General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I can hardly believe the amount of power some here are willing to cede to anonymous or virtually [View all]Ms. Toad
(34,192 posts)I'm pushing back at someone who essentially called this politically motivated and not credible because it was anonymous. I didn't suggest that anonymous reporting was a problem - I don't have a problem with anonymous reporting (which I thought I said pretty clearly - especially since someone else picked a bone with me becuase I indicated I was just fine wiht anonymous reporting.).
Nor did I suggest giving Franken a pass. I just don't necessarily think the punishment for all inappropriate touching should be banishment from public service for life. We sould look at the circumstance - how recent, how pervasive, how serious, what was his response, did he apologize publicly & privately, did he attempt to make amends, did he acknowledge and attempt to change his behavior going forward. Whatever standards there are should be applied equally - regardless of political affiliation.
On the range of behavior I have experienced - from street harassment to butt fondling, to breast grabbing, and rape, the butt fondling is on the milder end of the spectrum. His recognition of the nature of his behavior seems sincere (at least as to the first accuser), and his apology was appropriate. Assuming he responds similarly to the more recent accusations, his punishment should be more than nothing, but less than losing his job, from my perspective.
As I noted, if we banished all men who engaged in similar behavior, we would pretty much solve the problem of insufficient women in leadership roles because we'd lose quite a few (likely more than most people expect) on both sides of the political aisle.