This is a societal issue. I doubt there is an adult hetero male in this world that doesn't have some sort of inappropriate behaviour towards women in the past. I'm not talking assault necessarily but of harassment and disrespect. And have we gone though our memories and made the necessary apologies? I doubt it.
The only thing I can say is the measure of a man is made on how one learns from their stupid behavior and on balance what they have offered society.
I think many of these revelations can be explained based on how society as a whole has taught men. Do I think Franken was likely trying to be funny in the picture? Ya I do. I think it was very much like the stupid pictures and things we do to friends/acquaintances when they pass out. We try to do silly things that in the end are plain stupid, offensive or worse. Do I think that it was an intentional assault? No.
It doesn't make it right. It WAS assault.
The societal factor DOES explain why many wouldn't apologize until outed; they never really realized the issue. It's a poor reason...but it is also a very human one.
I want to make it clear: we do have to stop blowing it off as "the era a person grew up in". It HAS to stop. Which is why the Me Too movement and holding people accountable is so important. As I think I've mentioned it saddens me that basically every woman I am friends with on facebook has posted "Me Too". Sad becasue they are my friends. Sad because I'm part of a society that quite frankly has condoned the behavior even when we pretend we don't.
Franken should have consequences for his actions. No doubt. But I also don't think he has to be necessarily run out of his job unless that is what the consequences need to be. I don't think based on the current info that he is a "sexual predator" even with 100% believing the women felt violated. I don't. I also think that someone owning up to his inappropriate behavior IS important...that is how we learn to be better people. My opinion can change if other things come out of course...that's how I feel right now.
Louis...is a different story IMO. I know people are focusing on his whipping it out and getting himself off. That is of course an issue if there is a power imbalance for more. The other thing that has seemingly been glossed over is he also prevented women from leaving his room. He not only used his power to get "consent" (which of course was not true consent) he then also forced them to be present when consent was clearly not given or was taken away.
Moore is also something else. He is a pedophile and predator.
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