General Discussion

oberliner

(58,724 posts)

195. There is no relationship between this and Christine Ford

Mon Dec 3, 2018, 02:02 PM

Dec 2018

Ford made an accusation of sexual assault which is much much much more serious than an accusation of workplace sexual harassment.

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216 replies

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Neil deGrasse Tyson Responds to Sexual Misconduct Accusations [View all] DonViejo Dec 2018 OP

Wow, that was to the point. OnDoutside Dec 2018 #1

Won't do him any good Cartoonist Dec 2018 #2

That's probably true, but Ferrets are Cool Dec 2018 #3

I believe him.... Trueblue Texan Dec 2018 #4

All sounds plausible... to be fair, need to compare his detailed accounts to those of the accusers. InAbLuEsTaTe Dec 2018 #108

Being socially awkward should not be confused with sexual misconduct. IluvPitties Dec 2018 #5

Are you saying you can't have an innocent friendship and offer someone wine and cheese? LBM20 Dec 2018 #9

An innocent friendship and some wine and cheese? oberliner Dec 2018 #27

Why is the subordinate offering to hug the boss to begin with? at least that's what he claims, she LisaL Dec 2018 #33

I thought what we were evaluating were this woman's claims about this man's behavior oberliner Dec 2018 #50

One of the claims apparently involves the way he declined her offers of hugs. LisaL Dec 2018 #93

OK oberliner Dec 2018 #102

Well you have a vivid imagination I guess wasupaloopa Dec 2018 #40

The woman said she felt uncomfortable and creeped out oberliner Dec 2018 #123

that alone does not make him wrong treestar Dec 2018 #186

There is no relationship between this and Christine Ford oberliner Dec 2018 #195

who was brining up the idea we believe the accusation treestar Dec 2018 #215

He actually noted repeatedly that it was the wrap up. Ninsianna Dec 2018 #73

He notes that she quit the job immediately even though there were only a few days left oberliner Dec 2018 #124

She's hugging everyone, and she chose to go to his apartment where nothing happened. lindysalsagal Dec 2018 #122

She says that she felt pressured to accept his invitation oberliner Dec 2018 #125

But not by him. Rather, by his status as her boss. Beartracks Dec 2018 #141

It didn't cross his mind that there is a power imbalance? oberliner Dec 2018 #144

The strange part is going to his apartment. She's not a slave. She has rights and agency. lindysalsagal Dec 2018 #143

It is often challenging to decline an invitation from a powerful, influential person oberliner Dec 2018 #145

Not as challenging as geting assaulted. You turn him down and THEN if he punishes you go to HR. lindysalsagal Dec 2018 #146

But if he punishes you, going to HR may not remedy the situation oberliner Dec 2018 #149

Please treestar Dec 2018 #158

Well, exactly. LisaL Dec 2018 #171

"If there were any retaliation she could have reported it then" oberliner Dec 2018 #175

Which is why she should have filed a complaint when offered the chance. But she declined LongtimeAZDem Dec 2018 #178

which is legitimate treestar Dec 2018 #185

There are understandable reasons why one might not do so oberliner Dec 2018 #196

That could happen at any time treestar Dec 2018 #184

The more powerful person has a responsibility not to put the less powerful person in that position oberliner Dec 2018 #173

That "company" may not have had "policies" treestar Dec 2018 #183

Making unwanted sexual advances is what makes something a sexual harassment case oberliner Dec 2018 #197

or perhaps having a conversation over wine & cheese? /NT sdfernando Dec 2018 #209

or wine and cheese treestar Dec 2018 #216

If I hug you I might just want want more Politicub Dec 2018 #6

It depends on how you take that remark HuskyOffset Dec 2018 #13

She was the one offering the hugs, which he declined, according to what he says. LisaL Dec 2018 #29

I don't necessarily see that as a strange remark, or creepy Johnyawl Dec 2018 #37

Well apparently she was the one hugging people. LisaL Dec 2018 #26

Yeah, that's gross. cwydro Dec 2018 #84

That remark is the only thing I find creepy wryter2000 Dec 2018 #201

Me, too. Politicub Dec 2018 #204

Does anyone have info on these women's backgrounds? Hortensis Dec 2018 #7

All of the Clinton accusations could in some way be tied to Ken Starr. StevieM Dec 2018 #25

The left is not rejecting science. wasupaloopa Dec 2018 #47

I'm left, wasu, and very pro-science. If it can be Hortensis Dec 2018 #64

Being anti-vax is worldwide Progressive dog Dec 2018 #120

Safety enables fools to be fools. Adversity educates, Hortensis Dec 2018 #152

The right is pathetic if they think this stuff treestar Dec 2018 #65

I think they're after voters, treestar. Power and who gets it. Hortensis Dec 2018 #68

And bolton rump traitors are about to bomb Iran, so very bad days ahead. Eliot Rosewater Dec 2018 #101

I have info on the one who accused him of rape. scipan Dec 2018 #127

I gotta share this (from rape accuser's blog) scipan Dec 2018 #130

Ever since the Franken scheme eissa Dec 2018 #8

Yes I agree FakeNoose Dec 2018 #11

I think you're on to it. The wine cheese invite resulted in both sitting on opposite sides... brush Dec 2018 #80

Do you mean that she wanted something more? nt Blecht Dec 2018 #116

Possible...bruised ego and all. Nothing happened, just conversation. brush Dec 2018 #117

I don't think that's it; she said in another interview that she expected LongtimeAZDem Dec 2018 #191

Why feel humiliated? It could've been simply a misunderstanding. The job was ending... brush Dec 2018 #200

I agree, but I can sort of see her being upset that it wasn't what she thought LongtimeAZDem Dec 2018 #203

What he is accused of is maybe trying to have an affair. He shouldnt have done that if he did, Eliot Rosewater Dec 2018 #103

I believe him. n/t Greybnk48 Dec 2018 #10

So far yes. rockfordfile Dec 2018 #97

His account sounds as credible as the women's accounts Farmer-Rick Dec 2018 #12

Can we all please support the investigation and see what comes out of it Baitball Blogger Dec 2018 #14

Trump would not allow the FBI to investigate anything that he knew would show that StevieM Dec 2018 #28

Innocent people welcome investigation Luka Boyd Dec 2018 #15

I believe him. Vinca Dec 2018 #16

Keep Gillibrand away from him. mac56 Dec 2018 #17

You beat me to it. calimary Dec 2018 #52

Well NGT wasn't in her way when it comes to 2020 like Franken was BannonsLiver Dec 2018 #81

+1000 budkin Dec 2018 #54

Guess she figure this one doesn't add up to any Presidential election points.... Bengus81 Dec 2018 #169

re: "She viewed the invite as an attempt to seduce her" thesquanderer Dec 2018 #18

If the person is a subordinate then probably inappropriate. LisaL Dec 2018 #19

When you are their boss it is a problem. MrsCoffee Dec 2018 #20

He didn't actually made any attempts if you believe him. LisaL Dec 2018 #21

I have no idea who did what. My post was a reply to a question that amounted to what's the big deal MrsCoffee Dec 2018 #23

Unless there is mutual attraction... IluvPitties Dec 2018 #34

A lot of workplaces have rules against that (supervisor and subordinate dating), mutual attraction LisaL Dec 2018 #39

I understand, but I thought I addressed that in my last sentence. (n/t) thesquanderer Dec 2018 #49

Then it was right to impeach Bill Clinton? Yavin4 Dec 2018 #133

He was impeached for perjury and obstruction of justice wasn't he? MrsCoffee Dec 2018 #153

But, he should have been impeached for an improper relationship? Yavin4 Dec 2018 #190

The sad truth. We live in a time when if you are an outspoken defender of your beliefs.... usaf-vet Dec 2018 #22

+1 dalton99a Dec 2018 #51

Once again, shades of the Franken topics. The reactions when the accused is "one of ours" Tarc Dec 2018 #24

We should just autmoatically assume everybody guilty, no matter WTF they are even accused LisaL Dec 2018 #30

That seems to be the standard applied to people we do not like, yes Tarc Dec 2018 #38

I guess I was wrong that I didn't actually need a sarcasm smilie. LisaL Dec 2018 #42

Oh, I know exactly what you meant Tarc Dec 2018 #137

they do seem to equate putting someone in a room and trying to rip their clothes off demigoddess Dec 2018 #74

As of now, none of the women have contractict this account of what happened. StevieM Dec 2018 #43

False equivalence Cartoonist Dec 2018 #56

I forgot that males get to decide which type of sexual misconduct is ok, and which is serious Tarc Dec 2018 #136

Serious? Cartoonist Dec 2018 #142

These accusations are as silly as the Franken ones treestar Dec 2018 #69

I have been pretty consistent dsc Dec 2018 #126

This is an excellent model for how to respond to allegations that you believe are not true. Nitram Dec 2018 #31

I agree. nt Honeycombe8 Dec 2018 #44

In the 2018 case, based on what he says, I think he was sweet on her. Coventina Dec 2018 #32

Sounds the same to me. LisaL Dec 2018 #35

Yeah, it's a real shame that she reacted the way she did Coventina Dec 2018 #45

It's ok to like someone. He seemed interested, she wasn't. IluvPitties Dec 2018 #36

I totally agree. n/t Coventina Dec 2018 #46

I agree TexasBushwhacker Dec 2018 #71

Sounds like a definite misunderstanding to me wryter2000 Dec 2018 #202

I agree TexasBushwhacker Dec 2018 #206

Or maybe because nothing happened someone's ego was bruised? brush Dec 2018 #86

You mean hers, I take it? Coventina Dec 2018 #98

Ye, it happens. brush Dec 2018 #105

I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt on these accusations... Honeycombe8 Dec 2018 #41

Ample time for people to come forward? MrsCoffee Dec 2018 #60

No. That's what I think, as a "me, too" victim multiple times over. Honeycombe8 Dec 2018 #61

So, there has to be a good reason to come forward? MrsCoffee Dec 2018 #62

Yes, it's pointless to argue. I think what I think, and you think what you think. Honeycombe8 Dec 2018 #72

Occam's Razor says... albacore Dec 2018 #48

The 2009 "explanation" was particularly imaginative. guillaumeb Dec 2018 #53

Not really. OilemFirchen Dec 2018 #59

Sorry, that's odd. cwydro Dec 2018 #89

Yeah, OilemFirchen Dec 2018 #90

Somebody I don't know well? Creeping their fingers up my arm? cwydro Dec 2018 #92

Your response to this totally benign picture out-creeps anything suggested by it. OilemFirchen Dec 2018 #115

he was looking at the tattoo treestar Dec 2018 #188

Not if one knows anything about NGT. BannonsLiver Dec 2018 #85

The article suggests that there might be things to learn. eom guillaumeb Dec 2018 #87

We are missing a great Senator because no one would do a formal review, instead hounding him out Hekate Dec 2018 #55

Good Grief Ladies (and I am one) moreland01 Dec 2018 #57

I agree. You have to choose your battles TexasBushwhacker Dec 2018 #63

ITA. LisaL Dec 2018 #96

Yes! n/t luvs2sing Dec 2018 #180

+1000 happy feet Dec 2018 #192

Viscerally, I believe the accusers. Beakybird Dec 2018 #58

I don't believe them BannonsLiver Dec 2018 #79

and that is how the right does it treestar Dec 2018 #189

These are Frankenesque treestar Dec 2018 #66

The only account I cannot judge Hav Dec 2018 #67

While the truth is still putting on its shoes dalton99a Dec 2018 #70

Why is it only people with money/power DiverDave Dec 2018 #75

Are you seriously asking that question? Ms. Toad Dec 2018 #112

Thank you. MrsCoffee Dec 2018 #155

I'm starting to think Pence has the right idea of never being alone with another female Revanchist Dec 2018 #76

Very smart move on his part. Jake Stern Dec 2018 #111

. MrsCoffee Dec 2018 #160

If I was a male(I'm not), rusty fender Dec 2018 #118

. MrsCoffee Dec 2018 #159

Oh please. Think before you post. The exact opposite of what you say is true... MrsCoffee Dec 2018 #157

I don't think most women would have made anything of that treestar Dec 2018 #161

I believe him Polybius Dec 2018 #77

Really in these instances, it doesn't matter that much... cbdo2007 Dec 2018 #78

If I hug you, I might want more. cwydro Dec 2018 #82

How creepy is it to repeatedly ask for hugs Hav Dec 2018 #91

And if it were a man doing that, what would people here be saying? LisaL Dec 2018 #94

I think it's kind of creepy for a person to go up to strangers hugging them period. rockfordfile Dec 2018 #99

She was supposedly hugging co-workers, not strangers. LisaL Dec 2018 #100

Hopefully she's learned that hugging is not exactly professional behavior. Demit Dec 2018 #107

Exactly this! n/t luvs2sing Dec 2018 #110

I have hugged people in the workplace a few times Bettie Dec 2018 #181

Guess you've never been to an AA/NA meeting ... it's practically a rule that you hug strangers there mr_lebowski Dec 2018 #138

but should it result in civil or criminal consequences? treestar Dec 2018 #163

I stand with NGT 100 percent BannonsLiver Dec 2018 #83

That's a lot of big fancy words to say "ladies are crazy amirite." WhiskeyGrinder Dec 2018 #88

More like I did not do it. IluvPitties Dec 2018 #104

Unstable people come in all shapes and sizes, some of them female. lindysalsagal Dec 2018 #121

Thanks for sharing this saidsimplesimon Dec 2018 #95

I want to believe him. Pope George Ringo II Dec 2018 #106

I think what we need is gradations in severity of crime and punishment unblock Dec 2018 #109

This is the rape allegation, such as it is LongtimeAZDem Dec 2018 #113

Well, isn't that special. uppityperson Dec 2018 #129

Anyone accused of misconduct who embraces investigation Pacifist Patriot Dec 2018 #114

Yes! peggysue2 Dec 2018 #132

Precisely. Very eloquently stated, thank you. Pacifist Patriot Dec 2018 #156

I try to keep an even keel on these things. Lokilooney Dec 2018 #119

Very relieved to see this. bitterross Dec 2018 #128

How do you envision an "investigation" all these years later? LisaL Dec 2018 #131

The only relevant issue for Fox and NatGeo LongtimeAZDem Dec 2018 #134

I already alluded to the answer to your question. bitterross Dec 2018 #139

Who actually decides the timing of such accusations? And are they calculated to achieve some effect? VOX Dec 2018 #135

Meh... Mike Nelson Dec 2018 #140

If nothing happened, why did she confront him the next day in his office? oberliner Dec 2018 #147

Yes, one wonders. nt ucrdem Dec 2018 #148

Her explanation seems plausible to me oberliner Dec 2018 #150

His explanation seems plausible to me LanternWaste Dec 2018 #177

Yes, absolutely oberliner Dec 2018 #199

My meaning... Mike Nelson Dec 2018 #151

Neither one is claiming any sexual relationship let alone sexual assault. LisaL Dec 2018 #168

The only claim here is one of sexual harassment oberliner Dec 2018 #172

Probably because she misiunderstood the invite, and freaked out LongtimeAZDem Dec 2018 #154

That makes sense oberliner Dec 2018 #170

I'm not even going to grant that he behaved inappropriately, just that it was LongtimeAZDem Dec 2018 #176

What a ridiculous claim oberliner Dec 2018 #198

Sorry, but I don't buy that. You have consistently tried to interpret every aspect of the situation, LongtimeAZDem Dec 2018 #205

you keep using the apology as an admission of guilt treestar Dec 2018 #162

Exactly right (nt) LongtimeAZDem Dec 2018 #165

I don't think the apology is an admission of guilt oberliner Dec 2018 #166

Which nice people do when they think they've inadvertently upset a friend. /nt LongtimeAZDem Dec 2018 #179

Add hot water to DemocratsAreBadMeTooRamen. betsuni Dec 2018 #164

Alternatively, be consistent oberliner Dec 2018 #167

"people you like vs. people you don't like." betsuni Dec 2018 #174

People like Neil DeGrasse Tyson oberliner Dec 2018 #193

Can we take each case on the facts and not be required to believe every treestar Dec 2018 #187

I hope that we can oberliner Dec 2018 #194

Also, this is the most straight-up piece of garbage I've read in some time: WhiskeyGrinder Dec 2018 #182

What is your interpretation? NT Eric J in MN Dec 2018 #207

A "Native American handshake" that feels a person's "vital spirit energy" is bullshit. WhiskeyGrinder Dec 2018 #210

I would ask NDT if he ever offers this handshake to men TexasBushwhacker Dec 2018 #208

More likely he's creepy and is fine straying over boundaries. It's pretty clear from his statement. WhiskeyGrinder Dec 2018 #211

One person's creepy is another person's flirtatious TexasBushwhacker Dec 2018 #212

He says "I've never forgotten that handshake, and I save it in appreciation of people LongtimeAZDem Dec 2018 #214

God this is disheartening. I love NDT. But, shit. ismnotwasm Dec 2018 #213