General Discussion

Atticus

(15,124 posts) Thu Nov 23, 2017, 12:29 PM Nov 2017

I can hardly believe the amount of power some here are willing to cede to anonymous or virtually [View all]

unknown women who simply accuse someone of some impropriety. I am NOT talking about women who identify themselves and provide at least some supporting information about a specific event. I AM talking about the two anonymous people (women?) who now supposedly accuse Al Franken of groping them.

Really? Is this where we're at? No one is suggesting that identifiable accusers be ignored or automatically disbelieved. But, to call for Franken's resignation by cavalierly calling these "accusers 3 and 4" is a bridge too far, IMHO.

136 replies

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I can hardly believe the amount of power some here are willing to cede to anonymous or virtually [View all] Atticus Nov 2017 OP

Yes .. it's going there as long as media successfully baits the masses FarPoint Nov 2017 #1

As liberals we are invested in the idea that women claiming harassment should be believed. The Velveteen Ocelot Nov 2017 #2

How about the better approach is that we stop putting the burden on women? VermontKevin Nov 2017 #9

If they come forward, they'll get a hearing. Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #13

Yes. cwydro Nov 2017 #22

And the people here posting pictures of Tweeden as proof she's slutty and thus consented? mythology Nov 2017 #49

I was quite outspoken in what I posted about the Tweeden allegations and the various photos. Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #63

People post picture at the same event to show she was just fine after this horrifying event... Demsrule86 Nov 2017 #130

Anonymous complaints can't be scrutinized at all. They can come from anyone, The Velveteen Ocelot Nov 2017 #17

Absolutely. Who could argue with that? Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #34

You do understand that the journalists will have scrutinized these claims right? mythology Nov 2017 #51

You trust even the NY Times when it comes to hurting Dems? adigal Nov 2017 #55

Journalism long ago adopted the idea Igel Nov 2017 #64

Reporters and editors will scrutinize for the profitability defacto7 Nov 2017 #65

+1 treestar Nov 2017 #121

Yes, I realize that HuffPo published an article I don't think meets journalistic standards. Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #66

I was really disappointed in HuffPo for that stupid article womanofthehills Nov 2017 #99

lol treestar Nov 2017 #120

No. Anonymous reports are worthless and should be ignored. Shrike47 Nov 2017 #47

The burden is on the accuser treestar Nov 2017 #119

Innocent until proven guilty...why should you assume they are telling the truth? Any allegation has Demsrule86 Nov 2017 #133

It isn't fair treestar Nov 2017 #118

My brother met a woman online...they are riding along going somewhere when she calls cops and Demsrule86 Nov 2017 #131

Franken's inability to deny the behavior convinced me. VermontKevin Nov 2017 #3

You didn't NEED any convincing! Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #5

Franken didn't deny the behavior. He apologized for it. VermontKevin Nov 2017 #6

It's not difficult to imagine all sorts of things. Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #8

That was precisely one of the things that helped make up my mind to defend him stevenleser Nov 2017 #10

lol. nt BootinUp Nov 2017 #12

I know! n/t Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #14

Thank you! nt Atticus Nov 2017 #15

I have some sympathy. Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #18

Yes, the inability to deny accusations speaks volumes njhoneybadger Nov 2017 #19

He has denied them. cwydro Nov 2017 #24

Could you post the denial njhoneybadger Nov 2017 #26

You are unable to use the internet? cwydro Nov 2017 #28

The last one I deleted because the post I was responding to was deleted njhoneybadger Nov 2017 #31

I have seen you self delete on several threads. cwydro Nov 2017 #33

The other two were late at night and I thought it might be the alcohol talking njhoneybadger Nov 2017 #45

haha, been there! InAbLuEsTaTe Nov 2017 #114

I've started 100% self-deleting simply because I want to. WinkyDink Nov 2017 #79

Franken's denial njhoneybadger Nov 2017 #32

There ya go! cwydro Nov 2017 #35

Lol njhoneybadger Nov 2017 #39

Denzils reply to you explains that. cwydro Nov 2017 #42

Nah,Denzil's reply does not explain why he did't say I never grabbed any women's ass njhoneybadger Nov 2017 #48

So now the goalposts have moved to "I've never grabbed any women's ass"? Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #67

It's not utterly ridiculous njhoneybadger Nov 2017 #70

If that's all you've got, quit wasting my time, please. n/t Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #71

And sadly it's not illegal in certain states to go forcibly south of the waist... moriah Nov 2017 #77

How could assault be legal anywhere? (Actually, the touching is battery.) WinkyDink Nov 2017 #80

Not a sex crime. In AR, forced Frenching isn't one either, but... moriah Nov 2017 #84

Ad Hominem njhoneybadger Nov 2017 #50

This message was self-deleted by its author louis c Nov 2017 #56

This message was self-deleted by its author louis c Nov 2017 #57

Yes, I'm seeing a lot of that among the Franken accusers on here. Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #68

That sounds like a denial. Denzil_DC Nov 2017 #36

No one has to deny mere accusations treestar Nov 2017 #122

Oops. What happened? Kingofalldems Nov 2017 #21

Inablility to deny the behavior? LakeArenal Nov 2017 #29

How can anyone deny an accusation when there is no accuser? He's asked for an investigation. pnwmom Nov 2017 #52

If someone accused you of robbing a bank njhoneybadger Nov 2017 #60

Bullshit. You should not. In the process you treestar Nov 2017 #124

Oh please, you want to believe it. I have no idea why, but there it is. Demsrule86 Nov 2017 #132

We need not be egregious hypocrites. Voltaire2 Nov 2017 #4

These "Scandals" sourced/fueled by Kremlin / alt-right american_ideals Nov 2017 #7

Welcome to DU,,,,,Comrade! Cryptoad Nov 2017 #41

DUers, this is important to know. +1. n/t Beartracks Nov 2017 #108

Politically correct intent run amok. Stinky The Clown Nov 2017 #11

IKR? Is sexual assault such a "sacred" experience that Dems can't believe... Beartracks Nov 2017 #16

It is quite unbelievable. cwydro Nov 2017 #20

I was disappointed PatSeg Nov 2017 #23

It seems to keep being left out of the conversation that being lecherous may be a world wide wally Nov 2017 #25

Those women are not anonymous to the reporter, Ms. Toad Nov 2017 #27

I don't agree fully with you. Blue_true Nov 2017 #43

Are you sure you are responding to the right person? Ms. Toad Nov 2017 #74

If Franken did the groping as alleged by the two most recent two, we gain nothing by allowing him to Blue_true Nov 2017 #85

The fact that you are a man may account for the difference in perspective. Ms. Toad Nov 2017 #87

If the accusations are true, he grabbed three butts ten years ago. Demit Nov 2017 #44

I'm assuming that he continued the pattern. Ms. Toad Nov 2017 #73

I agree with most of this, but I don't agree that we should take anonymous stories seriously pnwmom Nov 2017 #53

When women are equal to men, and can safely make reports of sexual abuse without fear Ms. Toad Nov 2017 #75

Roy Moore's accusers were willing to come forward, because it was worth it to them. pnwmom Nov 2017 #76

So because some accusers are willing to disclose their names, Ms. Toad Nov 2017 #78

No, according to her allegations, she didn't "refuse" to do anything. That was the problem. pnwmom Nov 2017 #83

Consent that comes after repeated refusals to practice, Ms. Toad Nov 2017 #88

She voluntarily signed up for a job that involved performing a skit that had been performed pnwmom Nov 2017 #97

You say we should take our lead from him because he doesn't dispute her emotional experience. Demit Nov 2017 #89

I said nothing about whether he could dispute her version - Ms. Toad Nov 2017 #91

He most certainly *did* dispute her version of what happened. Demit Nov 2017 #95

He acknowledged the photo Ms. Toad Nov 2017 #98

"his recollection of the rehearsal did not match hers" means he disputes her version of events. Demit Nov 2017 #102

That is unfair treestar Nov 2017 #125

Being believed had nothing to do with party treestar Nov 2017 #127

Couldn't agree more! Mountain Mule Nov 2017 #30

I can't believe people don't see how women who speak out are treated and then wonder why they want WhiskeyGrinder Nov 2017 #37

Anonymity cuts two ways. hay rick Nov 2017 #40

How is it fair in any way if a person cannot confront his accuser? What BS. adigal Nov 2017 #58

Are treated? You mean not believed unconditionally? treestar Nov 2017 #126

Im still not convinced MFM008 Nov 2017 #38

I agree dflprincess Nov 2017 #105

Excellent point MFM008 Nov 2017 #117

+1000 nt lillypaddle Nov 2017 #46

No name? I give it no credence. Period. adigal Nov 2017 #54

Some here are trolls plane and simple, more than we would think. Exultant Democracy Nov 2017 #59

trolls and the hyer-idealistic-ignore-the-Republicans steve2470 Nov 2017 #96

the GOP is trying to reframe the debate or at least muddy the water. yurbud Nov 2017 #61

How can anonymous complaints be verified? jalan48 Nov 2017 #62

This message was self-deleted by its author WinkyDink Nov 2017 #81

Is Al Franken considered "public"? jalan48 Nov 2017 #92

This message was self-deleted by its author itsrobert Nov 2017 #69

Anonymous complaints are worthless Progressive dog Nov 2017 #72

Isn't almost EVERYONE on this forum posting anonymously? AncientGeezer Nov 2017 #82

Next time a poster on DU accuses a public figure of sexual assault, let us know what you think then. Demit Nov 2017 #93

Isn't that what's happening with Sen. Frankin? AncientGeezer Nov 2017 #94

No. DUers are posting opinions on accusations made from people in the news. Demit Nov 2017 #100

Really...Have you Not seen the posts claiming it's all a Russian hack job? AncientGeezer Nov 2017 #103

Cool story, Vlad. hay rick Nov 2017 #116

That's an interesting rebuttal AncientGeezer Nov 2017 #136

The Washington Post articles on Rep. Barton are citing an anonymous source madville Nov 2017 #86

In that case there is other proof. Proof I wish my eyes could unsee. LOL. Vinca Nov 2017 #90

Pictures are all over internet,Barton delisen Nov 2017 #104

She provided enough evidence which is impossible to deny, such as LisaL Nov 2017 #106

What is it evidence of is my question? madville Nov 2017 #109

An affair. LisaL Nov 2017 #111

Sure madville Nov 2017 #112

She taped the conversation with him where he himself says the two of them LisaL Nov 2017 #123

"Franken issues Thanksgiving Day apology, pledges to regain constituents' trust" brooklynite Nov 2017 #101

Good one! Be sure to tell him that one next time he calls you. n/t kcr Nov 2017 #110

In my selection of candidates to support, Im cold-blooded... brooklynite Nov 2017 #113

If we cannot rise above hypocritical hyper-partisanship Voltaire2 Nov 2017 #128

The Dems calling for the resignation of Franken and Conyers before an Ethics Investigation TheDebbieDee Nov 2017 #107

Truth Madam Mossfern Nov 2017 #115

Democrats don't bring knives to gunfights any more. The Velveteen Ocelot Nov 2017 #134

And the 'he stared at my chest...sounds like junior high. Demsrule86 Nov 2017 #129

Let them come forward in a court of law and swear u dear oath that it's so Thekaspervote Nov 2017 #135