Senator Al Franken accused of sexual assault

[Breccia]

Wow, Franken immediately went to "I don't remember it, but I will take her word for it. It was wrong and I apologize". Like, right away. None of this "you can't prove the handwriting in the yearbook is really mine" bullshit.

Kinda takes the wind out of your sails when the accused just does the right thing immediately.

[Drutt]

The accuser's account states she agreed to rehearse the skit leading up to the kiss, not the kiss itself, but when they got there he grabbed her behind the head, forced her to kiss him and slipped his tongue in.

That is 100% sexual assault if true. No, it's not as bad as rape, but it's still wrong. It's worth noting that he says he remembers things differently.

The photo looks to me like he actually does have his hands on her chest. If he didn't, it just in poor taste. If he did, again, sexual assault. The fact she's sleeping isn't relevant.

The photo does somewhat undermine his semi-denial of the forced rehearsal kiss, since it shows him doing a (potentially) inappropriate thing to her on film. I say "potentially" because there is some discussion over whether or not he's actually touching her. To me, it looks like he is, but that could just be the angle.

[Bullettime]

Right, they should investigate. The difference between Moore and Franken situation is that the investigation has been done in the Moore situation and there's a ton of evidence.

We should also find out about all the sexual harassment situations in Congress that have resulted in $15m in payouts.

Which is fine. Investigate the issue immediately and if something comes from it, let the hammer fall.

But people asking and demanding immediate resignations without looking at the details or comparing this to Moore are giving me a headache.

- - - Updated - - -

The accuser's account states she agreed to rehearse the skit leading up to the kiss, not the kiss itself, but when they got there he grabbed her behind the head, forced her to kiss him and slipped his tongue in.

That is 100% sexual assault if true. No, it's not as bad as rape, but it's still wrong. It's worth noting that he says he remembers things differently.

The photo looks to me like he actually does have his hands on her chest. If he didn't, it just in poor taste. If he did, again, sexual assault. The fact she's sleeping isn't relevant.

The photo does somewhat undermine his semi-denial of the forced rehearsal kiss, since it shows him doing a (potentially) inappropriate thing to her on film. I say "potentially" because there is some discussion over whether or not he's actually touching her. To me, it looks like he is, but that could just be the angle.

The other thing to me which warrants the investigation is the person making the claim. The picture is up for discussion absolutely but the person making the claim is also a career ultra conservative nut who used to frequent Hannity and was a birther before becoming a news anchor. So the timing of her accusation right at the height of the Moore scandal and given her career and political background make this suspect, but still ABSOLUTELY WARRANTING A PROPER INVESTIGATION.

[McCulloch]

Stepping aside for just a single accusation is a bit much. Moore has a legacy of shit behind him that back up the accusations whereas this is a single time comment from someone who's a career hyper partisan nutter.

It absolutely warrants an apology and proper investigation though.

I think he should probably step aside for the politics of it, even if it was just sketchy behavior and not full blown assault.

[downnola]

It's difficult for me to not be cynical about the future of politics in the U.S. when there are constant politically tribal, kneejerk reactions to sexual assault stories. Many on the left dismissed the allegations about Clinton as right wing conspiracies. Many on the right dismiss allegations against Trump and Moore as politically charged attacks from Democrats. We're going to see the same boring shit thrown at Leeann Tweeden from salty Democrats despite the fact she has photographic evidence of Franken being a fucking creep. Would it fucking kill people to cut the tribalism shit once in awhile?

[Tinykong]

The photo is inappropriate, but I'm not really sure a lewd gesture is illegal.

The kissing was consensual, right up until the moment it wasn't. She pushed him off, and he stopped. At no point, according to her, did he force himself on her or threaten her.

Are we really at the point now where someone can give verbal consent, but mentally not give consent, and then claim sexual assault? FFS.

[PACOX]

I think he should probably step aside for the politics of it, even if it was just sketchy behavior and not full blown assault.

Politics of it?

If that means what I think it means then it creates a bad precedent where any accusation is a guilty plea. Many people have been falsely thrown in prison, even killed for stuff like that.

[Sky High]

as someone pointed out there are some... glaring holes in her story. and if that pic is all the evidence she has then yeah it's creepy but calling for him to resign over this? Jesus Christ. see, unless there is a pattern of this behavior and not a one off thing then pardon me but I think this is totally overblown.

[Drutt]

The other thing to me which warrants the investigation is the person making the claim. The picture is up for discussion absolutely but the person making the claim is also a career ultra conservative nut who used to frequent Hannity and was a birther before becoming a news anchor. So the timing of her accusation right at the height of the Moore scandal and given her career and political background make this suspect, but still ABSOLUTELY WARRANTING A PROPER INVESTIGATION.

Yes, investigations are a good thing provided they are non-partisan (i.e. unlike the never-ending joke investigations into Benghazi).

[Underverse]

I see crude, but all the damage I see is self-inflicted. People need to chill the fuck out.

I wonder when people will begin to realize that these kinds of responses are manifestations of a sexually hyper-conservative culture. Women aren't liberating themselves from oppressive sexual ideologies, they're just fighting for equal power within a traditionally male-dominated framework. It's not the right way to do things, in my opinion, but maybe it's a necessary intermediary.

[McCulloch]

Politics of it?

The country is in the middle of this moment where sexual assault is being taken very seriously. It sends a bad message to have a Senator remain in his seat after being accused with some photographic evidence. And if the Democrats continue to support him, it makes them full-blown hypocrites when it comes to attacking Trump on the issue. It's moral and political issue. It's better for the country and for the party if he steps down.

[Dontrike]

At the very least he isn't trying to hide everything like Moore and Trump, but this is certainly wrong and he'll get punished for it. At the very least I'll give him props for being a decent person about this, minus the doing sexual assult.

[Symphonic]

It's completely different, he's not in hollywood so it doesn't count and he will get a small slap on the wrist and nothing will happen to him.

[Kujako]

Wonder if he were to settle, if the payout would come from tax payers like when a member of Congress does the same thing while in office. That's right ya'll, we pay for our Representatives sexual misconduct!

[Skroe]

He should resign immediately.

[PACOX]

If the skit and photo are under review then perhaps the entire USO show should be as well. Just saying because its the event that created the atmosphere of this "sexual debauchery".

[Arvei]

I say perform a thorough investigation. There still seems to be flaws in her story.

[Deleted]

It's completely different, he's not in hollywood so it doesn't count and he will get a small slap on the wrist and nothing will happen to him.

I mean, he is a comedian and an actor.

[McCulloch]

It looks as though he may survive this, even though it'd be better for him to resign. McConnell called for an Ethics Committee investigation, and now Democratic Senators and Franken himself are calling for one as well.

[PACOX]

Wonder if he were to settle, if the payout would come from tax payers like when a member of Congress does the same thing while in office. That's right ya'll, we pay for our Representatives sexual misconduct!

Those fuckers needed to be outed and impeach. The Democrat and the Republican. We also need to talk about the people who cover the shit up for them. The problem when such behavior is normalized its hard to go back and point fingers when you KNEW the behavior was going on.

- - - Updated - - -

It looks as though he may survive this, even though it'd be better for him to resign. McConnell called for an Ethics Committee investigation, and now Democratic Senators and Franken himself are calling for one as well.

Nah he needs to see it through so precedents and standards can be set. Even if he ends up getting impeached it sets the standard for current and future office holders.