We have so many allegations coming out of the woodwork against Democrats, Republicans, public figures, etc. and many of them are from decades old situations.
Of course, men that prey on women should face consequences. Hell, they should have faced consequences when it began. A good slap back when it started probably would have prevented a lot. As a female lawyer in the south, I'm well aware of the "good old boys" network. I have been told that wearing heels and showing cleavage in front of certain judges would help my case. I've been yelled at by men telling me I have no right to talk to them. These are things that I have dealt with just since I became a lawyer. I realize it's not right, but I deal with it. Women have come a long way in the past 100 years, and things are still improving slowly. But I think women are not doing themselves any favors right now when they dig out behavior from 20 years ago that they didn't think important enough to report then, but it's convenient to do so now.
There are many different situations, but the following bother me -
A woman accuses a man of sexual misconduct and chooses to take money for silence instead of pursuing it. Then, years later, comes out publicly. Women like that are part of the problem. They have enabled rich men to remain predators to victimize other women and gained by it. These women disgust me.
Situational and societal changes that color events from the past. We all know what the casting couch is - and so did many of the women who used it. Parties where debauchery is king, that women know when they go to them and actively take part in all the fun. But, NOW, when it's convenient, they say they were coerced and pressured to attend, etc. We all regret some of the stupid stuff we did when we were young - but if you took part, you are just as much to blame as the men.
Now, I get that some women feel they won't be believed so they don't bother to say anything until others come forward. Or they see a woman being ripped to shreds over her accusations - like Hillary did to Bill's accusers, and want to come to that woman's defense and help. But when accusations come out of left field over decades-old incidents, we really need to take a hard look at what is being accused.
Sex as a weapon, used by men or women, is disgusting. And we're are setting women back with the current type of environment - men are going to fear working with women and being alone with them. Because being alone with them creates the opportunity for accusations to surface later. Just knowing a woman seems to somehow corroborate accusations. And come-ons do not equal sexual harassment unless repeated and annoying. Women that "accuse" men of trying to kiss them - are they trying to make it so men never hit on women again? Is that what we want?
And finally, I know I'm getting numb to it. Every day there is another woman accusing another man of something and calls for their resignation. Even stupid stuff men did as teens. I just can't take that seriously.
__________________
LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
And sorry, but the calls for Trump to resign are ridiculous. Bill Clinton, Harvey Wienstein, Bill Cosby, were accused of RAPE. Trump is accused of....kissing women and grabbing their butt in a club, and talking like a lewd idiot. There is no comparison.
__________________
LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
"But I think women are not doing themselves any favors right now when they dig out behavior from 20 years ago that they didn't think important enough to report then, but it's convenient to do so now."
LL ~ I think it is not so much that it wasn't important enough to report it, but rather that they wouldn't be believed.
"But I think women are not doing themselves any favors right now when they dig out behavior from 20 years ago that they didn't think important enough to report then, but it's convenient to do so now."
LL ~ I think it is not so much that it wasn't important enough to report it, but rather that they wouldn't be believed.
But they are being believed now, 20 years later when someone can't really defend themselves against allegations that have no proof? Do you remember what you were doing on June 6th, 1997? Can you give me an alibi for that date? Tell me everyone you met that day and who can substantiate what you say?
Our system relies on innocent until proven guilty - and now, accusation means guilt.
__________________
LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
And maybe the first woman that reported it would not have been believed. Maybe it would have been a he said - she said situation and the police or prosecutor would have chosen not to pursue it, but when the next report came in, they would have to take it more seriously and look again. Reporting it then, and putting it on record, whether as just a complaint or whatever, would give credence to the claims later. And would have been a warning to other women.
I get that reporting sexual things is not easy. It's embarrassing, it's difficult, it's awful. But so is a false allegation that can't be defended. Some women DO make false claims. And that makes it difficult for everyone.
That woman that claims Trump groped her on the plane? She has made numerous allegations against others and has a reputation. And there were people on the plane that said it never happened. ONE proven false claim leads to doubt on all others.
__________________
LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
This is probably the best, most reasoned article on the recent allegations that I have read anywhere (or heard on TV). Thanks for writing it. BTW, I can easily see that LL must be very good in her chosen profession.
Edited spelling error
-- Edited by karl271 on Wednesday 13th of December 2017 05:12:24 PM
The accusations as well as the revelation of sexual misconduct are out of control. Who does it harm?
1) True victims since we are becoming desensitized to accusations because of the tsunami of accusations and not all are credible
2) The accused who are innocent either because of false allegations or because of doing something in the past that was socially acceptable.
3) The public who are confused by the accusations
4) The court system having to determine which lawsuits and/or accusations that are real or prosecutable.
These accusations are a big issue. Sexual assault victims deserve our sympathy and support but so do those falsely accused. AND we need to stop our Congress from dealing with these issues. They politicize everything. Turn it over to the local prosecutors where the alleged innocent occurred.
It is sad that allegations of sexual misconduct has become the go-to take down of a political foe.
__________________
Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
This is probably the best, most reasoned article on the recent allegations that I have read anywhere (or heard on TV). Thanks for writing it. BTW, I can easily see that LL must be very good in her chosen profession.
Edited spelling error
-- Edited by karl271 on Wednesday 13th of December 2017 05:12:24 PM
Awww. Thank you, Karl.
__________________
LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
The accusations as well as the revelation of sexual misconduct are out of control. Who does it harm?
1) True victims since we are becoming desensitized to accusations because of the tsunami of accusations and not all are credible 2) The accused who are innocent either because of false allegations or because of doing something in the past that was socially acceptable. 3) The public who are confused by the accusations 4) The court system having to determine which lawsuits and/or accusations that are real or prosecutable.
These accusations are a big issue. Sexual assault victims deserve our sympathy and support but so do those falsely accused. AND we need to stop our Congress from dealing with these issues. They politicize everything. Turn it over to the local prosecutors where the alleged innocent occurred.
It is sad that allegations of sexual misconduct has become the go-to take down of a political foe.
In some ways, this is a good thing. Yes, women should SPEAK UP. But, they need to speak up when it happens. And, a man making a pass at you isn't a "rape". It's a man making a pass at you. So what? Say, back off buddy. That's it. That should be the end of it. However, if you are drunk at college party and you have sex with another drunk guy, that's on you. Grow up and take responsibility.
On the other hand, this very chilling. Are we now a country that allows any and all accusations to stand without a shred of evidence? That flies in the face of our standard of justice. Gloria Allred and her daughter Lisa Bloom were PAYING these so called "victims" to come forward. Offering them at least six figures from mystery donors, cough cough George Soros. Also, part of her contracts were futures royalities for any stories they might sell, etc. This is representing women victims? Wow.
And, what is this really going to do to women in the workplace? Are any men going to want to be stupid enough to have meetings with women or do business with them at all, when a simple accusation can destroy a lifetime career of hard work and dedication and decimate them financially?
