Another Woman Says Al Franken Groped Her

[brooklynite]

New York Magazine

The cover story New York published this week centers on the stories of women and men who came forward about sexual abuse and harassment — and one who has not yet done so. In the issue, a woman who says former U.S. senator Al Franken groped her buttocks at an event in 2006 explains why she’s kept silent until now, and why she still fears using her name.

“I was just out of college in my first job, working for U.S. senator Patty Murray,” she told New York. Franken, then exploring a run for the Senate, was the guest speaker at Murray’s annual Golden Tennis Shoes Awards (named for a dismissive description of Murray, early in her political career, as a mom in tennis shoes).

The woman worked the photo line, and when it was her turn to be photographed with Franken, she said, “he puts his hand on my ass. He’s telling the photographer, ‘Take another one. I think I blinked. Take another one.’ And I’m just frozen. It’s so violating. And then he gives me a little squeeze on my buttock, and I am bright red. I don’t say anything at the time, but I felt deeply, deeply uncomfortable.”

A military veteran who is now a senior staffer at a major progressive organization, she is the ninth woman to accuse Franken of inappropriate conduct and the fourth to say Franken grabbed her butt. New York also spoke to three individuals in whom she had confided after the first Franken accusations emerged; she says that she did not tell anyone about the incident after it happened out of embarrassment.

[True Dough]

1. I am so damn conflicted about this

On the one hand, the numbers are really adding up. On the other hand, there's been no due process for Al.

I mean, if he wants to have some sort of public hearing, I wish that would happen so he could either clear his name or go away forever.

[MuseRider]

30. Me too.

I stand firmly with those who accuse. It almost seems better to ask, "Who has never been groped or worse"?

After listening to the story from The New Yorker magazine I was fairly well convinced that he had been framed. I tenuously hold on to that. I don't know how much of that is because I do not want to believe this, it seems so out of character and of course we have all known him in several ways over a long period of time.

[BlueStater]

32. Why tenuously?

This one, at least presently, holds no more power than the other anonymous ones do.

[MuseRider]

63. Like I said, I WANT to believe him.

My desire to believe him was supported by the article.

Having grown up like I did and how times were when I was a young woman I find it hard to believe that ANY man who had the opportunity would not do what he has been accused of.

So, is my belief that he did not based on reality (if the article is correct) or perhaps my own reality? I can't be sure so I cannot say I am sure. There will always be that hope that he did not because I have always liked him so much, a very stupid way to judge things, people disappoint from time to time. As a woman with the life I have had and the millions of women who have had the same life, I HAVE to consider this away from how I feel about Franken.

It is probably nonsense to many people who have not had these experiences and maybe to many who have. I don't know. JMO, not important at all.

I just this minute finished listening to his latest PodCast.

[Dem4Life1102]

33. If Franken wasn't accused of a crime

there will be no public hearings. It’s just a lot of innuendo.

[True Dough]

59. On that count, I would be concerned about it

Everyone deserves their day in court, or in front of some sort of tribunal or some form of adjudication. The principle of being innocent until proven guilty remains an important one.

[BlueStater]

62. Yes.

Like any accused person, Trump should get due process if he's ever taken to court for the 20+ women who have accused him of sexually assaulting them.

That doesn't mean we aren't allowed to have our own opinions on whether he's innocent or guilty, however.

[Squinch]

53. There would have been due process if he hadn't stepped down.

[Blue_true]

89. The pattern of his conduct seems pretty clear to anyone who don't have their hands over their eyes.

People's bodies are not play toys for others.

[BlueStater]

92. So let's investigate the allegations then.

Oh, wait. He's already gone. We can't and now never will be able to.

[True Dough]

94. That's true

and yet you read through this thread (and others relating to Franken) and many people are outright rejecting the assertions, or they're highly skeptical.

[trueblue2007]

112. Yeah ..... she won't use her name. These nameless victims, Use your name or don't come forward.

Just my opinion. I'm a woman and I would provide my name dammit.

[John1956PA]

2. This accuser is remaining anonymous, which is her right. n/t

[BlueStater]

3. What is with all the anonymity?

Is Franken apparently some sort of deranged psychopath who threatened to kill them or publicly destroy them if they release their identity?

[DonCoquixote]

4. no but

there are plenty who would.

[BlueStater]

6. No doubt.

Of course, these accusers have never given any reason at all for why they've chosen to remain anonymous. That's their right obviously and it's also my right to be a bit skeptical because of it.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

7. The article talks a lot about why accusers choose to stay anonymous, and in fact this new accuser

explains why she does.

[BlueStater]

12. Thank you.

That's pretty much the reason I suspected, though it's odd that Al Franken seems to be the only accused person who frequently has this happen to him.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

23. The simplest answer would be that he frequently groped people, and people like him.

That tends to make public opinion even harsher. That's exactly what happened to this latest accuser -- she accused someone people liked, and was punished.

[Blue_true]

90. Bingo!!!!!!!!! nt

[PoliticAverse]

16. Unless someone wants to become a celebrity -and possibly be invited places to speak on what happened

why would they want their name to be known? It'd only expose them to possible harassment (from the myriad idiots in the world) and possibly negatively affect their future employment or relationships.

[BlueStater]

21. Why does this only seem to happen to Franken?

Donald Trump, Roy Moore, Brett Kavanaugh, Justin Fairfax, etc. had the vast majority or all (my memory is a bit lacking) of their accusers publicly release their names.

Franken has about five annonymous accusations against him. Out of nine total.

It's just strange.

[smirkymonkey]

75. Yes, I agree. Even if Franken did this, which I doubt very much, why is he being held to

much more stringent standards than the pervy and actually harmful republicans like those you mentioned above. He will NEVER be a Trump, a Moore, a Kavanaugh, no matter how much they try to smear him.

It makes me fucking sick the way they try to villianize a decent man while giving their actual rapist perverts a pass. I so despise these bastard. I stand with Al.

[brush]

26. If they come out anonymously they don't have to prove anything. But even if the came out publicly...

they still wouldn't be able to prove it. And isn't it curious that all these women asked Al to pose for a photo with them but none have a photo of him groping them?

You'd think there would be at least one photo of wondering hands since they're posing in front of a photographer, but no, none.

I say every candidate we have is in danger of similar allegations levied against them out of the blue because you don't have to prove anything to damage someone, you just have to make the allegation. And that includes the women candidates too.

[DonCoquixote]

5. on the flip side

this is the perfect time to try and rip open old wounds.

[TidalWave46]

8. Let Franken deal with it.

He stepped down.

[kcr]

9. Coming forward now because?

I guess they have 'em lined up for each time he pops his head up. They could have a little variety in the story at least.

[Ms. Toad]

25. Did you even read the article?

A military veteran who is now a senior staffer at a major progressive organization, she is the ninth woman to accuse Franken of inappropriate conduct and the fourth to say Franken grabbed her butt.

. . .

The woman says that at the time, she dreamed of running for office, and the incident “rocked my confidence … This created a moment of reflection on like, Who the hell do you think you are? There is something that tells men that they, particularly those who have a lot of power, that they have access to my body in some way that is based on the hierarchy of the organization that we’re working in or society or whatever it is.”

When she saw the first news alert about Franken, the woman said, she burst into tears. “I really considered adding my voice,” she said. But years after the Franken incident, she had reported unwelcome attention from her boss at work and ended up leaving the job after feeling ostracized.


She dreams of being a Cabinet secretary in a future Democratic administration, she said, and “knowing the vetting process, I know that anything can be used as a flag to say, ‘Not this person.’ The idea that I would not get a job and would always wonder: Was it the article where I was the one who was raising my hand against a powerful man?”

I'm sure a senior staffer at a progressive organization who wants a cabinet postion in a Democratic administration is going to be right on board when right wing nut jobs tell her to jump.

I would be more worried if there was variety in the story. Men who touch women inapproriately tend to follow the same pattern over and over.

[kcr]

31. There is nothing more arrogant than asking someone if they read the article

But hey, I guess two can play at that game. Do you know what the word anonymous means?

[Ms. Toad]

47. It actually depends on the circumstances.

Most of the women who have accused Franken are not truly anonymous (i.e. they are known to the journalists, in the same way "deep throat" was known to journalists.) That is the case with this woman.

So - unless you think we shouldn't have trusted "deep throat," the dismissal of allegations by Franken's accusers who are known to journalists, but not to the public, as anonymous is specious.

[kcr]

99. It depends on the journalist

If they're a journalist for a clickbait farm, or a tabloid, I'm not going to give it much weight. At any rate, it seems the scheme has run its course because mainstream media doesn't appear to be interested in the story.

[Ms. Toad]

107. Hardly a clickbait farm or tabloid.

Overall, we rate New York Magazine Left Biased, based on wording and story selection that mostly favors the left. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing of information and correcting a known failed fact check.

https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/new-york-magazine/

[kcr]

108. Oh Really? BTW, it was The Cut

Here's some articles from The Cut:

https://www.thecut.com/2019/09/i-think-about-this-a-lot-ryan-and-rachel-making-out.html

https://www.thecut.com/2019/09/weekly-horoscopes-for-the-week-of-september-30-by-the-cut.html

Why 16? (Seriously!) https://www.thecut.com/2019/08/alan-dershowitz-age-of-consent-laws.html

https://www.thecut.com/2019/09/miranda-kerrs-wellness-musts-are-bananas.html Spoiler alert: Energy crystals

[Ms. Toad]

109. The Cut was reportiong on the cover story in New York magazine.

The cover story New York published this week centers on the stories of women and men who came forward about sexual abuse and harassment — and one who has not yet done so. In the issue, a woman who says former U.S. senator Al Franken groped her buttocks at an event in 2006 explains why she’s kept silent until now, and why she still fears using her name.

[kcr]

115. Oh, well I stand corrected

Any magazine that goes out of its way to have a Trump Free Issue! is serious about its news.

[Ms. Toad]

117. An independent source apparently thinks they are.

We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing of information and correcting a known failed fact check.

[kcr]

120. Based on that website, it means they're not Breitbart.

So, looking at the parent magazine's article, which the OP is NOT linked to, it's a list of stories of men and women telling their stories of the time they came forward. All of them named, some of them even pictured. Many, if not most, were high profile and some of them I remember. Except for one of them. Way down, after several stories, is the anonymous Al Franken story. THAT is the story the Cut chose to highlight precisely because The Cut is the tabloid arm of New York Magazine It's The Cut that was linked to not only by the OP, but by just about every other place I've seen it linked to when I google, like Jezebel, for instance. New York magazine's article, which isn't about Al Franken, isn't getting the links. Their tabloid junk section, The Cut is. I'm sure that's by design.

[Ms. Toad]

124. The article linked to states that it is referring to the cover story of New York.

If you go to the cover of the New York magazine, there are two related stories there - the second (Was it Worth it?) includes the Franken story.

The note at the bottom of the page indicates

Some articles won’t appear online until later in the week.

When you use their app to pull up the story, it is part of New York. (Apparently at least partially included in the Cut, as well.)

It's not any real surprise that a new accusation merits being pulled out in a separate story.

[True Dough]

41. Good post

I certainly wonder how many other women are out there too intimidated to come forward even on an anonymous basis. When you think about how your life could be turned upside down if your identity was found out simply to point out that a celebrated politician (at least on the left) momentarily touched you inappropriately, well, it's just easier to live with the torment and not take a stance.

If Franken was just getting off on "copping a feel" it's much easier to get away with that. It still doesn't make it right, of course.

[Ms. Toad]

52. I'm not even sure it was "getting off on 'copping a feel'"

I was the recipient of a nearly identical butt fondle. (In public, with pictures being taken, with others presentwho did not even notice that anything was wrong).

I have since had a long conversation with the fondler (and several of those present). From his perspective - among his friends (mostly gay men) that kind of physical affection was considered routine. Among the women in that LGBT group, that kind of affection is generally not routine - and especially not from the men in the group.

As with Franken - it came out of the blue. I was stunned, but didn't want to make a scene among (and here is where it is different) mutual friends. So I just shut him out for a couple of years. He noticed, and we talked - which is how I know his perspective.

So I don't necessarily attribute evil motives to Franken - but the accusations (and that no one noticed) ring true to me. I have no way to know what was going on in his mind - but he may truly have believed it was welcome (as the person who fondled me did). That doesn't make it welcome, or OK. But it is considerably different from Bill Cosby or Harvey Weinstein.

[csziggy]

39. Didn't Franken recently talk about returning to public life?

Maybe not trying for an elected position, but to get back where he can influence what is happening?

The timing for this, just weeks after Franken talked about this seems, uhm, odd.

Looks Like Al Franken's Career Comeback Is Complete
The former Minnesota senator has a new public platform, continuing the pattern of accused serial sexual predators getting career comebacks.

By Marina Fang, HuffPost US

25/09/2019 17:32 BST

After months of gradually returning to the public spotlight, former Minnesota Sen. Al Franken (D), who resigned in 2017 following serial sexual misconduct allegations from nearly 10 women, is now back with a prominent public platform.

Franken will host a weekly radio show premiering Saturday on SiriusXM, the network announced Wednesday, with guests including actor and comedian Chris Rock, former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and actor and comedian Patton Oswalt.

He will also contribute to SiriusXM’s coverage of the 2020 presidential election, the network said in its press release.

The announcement calls Franken “an important and influential progressive voice, whom many have missed.” It makes no direct mention of the allegations, which included him groping and forcibly kissing women, allegedly telling one of them it was “my right as an entertainer” to kiss her without consent.

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/al-franken-career-comeback-sexual-misconduct-allegations_us_5d8b7ac7e4b0c6d0cef4e9ee?ri18n=true&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9jb25zZW50LnlhaG9vLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFbj_OOJtDi9FEBc6Td17n0cp9o6PHI09g3bWmOVmh77AoRTIPB7QFXzXX1lTv4gCGmqGLqRw9R_A4qWr0QRy6Ny7mPAQK9ttFskNErYm26cLBXrn54ietL7COnn3tmlLZ0BSjQw45wNINGkb5kriuDQV7L6drNOS0VJ_72rl558&guccounter=2

[defacto7]

40. Yes, how timely.

[BlueStater]

42. What a snarky jerk of a writer Marina Fang is.

The accused have rights too, you know. Some people just aren't willing to immediately label him guilty based on allegations alone and destroy his career and public reputation because of them.

[True Dough]

43. I imagine New York Magazine had this article on the go for several weeks

They were probably beating the bushes to see if they could find other accusers. I don't fault them for their timing. And if there are more women who have a story to tell, I hope they all find the courage to do so. No politician or celebrity deserves a free pass, no matter what political stripe they represent. On the other hand, Franken ought to have some sort of forum to clear his name.

[live love laugh]

105. kcr what you're saying is obvious to me nt

[Ninga]

10. I wonder if his new SiriusXM radio show

triggered her memory.

[kcr]

14. That and an impeachment n/t

[cwydro]

15. Has he got a new show?

I’d like to find that channel.

[PoliticAverse]

19. See...

https://alfranken.com/read/me-on-conan-last-night-september-27-2019

[cwydro]

49. Thanks!

[LexVegas]

11. Based on responses like I see here, I can see why she wants to remain anonymous. nt

[wildflower]

27. Yep

[Cuthbert Allgood]

34. No kidding.

It's embarrassing.

[Dem4Life1102]

93. Make a living?

Franken is a millionaire. I’m sure he’s not struggling.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

110. So here's a thought experiment for you.

Take a look at the reactions this woman is getting on a liberal website. Now think about what would happen in the real world. Do you possibly have some understanding of why women maybe don't want to come forward or want to do it anonymously?

And your last sentence sounds like something that could come from the right wing, too.

[True Dough]

44. I hear what you're saying

and I agree.

[obnoxiousdrunk]

58. Yes.

[Voltaire2]

78. Yup.

The hypocrisy stinks.

[Bradical79]

81. Yeah, it's very Trumpish

Attack anonymity, timing, and motive. Trump has done this to every single anonymous leaker and accuser. The people here aren't the accused

[Blue_true]

91. You noticed too.

The conduct is shameful and only demonstrates why women are reluctant to come forward when they are victimized.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

96. Yep. Victims are watching.

[Indykatie]

13. The Timing is Too Suspicious for Me. We All Know The GOP is Not Above Lodging Bogus Sexual Attacks.

They learned to perfect it as a weapon from Russia. Sorry but I'm calling bull sh*t for any new Franken accusers that want to remain anonymous. Heading into 2020 I think Dems need to be especially vigilant in our fact finding on sexual allegations and other attacks that arise. Trump and Republicans will do any and everything possible to hold on to power. There is nothing too low with this bunch.

[brush]

24. You are so right. This can be done to any of our candidates, women included.

That Flores woman already tried it on Biden with the "he smell my hair" ridiculousness.

We have to be wary as the dirty trickster repugs will stop at nothing.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

35. This is why women don't come forward.

Seriously. Just because he's "our guy" doesn't mean that there is no way he harassed women.

[eissa]

17. Coming forward just as he's making his return

How fucking convenient. Why didn't she join the pile-on when it was the trendy thing to do?

[Blue_true]

95. People react to things that bring back unpleasant memories.

Franken coming back in the news likely triggered the memories for her and caused her to finally open up.

[Generic Other]

18. He gropes only when a camera is on him?

Another anonymous woman "victimized" with a camera snapping pics of her the whole time for all the world to see. I want to see that photo.

Then Franken can get in line for chastisement AFTER Trump and Kavanaugh are brought to justice. After Justice Clarence Thomas too. And Prince Andrew. And the rest of the perverts and rapists.

Sick of anonymous women accusing Franken while those other men are left to go their merry way.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

20. I guess they have to keep the left sniping at each other.

[brush]

22. Oh, now that he has a radio show they start up again. Where was this woman 2 years ago?

IMO no credibility at all. Why is Al Franken considered so dangerous that he must be beaten down at any attempt to resume his career? IIRC the allegations stopped abruptly once Al stepped down. IMO this accuser has no credibility at all.

I say prove it. Of course she can't and of course Franken can't defend himself against anyone who wants to come out at any time and accuse him.

[pnwmom]

125. She explained that in the article. She's been afraid it would hurt her career

and many of the comments here confirm that.

MOST incidents like this can't be proven. The actions are usually quick and done in a situation without other witnesses.

But Franken has had many women now make similar allegations. There is a pattern, and he quickly resigned. I think he had a good reason.

[brush]

132. She has a good story, but so did Leeann Tweeden. Just saying. Who are we to believe?

[pnwmom]

134. I would believe the staffer of Democratic Senator Patty Murray. I think there was a good reason

every female Democratic Senator but one signed the letter requesting his resignation within a few hours. They had probably all talked to their staffers, and this woman or others talked to them in confidence.

(Amy Klobuchar said the reason she didn't sign the letter was because the both represented the same state and had to work together.)

[Funtatlaguy]

28. I'd like to know where women think butt grabbing ranks.

On a scale of 1-10 sexual abuse, what number (women only) would you give butt grabbing?

10 is rape
1 is an inappropriate comment such as Saying you having nice breasts.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

29. If there's a scale, at what number do you think women feeling harmed is legitimate?

At what number do you start giving a shit?

[True Dough]

45. Excellent response n/t

[TidalWave46]

51. "At what number do you start giving a shit?"

[Blue_true]

98. Great response. Just what a thoughtless post deserves.

Any thing that is inappropriate is TOO MUCH!!!!!

[Cuthbert Allgood]

37. Holy shit, dude.

She said he grabbed her ass. Can't we all just agree that's a bad thing and shouldn't be done. The response is not, "Welp, it's not rape."

Fuck me.

[Funtatlaguy]

46. Ask any lawyer why we have misdemeanors and felonies.

Some things are really bad but not illegal. Some are more illegal than others (penalty wise).
I would think butt grabbing would be considered a sexual assault at about a 6 on the 1-10 scale.
Lawyers here would be the ones to have the best answer.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

111. I'll be sure to have my wife bring me up to speed tonight.

But we aren't in a court of law here. We are trying to be human beings. And we're liberals. Maybe we shouldn't be reacting to women who are brave enough to come forward even when they are accusing one of our own? Maybe we should listen?

IDK, YMMV.

[Unbelievable]

38. I'd say

That's like asking if how you murdered someone would rank differently. These women shouldn't be put in order based on someone's ranking system. Their feelings aren't judge able based on someone else's version of how their abuse ranked.
Remember the kid who Katy Perry forced a kiss on that singing show? Just an innocent peck from an attractive celebrity? To hear him explain it, she stole his first kiss. He was wanting that to be meaningful.
That could be more traumatic than if Katy forced sex on 90% of males. Most would welcome it. You just cant judge everyone's reactions to the same events.

[dsc]

104. There are literally degrees of murder

in some states one can get the death penalty for one kind of murder and a decade or two for another.

[Squinch]

48. Tragic that ignorant assholery like this post is commonplace on DU these days.

Next we'll hear how you always defend women but...

[LexVegas]

73. Jesus

[Voltaire2]

79. What?

[ecstatic]

80. Not weighing in on the alleged incident, but personally,

a random dude slapped my butt while we were crossing the street about 17 years ago and I'm still pissed off about it.

It's definitely a violation (and assault), but I honestly don't know how to rank it on a numerical scale. Or maybe the scale you've offered is not appropriate.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

113. Apparently you would have gotten over it if someone had reminded you it wasn't rape.

But satirical point aside, I'm sorry that happened to you. Lots of guys suck. And those of us that don't (and I'm aware I likely suck a lot of ways, too) need to do a better job of calling them out on it.

[rusty fender]

82. So, to you, groping is okay as long

as it’s not rape

[Polybius]

133. I think saying "you have night breasts" is more of a 3

A 1 would be caught starring at her chest in a low cut dress, or looking at her butt. Maybe a 2 would be a dirty joke.

[AirmensMom]

36. Not sure how to not make this sound like

whataboutism, but I'll give it a try.

First off, I tend to believe people when they accuse men or women of inappropriate sexual advances. And I totally understand why they would want to remain anonymous. I also understand why they wait and why the timing can look suspicious.

What I don't understand is why it makes headlines for days and weeks on end when a Democrat is accused, but it falls into obscurity almost instantly when a Republican is accused. I don't think it's a good idea for anyone who has been thus accused to serve in our government unless cleared by a full investigation. It is especially egregious that we allow such men to hold positions such as Supreme Court Justice and President when so many credible, many times not anonymous, accusers come forward.

The "party of family values" is anything but that, although they habitually hold Democrats to a much higher standard. I'm all for high standards. The old saying, "what's good for the goose is good for the gander" applies. If we had to ask Al Franken to step down without a hearing and we're once again going after him, we need to also ask certain SC Justices and a certain President to step down. Let's hear the accusers and examine the evidence that exists. But let's apply this standard and consequences across the board.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

56. Yep.

[Dem4Life1102]

86. You're right

There should be one standard, not one for Republicans and a different one for Democrats.

[OnDoutside]

55. FFS, another anonymous accuser, what a joke. I take the word of

Randi Rhodes, who worked with Franken at Air America for 5 years, and said that there was never a negative word amongst all the women working there about him. The female cast of SNL said the same. He's stood in for 10s of thousands of photos over the years and we have these bullshit accusations where he can NEVER prove his innocence. Joe Biden has decades of being overly handsy but is still in the race (rightly), yet here we have yet another piece of unprovable horseshit gleefully posted by the usual heads.

[Mosby]

64. +1

[eissa]

101. Hear, hear!

I'll take the word of women who actually know Franken over these "anonymous" allegations.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

57. Why did all of Al's alleged groping incidents occur while he was being photographed?

Most gropers try to avoid that sort of evidence.

It's all kind of fishy.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

61. Because he had easy access to women's bodies when being photographed.

When a senator says, "Bunch in, everybody!", everybody complies.

Being photographed is also a special kind of vulnerability -- you're the center of attention with an important person, you're hoping the photo turns out so you can share it with others, you know the important person has other things to be doing. After getting the favor of a photo with a powerful person, there aren't many who would immediately turn to them and say, "Did you just grab my ass?"

[treestar]

70. +1

They are in public and/or photographed.

[Blue_true]

100. A famous female singer was groped while taking a picture with a DJ, with

news cameras also focusing in. The thing was, nothing was behind her and him.

When I take pictures with anyone, I keep my hands in front of me. It is so easy to inadvertently touch a person when people are moving around after the picture, with my hands already out front of me, I can avoid issues by using my eyes to avoid touching someone.

[backtoblue]

60. If this had happened to me

Say, years ago someone grabbed my ass without my permission. It was an event (workplace related) that embarrassed me and made me uncomfortable.

Same person has numerous women publicly accuse him/her of inappropriate touching.

After reading these comments, I might be extremely reluctant to tell my story.

[Blue_true]

102. The most shameful part is this is a liberal site.

Yet, an obviously liberal woman who wants to remain annonymous is being viciously attacked for her wish. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why abused women keep their mouths shut.

[Butterflylady]

67. My condolences then to you.

Saying that, I have beachfront property in the capital of PA for sale.

[Butterflylady]

66. This is nothing but pure b*llsh*t

And if people don't get that, I feel so sorry for you all. He's making a comeback and getting attention so lets get the smear machine going again. Can't have a fighter back on the market. I don't care who is this story stinks to high heaven.

Oh by the way several Senators have apologized for their rush to judgement on his case.

[rockfordfile]

123. I agree

Republicans are scared shitless of Franken.

[saidsimplesimon]

68. Disgusting and career ending if it can be proven.

I’ve not commented on any of the previous diaries. What follows is just my opinion and I hold all others in high regard. So, from someone who has minimal experience in “butt groping” but some small measure of men who looked me, not in the eyes, but for any bust nips showing.

These acts are often performed in pubic, the pervs understand our reluctance to make a fuss in a crowd. So, raise you voice an octave and ask the audience if anyone saw the boyman grab my buttocks (ass is my choice). The other tool in my arsenal is “the evil eye” and a whispered I’ll report you, then sue you.

Franken stands accused by several credible women. Franken denies the accusations. That’s all I’ve got.

[treestar]

69. Another one happening in public with a photo

Are they sure he intended such a thing? Maybe he thought he was squeezing her waist or something. Is there really of subset of harassers who get off on doing it in public? His accusations haven't yet been, to my knowledge, anything that happened in private. Maybe he's just awkward.

[Vinca]

97. That's what I thought. In any case, I'm more interested in the pussy grabber at this point.

I'm 100% sure Franken wasn't doing that during photo ops.

[smirkymonkey]

72. Bullshit! I don't believe it.

This is pure right-wing propaganda.

[smirkymonkey]

76. Because republicans are more likely to do it and get away with it.

I simply do not believe that Al Franken is a threat to women. Even if he is a little touchy-feely, he is in no way in the league of Trump, Kavanaugh or most other republicans who actually RAPE and abuse women regularly.

Is his accuser a republican? If she is, then that is all I need to know. I know Al Franken is a decent man and a powerful liberal voice. The republicans know he is powerful too and will do anything to silence him.

[Unbelievable]

83. I'm going

Out on a limb here but the repubs probably feel as righteous as you. Brett K had accusers but No evidence. 30 year old claims. He seems to be an upstanding person or has been since in the public eye. Yet..
People call Brett K a rapist who rapes regularly without question because it fits into what they think a Republican is.
People dismiss AL cause he's one of us. I cannot get on board with this one shoe fits but dont try on the other way of thinking.
People are bad regardless of sex ,skin color, or ideology. People of all makes and models are good too.

[BlueStater]

84. Kavanaugh lied under oath during his hearing.

He's not an upstanding person by any means.

[smirkymonkey]

116. Bullshit. There was plenty of evidence and even more obstruction of his

crimes. He is NOT an upstanding person, he was an abuser of women and his finances are extremely suspect.

Enjoy your stay. I suspect it will not be long.

[kcr]

121. Brett Kavanaugh is an upstanding person, huh?

So, do go on about what you think fits into what a Republican is. I'm sure it's fascinating.

[Unbelievable]

130. I guess I wouldn't

Pigeon hole any person as inherently bad due to their ideology, or race, gender, etc.
Some construction workers are horrible. Some bakery owners are terrible. Some people in prison are good.
Some child molesters, sans molesting children, are good people in the rest of their humanly duties. They obviously should still be imprisoned though.
One action or belief that goes against my ideological viewpoint doesn't preclude me from accepting them as human. Even a decent one.
Is he against things I am for? Definitely.
Is he for things I am against? For sure
Is there PROOF he is walking around raping people? No
Is it possible a rapist has maintained an office full of women all this time as a public figure and somehow refrained from assaults and rape? Sure I guess.
Is it likely? No.
Occam would say "or he's not a rapist" because that takes less assumptions and suppositions.
In the end most Republicans want the same things. And I want different things.
But I am on the playing field where differing points of view, is what this government is about. We come together and agree as much as we can to represent as many of the public as possible. Hopefully we PROGRESS and try not to regress, but the past is where most Republican heads are stuck which is why it always seems like they want older ways of doing things. I have my head in the future but it takes an anchor to hold the ship in a safe spot if the waters ahead aren't calm and ready for passage.

[Dem4Life1102]

85. The accuser is not a Republican

According to the article she was working for Sen. Patty Murray at the time and is now a senior staffer at a major progressive organization.

But I agree that Franken is not a threat to women, just disrespectful at times and probably not consciously.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

114. Democrats can be bad people, too.

They can actually grab women's asses without permission. And we need to hold them to the same standard that we do Republicans that do that.

Frankly, we look stupid as shit in this thread. We need to be consistent.

[BlueStater]

77. I'm sorry, but why should that have any weight?

Tweeden, a proven liar, took years to come forward too. So did Tina Dupuy, the woman with the questionable allegation (in mine and a lot of other people's opinions) about him groping her waist.

And how does this latest allegation being anonymous give it more credibility exactly?

[maxsolomon]

87. The Terry Gross interview with Jane Mayer, who recently wrote a deep dive into Franken's accusations

was illuminating for me. Most of the accusations of groping are from before he was a Senator.

Franken often hugged and kissed women he knew in greeting, as it seems was common in his NYC/SNL milieu. He became a candidate in MN, and he had a "conservative" staffer who saw him doing that, and told him that it was a huge red flag. It hadn't occurred to him that it was, and he stopped (mostly?).

The groping accusations like this, I have no answer for, but the Leeanne Tweeden accusations were absurdly exaggerated and completely out of context. The author documented that context quite persuasively.

Regardless, he's not going to help Dems in any way right now, and should stay gone like Matt Lauer or Charlie Rose. Just don't.

If you care to listen: https://www.npr.org/programs/fresh-air/2019/07/25/745252157/fresh-air-for-july-25-2019-journalist-jane-mayer-on-the-accusations-against-sen

[LiberalLovinLug]

103. Okay, I'll ask it...Even if this story is true....is it so out of the question to forgive him?

Based on his regret and contrition. Add that this happened awhile ago. And based on the severity of the abuse. From what I have seen of Franken, I don't think he ever had in mind to "abuse" those he took a picture with, even if he did a buttock squeeze. I'm sure he thought it would be taken as a playful joke. (its not like he called them later to try and get a date) Partly based on that this was before the #metoo, and that he was a male, raised in an era where, believe it or not, many men had no idea how negatively even a "playful" pinch could be taken. Maybe thinking if it was reversed, that they themselves would take it as a playful, slightly naughty, "joke".

I guess though that politicians have to live up to the highest standards with no room for decades old misbehaviour no matter how contrite they are about it now. Correction: Democratic politicians....Correction: non Establishment Democratic politicians.

I just think there should be some level of forgiveness and moving on. And that surely there are degrees of sexual misconduct. And that some are forgivable while some certainly are not.

[pnwmom]

129. It's too bad he got caught up in a cultural sea change -- the MeToo movement. But he did.

Men who "joked" and "played" like that had no idea how humiliated and helpless they made women feel.

Now they do -- and it's in part because of the message sent when Franken resigned.

[revmclaren]

106. Bookmarked and screenshot for future reference.

Interested to see which band wagon throws a wheel.

ONLY!!! 2019 and beyond.

[dustyscamp]

118. I really wish Al Franken didn't go out the way he did

We need an investigation to clear up this mess. I know some people like Tweeden has heinous motives for accusing him, but other accusers could have credible motives

[Dem4Life1102]

122. Investigation??

By whom? Franken was never accused of a crime.

[Recursion]

127. Sorry, no: we still haven't gotten into his SNL cocaine years

He was always a liability

[Recursion]

126. *cough* Gillibrand was right *cough* (nt)

[Blue Owl]

128. Is it possible to get a copy of the photo???

You'd think photo evidence would put an end to all speculation.

The woman said it happened during the entire photo shoot. Show us some evidence!

[Polybius]

131. All of these accusations were before he was a Senator

I think the office of the Senate made him grow up. Even his humor changed.