Please – equating Biden with the occupant is foolish and unjust at best. Your common sense should have told you that. Perhaps you wanted to allow an opportunity for public debate. Biden has worked tirelessly for womens rights, no one has accused him of sexual ( Ooooooooo what a dirty word, Pence would faint) impropriety, no one has accused him of assault. The issue is valid – he made them uncomfortable in their personal space. We all have a right to it. As we mature as a society my hope is that people will tell offenders of their intrusions into personal space; that they are uncomfortable with the offenders actions – if that is the end of them – it stops there!It is difficult not to ascribe political motivations to women calling up these incidents in public years after the occurrence. I would hope not, and it doesn’t change the fact it happened, sadly without proof in many instances. We must always remember to keep perspective regarding our actions and the implications of them.
Accusations against Trump involve groping of private parts and sticking his tongue in to kiss them. Accusations against Biden involve hugging and getting too close. Both may have made someone uncomfortable, however, one is sexual assault, one is not. If you think the two are equal, I don’t know how you get through life.
Mr. Biden has been apologetic, respectful, and has answered the complaints. I have heard of no accusations of actual sexual assault. What was acceptable conduct 30 or 40 years ago is not in the 21st Century. And Mr. Trump, trying to paint Mr. Biden with your own brand of slimey conduct is reprehensible. But you’re not known for veracity or decency. I would suggest, Mr. Trump, that you clean up your own house before disparaging anyone else.
Yes, Biden is old school and some of the old hugger type stuff he engaged in may now seem out of date. However, it is not criminal, and he has said that he will change since it is a new era. Also, if we are looking for a perfect candidate, we will never get one. All of the candidates will have something that we don’t like in some way. It is important to not tear down all of our viable Democratic candidates, unless we want to be stuck with the orange monster for another term.
I’m one of those who really doesn’t like hugs or being touched by people I’m not really close to. That said, I’d be FAR FAR more comfortable around Joe Biden than Trump. This comic is a false equivalence.
If some Joe Schmoe hugs a women, she thinks it’s creepy, but if George Clooney does it she swoons.
Likewise, the women Joe has worked with over his long career took his hugs as signs of affection and were not offended. He has a long record of supporting women’s causes.
Many women in the Me-too movement have stepped up in support of him.
False equivalence is a lie, even when it’s used upside down like this. Both are bad, but one is considerably worse. Plus, of course, Biden’s walking his back which at least shows that he reacts to pressure (and might be better than that) whereas Il Douche just doubles down (waaaay down).
Oh, c’mon, Steve, please don’t equate things that are not equal – Biden has owned up to it, apologized publicly, and says he needs to learn better. We’ll see if he does. But nearly everyone on the Democratic side has left office — often on their own — as a consequence of #MeToo and related concerns, e.g., Al Franken. Meanwhile, we have rapists, child predators, and serial assaulters on the other side, and #45 not only fails to apologize his disgusting behavior or even acknowledge it, but brags about it to the press.
When you do this, you play into the hands of the real villains of the piece, and you know it.
Also, a man who lost a wife, and kids, having gone through grief himself, might find giving a touch of comfort to people in stress, or a whisper of support, a way to give love, and human kindness, a way to share his humanity.
Biden grasped a Cabinet official’s wife, and the photo went viral. Now, she says everyone had it wrong.
…
Stephanie Carter, the wife of the former secretary of defense, Ashton B. Carter[,]… was troubled, too. But not by her interaction with the vice president, as she affirmed in a Medium essay published on Sunday. Instead, she resented how a tender moment between friends was reduced to a single misleading image, caught in the maw of online punditry. In the essay, titled “The #MeToo Story That Wasn’t Me," she recounted how the vice president had whispered his thanks into her ear and “kept his hands on my shoulders as a means of offering his support.”
…
Instead of criticizing Biden, Stephanie Carter indicted the ecosystem of online outrage fed by Twitter, political punditry and late-night television.
END SHORT SEGMENT QUOTES
There is much more at the links given.
BE CAREFUL, TOO, OF FALSE EQUIVALENCIES!
A kiss on the back of the head, or a nose rub can be intrusive and awkward. With some people they can even feel like power plays. BUT THEY ARE NOT SEXUAL ASSAULT. Pretending that those are the same causes real problems for people who are working to reduce the ever-present problem of sexual assault. Now, grabbing women’s genitalia when that is not requested IS sexual assault, and bragging about it afterward and saying that celebrity makes it okay is way beyond tacky.
Yes, Biden needs to be more aware and to apologize, but what he did is NOT sexual assault. Pretending otherwise is unfair to victims of sexual assault.
I am really, really getting sick of the FALSE EQUIVALENCIES that some people are leaning over backwards to make. They are totally unfair to victims of sexual abuse, and they create confusion for everyone.
Yes, there are times when a friendly touch helps, as the friend of Biden whose shoulders he held in support during a touching moment has herself pointed out when she said that the viral photo has been grossly misrepresented.
There are other times when that or an unwanted kiss to the back of the head can feel intrusive and awkward, or infantilizing.
These things are NOT the same as what a person goes through with sexual assault. Ask any victim of sexual assault, male or female, and those who are confused will learn better than to depict the actions as equal.
PLEASE, there is way too much false equivalency garbage going on in the nation, and this is just one more example. Since when did preferences and opinions wind up being treated like they were the same as facts? Since when did people forget that there are incredibly different subsets within broad categories (so that one type of touch is NOT the same as another type — which is kind of a no-brainer if a person takes time to think about it)? Look around you. False equivalencies are causing real damage.
Being kissed on the back of one’s head is NOT the same as being sexually assaulted. It is insulting to victims of sexual assault when people behave as if there are not different type of touching. Any male or female, adult, teen, or child who has had someone demean them with a sexual assault certainly knows the difference, and every single one of those who was fortunate enough to not suffer worse is grateful for being spared that even while knowing that he or she was victimized badly.
Pretending that different types of touches are equivalent can cause very real problems for helping victims of sexual assault and even interpretation difficulties for others who NEED to understand the differences among touches or assault types. Do NOT perpetuate the myths created by false equivalencies!
I deleted my comment and in doing so deleted Steve’s response. I want to thank Steve for his response. The remark about me having a “pre-fabbed playbook” really stung but it made me think. Thanks Steve.
Biden has sincerely apologized for his unwanted but non sexual assault touches. Trump has not apologized for his many instances of sexual assault. Hugs can be helpful though not always if they are unwanted. Sexual assault is always negative and never desired.
tbemont Premium Member about 5 years ago
Let’s be honest. Biden’s treatment of women in no way equals Trump’s mistreatment of women.
Masterskrain Premium Member about 5 years ago
Trump’s hand should be about 2 feet lower…and in the front!
Ignatz Premium Member about 5 years ago
This is an insane level of false equivalence.
brwydave Premium Member about 5 years ago
Steve – I would have expected this cartoon from the other Benson, not you.
JohnHarry Premium Member about 5 years ago
Please – equating Biden with the occupant is foolish and unjust at best. Your common sense should have told you that. Perhaps you wanted to allow an opportunity for public debate. Biden has worked tirelessly for womens rights, no one has accused him of sexual ( Ooooooooo what a dirty word, Pence would faint) impropriety, no one has accused him of assault. The issue is valid – he made them uncomfortable in their personal space. We all have a right to it. As we mature as a society my hope is that people will tell offenders of their intrusions into personal space; that they are uncomfortable with the offenders actions – if that is the end of them – it stops there!It is difficult not to ascribe political motivations to women calling up these incidents in public years after the occurrence. I would hope not, and it doesn’t change the fact it happened, sadly without proof in many instances. We must always remember to keep perspective regarding our actions and the implications of them.
Radish the wordsmith about 5 years ago
How many checks to a mistress did Biden write out?
Masterskrain Premium Member about 5 years ago
Anyone asked Angela Merkel what she thought of the shrub trying to give her a shoulder massage??
montessoriteacher about 5 years ago
Accusations against Trump involve groping of private parts and sticking his tongue in to kiss them. Accusations against Biden involve hugging and getting too close. Both may have made someone uncomfortable, however, one is sexual assault, one is not. If you think the two are equal, I don’t know how you get through life.
Alberta Oil Premium Member about 5 years ago
Not so sure reminding folk of groping is in the best interest of republicans.
Bookworm about 5 years ago
Mr. Biden has been apologetic, respectful, and has answered the complaints. I have heard of no accusations of actual sexual assault. What was acceptable conduct 30 or 40 years ago is not in the 21st Century. And Mr. Trump, trying to paint Mr. Biden with your own brand of slimey conduct is reprehensible. But you’re not known for veracity or decency. I would suggest, Mr. Trump, that you clean up your own house before disparaging anyone else.
Not the Smartest Man On the Planet -- Maybe Close Premium Member about 5 years ago
This is a false — and dangerous — equivalency. Biden’s conduct toward many women was out of line, but nowhere near as repulsive as Trump’s.
montessoriteacher about 5 years ago
Yes, Biden is old school and some of the old hugger type stuff he engaged in may now seem out of date. However, it is not criminal, and he has said that he will change since it is a new era. Also, if we are looking for a perfect candidate, we will never get one. All of the candidates will have something that we don’t like in some way. It is important to not tear down all of our viable Democratic candidates, unless we want to be stuck with the orange monster for another term.
retpost about 5 years ago
Me thinks these cartoon creators have run this subject to ground.
Kurtass Premium Member about 5 years ago
trump’s hand is to high and to big.
tabby about 5 years ago
I’m one of those who really doesn’t like hugs or being touched by people I’m not really close to. That said, I’d be FAR FAR more comfortable around Joe Biden than Trump. This comic is a false equivalence.
Sirikit about 5 years ago
Nope, sorry, no comparison. Trump’s hands would be much lower.
genome_project Premium Member about 5 years ago
If some Joe Schmoe hugs a women, she thinks it’s creepy, but if George Clooney does it she swoons.
Likewise, the women Joe has worked with over his long career took his hugs as signs of affection and were not offended. He has a long record of supporting women’s causes.
Many women in the Me-too movement have stepped up in support of him.
Concretionist about 5 years ago
False equivalence is a lie, even when it’s used upside down like this. Both are bad, but one is considerably worse. Plus, of course, Biden’s walking his back which at least shows that he reacts to pressure (and might be better than that) whereas Il Douche just doubles down (waaaay down).
RAGs about 5 years ago
I keep thinking of the verse:
“Blind guides,” Jesus rebuked in a litany of strikes against the Pharisees, “who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel.” (Matt. 23: 24) NKJV.
DeepState about 5 years ago
Rump’s hand is in the wrong place….
pamela welch Premium Member about 5 years ago
C’mon Steve! Biden and tRump the same?? Please
Motivemagus about 5 years ago
Oh, c’mon, Steve, please don’t equate things that are not equal – Biden has owned up to it, apologized publicly, and says he needs to learn better. We’ll see if he does. But nearly everyone on the Democratic side has left office — often on their own — as a consequence of #MeToo and related concerns, e.g., Al Franken. Meanwhile, we have rapists, child predators, and serial assaulters on the other side, and #45 not only fails to apologize his disgusting behavior or even acknowledge it, but brags about it to the press.
When you do this, you play into the hands of the real villains of the piece, and you know it.
Dtroutma about 5 years ago
Trying to pair a guy whose been a peach most of his life, with a jerk who’s been a rotten apple all HIS life? Not even close to a match.
Dtroutma about 5 years ago
Also, a man who lost a wife, and kids, having gone through grief himself, might find giving a touch of comfort to people in stress, or a whisper of support, a way to give love, and human kindness, a way to share his humanity.
SukieCrandall Premium Member about 5 years ago
About the shoulder holding image that people have misused and misrepresented:
https://medium.com/@scarterdc/the-metoo-story-that-wasnt-me-6c1d5eb1e94d
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/04/01/biden-grasped-cabinet-officials-wife-photo-went-viral-now-she-says-everyone-had-it-wrong/?utm_term=.012db7e283ef&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1
SHORT SEGMENT QUOTES
Biden grasped a Cabinet official’s wife, and the photo went viral. Now, she says everyone had it wrong.
…
Stephanie Carter, the wife of the former secretary of defense, Ashton B. Carter[,]… was troubled, too. But not by her interaction with the vice president, as she affirmed in a Medium essay published on Sunday. Instead, she resented how a tender moment between friends was reduced to a single misleading image, caught in the maw of online punditry. In the essay, titled “The #MeToo Story That Wasn’t Me," she recounted how the vice president had whispered his thanks into her ear and “kept his hands on my shoulders as a means of offering his support.”
…
Instead of criticizing Biden, Stephanie Carter indicted the ecosystem of online outrage fed by Twitter, political punditry and late-night television.
END SHORT SEGMENT QUOTES
There is much more at the links given.
BE CAREFUL, TOO, OF FALSE EQUIVALENCIES!
A kiss on the back of the head, or a nose rub can be intrusive and awkward. With some people they can even feel like power plays. BUT THEY ARE NOT SEXUAL ASSAULT. Pretending that those are the same causes real problems for people who are working to reduce the ever-present problem of sexual assault. Now, grabbing women’s genitalia when that is not requested IS sexual assault, and bragging about it afterward and saying that celebrity makes it okay is way beyond tacky.
Yes, Biden needs to be more aware and to apologize, but what he did is NOT sexual assault. Pretending otherwise is unfair to victims of sexual assault.
SukieCrandall Premium Member about 5 years ago
I am really, really getting sick of the FALSE EQUIVALENCIES that some people are leaning over backwards to make. They are totally unfair to victims of sexual abuse, and they create confusion for everyone.
Yes, there are times when a friendly touch helps, as the friend of Biden whose shoulders he held in support during a touching moment has herself pointed out when she said that the viral photo has been grossly misrepresented.
There are other times when that or an unwanted kiss to the back of the head can feel intrusive and awkward, or infantilizing.
These things are NOT the same as what a person goes through with sexual assault. Ask any victim of sexual assault, male or female, and those who are confused will learn better than to depict the actions as equal.
PLEASE, there is way too much false equivalency garbage going on in the nation, and this is just one more example. Since when did preferences and opinions wind up being treated like they were the same as facts? Since when did people forget that there are incredibly different subsets within broad categories (so that one type of touch is NOT the same as another type — which is kind of a no-brainer if a person takes time to think about it)? Look around you. False equivalencies are causing real damage.
SukieCrandall Premium Member about 5 years ago
Being kissed on the back of one’s head is NOT the same as being sexually assaulted. It is insulting to victims of sexual assault when people behave as if there are not different type of touching. Any male or female, adult, teen, or child who has had someone demean them with a sexual assault certainly knows the difference, and every single one of those who was fortunate enough to not suffer worse is grateful for being spared that even while knowing that he or she was victimized badly.
Pretending that different types of touches are equivalent can cause very real problems for helping victims of sexual assault and even interpretation difficulties for others who NEED to understand the differences among touches or assault types. Do NOT perpetuate the myths created by false equivalencies!
Cavenee Lonnie Premium Member about 5 years ago
I deleted my comment and in doing so deleted Steve’s response. I want to thank Steve for his response. The remark about me having a “pre-fabbed playbook” really stung but it made me think. Thanks Steve.
montessoriteacher about 5 years ago
Biden has sincerely apologized for his unwanted but non sexual assault touches. Trump has not apologized for his many instances of sexual assault. Hugs can be helpful though not always if they are unwanted. Sexual assault is always negative and never desired.
Daeder about 5 years ago
False equivalency. Try again.
On second thought, don’t.