Discussion: Ronan Farrow: NY AG's Victims Stayed Silent Due To Good He Could Do In Party

And…resigned.

Update: Three hours after the publication of this story, Schneiderman resigned from his position. “While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the office’s work at this critical time,” he said in a statement. “I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8, 2018.”

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Yeah Ronan…just keep talking…

If the allegations are true, and I tend to believe the women, his resignation comes not a minute too soon. He used his powerful position to keep these women cowed, frightened, silenced. I feel no pity for him. And he’s not the only person in this country who can do good and support Democratic causes.

On a side note: Both Jane Mayer and Ronan Farrow are powerhouse journalists! Nice job!!

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Completely OT: Ronan Farrow could be a female clone of his mother, the resemblance is striking.

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I read the article last night and that was one of the most heartbreaking things - women sacrificing their personal justice for what they saw as a greater good. An old tale and the justification for so much suffering, but here it was taken to such extremes that it really must have felt like it was a bargain worth keeping to protect his personal life.

I find it interesting that it was the realization that it wasn’t just a personal dilemma, that the next woman was going to be abused as well, that led to one of his victims deciding that it had to be exposed even if it took down a person so many had pinned their hopes on.

There is much here, from the differing valuations and self-worth perceived by even the most socially enlightened men and women, to the reliance on heroes versus of the power of institutions and society when facing our greatest adversaries.

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Mueller is working with the NY AG on the Trump stuff for purposes of state charges that can’t be pardoned. If this came out after that, there would be an uproar. Best to get this clown out now and replace him. This is not a Spitzer deal where he just paid for a hooker, this guy has some serious issues. And the Trumper’s would exploit the shit out of it if he was the one indicting Trump people. If I was a conspiracy guy, I might even think Mueller was behind this, wanting to have no problems at all in the indictment phase of all of this. One never knows. But the bottom line is that jerks like this need to go.

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The Sinatra half is pretty obvious too.

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(Pssst. His dad was actually Dean Martin. Shhhh.)

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The New Yorker piece is indeed heartbreaking. Now I’m waiting for the chorus of posters to shriek about Democrats eating there own.

One thing I admired the hell out of Obama for was his steadfast refusal of the idea that he was the “one and only” who could rescue the country. He always throws it back to the people: you’ve got to do this. And he’s right.

No kidding. I saw the New Yorker link on Josh’s twitter feed last night and was immediately skeptical, thinking it was a political hit job, until I clicked through and saw the byline.

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Small and obvious note to anyone that discovers or is the victim of criminal acts by a political figure, particularly high level of your own party.

Do your party a favor and bring it forward and report it, better for your party, good for your country.

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What is it with NYS AG’s, anyway?

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I think the article shows how #metoo is effective as an alternative form of justice. The facts, as described in the piece, would not likely be sufficient to get a conviction in a criminal matter or a finding of liability in a civil case. Even Greitens hasn’t been charged with sexual assault crimes and the description of his activities is rape as far as I am concerned.

Enter #metoo. It’s a social media disruptor, exposing the flaw that our justice system has been unable to provide adequate remedies for sexual abuse cases. These women went to Farrow and Mayer not because they couldn’t get a day in court, but because it would’ve been very expensive to do so (for a civil case) and an uphill battle where the chances of prevailing were 50-50 at best. As a criminal matter, I could envision many prosecutors expressing skepticism at getting an indictment or conviction.

Going to the New Yorker and amplifying the findings through the #metoo social media vehicle was much cheaper and more effective at extracting a measure of justice: Schneiderman lost his coveted job for his actions, even though there had been no investigation into his behavior.

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Run Preet, Run!

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Perhaps the question is, what is it with powerful men? I always wonder about this: is it inherent or would women be acting as horribly if they had been in power for 200 years …

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At least to some degree, to reach high positions you have to not give a s*** about other people’s desires. Modulating that is going to be complicated at best.

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Ronan and the New Yorker should be ashamed of running these trash accusations as if they were certainties. Russian intelligence is already skilled at running such “scandals” at home. There’s a serious probability that, as was the case with Sen. Franken, #metoo is getting played. Ronan’s Oedipal problem with his “father” is also reason for caution whenever he’s involved.

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Outside of the political ramifications, are you saying Al Franken didn’t do what he’s admitted to doing? Or perhaps a political litmus test that if you’re completely altruistic in your political life you can be a monster in your personal life?

It’s a wonder that the Metoo Movement isn’t spurring on gun ownership among women and taken aim squarely at the brutes who think they have a license to beat on women like pinatas. There is no explanation that makes me feel comfortable with a society that thinks it’s OK to beat on anyone due to the good the creep could do for their party.

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