By now most have heard that Senator Al Franken has been accused of having committed sexual assault in 2006. The story is very believable, and there is photographic proof. We have heard Senator Franken’s initial response on these allegations, but the half apologies are too little, too late.
I am furious. First and foremost that any man would behave the way he is alleged to behave. This entire year of revelations has been an eye-opener for me who, like many other men I’m sure, simply couldn’t and didn’t believe this behavior was this widespread. It’s not in my DNA to treat a woman this way, and I simply don’t fathom how another man could do so. I knew that it probably did, but to this wide-spread extent? I had no idea.
I am furious at Al Franken. True, I’m furious for something he did 11 years ago, but who’s to say that now that the first allegation is out, there won’t be others? For years I have idolized Senator Franken. His was a voice of reason in the wilderness. He was one of the good guys. A true progressive who was more than a match for the Republican machinery. And he’s smart, too. To hear him grill bankers and others, schooling them on the law and regulations, making these rich shmucks squirm in their seats, has been a joy.
The progressive cause will be losing a vital and strong voice. I hate that. But he must go. If we, as progressives, are to stand for anything, are to get upset at the behavior of Moore or T*ump, we have to hold ourselves to the higher standard.
And now here’s what I really hate.
Sexual harassment and sexual assault is not and should not be a partisan issue. I’m sure right now Republicans are gleefully giggling over these recent allegations. “Look! A Democrat! Got him!” And yet no word on T*ump’s well-documented behavior. They will burn Franken with pitchforks but ignore the very same, if not worse, behavior from T*ump.
Even worse, we were warned by Congresswoman Speier that there were others. She said two currently-serving members of Congress—one in each party. Maybe Franken was the Democrat to whom she was referring, maybe not. But we all know that if and when the Republican is outed, he will not lose his job. He will not be forced out. The GOP is only distancing themselves from Moore because he is a pedophile, and I guess we’ve finally found the one line that is too much for even the GOP to cross.
But if the stories of Moore’s assaults on women were all from women who claimed to be 19 or 20 when it happened? Crickets. They’d be lining up to greet him with open arms.
Democrats have to play by a different set of rules. David Vitter and Elliot Spitzer were both outed as having used professional escorts, but which one’s career was over instantaneously, having to resign his position, and which one kept on serving for years until the voters finally kicked him out?
Franken has to go. Luckily, Minnesota has a Democratic governor, who will appoint another Democrat. But then there will be a special election in 2018 and who knows what will happen?
I’m very angry today. And very sad.