Monday, October 10, 2016

Donald Trump's Photo-op Pre-Debate

Much is being made, particularly by the scads of Trump apologists, of the allegations made by four women he hosted at an event before Sunday's debate.  They are:

Paula Broaddrick
Kathleen Willey
Paula Jones
Kathy Shelton

Let's deal with Ms Shelton first.  Her claims are presently clearly in this meme:






Here are the problems with this meme.

Hillary Clinton did not volunteer to represent this rapist.  She was appointed by a judge.
Hillary Clinton did not tell the judge that the victim made up the rape story.  If you read the actual court records, you'll see that she swore an affidavit that a child psychology expert believed that the child victim engaged in fantasizing, and the sole purpose of the affidavit was to compel a psychiatric examination of the victim.
Hillary Clinton did not get the rapist freed. She arranged for him to plead guilty to a lesser charge after the forensic laboratory made errors in processing the underwear of the accused, preventing that forensic evidence from being presented at child.
Hillary Clinton did laugh in an interview, but not about the fact that the rapist was guilty.  She made light of the fact that the rapist took and passed a polygraph exam, which forever changed her view on the reliability of such exams.

Now let's talk about Juanita Broaddrick.  She claims that Bill Clinton raped her.  He has denied that allegation.  That she did not choose to report her claims prior to the statute of limitations expiring is a sad commentary on that  fallacy of our justice system, that arbitrary time limits can prevent victims from seeking justice.  But we do live in a nation where we are all presumed to be innocent until proven guilty.  Proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

Kathleen Willey accuses Bill Clinton of groping her.  Well, Jill Harth accuses Donald Trump of groping her.  Miss USA contestant Temple Taggart accuses him of kissing her on the mouth without her consent.  Why is what Bill is accused of doing worse than what Donald is accused of doing?

Finally, Paula Jones.  Now let's bear in mind once again, that both Donald Trump and Bill Clinton have denied every allegation of sexual harassment and sexual assault made against them.  Bill Clinton did pay Paula Jones a settlement of hundreds of thousands of dollars.  Without admitting wrongdoing or guilt.  Much like Donald Trump has done on a myriad of occasions.  Most notably when he was taken to court by the U.S. Department of Justice when he stood accused of racism involving housing discrimination against minorities.  Trump trumpets that the settlement does not prove he did anything wrong?  So why does he keep bringing up the fact Bill Clinton paid a settlement to Paula Jones?  Is President Clinton somehow to be held to a higher standard than a man who is seeking the highest office in the land?  The answer is a resounding NO.

If ever there was an instance of the pot calling the kettle black, it is the lunacy that whatever Bill Clinton stands accused of doing, it mitigates what Donald Trump is accused of.