# Now, Al Franken **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 16, 2017, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770 "2017-11-16T15:42:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/21 "2017-11-16T16:39:57Z")
[Statement from Franken to Business Insider](http://www.businessinsider.com/leeann-tweeden-al-franken-sexual-assault-2017-11) > [@](#): > > In a statement sent to Business Insider, Franken apologized to Tweeden. > > “I certainly don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit in the same way, but I send my sincerest apologies to Leeann. As to the photo, it was clearly intended to be funny but wasn’t. I shouldn’t have done it,” he said. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/22 "2017-11-16T16:45:39Z")
> [@Senator Franken](#): > > [Thx to courageous ppl who’ve shared #MeToo stories, incl. @SenatorHeitkamp, @maziehirono, @clairecmc, & @SenWarren > > Sexual harassment and violence are unacceptable. We all must do our part to listen, stand with, and support survivors.]([x.com](https://twitter.com/SenFranken/status/922574516852871168)) Well, this is awkward, isn’t it Al? ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/23 "2017-11-16T16:46:31Z")
[off topic] When I (in Thailand) click the kabc link, or even attempt to go to kabc home page, I see > [@](#): > > [www.kabc.com](http://www.kabc.com) - Access Denied > Error code 16 > This request was blocked by the security rules > … > Your IP: … Seems odd. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/24 "2017-11-16T16:47:33Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I can’t tell from that photo whether or not Franken is actually touching her (and she was asleep at the time, so she wouldn’t know). > [@Folacin](#): > > To me, it looks like his left hand is still coming in for a landing, but the right appears to have made contact. > [@filmore](#): > > For what it’s worth, I don’t think he actually groped her while she was sleeping. That’s her flack vest she’s wearing, and it doesn’t seem like his fingers are actually touching it. It looks like he was pretending to grope her and have the photographer take a photo because he thought it would be funny. But that doesn’t excuse it at all. Of course, it is also demeaning and sexually objectifying her. > [@edwards\_beard](#): > > Are you saying the pic isn’t real? Perhaps whoever took the photo will speak up about the events. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/25 "2017-11-16T16:47:35Z")
What the hell, man? I’m starting to worry that when this is all over, the Capitol will be empty except for one guy with a floor polisher, and the only person left in Hollywood will be like, Kirk Cameron or some shit. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/26 "2017-11-16T16:49:41Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > What the hell, man? I’m starting to worry that when this is all over, the Capitol will be empty except for one guy with a floor polisher, and the only person left in Hollywood will be like, Kirk Cameron or some shit. From where I’m at, that sounds like a delightful vision for the future. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/27 "2017-11-16T16:49:52Z")
While I’ve been thinking Franken would be a solid choice for 2020, I’m not surprised he’s not a boy scout. I’m sure this isn’t the only time he’s done something lewd over the past 40-odd years. Or done coke. Or done any number of questionable things. Better it comes out now instead of after he wins the nomination. Although, even that wasn’t a campaign-ender for Trump. But this may end up rightfully costing him his political career. Not saying what he did was right, groping and shoving one’s tongue into another person’s mouth is wrong no matter who does it, but interesting this is coming from a Hannity regular at this exact moment. Also interesting how our board’s known conservatives have suddenly taken such a strong interest in sexual harassment, but only in this thread. Strange, that. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/28 "2017-11-16T16:50:36Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > What the hell, man? I’m starting to worry that when this is all over, the Capitol will be empty except for one guy with a floor polisher, … You say the first part like that would be a bad outcome. I would not be upset if we had a complete reset on Congress & the Senate (and President for that matter). Beside, the odds are fairly good most of the few Women Congressman & Senators would be there with the one guy with a floor polisher. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/29 "2017-11-16T16:52:18Z")
He wasn’t a senator when it happened, just saying. Can the Senate kick him to the curb? This crap has got to stop. Will men ever learn? It is possibly gonna take years to clean this mess up. I hope they are running scared on capital hill. I would like to call out all women who have been sexually assaulted by these creeps to stand up and scream it out! I have NO more tolerance for this left in me. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/30 "2017-11-16T16:53:28Z")
Going after Bill again, too. [https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/‘what-about-bill’-sexual-misconduct-debate-revives-questions-about-clinton/ar-BBF1tmr?ocid=spartanntp](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/%e2%80%98what-about-bill%e2%80%99-sexual-misconduct-debate-revives-questions-about-clinton/ar-BBF1tmr?ocid=spartanntp) Why is this thread in Elections? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/31 "2017-11-16T16:58:18Z")
The women on capital hill should start filing harassment lawsuits. ---
**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:** [November 16, 2017, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/32 "2017-11-16T17:00:06Z")
Until 15 minutes ago, pretty much my favorite Senator. What a pathetic apology. Fuck him. Sure, there’s a non-zero chance this is all manufactured, but there’s also a non-zero chance Franken is a lizard person. Fuck all harassers and assaulters; every last one of them. If he’s a tenth of the person I thought he was 15 minutes ago, he’ll give a much better apology and then resign. Fuck 'em all. Let the hammer fall where it may. Hopefully liberal and progressive office-holders won’t let me down, and will refrain from defending Franken or justifying his behavior or attacking his accuser. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/33 "2017-11-16T17:04:36Z")
I take it the Alabama Senate hopeful is probably dancing for joy right about now? ---
**Author:** ![Pantastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3bc359/32.png) [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/34 "2017-11-16T17:05:02Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > I’m sure this isn’t the only time he’s done something lewd over the past 40-odd years. Don’t downplay it. He didn’t just do ‘something lewd’ like tell a dirty joke or engage in naught consensual activities, he forced his tongue into an unwilling person’s mouth, harassed her for resisting him, and then used her body to take a sexual picture while she was sleeping with clear malicious intent. > [@](#): > > Not saying what he did was right, groping and shoving one’s tongue into another person’s mouth is wrong no matter who does it, but interesting this is coming from a Hannity regular at this exact moment. This is exactly like saying “I’m not racist, but…”. And when you shove the ‘not saying’ butt or the ‘not racist’ butt into your statement, it nullifies the ‘not’. And it’s REALLY not that “interesting” that sexual assault victims are coming forward in the wake of the recent revelations and the current environment of actually caring about sexual assaults. > [@](#): > > Also interesting how our board’s known conservatives have suddenly taken such a strong interest in sexual harassment, but only in this thread. Strange, that. If you’re going that route, it’s also interesting how this board’s known liberals have suddenly taken such a strong interest in victim blaming and dismissing allegations, but only in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Falchion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Falchion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falchion)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/35 "2017-11-16T17:06:05Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Is that a reputable source? It looks like an ABC radio station out of LA, but I know nothing of its reputation. The source is a statement by the accuser posted on the website of the radio station for which she is a news anchor. ---
**Author:** ![Pantastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3bc359/32.png) [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/36 "2017-11-16T17:07:23Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > What the hell, man? I’m starting to worry that when this is all over, the Capitol will be empty except for one guy with a floor polisher, and the only person left in Hollywood will be like, Kirk Cameron or some shit. I really don’t understand the use of the word ‘worry’ here. Not that it’s going to happen, but clearing out Washington would be such a beautiful thing to witness. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/37 "2017-11-16T17:07:48Z")
FWIW, I don’t think Franken needs to resign over this. Though it could get interesting if other people then step forward, as has been the pattern. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/38 "2017-11-16T17:08:02Z")
> [@Pantastic](#): > > Don’t downplay it. He didn’t just do ‘something lewd’ like tell a dirty joke or engage in naught consensual activities, he forced his tongue into an unwilling person’s mouth, harassed her for resisting him, and then used her body to take a sexual picture while she was sleeping **with clear malicious intent**. What was the malicious intent? > [@Pantastic](#): > > If you’re going that route, it’s also interesting how this board’s known liberals have suddenly taken such a strong interest in victim blaming and dismissing allegations, but only in this thread. Who has done that in this thread? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/39 "2017-11-16T17:13:47Z")
First, all cards on that table, I once sexually harassed a young woman until she married me 39 years ago. I don’t know where this incident falls on the scale, I don’t give Al any special consideration because I like his politics and enjoy his humor, but I’ll need more information than an obviously posed and comic picture and an accusation from a political opponent. He apologized for his behavior, time will tell if that was sufficient. An isolated accusation, and one with less than clear implications always has to be viewed without bias, but if other women make similar reports about Franken we’ll have to put him under the microscope. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770/40 "2017-11-16T17:15:27Z")
> [@Pantastic](#): > > Don’t downplay it. He didn’t just do ‘something lewd’ like tell a dirty joke or engage in naught consensual activities, he forced his tongue into an unwilling person’s mouth, harassed her for resisting him, and then used her body to take a sexual picture while she was sleeping with clear malicious intent. > > This is exactly like saying “I’m not racist, but…”. And when you shove the ‘not saying’ butt or the ‘not racist’ butt into your statement, it nullifies the ‘not’. And it’s REALLY not that “interesting” that sexual assault victims are coming forward in the wake of the recent revelations and the current environment of actually caring about sexual assaults. > > If you’re going that route, it’s also interesting how this board’s known liberals have suddenly taken such a strong interest in victim blaming and dismissing allegations, but only in this thread. Seriously, who’s victim blaming in this thread? Who’s dismissing allegations? I’m not victim blaming nor dismissing, but nice try; I’m saying this could end his career and rightfully so. I’m not downplaying it, I’m saying there’s a good chance he is guilty as charged, and probably done other shit and possibly worse. And I say this as someone who really, really wanted Al Franken to run for president. Not anymore. But there’s almost a glee from conservatives in pointing out a Democratic Senator’s harassing behavior which doesn’t exist in other threads on Roy Moore. Or Bill O’Reilly. Or that old guy who ran Fox News. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770.md?page=3)