Thread by @windthin

1/17 From the instant I heard about Tara Reade's accusations against Joe Biden over a month ago, I did what I always do when I don't know something: I read, because if there was even a grain of truth in this, I couldn't ignore it, having seen first hand where that leads.

2/17 I've read the accusations, and how those posting them mostly were NOT reading the articles they posted based on their exaggerations, and how the stories keep shifting and changing.

I've read the threads and deep dives into her posts and writings.

3/17 I've read a lot of vitriol from both sides.

I've read articles in mainstream publications from reporters trying to get just the facts, to the degree they're ignoring discrepancies.

And I've read articles from people like myself who find this all disturbing and... wrong.

4/17 I don't care what party you're in, who you are, what you're running for. If you hurt somebody, it's wrong, and you should be held accountable.

I liked Al Franken. I hated it when he had to step down. But I am glad he did, because he should have.

5/17 I didn't much like Biden, not for our nominee. He was way down on my list of candidates, behind at least four or five people I still think could have done a better job.

But after sifting through everything I've read, I believe him. I don't believe Tara Reade.

6/17 And it's not just a matter of belief, or convenience, or lack of evidence. There is a mountain of discrepancies and shifts and outright oddities in her stories, and I do mean plural, that convince me of this.

7/17 Here are some articles by others who have done that same dive I have, walking softly, walking carefully, trying to be aware and careful and conscientious. They're not all I have read, but they're easily some of the best written and most thoughtful articles on this debacle.

8/17 Why I'm skeptical about Reade's sexual assault claim against Biden: Ex-prosecutor

If we must blindly accept every allegation of sexual assault, the #MeToo movement is just a hit squad. And it's too important to be no more than that.
usatoday.com/story/opinion/… via @usatoday

9/17 The Troublesome Tara Reade Story via @thenation

Left- and right-wing Biden haters demanded that the media investigate her sexual assault charge. It did—and uncovered many reasons to doubt.

thenation.com/article/politi…

10/17 What Is Disturbing About Tara Reade’s Allegations

We don’t know who is telling the truth.

washingtonmonthly.com/2020/04/29/wha…

11/17 Tara Reade's Sexual Assault Allegation Against Joe Biden Is Falling Apart by @thedailybanter

Political activists urged the media to investigate Tara Reade's allegations against Joe Biden. They did, and Reade is not faring well. thebanter.substack.com/p/tara-reades-…

12/17 Salon's March 31st deep dive into both Tara Reade's accusations and accusations against her by Biden supporters provides a good unbiased analysis.

A woman accuses Joe Biden of sexual assault, and all hell breaks loose online. Here's what we know
salon.com/2020/03/31/a-w…

13/17 I've carefully looked at which articles I am posting here. A lot of them are choosing to only post developments in her allegations without any counter or discussion of their merit, as noted above. For instance, this timeline is rather scant:

forbes.com/sites/jackbrew…

14/17 One thing bothering me and many others is that the Biden campaign seems to be ignoring this issue, not feeling it needs to be addressed.

Even if it doesn't hurt him in the polls, they're wrong.

Who we are now says we MUST address every accusation.

nytimes.com/2020/04/29/us/…

15/17 Who we want to be says we can't ignore this.

I do not believe Tara Reade.

But I want Biden to actually answer, because what we're trying to be demands it.

Biden himself should address the Tara Reade allegations and release relevant records
washingtonpost.com/opinions/biden…

16/17 Though we still need Biden himself to step forward and speak on this, it is clear that from the talking points his aides are circulating the campaign is not ignoring this entirely.

buzzfeednews.com/article/rubycr… via @rubycramer

17/17 Ultimately, I do not believe Tara Reade, and these articles explain why many others do not as well, and why mainstream channels are largely avoiding this story.

But I also believe Joe Biden must address this, because no accusation should be ignored.