I think the presumption of innocence for Ds and presumption of guilt for Rs

[peggysue2]

57. Read Franken's response

He is not equivocating. He is not blaming the woman. He is taking full responsibility regardless of the circumstances surrounding the picture taking. He is also openly inviting an ethics investigation.

From where I sit, this is the most honest response I've ever read. And for that, he has my support. Not for the stupid picture, but for a response that shows actual character, something in scant supply in DC circles. Do I suspect the reasons this picture was suddenly released? Yes, I do. But Al Franken does not go there. Instead, he stands up and invites his accusers to throw whatever they want while posting a genuine apology for his actions.

I do not see where this:

perpetuates inherently paternalistic, misogynistic view that political affiliations are primitive to w woman's credibility in such matters.

If anything, Franken has set an example of how a man takes responsibility for an act of sexual harassment once he's called out. You stand up, take ownership and apologize without trying to smear the woman involved.

For the vast majority of men this is a lot harder than it looks or sounds, particularly for those in the public eye. If only men who have been accused of far worse would follow the example set here, we might have a chance of reducing the toxic affects of sexual harassment, something that women are fully aware of and that too many men still deny.