“Tolerance of sexual misconduct by powerful men in America has shifted with stunning swiftness, a change as healthy as it is long past due,” the editorial board of USA Today writes in an opinion piece published Wednesday night. “The dizzying reversal leaves Americans wondering who might be next to fall — and why this is happening now.
“After all, Donald Trump was elected president a little over a year ago despite being caught on tape boasting about groping women and being accused by 13 women of inappropriate touching.
“And former president Bill Clinton became an elder statesman of the Democratic Party despite multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, including Juanita Broaddrick’s charge that he raped her in 1978.
“A national reckoning on sexual harassment seemed a long way off.”
The piece notes that the terrain has shifted dramatically since allegations surfaced against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.
“Even so, human interactions can be messy and complicated, and a national reckoning mustn’t devolve into sexual McCarthyism,” the piece declares, providing a series of guideposts going forward — “The punishment must fit the crime,” “Allegations should be able to withstand thorough examination,” etc.
We encourage readers to click on the link above to USA Today to read the piece in its entirety.
Does Geraldo work for USA Today? “•The punishment should fit the crime. All sexual misconduct is unacceptable, but not all of it is equal.” So does this mean, as Geraldo states “A jerk’s a jerk in dating” “Sexual Harrassment should be confined to situations where superior imposes himself on subordinate” So date rape is ok? Who is to determine what is equal? A Congress full of males who pay off accusers on the side with taxpayers dollars and then claim there are no records? Abuse of a woman is abuse whether at work or on a date or on a bus. Full exposure for anyone is not unfair punishment. Those with public positions – politicians, celebrities, sports stars, journalists, etc. should lose their jobs. Most important, these men have to be exposed so other women know what they are getting into when they meet these men. How many women were abused by Weinstein, Lauer and the others when they didn’t know, because of failure to expose these men. But most of all, men need to know that unwanted sexual advances are not acceptable at any time. That will only happen when exposure is the norm.
From your reply, I’d say USA Today’s concerns are too late.
As my Mother taught me many years ago, “Son, practice the Golden Rule, and always be a gentleman.”
Nowadays holding the door for a woman might get the infrequent but possible feminist stare, but being a gentleman should never “go out of style.”
I’m 69 year old white male. I don’t know what to do or say anymore, I am so confused!
I’m a Marine Corps combat vet, for 30 years I worked on nuclear submarines, and I was a member of the Boston local 745 Ironworkers. Now, you want to talk about a group of Pirates! If anyone had taped any of our conversations these days, we’d all be in jail!
Apparently, all men over 30 will be fired on Monday.