When I worked in the MI House there were legislators who roamed the halls at night in their briefs and frequented strip clubs with their legislator name tag.
My coworker's wife had been sexually harassed by some of the highest officials when she worked there. . .
My coworker's wife had been sexually harassed by some of the highest officials when she worked there. . .
https://twitter.com/jeremyherb/status/1377750680136519681
Some of the reps were into "wife swapping".
Early on I was notified about a list the Speaker kept of which male legislators were no longer allowed to hire female staff because of blatant sexual harassment. My employment options were limited - they roamed free.
Early on I was notified about a list the Speaker kept of which male legislators were no longer allowed to hire female staff because of blatant sexual harassment. My employment options were limited - they roamed free.
The point is this: Sexually abusive behavior is often signaled in 100 ways and preceded or accompanied by sexually deviant behavior. Porn culture. "Boys will be boys" mindset.
And we not only tolerate it, we elect it and endorse it. And then wonder why abuse flourishes.
And we not only tolerate it, we elect it and endorse it. And then wonder why abuse flourishes.
Why did none of the women harassed and objectified by Gaetz speak up? Maybe they weren't aware of everything he was doing with their images. Or maybe they were, and they knew, like we all do, that almost no one REALLY cares. Not enough to do anything when it would actually cost.
Maybe they knew that because we elected a man who bragged about assaulting women and was the object of over a dozen abuse claims.
Maybe because he first ran against a woman credibly accused of covering up her own husband's abuse and no one cared then either.
Maybe because he first ran against a woman credibly accused of covering up her own husband's abuse and no one cared then either.
Maybe because another president who disgraced the Oval Office with his intern was applauded and is still on the speaking circuit, while the intern was decimated.
Maybe because we didn't listen to the other women who spoke out about that same president.
Maybe because we didn't listen to the other women who spoke out about that same president.
Those in Gaetz's community could have known who he was and maybe saved a child. In many ways, many of them DID know what he was.
And yet he was back on that floor over and over again, and no one said a word.
Victims reap what so many others sow.
And yet he was back on that floor over and over again, and no one said a word.
Victims reap what so many others sow.
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