BREAKING: Virginia LG Justin Fairfax sexual assault accuser named

[brooklynite]

Link to tweet

Academic History
MA and PhD in Political Science, University of Chicago
BA in Politics, Princeton University
Certificate in African American Studies, Princeton University

Biography
Tyson’s first book manuscript Twists of Fate: Multiracial Coalitions and Minority Representation in the U.S. House (under contract with Oxford University Press) explores structural inequality in the United States and how members of Congress have formed multiracial coalitions as a strategy to provide for their diverse constituencies. Having worked on political campaigns since she was 12 years old, she carefully considers how political dynamics affect policy formulation and consequent outcomes. Tyson also spent years working as an advocate for sexual violence awareness and prevention.

[Jarqui]

1. She was named in the original report on the right wing website ...

She has strong academic credentials
She has supported other Democrats for election

[Demsrule86]

2. There is no way to prove this...and we will never really know what happened...I am not willing to

throw Fairfax under the bus because of a rightie conspiracy.

[Jarqui]

16. Neither am I

I am wary of the GOP propping up allegations like what happened with Franken

Can't go along with that

[Demsrule86]

47. They can't win elections so their only hope is attack and attack some more.

[Demsrule86]

204. That is exactly what is going on here.

And look at Warren where a 1986 document turns up...we better gird for some serious ratfucking and be prepared to fight and not allow these possibly Russian or dirty GOP operatives to get us to destroy our own.

[at140]

101. should all sexual assault victims be taken seriously?

It usually comes down to she said he said. Always a complex situation.
Kavanaugh is allowed to sit on SCOTUS. Why not allow Fairfax the same favor?

[marble falls]

119. Yes. Victims of a crime should always be taken seriously. Wouldn't you at least like hear ...

hear what she's got to say before we shrug our our shoulders?

[at140]

123. Personally I take every sexual assault accusation seriously..

As a father of 2 daughters. But my opinion is not important.

What is important is to apply equal justice in all assault cases.
If the victim gains nothing by coming forward, then it has to be taken seriously.

[uponit7771]

121. Of course, so should the person who they're accusing. #metoo doesn't equal quilt by accusation.

[Demsrule86]

203. I don't think that you can ruin a person in a he said she said moment...others came forward.

In the Fairfax situation, I do not find her story credible and it can't be proven. Aspects of the Me to movement have troubled me lately anyway, and I am a woman. I do not believe some of the accusations are true. And if it is he said she said then...nothing can be done. Don't vote for the person again in this instance. But clearly the Democrats are being ratfucked in Virginia...if the GOP managed to rid themselves of all three Democrats a GOP would become governor and appoint all the other offices.

[Empowerer]

6. And so does he

[Jarqui]

27. For sure. Two credible people.

One word vs the other with little evidence to support either claim.

[democratisphere]

3. Credible like Dr. Ford.

Standing by for the uproar.

[irresistable]

9. The story is the same. The victim comes out because of the potential job promotion.

[rzemanfl]

14. So it's okay for Lt. Governnor? n/t

[Jarqui]

18. I haven't seen anyone here take that position

But you have to have more than an allegation. Christine Blasey Ford did.

[irresistable]

23. She went to the Washington Post when he ran for Lt. Governor.

[dsc]

26. actually no

Dr. Ford had told people (her husband, her therapist) years before Kavenaugh was up for any jobs. This woman told no one before Fairfax was elected Lt. Gov (she went to the Post between his election and his inaguration).

[irresistable]

31. How do you know that Dr. Tyson has never told anyone?

[octoberlib]

49. Tyson told the Post she'd never told anyone.

It was one of the reasons the Post declined to print her story. No corroborating witnesses(no surprise, they were in a hotel room), She hadn't told anybody after it happened and they investigated FairFax's school years and political circles and could find no previous sexual misconduct allegations against him

[irresistable]

55. She seems to be dedicating her life to helping abuse victims and researching sexual abuse.

Maybe that tells us something.

[octoberlib]

62. Oh, I'm not doubting her word.

[uponit7771]

132. It does; the accusation is credible but that doesn't mean Fairfax is guilty. An investigation should

... ensue minimum by the DNC as with a uninterested party.

[irresistable]

197. I don't believe that an investigation can help in this case.

I believe her, but if she never told anyone about it, nothing more can be done.

[uponit7771]

131. +1, the post sounds like they did their due diligence in this case. I remember the past is what sunk

... Mike Tyson in his case that he had multiple women come forward and say he was aggressive towards them sexually.

[dsc]

66. because the Washington post investigated the story

and said they found no one she had told. Given that she want to them, one presumes the Post would have found someone if someone existed.

[at140]

105. So if the victim stays silent for a period of time, forget the assault charge?

May be some sexual assault victims are scared, confused, ashamed after an assault.
Maybe they keep wondering if it was their fault. May be when they get older and
more mature, they decide to come forward.

What would be the motive for this woman to come out now?
What will she gain? I just don't know.

[theboss]

169. Can we all be honest? We forget it if she accused a Democrat

We are suddenly highly concerned with evidence, collaboration, etc.

[at140]

102. Exactly same story...

Wonder what Kavanaugh is thinking right now.

[OnDoutside]

107. Probably having a beer ?

[at140]

109. Probably more than one beer...a 6-pack?

[OnDoutside]

112. A long time since he had a six pack !

[uponit7771]

114. This is false, Ford told people before BK was selected

[hlthe2b]

4. Well, this is certainly a depressing development... n/t

[DemocratSinceBirth]

99. My sentiments exactly.

Not ready to draw any conclusions either.

[cwydro]

134. No shit.

I’m watching this from out of the country and really just thinking what in the hell?

[Empowerer]

5. This isn't "breaking news." Her name's been out there since the story surfaced over the weekend.

[redstatebluegirl]

7. Wow, she looks really credible to me.

I don't want anyone wrongly accused, but....

[Empowerer]

12. He's also credible

And entitled to the benefit of the doubt at this point. If more information comes out supporting her claim, that's one thing. But if we don't get more than the allegation, and there's no evidence of any comparable behavior on his part at any time in his life, that's not sufficient to destroy his career and label him a criminal.

[redstatebluegirl]

17. No but as a woman who was sexually assaulted in college and did not report it.

I do understand why it took so long. I am concerned about her timing.

[irresistable]

39. Her timing was exactly the same as Dr. Ford's.

[uponit7771]

133. +1, I'm starting to think the rat**cking part is #metoo is guilt be accusation.

[Yosemito]

8. She needs to show proof

Of some sort.
We can't just be like, "Yup, her parents gave her a name at birth. Fairfax busted".

[BlueStater]

78. Like what proof?

Christine Ford couldn't prove that Brett Kavanaugh tried to rape her either, but I believe he did.

In the vast majority of sexual assault cases, there is no physical evidence. It's just she said vs. he said.

[lame54]

130. His lying corroborated it...

She was very credible
He wasn't
No longer a he said she said

[BlueStater]

135. I agree, but I was referring to physical evidence.

At least I believe that's the sort of "proof" the person I was responding to meant.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

156. We may have gotten much closer to truth if repukes

Hadn't limited the FBI. I remember that day and someone it worked at the FBI who said they will rise to the occasion. They will put her in a car and drive around the neighborhoods hoping to spur recollection. "They only have a week but trust me they can do it" look how that turned out.

On a related note I don't have a link but just read a long article published by a psychiatrist with no political agenda. It was quite interesting and he concluded that it was likely she was not telling the truth. Either consciously or subconsciously.

[at140]

113. Didn't you believe Dr Ford?

No one takes a video during a sexual assault. And no one takes notes.
And the victim must be so petrified as to not think about grabbing any dna present,
or keep her soiled dress safely locked up to bring up as evidence later.

[uponit7771]

115. Only after BK refused FBI investigation, Person A being credible doesn't mean person B is guilty

[at140]

120. There must be one standard for all sexual assault cases

Like I said, victims of sexual assault will not think about grabbing any physical evidence during the ordeal. How many would grab the used condom and place it in a plastic pouch? How many would keep the soiled dress for long period without cleaning it? They are probably petrified and want to get away ASAP.

So it is always going to be she said he said. Either we believe all victims or believe none.
The only consideration should be the motive. Does the victim gain something by coming forward?

In this particular case what was she going to gain by accusing him?

[uponit7771]

122. Agreed and the standard HAS NEVER BEEN guilt by accusation ... PERIOD. That's not sound thinking...

... and things should be investigated at minimum which did ... NOT ... happen before #metoo

In this particular case what was she going to gain by accusing him?

Same as Ford; nothing
Same as Ford; investigate which BK didn't want

Guilt by accusation is not sound thinking

[BlueStater]

136. She wants an investigation?

If so, this really appears bad because people who are lying don't usually want to take it to this length.

As far as Fairfax himself is concerned, I can't speak on behalf of his credibility because I know absolutely nothing about him. I never even heard of him until three days ago.

[uponit7771]

137. No, the DNC should do an investigation whether she wants it or not. Same thing they did with

... Ellison.

That an accuser wants an investigation doesn't mean the accused is guilty.

There should be an investigation

[moriah]

205. Unfortunately in most rape cases there is little absolute proof.

Rarely are there ever cooperating witnesses, except to discussions after the fact or the fact the two were alone together.

While DNA evidence found on a murder victim, or a victim of an extremely violent stranger rape, could provide proof... without the proof they were not friends/acquaintances and either physical evidence of a violent confrontation or a drug test showing they were roofied... DNA in a "rape kit" can be called the results from consensual sex.

So there are many victims of rape who simply don't have "good cases" to present to cops. And may, knowing the difficulty of prosecution, delay or never report.

At the same time, because there are rarely witnesses to consensual sexual encounters either... it's very hard to disprove an allegation.

If I were Fairfax, I'd be looking at whether there were any emails archived between them after the Convention that weren't work-related. She claims she cut off all contact, he says they remained in contact. Unfortunately, my earliest account on Gmail is from around the 2004 election, not the DNC convention, and while I'd archived all my sent mail and didn't delete emails on the Yahoo account I had then... it wasn't a default setting because of space concerns then.

[Vinca]

10. Have they elaborated on the claim of sexual assault?

If this is "sexual assault" the way it was depicted for Al Franken, it's definitely questionable.

[brooklynite]

21. Both acknowledge sexual interaction.

She claims Fairfax sexually assaulted her after the two met during the 2004 National Democratic Convention. The lieutenant governor says the encounter was consensual.

[Vinca]

30. So unless there was a fly on the wall who can give testimony, there is no proof of either claim.

That shouldn't destroy Fairfax's career.

[brooklynite]

36. Is the new standard "there must be a witness" in sexual assault cases?

Or does this only apply if the accused is a Democrat?

[EffieBlack]

64. Are you saying that it should be sufficient for a woman to say "he raped me" for a many to be deemed

a rapist?

[Jarqui]

83. The old standard is something like innocent until proven otherwise

We cannot convict people just because someone points a finger at them - or we'd darn near all be convicted of something.

We have to have some due process.

They both maintain they were making out in his hotel room consensually. She maintains the blowjob he got was not consensual. He says sex between them was. He said - she said. According to what I've read, she told no one for more than a decade and has provided no other evidence. Washington Post found no other evidence or past claims one way or the other.

The Washington Post couldn't come up with enough evidence to run a story.
If that is all the evidence there is, then this woman is not going to get a result she will be satisfied with.
Unfortunately, if nothing changes, that is her tough luck and the end of it.
Because the converse, to destroy the Lt Gov solely because a woman makes an allegation ... that is not right.

As I've mentioned before, my father rented a room from a prison warden. That warden maintained 30% or so of the men in his prison for sex crimes were innocent.

You have to go through a careful process. Unfortunately for this woman if she is the one telling the truth, there is not enough evidence to take action.

[brooklynite]

84. Nobody is convicting him...

Has anyone called for him to step down?

Where we stand is that a credible accusation has been made, and needs to be investigated.


FWIW - the only reason Northam was "convicted" was because 1) he admitted to the picture on Friday, and 2) he admitted to another instance on Saturday.

[Jarqui]

85. Who is bringing it forward?

The right wing website?

Recently, she has allowed her name to be published.

Where is the criminal complaint?
Where is the civil complaint?

Contrary to Northam, Fairfax has not admitted any wrongdoing.
And he has formally responded with his statement.

She has yet to formally make any statement or assertion.
And according to the Washington post, she has not provided a shred of corroborating evidence.

So right now, we're in an open and shut no case situation.

The onus is on her to provide something she could not provide the Washington Post.

What is there to investigate? He said one thing. She said another. No witnesses. No evidence.

Her only hope is for a small parade of women step forward with similar claims.

Otherwise, this claim is not going anywhere.

[theboss]

86. Everything you are saying is a verbatim transcript of the Kavanaugh defenders

There was no criminal complaint.
There was no civil complaint.
There were no witnesses. (I'm not sure how there could be).
There was no real evidence aside from some third party statements over the years.

[Jarqui]

90. I disagree. There are differences

There were third party witnesses to Cristine Blasey Ford - many years ago. This woman has none.
There were other women and complaints. Washington Post couldn't find those.

Christine Blasey Ford would never get a conviction based upon what we've heard.
And she probably would not win a civil claim based upon what we've heard.
As brave and as compelling as she was giving her testimony, it wouldn't have been enough on it's own.
So that much - quite a bit - is similar.

This woman didn't discuss it with anyone until last summer. No one else has come forward. We do not have much to work with in her case.

But all the other claims with Kavanaugh, his lies, etc - that was bad on him and warranted more looking into. This woman currently doesn't have any of that going for her.
If it changes, we have a different story. If it doesn't, her claim is toast.

[MichMary]

106. Well,

although Blasey-Ford told her therapist she had been assaulted, Kavanaughty's name didn't appear in the notes. The people, including her best friend, who she said had been at the party could not corroborate any such party. Her best friend claimed she had never met Kavanaughty. The subsequent accusations were weak, at best, some recanted, some outright ridiculous.

I would maintain that these two situations were much more similar than dissimilar.

[Jarqui]

110. That is a lot more than this woman has

And she was consensual making out with Fairfax - unlike Ford.

and there were the others who made allegations against Kavanaugh - not just Ford - no one else against Fairfax (so far)
and there were Kavanaugh's lies and other allegations - we have no Fairfax lies or allegations

You cannot cherry pick and ignore all that.

All this woman has is a disagreement whether the blowjob was consensual and unlike Ford, no witnesses, no evidence, no lies and no other claims.

There is a gigantic difference between the two.

Her first decision is whether she is even going to address this further.
Without that, this is over.
Then, if she does address it, she is going to need others to come forward because she cannot substantiate her claim.

Ford has some of that going on and the Republicans shut it down.

Big differences in the two cases.

[theboss]

183. The big difference is we know the people in this case were together

A disagreement over whether a blowjob is consensual is pretty damn important don't you think?

Does anyone ever stop and think that the message we are sending as a Party is that "If you give a blowjob, you are clearly a whore."

I honestly feel like the animus that you still see directed at Monica Lewinsky is that she gave oral sex and apparently that is bad.

[Jarqui]

185. I'm not sure where you are getting your last two points from this dialogue

This has nothing to do with it in terms of the discussion I've been having - nor do I agree with it:

"If you give a blowjob, you are clearly a whore."

I also don't know where this came from - nor do I agree with it

"I honestly feel like the animus that you still see directed at Monica Lewinsky is that she gave oral sex and apparently that is bad."

I strongly suspect more folks were turned off by the President getting a blowjob in the Oval office than whether getting a blowjob on it's own was bad.

and I have no idea what that has to do with Fairfax - these are extrapolations within your own head.

The only blowjob question with Fairfax is: was it consensual or not?

[Autumn]

124. Someone posted today that she just remembered last week that she was raped.

That fucking floored me.

[Vinca]

92. How would you prove it? Seriously.

The problem with not coming forward at the time of the incident is that there is no evidence to gather. People who might be interviewed are long gone. Are you willing to hang this guy out to dry based on a Facebook post? I don't want Al Franken, Part Deux. He was railroaded over a comedic photo and a woman who claimed he put his hand on her waist while taking a photo. If our purity test becomes much purer only bubble people will be eligible to run for office as Democrats.

[BannonsLiver]

198. Is your new standard believe everyone no matter what?

Because based on the above post it sure as hell seems like it. Heaven forbid you ever sit on a jury FFS.

[brooklynite]

199. I wasn't aware that a decision had to be made immediately

[Codeine]

52. I don't recall any of us taking that view

in regard to the recent Supreme Court nominee. . .

[rzemanfl]

11. The Washington Post either could not find, or did not believe this woman?

Stranger and stranger.

[Empowerer]

15. She shopped her story to the Post more than a year ago

They investigated but couldn't find any basis to conclude that her story was true.

[onenote]

19. More specifically, they couldn't find any basis to conclude one way or the other

[Empowerer]

25. That's what I said

But since she made the allegation, it's on her to prove it happened, not on him to prove a negative. So the question is whether there's anything to support her story - they couldn't find anything.

[Yosemito]

24. Can you quote the Washington Post?

?

[onenote]

43. Here:

"Fairfax and the woman told different versions of what happened in the hotel room with no one else present. The Post could not find anyone who could corroborate either version. The Post did not find “significant red flags and inconsistencies within the allegations,” as the Fairfax statement incorrectly said.

[SNIP]


"The Post, in phone calls to people who knew Fairfax from college, law school and through political circles, found no similar complaints of sexual misconduct against him. Without that, or the ability to corroborate the woman’s account — in part because she had not told anyone what happened — The Post did not run a story."


https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-denies-sex-assault-allegation-from-2004/2019/02/04/05fb0f6c-272b-11e9-ad53-824486280311_story.html?utm_term=.357c84ffbf0f

[csziggy]

60. From the Washington Post

Va. Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax denies sex assault allegation from 2004

By Theresa Vargas
February 4 at 9:13 PM

<SNIP>

The woman and Fairfax first met in Boston at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

During a conversation, the two realized they had a mutual friend. It was that commonality, she recalled, that put her at ease enough that on the afternoon Fairfax asked her to walk with him to his hotel room to pick up some papers, she thought nothing of joining him.

Fairfax and the woman told different versions of what happened in the hotel room with no one else present. The Post could not find anyone who could corroborate either version. The Post did not find “significant red flags and inconsistencies within the allegations,” as the Fairfax statement incorrectly said.

<SNIP>

The Post, in phone calls to people who knew Fairfax from college, law school and through political circles, found no similar complaints of sexual misconduct against him. Without that, or the ability to corroborate the woman’s account — in part because she had not told anyone what happened — The Post did not run a story.

More: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-denies-sex-assault-allegation-from-2004/2019/02/04/05fb0f6c-272b-11e9-ad53-824486280311_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.1772506f8d81

[Bradshaw3]

35. "Shopped her story?"

She was asking for money?

[Empowerer]

37. One need not ask for money to "shop" a story

[Bradshaw3]

46. Saying she "shopped it" certainly makes it sound that way

There are more accurate ways to phrase it than that. I hope you don't have an agenda of trying to discredit her.

[Empowerer]

53. Ok - how about this:

She approached the Post with her allegation but they were unable to find any proof to support her allegation, nor were they able to find any evidence that Justin Fairfax had ever in his life engaged in the behavior she alleged.

I don't have any "agenda" to discredit her. But I am concerned and will push back against what I see as a clear agenda to discredit Fairfax based on an unsupported allegation, particularly obnoxious when it comes from people who expected people to die on a hill fighting in defense of Northam's racist history.

[Bradshaw3]

57. Approached the Post is more fair and accurate

They have not been able to back up her claim. Maybe it's true and maybe it's not. But she appears to be a credible person and anyone trying to link her with the Northam scandal needs to come up with proof that the two are connected. Until then, or others come forward about Fairfax it is he said, she said. I certainly hope it's not true. He appears to be a rising star.

[wellst0nev0ter]

188. A TV Station knew about the allegation

along with the Washington Post, but chose not to run with it, so that's a sign that she's been shopping around the story.

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/virginia-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-denies-2004-sexual-assault-allegation/65-7f330c64-e735-4c0f-bb01-6a4bc3dfc90e

[peacefrogman]

48. "shopped" her story?

[Fresh_Start]

56. yes, the smears begin

and the hypocrisy begins...suddenly we no longer believe victims.

And his team lied in their press release...Washington Post did not find inconsistencies and red flags.
And he knew about this more than a year ago.

Did he tell his supporters about this event?
DU demanded that if Northam were sincere he would have broadcast his past failings.

Yes, we are being rat-fucked by the right.
And I do think its strategic that they are targeting the democratic coalition
First lets relight the black versus white controversy
Then lets relight the male versus female controversy
I fully expect a LGBT v CIS revelation to hit the news also to damage the coalition.

[Charlotte Little]

141. I'm only responding to this...

"Did he tell his supporters about this event?
DU demanded that if Northam were sincere he would have broadcast his past failings."

This is insanity. If you believe that you are (and/or are) innocent and wrongly acccused, why would you mention an accusation to your supporters? Northam's photo & nickname are fact, not accusation. This is an accusation, that's all at this point.

And while I strongly assert that we should believe women, I do NOT condone believing women instantly without an investigation.

When I was raped from age 14-15 and finally told on the 35 year old perpetrator at age 21, the DA didn't just take my word for it and destroy his life. I had to give interviews and details since six years had gone by. In the end, the DA believed me as I had plenty of information and there were other victims. The perpetrator, a veteran, still didn't lose his job, only his coaching gig and his marriage (although, she was in on it too and ended up corroborating me). It was a long, painstaking, ugly process, but I was telling the truth and that couldn't be denied.

So, forgive me if I'm a bit uncompromising with my views on this subject, but everyone needs to sit down and chill out. If this accuser is credible and is telling the truth, justice should prevail.

Let's see how Fairfax responds to an investigation but let's not shame others for not just jumping on the "believe her" bandwagon instantly. It doesn't make us hypocrites. We're reasonable.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

70. Not true - they determined it was a he said she said w/o corroboration

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/04/virginia-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-denies-assault-allegation-as-ralph-northam-mulls-quitting.html

snip
The Post also said that "Fairfax and the woman told different versions of what happened in the hotel room with no one else present."

"The Washington Post could not find anyone who could corroborate either version. The Post did not find 'significant red flags and inconsistencies within the allegations,' as the Fairfax statement incorrectly said."

The newspaper detailed the woman's claims of a sexual encounter with Fairfax "that left her crying and shaken."

Fairfax told the newspaper the encounter was consensual, according to The Post.

[Caliman73]

140. I am assuming that they did not want to be in a position for libel.

While I am sure that the protections for libel in the US are considerable as opposed to other countries, printing an uncorroborated story would likely harm the paper's reputation and expose them. Fairfax is likely as sure of his perspective as Ms. Tyson and would likely have sued the Post as he is threatening to sue the website.

The horrible tragedy is that we have a situation where neither may be lying. It could be a matter of how each perceived their encounter and their ideas about it after the fact.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

154. Yes, except it's more about no way to prove

what someone is saying is true. No point at saying he said this and she said that neither can be proved.

[lark]

80. They also didn't believe him.

They said they could not corroborate either version, his or hers. So, who are we to believe?

[MrGrieves]

13. This is a right wing coordinated take down.

I think I am starting to understand why Northam is refusing to step down.

We may need to about face and start talking about making changes in ones life, becoming a better person and renouncing our past.

I don't like it. But we may be utterly fucked now in VA.

[Empowerer]

20. Northam not stepping down has nothing to do with Fairfax

He's refusing to step down because he thinks he didn't do anything wrong and it's not fair that people think he should be held accountable for his raviat behavior - entitlement.

But I am suspicious that the Fairfax allegation has something to do with Northam.

[onenote]

22. Why would this woman participate in RW take-down?

[Empowerer]

28. Why would a man admit being the guy in blackface smiling next to a Klansman he wasn't?

People do all kinds of things that don't make sense.

[onenote]

32. Thanks for the unhelpful non-sequitur.

[Empowerer]

41. Not a non-sequitur - an illustration

of how people sometimes to strange things for reasons we don't understand.

[Bradshaw3]

42. You deflected

So he is credible but she might be doing something "that doesn't make sense"? Seems to me coming out in public like this doesn't make sense for her - unless she has a malicious intent, for some reason tht isn't apparent at this time.

[Empowerer]

45. Not at all

I was asked why she would do something that seemed illogical. I answered the question.

[Bradshaw3]

51. No you answered with a non-sequitur as the other poster said

Using Northam asn an example is not in any way related to her, unless you have some evidence. Saying people do things that don't make sense and relatign it to her situation is getting close to a smear.

[Fresh_Start]

59. he might have assumed it was a photo of his michael jackson dancing

and then realized it wasn't

[Empowerer]

76. THAT's what his Michael Jackson outfit looked like?

Because Michael's straw hat, plaid pants and jet black skin were an iconic part of his look.

[Fresh_Start]

94. I've looked at things without seeing them because my mind was racing

and I never purchased or looked at my college or grad school year (if there even was a grad school yearbook?) and neither apparently had he

Yes, I looked at my high school yearbook but that was the last one

PS: my son didn't look at or purchase his college yearbook either so it can't be all that strange

[theboss]

95. It's hysterical that the time he dressed in blackface isn't captured by that picture

How many times have you had your blackface parties confused?

[Empowerer]

97. You're suggesting the state's chief executive, with power over the NationaGuard, among other things,

was so overcome or distracted with fear and a foggy brain that when shown a photo that had huge implications for him, he just glanced at a picture of a guy in blackface standing next to a guy in a Klan robe and without looking at it closely, said "Yeah, that's me" when it actually wasn't?

If that's the case, he needs to be removed from office for incapacity and incompetence.

[Fresh_Start]

108. it actually has nothing to do with his official duties

so it isn't incapacity or incompetence.
i

[peggysue2]

63. Too true!

People do strange things all the time for a variety of reasons. Apologizing then rescinding an apology is pretty strange because you would think if you'd appeared in blackface or donned a Klan sheet you would . . . remember the incident rather vividly. And if you didn't appear in the photo, you'd deny it like crazy--Hell no, that's not me!

Very strange. And a flaming fiasco to boot.

[MrGrieves]

38. She certainly could be credible.

And she deserves to be heard. That is my point. But this is a story that was looked at a year ago and it went nowhere. Now all of a sudden it is back? But I think the RW machine is banking on us going all out to cut ties with people before anything is actually proven. Please don't let us be this stupid again.

[bluestarone]

29. Somethings not right. Strong background in sexual violence awareness and prevention?

THEN not say anything until this week?? WHY? Just gotta wonder here.

[Fresh_Start]

61. actually she reached out to the press in 2017 before he was inaugurated

so it wasn't JUST THIS WEEK

it must have really hurt her to see Blasey Ford taken seriously and she was ignored.

[Achilleaze]

98. Blasey Ford taken seriously? Certainly not by the republicans.

[uponit7771]

117. Ford told people YEARS before BK was put on a list IIRC

[Fresh_Start]

125. And I didn't tell anyone until i began therapy years after the fact

so not telling someone is not proof of her lying about it

and they both admit there was sexual contact

she felt badly enough about it that more than 10 years later when she discovers he's running for office, she tries to get the story out.

So clearly it stuck in her psyche as "a bad event"

[uponit7771]

127. True, none of that He's guilty. #metoo isn't guilt by accusation its at the least believe the

... attacker and investigate which sounds like didn't happen with Franken and damn well better happen with Fairfax

[Calista241]

163. Ford talked about it with her therapist when he was being considered for the DC circuit.

Without naming him. It only got widespread interest when BK was promoted to the Supreme Court.

Tyson followed a similar path in that she went to the Post around when he became Lt. Governor. It’s only being publicized and talked about now because he’s about to get a promotion to Governor.

Personally, i think this sheds a negative light on the Post when they publicize one person’s claim and not the other. The Post also did stories on other accusers of BK that were totally unsubstantiated. The fact that this post will be seen by some as defending Brett Kavanaugh absolutely sickens me. That man is not worth my time, thoughts or respect.

[theboss]

181. I understand what you are saying

We went after Kavanaugh without evidence that he and Ford ever met. Because we believed Ford. I liked to think that I believed her, because I believed her. Not because it served my politics. If anything, my personal animus towards the type of white prep school culture infuriated me more than anything political.

In this case, we have distinguished, apparently liberal college professor who we know for a fact was in the same hotel room with the accused, and suddenly we need a lot more facts to come out.

Either we believe women because we believe women or we believe women when it suits us politically.

[jalan48]

33. Doesn't look good. She has a strong resume.

[PubliusEnigma]

34. Is there anyone left who believes this is not the work of Roger Stone???

[ProfessorGAC]

65. Feeling Like A Coordinated RF

Targeting a flippable state
And the OP is just stirring the pot
It's what he does!

[mahina]

69. Agreed about the RF.

From the first step to the third.

[theboss]

72. So this woman is conspiring with Roger Stone?

Why?

[mahina]

143. Did I say that?

Ta.

[theboss]

157. You said Roger Stone is causing this

I don't see how Roger Stone can make a woman lie about sexual assault without making the woman lie about sexual assault.

I think the fundamental problem is that no one on this site actually knows what "Rat-fucking" is.

[wellst0nev0ter]

189. Tina Dupuy is a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat

yet she put out an obvious sex assault smear against Al Franken. It doesn't have to be all Republicans.

[Baltimike]

166. Yep...and/or his minions. They are trying to get AA's against Northam and MeToo against Fairfax

we need to stand together or perish as fools

[inwiththenew]

40. She's hired the same law firm that represented Christine Blasey Ford

[link:https://www.salon.com/2019/02/05/trouble-deepens-for-va-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-as-accuser-hires-christine-blasey-fords-lawye/|

[Laura PourMeADrink]

71. Wow - would have never hired them in a zillion years. nt

[2naSalit]

73. So?

Who is covering her legal expenses?

[MFM008]

44. I thought this was investigated

and there was no evidence.
Strange how this works out.
The right wing points our noses and everyone rushes off.
They are going to work through democrats until they find a republican
to replace Northam.

[rzemanfl]

50. The Attorney General is next in line, I believe. A democrat. n/t

[mahina]

68. I wonder where that AG stands on abortion rights, the first issue

Northam was called out for right before the racist picture.

[LisaL]

145. How do you know there are no skeletons in his closet?

Or if there are none, none will be made up? Republicans could bring them all down util next in line is a republican.

[Empowerer]

149. How do you know Northam doesn't have more skeletons in HIS closet?

We didn't know about his Coonman days until four days ago.

Under this argument, why bother to ever elect any Democrats to any office? It's always possible they could have skeletons in their closet and the Republicans could target them and push them out of office and fill the seat with a Republican.

[rzemanfl]

150. I didn't say there weren't or that they couldn't be manufactured. n/t

[helpisontheway]

54. Soon Gillibrand will be telling him to resign too...nt

[Va Lefty]

58. This seems far more credible than I initially thought

Link to tweet

?s=19

Link to tweet

?s=19

[DBoon]

67. I'm sure Republicans are doing a happy dance now

They will have ratfucked an elected governor AND the lt governor out of office.

We will have the satisfaction of removing those who violate our principals

They will have control of Virginia

[rzemanfl]

74. I believe the Attorney General is next in line. Another Dem. n/t

[theboss]

75. We need to figure out the rules here

Do we believe all women? Do we believe all women who accuse Republicans and some who accuse Democrats if that Democrat has a sketchy history with women? Do we believe all women who accuse Republicans and some who accuse Democrats if that Democrat has a sketchy history with women unless that person is Bill Clinton? Do we believe all women unless it's really really really an inconvenient moment to believe them? Do we need collaboration all the time? Some of the time? None of the time?

[bpj62]

77. Classic he said she said

So we have a case where both parties admit to a consensual encounter over 14 years ago at the DNC in Boston. Both parties where single at the time of the event. For 13 years each party went about thier daily lives with both of them clearly reaching success in thier chosen careers. Neither party speaks about the encounter to anyone over that time frame but when Fairfax becomes a candidate for Lt. Governor she takes her story to the Post and they investigate both parties and can find nothing that supports her allegation in his past. Fairfax denies any wrong doing and that is the end of the story.

Suddenly out of nowhere a right wing rag starts trolling the story two days after the whole Northam affair goes public. My question is this, who gave them the story and why.

For those of you who are not familiar with Virginia politics i will offer a primer as a life long resident of the Commonwealth. If the Governor resigns or dies while serving the Lt. Governor assumes thier term. However the new Governor does not pick the next Lt. Governor. That is done by the legislature and currently the legislature is Republican controlled in both houses. So if Fairfax was forced to resign the Republicans would control the entire Legislature . The census is in 2020 and this is the first time that a Democrat is in the Governor's office since 1990. Virginia also is in the middle of a federal gerrymandering case.

I will not cast any dispersions on either party. 14 years ago they got together in a hotel room and over the course of time someone's view of the events that night has changed while the other persons hasn't. Unless evidence is brought forward that supports her claim then I think we all need to look at why this came up now. I do not believe in coincidences nor do I believe in conspiracy theories either.

[theboss]

81. The problem is that you can't make this a RW conspiracy without implicating her

Can you?

I don't understand how one can, but maybe there is a logical argument for it.

[bpj62]

82. Yes you can

My question is simply this how did a rw wing troll website that is connected to Corey Stewart get this story. As for his accuser she has now hired a law firm because this whole thing suddenly became bigger than her. Unless there is something out there thst she is holding onto it is a case of he said she said.

[Ufta88]

87. That's the million$$$ question.

"how did a rw wing troll website that is connected to Corey Stewart get this story

I'm seeing a little more rfking going on with this & it's not just the RW Corey Stewart involved.

Who wants to get Dems out of office more than the Republicans?
The answer is, the person who made sure Stewart got the story.

It's beyond simply ratfking...

[theboss]

88. How did Drudge get the Lewinsky scandal?

Somehow the story got out the way these things normally do - someone talked.

If I'm a Republican, I have to wonder what the hell is wrong with my opposition research team in Virginia to miss all this back in 2018.

[bpj62]

91. Linda Tripp or Lucianne Goldberg

They were think as thieves so I have no doubts about that.

[theboss]

93. And everything they said was largely true

The standard you seem to be preaching is that unless we like the source of the story, it's fake news.

[bpj62]

103. Wow thst is a Stretch

Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky had a consensual affair. Both have said so. Lewinsky in recent years has said that she regrets the affair but also states that she now understands the power dynamics that existed. She was infatuated with the President and he took advantage of that infatuation.
In this case both parties admit to a consensual affair. She has not provided any physical proof that it was anything other than that. The Post reviewed her story and found no there there. They also looked into his backround to see if there were any ither other reports of sexual impropriety in his past and they found nothing.
Maybe you should ask Ms. Tyson why she waited 14 yesrs to bring this up. Justin Fairfax was a nobody in 2004. He was a delegate at the DNC Convention and clearly they were attracted to each other because they both ended up in the same hotel room.

[theboss]

159. Clearly, they were attracted to each other.....

Why did she wait 14 years?

Is the next question, "What was she wearing that night?"

[bpj62]

171. Once again the hit squad is out in force

Nuether you nor I was in yhecroom that night. Secondly I gave not said a disparaging word about his accuser. It is people lije you who make posting about serious issues very difficult. Why are you so concerned about what she was wearing that night because i certainly wasnt

[theboss]

89. Does a RW troll website publishing this make her a liar?

Everyone is trying to have their cake and eat it too.

No one is accusing her of lying while simultaneously arguing that this is rat-fucking, which - unless the definition has changed - is dirty tricks tied to a lie.

[bpj62]

96. Nice trap there

Did I call her a liar in any of my posts. No I didn't. Does that mean that the RW troll brigade can take her allegation and use it to thier sdvantage? Absolutely it does. Look at all the posts today about this allegation. We have the usual suspects at DU already calling for Fairfax to resign because all women must be believed. We have the group that says where is the proof and the group that says this is a conspiracy.

My question is simply this, who has the most to gain from damaging Justin Fairfax reputation, it isn't Ms. Tyson because unless she was shopping this story around after the Post refused to publish her allegation then she has no dog in the hunt. She could have gone public with this story last year and she didnt.

I keep bringing this up but no one is listening, the Virginia legislature is on the verge of going Democratic for the first time in 20 years. If Northam resigns and Fairfax becomes Governor the legislature picks the next Lt. Governor and right now thst would be a Republican. Virginia is also in the midfle of a federal gerrymandering case and the district court just picked a plan that favors the Democrats. Throw in the 2020 cesus which affects those districts and maybe you see who has to gain by creating this chaos.

[rockfordfile]

184. Yes it makes it suspect.

Why are you defending a far right website?

[EffieBlack]

187. Remember how last weekend the fact that Northam's picture was released by a far right website

meant that he shouldn't step down, despite his admission that it was him in the photos and that he had worn blackface?

Yeah. Me, too.

Good times.

[theboss]

191. I'm defending the accusor

Unless she collaborated with the far right website, I don't care how the story broke.

[Empowerer]

139. Actually you can

So far, she's said very little. She posted something on her Facebook page and someone else shared it. It's very possible that she had no intention to come forward or accuse him of anything but this information got in the hands of the wrong people and they're running with it and now both she and Fairfax are caught in a nightmare.

[theboss]

161. So was she lying in her Facebook post?

Because if he assaulted her, he assaulted her.

[Empowerer]

165. I don't know. Do you?

[MrsMatt]

100. This is the crux of the matter, I believe

I've read this explanation before (on Twitter).

Seems plausible.

[BlueStater]

79. I don't know what to think about this.

She's seems to be an intelligent, successful, well-educated woman. I presently have no reason to believe she's lying. This looks quite bad, in all honesty.

[Empowerer]

142. Fairfax is an intelligent, successful, well-educated man who has no history of assaulting women

Do you similarly believe you have no reason to think he raped anyone?

[BlueStater]

151. And Bill Cosby was a beloved celebrity until he wasn't.

I have no reason to believe that most women, especially highly successful ones with great careers, would put themselves through the hell of accusing a powerful man, an action that usually destroys their lives and reputations even if they're not lying, if there wasn't some degree of truth to the allegations.

Could she be lying? Sure, but I can't think of any reason why she would, at least at the moment.

[Empowerer]

158. You're making my point

We don't know this woman or Fairfax any better than we knew Bill Cosby. Therefore, assuming that she's more credible than he is or that he should be presumed to be a sexual assaulter solely because we heard second hand that she said he is - just as assuming she's a NOT telling the truth - is really off base.

[BlueStater]

162. Not really.

I'm looking at things from her perspective far more than his and rightfully so. She's the one instigating this. He's merely reacting.

[Empowerer]

167. So it's on him to prove he didn't do it.

Fortunately that's not how the law works. Unfortunately that's how human nature works ... and since there's no way he can prove he DIDN'T do it, well I guess that's just too bad for him, eh?

[theboss]

168. That's pretty much what we demanded of Kavanaugh

And I felt pretty good about it at the time.

[Empowerer]

170. No, it's not

Kavanaugh was required to respond to much more than a mere uncorroborated allegation.

Not the same thing. Not even close.

[theboss]

172. Maybe I'm not remembering the Kavanaugh saga well

As an aside, I am the author of a brilliant unpublished essay about how every Ivy League grad until at least the mid 90s knew several Kavanaughs and watched the entire saga with "Yea, that checks out" belief.

I also apparently was in school with the alleged victim here thought I don't think we ever met.

Anyway, we have quite a bit of collaboration here in that both parties admit to being in the same hotel room at the same time and something of a sexual nature occurred. We have no fundamental agreement of the facts in the Kavanaugh-Ford story (though I believe Ford).

[Empowerer]

174. Agreement that "something of a sexual nature occurred" is NOT corroboration of rape!

Any more than it's proof that the sex was consensual.

[theboss]

175. It's collaboration that they met and something happened

Which again is more than we ever got during the Kavanaugh hearings.

[Empowerer]

176. So every time a man meets a woman and has sex with her, he has to worry that could be evidence

that he raped her?

That's the mirror image of how the fact that a woman was in an intimate situation with a man meant that, if he raped her, she "asked for it."

Both assumptions equally stupid. Fortunately, very few people today think that either of these makes any sense whatsoever.

[theboss]

177. I don't know the last time you dated, but....the answer is kinda yea....

That is one of several risks associated with sleeping around.

This is not a new idea. In my college orientation in 1992, we had to watch a play about this very thing.

And again - no one was ever able to present definitive evidence that Kavanaugh and Ford were ever at the same party. But we believed her. At least I did.

[Empowerer]

179. We're done here

Peddle that insulting crap to someone else.

[EffieBlack]

193. No, you didn't say that

Wow, dude.

[theboss]

195. What outrageous thing didn't I say?

I had a friend who had to take a year off from college because of a drunken sexcapade that became an accusation a few days later. To this day, I don't really don't what happened. At 20, I liked him and didn't know her so I was convinced of his innocence, but in retrospect, I don't know.

It's very weird in retrospect that the solution to this issue was "Why don't you graduate in 1997 rather than 1996?"

[BlueStater]

178. Here's the thing.

Her being successful and educated is more relevant in her case and not so much in his because she's the one starting this. It doesn't make any sense, at least on an obvious level, why a respectable woman would risk ruining her life by making random accusations that are false. That's why I tend to believe, in most of these cases, the accuser is telling the truth.

Him being successful and educated is only relevant to the extent that it can be used to paint him as someone who would never commit sexual assault. It's also a poor defense, as far too many people who were found to have been total assholes who did awful and evil things were once respected and beloved individuals who were never accused of wrongdoing until they were. Bill Cosby and Kevin Spacey come immediately to mind.

[Empowerer]

180. That doesn't even make any sense

[BlueStater]

182. What about it doesn't make any sense?

Great substantial reply.

[theboss]

194. I honestly am deeply uncomfortable with this "no other accusor" idea

It seems to give everyone one free assault - at least if we like you.

Though Ellison had two accusations on his resume, and that went nowhere.

[UniteFightBack]

104. This ain't good. nt

[OnDoutside]

111. The Kavanaugh decision has set the precedent. There is even less evidence than for Dr Ford. Should

Democrats demand his resignation, just to be on the safe side ?

[uponit7771]

118. No, Ford came forward years before KNaw was put on a list

[OnDoutside]

126. I agree but there's a conversation that people need to have about

what are the lines. It used to be court of law but that has been rushed out the gate.

[uponit7771]

128. My understanding is #metoo was at least believe the accuser enough to investigate which wasn't ...

... happening before #metoo IIRC.

It didn't happen with Franken, Ford and hopefully we don't make the same mistake with Fairfax.

[LisaL]

144. Two people in hotel room many years ago.

One says one thing, the other says a different thing. What do you think investigation could possibly come up with?
This is a classic case of he said,s he said. You can investigate all day long, I fail to see what do you think could be found one way or the other all these years later.

[uponit7771]

147. "What do you think investigation could possibly come up with? " ... Facts and under oath statements

... from both parties.

Also I think it would take some "the did nothing" pressure off of the DNC by having a credible outside party investigation like what happened with Ellison.

[at140]

152. Valid-Valid-Valid..very Valid point

I would guess 99% of sexual assault incidents do not have a 3rd party present with a video camera rolling. As the accuser says in this case it was in a hotel room with just him and her. Am I correct?

Which then follows 99% of sexual cases have no physical evidence especially after lapse of years or in some cases decades. How is any investigation going to prove the assault actually happened or did not if there is no evidence, no DNA, no torn clothing, no soiled dress preserved. The best the investigation can do is prove or disprove that the 2 persons were present in a hotel room on that day. But that is no proof an assault or that a crime did happen.

Which means those of us who believe in equal justice for all, have only 2 options.

1) Give benefit of doubt to the alleged victim
2) Give benefit of doubt to the accused.

So if there is motive present for the accuser, give the benefit of doubt to the accused.
If the alleged victim has nothing to gain, give benefit of doubt to the victim.

[LisaL]

153. Both of them agree they were in a hotel room.

So there is no dispute of that.

[theboss]

173. Which - again - is way more than we ever got in the Kavanaugh discussion

Putting them in a room together immediately grants her some credibility.

[LisaL]

196. He claims the encounter was consensual, she apparently claims otherwise.

So it's not in dispute they had a sexual encounter.
So not sure why the fact that both admit they were in hotel room grants her credibility. Dispute is not whether sexual encounter took place, dispute is whether it was consensual.

[theboss]

160. So because we lost on Kavanaugh, we simply give up on holding politicians accountable?

I mean, I don't think that's the view we should have.

[OnDoutside]

200. Holding politicians accountable or using unsubstantiated allegations to destroy

someone's reputation, in order to support a wider societal point ?

[Hoyt]

116. When there is Zero Tolerance for GOPers, these accusations hit us too. I hope it works out.

LG Fairfax deserves consideration, but she does too.

[uponit7771]

129. +1, at minimum there should be an investigation which is what did NOT happen with Franken or Ford

... and pray that mistake isn't remade with Fairfax

[rockfordfile]

186. The Democratic candidates for President should be saying for trump to resign.

With Franken and others resigning, it should be shouted from the roof tops for trump to resign.

[demmiblue]

138. Not good. n/t

[underthematrix]

146. This is such a strange story. The sexual encounter happened in 2004

at the Democratic National Convention in HIS hotel room. But more importantly, Fairfax ran for VA attorney general in 2013 which if he had won would have made him the chief law enforcement officer of that state. It seems to me that would have been the time to raise her claim. But according to a statement attributed to her, her alarm was raised because he was running for Lt Gov, a position which would give him tremendous power. It appears this came out during his run for Lt Gov and WAPO investigative reporters could not either story except that there was a sexual encounter which was confirmed by Justin Fairfax. This is similar to what happened to Keith Ellison.

[uponit7771]

148. +1, I think the DNC would do themselves some good by investigating the accusation like what happened

... with Ellision

[LisaL]

155. In Ellison's case accusations were found to be unsubstantiated.

I think it's a fair guess the same thing would happen here.
It still doesn't tell you if it did or didn't actually happen.

[theboss]

164. The DNC is not equipped to do this type of thing

The whole Ellison fiasco felt like a good old fashioned white-washing.

He was accused by two women (which puts us squarely in the "pattern" camp which everyone loves), but apparently, he just has really bad luck with relationships.

In fairness, no one outside law enforcement is equipped to handle this sort of thing, as the NFL has so clearly shown over the years. Congress clearly isn't either.

It basically comes back to who you believe.

"Believe all women" is obviously becoming "believe all women except in instances which are profoundly uncomfortable." It's clear that the Al Franken episode happened as it did in part, because he was going to be replaced by a Democrat. A Republican governor in Minnesota would have made that whole episode 50 times more complicated.

[wellst0nev0ter]

190. No, we didn't believe Franken's accusers

Because they were lying two-faced trumpanzees. Nothing more, nothing less.

[EffieBlack]

192. And we've never said "Believe all women"

We've been fighting for women to be listened to and taken seriously.

[MichMan]

201. Is there a Go Fund me account set up yet?

Sure many might be interested in donating for her legal fees etc.