# Former staffer accuses Joe Biden of sexual assault **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 27, 2020, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393 "2020-03-27T03:13:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/281 "2020-04-01T16:09:32Z")
> [@Kearsen1](#): > > What iiiandyiii has posted here in this very thread is that he doesn’t give on whit about the accuser, as long as the accused is believed and the accuser investigated. The first two parts of this are inaccurate regarding my posts and beliefs. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/282 "2020-04-01T16:11:23Z")
> [@Kearsen1](#): > > My comments were what I believe to perfectly fine and good things that have come from the #MeToo movement along with the bad thing(s) that have come from it as well. Which is why I agreed with your earlier post that offered some nuance to the statements. > > It got the ball rolling, in the right direction IMO. What iiiandyiii has posted here in this very thread is that he doesn’t give on whit about the accuser, as long as the accused is believed and the accuser investigated. > > As to whether or not anonymity this favors the accused, I would certainly hope not. I don’t see how that would even be possible. They were just accused of being a sexual predator, what favor have they been done? > > What it definitely DOES DO is keep the public from coming to a conclusion one way or the other, until it has been decided by whatever investigation is at hand. > > What it would also do is keep politically squabbles out of sight, in some (most?) cases. You’ve confused me a bit by either transposing the terms “accused” and “accuser” or what I understand iiandyiiii is trying to say. But I think I was also too brief in my response. I’m evaluating the merit of anonymity for BOTH the accuser and accused while investigations are ongoing. Leaving the logistics or even possibility of achieving this out for the moment. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/283 "2020-04-01T16:15:30Z")
> [@Kearsen1](#): > > Not interested in opinion about being a sexual predator. Either they are, and they are jailed, not confirmed/fired/humiliated etc or they aren’t because you can’t prove it. “Opinions” are how SCOTUS confirmation works. The opinions of Senators on whether he should be confirmed. > [@](#): > > Letting it sit in the public, even if found not guilty, has repercussions (in the real world) If so, and if he didn’t do it, then Kavanaugh should have pushed an extremely thorough and rigorous investigation in order to clear his name. He didn’t do this. > [@](#): > > Maybe less repercussions for the wealthy that can afford the best and brightest defense. Maybe no repercussions, barring absolutely overwhelming evidence of guilt and no significant political power (i.e. Cosby and Weinstein). ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/284 "2020-04-01T16:16:30Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > The first two parts of this are inaccurate regarding my posts and beliefs. Looking back, it looks like **kearsen1** got his words confused, and the entirety of his statement about me was inaccurate. ---
**Author:** ![Kearsen1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Kearsen1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kearsen1)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/285 "2020-04-01T16:20:36Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > The first two parts of this are inaccurate regarding my posts and beliefs. You are correct, I did transpose the terms accuser/accused. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/286 "2020-04-01T16:23:34Z")
> [@Kearsen1](#): > > You are correct, I did transpose the terms accuser/accused. Okay, then just the part about believing the accuser was incorrect. I’ve made no statements about whether any particular belief is appropriate or not. In fact, I don’t give a whit about beliefs - only actions. ---
**Author:** ![Kearsen1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Kearsen1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kearsen1)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/287 "2020-04-01T16:26:58Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > “Opinions” are how SCOTUS confirmation works. The opinions of Senators on whether he should be confirmed. > > If so, and if he didn’t do it, then Kavanaugh should have pushed an extremely thorough and rigorous investigation in order to clear his name. He didn’t do this. > > Maybe no repercussions, barring absolutely overwhelming evidence of guilt and no significant political power (i.e. Cosby and Weinstein). But he WAS confirmed, yet there still lingers doubt in your mind. So much so, that you will post that you BELIEVE him to be a sexual predator. If this happened here, when he is now out of the public eye, what do you think it would do to people who either: 1. Don’t leave the public eye or 2. The audience shrinks (think small town living) where everyone knows or has an opinion based upon slanderous accusations that were not proven. I honestly don’t think you think about anything other than the accuser in these scenarios and from your posting history on the subject, don’t care to. I have already met you halfway. I believe. I want an investigation. Where I get off that train is when the investigation doesn’t come up with enough to prove the merits of the case. Now, let me know that you also care about the accused and how it affects them here in the real world. Also, why is the onus of “clearing your name” on the accused? That is NOT how the justice system we have in the USA works. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/288 "2020-04-01T16:32:11Z")
> [@Kearsen1](#): > > But he WAS confirmed, yet there still lingers doubt in your mind. So much so, that you will post that you BELIEVE him to be a sexual predator. If this happened here, when he is now out of the public eye, what do you think it would do to people who either: > > 1. Don’t leave the public eye or > 2. The audience shrinks (think small town living) where everyone knows or has an opinion based upon slanderous accusations that were not proven. He’s not out of the “public eye” – not even close! Not until he’s no longer on the SCOTUS (or even a lower but still significant federal court). > [@](#): > > I honestly don’t think you think about anything other than the accuser in these scenarios and from your posting history on the subject, don’t care to. In general, this is correct. As it should be, in our present society, since the accused, especially wealthy and influential accused, are inevitably treated with kid gloves and face few if any consequences. If we had a fair society that approached these issues correctly, then I’d certainly expend the same concern over accused as for accusers, since society would be treating them both appropriately, in general. > [@](#): > > I have already met you halfway. > I believe. I want an investigation. Where I get off that train is when the investigation doesn’t come up with enough to prove the merits of the case. There was no serious and thorough investigation for Kavanaugh. It doesn’t appear there’s been one yet for the allegation of the thread title. > [@](#): > > Now, let me know that you also care about the accused and how it affects them here in the real world. If there’s evidence an accused person is being treated unjustly, I’d definitely care about that specific person and hope for them to be treated justly – but that’s extremely rare… unlike how accusers are generally treated, which is almost always very unjustly. > [@](#): > > Also, why is the onus of “clearing your name” on the accused? That is NOT how the justice system we have in the USA works. I’m not talking about the justice system. I’m talking about society and culture in general. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/289 "2020-04-01T16:56:45Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I’m not talking about the justice system. I’m talking about society and culture in general. Society, culture and the justice system are intrinsically linked. I don’t think you can be so flippant in dismissing the influence of one on the other. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/290 "2020-04-01T17:10:46Z")
I wonder if Bernie can get Trump elected twice. If so, those will be his two greatest political achievements. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/291 "2020-04-01T17:16:49Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > If so, and if he didn’t do it, then Kavanaugh should have pushed an extremely thorough and rigorous investigation in order to clear his name. He didn’t do this. Kavanaugh was asked to push for an FBI investigation. Has Biden called for an FBI investigation? Has Biden testified about the allegations under oath? AFAIK Biden has not - he has simply denied them. If he is really innocent, shouldn’t he be pushing for a rigorous investigation so as to clear his name? It seems inconsistent to say that “there were allegations about Kavanaugh, they investigated and found that none of the people Ford said were present back up the story, her best friend, who Ford claimed was there, said she was never at a party with Kavanaugh and didn’t know him, but Kavanaugh did not push for an FBI investigation so he is probably a sexual predator and shouldn’t have been confirmed” and also “there are allegations about Biden, he isn’t pushing for an FBI investigation, so he should be elected President”. I would have thought “if the accused doesn’t push for more investigation, he probably did it” would cut both ways. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/292 "2020-04-01T17:23:41Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Kavanaugh was asked to push for an FBI investigation. Has Biden called for an FBI investigation? > > Has Biden testified about the allegations under oath? AFAIK Biden has not - he has simply denied them. If he is really innocent, shouldn’t he be pushing for a rigorous investigation so as to clear his name? > > It seems inconsistent to say that “there were allegations about Kavanaugh, they investigated and found that none of the people Ford said were present back up the story, her best friend, who Ford claimed was there, said she was never at a party with Kavanaugh and didn’t know him, but Kavanaugh did not push for an FBI investigation so he is probably a sexual predator and shouldn’t have been confirmed” and also “there are allegations about Biden, he isn’t pushing for an FBI investigation, so he should be elected President”. > > I would have thought “if the accused doesn’t push for more investigation, he probably did it” would cut both ways. > > Regards, > Shodan What does this have to do with anything I’ve posted? If you’re suggesting that Biden should push for an investigation (I doubt the FBI would be involved, as it appropriately was for a SCOTUS nominee, but investigations by media and the party itself should definitely be occurring), then I agree! He should. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/293 "2020-04-01T17:25:10Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Society, culture and the justice system are intrinsically linked. I don’t think you can be so flippant in dismissing the influence of one on the other. The justice system hasn’t been involved in the cases we’ve been discussing. Just society and culture. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/294 "2020-04-01T17:25:49Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > I wonder if Bernie can get Trump elected twice. If so, those will be his two greatest political achievements. Let’s not pretend like if it were not for Bernie, all those super progressives would have rushed out to vote for HRC. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/295 "2020-04-01T17:31:12Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > I wonder if Bernie can get Trump elected twice. If so, those will be his two greatest political achievements. Nader did it for Bush. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/296 "2020-04-01T17:34:31Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > The justice system hasn’t been involved in the cases we’ve been discussing. Just society and culture. Society and culture looks to the justice system for guidance for what is just. That is why we so often hear people talk about the presumption of innocence being an important aspect of civil society. We don’t just leave it to society and culture to decide. Which is not to say that society and culture has a very good track record of treating women who have been sexually assaulted. I’m just considering the case where the justice system provides guidance that says that all accusers and accused shall remain anonymous until the conclusion of an investigation, then both parties are served and protected from unwarranted or premature public speculation and threats. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/297 "2020-04-01T17:50:31Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Society and culture looks to the justice system for guidance for what is just. That is why we so often hear people talk about the presumption of innocence being an important aspect of civil society. We don’t just leave it to society and culture to decide. Meant to add: …on a case by case basis or what’s trending on twitter. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/298 "2020-04-01T17:55:11Z")
All this generic #metoo stuff is great. This story isn’t even getting traction here even though it’s the subject of the thread. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/299 "2020-04-01T17:58:43Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > All this generic #metoo stuff is great. This story isn’t even getting traction here even though it’s the subject of the thread. I think everyone is waiting to see if there is anything more to this story that is not entirely speculative. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2020, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393/300 "2020-04-01T18:15:54Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Society and culture looks to the justice system for guidance for what is just. That is why we so often hear people talk about the presumption of innocence being an important aspect of civil society. We don’t just leave it to society and culture to decide. > > Which is not to say that society and culture has a very good track record of treating women who have been sexually assaulted. > > I’m just considering the case where the justice system provides guidance that says that all accusers and accused shall remain anonymous until the conclusion of an investigation, then both parties are served and protected from unwarranted or premature public speculation and threats. I think that’s a reasonable thing to discuss. I’m not sure how I feel about it off the top of my head. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-staffer-accuses-joe-biden-of-sexual-assault/850393.md?page=16)