More accusations of sexual abuse by persons in power    (part 6)  

                              

Before I publish the names of the alleged sexual abusers, I want to point out to my readers that unless the abusers have actually admitted to sexually abusing other persons, they should be presumed to be innocent of the accusations. However, that old adage comes to mind—where there is smoke, there is fire. Further, in my opinion, sexual abuse also includes trying to get another person to participate in some form of a sexual act. I am also cognizant of the fact that some women claim that they were raped or otherwise sexually abused when in fact, the so-called sex acts didn’t happen between them and other men. They do it to make a name for themselves.  However, there are also women who were raped or sexually abused but are too embarrassed to make that information public. And now, I will tell you about this Sixth accused sexual abuser.

Al Franken

Model and media personality, Leeann Tweeden went public about her 2006 encounter with Franken, alleging that the funnyman-turned-politician kissed and groped her without her consent.

Leeann Tweeden of 790 KABC alleged that the incidents occurred during a United Service Organizations tour, in which Franken aggressively kissed her, sticking his tongue in her mouth during a rehearsal for a comedy skit.

In the viral post, it also included a photo showing her sleeping in a chair, with Franken appearing to be grabbing at her breasts. This sexual abuser actually smiled at the camera when he did this disgusting act to her.

On the tour's flight back to the US, Franken groped Tweeden's breasts while she was asleep—an act which Tweeden only discovered afterwards when she saw a photograph.

Tweeden claims that Franken insisted on rehearsing the act. Hey  Franklen. You don’t rehearse an act when a fellow actor is asleep.

        

This was his apology. “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, (in Congress) 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”  unquote

Why didn’t he make his apology soon after he molested Tweeden? He made his apology after the picture of his sexual conduct became public. It was a bit too late for his apology to be taken seriously.

Senator McConnell led the way with a call for an ethics committee to convene. He said, "As with all credible allegations of sexual harassment or assault, I believe the Ethics Committee should review the matter. I hope the Democratic Leader will join me on this. Regardless of party, harassment and assault are completely unacceptable in the workplace or anywhere else." unquote

Massachusetts’s senior U.S. senator, Elizabeth Warren, released a statement  condemning the 2006 actions of Minnesota U.S. Senator Al Franken, the latest prominent politician to find himself ensnared in sexual assault and harassment allegations. Warren said that Franken’s apology “is not enough.”

Senator Schumer backed McConnell's call for an investigation. He said in a statement. "Sexual harassment is never acceptable and must not be tolerated.  I hope and expect that the Ethics Committee will fully investigate this troubling incident, as they should with any credible allegation of sexual harassment.”

Senator Murray also said she backed an ethics investigation and noted that Franken's apology was appreciated but insufficient. She also said, "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.” She also said in a statement. “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.” unquote

Most of the senators called for an ethics investigation, and many acknowledged that workplace sexual harassment has long been ignored. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Jon Tester have vowed to take campaign money they received from Franken’s political action committee and donate it to charity. 

Senator Kamala Harris said. “Sexual harassment and misconduct should not be allowed by anyone and it should not occur anywhere.” 

Senator Kamala Harris said. “This story is extremely troubling and the behavior is unacceptable. I will support an investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee.”

Senator Tammy Baldwin said she was glad Franken “immediately apologized,” but added that “this kind of behavior isn’t OK whether it’s a Republican or a Democrat and I support an Ethics Committee investigation.”

Many others shared their comments on social media

The Senate Select Committee on Standards and Conduct was first convened in the 89^th Congress (1965–66) and later replaced by the Senate Select Committee on Ethics in the 95^th Congress (1977–78).  Pursuant to Senate Rule 25, the committee is limited to six members, and is equally divided between Democrats and Republicans. This effectively means that either party can veto any action taken by the committee. I believe that the committee will be unanimous when investigating the members of Congress who have been accused of sexually abusing women. I hope that they will investigate the allegations thoroughly in making sure that the allegations are valid.