Ezra Klein promoting "both sides-ism" asking us to believe partisan hack Juanita Broaddrick.

[JHan]

38. Yes, understanding evolves over time. I never disputed that.

What I am asking is for us to examine how it evolved in this context.

And let's get this out of the way: I am not one of the "People who prefer to protect the power and legacy of someone they admire" rather than deal with the behavior. I've said repeatedly Bill Clinton's behavior was wrong. I can explain more why his behavior was terrible but the disagreement here pertains to Monica's own agency.

If you read the Vanity Fair piece carefully, you'll see that her strongest recollection of abuse occurred in the aftermath of the affair becoming public (I keep saying this) She doesn't dive into the period when the affair started. When everything became public was when she was turned into a punchline and a pariah. She has said her worst experiences of abuse was at the hands of Ken Starr and how they went after her and her family. And yes, Bill Clinton's defenders at times went too far.

However, this doesn't change the dynamics at the start of the relationship. I do not agree that a young woman cannot possibly pursue sex or consent to sex with someone who is more powerful than she is ( even in a work environment) - it's an absurd position. If Bill left Hillary for Monica would we even have such a conversation?

We're familiar with the ways the Patriarchy is problematic - systems of power generally are ( especially in a work environment)- and when there's strong-arming, force and manipulation we should call it out. But there's also lots of engagement with systems of power. Sometimes these games are of a sexual nature since sexuality is a powerful force. I have been attracted to people more powerful than myself ( and older ), I know the power of my own sexuality and I've flirted with the idea of using it to my advantage but I never indulged. I own that desire, I don't judge it --- and if some feminists want to claim that these desires aren't my own as if I'm a child, on that score they're on their own