread is a larger picture.

I read the woman claims she was asleep. The man sitting next to her appears asleep too. Or not following the joke anyway or smiling. I don't know.

[SandyZ]

41. Again, further down there is a larger picture. Three people, only one smiling.

Yes, I read that too. I have been reading more and it appears this picture was a fake grope on the plane while she was asleep. The supposed kiss was rehearsing the skit.

[SandyZ]

43. She looks like she is sleeping on a plane. The guy next to her looks to be asleep.

[Corgigal]

47. What something looks like

doesn't mean that is what it is. Ukraine in the house?

[SandyZ]

53. That is a "no shit". It was stted everyone around was laughing. The only one laughing is Franken.

Franken himself said it was a dumb ass move on his part. He needs to confirm if she was indeed sleeping and he and at least one other thought this would be funny. Then, we would know a lot more. Right?

[heaven05]

3. GODDAMMIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SergeStorms]

18. My sentiments....

exactly. I donate monthly to Al's campaign. Now I'm wondering if that's wise. I guess I'll wait to see if any more shoes drop.

[AJT]

4. Even if we're just talking about the photo, funny to whom?

Getting a laugh from creepy men or people who don't like the other person is not ok. If it was one of his best friends who would understand or find it amusing is one thing, but he hardly knows this person and is humiliating her for a cheap creepy laugh.

[Chakaconcarne]

5. Please note how different his response is....

That should be played loud and clear...

His default was not to deny and go on the attack, but to take responsibility and to sincerely apologize.

Still does not excuse it, but does distinguish it.

[wellst0nev0ter]

6. So what? I have to vote against him now?

[Orrex]

10. You didn't have to vote for him before. Vote for whoever best matches your values.

I would love for this to be a misunderstanding, but if he fucked up so stupidly, then to hell with him.

[True Dough]

7. Just wow.

Is there any man not guilty of sexually harassing/assaulting women???

[C Moon]

12. President Obama, for one.

[True Dough]

20. I certainly hope so

I would be crushed if Obama were guilty of such a thing. Absolutely CRUSHED!

[The Wizard]

15. Some construe a compliment as harassment

It sometimes depends if the guy who gives the compliment is physically attractive or has a smile or leer when saying it.
I was accused of sexual harassment by a young lady who was of no interest to me, and her accusation made no sense. I told her to make a complaint and we'll explain ourselves to a Judge. She declined. Some people are just professional victims, and they make it difficult for legitimate complaints to be heard and/or believed.

[True Dough]

22. Yeah, there's a fraction of accusers

who are not credible. But the majority, especially when there are multiple, aren't making crap up or misconstruing things.

There's no doubt in Al Franken's case anyway. He's admitted it and there's this:

[LudwigPastorius]

29. That's a dick move, Al.

I'll say it...resign, and let Mark Dayton appoint someone else.

[FakeNoose]

46. The photographer says she was in on the joke

Apparently she pretended to be asleep, or dead. That's why her eyes were closed, not that she was really sleeping. This woman was formerly a Playboy model, so she's used to being photographed in way less clothing.

He apologized (nicely) and she accepted it (nicely.) So I think we can move on.

[LudwigPastorius]

48. "The photographer says she was in on the joke"

I've seen no statement from the person who took that photograph that it was a "joke".

[FakeNoose]

49. Look at the tweet - it's all right there.

[LudwigPastorius]

50. If it's "all right there" then surely someone can tell me the photographer's name.

At the very least....

[FakeNoose]

57. This is absurd

Ask this guy



How would I know the guy's name?

[LudwigPastorius]

59. Oh, OK. His name is "Photographer".

gotcha

I'm not going to believe a random Twitter user's assertion simply because I want to.

[xor]

60. The guy making the tweet isn't the photographer, is he?

Last edited Thu Nov 16, 2017, 09:37 PM - Edit history (1)

It doesn't look like it to me. This is just some person on twitter saying the photographer said that. We have no idea if this Aiden guy is just making stuff up. We're in midst of a propaganda war and the biggest battlefield is on the internet using social media. Believing anything on the internet without confirmation could turn out to be very harmful.

This guy could be pushing this knowing it's false hoping people will run with it as proof, but then it comes out to be BS. Then the right can point to it and say "Seeeee they are spreading lies to cover it up", or it could be someone lying thinking it's somehow helping. It could also be true, but we should confirm before accepting it as such.

Just my thoughts on this.

[SergeStorms]

21. Me.

But the numbers are rapidly dwindling.

[True Dough]

24. I think me too

I mean, I have never groped or forced myself on a woman. Never. I may have said a thing or two in my youth that was considered sexually inappropriate. Never while in a position of power or authority over a woman though.

[SergeStorms]

58. I can't remember anything...

in my past either, and I'm almost 70. I've seen an incredible amount of sexism, especially in the workplace. I've always steered clear of that though. What's the point?

[gilpo]

8. Et tu, Al, et tu?

[djacq]

9. Accountability vs Denial

Sexual Harassment and Assault is an absolute wrong.

Own up to the crime...
Apologize for your actions...
Accountability could mean an Apology to Reprimand to straight up no kidding PRISON...
Move on!

If you keep denying after multiple allegations, you don’t deserve to serve in public office. Have we lowered the bar so much that we give free passes.

[IronLionZion]

11. Damn it!

Even Al Franken

[geardaddy]

14. WTF Al?

What in the hell were you thinking?

[UCmeNdc]

16. Resign No!

Reprimand maybe

[alfredo]

17. Heroes by Jill Sobule appropriate for these times

[videohead5]

19. He has apologized

He deserves a second chance.we have a president that 15-20 women have made claims of some kind of sexual assault and the Rethugs could care less.

[progree]

23. It gets worse...

Franken included a moment when "his character comes at me for a 'kiss,'" she said, adding that Franken insisted the two rehearse the scene, during which he "put his hand on the back of my head, mashed his lips against mine and aggressively stuck his tongue in my mouth."

Tweeden also said she fell asleep on the flight back to the U.S., and later saw a photo of Franken groping her.

"It wasn’t until I was back in the U.S. and looking through the CD of photos we were given by the photographer that I saw this one," she wrote in the piece.

"I felt violated all over again. Embarrassed. Belittled. Humiliated," she wrote. "How dare anyone grab my breasts like this and think it’s funny?"

Just so people don't think it's just that he momentarily touched her arm or something.

[lame54]

25. The IT is...

regretting taking the tasteless photo(where he is clearly not touching her) - not the groping allegations

[progree]

28. Clearly? his right hand?

Well maybe - I'd think he'd be careful not to wake her...

[lame54]

30. His right hand is hovering - Clearly

[progree]

32. Not clear to me, sorry

[lame54]

34. sorry too

[emulatorloo]

33. Yes there are shadows on the cloth. Hand not in contact. See also photographer's statement

Not sure what to make of this but appears there is more to the story. Definitely developing. Glad Al said what he did.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10029850108


Al Franken Photo Staged

Al Franken photo staged according to photographer who took the photo.

Photographer: [S]he was playing dead and SHE wanted him to ‘revive’ her. I took the picture it was a funny moment everyone was smiling having a good time



https://twitter.com/Feisal_Hagi

[Denzil_DC]

45. That is NOT "the photographer's statement"

It's a low-follower Twitter user who posted something without providing any name or source.

[emulatorloo]

61. Thanks, have been made aware of that since I posted

[Denzil_DC]

62. No worries, you're welcome n/t

[MrModerate]

26. Franken was being gracious, as he often is . . .

But Tweeden is lying, and somehow thinks the staged picture -- with others obviously present -- shows 'groping.'

I'd say "nice try," to desperate Republicans attempting to smear Franken, but that would be a lie, too.

[MontanaMama]

31. Unfortunate.

I'm disappointed in you Al. I'll bet Mrs. Franken is frowning at you today. I would be.

[ClarendonDem]

35. Mark Stern at Slate thinks Franken should resign

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/11/al_franken_should_resign_immediately.html

[Cattledog]

52. Who's Mark Stern?

[ClarendonDem]

55. Some guy at Slate?

Not trying to be difficult just know that he's a writer at Slate who contributes pretty regularly.

[Cattledog]

56. I never heard of him before.

[-_O_-]

36. She is a regular on Hannity

Before you all call for Al's head on a platter, let's see how this plays out. There's a 'smell' to this one.

[SandyZ]

37. A couple things. Grabbing boobs is not reviving. Throwing up a picture in swimsuit is to what?

They were playing and having fun. So, he did what so many men do, grab boobs, because it is fun.

I got his apology. It sounded sincere. I hope he does see things different, today. I think he does.

[.99center]

39. You can cleary see the shadows of Al's fingers.

Not even one finger is touching her, zoom in and check it out.

[Cattledog]

51. Yep, it was a stupid joke.

But many on this board now equate that with being equal to what Moore did.

[herding cats]

44. That was an ugly thing to do.

Men treating women like objects for their amusement is disrespectful and dehumanizing. Always, no exceptions.

Ultimately this is between Franken and his constituents. Hopefully the ethics investigation will give them what they need to make their decisions.

[Lunabell]

54. He just called for an investigation of his behavior.

I applaud his candor and response. This behavior needs to stop. I am beyond disappointed in Sen. Franken.