Thursday, November 16, 2017

So now Senator Al Franken has also been accused of being inappropriate with women. Update!

This is from Leann Tweeden's statement: 

On the trip was Tweeden's now-husband, an Air Force pilot, along with country music artists Darryl Worley, Mark Wills and Keni Thomas, Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders and Franken, who was the headliner for the show. 

Tweeden said Franken wrote skits for the show, and, like many USO shows before it and since, she says "the skits were full of sexual innuendo geared toward a young, male audience." 

She said, "As a TV host and sports broadcaster, as well as a model familiar to the audience from the covers of FHM, Maxim and Playboy, I was only expecting to emcee and introduce the acts, but Franken said he had written a part for me that he thought would be funny, and I agreed to play along." 

In the script, Franken wrote in a kiss between him and Tweeden, and, she says, he asked to rehearse the kiss before the show. Though she said they didn't need to rehearse the moment, since she planned to deny his advances for a laugh, he "continued to insist" and then "came at me, put his hand on the back of my head, mashed his lips against mine and aggressively stuck his tongue in my mouth." 

Tweeden wrote that she felt "disgusted and violated."

Later on the trip home Franken also acted inappropriately toward an unconscious Tweeden:

"I couldn’t believe it. He groped me, without my consent, while I was asleep. I felt violated all over again. Embarrassed. Belittled. Humiliated," she wrote. "How dare anyone grab my breasts like this and think it's funny?" 

First I would say that I am heartbroken by this revelation as I am a big fan of Senator Al Franken.

Secondly I would say that this young woman has every right to feel humiliated and victimized by what Franken did to her.

Having said that I am not certain that Franken's hands are making contact with her bullet proof vest, so I am not certain that "groping" is the appropriate term here. However once again she is quite right to have felt taken advantage of while she was unconscious.

For his part Al Franken issued a statement:  

“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, 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. 

“For instance, that picture. I don’t know what was in my head when I took that picture, and it doesn’t matter. There’s no excuse. I look at it now and I feel disgusted with myself. It isn’t funny. It’s completely inappropriate. It’s obvious how Leeann would feel violated by that picture. And, what’s more, I can see how millions of other women would feel violated by it—women who have had similar experiences in their own lives, women who fear having those experiences, women who look up to me, women who have counted on me. 

“Coming from the world of comedy, I’ve told and written a lot of jokes that I once thought were funny but later came to realize were just plain offensive. But the intentions behind my actions aren’t the point at all. It’s the impact these jokes had on others that matters. And I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to come to terms with that. 

“While I don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit as Leeann does, I understand why we need to listen to and believe women’s experiences. 

“I am asking that an ethics investigation be undertaken, and I will gladly cooperate. 

“And the truth is, what people think of me in light of this is far less important than what people think of women who continue to come forward to tell their stories. They deserve to be heard, and believed. And they deserve to know that I am their ally and supporter. I have let them down and am committed to making it up to them.”

I think that Senator Franken should be given at least some credit for taking responsibility for his actions, and for supporting an ethics investigation.

That is certainly a lot more than Roy Moore or Donald Trump have been willing to do.

Unfortunately for Franken another woman has just come forward with a similar allegation, and I would not be surprised if there are more to come.

I think at this point all of us should brace themselves for more allegations, and to see some of our favorite people, in politics and entertainment, facing their own accusations.

After all if people like Al Franken, George Takei, and George H. W. Bush are capable of this kind of thing, it stands to reason that there are a whole lot of other men out there, in positions of some power, who demonstrated poor judgement as well.

I sort of feel obligated to make an attempt to recognize that some of these incidents are far more egregious than others, but ultimately I am not sure that it makes any real difference in the perception of the people being accused.

Which brings me to my next point.

2018 and 2020 are going to be tough election cycles for men in both parties.

ANY male candidate for office is going to have to have a VERY serious conversation with themselves and really ask if there are ANY women, or men, in their past who may make an accusation of inappropriate sexual contact.

In 2020 for instance Al Franken was one of my fantasy football picks for either a Presidential or VP candidate, but now that is simply not going to happen.

People are talking about a potential run by Joe Biden, but with all of these pictures out there clearly that idea needs to be quietly smothered in its sleep.

No, the Democratic candidate for President in 2020 is going to HAVE to be female in my opinion.

At this point I am not sure WHICH female candidate would be the best choice (And no not Hillary.), but whoever she it she will have to be squeaky clean and very pro-woman and anti-sexual harassment.

Update: Well this is somewhat troubling.
Not sure if this means this is a set up, or if this story from Leann Tweeden was talked about before she came forward.

Update 2: Unbelievably Roy Moore actually weighed in on these Franken allegations.
Of course he was destroyed on Twitter.

108 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:31 PM

    This type of behavior is so rampant throughout our society, that I’m starting to think it’s going to be impossible to shame the men involved, and make them pay. These early instances will be made into examples. The flood that’s going to come after? Who knows...

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous3:44 PM

      Roger Stone has a source at Fox - that's all that tweet means.

      The Mel Morgan story is bunk.

      Delete
    2. Even by Hollywood standards what Franken did was pretty mild. Not excusing it. But if anything it shows that he wasn’t a very good comedian if this was the best sexual harassment he could come up with. I mean, that fake boob grapping picture is high school, middle school even.

      And a supposed professional entertainer doesn’t want to rehearse and is planning to change the script without informing anyone? Really?

      Someone said this woman is now a right wing commentator. Could that be coloring her recollections a bit? Maybe intentionally putting a more negative spin on an event to make it seem worse than it was? Will we ever know?

      Delete
  2. Chenagrrl1:33 PM

    Sen. Ernest Gruening once patted my ass at a reception in Fairbanks. I was 16, and had gone to interview him about Rampart Dam for a debate. I was to argue against it. My father took me and whisked me out moments later.

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  3. Anonymous1:35 PM

    go to show how many men pull this crap. i am willing to give franken a brake. because he isn't trying to run away from it. and not blaming everyone but himself. having a man touch your arm and upper back is fine. i go no further and i need to know the man.

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  4. Anonymous1:37 PM

    Was it wrong to take the pic? Unprofessional, yes. Tacky, yes. Largely becuase you shouldn't take pics of people who aren't your really close family or friends when they are aseleep. Does it rise to the level of groping? and sexual assault? Through body armour? I don't thinkk that's logically or physically possible.

    As for the second one, NOTHING there is sexual at all. Obsessively nerdy about numbers and winning a publicly televiser argument, sure. But Franken could (and likely would) have done exactly teh same to a guy.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous1:50 AM






      New conversation

      TT‏
      @TheTabbasco
      18h18 hours ago
      More
      Replying to @LeeannTweeden
      Strange, I was Al Frankin’s Escort officer...I don’t remember any of this except there was a lot of good natured joking in a crowded room...I was with him the entire time on base...

      Delete
    2. Anonymous7:26 AM

      One news outlet had an interview with the photographer and said this was a prank with both parties part of it. How did Roger Stone know ahead of time? How about the accusers connection to Hannity and Fox ?

      Delete
  5. Anonymous1:38 PM

    Keep a wary eye on your adversaries.

    Keep an even warier eye on your heroes.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous1:40 PM

    I feel sick about this but it is what it is. I saw Sarah Palin on MSNBC this morning saying no one has harassed her because she "carries". Gawd, should have known she couldn't resist weighing in on this after Frankin. She's in DC too!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous3:37 PM

      She is the one that harassed those men when she walked in the room wearing only a towel.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous3:49 PM

      Carries an STD? Head lice in her wigs or is it just her bad smell she carries?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous3:58 PM

      It's been revealed for years that she stinks. No one wants to be that close to her or to touch her.

      Delete
    4. Hell no! No one harassed her.Because she can shoot a gun for shit, she wasn't packin' nuttin.
      Well, except...

      Her dad had her run around with no underwear as a kid and that stuck.
      Ask the guys in Wasilla.
      SHE did the harassing.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous4:33 PM

      She needs to channel her Annie Oakley image. Did she add men know she could gut them like a deer too?

      Delete
    6. Anonymous8:22 PM

      I've always had a gag reflex thinking about what she must smell like after one of her famous "hot yoga" classes. I bet she gets a private lesson because no one else wants to be in the same room :-)

      Delete
    7. Anonymous2:34 AM

      I misread Frankin as Franklin, as in Graham. I wonder if anyone will tell on him or has he paid enough money in order for a pass?

      Delete
  7. Anonymous1:51 PM

    "Media Equalizer and Media Equality Project Co-Founder Melanie Morgan has come forward to recall her own frightening encounter, sparked by a seemingly-mundane and even obscure topic of political disagreement.“By the third phone call I was outraged and terrified, as he is really disturbed,” Morgan recounted.
    Morgan said Franken finally left her alone, but only after she pushed back and threatened “to call the police and make a report that he was harassing me.”
    To this day, she says she is haunted by it: “I never forgot that experience and it informed me of his lack of character and obsessive personality.
    I believe every word Leann wrote.”"

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    1. Anonymous4:08 PM

      Leann is believable. I don't know if her memory is correct.

      Melanie Morgan is not to be believed. She is an old hand at dirty tricks. She has poor character. It would be better for Leann if people with Morgan's reputation didn't pipe in to help her. Leann does not need that. Franken is not saying not to believe or to believe Leann. He apologized and she accepted. Now there can be an investigation and we will see what more. Morgan can insert herself if she is viable for Leann.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous4:56 PM

      Leeann is a slutty playboy model and hooters waitress.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous5:28 PM

      Got it 4:56, so she is fair game for sexual harassment on a USO trip. It is her fault.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous6:30 PM

      4:56 Talks like Trump. From the dark side. They are a plant.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous2:03 PM

    "No, the Democratic candidate for President in 2020 is going to HAVE to be female in my opinion."

    Jesus dude. Settle. Nobody has to be anything other than a decent candidate that has good policy and a leaders charisma. And don't forget, "it's the economy stupid".

    Pretty soon all the Democrats will settle on is a transgender, bi-racial alien that identifies as a Filipino squirrel.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous4:07 PM

      So far there is neither male nor female Dem that looks promising, so yes, I agree with 2:03pm, stop this crap. How well did that female work out for the Dems last time? Hmm ,Hmm?

      Delete
  9. Anonymous2:14 PM

    I saw the photo on TV and he is not actually touching her,still doesn't excuse the disgusting behavior.
    I am very disappointed in Al at this point.

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    1. Anonymous6:24 PM

      You can see a dark line around the fingers. If it was touching and grabbing the clothes it would not look like they are separate.

      It is really a stupid prank in a group of performers. You can see one person next to her, possibly sleeping. Another person took the photo.

      Delete
  10. In a different report, Tweeden said she finally gave into Franken's insistence to rehearse the kiss and that is when he grabbed the back of her head, etc.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous2:22 PM

    Wow, in Alabama on fox. The end of this shitshow must be coming soon


    https://www.rawstory.com/2017/11/barack-obama-has-a-more-favorable-rating-than-donald-trump-in-alabama-fox-news/

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  12. Anonymous2:29 PM

    The second woman: Morgan has also claimed that President Barack Obama attended a madrassa, an allegation that has been discredited. Wiki

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous4:11 PM

      She is totally scandalous herself. I could not believe one word she says.

      Delete
  13. This is one of the most obvious set-ups you'll ever see: both these women accusing Al Franken are right-wing hate mongers. Morgan has been one of the original Birthers and still takes the position that Obama is not an American. No one knows what she had to say to Franken as part of the argument they had over the phone. As far as Tweeden goes, she's a Fox news contributor. It's her word against his that the aggressive kiss took place (witnesses?) but even more, HE DID NOT GROPE HER. That photo shows a jerk PRETENDING to grope her. She's wearing a flak jacket making her breasts completely unavailable! His hands do not touch her. If they had, she would have felt it and woken up, probably yelling out. She didn't even know this incident had taken place until quite a bit later, when she saw the picture on a cd. Al Franken has a lot to apologize for with this stunt from his past, but his long form remarks strike me as observant and honest about his past behavior and he's the first man who has declared remorse for the insult it presents to ALL women who have ever experienced demeaning behavior/sexual abuse.

    Bottom line: the Republicans would LOVE to get rid of Franken (recall his grilling of Sessions and DeVos). They have been waiting for a moment like this to pounce with what they had on him (no matter how sketchy) because the tidal wave of accusations on repugnant male behavior can cover the thinness of this attack on him. He was obnoxious, absolutely. But his accusers are questionable. Let another woman from the Democratic side come forward! As of now, should he lose his seat over this? Absolutely not!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous2:55 PM

      Careful which horse you tie your wagon to.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous4:05 PM

      Trump was waddling and leering and lusting through dressing rooms occupied by teen age girls and that was okay with Republicans.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous4:05 PM

      Both these women really don't have much credibility due to their history of taking their clothes off for money. Sorry honey, any and all of the honey's now trying to get money or kill careers of men, you are a performer and and you get paid to be seductive and often naked, if that didn't make you feel subjugated then I doubt that some guy touching you or pretending to is going to be your deal breaker.

      Most of these women, on all sides of the political aisle, coming out with the #metoo bullshit are just looking for some 15 minutes.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous4:17 PM

      What I heard Republicans talking, they are outright saying this is payback for what Franken did to Sessions. Not that they plotted this with the 2 right wing talkers, but that God is getting Franken for what he did to Sessions.

      Delete
    5. 2:31
      This stinks to high heaven. You are spot on as the two women were compelled to come forward with this crap while the House was voting on fleecing the masses. Both are political right wing plants.
      More will come out..this is too obvious.
      And yeah. I live in MN!

      Delete
    6. Anonymous6:13 PM

      Ivana said Don was not much of a father with their young kids. There are fewer photos with his sons.

      Don has amassed a large collection of seductive and not at all father-daughter photos with his oldest girl. Is that regular for Republican father-daughter?

      It looks highly suspect and unusual. Not in a positive way at all.

      Other girls have been put in bad situations with their fathers. McKenzie Phillips comes to mind. She has been able to speak. The family photos I've seen do not look half as slimy as what Donald Trump has produced with his daughter.

      Don is very much into appearances, so you wonder why he would have that photo gallery going on for all those years of her childhood.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous2:45 PM

    Donald Trump’s Sexual Assault Accusers Demand Justice in the #MeToo Era: ‘We Were Forgotten’

    People - 3 hours ago

    The cent accusations of sexual misconduct against a long list of powerful men in Hollywood and other industries have been widely believed — and led to resignations, loss of careers and other fallout.

    Meanwhile, some of the women who accused Donald Trump of sexual harassment or assault during the presidential campaign wonder when the president might finally pay a price for what he allegedly did to them.

    “Things just seem to fall off of Trump, I’m extremely disappointed,” says Jessica Leeds, 75, who alleges Trump tried to kiss her, fondle her breasts and put his hand up her skirt while on a flight to New York in the early 1980s.

    Their stories —  like the harrowing one PEOPLE writer Natasha Stoynoff shared of Trump allegedly attacking her in 2005 by pushing her up against a wall at Mar-a- Lago and shoving his tongue down her throat — are backed up in most cases by co-workers, friends or family members.

    And then there is Trump’s own words. In early October of last year came the infamous video showing Trump boasting to Billy Bush in 2005 of sexually assaulting women, that because he’s a star he can “grab them by the pussy.” Days later, Trump denied he ever did those things during the second presidential debate and dismissed the comments as “locker room talk.”

    In the weeks that followed, many women alleged on the record that Trump had touched, grabbed or kissed them without their permission. Over the course of his campaign, more than 10 would come forward.

    See People Magazine

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous4:02 PM

      Photographic proof, DNA, or recordings, that's what they need and unfortunately none of them seem to have that so DonJuan skirts the charges.

      Delete
    2. Trump made the mistake of weighing in on Franken on Twitter after being silent about Molester Moore. Big mistake. Twitter is being quite brutal to him. One reply was simply a list of all of the women that have accused him. Others replay his ET tape or the entire quote about grabbing women and kissing them or grab them by the pussy. It’s pretty clear that what Trump has done repeatedly is far worse than what Franken thought would be “funny” and neither can touch the predatory behaviour of Molester Moore. Sorry, but until there is a victim to step forward, Trump raping that 14 year old is just hearsay. Trump did oggle and grope grown women. Moore stalks underage girls. Compared to them Franken is just a junior high nerd trying to be funny and failing.

      Delete
  15. ibwilliamsi2:52 PM

    This is why we needed a lot more women throughout government already - I agree we need a woman, and a progressive intelligent woman at that - but it's not like they're falling off the vine. The only one with the name recognition necessary is Elizabeth Warren, so far as I can think of.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous3:12 PM

      How many presidential elections are you planning on losing?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous3:24 PM

      Elizabeth Warren put her foot straight into her mouth when she should have shut up. After what she said I don't want to see her in any primary... and I don't want to see what the Bernie Sanders cult might do.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous4:01 PM

      Dems are so unorganized that they won't have anyone electable for 2020. I've told you before there will be 8 years of Trump. Hate it, love it, or don't care, this guy gets 8 years. Live it, and stop worrying about it because you can't change it.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous4:34 PM

      4:01 gets it. Hard to find rational posters these days.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous3:49 AM

      Rachel Maddow
      For President.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous8:20 AM

      Bahahahahaaaaa 3:49.

      Yes please bring it! Now that would have Everyone but Maddow fans laughing for decades. Seriously please, Maddow for President!

      Hahahahahahahaaaaaaaa!

      Delete
  16. Anonymous2:53 PM

    -Does remember the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Things were a lot looser all around. I remember touchy things at work that we would think of doing now. However, this lady is also a contributor to Sean Hannity.

    REad his book Great man in the senate. He wrote a lot of things for SNL. Comedy, do we condemn it now!
    10 cats

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous2:55 PM

    I still love Joe Biden, no matter what. Same for Franken. In this day and age we are afraid to touch or hug anyone. Sad but true. Stop condemning him, please.

    10 cats

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous3:57 PM

      I hear ya, I really don't care about any of what happens between people of consenting age. I'm not a fan of anyone who gets with anyone younger than 14 but it's not too many generations ago when people that age were marrying each other so I too think too much is being made of ALL of this.

      Let.it.go.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous4:24 AM

      3:15, the average age of motherhood dropped to an all-time low of 19. 14-year-old didn't regularly get married except among poor white trash.

      Delete
    3. Joe Biden is what I call, one of those touchy people. They come from families that hug a lot and have a lot of tactile contact. Nothing is meant by it. It’s just a little offputting when you come from a family that never hugs or touches or kisses. It’s innocent but can be taken wrong.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous3:19 PM

    Nah, they just didn't want her, but it's a good excuse, eh?

    Sarah Palin Claims Her Gun Totin’ Reputation Kept Sexual Harassers Away

    https://www.mediaite.com/tv/sarah-palin-claims-her-gun-totin-reputation-kept-sexual-harassers-away/

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous3:51 PM

      Ha ha leave it to Sarah,at least I got my laugh of the day.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous3:55 PM

      I heard it was her less than hygienic ways that kept all but the bravest of men away.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous4:02 PM

      It was her body odor that kept them away.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous5:55 PM

      She taught her daughters how to handle a gun, just like Sarah.
      It was just last week and the daughters had another stalker that went to jail.

      It is not guns that keep any of them from being harassed. Sarah is just a Russian robot that's main purpose in life is to live for the NRA. She gets paid to see that people buy more and more killing machines.

      The days of I need a gun to hunt or for protection are gone. Now people need many guns, automatics and all the latest just to buy guns, have the most toys and other shallow reasons. Sarah is the queen of shallow reasons and she is paid.

      I've also heard about her odor and how well that works. If she can sell that, more women would be safe.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous3:51 AM

      What did she use to keep daddy away? A Nerf gun? A water pistol?

      Delete
  19. Anonymous3:20 PM

    Kirsten Gillibrand, no contest.

    Joe's too old, he ran twice already and has been VP for 2 terms- to Obama yet!- and a career legislator, he can't ask for more than that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous3:30 PM

      Another dreamer planning on losing another election.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous5:58 PM

      3:30 PM, why don't you shut the fuck up already?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous6:15 PM

      I live in NY and love Gillibrand, but I'm not sure she has enough name recognition yet.

      On the other hand, neither did some guy named Obama and look what happened to him!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous7:40 PM

      Gillibrand is not going to be the next President. Give it up already with your ridiculous dreams. Do you want to win or live in fantasy land?

      Delete
    5. Kamala Harris.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous3:52 AM

      I have friends in NY and they think Gillebrand will someday be president. Thy were touting her glories way before any of us have ever heard of her. Liberal NY loves her.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous8:17 AM

      Lol. Hey, I have friends too.

      Liberal New York loved Hillary also.

      "They were touting her glories..." (oh god, prepare for another trouncing should she run).

      Delete
    8. Anonymous5:55 PM

      Fuck off. No one said the next president will be Gillebrand, only that se is quite capable.
      You seem a bit worried.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous3:25 PM

    As for Al Franken, I'm reserving my judgment. It's smart of Al Franken to demand an investigation and I hope he gets one... then they might be forced to investigate their fucking president.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous3:46 PM

      Al Franken appears to me to be far more honest as a Democrat than any of those Republicans that have done far worse and deny everything!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous5:42 PM

      Al was very smart,he beat them to the punch with the investigation.

      However since he wasn't a senator when it happened,those republicans are also open to past bad deeds,like our molester in chief.

      Delete
  21. Anonymous3:34 PM

    Trump’s FCC just paved the way for Trump TV to propagandize almost everywhere
    By Eric Boehlert | November 16, 2017

    Trump is clearing the regulatory decks for a proposed merger involving conservative Sinclair Broadcast Group, while at the same time he's putting up merger hurdles for CNN.

    In a stunning move that sweeps away decades of media ownership rules, Donald Trump’s FCC on Thursday voted along party lines to eliminate key caps on corporate media growth.

    Those long-standing limits, designed to promote diversity and local programming, had barred media giants from owning more than two television stations in a top-four metropolitan market, and placed restrictions on owning newspapers and television stations in the same market.

    Although the vote was expected, as Trump’s FCC’s chairman Ajit Pai was been vocal in his support for easing the rules, the final passage is nonetheless remarkable. Trump’s FCC clearly seems to be quickly approving radical changes in an effort to help a single, key Trump television ally: The Sinclair Broadcast Group.

    “This agency is organizing all of its media policies around the interests of this one company,” Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democratic member of the FCC, told NBC News.

    Sinclair is the Trump-loving local television group that is trying to assemble a near-national network of stations that would deliver lots of news with a strident conservative aftertaste. Sinclair has made a $3.9 billion bid to acquire the Tribune Company.

    If completed, the deal would put the company in control of 223 TV stations, a previously unheard of number of outlets for a single television broadcast company to own. Combined, the stations would give Sinclair access to more than 70 percent of American households.

    The Sinclair deal is so expansive and so radical that even some key players within the conservative media have raised red flags. Christopher Ruddy, the CEO of Newsmax and a close Trump ally, slammed the pending merger, insisting that the move “cannot be justified” and that it will “harm” American democracy.

    Incredibly, at the same time Trump is helping one media empire expand, he seems to be actively thwarting another from doing the exact same thing, as communications giant AT&T stands poised to purchase media behemoth Time Warner for $86 billion. Based on previous large-scale merger agreements, the AT&T-Time Warner deal was seen as a sure thing, until Trump’s DOJ reportedly told AT&T that CNN and its parent company Turner Broadcasting could not be part of the deal.

    In this case, Trump’s Department of Justice is going out of its way, and breaking decades of merger precedent, by claiming the deal poses a real danger to the media landscape.

    “It’s all about CNN,” one source with knowledge of the deal told the Financial Times. If the Trump administration moves to the block the deal, AT&T is expected to sue.

    https://shareblue.com/trumps-fcc-just-paved-the-way-for-trump-tv-to-propagandize-almost-everywhere/

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    1. I think ATT should take the DOJ to court for favoring allowing the Sinclair deal but making unfair and inequitable demands of them. They need to do it now before Trump is able to load the appeals courts with his unqualified Deplorables.

      Delete
  22. Anonymous3:35 PM

    Roy Moore on day 7 of child sex abuse scandal: “We need moral values back in this country.”

    ...In the most jaw-dropping moment of the press conference, Moore signaled that he would stay in the race because someone needs to bring the truth to Washington, DC and restore our nation’s moral compass.

    “We need moral value back in our country,” Moore said.

    According to him, an accused child sexual predator is the right man for that job.

    https://shareblue.com/roy-moore-on-day-7-of-child-sex-abuse-scandal-we-need-moral-values-back-in-this-country/

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous3:42 PM

    Rapidly approaching "boy who cried wolf" status.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous3:45 PM

    Why are they not impeaching Trump? He's doing everything that does not go along w/the norms of a president of the USA and continually seems to be breaking various laws. There is plenty of cause for his impeachment!

    And, all the while the Republican majority in Congress is sitting on their asses watching him bring down our country.

    It's up to all of us to vote more wisely in the next election and get these horrid Republicans out of office everywhere we can - national, state and local levels.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous3:49 PM

    I give Al credit for acting like an adult and taking responsibility for his actions,unlike republicans that smear and threaten the women.

    Is Roger stone getting his info from Wikileaks? Politically motivated revenge?

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous3:53 PM

    Men SHOULD be smart enough to not buy into the whole idea of the women who take money from Playboy, Maxim and other suggestively posed magazines and treat them just like regular old women who don't pose for money, unfortunately even the most intelligent men seem to think that naked women posing seductively means that they are available and ready for any groping (only for money folks, only for money, groping for free, not allowed).

    Perhaps the best way to dispel this scourge upon sexy women who pose naked for money is to no longer have women posing naked for money; it makes them look available and even offering up their shit to anyone. Take away that and then the problem will go away.

    This woman was going to do a sexy show for the troops, perhaps that isn't the best idea? Take the sexy from women and then the men won't respond.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:54 PM

      Take the sexy from women and you are taking jobs and income from some women. The sexy is a much needed commodity.

      Perhaps the merchandize could be tattooed with instructions and rules. Sexy women have a right to work. It would be awful to cut them off from what they are good doing and the work they love.

      Delete
    2. There are some for whom their situations are so desperate that this is their only means of income.

      Delete
  27. Anonymous4:00 PM

    "There were places you could duck into to avoid this person. And it was Roy Moore."

    http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/11/schoolmate_of_roy_moore_accuse.html

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous4:11 PM

    Whatever the case Al Franken is good to apologize. The Right wingers won't apologize. They will get elected, and will still be the sleaze buckets they were protected by the so called religious right like Pat Robertson and Mike Huckabee. Wondering if they are white as snow? Hmmmm.
    Men have undermined women since the beginning of time. Time not to and move onwards from being cavemen to an enlightened one.
    Glad Hugh Hefner is dead. Hope that the objectifying of women is going to one day come to a stop. But as long as we have the groper in chief we aren't even halfway there. That means there are some hardcore women hating men protecting his ass for political reasons. That men's fraternity in Washington must also disassemble. We as a country have been wounded on every level by the evil that is running our country. We won't turn it around if we don't get rid of the narcissist in the white house. He embodies everything that's been happening to our country as of late. And also, wonder what Putin whispered into his ear this trip? Watch for it. It's coming.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous4:21 PM

    STOP being stupid, We don't need a female candidate, we need the BEST candidate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neither. We need a candidate that can WIN.

      Delete
  30. Anonymous4:26 PM

    Every man in the USA is guilty of sexual harassment. Should all men resign?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:10 AM

      We probably should start raising up our boys and girls to be more respectful of people's boundaries. Hollywood hasn't helped with all their smut shows but now that Harvey and Spacey have been put in the light, there is hope that we can all get back to making and watching shows of substance. Nah. Just kidding. I know money talks and bullshit walks.

      Delete
  31. Anonymous4:53 PM

    If this was so traumatic to Leeann why doesn't she want an investigation???It makes me suspicious that she is a frequent guest on Hannity .Also I have trouble thinking she is so demure when she poses nude in magazines. That picture was in poor taste I agree,but there were witnesses that could prove or disprove the incident. Frankin wants an investigation and she doesn't. Hmmm

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6:34 PM

      Disturbing if she appears with Hannity, but what does being demure or posing nude in magazines have to do with it? Even if we say Franken didn't make actual physical contact with her breasts, he took advantage of and humiliated her in a sexually suggestive way that was disgusting and juvenile. I don't care if she danced nude on a table, it doesn't make her or any other human being fair game.

      Such a disappointment -- I always admired Franken, and now I see him as just another dickhead. At least Democrats are not mincing words about it. And no, I don't think it's equivalent to what Roy Moore was up to.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous7:05 PM

      Then you're an idiot, 6:24. Franken was a comedian.Doing what comedians do. Tweeden was there because of her boobs. When you hire out as a no talent but you got big boobs entertainer, (the "face" of Hooters, which asset do you think the other entertainers will play on and up?

      The kiss is an issue, the photo is a nothingburger.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous8:26 AM

      The kiss is an issue only if it happened. Notice how she cleverly painted a narrative with no witnesses. Do you really think there were no people milling around in a busy USO tour? Franken said he did not remember it the same way she did and I believe him. She has an agenda. She also mischaracterized that photograph. There was no groping. Liar.

      Delete
  32. Anonymous5:37 PM

    I think the stupid sleeping prank is more like the following.
    http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rFD68ftvnjQ/UWQigqUINAI/AAAAAAAABqQ/PkWEB_1TTd4/s1600/This-is-what-happens-when-you-get-drunk-with-freinds1.jpg

    Grown-ups playing in this manner is totally wrong and nuts. I can't say at this time if it is sexual assault. The kiss has only been what Leeann says. I haven't heard another side.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous5:38 PM

    What stands out to me,when it is republican that is accused,first response is the women are liars and they quickly give the man the benefit of the doubt.

    If it is a democrat,the woman are telling the truth and the man should resign immediately

    Bunch of hypocrites!

    I have the feeling the republicans are going to regret this ethics investigation, might lead to a few more family values guys being exposed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:12 PM

      agreed.

      Delete
    2. That's pretty much it.

      Imagine how long and hard the Republican have worked to find anything on Al Franken. They've been after him for years. He's a major thorn in their side and especially recently with the Sessions testimony.

      Unfortunately, this isn't going to stick. Unlike the Republicans, Franken has admitted guilt and apologized for acting like a jerk. All BEFORE he was elected senator. Now, let them try to find something AFTER his election. I might also add that Franken didn't try to rape a teenager. Franken is not a pedophile. Franken was never banned from anywhere for stalking.

      What is really, blaringly hypocritical is there are crickets about the pussygrabber in the Oval Office.

      So, yeah, bring it all. Good on Al Franken to demand an investigation.

      Delete
  34. Anonymous5:43 PM

    https://twitter.com/hashtag/goodboydevin?src=hash

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anonymous5:43 PM

    https://www.rawstory.com/2017/11/youve-been-a-good-boy-devin-california-billboard-features-nunes-and-trump-strapped-on-putins-leash/

    ReplyDelete
  36. Chenagrrl5:48 PM

    The difference between Judge Roy Moore and Al Franken is that Franken was not a DA threatening underage girls with his office's power. Is Franken a knucklehead, absolutely. But he did not misuse his power

    ReplyDelete
  37. Anonymous6:56 PM

    Franken said the rehearsal did not happen the way she described and as he has always been a man of integrity, I believe him. Unfortunately he made a poor choice with that joke. Stupid middle school humor. No evidence of groping, but the media is running away with it. That Roger Stone tweet screams that this is nothing but a con job orchestrated by Hannity and a complicit Tweeden.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is unfortunate that in this case, the motivations and backgrounds of these women will come under scrutiny. Because they endangers the integrity of Molester Moore's accusers, who are all quite credible.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous6:40 AM

      This is a prime example of gop ratfucking.Franken knows and did the smart thing by requesting an investigation.Dollars to donuts this is all bs.

      Delete
  38. Anonymous7:19 PM

    NRA Spending Approached Half A Billion Dollars In 2016

    It’s by far the most the gun group has ever spent.

    The National Rifle Association spent $419 million in 2016, increasing its 2015 total by over $100 million and dwarfing spending in previous presidential election years by far more, according to an audit published Thursday.

    The document, first obtained by the Center for Responsive Politics, offers a detailed accounting of the NRA’s 2015 and 2016 expenditures on a variety of initiatives, including publications, competitions and recreational shooting services. The largest year-to-year leap came in its political spending, as the gun group dumped unprecedented amounts of cash into the 2016 election cycle.

    Last year, the NRA, which is registered as a nonprofit, spent nearly $140 million on legislative programs and public affairs, an increase of about $75 million overall from 2015. These categories are not itemized further in the financial report, but they likely encompass the lobbying efforts and campaign contributions that have become a cornerstone of the NRA’s political power.

    This $140 million figure includes a $30 million investment in Donald Trump’s presidential campaign as well as at least $20 million more to help GOP Senate candidates ― though recent reports suggest spending on congressional races may have been significantly higher. As the Center for Responsive Politics notes, much of that funding came in the form of “dark money” disbursed by the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA), a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization that is not required to disclose its donors.

    Although the NRA has long been considered a political powerhouse, the 2016 audit is further proof that the organization is still ascendant. In the 2012 presidential election year, the group’s total expenditures came in at $261 million. Just $63 million of that was allocated to legislative programs and public affairs combined, less than half of the 2016 total.

    https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/nra-2016-spending_us_5a0dd3e6e4b0b17e5e14e636?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

    ReplyDelete
  39. Anonymous8:21 PM

    Have you seen the Daily Show's moment of zen today. It's our vary own Sarah being asked if she had been sexually harassed before. Her reply was something like, most people know she is "packin". Oh Sarah!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Anonymous3:31 AM

    Check out the photo I am going to send you. Don't rush to judgement.
    10 cats

    ReplyDelete
  41. Anonymous4:42 AM

    Those photos of Joe Biden and Al Franken do not show men who are sexually harassing women. Franken was a comedian in those days; that is the background for the photo. And Joe Biden is a "hands on" friendly person.

    Heck, my husband likes to wink at waitresses. Is he going to be accused of sexual harassment the next time he's in a local restaurant?

    There's a world of difference between making overtures or worse to a woman or girl so that they feel physically threatened. Or worse. Anywhere. A photo like that of a comedian who is clearly not touching the woman or a man who is hugging women and girls he knows well or a man who thinks he's said something clever and winks do not constitute acts of sexual harassment. I think we women are overreacting.

    What Roy Moore did/does to teenaged girls is even worse than harassment: it was the lead up to sexual assault. We are once again in the GOP world of false equivalences.
    Beaglemom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:52 AM

      I agree,now they are lumping Al in with wienstein and moore.too bad
      Notice that trump is never mentioned

      Delete
    2. Anonymous7:50 AM

      What Roy Moore did to the 14 year old was sexual assault. What Donald Trump did to the 13 year old girl was rape.

      Delete
  42. Marthe6:24 AM

    I totally agree with Beaglemom and see a world of difference between the photo of Al Franken that's obviously a prank with a photographer present and the allegations against Roy Moore, Weinstein, Cosby ... and Trump to name a few.

    In my humble opinion, a sexual harasser doesn't do his deed in front of a camera. If she ended up having a copy of this photo herself, maybe it was because it was supposed to be a joke. Let's remember the photo was taken in the context of a USO Tour.

    I also looked up a wiki page on Leeann Tweeden.
    Here's an excerpt from the page: "She considers herself fiscally conservative and said that she voted twice for President George W. Bush.[1]"

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leeann_Tweeden

    I wonder if her "rage" against Al Franken didn't start when he became an outspoken Democratic senator against her own party.

    The wiki page also says that she was a waitress at Hooters in 1992 and in their 1994 calendar. She then won the Venus International Model Search and she eventually worked for Frederick's of Hollywood. Clearly, at some point in her life, she was using her "assets" to make a name for herself, so why is she so surprised that her assets may be what has gotten her on the USO Tour in the first place and that the jokes revolved around her assets?

    Her present outrage sounds very much disingenuous to me at this point. If she had this photo in her possession and she felt so violated, why did she not sue Al Franken then?


    ReplyDelete
  43. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mediaite.com/online/here-is-an-image-of-al-franken-kissing-leeann-tweeden-during-a-uso-show/amp/

    ReplyDelete

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