#MeToo has lost its way: In defense of Joe Biden
By David Oscar Markus, opinion contributor — 04/02/19 08:15 AM EDT
It’s official: The pendulum of #MeToo claims has now swung too far. When a friendly gesture with no sexual intent is labeled a reprehensible act that should be subject to public shaming and even disqualification from public office, it is time that we all recognize that we are starting to lose perspective.
Let’s be clear before I continue: I am not talking about the crass comments by the current President that it’s okay to “grab [women] by the pussy†or inappropriate sexual relations between then-President Clinton and an intern. Those are clearly beyond the pale. But the “allegations†against Joe Biden — that he touched Linda Flores’ shoulders and kissed the back of her head — are very different.
Biden is an affectionate guy, but in a grandfatherly sort of way. He explained: “In my many years on the campaign trail and in public life, I have offered countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection†and never intended to disrespect or cause any harm to Flores or anyone else. But Flores has gone so far as to say that Biden’s intent is irrelevant. Kelly Ann Conway has repeated this argument, saying that it does not matter what Biden intended.
https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/436862-metoo-has-lost-its-way-in-defense-of-joe-biden
