WAPO: Im a feminist. I study rape culture. And I dont want Al Franken to resign

[ehrnst]

As a feminist and the author of a book on rape culture, I could reasonably be expected to lead the calls for Al Franken to step down, following allegations that he forced his tongue down a woman’s throat, accompanied by a photo of him grinning as he moves in to grope her breasts while she sleeps. It’s disgusting. He treated a sleeping woman as a comedy prop, no more human than the contents of Carrot Top’s trunk, and I firmly believe he should suffer social and professional consequences for it.

But I don’t believe resigning from his position is the only possible consequence, or the one that’s best for American women.

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If I believed for one second that Franken is the only Democrat in the Senate who has done something like this, with or without photographic evidence, I would see that as the best and most appropriate option. But in the world we actually live in, I’m betting that there will be more. And more after that. And they won’t all come from states with Democratic governors and a deep bench of progressive replacements. Some will, if ousted, have their successors chosen by Republicans.

In other words, if we set this precedent in the interest of demonstrating our party’s solidarity with harassed and abused women, we’re only going to drain the swamp of people who, however flawed, still regularly vote to protect women’s rights and freedoms. The legislative branch will remain chockablock with old, white Republican men who regard women chiefly as sex objects and unpaid housekeepers, and we’ll show them how staunchly Democrats oppose their misogynistic attitudes by handing them more power.


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But in a sharply divided political climate where toxic masculinity knows no party, yet is only ever acknowledged by one, we must think about how to minimize harm to women. One more empty apology and resignation, one more head on a pike, will not make American women safer or better off. Powerful men lifting up women’s concerns and supporting progressive women candidates, however, could be a real step toward changing the culture that makes victims of so many of us.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2017/11/17/im-a-feminist-i-study-rape-culture-and-i-dont-want-al-franken-to-resign/

[MichMary]

1. I don't want him to resign, but

I find this to be much more disturbing than the whole Tweeden thing:

http://www.newsweek.com/franken-jokes-sexual-misconduct-women-713678

“And, ‘I give the pills to Lesley Stahl. Then, when Lesley’s passed out, I take her to the closet and rape her,’” Franken said. “Or, ‘that’s why you never see Lesley until February.’ Or, ‘when she passes out, I put her in various positions and take pictures of her.’”

If this is supposed to be a comedy piece, it isn't funny--at all. There is never anything funny about rape. And, if I were Lesley Stahl, I think I would feel threatened.

[ehrnst]

5. Comedy roasts are known for going over the line in taste. So by virtue of performing at one

you could call him offensive.

And yes, even speaking with Playboy for article in 2000 called "Porn-o-rama" was going to indicate that he would be saying offensive things, misogyist things.

Three way sex with robots? Not sure how that one got categorized with misogyny, rape or kids, but if you need more copy, I guess that fits.

Those were very public, and known at the time he ran for Senator.

No, I don't like them. I don't find them disturbing any more than I find the concepts behind celebrity roasts, and Playboy 'disturbing."

I am also not surprised that comedy was this misogynistic 17+ years ago. Andrew Dice Clay disturbed me way more.

[weissmam]

2. just saying see below

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10029854353

[YOHABLO]

3. I think in all of these situations there are some false equivalencies from the right.

If Franken is forced to resign than so should Trump.

[weissmam]

4. I want to state

that when this happened it was part of a scripted comedy skit with all parties participating willingly - it might have come out wrong -but I think in this case if there was a crowd around and it was staged

[oberliner]

8. This is not true

Where are you getting this from?

[R B Garr]

13. How do you know what's true? nt

[oberliner]

14. Statements from the people involved

Describing the situation.

[R B Garr]

15. For instance? We can see from the picture that it was some kind of prank or

comedy setup. It looked staged to me when I saw it initially without hearing any statements. He's smiling at a camera.

[MrScorpio]

6. I don't want him to resign either

And an ethics investigation by the Senate is a waste of time.

It's also a can a worms that the GOPrs shouldn't open.

[leftynyc]

11. Which is EXACTLY why

Sen Franken called for it. Now anytime something like this comes up, they'll have no excuse not to investigate. That's a good thing.

[Honeycombe8]

7. I give wide berth to comedians. It's their job to push the envelope.

George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Maurer, the AFLAC comedian....they all got in trouble for crossing the line.

It's easy to attack comedians for crossing the line, esp when you pull an act out of the era during which it was said or done.

This does not compare in any way to molesting or assaulting someone, esp. children.

An act during which Franken jabs Rob Reiner about his father, even in very poor taste, compares in no way to molesting or assaulting someone. Those jokes were not about "children." They were about his friend, Rob Reiner. The jokes were made, no doubt, because of the image of Carl Reiner of being the best father in the world, so anything off color would be ludicrous. This was also back in the day when we didn't realize that child molestation happened on a large scale.

These jokes would not be made today. But back then? I guess so. Also jokes about drug use, alcoholism, womanizing, and a host of subjects that wouldn't fly these days.

[ehrnst]

10. And it was at a celebrity roast - which is a contest for the most over the top jokes.

I laughed at Pepe Le Pew all through my childhood, and a lot of adults did too, as an example of times and humor changing.

[Hekate]

9. I stand with Kate Harding (the columnist). The VRWC has once again laid a baited trap for us...

...and we just walk right in. Eff false equivalencies, especially when announced in advance by the likes of Roger Stone.

[ehrnst]

12. Yep. Dead on.