They could wind up on the Supreme Court!

Bile from Bannon is a heavyweight

...to support the claim.

How many women have to come forward with their stories before its clear that this guy is really bad news?

Verifiable evidence is the only way to fairly support a claim. Lack of such evidence is NOT sufficient to determine the truth. Otherwise, a mere claim becomes a conviction...which is sort of in direct conflict with our understanding of fairness.

A man's word is not holy or sacred and neither is his career.

But some people automatically believe anything a man says and always doubt women.

I trust women. I believe women. And I know that sexual assault occurs often, and it occurs in a context where there are no witnesses and no cameras. Demanding that kind of evidence is just one more way of keeping your foot on our necks.

I believe in evidence and reaching sound conclusions based on that evidence.

Genitalia is a terrible way to determine facts or truth.

That's a straw man.

Some people think it isn't sexual assault unless its established in a court of law. Sexual assault is rarely prosecuted successfully.

That's a very, very unfortunate aspect of requiring evidence to reach a conviction.

The best thing would be for any woman suffering such an assault to go to the hospital immediately! DNA evidence would be pretty much indisputable.

(I know that that can be extremely difficult and uncomfortable for a woman, but if it will put a rapist in jail, please at least consider it. The bastard belongs in prison where he can't harm other women.)

Police and district attorneys have limited resources and they decide what gets prosecuted. In the event that a woman is able to fight off her attacker without actually getting raped or harmed by a weapon, its very unlikely that that incident will be prosecuted. It can't be prosecuted because there is no DNA evidence.

Reporting is stiil important because sex offenders keep doing what they do. If the police have heard about the attempts and have a description it may make it easier to arrest someone when they commit a prosecutable offense. I definitely favor reporting, but you can't expect too much.

The accuser told multiple people and there is emails with her accusations. This all from years ago. Why would she have lied to her therapist and friends about this back then?

Last edited Mon Jul 6, 2026, 06:10 PM - Edit history (1)

I am talking in general when I say that accusations require verifiable evidence.

Now, read this next part with the understanding that I in no way, shape, or form believe what I'm writing happened. I'm merely pointing out possibilities.

To answer your questions:

1. She could conceivably have lied because she was angry at Platner for some reason.

2. She could be not lying but misconstruing what happened for some reason or other. Maybe she exaggerated, maybe she was under the influence, maybe she conflated a dream with reality. Who knows?

Again, I do not believe either of those things. But both are possible based on what we know at present.

In general, I am not prepared to convict a man until there is sufficient evidence. If the accusation becomes the conviction none of us are safe.

In this case, I gotta wonder why a guy who has raped someone would run for public office? He's gotta know that it's going to come out. (Yes, there are possible explanations for that, too. But it's one of those things that baffle me.)

found to be exaggerated?

I assume so since I haven't taken the time to remember...but I could be wrong.

"2. She could be not lying but misconstruing what happened for some reason or other. Maybe she exaggerated, maybe she was under the influence, maybe she conflated a dream with reality. Who knows?"

Or...........maybe he did it.

Unlikely he will be convicted; he hasn't been charged with a crime.

I stated twice that I didn't believe either of those.

Or were you too busy doing Susan's work for her?

on so-called "false " rape claims, and on the number of rapes that are never reported, PRECISELY FOR THE kinds of posts I am seeing here. And also look at the misogynist attitudes of law enforcement, legal systems, the military, and even hospitals. Let's talk about HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF UNTESTED RAPE KITS. Let's talk about women being forced to pay to have these kits tested, something no other victims of crimes are required to do.

SMDH

How many women accused Trump before there were any legal consequences? At least 28.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump_sexual_misconduct_allegations

How many women accused Harvey Weinstein before there were any consequences? At least 8.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvey_Weinstein_sexual_abuse_cases

How many women accused Eric Swalwell before he resigned from office? 6 have accused him. He resigned after 4.
https://abc7news.com/post/fellow-california-congressman-rep-sam-liccardo-says-rumors-eric-swalwell-sexual-misconduct-swirled-years/18894415/

How many women accused Bill Cosby of drugging and raping them? At least 60.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Cosby_sexual_assault_cases

How many female athletes accused Dr Larry Nassar of sexually assaulting them? Around 150.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Nassar#Sexual_assault_accusations_and_convictions

Democrats fell for Platner's PTSD card and excused all kinds of questionable behaviors. I'm not saying that he doesn't have PTSD, but it cannot grant permanent immunity for a Senate candidate against all scrutiny. Democrats avoided an accountability analysis.

And they won't feel all clean and self righteous all the way to the maga gulag.

Sorry, folks, in the fight for American democracy, we may have to cut cards with the devil more than once. If not, enjoy feeling all pure and self righteous on your way to the maga gulag. I don't want to hear one GD whine out of any of them.

This has been going on forever and as I look back over my life, I realize how often I've been on the receiving end of their toxic behavior. Is it really that hard to be a reasonable decent person?

What gets me are the candidates who don't self-examine before committing to run for office. If there is anything about your past that could come out, think about what the cost might be.

do their own opposition research to find out the bad stuff before one's opponent does. If this allegation is true, this is inexcusable.

How sick is that?

Frat boy "toxic masculinity" is a thing.

that after his divorce he had gone to his ex-wife's new home, kicked the back door, and broke it. She reported it to the police and sued him for repairs.

That was the worst they could find. Not horrible, but it was embarrassing for him. When you run for office this kind of stuff can come up because its public information.

They think it's not all that bad. Just "guys being guys".

We need to change how we raise our boys. I've done my part in that regard and now my son is raising two decent boys.

there you can be president, Sec of Defense, etc

they’re not as wrong as I wish they were.

And so many are undoubtedly wondering why women really aren't interested in them.

He had no legislative experience so he had no real campaign experience. Oh well.

the bar is apparently set low for them everywhere

We should hold our noses and vote for abusers because they get a pass because republicans. This is what has hurt our country no morals just blue versus red.

Damn it.

and to the people who claim any such sentiment is "helping Susan Collins", GET BETTER CANDIDATES

JFC

and Secretary of Defense

I cannot believe the rape apologists on here today.

Ever wonder if this latest one is cashing a nice, fat, Republican check? Hmmm?

MAYBE the fate of democracy and the United States shouldn't depend upon ONE election in ONE state!

And women shouldn't be expected to be the sacrificial lambs to the party!

I have no sympathy for men who abuse women!

women than what Platner did nor did not do.

There will likely be 2 more vacancies during the next 6 years.

Carry on.

There were too many smoking guns. Platner and his supporters have literally put democracy itself in jeopardy by not making the cut earlier.

LISTEN to the women!