AMERICAN SOCIETY - The Biden Controversy

TO BE UP FRONT:  The #MeToo movement has gone too far on this issue, especially since he behaves the same way with men.  If you cannot accept that a friendly, non-sexual, hug or kiss is offensive, that is YOUR problem.  And is says more about your narrow attitude than Biden's behavior.

"What Biden controversy could mean for a potential campaign" PBS NewsHour 4/1/2019

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SUMMARY:  Although he has yet to declare whether he will launch a 2020 presidential campaign, former Vice President Joe Biden is facing a controversy that could potentially derail it.  Two women have revealed past interactions with Biden in which his behavior made them uncomfortable; one of them, Lucy Flores, calls the experience “disqualifying” of Biden as a candidate.  Lisa Desjardins reports.

"What controversy around Biden’s behavior says about shifting social norms" PBS NewsHour 4/3/2019

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SUMMARY:  The past behavior of former Vice President Joe Biden toward women has sparked conversation around the boundaries governing physical contact and consent.  Biden has said that norms have evolved since he entered the public sphere.  To discuss how that may be true, Judy Woodruff turns to New York magazine’s Rebecca Traister, The Washington Post’s Karen Tumulty, and Harvard University's Frank Dobbin.

NIH - #MeToo in Science

"How NIH plans to fight the sexual harassment that could drive women away from science" PBS NewsHour 3/6/2019

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SUMMARY:  A milestone report on sexual harassment in science has identified pervasive problems and policy shortcomings at the field's highest levels.  In response, NIH apologized for not addressing more quickly “the climate and culture that has caused such harm.”  William Brangham talks to NIH's Director, Dr. Francis Collins, about the risk of potentially driving women away from careers in scientific fields.

ERA - 40th Anniversary

"40 years later, the ERA is still not a part of the Constitution" PBS NewsHour 1/29/2019

40 additional years of male domination in American, SICK.

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SUMMARY:  Forty years ago, Congress approved the Equal Rights Amendment [ERA], guaranteeing protection from discrimination on the basis of sex -- but it has never been ratified as a constitutional amendment.  Now a campaign to ratify the ERA is gathering momentum, in part because of fallout from the #MeToo movement of the past two years.  Amna Nawaz talks to Kate Kelly of Equality Now.

AMERICAN POLITICS - Kavanaugh vs Ford

COMMENT:  This whole subject is a glaring spot light on male chauvinist attitude toward women, the woman is always at fault.  It is complete ignorance that sexual assaults are never easy for women to report precisely because of being attacked and not believed.

NOTE:  As of the dates in these articles, another accuser has come forward.

"Kavanaugh accuser ‘struggled’ with decision to go public, Washington Post reporter says" PBS NewsHour 9/17/2018

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SUMMARY:  After having a confidential letter revealed in the press, Christine Blasey Ford came forward this weekend as the woman accusing Judge Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault more than 30 years ago.  Kavanaugh has issued a strong denial.  Lisa Desjardins reports, then Judy Woodruff talks with Emma Brown from the Washington Post, who was in touch with Ford for months before publishing her account.

"Kavanaugh allegations scramble confirmation outlook" PBS NewsHour 9/17/2018

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SUMMARY:  President Trump defended nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Monday from allegations by Christine Blasey Ford that he sexually assaulted her decades ago, but also said Ford should be heard out.  Democrats have been quick to call for a delay, and a handful of Republicans have also voiced concern.  Lisa Desjardins and Yamiche Alcindor share developments with Judy Woodruff.

"With Kavanaugh allegations, Democrats warn of repeating mistakes of Anita Hill hearings" PBS NewsHour 9/18/2018

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SUMMARY:  President Trump defended Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh again on Tuesday from allegations by psychology professor Christine Blasey Ford that he sexually assaulted her while drunk at a party 36 years ago.  Meanwhile, senators jousted over a hearing set for Monday to question Kavanaugh and Ford.  Judy Woodruff talks with Lisa Desjardins and Marcia Coyle from the National Law Journal.

"Anita Hill on Kavanaugh: ‘Without an investigation, there cannot be an effective hearing’" PBS NewsHour 9/19/2018

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SUMMARY:  President Donald Trump and key Senate Republicans said this week that an FBI investigation into Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh wasn’t necessary before a scheduled hearing next week about a sexual assault allegation made against him.

But Anita Hill, a law professor and author who famously accused Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment during his confirmation hearings 27 years ago, told the PBS NewsHour’s Judy Woodruff that “without an investigation, there cannot be an effective hearing.”

Hill provided testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee back in 1991, after she had publicly accused Thomas, then a nominee.  The accusation, which he denied, upended his path to confirmation, but did not derail it: He was confirmed soon after and remains on the court to this day.

"Here’s how the FBI could probe the Kavanaugh allegations" PBS NewsHour 9/20/2018

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SUMMARY:  Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who is accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault in high school, now says she might be willing to testify next week, but not on Monday as Senate Republicans want.  Amna Nawaz reports, then William Brangham and Lisa Desjardins join Judy Woodruff to discuss the fallout on Capitol Hill and what could be gleaned from an FBI investigation.

"Trump challenges Kavanaugh accuser’s credibility, dividing Republicans" PBS NewsHour 9/21/2018

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SUMMARY:  After days of measured talk, President Trump fired off sharp words Friday about Christine Blasey Ford, the woman accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault.  Trump tweeted that if the attack was “as bad as she says,” charges would have been filed.  Ford has talked to the FBI about receiving death threats, as her lawyers negotiate potential testimony.  Lisa Desjardins reports.

"Sexual assault ‘myths and misinformation’ could muddy Kavanaugh hearing, psychologist warns" PBS NewsHour 9/21/2018

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SUMMARY:  President Trump’s tweet challenging Christine Blasey Ford’s claims because she didn’t report it when it happened set off alarms for survivors and advocates.  In fact, most victims never report the sexual assault to law enforcement, says clinical psychologist Veronique Valliere.  She joins Amna Nawaz to talks about the complexities of reporting sexual violence.

"‘I felt that it was my fault’: A rape survivor shares her story of speaking out" PBS NewsHour 9/21/2018

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SUMMARY:  The allegations against Brett Kavanaugh have compelled people to share their own experiences with sexual assault and why they didn't come forward.  When Chessy Prout was a freshman in high school, she was raped by a classmate.  She spoke to authorities, brought charges and suffered a backlash.  The author of “I Have the Right To,” Prout joins Amna Nawaz to discuss the shame she experienced.

EDUCATION IN AMERICA - Boundaries 101

"Teaching kids about healthy boundaries in the #MeToo era" PBS NewsHour 5/29/2018

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SUMMARY:  How are schools using the #MeToo movement to open up discussions about consent, nonverbal cues, and what constitutes a healthy relationship?  Special correspondent Cristina Quinn of WGBH went to one Massachusetts high school to see what students are learning.

2018 GOLDEN GLOBES - Hollywood's Call

"Oprah leads Hollywood’s call to end sexual harassment" PBS NewsHour 1/8/2018

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SUMMARY:  At the Golden Globe awards Sunday night, Hollywood’s biggest stars wore pins saying “Time’s Up,” a nod to a campaign to end sexual harassment in the industry.  Several stars, including Oprah Winfrey, also made impassioned calls to speak up about misconduct during their acceptance speeches.  Jeffrey Brown reports on the campaign, the night’s events and the momentum of the #MeToo movement.

ALABAMA GOP - The Albatross Roy More

IMHO:  I find it typical that people tend to disbelieve women who make such allegations against men.  It's the chauvinistic prejudice of a male society.  The women's allegations are credible and Roy More's denial typical.

As for the timing, it's the #MeToo movement that has freed women to face their attackers, which is never easy, the strength given by the numbers.

"GOP candidate Roy Moore faces new allegations, new pressure to quit Senate race" PBS NewsHour 11/13/2017

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SUMMARY:  The Senate's top Republican Mitch McConnell told reporters that he believes the women who have accused Roy Moore of inappropriate actions and that Alabama's GOP candidate must step aside.  While the former state Chief Justice insists he is innocent, McConnell’s condemnation comes as another woman has spoken up.  Lisa Desjardins reports that voters appear to have mixed opinions.

Full announcement (34:21)


"What Alabama voters think of the Roy Moore assault allegations" PBS NewsHour 11/13/2017

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SUMMARY:  Another woman came forward on Monday to accuse Senate candidate Roy Moore of assaulting her when she was 16, sparking additional political backlash from his own party.  But allegations of sexual misconduct against teenage girls haven’t seemed to shake Moore supporters in his home state.  Judy Woodruff gets an update from Don Dailey of Alabama Public Television.

"The predicament of the Alabama Senate race for Republicans" PBS NewsHour 11/15/2017

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SUMMARY:  GOP lawmakers have called for Roy Moore to step aside from the Alabama Senate race amid allegations of sexual misconduct toward teens.  How does that tension fit into a larger party rift?  John Yang talks to Matt Schlapp of the American Conservative Union and Karine Jean-Pierre of MoveOn.org, about what’s at stake with the special election and how the GOP tax reform plans are shaping up.