Do we want a Pope or a President?

Harborless · #1 (**permalink**) 11-09-2011

Despite some of the racially intolerant and subjective posters on this forum I feel that many intellectuals are smart enough to look past the gloss to the real picture.

Let us ask ourselves some questions: Are allegations relating to supposed sexual harassment (gestures, comments, inappropriate groping (alleged)) that occurred over 10 years ago expected to determine a presidential candidates viability for the highest office in the land?
Before I go off and talk about John F. Kennedy's MANY and DOCUMENTED transgressions in this area, or Clinton's, or Kerry s, or Wieners, Barney Frank, James McGreeve, Gary Condit, Eliot Spitzer, Melvin Jay Reynolds, ect. ect. The list goes ON people, believe me. Also, that list is ONLY concerning SEXUAL offenses. Do I dare dove into the realm of bribery, extortion, tampering of evidence, ballot stuffing, hedge fund trading, ect. ect? Do I? Do I need to go there?

Back on point. Are we electing a Pope? Are we seeking to have a clergy man in the Oval Office? Well, considering the separation of Church and State and the Lefts vehement opposition to all that is 'Godly' I would infer the answer to be no.
So, since we are not seeking to fill the presidency with a Pope or Clergy member then WHY THE HELL do allegations of harassment stemming more than a decade have any merit in our presidential contest? Tell me? What, you think under Cain women would lose the right to vote or something? That he would force woman to cover up instead of parading around town, malls, TV commercials, movies, ect. half naked showing tits and ass to the world?
Hell, in our culture of Sex, Drugs, and Rocking roll I challenge ANY man God fearing or not to claim he has never made an "inappropriate comment," to a woman. Add in the booze factors and WHOA! Watch out because we are ALL A BUNCH OF HORNY SEXUAL DEVIANTS- at least according to the standards Mr. Cain is being held to.

Let us look at some of the facts. One- The latest accuser after accepting settlement from the national restaurant association went to her job at the Treasury Department where she filed another discrimination suit. She sought one year paid salary, a promotion, and the ability to work at home.
Before I continue, why hasn't anyone asked her is paying her legal fees? Why is Ms. Aldridge taking the case? Who is paying for all of these farces? Why have these woman chosen NOW ten years LATER to step forward? Anyone? They just wanted to get it off there chests right? Wanted to FIGHT for the woman of America... In the midst of a campaign season where a conservative black man has become a real contender... Odd no?

Bialek, the first woman to come forward and accuse Cain of sexual harassment, said Cain made a sexual advance against her in 1997.

OH MY GOD! NO, really? You mean that 15 years ago at an after hours function under the influence of alcohol a man suggested something sexually to a woman?
You want some sexual harassment? Go to any public high school across the USA and stand in the hallway during class changes. This is a NON ISSUE!

"As a career federal employee, I have no interest in getting involved in the presidential campaign," she said in the statement released by her lawyer.
released BY HER LAWYER--- hmmmm... Why cant this federal treasury department woman speak for herself? Why does she need fixed statements? Why is she requesting other woman who "feel" they were harassed come forward? Why? Obviously to smear Mr. Cain. You want to say this about woman's rights? Well I want to say I am rich, but I am not. I can say it, but that does not make it true.

Karen Kraushaar, a 55-year-old former journalist who currently works for the Obama administration, was outed today as one of the three women who had filed sexual harassment complaints against Cain.
Hmmm, REALLY? YOU DONT SAY? WHAT A COINCIDENCE!!!

Fiance of Sharon Bialek says he is supporting her but did not find out until Friday
Filed for bankruptcy twice
Accused former boyfriend of harassing her to pay a loan
Father found out about allegations on Monday
Lived in same building as top Obama aid
Fifth woman claims he asked aid to set up dinner date with him and an attractive audience member

So these are the woman who are being sought after to bring down a viable presidential candidate. These are the woman who repeatedly cite ANONYMOUS sources. These are the woman who just felt like coming out of the closet 10+ years later in the middle of a campaign to 'get it off their chests.'

Sailnet members--- Are you really so ignorant as to fall for such bogus and adulterated crap? EVEN IF HE DID come on to the woman SO FREAKING WHAT! Is he a saint? Do we expect to elect a saint?

For you Obama supporters riddle me this: How do you explain Obamas relations with Bill Ayers? Unfamiliar with the name? He was just a domestic terrorist responsible for firebombings on US soil. He and Obama often spoke at rally's together and have a long history of working relations.

Why do I bring that up? Not to tarnish Obama, but to bring to light the fact that NOBODY is perfect. There is a difference between raping boys in a shower and suggesting a woman come back to your hotel room. Do I have a problem with my president sleeping around? Not a bit. I couldn't give a damn. What does that have to do with him being a WORLD LEADER?

The media is attempting to black ball Mr. Cain and some of you are not only accepting the vitriol you are spewing it out as thought the sky is falling. News Flash- America is falling. We are falling. We NEED a man to get the JOB DONE. I like Mr. Cain, I really do. I like some other candidates too but since they are not being the subject of a media campaign of annihilation I see no reason to defend them on this post. For Mr. Cain, it is alll too clear.

I could posts a list of a hundred politicians in the last decade who were accused and or convicted of crimes ranging from sexual harassment to bribery to extortion to voter fraud to gun running to THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

So once again ask yourselves: Are we seeking a Pope, or a president?
Now ask yourself this; do any of these allegations take precedence over the real news? Look at the Dow- slid 200 points
Look at the 70 yr old man who was raped by four men during his morning walk outside his home.
Look at the RAPE of Penn state players
Look at the nuclear capabilities of Iran
Look at the espionage being carried out by Russia and China agaisnt US businesses and government agencies
Look at the trade deficits between Brazil and the US
LOOK AT WHAT MATTERS!!!

What Mr. Cain said or did regarding sexual relations OVER A DECADE ago have NO merit in this campaign are only ploys to DIVERT YOUR ATTENTIONS from the REAL ISSUES!

America is in a recession. America is being overrun by China. America is politically inept. ect. ect. ect. ect. ect. ect. ect.

Smarten up people. Do not let grandiose opera divert your attention from the real and pressing issues of the day and the morrow. Stand up against the derogation of our great nation and the moral erosion of all American values. Pay attention to what matters, demand change, demand accountability. Eric Holder is a free man right now. As are all of the other government officials who sold arms to Mexican drug cartels. I mean jeez, how is this crap not front page news but Anonymous cited allegations of a decade past are? Really? Are we this stupid?
Ask yourself. I'm not.
Harborless OUT!

WouldaShoulda · #2 (**permalink**) 11-09-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harborless

The media is attempting to black ball Mr. Cain...

Now that's an unfortunate choice of words!!

BentSailor · #3 (**permalink**) 11-09-2011

The issue for Cain is that he is running for Republican Presidential Candidate. The Republican Party is proud to represent the religious right and fully expect their presidential candidates to at least appear to respect Christian values. They may not want the Pope (though they did level that accusation against a prominent Catholic Democrat), but they do want certain puritan values upheld (at least publicly).

Us Aussies are a little more laid back. The last guy seeking national leader in our country they tried to smear with his attendance at a strip club in the US saw his approval increase.

gryff57 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-09-2011

I believe we find the accusations important because we want to ...

Quote:

Stand up against the derogation of our great nation and the moral erosion of all American values. Pay attention to what matters, demand change, demand accountability.

Harborless · #5 (**permalink**) 11-09-2011

since your so concerned with meaningless issues why don't you go buy the newest issue of InTouch so you can find out who Kim Kardashian issleping with now and the next name of whatever falls out of Brittney Spears. I just hope the majority of Americans are not susepticble to such near sighted thinking. The Cain allegations are about as much of a natinal issue as how much jail time Lohan gets for her probation violations. Interesting perhaps, but still just a waste of letters andtime.

BentSailor · #6 (**permalink**) 11-09-2011

Mate, I'm more concerned with the fact you think women talking about what happened to them are citing anonymous sources (in capitals no less!) than I am Cain's personal proclivities. Sexual harassment is between him, the women, and the organisation paying for the issue. Confusion about what citing an anonymous source is comes across as far more worrisome!

However, I am not the Republican voting base. They ARE concerned with such things and they ARE changing their mind about Cain as more details emerge (according to polls asking the question). If Republicans want to know the character of the man they would vote president - I'm not going to say they shouldn't. They can, as a matter of liberty, vote for/against the man for any reasons they so choose - be it his policies, his behaviour in & out of the workplace, or the way he handles a crisis (which is, in this case, not well).

If I had a vote in the matter, I'd vote against the man due to his lack of basic knowledge regarding foreign affairs and willingness to revel in his ignorance of such. That's far more dangerous to me than his sexual behaviour. Then again, I don't vote with the religious right

Harborless · #7 (**permalink**) 11-09-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by BentSailor

Mate, I'm more concerned with the fact you think women talking about what happened to them are citing anonymous sources (in capitals no less!) than I am Cain's personal proclivities. Sexual harassment is between him, the women, and the organisation paying for the issue. Confusion about what citing an anonymous source is comes across as far more worrisome!

However, I am not the Republican voting base. They ARE concerned with such things and they ARE changing their mind about Cain as more details emerge (according to polls asking the question). If Republicans want to know the character of the man they would vote president - I'm not going to say they shouldn't. They can, as a matter of liberty, vote for/against the man for any reasons they so choose - be it his policies, his behaviour in & out of the workplace, or the way he handles a crisis (which is, in this case, not well).

If I had a vote in the matter, I'd vote against the man due to his lack of basic knowledge regarding foreign affairs and willingness to revel in his ignorance of such. That's far more dangerous to me than his sexual behaviour. Then again, I don't vote with the religious right

My only qualm with your response is that you seem to think I am mistaken in the fact that the allegations are supported by "anonymous sources." as the days go on more of what was unknown is becoming known (such as the fact one of the woman is an aide for Obama).

Other than that kudos to you for being objective to what is important in a candidate. I also feel Mr. Cain is weak on foreign policy issues.
I am not a Republican nor am I a democrat. I just am sick and tired of people being lampooned whenever they are outside of the established box that is American politics.

The women involved in these allegations should be given fair and due process to determine the validity of their claims. As such, ALL pertinent information should be disclosed to the public for such an assessment to be made. We are an educated nation and do not need are news filtered through politically polluted mediums.

BentSailor · #8 (**permalink**) 11-09-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harborless

My only qualm with your response is that you seem to think I am mistaken in the fact that the allegations are supported by "anonymous sources." as the days go on more of what was unknown is becoming known (such as the fact one of the woman is an aide for Obama).

Not what I said, you claimed (and I quote) "These are the woman who repeatedly cite ANONYMOUS sources". That is different than stating that the sources might have an agenda (which they indeed might) or that the journalists are citing anonymous sources or named sources about anonymous women.

Quote:

Other than that kudos to you for being objective to what is important in a candidate. I also feel Mr. Cain is weak on foreign policy issues.
I am not a Republican nor am I a democrat. I just am sick and tired of people being lampooned whenever they are outside of the established box that is American politics.

Your problems is that I am an Australian and the US Republicans are the ones you need to concern yourself with. Personally, I find the circus that is your primary season the only thing pulling me up short on Australia declaring itself a republic. I like the idea of a directly elected executive branch of government, but if it must come with the multi-year craziness that the US goes through, I'm not interested.

Quote:

The women involved in these allegations should be given fair and due process to determine the validity of their claims. As such, ALL pertinent information should be disclosed to the public for such an assessment to be made. We are an educated nation and do not need are news filtered through politically polluted mediums.

Actually, I think the women in question (at least the ones I believe were likely harassed) have already had fair & due process & were paid off as a result. Bialek is way past the statute of limitations on this and the other claims only go to a balance of evidence Cain is predisposed toward such activity. They, by themselves, prove nothing but added to the other claims make them more believable. Remember, this issue isn't about proving a crime but about Cain's character. It wouldn't be news were he not seeking Presidency where character matters.

I thought, right at the beginning, that Cain should get everything out in the open as quickly as possible. Said so at the time. It is the first rule in a scandal as it sucks the oxygen from the story as time progresses. Leave facts to be revealed at a later date and the story (true or false) will continue to stay in the headlines. Cain didn't want (for whatever reasons he might have) the NRA to release those details. His choice but he must live with the predictable results of making it.