Wikipedia - Donald Trump sexual misconduct allegations
The reality is that only one of the two major parties has taken responsibility for sexual assault and racism within its ranks. The political cynic in me is wondering whether that is now being weaponized in Virginia. The top three Dems being accused in rapid succession, opening the path for the first Republican in the line of succession for governor? Way too much of a coincidence, IMO.
Don't take this as me excusing such behavior -- I absolutely do not. But let's just be honest and admit that if both parties held themselves to the same standard, Donald Trump wouldn't be president, Steve King would be unemployed, and Brett Kavanaugh wouldn't be sitting on the highest court. To simultaneously support a president who has been accused of sexual assault by 19 women while shouting down another politician with 2 allegations is some Olympic-level doublethink.
Ya think?
Seriously, I've given consideration to the exact same thought: It's awfully convenient that the three people ahead of a R are under fire right now - regardless of the merit of the charges (not to diminish the importance of same).
This is the problem I have with some of the movements (metoo, anti-racism, and so on): There is a (sometimes reasonable) outrage that leads to demanding the destruction of careers over past mistakes and wrongs and at times with little to no evidence the accusations are true. Some are saying we should just believe the accuser without reservation/validate their story. Well, let's first consider the very definition of "validate" and that absent truth there is no worth to the story and that because of multiple reasons for people to lie, man or woman, credence cannot simply be given without consideration.
What Republicans are doing is taking the very weaknesses in the social justice movements they criticize (again, sometimes rightly so) and weaponizing those very things against their opposition even as they insulate themselves against it. It is shrewd, ruthless, and brilliant from a political perspective; but it is also rude, insensitive, and has potential to backfire.
But let's not pretend Democrats haven't done the same thing; faking concern (in some cases) while maximizing the political impact to R's whenever possible (not to say that is true of everyone, but I'm quite cynical for good reason).
Meanwhile, when we could use opportunities to learn and grow and bridge divides we tend to drive that wedge further in and learn little to nothing other than "hide your past and your real thoughts" if you want to achieve/maintain success.
Even my (I feel) rational discussion above would be reason for some to want bad things to happen to me. There has to be a better way.