Senator Al Franken accused of unwanted kissing/groping

[bluesneakers]

And, calling for an investigation is a pretty strong statement. At least he's not denying anything. Still a creep though.

It's definitely too little too late, but maybe setting an example for the next man. And there will be a next man.

 

[Jmoose]

Maybe he truly doesn't remember the rehearsal that way. Chances are he didn't even really remember the rehearsal until reminded of it today. The problem with harassment is that men don't see it the way women do, and I think he is acknowledging that - he invites investigation and seems to be willing to listen to the woman accuser and not shut her down.

jmo

But he really couldn't shut her down as others have done, because there is a picture of him-it's disgusting. I wonder what his response would have been if there wasn't a photo of him molesting her while she slept?

 

[kaen]

He did equivocate. He denied her accusation about the way the kiss happened. He said he certainly did not remember it that way--'but I send her my sincerest apologies. '


That seems like a very weak apology. He called her a liar than said BUT I send her my sincerest apology. Totally insincere, imo.

Can you link to where he called her a liar with the word "liar". I have not seen that.

Here is his full statement:

"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. There's more I want to say, but the first and most important thing—and if it's the only thing you care to hear, that's fine—is: I'm sorry.
"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.
"But I want to say something else, too. Over the last few months, all of us—including and especially men who respect women—have been forced to take a good, hard look at our own actions and think (perhaps, shamefully, for the first time) about how those actions have affected women.
"For instance, that picture. I don't know what was in my head when I took that picture, and it doesn't matter. There's no excuse. I look at it now and I feel disgusted with myself. It isn't funny. It's completely inappropriate. It's obvious how Leeann would feel violated by that picture. And, what's more, I can see how millions of other women would feel violated by it—women who have had similar experiences in their own lives, women who fear having those experiences, women who look up to me, women who have counted on me.
"Coming from the world of comedy, I've told and written a lot of jokes that I once thought were funny but later came to realize were just plain offensive. But the intentions behind my actions aren't the point at all. It's the impact these jokes had on others that matters. And I'm sorry it's taken me so long to come to terms with that.
"While I don't remember the rehearsal for the skit as Leeann does, I understand why we need to listen to and believe women's experiences.
"I am asking that an ethics investigation be undertaken, and I will gladly cooperate.
"And the truth is, what people think of me in light of this is far less important than what people think of women who continue to come forward to tell their stories. They deserve to be heard, and believed. And they deserve to know that I am their ally and supporter. I have let them down and am committed to making it up to them."

Not equivocating. Owning and recognizing his faulty thinking. An apology, IMHO.

 

[animlzrule]

But he really couldn't shut her down as others have done, because there is a picture of him-it's disgusting. I wonder what his response would have been if there wasn't a photo of him molesting her while she slept?

That's not true though. Others have denied their actions even when caught on video tape and with multiple witnesses.

 

[simba16]

They surely will be held accountable-especially if there are pictures

Sometimes there are audiotapes.

 

[Jmoose]

That's not true though. Others have denied their actions even when caught on video tape and with multiple witnesses.

You are talking about you-know-who again...he SAID it, Franken DID it

 

[katydid23]

I call this owning it:
I call this owning it:

“Coming from the world of comedy, I’ve told and written a lot of jokes that I once thought were funny but later came to realize were just plain offensive,” he wrote. “But the intentions behind my actions aren’t the point at all. It’s the impact these jokes had on others that matters. And I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to come to terms with that.”


He's not denying it, or calling the woman a or a liar or someone who wants to be famous or take him down. It's unlike the response from most men we've seen in similar situations.

And I 100% agree with this statement:

And I 100% agree with this statement:
“This is unacceptable behavior and extremely disappointing. I am glad Al came out and apologized, but that doesn’t reverse what he’s done or end the matter. I support an ethics committee investigation into these accusations and I hope this latest example of the deep problems on this front spurs continued action to address it,” said Patty Murray of

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/16/...xual-harassment-groping-forcible-kissing.html

That statement he made about comedy material says NOTHING about the assault portion of the accusation.

The photo is a prank/frat joke type of thing. The actual sexual harassment is the forced kiss with the tongue down her throat during the rehearsal.

He has not owned that nor discussed that other than to say he does not remember it that way.

He has no fear of an investigation. The DOJ never charged Dems with anything anymore.

 

[bluesneakers]

But he really couldn't shut her down as others have done, because there is a picture of him-it's disgusting. I wonder what his response would have been if there wasn't a photo of him molesting her while she slept?

I think it would have been the same reaction from him without the photo. Unless.. are there earlier accusations against him he's denied? Is there an instance of him refusing to apologize or admit he'd done something?

 

[bluesneakers]

Sometimes there are audiotapes.

It's amazing the lies men and their PR teams can come up with in the face of accusations, whether or not they are accompanied by hard evidence. It's disgusting.

 

[Fairy1]

AS PREVIOUSLY STATED IN A POST ABOVE THIS THREAD IS ABOUT FRANKIN AND NOT ABOUT TRUMP.

NO NAME CALLING. THIS IS NOT THE POLITIVENT FORUM. THAT FORUM IS CLOSED BECAUSE EVERYONE LOST THEIR MINDS.

YOU MUST BEHAVE ON THIS THREAD.

NO TRUMP, NO TRUMP INSULTS, NO MOORE, NO MOORE INSULTS.

AL FRANKIN ONLY.

I'LL STOP YELLING NOW.

Tricia

OKAY! Can we at least correct the name of the thread to Al FrankEn?

 

[Jmoose]

Sometimes there are audiotapes.

I haven't heard the ones where they document somebody actually at the moment they are molesting someone. I've only seen Franken's leering face as he posed for the picture of him molesting a sleeping woman.

 

[FinallyRegistered]

That's not true though. Others have denied their actions even when caught on video tape and with multiple witnesses.

And some men, even with tape and witnesses, threaten lawsuits against their accusers. That'll shut down every woman who has ever felt violated and not strong enough to stand up to a man in power.

But, maybe that's the point and exactly why that tactic works for men.

 

[Deleted member 117884]

He knew he did it 11 years ago-are you suggesting that he was only made aware of it now? Because he did pose for a picture. The fact that his accuser accepted his apology doesn't really wipe away the bad behavior. He wasn't a stupid kid when it happened, after all

I DO NOT CONDONE WHAT HE DID, but he has been very open in his political career that he comes from a not-so-squeeky-clean background in show biz. He has openly talked about drug use, etc. I don't think he was hiding what happened at that rehearsal for 11 years. I honestly think he never thought about it!

I don't think he felt shame about it because it simply didn't cross his mind....until called to the carpet by the woman. With a light shed, he saw what she was talking about and then felt shame. He might not remember it the way she does, but that doesn't mean he is saying he is right and she is wrong.

And, he's saying his is listening to the accusations and taking them seriously. Unlike others, he isn't saying "fake news!" or trying to discredit her.

Plenty of us have had to change our attitudes over the years - even as full-grown adults -without the need to apologize for every past misdeed. But, when confronted with our past behavior, we should apologize and some of us do apologize and make a continued commitment to improve.

jmo

 

[Jmoose]

That statement he made about comedy material says NOTHING about the assault portion of the accusation.

The photo is a prank/frat joke type of thing. The actual sexual harassment is the forced kiss with the tongue down her throat during the rehearsal.

He has not owned that nor discussed that other than to say he does not remember it that way.

He has no fear of an investigation. The DOJ never charged Dems with anything anymore.

I don't know if I agree that the photo is a frat boy prank-at least, if I was the sleeping woman, I would be extremely upset

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

But he really couldn't shut her down as others have done, because there is a picture of him-it's disgusting. I wonder what his response would have been if there wasn't a photo of him molesting her while she slept?

The fact that there's a picture speaks to the culture of it. Men think they're just being funny and not doing anything wrong thus the picture. You don't typically take pictures of some misdeed that could come back to haunt you. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a man that took the pic.

 

[FinallyRegistered]

The fact that there's a picture speaks to the culture of it. Men think they're just being funny and not doing anything wrong thus the picture. You don't typically take pictures of some misdeed that could come back to haunt you. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a man that took the pic.

Very good point.

 

[katydid23]

Can you link to where he called her a liar with the word "liar". I have not seen that.

Here is his full statement:

"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. There's more I want to say, but the first and most important thing—and if it's the only thing you care to hear, that's fine—is: I'm sorry.
"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.
"But I want to say something else, too. Over the last few months, all of us—including and especially men who respect women—have been forced to take a good, hard look at our own actions and think (perhaps, shamefully, for the first time) about how those actions have affected women.
"For instance, that picture. I don't know what was in my head when I took that picture, and it doesn't matter. There's no excuse. I look at it now and I feel disgusted with myself. It isn't funny. It's completely inappropriate. It's obvious how Leeann would feel violated by that picture. And, what's more, I can see how millions of other women would feel violated by it—women who have had similar experiences in their own lives, women who fear having those experiences, women who look up to me, women who have counted on me.
"Coming from the world of comedy, I've told and written a lot of jokes that I once thought were funny but later came to realize were just plain offensive. But the intentions behind my actions aren't the point at all. It's the impact these jokes had on others that matters. And I'm sorry it's taken me so long to come to terms with that.
"While I don't remember the rehearsal for the skit as Leeann does, I understand why we need to listen to and believe women's experiences.
"I am asking that an ethics investigation be undertaken, and I will gladly cooperate.
"And the truth is, what people think of me in light of this is far less important than what people think of women who continue to come forward to tell their stories. They deserve to be heard, and believed. And they deserve to know that I am their ally and supporter. I have let them down and am committed to making it up to them."

Not equivocating. Owning and recognizing his faulty thinking. An apology, IMHO.

THIS is his original statement. The one posted above in your link is his SECOND statement. I think he received some backlash from his first one so he lengthened it and was more sympathetic. His ORIGINAL response:

“I certainly don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit in the same way, but I send my sincerest apologies to Leeann,” Sen. Franken said in a statement. “As to the photo, it was clearly intended to be funny but wasn’t. I shouldn’t have done it.”

UPDATE (12:56 PM, November 16, 2017): Sen. Franken released a longer statement responding to the allegations.

http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/16/s...ush&utm_source=daily_caller&utm_campaign=push


So Frankens ORIGINAL response was to call her out and say he did not remember it that way--'-BUT I send my sincerest apology to LEAnn.'

I think he met with his attorney afterwards and crafted the longer response, seen above.



[ I never said he literally used the word 'liar.' I said he 'sounds like he is calling her one' --by replying to her accusations by saying " I certainly do not remember it that way.' ]

 

[Deleted member 117884]

But he really couldn't shut her down as others have done, because there is a picture of him-it's disgusting. I wonder what his response would have been if there wasn't a photo of him molesting her while she slept?

Yes, there is a photo. Impossible to say what he would have done it the evidence was audio or countless women with similar stories.

But, yes, there is a photo.

 

[Jmoose]

The fact that there's a picture speaks to the culture of it. Men think they're just being funny and not doing anything wrong thus the picture. You don't typically take pictures of some misdeed that could come back to haunt you. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a man that took the pic.

Something I read said it may have been Franken's brother Owen, who took the picture. I doubt a woman would have taken the photo and left it in the record of the trip

 

[katydid23]

I don't know if I agree that the photo is a frat boy prank-at least, if I was the sleeping woman, I would be extremely upset

Of course. I would be too. Here is how the victim described it:

“You knew exactly what you were doing. You forcibly kissed me without my consent, grabbed my breasts while I was sleeping and had someone take a photo of you doing it, knowing I would see it later, and be ashamed,” Tweeden wrote in a piece of KABC.

Tweeden said she was only expected to emcee the entertainment tour but Franken had written her into a skit where the two kissed. She says Franken kept insisting they rehearse the kiss before the show and when she finally agreed he “mashed his lips against mine and aggressively stuck his tongue in my mouth.”

“I felt violated all over again. Embarrassed. Belittled. Humiliated,” Tweeden wrote. “How dare anyone grab my breasts like this and think it’s funny?”

http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/16/sen-franken-responds-to-sexual-assault-allegations/