Leeann Tweeden: Al Frankens Fate Is 'For The People Of Minnesota To Decide'

[DonViejo]

Source: Talking Points Memo




By NICOLE LAFOND Published NOVEMBER 17, 2017 8:33 AM

Leeann Tweeden, the LA radio host who came forward with sexual misconduct allegations against Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) Thursday, said she didn’t share her story to lead Franken to resign from Congress.

“That’s not my call. I didn’t do this to have him step down. I think Al Franken does a lot of good things in the Senate, you know, I think that’s for the people of Minnesota to decide,” Tweeden said on Good Morning America Friday. “I’m not calling for him to step down, that was never my intention. … I just wanted him to understand what he did was wrong.”

Tweeden went public with her story of alleged sexual misconduct on Thursday, claiming Franken “aggressively” kissed her while they were rehearsing for an USO tour in 2006 and allegedly groped her while she was sleeping. Franken initially apologized and disputed parts of her claims, but put out a statement later Thursday asking for Congress to conduct an ethics probe into the allegations against him. The alleged incidents occurred before Franken held public office.

Tweeden said Thursday she accepted Franken’s apology and thanked him for his sincere reaction. On Friday she said she came forward because she wanted to contribute to changing the culture that looks at sexual harassment and assault as a joke.

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/leeann-tweeden-al-franken-fate-for-people-minnesota-decide

[Corgigal]

1. Oh no no sweet thing

I want a full investigation now, you know to protect all the women he comes in contact with. Let's start with your banking account. I'm sure Mr. Franken will cooperate in the same manner.

[SergeStorms]

3. Right.

And after this most thorough investigation it will be up to your employer to decide if they want to continue having you in their employ as well.

On with the investigation.

[Homeoutside]

2. That wasn't "assault"

Leeann. If it was "assault", then we need a new kevlar vest manufacturer.

[Boilingpots]

4. It was simply a joke

and not assault.

She was on the cover of Playboy TWICE and Maxim THREE TIMES.

Also, isn't she a Republican? Case Closed.

[rpannier]

5. She was on the cover of Playboy TWICE and Maxim THREE TIMES

That statement is just disturbing
So what if she was.
It has nothing to do with anything

[rgbecker]

7. If one is going to play and profit with those who sell sex

you can expect others will play along. Or are you buying into Playboy's bid that their pictures are simply artwork, showing the beauty of the female form? Franken's off-color joke pretending to feel up Tweeden while sleeping is part of America's current rapture with sexual innuendo which is now spiraling down the drain thanks to women across the country finally calling it out for what it is. Will the revolt change Hollywood's fare delivered on television to every family in America any time soon? That has yet to be determined.

[rpannier]

9. Actually you cannot expect others to play along

unless they're invited to do so by the person or persons that are the target of their humor
Her having appeared in those magazines is not an invitation to others to have their own fun
This has nothing to do with playboy or maxim. Using the magazines is a distraction from the main point. Which is, her appearance in those magazines is (IMO) being used by the previous poster to infer that it's okay because she was in the magazines, as if that excuses anything and everything that someone does.
I'm old enough to remember when it was what she was wearing that somehow was the issue. Or the company that she (sometimes he) kept and so on.
Crass behavior is just that crass behavior

On edit: I'd like to think it will change behvior. But, people need to be ready for the backlash... as there always is. And it usually has money behind it. Anortion seemed a settled deal at one time. But, people got complacent as opponents of abortion stepped up their game. Groups like the NOM will step up their game at some point. They're looking for their 'victim'

[hopeforchange2008]

6. If she wanted to just let him know it was wrong...

She sure chose a very public way to deliver that msg.

[forgotmylogin]

8. This also occurred in 2006.

Ms. Tweeden, I get you were offended by Franken kissing you and taking a mildly rude picture without your consent, but I can google your breasts on the internet and see them readily from where they were professionally published in several magazines. You're not a shy private citizen; you are a grown-up performer who has willingly capitalized upon your own anatomy for profit and entertainment. You were due an apology for Franken's unwanted behavior, you got it.

[marble falls]

10. Jeez, just because she chose to expose herself on specific venues doesn't mean ....

she gave up her right to decide when and where she be could objectified.

I think the conversation needs to be made and in fact we do need to talk about what our boundaries are and how far into them others have the right to intrude.

The only question we are missing an answer on is was she in on the joke as it was being filmed.

Sen Franken doesn't need anymore "punishment", he clearly gets it and he's apologized explicitly.

All men need to stand down and reflect on how they treat and treated women in the past. I now wonder how often when I being ardent with a woman I was actually being aggressive. I don't think I ever went over the line but that doesn't mean that one partner or another may legitimately feel I did or that they got tired of resisting and gave in.

The problem with all of this is the danger of equating Al Franken with Roy Moore or Donald Trump, that if we give a casual pass on Franken it'll be seen as a blanket pass on Moore or Trump. Franken's joke photo, if was it without Tweeden's prior knowledge actually rates as sort of an adolescent locker room type of behavior. Not that Trumps locker room conversation was adolescent, it was a candid confession of a predator explaining how he commits his crime and how Billy Bush could do the same crap.

[maxsolomon]

11. Trump offered a pornstar 10K to fuck him

And she was offended.

Tweeden gets to complain if she wants. In the scale of Sexual Assaults, it's pretty small potatoes.

[Thor_MN]

12. My question is where did the photo enter the media?

Franken does not appear to have published it. He doesn't seem to have boasted about it or tried to shame her with it.

Who published it the first place?