Allegations of sexual misconduct are piling up inside and outside of Washington D.C. Powerful men in society from the mainstream media to Capitol Hill are being taken down by claims that they acted inappropriately. In numerous instances, the targeted figures admit wrongdoing, beg for forgiveness, and disappear into private life. Prominent examples include fallen media titans Charlie Rose and Matt Lauer, both of which admitted to the allegations to some degree before resigning.
Senator Al Franken (D-MN) gave a resignation speech, but his was far different.
For weeks now, the allegations were piling up. It started with Leeann Tweeden alleging that back in 2006, Franken kissed her without consent. Detailing the incident in a blog post, Tweeden described a gross sexual predator who forced his lips upon her and acted aggressively with his tongue, all without her consent. A photo then surfaced of him touching her breasts while she slept and smiling about it for the camera.
Franken’s response was he didn’t remember the incident, but he was sorry. Being eleven years, it’s possible he may have forgotten. As far as the photo goes, he claims he was trying to be funny.
But what’s funny about sexual misconduct and violating another human being?
Lindsay Menz was the next person to accuse Franken of sexual misconduct, this time accusing him of grabbing her buttocks while posing for a photo. Similar allegations arose from other women. His next response was he didn’t recall the incidents, again. But that he’s at least a warm person and he hugs people.
As allegations continued to mount, it became clear that Franken had a problem. Democrats, who had long attempted to ignore the problem because of his role in the Senate, realized they had a problem. The Al Franken issue could no longer be ignored. The sexual misconduct needed to be addressed before things spiraled out of control.
Leadership in both parties then moved to call for Franken’s resignation, a call echoed by dozens of members of Congress. It was revealed that a big announcement would come Thursday, which was followed by reports that it would be his resignation. At the time, his office staff denied this.
Thursday came and Franken did indeed announce his resignation, but while proclaiming his innocence. He had faith that an Ethics investigation would clear his name. Then why say he was resigning? An innocent person should always fight for their innocence, as they have that right in America. Franken’s moves are not that of an innocent man, but rather a dishonest schemer.
What if Franken does have something to hide? What if all these allegations have a degree of truth to them or are completely true? Then at this point, Franken lied on his way out the door. After all, it might be easier for him to be caught in a lie about being a sexual predator outside of Congress, and not inside. That very well may be why he ran away, but of course, it remains to be seen if he actually is a man of his word and leaves at all.
