"Fish lips"
The news is buzzing today (even at CNN) over the charges of sexual abuse by Minnesota Senator Al Franken (D). A female radio host is charging that a decade ago, while Franken was still a comedian, he kissed her in an welcome fashion while supposedly preparing for a comedy skit. The woman, Leeann Tweeden, also charges that Franken groped her breasts while she was sleeping during a USO tour. Her claims are strongly corroborated by a photo of the latter incident in which Franken is smiling at the camera and posing while clutching the woman's breasts. He has now apologized.
In addition, the controversy over Roy Moore, Republican candidate for the Alabama race to replace Jeff Sessions as that state's senator, continues to grow as more people come forth. Moore allegedly pursued teenage girls while in their 30s. He denies the accusations.
It goes without saying that there are political ramifications in both cases. The pressure is growing on Moore to step aside, and that includes from Republicans in Congress. There is the possibility that if he is elected, he might be expelled from the Senate after being sworn in. That would require a two-thirds vote. Franken now faces hearings by the Senate Ethics Committee, with which he has promised to cooperate.
Can we look at these two cases objectively and without regard to political affiliation? Hopefully. In my view, the charges against Moore are not corroborated or proven. It is the sheer weight of people coming forward that bothers me. Yes, the timing is curious due to the coming election. Moore has been a liberal target for a long time due to his controversial history as a judge including on the Alabama State Court. In addition to the women, there are the statements from former security officials at a Gadsden shopping mall to the effect that they were on the lookout for the then 30-something prosecutor Moore who was suspected of frequenting the mall and seeking out teenage girls. Even Sean Hannity, after interviewing Moore about the charges, was so uncomfortable with his responses that he challenged Moore this week to fully clear himself with an implied threat that he was ready to drop any support he might have had.
On the other hand, it has been rightfully pointed out by Moore's defenders that we don't want to create a system whereby any would-be public official is disqualified merely on sexual harassment/assault/abuse accusations. Not all charges turn out to be factual.
With Franken at this point, we are talking about one woman and acts that occurred before Franken became senator, but there doesn't seem to be much doubt that the charges are true. When you have a photo and an apology, I say, "Guilty". As to the forced kissing issue, in which Franken reportedly forced his tongue into her mouth, Tweeden said that she was disgusted and went to the bathroom to rinse her mouth out referring to Franken as "fish lips".
So what kind of a circus will we have in the Senate-especially if Moore is elected? I expect a full court press to kick Moore right out of the Senate. By that time, the charges against him hopefully will be further clarified one way or another.
Will the timid Republicans go after Franken in a similar manner, and if so, how much support will they get from the Democrats? Sexual harassment is in the forefront now with the Hollywood mess on front page. Will the Democrats be as indignant as the Republicans or stand by their party colleague? Either way, we headed for another interesting mess in Congress.
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