Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
69 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I hope the hit job on Franken comes to light in the mainstream somehow (Original Post) SHRED Dec 2017 OP
Probably after they release the Kennedy assassination info!😉 bagelsforbreakfast Dec 2017 #1
The Leeann/Trump, Jr. emails need to come out. Mika is starting to get it. rzemanfl Dec 2017 #2
Saw that... would've liked to see ALL the facts come out in an ethics hearing. InAbLuEsTaTe Dec 2017 #9
Don't ask here. n/t rzemanfl Dec 2017 #35
What?! We The People don't have a right to know?! InAbLuEsTaTe Dec 2017 #49
Someone wants to be president so badly kcr Dec 2017 #54
Nothing wrong with political ambition... OR due process. InAbLuEsTaTe Dec 2017 #55
But both should be ethical kcr Dec 2017 #56
#NeverKirsten aeromanKC Dec 2017 #65
If he is cleared in the ethics hearing he can run in the special election krawhitham Dec 2017 #57
Thought Franken's resignation did away with the need for any ethics investigation. InAbLuEsTaTe Dec 2017 #58
Al Franken has not resigned. Mr.Bill Dec 2017 #59
Some of the accusations are from when he was in the senate so they should still do it krawhitham Dec 2017 #60
Don't see why they can't do it anyway... maybe a way to clear his name? InAbLuEsTaTe Dec 2017 #61
Nothing. ananda Dec 2017 #64
Well, then how does that help if it causes resentment among so many of their constituents?! InAbLuEsTaTe Dec 2017 #66
Probably not... FarPoint Dec 2017 #3
It Already Is Me. Dec 2017 #4
When I see it on MSM network news TV SHRED Dec 2017 #6
The Panel On A, Mitchell Me. Dec 2017 #10
Thank you. It is a shame that nuanced considerations spooky3 Dec 2017 #53
Why did he choose to resign? Renew Deal Dec 2017 #5
When your colleagues make your job untenable SHRED Dec 2017 #7
Of course he has a choice Renew Deal Dec 2017 #11
Wrong SHRED Dec 2017 #13
He hadn't announced yet Renew Deal Dec 2017 #14
I see SHRED Dec 2017 #18
Are you the only source for this claim? Renew Deal Dec 2017 #20
Al himself SHRED Dec 2017 #22
This claim: "So with your logic then Schumer sat him down 2 weeks ago" Renew Deal Dec 2017 #28
Because Senate Ethics Committees inquiries take a long time. Bob Packwood's took three years. DemocratSinceBirth Dec 2017 #25
"Senator Franken admitting most, but not all of the incidents took place" Renew Deal Dec 2017 #26
We would be where we are today. DemocratSinceBirth Dec 2017 #31
I agree Renew Deal Dec 2017 #32
The goal is to hang Pedo Moore around the GOP's heads. DemocratSinceBirth Dec 2017 #34
Maybe Al is taking a hit for the team... n/t Pluvious Dec 2017 #68
Most is bullshit /nt tonedevil Dec 2017 #46
"Senator Franken admitting most, but not all of the incidents took place" TCJ70 Dec 2017 #40
Res ipsa loquitur DemocratSinceBirth Dec 2017 #44
Please define... tonedevil Dec 2017 #50
Franken's own statement DemocratSinceBirth Dec 2017 #52
The accusations... tonedevil Dec 2017 #67
They had the votes to expel him. 33 Dems pressure Alice11111 Dec 2017 #15
There already is an investigation Renew Deal Dec 2017 #17
Or to hang Moore around the GOP's neck in the 018 mid terms. DemocratSinceBirth Dec 2017 #27
Right Renew Deal Dec 2017 #29
I Fear they will do with him what they did with Trump. Alice11111 Dec 2017 #45
There is only so much we can do with Chump and Pedo Moore DemocratSinceBirth Dec 2017 #48
We get no brownie points for that. DTJr was lampooning Alice11111 Dec 2017 #51
Yes, and take the heat off Trump. Alice11111 Dec 2017 #36
There is truth to what you say genxlib Dec 2017 #62
Because they made it plain they would shun him in the Senate? Demit Dec 2017 #23
Yeah, the DNC piled on to bring down our biggest chance Alice11111 Dec 2017 #39
He didn't resign, he announced that he would. Please stop promoting lies. Thor_MN Dec 2017 #30
I was amazed at the vapid coverage and insinuating Alice11111 Dec 2017 #8
Repeat. Hit Job. LakeArenal Dec 2017 #12
Something strange is going on... there needs to be full transparency. InAbLuEsTaTe Dec 2017 #19
...the comparisons to Russia are in our face. Alice11111 Dec 2017 #41
Did the hit job on Dan Rather become well publicized? DBoon Dec 2017 #16
Yes it was. SHRED Dec 2017 #21
Mainly, from the view he used 1 questionable source... Alice11111 Dec 2017 #24
Hope the same thing, Shred peggysue2 Dec 2017 #33
His own party is the Blame Thrill Dec 2017 #37
Who thinks this current Democratic Leadership would admit they made a huge mistake democratisphere Dec 2017 #38
The 33 Dems smugly lining up against Al reminded Alice11111 Dec 2017 #43
I don't remember any kind of... tonedevil Dec 2017 #47
MSM is good with democratic liberals getting railroaded out of office workinclasszero Dec 2017 #42
I think the Dem party establishment already picked their contender.. ananda Dec 2017 #63
exactly what I told my senator KT2000 Dec 2017 #69

InAbLuEsTaTe

(24,123 posts)
9. Saw that... would've liked to see ALL the facts come out in an ethics hearing.
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:04 PM
Dec 2017

Don't understand WTF changed so damn quickly that Franken had to be thrown under the bus. What aren't they telling us?!

InAbLuEsTaTe

(24,123 posts)
61. Don't see why they can't do it anyway... maybe a way to clear his name?
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 02:11 PM
Dec 2017

Wouldn't THAT be a hoot!! And then get re-elected!!

ananda

(28,889 posts)
64. Nothing.
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 02:17 PM
Dec 2017

Don't assume the Dems know a fucking thing except
they want Franken out so their own guy/gal has a
chance at the presidency.

InAbLuEsTaTe

(24,123 posts)
66. Well, then how does that help if it causes resentment among so many of their constituents?!
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 02:30 PM
Dec 2017

Sorry, I don't get it.

FarPoint

(12,472 posts)
3. Probably not...
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 11:59 AM
Dec 2017

GOP and Company tRump are now working on Mueller's Investigation Team....Media will ignore Franken since he was successfully baited and Democrats took that bait...The GOP has a win now... Franken was just Practice warm-up....the game is now afoot.

Me.

(35,454 posts)
10. The Panel On A, Mitchell
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:04 PM
Dec 2017

yesterday, including Brokaw, were of the opinion he was railroaded and this morning Mika was suggesting doubt. There were more insinuations of not being guilty but I can't remember who as I caught them in passing. Perhaps others know.

Edited to sdd link to NYer article

https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/al-franken-resignation-and-the-selective-force-of-metoo/amp?__twitter_impression=true

spooky3

(34,509 posts)
53. Thank you. It is a shame that nuanced considerations
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 01:39 PM
Dec 2017

of this mess are only coming out now, after the damage was done.

Renew Deal

(81,888 posts)
11. Of course he has a choice
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:04 PM
Dec 2017

But most of the denunciations came out after word was out that he was resigning.

 

SHRED

(28,136 posts)
18. I see
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:09 PM
Dec 2017

So with your logic then Schumer sat him down 2 weeks ago and said he was stripping him of all committees and he will be uninvited to meetings.
"Word just hadn't gotten out yet".

Renew Deal

(81,888 posts)
20. Are you the only source for this claim?
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:10 PM
Dec 2017

Because there are multiple time stamped sources saying he would resign the next day.

Renew Deal

(81,888 posts)
28. This claim: "So with your logic then Schumer sat him down 2 weeks ago"
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:17 PM
Dec 2017

Remember, just because he denied it doesn't mean it's not factual.

DemocratSinceBirth

(99,716 posts)
25. Because Senate Ethics Committees inquiries take a long time. Bob Packwood's took three years.
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:15 PM
Dec 2017

At the end of the investigation we would be no closer to the truth than we are today with Senator Franken admitting most, but not all of the incidents took place , with his remembrances of them being different.

DemocratSinceBirth

(99,716 posts)
31. We would be where we are today.
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:20 PM
Dec 2017

Did his actions warrant his resignation ?

In another environment he might have survived, not in this one.

DemocratSinceBirth

(99,716 posts)
34. The goal is to hang Pedo Moore around the GOP's heads.
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:31 PM
Dec 2017

Outside of Alabama and isolated rural hamlets he will be an albatross. If we beat him on Tuesday the better, if we don't we have him as a punching bag for the mid-terms.

TCJ70

(4,387 posts)
40. "Senator Franken admitting most, but not all of the incidents took place"
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:50 PM
Dec 2017

Except the only thing he apologized for was a picture in poor taste. That's not an admission of most of anything.

DemocratSinceBirth

(99,716 posts)
44. Res ipsa loquitur
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:56 PM
Dec 2017
"I think that was the right thing to do. I also think it gave some people the false impression that I was admitting to doing things that, in fact, I haven’t done. Some of the allegations against me are simply not true. Others, I remember very differently.

-Al Franken

https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/07/al-franken-resignation-speech-transcript-full-text-285960


That is precisely what I wrote:



"At the end of the investigation we would be no closer to the truth than we are today with Senator Franken admitting most, but not all of the incidents took place , with his remembrances of them being different. "


-Me


 

tonedevil

(3,022 posts)
50. Please define...
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 01:27 PM
Dec 2017

most. To my reckoning Senator Franken has not admitted to anything beyond taking a staged picture of questionable taste. What other incidents are you counting?

DemocratSinceBirth

(99,716 posts)
52. Franken's own statement
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 01:32 PM
Dec 2017
I think that was the right thing to do. I also think it gave some people the false impression that I was admitting to doing things that, in fact, I haven’t done. Some of the allegations against me are simply not true. Others remember very differently.

-Al Franken

https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/07/al-franken-resignation-speech-transcript-full-text-285960



Others- ective
1.
additional or further:
he and one other person
.
2.
different or distinct from the one or ones already mentioned or implied: I'd like to live in some other city. The TV show follows the lives of people who are married, single, or other.
The application gives three gender choices—male, female, and other.
3.
different in nature or kind:
I would not have him other than he is.
4.
being the remaining one of two or more:
the other hand.
5.
(used with plural nouns) being the remaining ones of a number:
the other men; some other countries.
6.
former; earlier:
sailing ships of other days.
7.
not long past:
the other night.
noun
8.
the other one:
Each praises the other.
9.
(often initial capital letter). form,
a group or member of a group that is perceived as different, foreign, strange, etc.:
Prejudice comes from fear of the other.
a person or thing that is the counterpart of someone or something else:
the role of the Other in the development of self.
pronoun
10.
Usually, others. other persons or things:
others in the medical profession.
11.
some person or thing else:
Surely some friend or other will help me.
adverb
12.
otherwise; differently (usually followed by than):
We can't collect the rent other than by suing the tenant.
verb (used with object)
13.
to perceive or treat (a group or member of a group) as different, foreign, strange, etc.:
Female murderers are othered by characterizing them as psychological oddities.
Idioms
14.
every other, every alternate:




Let's try this again.

Al Franken has conceded there was more than one incident. He just remembers them differently. I can empathize to a point with Senator Franken. That being said some of the women felt his actions were inappropriate or invasive.
 

tonedevil

(3,022 posts)
67. The accusations...
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 02:34 PM
Dec 2017

are mostly that when taking a fan picture he inappropriately touched some women. I'm not sure how he remembers the incidents, and neither do you because he really hasn't expanded on that, but it is not a far stretch to think he remembers posing for pictures with hundreds even thousands of people and does not remember an incident where he inappropriately touched someone. It does leave the possibility that the person who is making the accusation did feel violated, but like the grabbed my waist accuser it was not brought to his attention at the time that his very reasonable action made the accuser uncomfortable.

Alice11111

(5,730 posts)
15. They had the votes to expel him. 33 Dems pressure
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:07 PM
Dec 2017

Still, I think if he had DEMANDED an investigation, he would have slowed the frenzy. He knew he was set up, of course.

Renew Deal

(81,888 posts)
17. There already is an investigation
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:08 PM
Dec 2017

This was a game, but most people don't realize what the game is. The game was to help Jones in Alabama.

Alice11111

(5,730 posts)
45. I Fear they will do with him what they did with Trump.
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 01:00 PM
Dec 2017

Yeah, I know what McTurtle and Ryan said, but they flip with the wind. If the big donors threaten to not back Repubs, they cave to the donors, over and over.
Repubs are also scared to death of his RWNJ base and Bannon.

DemocratSinceBirth

(99,716 posts)
48. There is only so much we can do with Chump and Pedo Moore
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 01:04 PM
Dec 2017

There is only so much we can do with Chump and Pedo Moore beside voting them and their enablers out of office. I believe Moore will be an albatross.

I'm comfortable going to the American people as the party who takes sexual harassment/abuse so seriously that it would ask a distinguished senator to leave over a minor transgression than the party who harbors child rapists.

Alice11111

(5,730 posts)
51. We get no brownie points for that. DTJr was lampooning
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 01:28 PM
Dec 2017

Franken on Twitter before he finished his speech. Many followers jumped in. They will present him as a pervert.
You don't actually think the MSM will be fair in it's coverage
Their producers will be scared to death about appearing not to support #metoo.

Alice11111

(5,730 posts)
36. Yes, and take the heat off Trump.
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:41 PM
Dec 2017

There are journalist pointing it out. However, MSM is too scared to touch it, and be attacked for not supporting victims. Fox and such is ripping a dying and bleeding person for all it can get from it's RW cruel idiot followers.

It is so much like what happened to Rather.
I think it will even make comedians, or their producers, afraid to address it directly.

genxlib

(5,546 posts)
62. There is truth to what you say
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 02:12 PM
Dec 2017

However, it comes with a big BUT.

IN order for those 33 to expel Franken, it would have required the GOP to vote with them.

That puts the GOP on record as agreeing with the standard for what is acceptable conduct. In turn, that puts them in a position to require such standards of their own members.

As it stands now, the GOP can ignore such standards because they weren't the ones that decided to enforce those standards. We have already seen several GOP senior figures defending Franken. That is just laying the groundwork for why they are under no obligation to take any action against Moore or any of their own.

 

Demit

(11,238 posts)
23. Because they made it plain they would shun him in the Senate?
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:13 PM
Dec 2017

They let him know they didn't believe in him & they wouldn't back him. Tom Perez said he had to "share in the responsibility." They made it clear that Franken is the goat.

Gillibrand is the future of the party now. She's the franchise. She's their big play.

Alice11111

(5,730 posts)
39. Yeah, the DNC piled on to bring down our biggest chance
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:48 PM
Dec 2017

to expose Sessions. I just wish NY would invite Franken to run against her. I saw so many Women's Groups that I have always supported, worked in, waiving their signs, calling for his resignation. Most had not had time to get the facts. They were caught up, unaware, in Gillibrand's hang him quick before the facts come out.

The irony of women not being listened to, women getting a hit job when they told the truth, is not to be missed.

 

Thor_MN

(11,843 posts)
30. He didn't resign, he announced that he would. Please stop promoting lies.
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:19 PM
Dec 2017

I'll admit that I hope that he will not, and the announcement was to derail the witch hunt providing cover for the Russia investigation.

Today, the fact stands that all he has done is announce that he will, in the coming weeks, resign. He has not resigned yet.

Alice11111

(5,730 posts)
8. I was amazed at the vapid coverage and insinuating
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:03 PM
Dec 2017

Headlines...Al Franken Resigns, Sex Harrasment Allegations by several women. Even NYT Guardian.... No MSNews news had real story.

Hit job!

InAbLuEsTaTe

(24,123 posts)
19. Something strange is going on... there needs to be full transparency.
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:09 PM
Dec 2017

If we can't trust our own representatives, then who can we trust? This, while the Pussy-Grabber-in-Chief runs wild... it's gotten ridiculous. WTF!!

DBoon

(22,414 posts)
16. Did the hit job on Dan Rather become well publicized?
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:07 PM
Dec 2017

Another one of Roger Stones RF jobs as well

Alice11111

(5,730 posts)
24. Mainly, from the view he used 1 questionable source...
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:13 PM
Dec 2017

Not from the viewpoint that the story was accurate...
the fact that Bush neglected and avoided his military duty was buried by the hit job on Rather. Very frustrating! Outrageous treatment!

peggysue2

(10,845 posts)
33. Hope the same thing, Shred
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:29 PM
Dec 2017

Now that Franken has been publicly humiliated and pushed into a needless resignation, there's all sorts of second thoughts on what was done and how this was handled. Also an admission that the whole sorry affair was not the pure moral decision that Dem leadership was initiallly peddling but a political calculation.

We're talking Doug Jones vs Roy Moore, of course.

But here's the rub: Franken walks away from his seat which was safe until 2020. The Gov puts in a temporary replacement and the seat is in play for 2018. There's now scuttlebutt that the former GOP MN Gov might run with a good chance of winning on preliminary polling data.

If Roy Moore wins this could easily wind up as a useless and costly sacrifice of Franken. Even if Jones wins on Tuesday, if we lose the MN seat in November 2018, it's a frigging wash.

When it comes to 'political calculations.' this one appears to be shaky at best. And the moral question? Again, shaky when leadership is unwilling to do even a preliminary investigation but all too eager to behead a progressive, hardworking member on accusations alone.

So, yes. Sunlight is required on this mess. Let the details spill out.

democratisphere

(17,235 posts)
38. Who thinks this current Democratic Leadership would admit they made a huge mistake
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:47 PM
Dec 2017

about Al Franken? Sure as hell not this one!

Alice11111

(5,730 posts)
43. The 33 Dems smugly lining up against Al reminded
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:55 PM
Dec 2017

me of the Repubs, "prosecuters," as they were called to inflame, shuffling in to impeach Clinton.

 

tonedevil

(3,022 posts)
47. I don't remember any kind of...
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 01:04 PM
Dec 2017

Mea Culpa for the complicity in defunding Acorn or demanding the resignation of Shirley Sherrod.

 

workinclasszero

(28,270 posts)
42. MSM is good with democratic liberals getting railroaded out of office
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 12:53 PM
Dec 2017

As long as the pussy grabber and Pedo Moore are untouched.

ananda

(28,889 posts)
63. I think the Dem party establishment already picked their contender..
Fri Dec 8, 2017, 02:16 PM
Dec 2017

.. and they don't want Franken to be a threat to that because
he's so popular!

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»I hope the hit job on Fra...