Politics Why Do Conservatives Keep Ending Up Next to Sex Offenders?

[faible]

which for some reason are only being reported 20 years after the fact and most often when someone is causing issues for the opposition

They don't believe women. It's always the same story, <insert prominent male right-wing figure> is the victim of a lying woman.

You keep doing the exact same thing.

 

[faible]

Probably they just don't take it that seriously, or think it's fine when their side of politics does it.

I think there's a middle ground view on issues like these that's fair to all sides. It's very important to give alleged victims the care and sympathy we would give to confirmed victims, while also not treating someone like they're already guilty before it's proven.

This is why I like the NRLs no-fault stand down policy for players accused of crimes, no one is being assumed guilty without proof, but it's accepted that distance needs to be put between the accused and the organisation. It allows the player to concentrate on responding to the allegations, and the organisation don't look like monsters who don't care about sexual assault or rape. And if the allegations don't lead to a conviction, the player returns to playing. Conservative parties ought to copy this in some manner for their politicians.

I do think most allegations are likely to be true, especially if there are an overwhelming number of alleged victims describing the same pattern of behaviour. I don't believe for a second that Brand, Tate or Cosby are innocent, for example. But they're not the only cases. Occasionally there are cases where I feel the allegations are likely to be politically motivated (Julian Assange because the US wanted him for leaking, Peter Slipper because he ditched the LNP and James Ashby comes across as a real slimeball).

And then there are cases like Al Franken, where he probably did some inappropriate things that warranted an apology, but he was simply treated like a pariah and hounded out of office without a proper investigation, and then it was discovered his most prominent accuser had embellished or fabricated several things. So sometimes the rush to judgement is misplaced.

Of course none of this applies to people like Trump who not only admit their disgusting behaviour but take pride in it.

I think due process is important, I also think that particularly when it comes to people with power and influence, that due process is rarely afforded to the victim(s).

How many powerful men have been able to suppress their victims from talking with NDAs or intimidation for years, or decades, until their influence wanes sufficiently - or one brave victims comes forward, encouraging the others to do so - that those victims feel they can finally come forward?

When they're seeing guys like Trump get away with it, it's little wonder victims don't want to come forward.

 

[Carringbush2010]

I reckon being a campaigner isn't limited to left or right wing (hope I don't get called a centrist for that view)

Better than being labelled a lefty or righty.

 

[spike101]

Glad you asked, see below:

1. George Pell – Convicted (later overturned) but damning findings from the Royal Commission about his knowledge of systemic abuse. Still weirdly revered in conservative circles.

2. Andrew Laming – LNP MP caught taking upskirt photos of a woman and accused of harassment. Got a slap on the wrist and quietly exited politics.

3. Liberal Party’s handling of Brittany Higgins – A masterclass in gaslighting and victim-blaming. Ministers like Linda Reynolds called her a “lying cow.” Morrison’s response? “Jenny told me to think like a dad.” Inspirational stuff.

4. Peter Dutton’s past remarks – Referred to sexual assault allegations in refugee camps as “fabricated,” said female refugees were “trying it on.” Unbelievably gross.

5. Catholic Church protection racket – Historically backed by the right, especially in Victoria and NSW. Fought tooth and nail against abuse survivors’ rights to sue.

1. Fortunately I’m not Catholic
2. Channel 9 was forced to apologise to Laming as he was wrongly accused
3. Reynolds is probably correct
4. Richard Marles chief of staff agrees to out of court settlement, she was bullied.
5. See 1.

 

[Episode IV]

You keep doing the exact same thing.

What would that be, posting the same thing three times now in some sort of an attempt to illicit a response?

Yes, I know. The hashtag "believe all women" thing started as a plea to approach sexual assault allegations from a position of belief rather than disbelief. A positive approach, in itself, and one I'd inherently agree with... but like all things, there are always those who would take advantage. Here we are in a world where being accused of sexual assault is almost de riguer when one assumes a position of influence.. or inconvenience.

Like I said, accusations surfacing at rather convenient times decades after the fact and peoples careers being ruined as result - on the strength of an accusation - do not lend themselves to an attitude of unwavering belief on my part. And they do not lend themselves to a situation where women themselves gain any more respect as a result.

We have court cases being decided "on the balance of probabilities". Hooray.
And I'm a long way from being alone in my skepticism. Sorry about that.

And fk your hashtag. It's become just another meme. Such a shame you can't see beyond the piece of cardboard being held up at a rally.

 

[kickazz]

Conservatives traditionally like to see that existing power structures are entrenched.

Systemic sexual offences often involve an abuse of power - in many cases that is what it is about. I'm not talking about flashers and stuff like that, I'm talking about prolonged abuse.

So I think that is why Pell/Saville etc 'get away with it' : power respects power and they look after each other.


I do note however that the Greens have a pretty poor reputation recently with some of their candidates being accused of sexual harassment.

 

[faible]

Here we are in a world where being accused of sexual assault is almost de riguer when one assumes a position of influence.. or inconvenience.

Like I said, accusations surfacing at rather convenient times decades after the fact and peoples careers being ruined as result - on the strength of an accusation - do not lend themselves to an attitude of unwavering belief on my part. And they do not lend themselves to a situation where women themselves gain any more respect as a result.

Yeah. See you keep doing the exact same thing.

 

[ElectricG]

To try to answer the OP question, I wonder if there is something about the outward-looking nature of conservatism that lends itself to being okay with doing terrible things.

Russell Brand is an interesting one. Used to be a massive lefty, then shifted to right and Lo and behold here come the rape accusations. Does conservatism begat rape? Or does rape begat conservatism? Something tells me Brand has an easier time living with his actions when he is in the Jordan Peterson land of fire and brimstone.

 

[carltonchelsea]

Lawmaker removes consent from sex ed requirements in Indiana bill

Consent language was removed from a human sexuality bill that required disclosure of sex ed curriculum. Requirements that kids see ultrasounds remained.

www.wthr.com