Recent events have demonstrated that Sen. Al Franken is a crude bore with a childish sense of humor. Nothing new there, anyone observing the senator in action has long been aware that the man is out of place in the halls of power. But the current kerfuffle over a 2006 photo showing him pretending to fondle a sleeping Leeann Tweeden, is an example of the “Gotcha” game, one honed by Democrats to a razor sharpness. Now it is coming back to haunt them.
There is a bit of schadenfreude at play here, as it is indeed enjoyable to watch Democrats twist and squirm in the same fashion they have brought upon numerous others. The party that claims to “respect women” has a long history of creating mountains out of molehills, in attempts to destroy the opposition. Turnabout is fair play, or is it?
First, we should mention the photo. Much as I hate to defend this guy, we need to be honest. No, the future senator is not actually touching Ms. Tweeden (you can see a shadow from his right hand in the photo). He is pretending to, as a joke. Of course, it is a very bad joke, one that Bluto may have enacted at Delta House.
Had the senator, been smart, he would have used that as his primary defense. But since he is not, he did not. Instead, he offered a statement, which read in part:
“The first thing I want to do is apologize: to Leeann, to everyone else who was part of that tour, to everyone who has worked for me, to everyone I represent, and to everyone who counts on me to be an ally and supporter and champion of women. I respect women. I don’t respect men who don’t. And the fact that my own actions have given people a good reason to doubt that makes me feel ashamed.”
The apology was well-deserved and one hopes, sincere. It was also long overdue.
Yes, the senator admitted the intention was a joke, but that seemed like a weak after thought, compared to his groveling apology.
Now other women have come forward to defend Franken, which is to be expected: “He may be a creep, but he votes our way.” They seem to be saying in a fashion harkening back to Nina Burleigh.
Also ensnared by the ‘Gotcha’ game is an ‘icon of the Senate: John Conyers. His dalliances have long been known (Taxpayer funds were used to pay off his accuser).
Pelosi said of Conyers: “He is entitled to due process.”
Yet, Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore is not? At least he is not, according to the RINOS and Donkeys that are trying to force Moore out. Party before integrity. Morality is out the window, the swamp continues to rise. So it goes.
In reality, the Roy Moore scandal is another “gotcha,” the so-called “October Surprise.” This is a weapon the voting public has tired of and for good reasons.
The Democrats, may not have created the ‘October surprise’ (October can be an exceedingly long month), but they use it with an efficiency which escapes Republicans. Some examples:
* The Nov. 5 George Bush DUI charge just prior to the 2000 election.
* The Dan Rather “fake but accurate” Killian documents released on Sept. 8, 2004.
* The Sept. 28, 2006 Mark Foley messaging scandal prior to the midterms.
* The Sept. 17, 2012 Mother Jones-released Mitt Romney “47 percent” tape. The left was so delighted with this one that Chris Mathews named it “quote of the year.”
The well-entrenched use of these tactics will never be eliminated.
They can however reach the saturation point, thus diminishing their effectiveness. The Roy Moore charges may indeed be an example of this scenario.
The continued use of such tactics results in several tendencies: circling the wagons (we see this with Franken) or refusal to believe the reports (Judge Moore). A third is a backlash against those participating in false allegations (Dan Rather).
When used efficiently, a candidate is defeated or an office holder eliminated. Facts are secondary to intent: The ends justify the means. So it goes.
The Conyers/Moore/Franken scandals are such surprises that may have run their course. Conyers will fade away and remain an “icon” in the eyes of the deluded. Franken will be slapped on the wrist, then likely re-elected. Democrats have a history of reelecting such men. Barney Frank (MA), Rep. Fred Richmond (NY), Rep. Gerry Studds (MA) and Sen. Edward Kennedy (MA) are all examples of Democrats caught in sexual scandals who went on to win re-election.
Those slapped on the wrist, or cases dropped, include Sen. Daniel Inouye (HI), Rep. Gus Savage (NY) and Rep. Wayne Hays (OH), the latter of whom later resigned.
As the Democrats point their fingers back at Republicans, they will proclaim, “Roy Moore’s charges involved minors!”
So did the cases of Gerry Studs, Fred Richmond and Mel Reynolds of Illinois.
Mr. Reynolds was not mentioned (he did not fit into the categories above), and he was convicted and removed from office.
He deserve special recognition though. His cases included allegations pertaining to a 16-year-old and child pornography. Additionally, many other charges were filed against him. All of that though did not prevent Bill Clinton from commuting his sentence.
Nice to have friends like Bill in positions of power isn’t it Mel?
As to the fate of Judge Moore, that remains to seen, but if he is elected, then the Democrats should look at themselves and ask: “If we are to proclaim men like Judge Moore, to be unfit for office should we also not make such proclamations against men in our own party?”
Until such time that the Democrats hold their own party members to be accountable for their actions, why should Republicans?
Turnabout is fair play, is it not?
Many say that the high road is the better route and standards should not be lowered to the levels of the opposition.
That certainly is an admirable goal. But in the meantime, it sure is fun watching the Democrats squirm.
Dennis Lund is a mechanical engineer who lived in Benicia for more than 20 years.
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Dennis,
Good to see your name on the Forum again. Wow! You really exposed quite a list of miscreants. My own view is all this prurient interest in sexual harassment is old news going back to King David and beyond. Apparently, it’s now sex, not patriotism that is “the last refuge of the scoundrel.”
But hey, it’s time to celebrate–Congress finally passed tax reform. It’s Christmas in America again!
Bruce, I appreciate the comments. As far as the list of miscreants go, the original piece could have been 8,000 words (and that’s just the Democrats),and not the 800 or 900 that is preferred.
It’s awfully disgusting that anyone gets pleasure out of people being found to be creeps or dangerous to the public, simply because it makes an opposing party weakened. I suppose Lund doesn’t care much for others, or for the country as a whole, as long as “his team” wins. Stick to watching sports, maybe.
B.B. — Thanks for the response. Perhaps I was not clear. I think all politicians who are creeps and a ‘danger to the public’ should be exposed for what they are and removed from public office.
The fact that recent revelations have primarily had a negative impact on Democrats is just icing on the cake and, as I tried to make clear long over due.
Icing on a garbage cake still isn’t appealing. Something tells me that if someone close to you were molested or raped, so I wouldn’t feel the tiniest bit better knowing their attacker were Republican or Democrat
We know full well “due process” is no longer respected by the vocal sides or any political spectrum. Otherwise, we would have respected Hillary Clinton not being accountable for any crime, Obama not being a Muslim from Kenya seeking to destroy the US, or any number of conspiracies and buzzwords that the Republican Party is just as guilty of latching onto as the Democratic one.
Do you breathe a sigh of contentment if a mass shooter happens to have hated Trump? Is it good news if it turns out a bomber is Muslim?
Anyone who pretends that one half of their country, either Democrat or Republican, are under a banner of stupidity or immorality, may as well leave if they hate half of their own citizens so much. Both parties are Americans.
So I guess in your opinion all Progressives should leave America. All anti American college students should also leave. America is a very great and tolerant country. After all they do put up with you and maybe me also. I do not believe what you are saying about Dennis you really mean. It could be just a retort to President Trump. People like me will feel your attacks. I watch CNN occasionally. All they talk about is anti President Trump. The Washington Post, NYT, AP, , CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC and CBS. I read the comments in this paper. Very nasty to President Trump and people like me. If you are not a Socialist Progressive they want no part of you. . Your comments on Dennis Lund are a very good example. Merry Christmas. By the way I am anti Recreational Cannabis stores in Benicia. Does that make me a bad person. See you at the council meeting tonight. Merry Christmas again and again.
Trump is an individual, and not literally half of the country. If people have an issue with individual policy or decision, that’s completely different. Likewise, it’s not fallacious to criticize individual policy or actions of individuals who happen to be democrats.
Democrats who pretend all Republicans are evil are just as idiotic, and need a serious reality check if they think something like political party defines a person. It’s cute that you want to play the victim, but it’s not really very effective.
I’m sure conservative news outlets are oh-so nice to their opposing party, and TOTALLY don’t demonize them either. Trump is a big boy, he doesn’t need Bobby taking care of him, when he goes through the same machine literally every president is forced into.
You aren’t a bad person. Misinformed, overly sensitive, prone to temper tantrums, egotistical, immature, and frustrating, certainly. Not evil though.
Also, you can quit having your little fit about Christmas. I’m sure it’s hard to keep track, but we actually have a Jewish holiday coming up first. I’m sure all those meanie Jews celebrating Hanukkah are just engaging in a war on Christmas.
I celebrate Christmas am I an evil person for being a Christian”? I love Christmas and will continue to celebrate it as Christmas. Merry Christmas and Happy new Year. NO WAR ON Christmas IT WON LONG AGO. Just stated the odds ON NEWS OUTLETS and they are in favor of the Progressives. I do not think you will doubt that. Again and again Merry Christmas.
Not evil. Being Christian isn’t really that special, nor does it change wether you are a good person, or an obnoxious egoist who can’t follow conversation. Not evil though.
Happy Hanukkah in only a week? Do you have your menorah ready to go??
No, but I do have my Christmas Tree and all the Christmas decoration up. I love it. Well at least you now have labeled me to your own words. A very hateful comment about me. I do and will not take that lightly. .I could go after you big time, but I will not. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
By all means, go after me “Big Time”. I have no idea what that means, but you hardly get to act like you’re a victim when you spout off constantly about anyone who doesn’t prescribe to your opinions. If you don’t like people being critically honest, maybe you should watch your tone once in a while.
Thank you.
Well, Bob, what should we be reading and watching to get the real news?
That’s not the issue. It is the over whelming anti President Trump and Republicans news that is being put out. People can be easily be swayed by one sided info and in many cases not verified. Watch what you want and I hope you are able to make your own decisions.
” I suppose Lund doesn’t care much for others,” — Actually, I do care about others, including victims of crimes and especially rape.
For example 20 years ago (or so) I cared enough about a rape victim to believer her. I refer to Juanita Broadrick. Others believed her as well, but not enough were willing to stand up to the man whom she accused and he was never charged for the crime. His wife not only stood by his side, she intimidated the victim into silence. Now over two decades later the NYT’s has said they believe her, so my caring for this victim was ahead of the curve.
You mention I only care if my team wins. I will correct you on that point. Prior to Bill Clinton, the Democrats were my team. But I recognized them to be a party whose ethics were lacking, I left for a variety of reasons, but I was right then, as well as today.
Yes, I am not embarrassed to admit that seeing the Democrats of today being hoisted on their own petard. brings a level of satisfaction.
Thanks again for posting your response as it is illuminating in many ways and serves to confirm the correctness of my decisions of 20 years ago.
That’s fine, except I’m not a Democrat, so I fail to see why it has any regard to your past decisions. Not sure why you think I am one, either.
B.B – It was not my intent to say you are a Democrat, but rather to convey that my interpretation of the thoughts you have expressed here serve to confirm some of my reasons for leaving the Democrat Party. Specifically: your apparent support of Hillary and lack of condemnation for Bill Clinton’s rape of Juanita Broadrick.
Dennis Lund cares about this country and for sure its residents. He just pointed out the issues. Some may not like it but it was a very good article. We need more of these types of articles. Yes it does make those ever so nice Progressives “:squirm”. Good job Dennis. Thank you.
Thanks Bob. I think all of us, Democrats and Republicans alike will have a bit of schadenfreude at play when a politician, one they do not like is revealed for his (or her) true nature..
Dennis
Interesting. This chain of posts is one of the most focused and civil of any I have seen on this site in more than seven years of reading responses to the Forum op-eds on this site. Maybe we’re all learning the virtue and benefits of civil discourse.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all indeed.