Register | Sign In


Understanding through Discussion


EvC Forum active members: 65 (9162 total)
3 online now:
Newest Member: popoi
Post Volume: Total: 915,817 Year: 3,074/9,624 Month: 919/1,588 Week: 102/223 Day: 0/13 Hour: 0/0


Thread  Details

Email This Thread
Newer Topic | Older Topic
  
Author Topic:   Senator Al Franken?
Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 188 of 300 (825010)
12-06-2017 1:26 PM
Reply to: Message 185 by Percy
12-06-2017 11:15 AM


Re: Franken: Resign Now
Finally, belatedly in my opinion, a group of Senate Democrats is calling upon Senator Al Franken to resign: Senate Democrats call on Franken to resign amid further allegations of sexual harassment.
I'm an independent, neither a Republican nor a Democrat, but given the Trump takeover of the Republican party, and given the repugnance of all things Trump, it is gratifying that Democrats at last stood up for what is right, in contrast to the Republicans who are supporting Roy Moore for Senator in Alabama.
--Percy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 185 by Percy, posted 12-06-2017 11:15 AM Percy has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 193 by Percy, posted 12-06-2017 4:09 PM Percy has seen this message but not replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 193 of 300 (825034)
12-06-2017 4:09 PM
Reply to: Message 188 by Percy
12-06-2017 1:26 PM


Re: Franken: Resign Now
A news report of another woman sexually harassed by Senator Al Franken was just posted to The Atlantic: I Believe Franken’s Accusers Because He Groped Me, Too
Who knows how many more woman are out there. My bet is that if you were young and alone and Al Franken found you attractive, you got the standard treatment.
It seems impossible that all Franken's escapades invariably ended at groping and/or kissing. I wonder if there will eventually be a report of more. Franken has been married to Franni Bryson since 1975. They have two adult children.
An editorial questioning what took Senate Democrats so long was just posted to the Washington Post: Why are Senate Democrats just now calling on Al Franken to resign?
--Percy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 188 by Percy, posted 12-06-2017 1:26 PM Percy has seen this message but not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 203 by Rrhain, posted 12-08-2017 2:28 AM Percy has seen this message but not replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 196 of 300 (825056)
12-06-2017 11:54 PM
Reply to: Message 195 by Minnemooseus
12-06-2017 11:06 PM


Re: Ethics Committee trial now
I can tell you have high regard and warm feelings for Senator Al Franken. I like him very much, too.
Percy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 195 by Minnemooseus, posted 12-06-2017 11:06 PM Minnemooseus has seen this message but not replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


(1)
Message 198 of 300 (825058)
12-07-2017 12:23 AM
Reply to: Message 197 by Phat
12-06-2017 11:56 PM


Re: Seventh Time, Percy
Phat writes:
Percy likely does not have the natural sympathy for you as he does for these women.
That’s not true. If you click on Rrhain posts only and read all his posts in this thread you’ll see he has two topics, neither having to do with the topic of this thread (one is a moderation issue from 2008). Combined with the combative tone I thought it best not to respond.
Percy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 197 by Phat, posted 12-06-2017 11:56 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 204 by Rrhain, posted 12-08-2017 4:02 AM Percy has seen this message but not replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


(1)
Message 200 of 300 (825079)
12-07-2017 12:08 PM


It's Over
Senator Al Franken (D-MN) today announced he will be resigning from the Senate. His successor will be appointed by Minnesota governor Mark Dayton, a Democrat. There will then be a special election in 2018 to decide who serves out the remainder of Franken's term until 2020. Article here: Sen. Al Franken Announces He Will Resign
--Percy
Edited by Percy, : "R-MN"=> "D-MN".

Replies to this message:
 Message 210 by caffeine, posted 12-12-2017 4:46 PM Percy has replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 211 of 300 (825320)
12-12-2017 6:50 PM
Reply to: Message 210 by caffeine
12-12-2017 4:46 PM


Re: It's Over
caffeine writes:
Senator Al Franken (R-MN) today announced he will be resigning from the Senate.
Freudian slip now he's accused of sexual impropriety?
Ah, how'd that "R" get in there - good catch. I'll fix it.
--Percy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 210 by caffeine, posted 12-12-2017 4:46 PM caffeine has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 213 by Rrhain, posted 12-14-2017 9:30 PM Percy has seen this message but not replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 223 of 300 (825515)
12-15-2017 2:12 PM
Reply to: Message 217 by Phat
12-15-2017 1:04 AM


Re: Assault and Pepper Spray
Phat writes:
For example, if the incident occurred at a party in a social setting, would it be any different than were it at work?
This reminds me of a sentiment expressed in one of the news articles I read concerning the Tweeden image: photo of a famous comedian hamming it up a year before he knew he'd be running for the Senate.
To be clear, they said a lot more, that was just one of the possible ways they described of viewing the matter.
--Percy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 217 by Phat, posted 12-15-2017 1:04 AM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


(2)
Message 224 of 300 (825517)
12-15-2017 2:38 PM
Reply to: Message 218 by Minnemooseus
12-15-2017 1:44 AM


Re: Why no ethics committee hearing for Franken
Minnemooseus writes:
Nobody responded to my message.
Well, you got my attention this time.
What I suspect would come out of an ethics committee hearing, is that some of those "women should be believed" would be exposed as "women whose truth should be doubted".
Yeah, there's such an upside to coming forward with accusations of sexual harassment. I can't believe all women don't do it. Why can't everyone understand this and just ignore the obviously spurious charges against Franken and Trump and Moore and Weinstein and all the rest?
Apologies for the sarcasm. There does seem to me a difference in magnitude of offense between Franken on the one hand and all the rest on the other. And I do strongly believe that Franken is entitled to a hearing before the Ethics Committee.
I know that last must seem contradictory given my calls for Franken's resignation right from the first, but that was when I truly believed that he knew what he had done. Now I'm not so sure. The human mind is a strange and complex thing, and though deep in my heart I believe the women, Franken does seem to genuinely believe they are mistaken.
Of course, since I believe the women I think he's lucky to have avoided the Ethics Committee, believing it would have come out very badly for him. Still, I've stated that I liked Franken, and I still like Franken, and were I a Minnesota resident I would vote for him for Senator again, but only after he'd risen before microphones and stated, "I did it, I regret it, and I apologize, both for my actions and for my later denials."
--Percy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 218 by Minnemooseus, posted 12-15-2017 1:44 AM Minnemooseus has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 228 by Minnemooseus, posted 12-16-2017 2:20 AM Percy has seen this message but not replied
 Message 230 by Rrhain, posted 12-16-2017 3:34 AM Percy has seen this message but not replied
 Message 240 by Minnemooseus, posted 12-17-2017 11:51 PM Percy has replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 243 of 300 (825840)
12-18-2017 11:11 AM
Reply to: Message 240 by Minnemooseus
12-17-2017 11:51 PM


Re: Why no ethics committee hearing for Franken
From Sen. Al Franken's accusers and their allegations against him
  • Leeann Tweeden: unwanted tongue kiss and a groping photo.
  • Lindsay Menz: Butt grab at the Minnesota State Fair
  • Anonymous #1: Butt grab at teh Minnesota Women's Political Caucus
  • Anonymous #2: Butt grab and suggested bathroom visit at Minneapolis Democratic fundraiser
  • Stephanie Kemplin: Breast grope during photo while on Kuwait USO tour
  • Anonymous #3, elected official: Wet, open-mouthed kiss at conclusion of Franken radio program
  • Anonymous #4, former congressional aide: Ducked kiss at conclusion of Franken radio program
  • Tina Dupuy: Waist groping
This is a lot of women to not believe, especially because of the pattern, and more especially because it's likely just the tip of the iceberg.
Franken is a self-confessed "hugger".
Glad you put "hugger" in quotes. How convenient for him, as if that makes it okay.
Of course, since I believe the women I think he's lucky to have avoided the Ethics Committee, believing it would have come out very badly for him.
I can't see how he could come out looking worse that he currently does.
The women's stories would have changed category from allegations to testimony before a congressional committee which can make recommendations to the full Senate such as censure and expulsion. The ethics committee hasn't investigated sexual harassment or assault allegations in 25 years, Axios reports - I wonder if Franken knew that when he invited investigation.
--Percy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 240 by Minnemooseus, posted 12-17-2017 11:51 PM Minnemooseus has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 244 by RAZD, posted 12-18-2017 12:13 PM Percy has seen this message but not replied
 Message 248 by Rrhain, posted 12-21-2017 8:12 PM Percy has seen this message but not replied
 Message 255 by Minnemooseus, posted 12-23-2017 8:38 PM Percy has seen this message but not replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 256 of 300 (826185)
12-24-2017 8:28 AM


For those who doubt the women's stories, a series of audio items in today's New York Times describes the process women endure to report sexual harassment and what happens to them: What Happens When You Report Sexual Harassment?. Here I summarize some of the information:
  • HR departments are often not supportive of women reporting sexual harassment.
  • Reporting sexual harassment often affects the woman's job, including firing.
  • Superstar performers are often strongly defended by their companies against charges of sexual harassment, including campaigns of lies depicting the woman as promiscuous, in debt, disgruntled, unreliable, unstable, etc.
  • Settlements often include provisions disallowing discussing the issue.
  • Even when the harasser resigns or is fired, he can later lie about what really happened.
  • Colleagues may not be supportive of a harassed woman's complaint, even other women.
Reporting sexual harassment has lots of downsides and very little upside. Woman report sexual harassment in the hope that it will make it go away. That's not what usually happens. What usually happens is a chain of negative consequences for the women.
Sidenote: Since most sexual harassment occurs in the workplace, I'd like to provide my impressions of HR departments. HR is not a reliable ally for employees with sexual harassment issues. In fact, HR is often not a reliable ally for any low level employee on any issue. Their primary job responsibility is to propagate corporate policy down, not solve employee problems. Is your birthdate improperly recorded in the corporate database? They can help you, and with all kinds of things of that nature. Anything else? Forget it. I've experienced HR from both the management and individual contributor roles. As a manager, they made things happen regarding those reporting to me. As an individual contributor? Zilch.
HR is composed of people just like you and me, and they're as baffled and nervous and full of trepidation concerning how to deal with harassment situations as we would be, despite the training they receive. Women should be very wary of reporting sexual harassment to HR. HR departments report to upper management, the head of HR is usually a VP who reports to the CEO, it isn't unusual for harassment claims to go straight to the top, and the response is usually to seek how to most quietly and inexpensively make the problem go away. That usually means sacrificing the person with the least power, the woman.
--Percy

Replies to this message:
 Message 257 by NoNukes, posted 12-26-2017 1:40 PM Percy has seen this message but not replied
 Message 260 by Rrhain, posted 12-26-2017 5:59 PM Percy has seen this message but not replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 263 of 300 (826823)
01-10-2018 6:45 PM


Catherine Deneuve Speaks Out
From today's New York Times: Catherine Deneuve and Others Denounce the #MeToo Movement. The public letter says in part:
Damn, it's in French: Nous dfendons une libert d’importuner, indispensable la libert sexuelle. Looking for the English translation. I want to quote from the whole letter, not just from the excerpts in the NYT article...
Tried Google Translate, but it's too rough, still looking...
Okay, here we go, found it at WorldCrunch: Full Translation Of French Anti-#MeToo Manifesto Signed By Catherine Deneuve. I use the New York Times excerpts where possible:
quote:
Rape is a crime. But insistent or clumsy flirting is not a crime, nor is gallantry a chauvinist aggression.
...
Just like in the good old witch-hunt days, what we are once again witnessing here is puritanism in the name of a so-called greater good, claiming to promote the liberation and protection of women, only to enslave them to a status of eternal victim and reduce them to defenseless preys of male chauvinist demons.
In fact, #MeToo has led to a campaign, in the press and on social media, of public accusations and indictments against individuals who, without being given a chance to respond or defend themselves, are put in the exact same category as sex offenders. This summary justice already has its victims, men prevented from practicing their profession as punishment, forced to resign, etc., while the only thing they did wrong was touching a knee, trying to steal a kiss, or speaking about ‘intimate’ things at a work dinner, or sending messages with sexual connotations to a woman whose feelings were not mutual.
...
Already, editors are asking some of us to make our masculine characters less "sexist" and more restrained in how they talk about sexuality and love, or to make it so that the "traumas experienced by female characters" be more evident! Bordering on ridiculous, in Sweden a bill was presented that calls for explicit consent before any sexual relations! Next we’ll have a smartphone app that adults who want to sleep together will have to use to check precisely which sex acts the other does or does not accept.
...
Above all, we are aware that the human being is not a monolith: A woman can, in the same day, lead a professional team and enjoy being a man’s sexual object, without being a "whore" or a vile accomplice of the patriarchy. She can make sure that her wages are equal to a man’s but not feel forever traumatized by a man who rubs himself against her in the subway, even if that is regarded as an offense. She can even consider this act as the expression of a great sexual deprivation, or even as a non-event.
...
As women, we don’t recognize ourselves in this feminism that, beyond the denunciation of abuses of power, takes the face of a hatred of men and sexuality. We believe that the freedom to say "no" to a sexual proposition cannot exist without the freedom to bother. And we consider that one must know how to respond to this freedom to bother in ways other than by closing ourselves off in the role of the prey.
She says some important things, like that women shouldn't be forced into the role of perpetual victim, and that the interplay between the sexes isn't possible without the freedom to bother. As Garrison Keillor said long before he was fired from Prairie Home Companion, "A world in which there is no sexual harassment at all, is a world in which there will not be any flirtation."
But she also says that woman should tolerate some level of, well, there are no other words for it, sexual harassment. Is a crotch feel (DeNeuve's words: "a man who rubs himself against her in the subway") really to be tolerated?
But I do see strength in the pragmatism of DeNeuve's view, less because I like it and more because, as much as I favor the #MeToo movement, I don't believe human nature will ever change.
--Percy

Replies to this message:
 Message 265 by NoNukes, posted 01-10-2018 7:57 PM Percy has seen this message but not replied
 Message 267 by Diomedes, posted 01-11-2018 3:30 PM Percy has seen this message but not replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 272 of 300 (843499)
11-18-2018 12:28 PM


A Little More Avenatti News (Very Little)
From Michael Avenatti 'still considering' running for president after domestic violence arrest:
quote:
Los Angeles Police have not identified the alleged victim but said the person had visible injuries.
...
Avenatti has denied that he was charged with a crime, despite a Los Angeles Police statement to the contrary.
Who is the victim? Where is the LAPD report? Where is any indication that Avenatti has been charged with anything?
From What’s Going on With Michael Avenatti’s Arrest?:
quote:
The LAPD tweeted on Wednesday, This is an ongoing investigation and we will provide more details as they become available.
So if LAPD is still investigating then they could not yet have charged Avenatti with anything, yet the previous report I cited said the LAPD had claimed he'd been charged, while there's nothing in the news quoting anyone in the LAPD nor an LAPD report saying this.
Between his law firm getting evicted and his prior law firm being dissolved while he forms another one and the Julie Swetnick accusations going nowhere and the divorce and the bankruptcies, there just seems too much going on. These seem enormous blinking red warning lights that Avenatti is not the guy for 2020, nor even the guy for some city council position. I need open and full disclosures as well as positive resolutions of all these things with no more incidents before I could even consider considering Avenatti as a possible presidential candidate. I keep open this possibility only because Avenatti seems the only Democrat capable of speaking Trump to Trump.
Regarding the recent LAPD arrest I remain perplexed and await more news. Either Aventti's in trouble for domestic abuse, or someone else is in trouble for filing a false report and (if the report is true that the LAPD had been shown visible injuries) fabricating evidence.
--Percy

Replies to this message:
 Message 273 by Tanypteryx, posted 11-18-2018 1:31 PM Percy has replied
 Message 287 by Hyroglyphx, posted 07-23-2019 2:03 AM Percy has seen this message but not replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 274 of 300 (843511)
11-18-2018 4:08 PM
Reply to: Message 273 by Tanypteryx
11-18-2018 1:31 PM


Re: A Little More Avenatti News (Very Little)
Tanypteryx writes:
I keep open this possibility only because Avenatti seems the only Democrat capable of speaking Trump to Trump.
In my mind speaking Trump to Trump would be lying continuously.
Then I'll go back to the phrase I was using before, but add something: Avenatti speaks truth to lies in a way that is effective against the Trump style.
I haven't paid much attention to Avenatti, mainly because he mimics Trump's promises of damaging revelations in the future instead of just telling it.
I've paid a lot of attention to Avenatti, and what I learned drew me to him. As I said last spring in Message 2080, when he first burst on the scene it was as the self-promoting and attention-grabbing Stormy Daniels lawyer, but I've now heard him speak in interviews quite a bit, and I don't think that's who he is.
Like Trump he spends most of his time prepping his audience for his sensational announcements.
In chronological order as I remember them:
  • Avenatti predicted that Trump knew about the Stormy Daniels payoffs, and he was right.
  • He claimed Michael Cohen, Trump's personal lawyer, was lying about how the Stormy Daniels agreement came about, and he was right.
  • He predicted that Michael Cohen would be indicted, and he was right.
  • He predicted that Michael Cohen would cooperate with Mueller, and he was right.
There are other Avenatti predictions that came true that I don't recall at the moment, but together they convinced me he was much more than just the shyster lawyer he initially appeared to be.
What were these sensational announcements you mentioned that never came to pass? You mean like the Swetnick evidence? I'm wondering about that, too, but the committee didn't call Swetnick to testify, and the FBI never interviewed her, so I don't know where the opportunity was to present evidence. Or you mean like the additional Stormy Daniels evidence? Avenatti's still fighting in court for the right to depose Trump, so I think it's still too early for that evidence. Is there something else?
I have little doubt the Avenatti is likely to be another victim of the right wing smear machine that has become completely merged with the Trump propaganda operation.
Avenatti didn't blame "the right wing smear machine." He actually blamed someone very specific, Jacob Wohl, the mind behind the failed scam to take down Robert Mueller from a month or two ago (he tried to recruit women to falsely testify they'd been sexually abused by Mueller).
I need open and full disclosures as well as positive resolutions of all these things with no more incidents before I could even consider considering Avenatti as a possible presidential candidate.
Avenatti doesn't strike me as a leader who inspires confidence that he is interested in actually trying to solve the major issues facing our country and our planet.
What do you base this on, given that you just above said, "I haven't paid much attention to Avenatti"? That question posed, it is true he has no experience in government. But if you listen to his speech to the Hillsborough County Democratic Picnic in Message 2438 of the The Trump Presidency thread you'll see that he has a good grasp of the major issues. There's also his speech at the Iowa Wing Ding in Message 2388.
I don't see any viable way that engaging Trump can be a winning strategy. Trump and his minions repeat the lies, chant the lies, and are completely delusional about the truth even when it is shown to them clearly.
Then you haven't listened to Avenatti engaging Trump liars enough. Look up some YouTube videos of Avenatti engaging Michael Cohen's lawyer David Schwartz. The one where Avenatti responds to Schwartz nonsense by repeatedly calling Cohen a thug (a charge later proven even if you don't agree with the term Avenatti chose) is especially precious (Schwartz might have been trying to justify the arbitration hearing that ruled against Daniels where neither Daniels nor Avenatti were invited nor even notified, but I might be misremembering).
Avenatti is the guy who can best Trump in verbal jousting, because he has the rare, indeed heretofore unheard of, ability to deep six Trump lies as he tells them, something you've never seen any reporter do, not even Jim Acosta who wants to do it but hasn't the ability. Maybe you've seen the two Lesley Stahl interviews of Trump, where she just let one Trump lie after another slip by as if unnoticed. But as I said in another post that included the text of an email I sent to Avenatti after his law firm and IRS problems were revealed, I have no interest in trading one combative, secretive liar for another.
The Trump propaganda operation's effectiveness could be dulled if the press quit showing Trump's lies over and over. He has suckered them into becoming his tool and he routinely uses them to "Franken-boat" his enemies. The propagandists at Fox have honed their character assassination tools since the Clinton years very effectively.
All the press has figured out how to do is give Trump more publicity. They'll never change their approach because reporting the news is their job. Because he's president everything Trump says is news, so that's what gets broadcast. And what the liberal pundits say isn't listened to by conservatives.
Trump has special gifts of communication that can only be countered by someone with the same special gifts. Avenatti has these special gifts, and those who understand the threat Trump poses to our country's future should welcome his voice on their side, but only if he can clean up immaculately, completely and unambiguously the recent messes he has created.
--Percy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 273 by Tanypteryx, posted 11-18-2018 1:31 PM Tanypteryx has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 275 by Tanypteryx, posted 11-18-2018 10:07 PM Percy has replied
 Message 276 by Minnemooseus, posted 11-18-2018 11:34 PM Percy has replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 277 of 300 (843552)
11-19-2018 10:33 AM
Reply to: Message 275 by Tanypteryx
11-18-2018 10:07 PM


Re: A Little More Avenatti News (Very Little)
Tanypteryx writes:
In chronological order as I remember them:
  • Avenatti predicted that Trump knew about the Stormy Daniels payoffs, and he was right.
  • He claimed Michael Cohen, Trump's personal lawyer, was lying about how the Stormy Daniels agreement came about, and he was right.
  • He predicted that Michael Cohen would be indicted, and he was right.
  • He predicted that Michael Cohen would cooperate with Mueller, and he was right.
Actually I think most of America suspected those things also, I know I did.
First, a very large segment of America believes most anything Trump says or anything remotely Trumpian, and another very large segment wasn't paying any attention, so no, "most of America" never suspected these things.
Second, Michael Cohen was saying these things months before anyone else was saying them.
What were these sensational announcements you mentioned that never came to pass?
Sorry, I guess I was not clear. I didn't say he didn't follow through,...
If you're now saying you didn't mean that Avenatii makes false implications for which he never provides evidence, just like Trump, then okay.
...I'm just sick of the sentimentalization. Just quit building it up and spit it out.
What sentimentalization? Avenatti's no sentimentalist. He's a pragmatist. Are we even talking about the same person?
What do you base this on, given that you just above said, "I haven't paid much attention to Avenatti"? That question posed, it is true he has no experience in government.
It seemed that for a period before he talked about running for the presidency every time I wanted to watch the news there he was talking about all the Stormy stuff but not about the issues beyond Trump's treatment of women.
You're criticizing Avenatti for talking about "Stormy stuff" before he ever began testing the presidential waters? Seriously?
I'm hoping there will be someone who doesn't just want to be the anti-Trump, but that really has some practical suggestions for addressing the issues that threaten our people and our land and all the other life that lives here also.
This doesn't reflect any knowledge of Avenatti's stated positions on the issues. In case you're interested, here are the videos from the posts I referenced. This one's from the Iowa Wing Ding:
This one's from the Hillsborough County Democratic Picnic:
[ Video removed because it takes 2GB of space. --Percy]
I don't mind if you don't watch them, but neither should you criticize Avenatti from a position of ignorance.
Avenatti didn't blame "the right wing smear machine." He actually blamed someone very specific, Jacob Wohl, the mind behind the failed scam to take down Robert Mueller from a month or two ago (he tried to recruit women to falsely testify they'd been sexually abused by Mueller).
I am not talking about who he blames, I'm talking about Hannity and the rest who have spent lots the past 25 years on character assassination of anyone on the left who dares to point out their treachery. If he tries to tell the truth about any of the Republicans or Trump, they will do the same thing they are continuously doing to the Clintons and Gore and Kerry, and every climate scientist, in fact any scientist.
My point is that Avenatti is better equipped to deal with this stuff than almost any Democrats or scientists.
I suspect that he has been set up with the charges considering that there doesn't seem to be any corroboration when it is really looked into.
I'm waiting for more info. Avenatti's waffling about releasing his tax returns and his problems with the IRS and his law firm really shook my trust. He'll have to earn it back.
I hope he will get it cleared up and I cheer any black eyes he can give Trump and the rest of his crime organization.
I'm not looking for Avenatti or anyone to give Trump and his cronies black eyes. I'm looking for someone who can speak truth to lies in a way that makes the truth clear to people, at which point they can make up their own minds.
The trouble with matching Trump's behavior is that it demeans us all and you know what they say about wrestling pigs.
Trump's behavior is lying and name-calling that is actually just more lying. Avenatti's behavior is speaking the truth, including any names he uses. Avenatti is needed not because he can out-Trump Trump but because he is kryptonite to Trump. Imagine if Avenatti had participated in the 2016 Republican presidential candidate debates - he would not have been eaten alive like the other candidates.
--Percy

Edited by Percy, : Remove video of Avenatti talk


This message is a reply to:
 Message 275 by Tanypteryx, posted 11-18-2018 10:07 PM Tanypteryx has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 279 by Tanypteryx, posted 11-19-2018 12:06 PM Percy has replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22392
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 278 of 300 (843557)
11-19-2018 11:07 AM
Reply to: Message 276 by Minnemooseus
11-18-2018 11:34 PM


Re: A Little More Avenatti News (Very Little)
Minnemooseus writes:
Trump has special gifts of communication that can only be countered by someone with the same special gifts. Avenatti has these special gifts, and those who understand the threat Trump poses to our country's future should welcome his voice on their side, but only if he can clean up immaculately, completely and unambiguously the recent messes he has created.
"... he has created"??? Might these be completely bogus charges created by someone else?
Concerning the arrest on suspicion of domestic abuse, it is possible they're bogus, it is also possible they're true. I await further information.
Concerning the problems with the IRS, his waffling about releasing his tax returns, the eviction of his law firm by his landlord, his problems splitting with his old law partner, his public criticism of a former employee who sued him and won, and his divorce, these are his messes.
I hope I am taking as firm a stand on Avenatti as I did on Franken, particularly as this is the Franken thread. Franken is a politician I deeply believed in. I wonder if a comeback is in cards for him - I hope so, but I haven't seen true contrition yet. Avenatti is a person I think could be very effective in some appropriate role in the 2020 election, either as a candidate (he'd make a great vice-presidential candidate) or perhaps in some role of responsibility in the Democratic National Election Committee, but he's created quite a mess and I can't support him in any role until he completely straightens it all out.
Trump has special gifts of communication that can only be countered by someone with the same special gifts.
Al Franken, the author of "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them"?
I haven't read the book, but I've heard Franken talk plenty. He's no Avenatti.
Al was run out of Congress based on some pretty flimsy allegations. The big damage was the Leanne Tweeden photo, of which Al was guilty of posing for a staged (I think probably with Tweeden's active participation) photograph of a bad joke - "Al Franken groping the ungropable". This was followed up by a number of women saying "Oh my God, he touched my butt while we were having a photo taken at the Minnesota state fair".
In the name of a political assassination, might well there not indeed be a number of women willing to lie or at least distort the truth to eliminate a good and powerful democrat Senate voice?
And with all the people with all the cameras at the state fair, wouldn't you think that someone might of captured a photo or video of Al doing something bad?
I believe the women. #MeToo (it wouldn't be too hard to make the software turn hashtags into links)
--Percy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 276 by Minnemooseus, posted 11-18-2018 11:34 PM Minnemooseus has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 281 by Minnemooseus, posted 11-19-2018 9:03 PM Percy has replied
 Message 296 by Minnemooseus, posted 06-29-2022 10:57 PM Percy has replied

  
Newer Topic | Older Topic
Jump to:


Copyright 2001-2023 by EvC Forum, All Rights Reserved

™ Version 4.2
Innovative software from Qwixotic © 2024