Fairfax please stay where you are. Northam Stand your Ground...

[Baltimike]

I invite an INVESTIGATION in to Fairfax and these claims, but MAKE NO MISTAKE...this is them running game.

And the American people deserve better.

Right now, in my Democratic Party, people are guilty until proven innocent. Al Franken's resignation is proof of what can happen when we jump to judgement.

Fairfax has been in VA's public eye for quite some time. It's funny how the timing of his supposed scandal works to perfectly coordinate with the kGOPb's agenda.

It's so funny, I think it's suspicious.

Rape is a terrible thing. This is why we shouldn't take the allegations lightly. It is ALSO why we need to make sure this isn't political theatre to distract from the biggest counter intelligence investigation in the history of our democratic republic.

Russia has trolls on this...of this, you can be sure. And the timing of the top tier Commonwealth attacks have rendered me suspicious of ALL of it.

If Northam took black face pics, KKK pics, a combination thereof, whatever it was while he was a young Republican, it says a LOT that he's come so far as to have a black running mate and to call for the removal of Confederate statues. Full stop. We made progress as a nation, and HE made progress as a person. So, until you show me Northam in blackface et al after 2006, when he joined our party, the answer to whether you get to have his resignation is *NOPE*.

And as to Fairfax, the TIMING is the thing here. It was crazy how the talking points were for Northam to resign and "not even make it through the weekend" and then that Monday....BOOM...a lady with a Fairfax allegation. When that didn't take a hold the way they wanted, there is now another allegation.

And there will be more...whether we like it or not...the nature of this ploy is to define the narrative and saturate it until the walls break.

With Franken, it was OBVIOUS this shit was made up...like 'buddies of Roger Stone' made up. That isn't to say that 'buddies of Roger Stone' can't be assaulted or even victims of violent sexual acts, but Franken did NOT do it at all.

And with Fairfax, they will keep repeating it until it crushes him.

But he deserves better...

And so do we.

Right now, a concerted group effort of women can END a politician's career if they're a member of the Democratic Party. The kGOPb know this, and are weaponizing our morals and using that to force us into submission...to them. We need to stop letting them bully us into submitting to them

SLOOOOOW down. They are runnin' game. We need to stop acting like they're not.

[LexVegas]

1. ...

[Dennis Donovan]

2. I think the OP was well-thought out.

Are you convicting Lt Gov Fairfax before an investigation?

[wildflower]

8. :)

How did you get that picture as your avatar? I've been trying to put one in and can't figure it out.

On edit: I figured out I can't use a custom photo in my avatar because I don't currently have a star, so I put it in my sig instead.

[SidDithers]

17. Sig pic isn't showing up. You need to "copy image address" from LexVegas' avatar...

then post that img url to your sig line.



Sid

[wildflower]

18. Ok, I think I got my pic now

Thank you!

[SidDithers]

20. Very nice...

Sid

[standingtall]

3. If Fairfax is innocent he has every right to be defiant and not resign

regardless of what Virginia or national Democrats have to say about it.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

10. Agree - but none of it can be proven or disproved at this point, right?

[standingtall]

13. Evidence can be weighed and a decision can be made

it would not necessarily have to meet the legal definition for him to step down, but a simple accusation is not enough.

[EffieBlack]

16. One great way to launch an investigation:

is for Dr. Tyson to file an official police report since the statute of limitations is still running.

If she's ok making the public accusation, she should be ok pressing charges.

[boston bean]

21. And if she doesn't,then what? Assume she is lying?

Do you know how many women don’t press charges but the were most definitely raped?

I am just wondering why that has any bearing at all.

[EffieBlack]

23. I wouldn't assume she's lying

But it would be one of the factors I weigh in determining whether I believe her.

Lots of women who were actually raped don't press charges, that is true. But most women who were definitely raped and who don't press charges don't then go out and publicly accuse their rapists INSTEAD of pressing charges, if that avenue is still available to them.

I can understand not wanting to press charges so that she doesn't expose herself to humiliation, scrutiny, etc.

But I can think of no good reason for a woman who obviously has come to terms with this possibility to the point that she put out all of the gruesome details of an alleged assault in front of millions of people to THEN refrain from actually pressing charges so that she can try to get some measure of justice.

[boston bean]

39. you can't think of not even one good reason?

[Empowerer]

46. Why do you think it is.

[boston bean]

47. What is "it"?

[Empowerer]

48. The reason she hasn't pressed charges

[boston bean]

49. Multitude of reasons. Time passed since event. Afraid to have reported. The eventual smearing of her

In a court of law.

[Chemisse]

54. I also don't understand why she would not file a police report at this time

if she has now shown herself willing to put her name and details out there for public viewing.

I think the only explanation is that what she has now is a very weak case legally, but a strong case in the court of public opinion.

That makes me uncomfortable.

[boston bean]

58. Because the trauma of the rape is in the past. Most women do NOT report to police.

People don’t think their rapist of a decade ago should be a governor, senator, Supreme Court Justice, president etc.

[Chemisse]

67. I understand that.

But now that she has decided to act, why is it a public appeal? Why isn't she filing a police report now, in order to prevent the rapist from becoming a governor, etc.

It just seems like she is skipping the part where the alleged rapist has the chance to defend himself in a fair legal proceeding.

I know how horrible the trauma of rape is and how hard it is to tell anyone about it, much less report it to the police. And that is a huge problem.

But I don't see this as the right way to solve this problem.

[boston bean]

68. there is no evidence. A prosecutor won't prosecute. So, she should say nothing.

[Chemisse]

70. She can say whatever she wants.

But there should be skepticism because there is no evidence (as far as I know), not even contemporaneous writings or discussions.

When a rape victim chooses not to report it, and does not talk about it or write about it in a journal or essay or do any other thing that could serve as evidence in the future, she or he relinquishes the ability to seek justice for the sexual assault through legal channels.

It's important for young people to know there are no shortcuts; they need to report sexual attacks as soon as possible.

[boston bean]

72. She gets to say what happened to her yes.

[Empowerer]

71. Do any of those still apply?

Whether the amount of time that has passed makes a difference could be a concern, but since the statute of limitations hasn't run, she can still file a report in the police could conduct an investigation that could help her show that she's telling the truth. For example, the police would surely interrogate Fairfax much more stringently than the Washington Post did and he would face criminal charges if he's caught in a lie, so his story could change if he is not telling the truth.

The other two reasons were logical justifications until about a week ago when Dr. Tyson decided to go public with her claim. Now they are no longer operable.

A fear of reporting doesn't make any sense sincw she's already "reported" her allegation - and she's done so in a much more public way than filing a police report would entail.

And surely no one could reasonably argue that she would be subjected to the greater likelihood of a *smearing" in a court of law - with all of its rules, procedures and protections accorded victims (including guarding their privacy by not releasing their names) than she has already endured by detailing her allegations in the court of public opinion?

These just aren't good reasons, in my opinion for going public but not pressing charges.

[boston bean]

73. Well you don't get to control what she does. You can make inferences. Go ahead and think her a liar

For not asking police to make charges and then they decline and all of the sudden he’s innocent.

That there is a bunch of bs and why women do not report or go to the police. It is an entire system that makes them the liar.

Listen if it was one woman and no other I would say we need more in court of public opinion. Which is where this will be decided. He isn’t facing jail. So all this due process and blame the victim for not wanting report to the police is essentially a bunch of bullshit and more victim blaming.

[triron]

38. When Ford made her accusation she welcomed an FBI investigation; haven't heard the same from

Fairfax accusers.

[boston bean]

41. what does it mean to you that they haven't requested an FBI investigation?

Your implication is that they are lying because they haven’t.

When the fact is the FBI has no standing to investigate.

[ooky]

80. Seems reasonable to me.

Frankly I would be suspicious if she didn't file charges at this point.

[EffieBlack]

82. That raises a question for me, too

It doesn't mean she's lying, but it is one of the things to consider when assessing her credibility.

[Demsrule86]

52. So if it can't be proven then nothing happens ...no resignation.

[boston bean]

69. No she gets to tell what happened to her. And he can deny it. And people can make determinations of

Credibility.

Most rapes aren’t proven. Many never brought to trial. But damn I am sure the occurred.

[Demsrule86]

74. So we all sit in judgement based on who tells that best story with no reason to believe one or the

other? I won't do that. The big assumption is women don't always tell the truth...nor do men. We need an investigation and if it can't be proven...Fairfax gets the benefit of the doubt as he is the accused and the voters decide next election.

[boston bean]

75. No.

[democratisphere]

4. Agreed.

[dlk]

5. As Malcolm Nance has Said, "Coincidences Take a Lot of Coordination"

The fact that the three top Democrats in Virginia's government are facing scandals and being asked to step down, at the exact same time, defies logic. There is no deadline. Let's do a thorough investigation by a credible authority. What would be the downside of that? The GOP, aided by their Russian operatives, would love to overturn the results of the Virginia election since they really don't believe in democracy, in the first place. Those of us who do should be alert to their machinations and not rush to a judgment that has been manipulated.

[qazplm135]

24. you know what if you don't rape people and wear blackface

it gets harder to coordinate against you.

[triron]

40. You are using asuming b in the a implies b argument. That's not very logical. So b is true

irregardless of a?

[qazplm135]

45. two of the three admitted to doing a

and the third has two separate accusers.

Quit doing the team thing and start doing the moral thing.

[wasupaloopa]

62. The moral thing is to have an investigation. The amoral thing

is to convict without investigation.

It’s such a wonder that so many here think like you.

We believe in democracy and the rule of law not mob rule.

[qazplm135]

78. we have a confession in two of them

and no one is being "convicted" quit being melodramatic.

[ooky]

85. The "team thing"?

People can't have an opinion that an investigation is warranted without it being partisan?

[RobinA]

87. They Can Be Guilty

of something and this can still be a political hit. It’s damn suspicious.

[qazplm135]

88. if they are guilty

then who fucking cares if it's a political hit??

[wasupaloopa]

6. Nice to see other people who don't have the DU herd

shame them if they disagree mentality.

There still is the presumption of innocence and rule of law.

Bring charges and evidence to a court of law.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

11. Love that

[BlueCaliDem]

79. Agreed. Too many coincidences. Too many Russian operatives who know how to

push our buttons and make us eat our own while Republicans slither into power and destroy real lives by the millions.

I don't trust this until there is more evidence to support the accusers' accusations.

[Fresh_Start]

7. The timing is connected because Tyson feared Fairfax would get governorship

because of the calls for Northam to resign.

Tyson is not a GOP plant.

Just like her original reach out in 2017 to her friends in Virginia was to warn the friends about his character because he had raped her.

[Baltimike]

9. I see...so Lt Gov is ok...but GOVERNOR is a mite too far.

ok. This is why I welcome an investigation.

It just smacks of "Juanita Broderick" to me

But

[Fresh_Start]

12. did you miss that I said she reached out to her friends in viriginia not to vote for him..

so lt governor wasn't fine either....

What happened between her reaching out to her friends in 2017....and her reaching out to her friends i 2019?

Blasey-Ford...
Blasey-Ford was not universally criticized...so it made it easier for Tyson to come out in 2019 because Blasey Ford survived 2018.

[Baltimike]

19. did you miss where I welcomed an investigation?

because 'reaching out to your girlfriends' is not the same thing as 'filing a police report' so there hasn't been an investigation yet.

I also welcome an investigation into Brett Kavanaugh too....not the dog and pony show they put Blassey-Ford through (the chips were stacked against her from jump)

And, yet, still...Blassey-Ford is not Dr. Tyson...and the early 80's is not the early 2000's.

[Fresh_Start]

22. I join you in demanding that Fairfax undergo lie detector testing

you can't investigate the physical location or body and even if you could neither would be able to determine if it was consensual or coerced.

[Baltimike]

25. Just Fairfax and not Tyson? *NOPE*

because let's hurl inadmissible things around and call that 'fair"

[AncientGeezer]

27. As you point out LD's are inadmissable...what's the point then?

[Baltimike]

29. I was pointing out the one sidedness of only asking for Fairfax to submit. nt

[AncientGeezer]

55. No....I think you want the victims to do what Fairfax won't.

I've been doing this A Long time. I married a rape victim....she didn't report hers because of the horrendous conviction rate and the stigma of going to the cops...
Been there, done it, seen it....I know she was raped....I lived through her nightmares during the time she slept....

[Baltimike]

81. *NOPE* and I am very sorry that happened to your wife

and it happens indeed, and women are afraid to report it. All true.

And some women make it the fuck up.

We have to allow for THAT possibility too.

I am not saying either women is...but I *AM* saying this kinda coordination is highly, highly suspect.

[EffieBlack]

83. That's awful. But I assume that your wife also didn't share her story with millions of people

That's the difference.

I fully understand the humiliation and fear of stigmatization that makes a rape victim avoid going to the police. But if they don't fear the even greater humiliation and stigma of publicly broadcasting every horrendous detail of the rape to millions of strangers in the most high profile way possible, surely after they do that (since the world knows about it anyway), they can file a report with the police to make it more likely that justice is done.

I have great empathy for your wife and other women in that situation. But once Dr. Tyson went public with her allegation, she moved into a different situation.

[AncientGeezer]

89. Sorry for late reply...been moving snow for 2 days to prep for Tuesdays storm..

The difference between my wife and Dr. Tyson and the other accuser..her perp wasn't on a path to becoming Gov of a very important State. She was just a teenager in Philly in the '60's...LONG before me too was a dream.

[Fresh_Start]

31. Fairfax in on the public payroll so the taxpayers should have more of a claim on him

then then have on Tyson.

I also don't mind if Tyson takes a lie detector test...but its not her job on the line.

He's the one facing possible impeachment...it is in his interest to get a "I'm telling the truth" report from the investigator.

[Fresh_Start]

33. look at it this way

either or both Tyson and Fairfax can take lie detector tests.

If either fails, the test, we will not see the failing test results.

If Tyson passes, she will reveal it and that will be worse for Fairfax. So Fairfax can't really afford to have Tyson take the lie detector test.

The only way it is good for Fairfax is if he take the test and passes and shares his passing results.

[LisaL]

36. Lie detector tests aren't considered reliable.

An honest person can fail, and a liar can pass. There is a reason lie detector tests aren't usually admissible in court.

[Fresh_Start]

37. Fully understand that it may not be admissible in court.

But we are not talking about court, we are talking about court of public opinion.

I personally found that Blasey Ford's positive lie detector results added to the credibility of her claim.
It certainly didn't weaken her credibility.

I also realize that a sociopath can pass the test...but I'm not suspecting Fairfax of being a sociopath

[Laura PourMeADrink]

43. Stats

But while often accurate, polygraphs are not foolproof, experts say. "Proponents will say the test is about 90 percent accurate. Critics will say it's about 70 percent accurate," said Frank Horvath of the American Polygraph Association.

[whathehell]

66. Um, the post says she contacted "friends", not her "girlfriends"

Neither may equate to a police report, but your 'revision' is still interesting.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

15. What kind of investigation? The sexual claims can never be proven or disproved

unless there was a tape. Since neither went to doctor or police - no records.

The other two - is what it is. If you let them decide on their own and then face the music at the next election, the stories would probably die down.

Or, are you suggesting an investigation into possible political motives that these stories originated from?

[Baltimike]

30. I am suggesting we investigate all of it.

Methodically and thoroughly...ALL of it

[LisaL]

35. All of what?

Not going to be any physical evidence at this stage. No witnesses to the alleged assault.
Nothing reported at the time of alleged assaults to the police or authorities.
What do you think such an investigation could possibly determine?

[wasupaloopa]

65. Ok we don't live by rule of law.

No evidence, no witness, nothing reported so hang him.

What the hell kind of thinking is that? That plays right into right wing ratfucking.

[pandr32]

14. I appreciate your post

We need to look at this issue from different perspectives and keep in mind the well-funded and dirty agenda of too many Republicans and their masters.
At the same time the allegations need to be taken seriously.
We need to hold tight and investigate.

A heart for you.

[Baltimike]

26. Thank you for the heart, and yes, let's investigate this seriously

and take ALL allegations seriously...everyone deserves a fair shake.

[samnsara]

28. since EVERYONE is contaminated in that state they should just stay where they are and..

..let the state voters deal with it.

[Demsrule86]

53. I agree. This was a power grab by the GOP and it almost worked.

Democrats must stop this eating their own crap.

[joc46224]

32. ACORN, Shirley Sherrod, Al Franken....

"Al Franken's resignation is proof of what can happen when we jump to judgement." Add Shirley Sherrod and ACORN to that list as well. How hard can it be to slow down and do a thorough investigation? Why is that a bad thing?

[Power 2 the People]

42. +1000

[uponit7771]

50. THIS !!!!

[INdemo]

34. Obvious a coordinated effort by Republicans and the Russians to force the

Virginia execs to resign..These efforts by the Repub Russians just didn't begin a week ago or a month ago.

[Alliepoo]

44. Absolutely agree!

[Demsrule86]

51. It never made sense to resign for a 40 + year old black face incident...as for Fairfax...he deserves

an investigation. I don't think it is fair that someone can accuse and then go back to their life while the man gets no chance to prove his innocence. That is not what me too should be about. And I am a woman.

[MoonRiver]

56. I agree Demsrule86.

What happened to the concept of proof, or at least some evidence?

[Demsrule86]

61. I am resigning from the me too movement if it means the man is always guilty even if it is

impossible to determine guilt. Fair is fair. And I still believe this is a hit job by the GOP and in any case, I would never turn over the governor's seat or any seat to the GOP which is what is being attempted.

[MoonRiver]

64. I don't think me too is behind much of this.

Seems to me that it's the media following a shiny object, and GOP operatives/Russians trying to create chaos among Dems.

That said, he could be guilty of the accusations. I would just like a little evidence.

[Chemisse]

60. I agree about the sexual assault accusation.

There is a reason why we have a justice system. Yes, it has failed rape victims in the past so we need to make it better - more accessible, less intrusive, more respectful - not just skip it entirely.

[Demsrule86]

63. I agree and the idea that the man is alway guilty of rape if accused is just as pernicious

as believing the woman Is always lying when an accusation is made. Women were treated very badly in the past no doubt but lets not do the same thing in reverse. Investigate and accept that in some incidences, maybe this one, we will never know which means, you can't heap consequences on potentially innocent guy's head.

[TCJ70]

57. Investigate. Then act. That's the only thing that makes sense when a crime is...

...suggested. An accusation is not a fact based solely on its existence and it’s wrong to demand consequences for accusations alone.

Look into it. Act accordingly. Done.

[uponit7771]

59. +1, Ready ... fire ... aim is the zenith of thoughtlessness

[applegrove]

76. Two counts of sexual assault sound plausible. Fairfax has called for

an FBI investigation. I think he should resign while he waits for the outcome. Rape is horrid.

[essme]

84. I may be wrong but an assualt charge and investigation is usually local.

The FBI or CIA are usually not involved.

This isn't a 101st Airborne thingy.

He should call for the local DA/Police to investigate not the FBI. That might be problematic though.

[applegrove]

86. I think he should step down. What the second woman said he said to her

after the assault is downright monstrous.

[Sneederbunk]

77. Fairfax impeachment proceedings will result in investigation.

They will also take the heat off of Northam.