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Hey Sugar, Park it here...
Author: Raine    Date: 11/03/2011 13:34:17

As the drama of the Cain campaign unfolds, I am reminded once again of how women seem to always be caught in the middle of having to defend themselves from unwanted advances. Cliches that were supposed to be long dead have reared their ugly heads again.

TPM has a wonderful article about this.
Herman Cain’s allies seem intent on tying his sexual harassment scandal to the most famous case of inappropriate workplace behavior in American history, the saga of Clarence Thomas.

And in one unexpected way, they’ve already succeeded: much of the right wing is now pulling the dust cloths off the same old criticisms of the very concept of sexual harassment that they’ve kept in storage since the ’90s. Namely, that the behavior is often harmless fun and women really need to lighten up already.

Advocates of women’s rights are noticing.

NOW Vice President for Action Erin Matson said what she’s heard coming from the right in the two days since the Cain story broke has been “disheartening.”

"(There’s a) strain of blaming and shaming women and calling them crazy," she said.
It's disheartening to say the very least, that some of the people defending whatever it is that Herman Cain did as something that is in the eye of the beholder, are female conservative commentators.

There is a real problem with this. The problem is that harassment, be it sexual or otherwise, is NOT a consensual act. It is a form of bullying and humiliation.

You will recall during the Clarence Thomas hearings there was a coordinated effort to make Ms. Hill the harasser instead of the harassed. As Clarence Thomas put it: "It was a high tech lynching" -- This was what he said:
This is not an opportunity to talk about difficult matters privately or in a closed environment. This is a circus. It's a national disgrace. And from my standpoint, as a black American, it is a high-tech lynching for uppity blacks who in any way deign to think for themselves, to do for themselves, to have different ideas, and it is a message that unless you kowtow to an old order, this is what will happen to you. You will be lynched, destroyed, caricatured by a committee of the U.S. Senate rather than hung from a tree.
In other words, his actions weren't the real problem -- politics were. Ms. Hill was just collateral damage. The goal was to get a seat on the Supreme Court -- in his line of thinking, his actions previously should never have been an issue to him and his supporters. When the issue was brought up, Anita Hill had to relive the entire harassment situation again -- only this time in public at a Senate hearing. She experienced it firsthand, and then had to verbally experience it again. I'm sure the women who were paid off are experiencing there own memories again. I can't imagine it is pleasant.

Mr. Cain appears to be using the Clarence Thomas line of defense as well. He has stated that these allegations are being used to silence him. He is now blaming people for the leak. He, like Clarence Thomas, are more upset they got caught. There appears to be little remorse for what they did to women. Cain's allies and supporters are doing the very same thing; They are using the victim again, only this time it's the reason for Mr. Cain's political problems.

And that is why I have a problem with this situation called sexual harassment. No one is silencing Mr. Cain. Mr. Cain is not a victim of a political smear. There is no conspiracy. He did something bad enough to make sure at least 2 women were paid to go away, with possibly a third who chooses to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation. As of the writing of this blog, there are more details being revealed. Simply put: He got caught. In Mr. Cain's situation, there were no legal charges, and no judicial trial. Someone cut a check to make the problem go away. It was after all only a little sexual harassment, it wasn't rape or anything, right? However, what if it was? What if there was evidence under our legal system that may constitute charges being brought up? Wouldn't we want him brought in for questioning? Wouldn't we want to know the truth? I would venture to guess you would agree with me in saying yes.

Please remember that when you see people claiming that Julian Assange is the victim of a political smear or a conspiracy to silence him. If he is innocent or guilty -- he should face the people who want to question him. I do not take rape charges lightly. It's sexual harassment. While we don't have the same judicial system or laws as Sweden, Mr. Assange should answer questions in accordance to the laws of the country in which this allegedly happened. I know that many people support Wikileaks, and I'm ok with that. I do have a problem with the people that want Cain to face the music and don't seem to want to hold Mr. Assange to those same standards.

Sadly, some sound very similar to the conservatives who are defending Herman Cain's actions towards women.

and

Raine
 

55 comments (Latest Comment: 11/04/2011 01:11:14 by BobR)
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Comment by wickedpam on 11/03/2011 13:28:34
Morning

Comment by Raine on 11/03/2011 13:38:32
Mala, Thanks for the Blog Stub!

The blog for today is now posted. It's a little Herman Cain with a twist.

Comment by wickedpam on 11/03/2011 13:38:32
I still think the name Crystal City Restaurant will come in connection with Cain.

Comment by Raine on 11/03/2011 13:39:06
Quote by wickedpam:
I still think the name Crystal City Restaurant will come in connection with Cain.
The more I hear, the more I think so as well.

Comment by wickedpam on 11/03/2011 13:42:28

Why is it Repubs want everyone else to "pull themselves up by their boot straps" or take "personal responsiblity", except when it comes to themselves?

Comment by TriSec on 11/03/2011 13:45:03
Greetings, comrades!

I was more impressed with Mr. Cain trying to tell the media to stop asking questions last night. Censorship much? Never mind the charge to begin with, if that's how he reacts to the media now, one could only imagine what would happen under President Cain.



Comment by wickedpam on 11/03/2011 13:45:30
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
I still think the name Crystal City Restaurant will come in connection with Cain.
The more I hear, the more I think so as well.




must be the sleazy factor - they want to attract each other

Comment by Raine on 11/03/2011 13:50:28
I updated the blog to include Mr Thomas' statement.

Comment by Raine on 11/03/2011 13:52:38
Quote by wickedpam:

must be the sleazy factor - they want to attract each other
I;m actually more inclined to think that the employee was harassed at a hotel restaurant and that Mr. Cain ended up at the Crystal City place later. Unless he brought her there without her knowing what the Crystal City Restaraunt was...

I would not be surprised to hear that he was inappropriate with an worker there.

Comment by wickedpam on 11/03/2011 13:56:34
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:

must be the sleazy factor - they want to attract each other
I;m actually more inclined to think that the employee was harassed at a hotel restaurant and that Mr. Cain ended up at the Crystal City place later. Unless he brought her there without her knowing what the Crystal City Restaraunt was...

I would not be surprised to hear that he was inappropriate with an worker there.



Could have happened a couple of ways - heck we've had traveling "meetings" for work. You've see the front of the place - looks pretty normal and they do serve food. THey have to to stay in business

Comment by Scoopster on 11/03/2011 14:00:41
Mornin' all..

Testing the new website for bugs and unpleasant visual stuff today...

Comment by Raine on 11/03/2011 14:01:20
Quote by wickedpam:Could have happened a couple of ways - heck we've had traveling "meetings" for work. You've see the front of the place - looks pretty normal and they do serve food. THey have to to stay in business
I love that it's right next to a 7-11 -- looks totally normal. I would never have known if it were not for a friend telling us!

I love that they have a 12 ounce Strip steak as a regular special! =))


Comment by wickedpam on 11/03/2011 14:03:53
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:Could have happened a couple of ways - heck we've had traveling "meetings" for work. You've see the front of the place - looks pretty normal and they do serve food. THey have to to stay in business
I love that it's right next to a 7-11 -- looks totally normal. I would never have known if it were not for a friend telling us!

I love that they have a 12 ounce Strip steak as a regular special! =))



The reps who have it as an account never seem to happy about it. I've heard reports of its skeviness XD

Comment by Raine on 11/03/2011 14:04:06
This was a friends post on FB this morning:

HERE IS MY CRAZY DAY ALREADY!

1 am : Buzzer to our apartment is rung like 50 times, Adam thought is was kids.

6 am : Go to my car, it is dead, cop is watching as I open Adam's car to try to jump my car. (my battery is in the back, the truck wont open, so I figure out with the manual I can jump it somehow in the front of the car!) (Points for Tommy)

6:15 am : My car alarm starts going off once there is power, cop pulls up, me: I swear it is my car, Police: yes I know! Apt. # this right? Me: yes how, what the? Police: Well I tried to ring you last night, your car alarm was going off in the middle of the night, and I figured by now it would be dead!

6:55 am : got to work just in the nick of time
PRICELESS!


Comment by Mondobubba on 11/03/2011 14:34:15
I shall reiterate my position on the Hermanator. He's using his presidential run as some sort of long form job interview to get a gig at Fox News. It worked for Sarah Palin, right? So why not him.

Comment by Raine on 11/03/2011 14:34:48
WRT to the blog -- IS it fair to ask why Herman Cain hasn't entered a sex rehab yet?

Seriously -- maybe he should have a talk with Anthony Weiner or Mark Foley.

Comment by Raine on 11/03/2011 14:36:56
Quote by Mondobubba:
I shall reiterate my position on the Hermanator. He's using his presidential run as some sort of long form job interview to get a gig at Fox News. It worked for Sarah Palin, right? So why not him.
That may be true, but I don;t think it should give him a pass on what he did to women.

Tough shit for him if this is a promotional deal -- Women were hurt because of him.


Comment by Raine on 11/03/2011 14:37:57
I believe the details will surface, and I believe they will be worse than we have been led to believe.

Comment by wickedpam on 11/03/2011 14:41:54
I really wish they would stop taking calls from Art and his other RW crazy friends

Comment by Raine on 11/03/2011 14:42:33
Caller Art is making my blog point.

Comment by Raine on 11/03/2011 14:47:13
Another Flucking RW MALE caller proving my blog point.

Blame the women. They always blame the women.

Comment by Raine on 11/03/2011 14:47:40
WOMEN are hold up artists???



Comment by wickedpam on 11/03/2011 14:48:35
This isn't a corporation - this is an Association. The one I worked for way back when was notorious tight with money. They had to account for everything to the membership. A year's salary would be something they wouldn't just pay to pay

Comment by Raine on 11/03/2011 14:48:45
Blood pressure rising....

Comment by wickedpam on 11/03/2011 14:49:06
Quote by Raine:
Blood pressure rising....





Comment by Raine on 11/03/2011 14:49:36
Quote by wickedpam:
This isn't a corporation - this is an Association. The one I worked for way back when was notorious tight with money. They had to account for everything to the membership. A year's salary would be something they wouldn't just pay to pay

Excellent point.



Comment by wickedpam on 11/03/2011 14:51:00
Look bunny cuteness!

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpkqz74yFx1qi4ucgo1_500.jpg


Comment by wickedpam on 11/03/2011 14:52:49
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
This isn't a corporation - this is an Association. The one I worked for way back when was notorious tight with money. They had to account for everything to the membership. A year's salary would be something they wouldn't just pay to pay

Excellent point.



I mean there are a few really big ones (like The NRA) but mostly they have to account for everything


Comment by Raine on 11/03/2011 14:53:27
Quote by wickedpam:
Look bunny cuteness!

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpkqz74yFx1qi4ucgo1_500.jpg



I love you for that, Mala.

But I am still going to be upset with people who are blaming women (victims) for speaking up when they are mistreated. The idea that women are just looking for a few bucks is so damn sexist.

Comment by wickedpam on 11/03/2011 14:56:29
It is, I agree. I have to wonder if its generational. I have hope that the next will be better cause they see how their mom's, aunts, grandma and sisters have been treated

Comment by wickedpam on 11/03/2011 14:57:16
cuteness is the kryptonite of rising blood pressure

Comment by Raine on 11/03/2011 15:01:38
Quote by wickedpam:
It is, I agree. I have to wonder if its generational. I have hope that the next will be better cause they see how their mom's, aunts, grandma and sisters have been treated
that issue was actually discussed in the TPM link in the blog.

At this point (and I do understand what you are saying) generational is not an excuse -- especially for a person running for president.

I'm about as far as a person can get from political correctness, but I know DAMN well the difference between bullying and joking. If his age is an excuse, as was mentioned by people like Kathleen Parker and Laura Ingraham -- then Cain is too old to run.





Comment by Raine on 11/03/2011 15:03:08
-- and so is Rand Paul.

It's high time for people who defend sexism to get with the times or be left behind.

Comment by wickedpam on 11/03/2011 15:04:08
I agree.

Comment by TriSec on 11/03/2011 15:39:04
Some local weather news...


Warm, wet, and snowy, the month of October broke records at the Blue Hill Observatory.

This was the first time ever that it snowed on two separate occasions in the immediate Boston area during the month of October, said Don McCasland, program director at the Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center.

The observatory also measured 8.5 inches of snow, breaking the previous record for snowiest October, which was 6.8 inches in 1979.

The average minimum and maximum temperatures for the month were higher than normal, contributing to the wet weather, McCasland said.

“Because of the heat we have a lot of moisture, and it’s the moisture that brought a lot of the snow,” he said. “When we see warming trends, the chance of snow may go up.”

The average maximum temperature for October 2011 was 61.1 degrees, and the minimum temperature was 46.5 degrees.



Comment by livingonli on 11/03/2011 15:43:43
Good morning everyone. I do have some kittie cuteness lying on my floor in the sun. She does like to hang out in my room. Although Roomie is worrying that the kittie is getting fat since she likes to sleep more than play and loves her dry food.

Comment by Mondobubba on 11/03/2011 15:51:12
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
I shall reiterate my position on the Hermanator. He's using his presidential run as some sort of long form job interview to get a gig at Fox News. It worked for Sarah Palin, right? So why not him.
That may be true, but I don;t think it should give him a pass on what he did to women.

Tough shit for him if this is a promotional deal -- Women were hurt because of him.


Who said anything about giving him a pass? Cain in my opinion is two things that seem to go hand in hand, stupid (see his comments on China and nukes) and sexist. The stupid is the least of it.

Comment by Mondobubba on 11/03/2011 15:53:57
Let me amplify my last post. Cain needs to be held accountable for his actions. This isn't going to go away. Blaiming the victims is a cheap shot that make them have go through all this again. Something I wouldn't want to have to do.

Comment by livingonli on 11/03/2011 16:01:56
Quote by wickedpam:

Why is it Repubs want everyone else to "pull themselves up by their boot straps" or take "personal responsiblity", except when it comes to themselves?

They never do. It seems that right-wingers really don't practice what they preach.

Comment by Raine on 11/03/2011 16:13:30
Quote by Mondobubba:
Let me amplify my last post. Cain needs to be held accountable for his actions. This isn't going to go away. Blaiming the victims is a cheap shot that make them have go through all this again. Something I wouldn't want to have to do.
Thank you for that, Mondo --

My comment earlier was not directed towards you personally. I totally understand what this man and his campaign is abpout -- I was truthfully trying to speak to a higher issue of how we deal with sexual harassment and politics in this day and age.

This is 2011, not 25 or even 15 years ago.


Comment by Mondobubba on 11/03/2011 17:29:18
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Let me amplify my last post. Cain needs to be held accountable for his actions. This isn't going to go away. Blaiming the victims is a cheap shot that make them have go through all this again. Something I wouldn't want to have to do.
Thank you for that, Mondo --

My comment earlier was not directed towards you personally. I totally understand what this man and his campaign is abpout -- I was truthfully trying to speak to a higher issue of how we deal with sexual harassment and politics in this day and age.

This is 2011, not 25 or even 15 years ago.



That was one of them fancy reetortikal questions wasn't it? :)

Comment by Scoopster on 11/03/2011 17:58:54
Comment by Scoopster on 11/03/2011 18:21:22
Romney & son tied to gigantic ponzi scheme

Someone get a fork cuz it's time for some a-stickin'!

Comment by TriSec on 11/03/2011 19:05:50
Wait a second, "Mitt" has a son named "Tagg" ???

What's his other kid named..."Pitchout"?

(what is it with republicans and weirdly-named offspring, anyway?)

Comment by BobR on 11/03/2011 19:07:40
Quote by Scoopster:
Romney & son tied to gigantic ponzi scheme

Someone get a fork cuz it's time for some a-stickin'!

Holy crap - that is some serious shit.

Probably a bit over the head of the average voter, but this will definitely cook him for a bit.

Comment by Scoopster on 11/03/2011 19:08:05
Quote by TriSec:
Wait a second, "Mitt" has a son named "Tagg" ???

What's his other kid named..."Pitchout"?

(what is it with republicans and weirdly-named offspring, anyway?)

I just hope that Tagg isn't short for Taggart (last name of the lead female protagonist in Atlas Shrugged)

Comment by BobR on 11/03/2011 19:08:35
Quote by TriSec:
Wait a second, "Mitt" has a son named "Tagg" ???

What's his other kid named..."Pitchout"?

(what is it with republicans and weirdly-named offspring, anyway?)

Well - his wife is a real bunt....

:skates to penalty box:

Comment by TriSec on 11/03/2011 19:16:38
Must be real fun when they hook up with "Tripp" for a pickup game.


Comment by Raine on 11/03/2011 20:21:44
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Scoopster:
Romney & son tied to gigantic ponzi scheme

Someone get a fork cuz it's time for some a-stickin'!

Holy crap - that is some serious shit.

Probably a bit over the head of the average voter, but this will definitely cook him for a bit.
It should cook him period --
this is pretty huge.



Comment by Mondobubba on 11/03/2011 20:38:48
Quote by TriSec:
Wait a second, "Mitt" has a son named "Tagg" ???

What's his other kid named..."Pitchout"?

(what is it with republicans and weirdly-named offspring, anyway?)



What about "Homer?" D'Oh!