Herman Cain is in the news again, this time for allegedly sexually harassing a couple of his female employees some time in the way back.
From
Politico: The sources — which include the recollections of close associates and other documentation — describe episodes [with Cain] that left the women upset and offended. These incidents include conversations allegedly filled with innuendo or personal questions of a sexually suggestive nature, taking place at hotels during conferences, at other officially sanctioned restaurant association events and at the association’s offices. There were also descriptions of physical gestures that were not overtly sexual but that made women who experienced or witnessed them uncomfortable and that they regarded as improper in a professional relationship.
While I've been waiting for the inevitable comparisons to the "high tech lynching" of Clarence Thomas for similar behavior against Anita Hill and other female underlings in Thomas's workplace, I've been trying to think of a way to put this whole thing into some kind of perspective without upsetting and offending my female compatriots.
Here's the best I can do:
Any woman who came of age in the middle of the 20th Century (that would be me) is now scratching her head wondering when the moment of high drama is going to come in this story. It appears this guy Cain is a possible creep who doesn't have the foggiest about propriety and good manners, let alone common sense. Have you seen him in action as a so-called politician? Have you seen him leering
at the end of that goofy ad where his campaign manager slowly releases a mouthful of smoke? Would it really shock you or even surprise you that he may have made suggestive comments to women who work for him?
It doesn't shock me or surprise me or, frankly, even give me a moment's pause. If I had a better memory, I could name you dozens of men I've worked with over the years -- some of them my bosses -- who have done the same things, not just to me but to every person who looked the least bit female. I'll give it to you that there are men who take it as their right to go beyond innuendo and gestures, but that's a whole different ballgame. So far all I've heard about Herman Cain's actions are the typically stupid, creepy, laughable pastimes of someone who deludes himself into thinking his position has the power to somehow make him desirable. (Insert mention of
"Mad Men" here.)
Good lord, people of the press, everybody knows Cain is an idiot. Nothing new here. Move along.
So let's get to why I can't get too excited about this new revelation about Herman Cain and his nasty mouth. There are men out there in positions of power who want to take away every right women ever had to be equal citizens under the law. They are working night and day
to bust Roe v. Wade wide open. There are
already a number of states either in the process of, or actively promoting, bans on abortions. If they're not working on outright bans they're sneaking around looking for ways to stall or discourage a procedure that has been declared legal in this country. (Mississippi is getting ready to
decide if an egg is a person, for God's sake.)
The House recently
passed phony legislation that would stop most private insurance companies from paying for abortions, using the new Health Care law as the phony reason for the need to act. It won't get past the Senate and they know it, but it can't hurt to send the message once again that, while
our children are at risk, being pro-fetus is where it's at.
Most if not all of the
GOP presidential candidates are prepared to take steps to flat-out outlaw abortions in America. (Including Cain, who, even as I write this, is at the American Enterprise Institute using genocide and Planned Parenthood in the same sentence.)
If Herman Cain did what they're saying he did, it's a bad thing, sure, but let's get real. While the press insists on resorting to the ridiculous in order to draw in the shallow, real government sanctioned sexual harassment looms large and threatens never to go away.
That's the big story.
Comments
Absolutely. There's no reason for anyone who wouldn't vote Republican in the general election to focus on this story. Our attention needs to be elsewhere.
by jon (not verified) on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 9:18am
Yes, it does, Jon, but predictably, it's mid-morning and they're repeating the story over and over and over. It'll go on for days without every being anything more than a non-story.
by Ramona on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 11:07am
All of my summer jobs were with the government. Around 1972, my immediate boss was a white woman, probably in her fifties. She was a nice looking lady, with a bit of a Southern accent, and except for one guy who wouldn't do a damned thing, managed her people without being unfriendly about it.
There were a lot of good ole boys working there, in other departments. One used to wander in and tell his latest jokes - that was his thing. Another one used to wander in every so often and tell her in front of everyone that he'd be glad to make her Mother of the Year, if she'd just give him half a chance. I was a bit stunned the first time, but everyone would smile, she'd smile and just shake her head. They were both married, and not to each other. I knew he was kidding, maybe even offering a ham-fisted compliment, and I figured she did too, and just found it easier to let it go by. But I felt bad for her.
by Donal on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 10:21am
I suspect you needn't have felt bad for her. He was the idiot and she had the upper hand. Unless it directly affected her job future, like water off a duck's back...
by Ramona on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 10:52am
Just to be clear, Cain is one of them.
by Verified Atheist on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 10:53am
Thanks, VA. I thought I made that clear with this:
by Ramona on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 11:05am
My reading skills are rarely above 50% on a Monday morning.
by Verified Atheist on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 12:17pm
No problem.
by Ramona on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 12:56pm
Cain just appeared on the National Press Club, made a Clinton-esque statement about his history of non sexual abuse.
Upon being questioned, Cain said the lawyers and HR worked it out. He was aware of the complaints but was unaware of the settlements. Then he added, "And I hope they didn't pay them very much because I didn't do anything wrong." Does that sound defensive? If you weren't guilty wouldn't you say, "I don't think they should have been paid anything because I didn't do anything wrong."
by Oxy Mora on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 2:02pm
Right. You caught him. That's why, after much deliberation and a short thumb-through of the Thesaurus I settled on the word "Goofball", even though I'm pretty sure I've never used it before and probably never will again.
by Ramona on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 2:31pm
I might say that, but the reality is that it often is cheaper to settle than fight it. In the short run. I'm not saying Cain is innocent, but he might have agreed not to discuss whatever happened as part of a settlement, and discussing it may free the other person to discuss it. Whatever it was.
When I was developing code of conduct for a former employer, I read about all sorts of people getting sued for stuff that seemed innocent enough. For example, two guys were looking at digital pictures from the office picnic. When a pic of a coworker in a bikini came up, they said something like, "Whoa, hot bod!" She happened to be passing their office, heard that, and sued ... and won.
by Donal on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 2:48pm
Now that's depressing. How did she prove they had said it? And how did she convince a court that somehow she was hurt by it? What century was that? What country? What dimension??
Never mind.
by Ramona on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 3:03pm
Right.
Cain embellished when he could have stopped after simply stating that the case was out of his hands. By embellishing he may have opened a legal door--don't know about such. In the least he juiced the narrative.
by Oxy Mora on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 3:13pm
Lying to the liberal media about a history of abusing women who deserved it (of course they did!) will only inflate Cain's appeal to the 'family values/evangelical' base of the GOP. It's a win - win.
Remember, Cain has to overcome the handicap of never presiding over hundreds of executions, a huge plus for Perry to pro-life voters.
by NCD on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 2:33pm
Okay, where is DD? I see a Dayly candidate here:
by Ramona on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 2:40pm
ahhahaahhahhaah
Best line in a long time.
I hereby render unto NCD, our resident Freedom Fighter, the Dayly Line of the Day Award for this here Dagblog Site, given to ALL of NCD from ALL of me--and RAMONA.
hahahahah
by Richard Day on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 4:19pm
Thank you, Richard. Glad you agreed!
by Ramona on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 5:08pm
A humble thanks for this recognition to you and Ramona, who, more than most, keep this site focused on what the flimflam artists of the GOP are really up to, to further screw this country and scam all, except for the 'haves and the have mores'.
by NCD on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 7:16pm
And then there is the fit with the mantra that the Lame Stream Media is out to "get" social conservatives.
by Oxy Mora on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 2:43pm
How do you "get" social conservatives? By going over their heads to encourage and promote social services?
If the Conservatives protest, wouldn't that make them "anti-social conservatives"?
I don't know. "Goofball" is looking better and better.
by Ramona on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 2:53pm
I think Cain's "Blowing Smoke".
by Oxy Mora on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 3:14pm
Oh, man. Another Dayly candidate.
Good one.
by Ramona on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 3:16pm
Thank you Ramona! I am glad that there is still someone who remembers that sexual harassment is as American as apple pie. Since most women in business like sexual attention, it is wrong to get mad at poor old Herman just because he runs across one that does not. My Dad told me that the reason he and my Mom stayed together all of these years is cause it was okay for him to flirt around the office. Now, Laura doesn't have that kind of open mind with me, for some reason...
Anyway, I thought democrats would like him better cause he reminds them of Clinton?
--W
by The Decider on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 10:20pm
Black Republicans are often viewed as opportunists by black voters. Herman Cain suggests that blacks are brainwashed because black voters reject Republican policies is just one example of how black republicans are willing to throw the black community under the bus.
When Herman Cain sang his personal version of "Amazing Grace" before the National Press Club, he reinforces the image of a smiling, subservient imbecile who only exists to entertain white folks. The confused audience could only applaud the performance just like they would have done for any entertainer. Cain is reprehensible.
by rmrd0000 on Tue, 11/01/2011 - 8:48am
Warren Buffett and Bill Gates would disagree with that statement, at least regarding taxes on the wealthy. The black upper class also tends to support the idea Democrats over Republicans. The black sections of Martha's Vineyards, for example, are Democratic strongholds. Robert Johnson of BET fame is a Democrat who is working to have corporations interview at least one black candidate for positions at the VP level or higher, similar to the NFL rule that resulted in the hiring of coaches like the coach of the Steelers who went on to win the Super Bowl.
by rmrd0000 on Tue, 11/01/2011 - 9:18am
Cain actually sat out the Civil Rights movement while he was at Morehouse. You seem to be suggesting that wealth determines political ideology. According to a Pew Study in 2005, about half of Democratic Party voters earned > $75K per year. Democratic voters tend to be more socially Liberal. Surprisingly, many black Democrats label themselves Conservative, but in no way would agree with Cain on a host of issues. Economics does not necessarily make you a Republican.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_ideologies_in_the_United_States
Are you a fan of the gospel stylings of Mr Cain?
by rmrd0000 on Tue, 11/01/2011 - 9:54am
Herman Cain "Amazing Grace-The Remix"
by rmrd0000 on Tue, 11/01/2011 - 11:19am
Anon, I don't know what happened to the original comment. I don't think anyone in admin made it go away. I know I didn't. But it does appear to be gone. I'm sorry.
by Ramona on Wed, 11/02/2011 - 7:49am
I did it. Anonymous is David Seaton. He was banned after flouting multiple warnings. But he continues to waste his time by trying to publish here anonymously. He's been at it for weeks. Sort of disturbing, actually.
by Michael Wolraich on Wed, 11/02/2011 - 8:00am
Wow, that's an extremely nasty summary.
Why do you have to insult the guy's belief in such an ugly way?
Was John Ashcroft a smiling, subservient minstrel for singing "Let the Eagle Soar"?
Isn't it okay for people to enjoy their patriotic/religious stuff without me or you having to get in their face?
How exactly do you know the audience was "confused" rather than pleased or appreciative? Do you have a magic audience psychology meter?
by PeraclesPlease (not verified) on Wed, 11/02/2011 - 9:53am
I have no problems with Cain's religious beliefs. I thought that Ashcroft's singing was ridiculous and I think Cain's singing was ridiculous for the situation. They are politicians not entertainers. Condi's piano playing did not help her wisdom in foreign policy, so I wasn't moved by her performances either..
I am merely posting on a website, I associate "getting in their face" with something more active like perhaps a direct email to Ashcroft or Cain, or actively working to defeat them by volunteering for an opponent or by contributing funds to an opponent. My post was is simply venting.
You are welcome to your belief that the audience was responding to a great performance. I might also ask if you have any greater insight into the matter. I think you still harbor a desire to argue just for the sake of argument. Have at it. Enjoy yourself. I have moved on.
Addendum: Cain was actually singing “He Looked Beyond My Faults and Saw My Need” by Dottie Rambo, so at least I was introduced to a new song.
by rmrd0000 on Wed, 11/02/2011 - 11:07am
When I saw Bill Clinton perform on "Arsenio", I didn't think that the then Presidential candidate was a particularly talented saxophone player.
by rmrd0000 on Wed, 11/02/2011 - 11:20am
I think you still harbor a desire to argue just for the sake of argument.
BINGO!
by anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 11/02/2011 - 3:07pm
Of Condi, you didn't say "When Condi Rice [Herman Cain] sang his personal version of "Amazing Grace" before the National Press Club, he reinforces the image of a smiling, subservient imbecile who only exists to entertain white folks."
You're being extremely nasty, making him into an Al Jolson/Aunt Jemimah just for singing a song, and then trying to walk it back.
Sorry, you're busted. Ugly racist talk.
by PeraclesPlease (not verified) on Wed, 11/02/2011 - 3:37pm
The inappropriate use of the term "high tech lynching" has to be addressed. Clarence Thomas was allowed to get away with this nonsense term during his hearings. Cain has been involved in cases that resulted in cash payments for sexual harassment. Cain remains alive and able to defend himself.
Victims of lynching, with few exceptions, die. Dangling feet and contorted faces are the final images of a lynching. Sometimes the bodies were burned and genitals were removed post-mortem. A lynching is a cruel, vile event that silences the victim. Cain is not being lynched. Cain is running for the highest political office in the country and is being asked to address issues that might reflect on his character and whether he is fit for the Presidency.
The settlements are real, thus the question of what occurred is valid. Cain can help Ann Coulter prove that "her" Republican blacks are better than the Democratic black riffraff. (Snark, but it was just too tempting to pass up)
by rmrd0000 on Wed, 11/02/2011 - 2:18pm
Apparently tried to get employees into his bedroom for some 9-9-9.
by Rootman on Wed, 11/02/2011 - 6:45pm
Can we get a santorum thing going where we have a contest to precisely define the coupling arrangement (including accessories, pets, pizza toppings) commonly referred to as "999" that Cain would have participated in, had he been successful in luring one or more of his employees to his room?
by Rootman on Wed, 11/02/2011 - 8:09pm
I think you can fill several volumes yourself - hate to mix the writing of a master with sheer amateurs.
by PeraclesPlease (not verified) on Wed, 11/02/2011 - 9:32pm