OK, now I'm just mad as hell........an Army vet comes forward saying Al Franken cupped her breast.

[a kennedy]

An Army veteran says Sen. Al Franken groped her in December 2003, telling CNN that while she was deployed in Kuwait, the Minnesota Democrat cupped her breast during a photo op.

Stephanie Kemplin, 41, of Maineville, Ohio, is the fifth woman in two weeks to accuse Franken of inappropriate touching, and the second person to allege that such behavior took place while Franken was on a USO tour. Three of the five women have been identified by name.
Kemplin said while she was stationed in the Middle East during the Iraq War, she met Franken -- at the time, a comedian and writer -- as he was visiting American troops with the USO. A longtime fan of "Saturday Night Live," Kemplin got in line to take a photo with Franken.
"When he put his arm around me, he groped my right breast. He kept his hand all the way over on my breast," Kemplin said in an interview. "I've never had a man put their arm around me and then cup my breast. So he was holding my breast on the side."


http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/30/politics/al-franken-groping-allegation/index.html

[LexVegas]

1. Not looking good for Franken. nt

[spotthebird]

64. Does that picture show him cupping her breast?

This is nuts.

Is there any contemporaneous reporting? Does this witness have an obvious ulterior motive as the other named accusers do?

[Demsrule86]

71. Total bullshit...I don't believe a word...another lying rightie.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

2. We have a problem.

At what point do these revelations harm our party ?

[lagomorph777]

49. Yeah, looks like time to say good bye to Franken.

MN has a Dem governor right now, correct?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

86. Not looking good for Franken @1st blush, but, we should at least give him a chance to respond

to this latest allegation.

[Kimchijeon]

150. Franken is fine

Unless he caves (they hope he will exhibit what is established typical spineless liberal behavior, apologizing when he's actually innocent, and essentially self destructing, and bowing down to their ridiculous demands - aka "compromise" lol)

Anyway I am sure he will have more guts than they bargained for and not fall for the cartoonish setup. If not then wow, people are even dumber than I thought, and welp we are well and truly fucked. Don't fall for this shit people, it's glaringly obvious bullshit. Use your critical thinking caps for fucks sake.

[Adrahil]

65. Did you see the pic DSB? No boob grabbing. NT

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

95. Oh okay... well that's interesting... quite the smile too.

[rsong71]

140. Exactly! It's not in the picture!

The allegations involve something we can't see, yet there are pictures that show nothing. Makes me think of how magicians do magic - leading the audience, telling them what they see and what they should expect to see while they do a slight of hand and make things appear or disappear.

Is that what this is? "Here's a picture - see the abuse that is going on? Don't you see it? "

No, I don't see it. Just because you say its there doesn't mean I can see it. But for some people who aren't playing close attention, they go right along with the trick. "Oh! I see it! yes, that's abuse!" But did they really see it?

Ugh! the potential for gas lighting here is concerning.

This needs to be investigated in a systematic matter. Take the allegations seriously, but then interview the accusers and the witnesses. To be accused of something does not mean it actual happened. I know. I spent 2 years investigation child abuse.

I'm afraid he is being caught up in this tsunami of change in our society. This tsunami is a good thing - everyone is becoming so much more aware of sexual harassment. But a knee-jerk reaction to Franken worries me. The republicans play dirty - it's too easy to set up and attack Franken or any other democratic and then watch democrats eat their own.

[Demsrule86]

72. Losing the seat harms our party more. And we can't let the GOP do this to take out good Democrats.

I don't believe one word.

[a kennedy]

3. D*mn, this is not good......

a big problem. Can't just explain these away. D*mn.

[BeyondGeography]

4. So what is the strategy now...a few more revelations and another apology?

[NCTraveler]

21. His office responded last night.

Stated that he has taken thousands of photos with people and this isn’t how he operates. Said they are going to fully cooperate with the ethics investigation.

That line becomes a little difficult to swallow considering some of the photo’s out there. We are at a point where it will be almost impossible to elect someone with a similar profile again. The photo’s don’t necessarily show any wrongdoing yet they paint an unflattering picture when consumed with some of the accusations.

[BeyondGeography]

28. Good post...we are in a different place now

It’s not always better, but it is different. Permanently.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

89. Yes and that's a GOOD thing! Should never go back! #MeToo

[LisaL]

33. This particular photo doesn't show any wrongdoing.

His hand is on her back and nowhere near her breast.

[NCTraveler]

37. Agree.

Perception is reality and there is no way around that. Real or not a trend has been established and unflattering photo’s are out there. I addressed the genuine aspect in my post.

[pnwmom]

135. And his arm doesn't look long enough to have been able to stretch that far. nt

[rsong71]

142. Exactly!!!!

[spotthebird]

66. None of the photos confirm a thing,

some show Franken and the accuser might have been in the same frame, but that's it.

[octoberlib]

5. Shes a registered Republican with ties to

Tweeden.

[a kennedy]

6. how do you know this??

[octoberlib]

7. Its in the article!

[a kennedy]

13. sorry, guess I just missed that when I was reading it.......just saw red

Thanks, and do I feel stupid.

[octoberlib]

15. No problem . Its a long article.

She’s also a Trump supporter.

[rsong71]

132. thanks for pointing this out!c an you quote this for us?

That way we can all see it. It would help as we process this new allegation. Get all of the facts out there.

[LisaL]

10. Read the article. She is a registered Republican who voted for Trump.

[a kennedy]

16. Yah, I see it now, it's just my heart sank with another accuser.......

He's my Senator, and a good guy, gotta remember they're trying to get rid of him.

[NCTraveler]

24. My heart sank with another accuser as well.

And a bit more of me dies each time I hear about another woman who voted for Trump.

[brush]

107. There must be thousands of photos of Franken with women out there. None so far show him groping them

What are we to make of these accusations, and the accusers' republicanism?

Do we just wait for more and more to come forward with USO or campaign trail posed photos that show nothing but are accompanied by accusations?

Out of all this alleged groping seems there would be at least one photo of a woman grimacing, or frowning or in shock from the unwanted touching but all we see are photos of the women smiling with Franken.

Is Al Franken being targeted?

[NCTraveler]

117. I think there is a very good chance he is being targeted.

I also think you just presented a number of items that have nothing to do with the accuracy of the claims or not. That is a road we cannot go down. I promise almost all sexual harassment happens off camera. You can take that to the bank.

[brush]

118. Of course they happen off camera. So why would Franken commit harassment on camera?

Last edited Thu Nov 30, 2017, 03:27 PM - Edit history (1)

All the alleged Franken incidents happened in front of cameras.

Why didn't the cameras or photographers capture any signs of distress?

That's the question.

[rsong71]

145. I'm afraid he is being targeted too

In the worst way because it is too easy to befuddle us progressives who care about women's rights. This isn't a black and white issue. It needs to be investigated. But before that happens - Franken is getting crucified in the media. Damnit! now I sound like the freakin' defenders of Moore.

This is why this vile republican tactic is so effective. Seem like right out of Putin's playbook. get dems to turn on one another.

[woodsprite]

32. I'm willing to bet she trying to get her 15 min shooting into the barrel. n/t

[GoCubsGo]

25. So, I guess he only gropes republicans?

Funny how that works.

[still_one]

34. It seems to be only republican accusers who want to be identified, and two supposed

liberal feminists who want to be anonymous, where this only occurs in public places with large people, and a preference during photo OPs, with a spouse or significantly other watching.

Sure seems no one is out to get AL here.

[Kirk Lover]

48. This is what I find most odd. This groping is only occurring in open public places with

lots of folks milling about with lots of onlookers. This makes NO SENSE!

[still_one]

59. It really doesn't. While Franken does not discount what the accusers are saying, it sure seems that

except for the photo with Tweeden, I think he is saying that if it occurred it was unintentional.

Just looking at the photo in this OP, the way the person is angled against Franken, I could see how that is possible, though in the photo, there sure isn't any apparent inappropriate touching occurring.

[Demsrule86]

73. That is not what he said. I believe the women making these claims are lying and

Last edited Thu Nov 30, 2017, 12:02 PM - Edit history (2)

part of a right wing plot to take down an effective Democrat. The women involved will be required to testify under oath and about who they talked to etc. They could be charged with perjury. I wonder how many of them will do this...and I wonder if some will simply retract their statements. Franken has taken thousands of pictures; clearly this is GOP Bullshit and those Dems that pile on are complicit and only help the GOP. None of the previous Hannity engineered bullshit worked, I doubt this will.

[Kirk Lover]

74. I know....he only gropes whilst taking public photos ?? AGAIN MAKES NO SENSE.

[still_one]

76. There is no way he said "I think they are lying", and you know it.

[highmindedhavi]

87. True

nt

[Demsrule86]

104. Typo...I think they are lying...fixed it.

[Demsrule86]

98. typo ...deleted part of the post accidentally...will fix it...in the meantime. I believe they are

lying, but he has said he doesn't remember it that way...kind of a polite way to say liar...Thanks for the heads up.

[still_one]

103. Demsrule I think Al is proceeding the best way possible. He wants an open hearing, where as you

pointed out, people hopefully will be under oath.

He doesn't want this to be based on trail by media sensationalism like was done with the Swift Boating of John Kerry, the propagation of the falsehoods of President Obama, and the LIES about the Hillary emails.

Unfortunately, I don't think the republicans in Congress will do it

[Demsrule86]

106. Thank you ...I fixed my post to show I think the women are lying...Franken has not said that.

I believe you are absolutely correct. Let there be an investigation. He has nothing to fear in my opinion. None of this will hold up under scrutiny.

[Demsrule86]

152. Probably not...they want to force a resignation...as they know these trumped up lies will never

hold up in any hearing.

[still_one]

153. Al wont resign nor should he

[Demsrule86]

154. No he shouldn't. The GOP lies must not be accepted. Also, I am sure we know about some on their

side doing this...so maybe a little tit for tat would end their enthusiasm for this .

[KPN]

94. BING-fucking-O!!

[wryter2000]

113. Agreed

Not buying it

[rsong71]

130. excellent point

[pnwmom]

139. And in front of the photographer, during the shoot. Yeah, right. n/t

[rsong71]

146. yup - makes no sense

[Chasstev365]

52. BINGO!

[mindfulNJ]

8. Whatever Franken did

we can deal with it AFTER the Tax Scam Bill. We need to focus on that today...the timing of this AND the Matt Lauer thing is extremely suspect to me.

Focus people, focus. Our democracy is at stake here.

Call your Senators !!!! [phone]

[LAS14]

81. Right! We Democrats need to keep our priorities straight.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

92. True dat!! On it!!

[bdamomma]

101. exactly everyone needs to focus

that bill is full of shit, and it is going to ruin peoples lives.

Dec 12th is another date to stop the elimination of Net Neutrality too.

[rsong71]

147. good point! this is part of the repub stratedgy - distraction while they steal and loot.

[Fullduplexxx]

9. The right is going after franken ..

[bluestarone]

54. this

1000%

[Demsrule86]

84. Yes it is all bullshit...and any Dem who goes along is complicit.

[LenaBaby61]

151. "The right is going after franken."

I haven't heard ONE peep out of Tweeden since Franken said let's have hearings/investigations into this whole thing.

Okay, you have these 2 other "anonymous" women stepping forward with their accusations.

And now another right-winger who has ties TO Tweeden, and who also voted for the pussy-grabber-in-chief?


Uh, something stinks to high heaven here. Franken ought to double-down and stay with the investigation route to see what's REALLY going on here.

[alarimer]

11. It's bullshit like all the rest.

[kacekwl]

63. After the Tweeten b.s. complaint and

seeing the video of her grabbing the country singer's ass and rubbing her butt on him kissing others on stage I don't care anymore. Tweeten clearly has an agenda with ties to Fox etc. and her own show. This latest breast grab is nonsense any way you look at it.

[stonecutter357]

12. IT"S about net neutrality .....

[yardwork]

14. Interesting timing.

[angstlessk]

17. I'm sorry, I don't believe the woman

she does NOT look 'embarrassed' to me...she was so upset she cuddled right up to Frankin...OH, and the photo does NOT show ANY 'groping'!!!

Two repugnican operatives, two 'anonymous accusers, and her...

She seems pretty desperate for some cash

Stephanie Kemplin Cfe is located in Maineville, Ohio. This organization primarily operates in the Private Investigator business / industry within the Business Services sector. This organization has been operating for approximately 3 years. Stephanie Kemplin Cfe is estimated to generate $46,428 in annual revenues, and employs approximately 1 people at this single location.

Source: http://www.buzzfile.com/business/Stephanie-Kemplin-Cfe,-LLC-513-325-8756

AND it seems, Frankin ONLY gropes repugnicans who voted for trump?

[LisaL]

20. How would he even be able to get to her breast, based on the photo?

Would he have go under her arm or over her arm? Certainly she looks totally fine and smiling in the photo, without a hint that anything is off.

[angstlessk]

27. I guess they were left alone so he could grope her..

THEN in came the photographer?

[Tipperary]

41. It does not seem possible for him to have grabbed her breast in the position they were posed.

She is a Trumper so I am not inclined to believe her suddenly piling on to this story.

[JawJaw]

35. I don't buy it, either.

Kemplin estimated that the touching lasted anywhere from five to 10 seconds. She said she eventually turned her body to shift Franken's hand off her breast before the picture was taken.

So, she's trying to tell us that she, a military police officer, let Franken grope her for 5-10 seconds and THEN moved in closer to him and smiled for the photo?

BULL-SHIT.

[blue cat]

53. I laughed out loud

After reading her account. Then I got mad because her story is so full of crap.

[still_one]

39. during photo OPs, ideally with significant others watching, except in the case of the 2 anonymous

accusers, with all the photos showing them with broad smiles

Joe McCarthy would be so proud

This smells pure Rove

[GoCubsGo]

42. Not Rove. Roger Stone. n/t

[Eyeball_Kid]

55. Oh, hell. Take your pick. They're both sociopaths.

[still_one]

61. You are right

[Drahthaardogs]

18. Let's see the photo

If he is grabbing her breast on the photo, i will eat my crowd for dinner

[LisaL]

19. The photo is in the article.

Both are smiling, his hand is on her back.

[Drahthaardogs]

22. Well its been 20 years since I took Anatomy and Physiology

But looks like his hand is on her back. Perhaps she has a genetic abnormality and her breasts grew on her dorsal side?

[Bettie]

31. I wondered about that too

maybe my fairly substantial breasts are in the wrong place or something, because his hands are no where near where my breasts would be!

[RhodeIslandOne]

77. Shes claiming she wiggles out of the boob grab right....

......before the pic was taken.

BULLSHIT!

[Drahthaardogs]

110. She's full of shit. A liar

Really bad. I am tired of this garbage

[ucrdem]

23. Was any law broken? Did she file a complaint?

Absent one or the other I don't think he needs to resign.

[Calista241]

26. Does the same apply to Moore or Trump?

[ucrdem]

29. Has either resigned?

[Calista241]

75. Oh, well then its all good then.

As long as we hold ourselves to the same standards as fucking Republicans.

[BannonsLiver]

56. of FFS

You think Franken and Moore are apples to apples? Is that it?

Get a grip.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

99. Good question!!

[whathehell]

38. Unwanted touching of another's private parts IS against the law,.

It's sexual battery...That said, it is NOT in the picture shown, so there's no proof whatsoever.

[spotthebird]

69. Thankfully the women have offered photos that show no such touching. nt

[Bettie]

30. Not buying what they are selling

I tend to believe the Conyers allegations, for a variety of reasons, but the Franken stuff smacks entirely of ratfucking.

They want to get rid of him because he is a bulldog in the senate and that scares them.

This article doesn't convince me of anything except that there are women out there who care so little about real sexual assault that they are willing to lie to make political points.

[riverwalker]

36. Are his arms long enough to do that?

Look at him, is it even physically possible?

[Denzil_DC]

40. Ugh.

I'm going to follow Franken's lead in responding to this, as before, but I have to admit this was an immediate question that entered my head given previous discussion of Franken's stature.

[greeny2323]

43. Sorry, I don't believe it

I don't believe Trump voters based on this kind of evidence.

And I'm allowed to not believe it.

[riverwalker]

44. The reporter is MJ Lee

She also ran with the poorly verified State Fair story. Both stories are from her. Why does she have it in for him?

[riverwalker]

45. State Fair Lindsay shopped her story around on Twitter, no takers

No one ran with it except MJ Lee. Now we find she is running with this new story. Her Twitter Page @Mj_lee has a header asking for harassment tips and looks like she just runs with anything, verifies nothing. Pisses me off this is crappy journalism.

[maxrandb]

46. Looks like the Donnie Short Fingers accusers need to get tweeting!

Maybe MJ Lee can find some woman or 24 women who were groped or flat out raped by Donnie Short Fingers.

I think we should visit her twitter page and encourage her to talk to some of those women.

[a kennedy]

47. Thank you for this.....makes me feel a little more relieved.....

I am so nervous when I wake up everyday and find some more allegations against Senator Franken, that I hate even reading the headlines. Reading your post makes it better, thanks.

[dalton99a]

50. +1

[Drahthaardogs]

122. But, but, she's a liberal reporter so sayeth a particular

DU crowd (who is conspicuously silent now)

Since the photographic evidence is completely contradictory, I think we can safely say MJ Lewis is a hack and NOT a liberal reporter as claimed.

[dawg]

51. The picture at the link shows no such thing.

Every accuser deserves to be heard, but some level of skepticism is in order.

[Adrahil]

62. Yeah, wait... THAT'S the picture!?

I call bullshit. Unless her breast is on her back, he's nowhere NEAR it.

[BannonsLiver]

57. But but we must never scrutinize accusers.

One poster (who has also called for Franken to resign) has repeatedly said that and chastised those who dare to ask questions in any way.

This is why we ask questions. Get it now?

[bitterross]

58. I don't beleive her.

Sorry if that offends.

[Adrahil]

60. Okay, not try to defend Franken necessarily...

But I once accidentally "cupped" the side of friends breast in a photo. Didn't even know it happened till I saw the pic and really embarrassed.

[AJT]

67. Al is going to have to strongly deny this. He has no choice but to put out a statement of denial.

He needs to make a public statement on camera. This would not have been an accident that he would not recall, this would have been very intentional.

[Demsrule86]

88. I don't agree. Attacking the 'victims' will get him bad press.

He is handling it well.

[still_one]

90. He has clearly asked for an investigation. Whether Congress actually does that or not is up in the

air.

The problem is if Al comes out and categorically denies it, there should be no doubt the media will characterize it as Al Franken calling his accusers liars, and that will cause a feeding frenzy which will not be based on facts.

He flatly denied one of the anonymous accusers' accusation that he propositioned her to accompany her to the restroom.

I think that Al wants this to be done before Congress where people will be compelled to be under oath. This trail by media is a losing strategy.

[AJT]

96. The republicans will drag their feet so it won't be done before the election.

He can't let someone say he grabbed her breast without a categorical denial. If he lets it go then people will assume he is guilty. The accuser made sure it was something that couldn't be an accident so his prior statement could not apply. If this person is lying what is he supposed to do?

[JI7]

68. You should post the pic in the OP

[pnwmom]

133. The pic is in the OP. His hand isn't even close to her breast. n/t

[Polly Hennessey]

70. This is a strategy

and not a good one for women. They know Democrats fold like an accordion when the going gets tough. Looks like they are going to see if their drip, drip theory works. Perhaps in Al we have someone who will fight back. Yes, I know you all say we should believe everything every woman says and as a woman I know women sometimes “the truth do not tell”. Al Franken needs to let the inquiry run its course. I, for one, am willing to wait. My bet is that Al will win in the end (and no that is not a pun).

[flamingdem]

78. Any dem who believes this needs to be less gullible

At this point anyone can say anything to get rid of one of our BEST fighters at a critical time.

DO NOT BELIEVE THE BULLSHIT

[maryellen99]

79. They are calling for his head on kos

And it’s lead by those who want us to make nice with the hard core Trumpies.

[JI7]

80. They are wingnut trolls

[Nanjeanne]

82. I understand the fear and intimidation victims of sexual harrassment feel and how, especially when

working with or for men, a sense of being powerless can freeze a woman from confronting the abuser. But this Franken stuff has me completely confused. If, what this woman says is true - and he kept his hand all the way over her breast -- why the hell did she not immediately say "Al take your freaking hand off my breast right now"? Or more politely, "Hey Al, I think you missed my shoulder" - or even moved away from him and not take the photo?

She didn't work for him. She was in a public place with people milling around. There was a photographer pointing a camera right at her when his hand was on her breast. Why freeze up and submit to inappropriate groping? I know I can't speak for all women - or how women "should" behave when faced with this - but jeez -- this woman was not in any way powerless to confront a man who she says is behaving inappropriately. Of course, that's if one is going to believe this story. Which I have a hard time doing. And this goes for the other accuser - the one who's husband was standing there taking the picture while she supposedly was groped. Very very odd and, for me, these accusations really diminish the real assaults and harrassment that real victims face.

[grantcart]

83. I am mad at how despicable Republicans are.

The picture shows that Franken cannot reach her breast.

The idea that Franken would do it openly in front of a camera is laughable.

This Trump supporters' non profit is about to get a substantial donation . Non profits can pay their executive a million dollar salary.

[hadEnuf]

85. I can't believe that Democrats are still falling for this ratfucking bullshit.

EVERYTHING that comes out of the Right's mouth is a lie. EVERYTHING. They are trying to create a new reality.

Beat the shit out of their lies and stay focused on bringing that fascist bastard in the WH down.

[bdamomma]

91. was he a Senator then?

nt

this is a definite hit job on Democrats.

The first who should go is the POS in the WH. There are 16 women who accused him.



Oh Mr. Bannon fuck you.

[Horse with no Name]

97. I've taken pictures with celebrities and dignitaries before

I have NEVER posed like this woman. He should claim sexual assault by the way she is up all over him.
I'm sorry.
I don't believe her. The way she is posed, there isn't any physical way he could reach her breasts.
Not only that--would you continue to pose with a giddy smile if you felt you had just been sexually assaulted?
I wouldn't.
If the assault happened right before the picture snapped--you would have seen my fat ass leaving the picture or a look of disgust on my face.
I see neither.

[KPN]

100. Don't fall for this crap! This is a GOP set up!

If you must post these articles, highlight what is really relevant --- that this accusation is just another bullshit attempt to erase a major problem for the WH and GOP in the form of an effective Democratic Senator!!!

Why are people here at DU falling for this crap?????? You are smarter than that! Act it!

[bdamomma]

102. +1

nt

[MFM008]

105. Can NO ONE see

These accusations are curiously timed?
At least one a week to keep this thing going?
There are other soldiers standing around them.
Are you saying Franken committed an assault
front of his USO minders?
This isn't just to get him to resign it's to RUIN his effectiveness as a senator and muddy his reputation.
Any maggot supporter that has a picture of Franken is coming forward and I want to see WHO'S being paid.

[GoCubsGo]

108. Yes. Most of us have been noticing that. n/t

[Nanjeanne]

120. Seriously . . . I saw that photo and thought it looked more like she was grabbing his genitals.

[Kimchijeon]

144. It is maddeningly obvious

Just want to puke how stupid are all of these people who fall for it! This is obviously distraction, and of course Franken is a huge thorn in their side.

[treestar]

109. That photo does not show that

Why would any groper grab in photos?

[Demit]

111. "all the way over on my breast" or "holding my breast on the side"? Which is it?

She's so oddly specific, and yet still offers contradictory descriptions, right in the same moment.

I'm also having trouble with the 5 to 10 seconds that his hand is on or around her chest...then she has time to shift her body...it's a kind of long time for a photographer to take to set up for what is a casual snapshot. Do a little test in your mind: picture the scenario while you count out the seconds. It's very questionable.

[TCJ70]

119. Also, what she describes is him reaching all the way around her from the back...

...and being able to cover her chest. I'm taller than Franken and I don't think I could do that with my arm span. He must be part Mr. Fantastic!

[Flaleftist]

112. You would think with all this groping during photo ops

There would be a picture of him actually groping someone. 🤔

[wryter2000]

115. You nailed it

[wryter2000]

114. The picture does not show that

His hand is clearly on her back.

When the initial accusations came out I believed the woman, but I also knew that if Franken was a groper more women would come forward with more serious allegations. All I’ve seen since then is a coordinated right wing smear attempt. Anyone putting Franken in the same category as Weinstein, Moore, or Lauer is a fool.

[oberliner]

116. Get ready for another round of "the accuser is lying" posts

And accusations of being a right-winger for those who suggest otherwise.

[Denzil_DC]

123. Well, get ready for the counterpoint from those who've been throwing around counter-accusations

of "excusing all this because it's a Democrat" and choosing for whatever reason to believe without question suspiciously timed anonymous allegations.

What next: fair game for a claim by anyone who's ever been photographed with Franken or appeared with him - or indeed any other public figure - in public, and it's instant unchallenged conviction?

If you can't see the dangers and lack of justice in that and how it could backfire on the quest for credibility of genuine accusers, I think you're in a small minority.

There is no identified accuser in this latest round today, just evidence of shoddy, clickbait journalism from outlets not known for their concern for diligence and accuracy.

If a named individual comes up with a credible story, that deserves a hearing. Meanwhile, the grinding of agendas on here is too blatant to ignore any more.

[oberliner]

125. There is an identified accuser today

Stephanie Kemplin - already being a called a liar in a couple of threads - has had her accusations reported on CNN, NBC, and the Washington Post (not shoddy outlets).

[Denzil_DC]

134. And her claim is being subjected to scrutiny, as are her possible motives.

And, to be honest, as someone who's gone out on a limb in the past on these issues much against the DU grain, that's perfectly legitimate.

It would have been one claim, but then another anonymous one gets added to the mix (my reference to the latest round), and has an only too predictable effect on those who've ceaselessly been banging this drum since this whole mess started and gives cover for "yet another one" pushing them over the edge. I respectfully suggest you quit trying to guilt-trip people who don't deserve it.

This whole situation and run of events and the timing stinks, and I wouldn't convict a Republican on Kemplin's claim alone. But those who for whatever reason seem to want to believe her will do so.

[oberliner]

138. Exactly

When someones gives their name and photo, they are accused of being liars and having questionable motives. No wonder others wish to remain anonymous.

[Denzil_DC]

149. Alrighty. How many of those accusing Franken have engaged counsel?

None.

If these were such serious allegations that they felt driven to bring them up now, with the hope that he'll mend his ways from one of today's accusers, then that would be the appropriate thing to do. That would bring legal consequences and accountability, and a degree of formal protection.

If they're going to subject him to the kangaroo court of public opinion, with its own tenuous evidential rules and no holds barred when somebody's professional, and most importantly activist, career is on the line, then they've chosen their forum.

So they have to bear the consequences.

And believe me, if I think someone's overstepping the mark, I'll probably have to join a queue of DUers taking issue with them.

What's more likely is that a welter of unevidenced allegations means that women will tend even more to be disbelieved when they've experienced serious abuse.

If you think people are cynical on here, you need to take a few steps outside your door - it's a rough old world out there. And the most cynical are those who're cheering this whole debacle on.

[brush]

127. We can always count on the same posters to show up with the same arguments.

[oberliner]

137. I will proudly make the same argument against these awful responses

It is shameful that so few others are doing likewise.

[brush]

143. Some just don't automatically believe anonymous accusers with photos that show the opposite...

of what they claim.

Call us crazy.

And when the next anonymous accusation surfaces just in time to keep the whole scandal in the spotlight until Moore is elected and the tax scam is passed, watch it all dissipate just as trump's threats to sue did.

[Loki Liesmith]

129. Thats what the picture shows

[pnwmom]

131. Please explain how his arm could have stretched that far.

He's a short man with proportionately sized arms, and that photo doesn't even show his hand is close. It would have to extend more than another foot to cup her breast, as her story goes.

[Dawson Leery]

121. Another liar sent by Roger Stone.

[Vinca]

124. I looked up Kemplin on the election contribution data base and while she hasn't

contributed, Kemplins in Ohio have donated to Republicans on multiple occasions. Someone mentioned Roger Stone and an orchestrated attack like this is right up his alley.

[Eliot Rosewater]

126. Nope...

[pnwmom]

128. How is his arm long enough to have done that? And she says this happened DURING the shoot,

which would have been in front of the photographer.

So the photographer would be a witness. What did that person see?

I can't see Franken's arm stretching that far OR him doing it in front of the photographer.

[Fresh_Start]

136. As long as we have a self proclaimed pussy grabber in the white house, Franken still looks

like a saint in comparison.

[Kimchijeon]

141. More lies. Wow they really wanna get rid of Al!

Fuck that.

[panader0]

148. 146 replies---ZERO recs---kinda speaks for itself.

Where's the evidence? Not in the photo. Don't fall for this BS.