As a woman, a 77 year old woman, who marched over 50 years ago in mourning for Martin Luther King at the time of his assassination and marched over 40 years ago for the Equal Rights Amendment in Richmond, I am still fighting for justice and for women's rights. Therefore, I believe that allegations over sexual misconduct should be taken very seriously but I also believe that "due process" is an absolute necessity. How is "due process" not an absolute necessity? He is still the same person who was elected into office as Lt. Governor. Nothing has changed in that regard. So, answer me this, why not "due process"?
9
Oh dear, what are we going to do? Displease women or displease African-Americans? Oh dear, oh dear. We can't please everybody! Especially when we're all racially insensitive and sexually exploitive and a thirty year old photo of inappropriate behavior is more important than the person's deeds since then, and accusations are automatically true. We're running around in circles, apologizing ceaselessly, and still our terrible obnoxious human selves just keep delivering up one scandal after another for the delectation of newspaper readers and pundits. Gosh, this is awful, but keep that circular firing squad firing. It's good for business.
7
Interesting that hypocrisy is always in session when it comes to the political class. Northam should not step down despite humiliating himself in the news conference moon walking his admission back. Fairfax should resign because he has tried to intimidate both women by hiring a powerful law firm that includes a fellow Duke graduate who happens to be African American and even worse, because he allegedly referred to the first accuser at a staff meeting in a very derogatory way. While he should be accorded due process, the state of Virginia and the democratic party do not need the distraction when it comes to the issue of sexual assault.
2
The answer is simple, either members of the Democrat Party admit power is more important to them than anything else, or they eschew hypocrisy and apply the same unforgiving standards that require excortiating all alleged miscreants including their allies.
3
Article doesn't make sense. First, Fairfax is black and so is first accuser. Plus, since when is it okay to rape any woman, black or white? Second, he should not be impeached until proven guilty. Franken should not have been forced out as he didn't break the law. Really tired of this pc thinking where accuser is right if they are the right color/gender and the accused is wrong, especially if they are the wrong color or gender.
12
all three of them need to go together
2
I don't know if Northam wore a sheet or blackface years ago. The fact that he said he did before he said he didn't could mean that he thought he might have. What we do know is that his party heaped praise and power on Senator Byrd who was a KKK officer who filibustered and voted against the Civil Rights Bill, called Martin Luther King a "self-seeking rabble- rouser" and it was time that he, "met his waterloo. “He also said he would never fight, "with a negro by my side.” And, “I should die 1,000 times than to see this beloved land become degraded by race mongrels.” What Northam may have done years ago was stupid and racist but nothing compared with Byrd. What Fairfax is accused of are sexual assaults. How is that equated with stupid? His party seems more concerned with their political power than if it is true or not that he assaulted two women. They are concerned that if he is made to resign, there will be just white people up there at the top. No thoughts for the women or the truth of the accusation. Only votes seem to be their priority and there is something wrong with those priorities.
1
A survey last year revealed that most Americans think it likely we are headed for a second civil war. (Rasmussen poll)
How can Va. support both the Governor and the Attorney General yet remove it’s Lieutenant Governor? As a Democrat and former Virginian, I can’t condemn Trump as a racist but support these Dems in office.
Party politics be damned. All three need to go. Virginia is sitting on a tinderbox of it’s own history, time to move forward.
3
“You’re more able to survive as a white man in America who wore blackface than as a black man that’s facing #MeToo ...”
A telling way to end a story told in context of political dilemma rather than of values and law, a story that characterizes criminal acts as 'transgressions.'
Also offensive is the assumption of how most black voters view these issues. Despite that final quote, people of both races are equally capable of differentiating expressions of racism from sexual assault.
True, without MeToo, Mr. Fairfax wouldn't be under fire, just as the mostly white males recently fallen from power would still be harassing/raping women with impunity, behaviors long and outrageously tolerated.
Let's see this from the viewpoint of black women, victimized for decades in more ways than any other group of Americans.
Or look at it as political only in that all three men were exposed in a political moment--but a moment that should be irrelevant to outcomes, including for the state's government.
Judge them singly. Do the Governor's racism & disingenuous statements meet impeachment criteria? Would accusations of sexual violence be subject to such debate if Mr. Fairfax were white? (Maybe--given our new SC Justice--but unlikely, given the firings/resignations of many others.)
How to be equitable, legal and logical are the crucial issues for a society struggling to define its values.
3
This is a great wake-up call for all young men: Even though Harvey W will never serve prison time, his career is over. So is Arnold Weiners. And Fairfax. Back to the drawing board for them.
But for male teenagers, you are the new generation of males who will be our leaders. Abusing women is not an option for you. Everything you do matters. Treat females as you would want to be treated. If your dad is a jerk with women and talks about them the way Fairfax and his ilk do...make better choices. Respect yourself and all females. Then, the sky is the limit for your future!!!
2
@Claire Why would they bother heeding your advice, when nobody demands of women that they stop considering rape accusations as valid revenge plots, or stop confusing regretted one-night stands with rape? The younger generation is heavily backing off not only from marriage, but from steady relationships as well, and I can't say I blame them.
4
“Innocent until proven guilty” is the present status of Lieutenant-Governor Fairfax. There is no need for him to resign in the face of unsubstantiated allegations from fifteen years ago.
7
@John Murray I agree, but many of his supporters took a very different line during the Kavanaugh hearings.
3
@mikecody Some of us -- and my impression is that it was many -- saw good reason to block Kavanaugh without believing he's a proven rapist and without calling on everyone to believe that he is. For this reason, the Kavanaugh case is an imperfect example of liberals' hypocrisy. Not that there wasn't any hypocrisy on the Left's part, because there was some. But there are many to whom the criticism does not apply.
So, admitted actions are excusable and not hounded out of office?
Unproven & unprovable allegations are fair game for impeachment?
I knew how to say no. I knew how to leave. A sharp command voice. This was true in the 1960's and 1970's and it's still true. Even if it happened, there's no standard of proof.
And yes bad things happened to me & they might occur to me from time to time, but I base my life on positive things. I don't need revenge.
5
Virginians need to voice their opinions and their concerns. Americans nationally should be concern that Democrats worry about who they will offend rather than the serious felony charges brought against one man. Having lived in Virginia, African Americans who live there are different than African Americans living in the Midwest and the West because of their historical past in the South. But the bottom line is this, the accusations of sexual assault will derail anything this man does until he is found guilty or not guilty in a court of law. If he is dragged into court the victims are also dragged under as well, the MeToo movement has not helped victims but the silence at least as been broken. It does not help by looking at Mr. Fairfax as a "Black" man but as someone who is accused of a crime. When will we finally realize that these crimes can be perpetrated by any person of any economic status and social status.
2
@amrcitizen16...No serious felony charges have been brought against Mr. Fairfax. In fact, no criminal charges whatsoever. Despite the attacks on Due Process in this country by certain overzealous factions, criminal charges are still the domain of our legal system, not vigilante mobs. Innocent Until Proven Guilty is a bedrock principle of our Constitution. Guilt by allegation, accusation or association is NOT.
4
This is a blessing in disguise to Democrats. Their zero-tolerance, shoot-first-ask-questions-later policy towards any alleged imperfection probably seems perfectly fine within their ultra-liberal bubble, but it is anathema to most voters, including many who might otherwise vote Democrat.
Simply put, we do not want to live in a world where people are guilty until proven innocent. We do not want to live in a world where decades of great work can be negated by one small error of judgment uncovered from the distant past.
We cannot argue against this, of course, beause to argue in favor of Mr. Northam would make me a racist, while to suggest that Mr. Fairfax be given due process would make me no better than a common rapist.
So we hold our tongues and make our point with our votes.
But apparently, even the election of surely the most incompetent and unelectable president in history has not taught the Democrats just how much the average American dislikes their willingness to condemn people.
So maybe this crisis, in which it's Democrats against Democrats (while the Republicans look on and laugh) will help them start to realise that some tolerance is needed ...
8
as one person said, why did this not come up during the election? Why now give a fair hearing(not a hearing like Kavanaugh got), and if he is found guilty with a thorough investigation, then he is out. People jump on the band wagon too quickly (like Gillibrand did with Franck...that was a joke, not a sexual assault)...and in today's world, black people are accused too easily of crimes.
3
What is the issue. Get rid of all three. This progressive behavior is last century. Time to move on.
2
Hang Tough, Governor Fairfax!
3
My worry about whether to ask politicians to resign--whether as a consequence of wearing blackface or a rape accusation--is how easily such accusations can be made for political purposes. Karl Rove once called politics a "blood sport". Today, the use of damning accusations, whether criminal or not, is becoming convenient as political weaponry. We must investigate all charges through congressional committees. No politician should resign unless transgressions are substantiated. It's just too easy for self-interested parties, left or right, to make expedient accusations to rid themselves of a politician they don't like. I suggest the "blood sport" analogy may by apt here.
3
If we Democrats say "It's okay if 'our people' are racist or misogynist, as long as they're carrying out our political agenda," then we are cynics and hypocrites, and we're no better than the Republicans whom we rightly accuse of doing the same.
Let's be better.
3
What if an allegation was made, people believed it, they decided it was made in a different context and time and decided to move on?
Can the identity "lynch" mob be stopped once and for all? That's the only question worth asking. Can rational thinkers retake the reins from the identity mob?
It's time for all Americans to stand up and say, "Enough!"
5
@AACNY
Given the fact that Justin Fairfax is African-American, and knowing all too well the history of Blacks in America, I'm not comfortable with your choice of the word "lynch", regardless of whatever context you put it in.
1
@N. Smith...What term would you prefer to describe the mob mentality? A "progressive" mob? A "tolerant" mob? A "civil" mob? Perhaps an "inclusive" mob?
3
Why is it necessary for any of these three men to resign? We wish they were innocent but are their crimes so foul and, in the case of Lt. Gov. Fairfax, so certainly proven, that it would be better if Virginia in the hands of an irresponsible, probably racist, Republican governor, Lt. governor and AG? We know, or rather, we think we know what the three Democrats have done but we don't know what their Republican replacements may have done or, more importantly, might do if given the chance. They are, I believe, fervent Trumpists. How will that help Virginia.
4
People are completely missing the point here. It’s not about ‘innocent until proven guilty’ or whether a person’s racism magically heals over time. This situation is an absolute catastrophe for the Democratic Party, state-wide and nationwide. Any positive momentum coming off the VA takeover in 2017, or 2018 midterms, is utterly gone. In its place you have admitted racists and an alleged sexual predator selfishly calculating how they can save their own skins and careers. Not one of them cares about how the Democratic voters who trusted them, have been betrayed, and how their priorities are now swept aside by scandal. The whole affair puts a tarnish on the whole Democratic Party as the critical 2020 election cycle begins to kick off. If all three of them actually cared about Democratic priorities they would all step down, and show that the voters matter more than the politicians. Otherwise this tawdry spectacle will dominate political coverage for weeks.
3
@Richard
So, the most important concern is the partisan success of the Democrat Party. Little things like justice, presumption of innocence, are of minimal importance in comparison to electoral success of the PARTY.
What a outrageous set of values and priorities!
6
@Richard...Party before Constitution. Party before Rule of Law. Party before Conscience. I think I get your point, Richard. Thanks for setting the record straight.
2
There is much discussion about the often difficulty of producing actual evidence in these cases of mere accusation without any substantial evidence.
Fundamentally, the debate comes down to how one answers the following question:
Suppose someone really is guilty of one of these alleged attacks but there is no substantial evidence. Should they be held to account for the attack?
For hundreds of years, the answer by persons committed to justice and individual liberty has been "Absolutely NO". These advocates for justice and liberty demanded that innocence must be presumed and that substantial evidence of guilt must be produced. But now a very large number of people, mostly women, want the answer to be "yes", they want guilt assumed upon mere accusation without evidence.
Accusations are cheap and easy to make. If accusation alone is sufficient, then additional accusations will come out of the woodwork like vermin. That has been the experience in nearly all these cases during the past few years. It was the same for the women accused of witchcraft in Salem. Only accusation was required and once one was made, more followed. Unless you believe in witches, every one of those additional accusations must have been false along with the original accusation. Believing that multiple accusations in current cases makes the accusations true is a bow to prejudice just as much now as it was in Salem.
6
There is a huge difference. Sexual assault is a serious crime. Allegedly racist behavior that happened 35 years ago is not. What is considered racist or homophobic or sexist today may not have been 35 years.
5
@DC
"Sexual assault is a serious crime. Allegedly racist behavior that happened 35 years ago is not."
Those are a very interesting choice of words. Your reference to racism is, quite correctly, qualified by the word "alleged". However, your reference to sexual assault carries no such qualification. Your words indicate that you have presumed guilt upon mere accusation.
2
@DC
You are sadly mistaken if you don't think racism is a serious crime that doesn't happen today as much as 35 years ago.
1
@N. Smith
Are you black? Serious question. What basis do you have for comparison, especially coming from a liberal Democrat hub like New York City (where I was born and where I went to law school. I know whereof I speak)?
Yes, due process, like Kavanaugh. Like the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror, the terrorism of the Alt Left will eat it’s parents. Once released these irrational forces cannot controlled. By anyone. The hypocrisy is the Alt Left is breathtaking.
3
Democrats drove Franken from office for much less serious allegations. Where is the problem?
6
@arusso The problem is the growing opinion that the Franken move was a mistake.
2
This is embarrassing hysteria by democrats. Most people don’t care. You can call that insensitive and even racist. They don’t agree, and still don’t care. And I’m even talking about a majority of democrats too. It’s time for the media to let this go. It’s mostly a media driven story. And the point has been well taken. Blackface is not funny!
6
Ah, "democracy!" A vote is a vote.
By making quality differences between votes cast by people of different skin tones, genders, et al, Democrats/Demokrats put themselves into this sort of a bind. Good.
3
To N.Y. Times:
Your headline of Feb. 9th indicates that Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax "put Virginia Democrats in a bind on impeachment".
Does that mean we can assume that the Republicans of that state would be in a "bind" if Fairfax were a Republican ?
Does this man that we are affected by these stories of previous blackface and sex scandals depending on which political party we are affiliated with ?
If these stories of of the past place one political party in more of a "bind" than the other, these stories turn out to be more
about politics that morality.
It this is true then we all are in a bind.
2
What is the Statute of Limitations regarding a young white college student dressing up to look like Michael Jackson 35 years ago to demonstrate his admiration of Michael's dazzling Moonwalk?
Imitation is the sincerest form of FLATTERY.
7
@Henry
This is little more than an example of DENIAL in its purest form, which also illustrates why racism is so alive and well in America today.
I suggest you look up the history of Blackface to get a better perspective.
1
@N. Smith...Part of the history of Blackface is a college kid smearing his face, wearing a sequined glove and donning a dapper hat in order to emulate one of the most popular entertainers in the world. Michael Jackson's video performance of Billy Jean - including the famous Moon Walk - was an international sensation. Kids all over the world wanted to "Be Like Mike". Imitation, emulation, adoration. NOT racism. Ironically, the Prince of Pop was in the process of permanently assuming a Whiteface.
2
In the case of the first woman: If you accompany a man to his hotel room and you have just met him, all bets are off.
I have no details yet of the second woman.
3
@Kathryn
"[You] have no details yet of the second woman".... but if/when you do you'll be sure to blame her for being assaulted or raped, right?
1
Ok, so he may have been an aggressor and forced himself of a woman who rebuffed his advances; he may have. While not condoning or excusing what may have occurred let us not forget that we have a possible rapist serving - and certainly a man who views women as disposable objects for his drunken pleasure on the Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh, and another Justice, Clarence Thomas, who also stood accused of far better documented sexual misconduct; and, yet they serve highest, lifelong positions in the Republic. Is it because Mr. Fairfax is black, a Democrat, a success in a Southern state that he is being hounded into resigning form a job he is only allowed to hold for 4 year? What hypocrisy. Again, I’m not condoning abuse against women or any other group, but it is odd how this one issue and this one man are galvanizing a call for his departure yet if you are sitting on the Supreme Court you get a free pass for life. Odd...
5
@PMIGuy Sadly, the victim group members will take revenge on whomever they can. They can't do it effectively to the Repubs, so they do it to the Dems, who are more convenient targets. So Trump & his people survive and prevail, and we all lose. But those who need the satisfaction of revenge, get it -- which apparently is what's most important to them.
"If Democrats do not oust Mr. Fairfax, who faces sexual assault allegations, they could anger female voters. But if they push him out, they could deeply trouble African-Americans."
Oh the complexities of identity politics! Those poor misguided Democrats.
6
Northam and Herring wore offensive costumes. Fairfax is creditably accused of raping two women.
Which of these things is not the same?
2
In reply to monty vicenza italy
All three men are facing the exact same situation. Trial by mob.
4
It seems to me that this is a perfect opportunity for Fairfax, Northam, and Herring to do some soul searching together. These are powerful men who can help change legislation and show leadership to move Virginia forward. Show remorse and courage. Self impose community service - designed by the injured parties - to help heal the communities and individuals they have harmed.
The Democratic party has determined that Mr. Fairfax is a political liability and are calling for him to resign or to he impeached. This is a political calculation not a determination or examination of his guilt or innocence.
This does little to honor or respect the alleged victims or the accused.
Allegations against Mr. Fairfax also have criminal implications. We should take care to remember that our judicial system assumes that the accused is innocent until proven guilty.
3
The GOP has abdicated its ability to operate with any semblance of honor, integrity, ethics or nobility. They operate in the gutter of political expediency and I hope ultimately they will pay the price for such degraded and debased choices.
It is true that Mr. Fairfax is the only one of the three accused of breaking the law, and he is hurting the Democratic Party by not agreeing to step down while the two accusations are being investigated. Mr. Northam should have stepped down as soon as his yearbook pages were made public. These two men can not fully carry out their respective duties to the best of their abilities at this point. Their obligation is to the people they represent, not to themselves or to their desires to hold onto their positions.
Possibly, at another point in history, if we can ever transcend the Era of Trump and the degradations it has brought upon us, we can be more forgiving and have a more nuanced perspective, but in this era of darkness, Democrats have to be the party of honor, integrity and the elevated values to which we all aspire. This is not about race, gender, creed or anything else. It is only about behavior that is in Fairfax's case, allegedly felonious, and in Northam's case, morally indefensible, no matter when or where it occurred.
This can not be about politics. We are stuck with a president who is one of the most corrupt in American history and makes decisions based only on personal gain. We can not give in to that insanity.
1
In reply to Patricia Caiozzo Port Washington, New York
Yup. Typical Democrat. Blame Trump for everything.
2
While not disparaging the veracity of the allegations, has there been any substantiation of the charges of sexual assault? Are the charges beyond the statutes of limitations? There should not be a rush to judgement. It is my understanding that Virginia has a very competent state Criminal Investigative Unit. Whether the charges are beyond the statutes of limitation or not, a thorough investigation by them should be conducted, not the type conducted in the Kavanaugh situation. Perhaps the statute of limitations for these type of crimes should be reexamined or they be made Federal crimes with no statute of limitations seeing as neither assault allegedly happened in Virginia. This is developing the appearance of a lynching and not justice.
2
I am concerned that Mr. Fairfax is being accused of sexual assaults that occurred within the statute of limitations yet the women are not pressing formal criminal charges where their statements would be subject to investigation and Mr. Fairfax would have equal standing before the law. Instead these women are using the court of public opinion to make their case that Mr. Fairfax has performed illegal acts and should be punished. That these accusations are then being used as the basis of impeachment seems unfair. Impeachment proceedings are political in nature and the finding of fact maybe of secondary importance in the process. Remember that Republicans control the legislature and removing a Democrat from high state office could motivate them to pursue impeachment proceedings.
I am also suspicious that both women would wait until after Mr. Fairfax won the election and took office to come out with their accusations. Why wouldn't they contact him earlier to state what happened from their point of view and get his reaction. I would do this before going to the press to attack him. I'm sorry but this sudden succession of revelations about recently elected Democratic officials in Virginia state government seems like a well planned hit job.
4
I don't see why this man should be forced out of office on mere allegations which have not (to my knowledge) been vetted in a courtroom. There's some merit to the me-too movement, BUT we must be exceedingly careful about ruining people's reputations based only on long past, disputed and previously unreported reports of sexual misconduct.
The court of public opinion, which lacks rules of evidence and procedure, is not where these allegations should be tried. This man has asked for an FBI investigation. That seems fitting, as well as a proper legal trial if found warranted. For the record, I am a long time, activist feminist.
4
I know nothing about Mr. Justin Fairfax beyond the resent news of accusations of sexual assault; no one, save for he and his accusers does right now. However, it is fundamentally un-American as it is in conflict with our principles of juris prudence to impeach someone - elected official or not - based on unproven allegations. In fact, to my knowledge, Fairfax has not (yet) even been charged with a crime. Absent a guilty verdict, a person is still considered innocent in America, are they not? The trouble with taking actions against someone, such as firing or impeachment absent an exhaustive investigation of the facts and subsequent conviction, opens the door for any malicious accusation to have a severe negative impact on someone who may, in fact, be innocent. I protest the current attitude of premature punishment for anyone based on mere accusations of wrongdoing. We need to get our priorities in line; punishment must follow conviction, not the opposite.
5
The overall record of Gov Northam is progressive, pro equality and defedeer against voter supression. Let him atone by his actions and not give in to more republican horror.
3
This "bind" seems largely self-created. Why choose either resignation or impeachment before any serious investigations?
4
It illudes me how the angry mob mentality still seems to reign supreme. Every person is entitled to due process; investigate the charges thoroughly before you ruin another career. And if/when charges are corroborated with hard evidence, follow through with an even hand (i.e. dozens of charges against Trump that seem to have gone without repercussion).
Fairfax responded in a statement. "It is demonstrably false. I have never forced myself on anyone ever."
Well, if it's "demonstrably false," demonstrate it's false.
2
He has been accused. Twice. Is he guilty? How is a lay person's guilt or innocence determined? Investigate, arrest (or not), charge (or not), convict (or not), incarcerate (or not). What’s so insurmountable? Who cares if African Americans are disgruntled by the process? Or Native Americans. Or anyone else. The law is the law...right? I’m sure I’m not alone in being sick and tired of there being two versions of every law, one for me and one for politicians, celebrities, and other wealthy and privileged citizens.
1
Can any man having what they thought was consensual sex defend themselves from the sexual accusations leveled against Lt Gov Fairfax or Justice Kavanaugh when there are no witnesses or physical evidence? Should not any man be concerned their life/careers can be destroyed because unprovable accusations of sexual misconduct are made against them in today's atmosphere of "Guilt By Accusation" in an email or FB post not by evidence? Yes too many women have been sexually abused and not reported abuse out of fear, shame or any reason for not filing a police report. As a seasoned senior knowing women of my generation living with sexual assault memories since high school I know those are painful memories. However any man in today's environment accused of sexual misconduct is now tried and convicted before being able to defend themselves. No one posting on this site has any evidence Lt Gov Fairfax committed or did not commit the acts his accusers have leveled against him. If Mr. Fairfax is calling for an investigation let there be one. However his career is probably over as a politician.
2
It's time for a Truth and Reconciliation committee! Not just in Virginia and also covering Sexual Abuse accusations.
I do not minimize any of the actions being reported daily but these are death by a thousand cuts.
Lieutenant Governor Fairfax could pay his accusers $130,000 each and that would put an end to his predicament. It's been done before.
1
@AA
You need to do that *before* they spill the beans. But nice try at bringing Trump into this. It's kind of a reflex.
2
@Wine Country Dude
Actually, bringing Trump into this is not that much of a stretch, given his own background and experience with grabbing women by private parts and then having to pay for their silence.
1
I have one question for the leader of the Virginia ACLU and all other blacks outraged by Mr. Fairfax' behavior.
"Why are you allowing singer R. Kelly to remain unpunished? He has sexually enslaved and abused women for years without consequence. Why? Where is the outrage?"
It is time to get control of racism used as a tool to foster hate-anger-fear-division. On both sides. Let's all think before we accuse and destroy - especially the media.
Watch the movies "Green Book" and "Black KKK". They both show ways to start seeing others that we consider "different" with new eyes.
There is a lot of money made by people of all colors by fostering the racist hate tool. It must end NOW.
4
If Mr. Fairfax is calling for an investigation, asking to have many facts revealed, then why not give him at least a few days to learn the veracity of the allegations?
Should Mr. Fairfax steps down as asked, and then it is proved that the allegations are not true, should we expect that he has return rights to the Lt. Gov. position?
If the allegations are proved true, then the law will draw the next steps.
10
Wow level headed ness for Democratic transgressions but Not the standard they took With the Supreme Court nomination.
Hypocrisy rules the Democratic Party.
2
@P L
The Democrats on the Committee along with Yale and ABA also called for an investigation into the Kavanaugh allegations.
It was the GOP who didn't want to take the time to do the investigations.
I understand what you are implying, however "the standard" was applied and the GOP refused. Why?
2
It’s fair to say the Democrats have been hoisted by their own petard. At a time when our democracy is in danger of falling into a totalitarian abyss, when the the existential need of the moment is to look forward with laser focus to the 2020 elections, Democrats have chosen instead to to look back, decades in some cases, to express and legitimize their victimology.
Whatever the sins of these men, they are the sins of youth. In the case of the lieutenant governor, the accusations—which came out, suspiciously, just when a black man might be elevated to the highest office in the state—can’t be proven in any case.
We Democrats need to look forward, as one, with only one identity to concern us: we are all Americans. As such, we need to work together and respect one another, with a common goal of restoring our democracy. If we don’t get a grip, and address the the urgency of the moment, we surely will look back with regret.
19
@Ron Cohen...I assume you are not referring to us deplorables who are destroying democrazy when you say "we are all Americans". Regretfully, there will be a lot of regret seen through the rear view mirror in the future. As the old white patriarchal oligarch warned us "If you can keep it".
"...allegations of sexual assault...."
What is this-- trial by allegation?!
Some people allege flat earth. Con artists lie for selfish reasons. One is president.
Oh--is it part of the "Believe the woman" campaign?
18
A man asking for "due process" (scare quotes @NYT's) is now a danger to his political party.
Perhaps a movement has gone too far.
24
I hate to bring up the obvious... but... what about if he's innocent? Didn't we learn anything from Bret Kavanaugh? Or how about HWeinstein? Some of the women who charged him wrote love letters to him afterwards. "Shame" is not a legal position... just saying.
13
@Chriva
Personally, I believe HWeinstein is guilty of something with someone... but we can't let the press be judge an jury. It's a very slippery slope and we are dangerously close.
2
Whoa! All it takes is an accusation? This just looks like the press needing to report something to keep our attention. When something else pops up for the next news cycle, this will be forgotten? Have you pressed this hard for getting Trump to resign? If you don't want to be accused of generating fake news, you better find something else garner our attention because this looks like a lynching.
11
“You’re more able to survive as a white man in America who wore blackface than as a black man that’s facing #MeToo accusations,” said Mr. Wright.
I agree with your point, but don’t call it a MeToo accusation- call it what it is: rape.
14
He should GO.
African-American does not mean he is Teflon coated from immunity for improvident behaviour.
Time to get one thing straight,rules are same ...
Unless,rules have changed
7
@VIOLET BLUE
I was always of the opinion that India is a DEMOCRACY, which in turn implies there is such a thing as due process of the law.
Perhaps something has changed.
2
First of all, what Fairfax is being accused if is not on the same page with wearing blackface. The latter is offensive; the former is a crime. If these accusations are true, we are not talking about impeachment but jail time. Second, the accusations are more credible than those levied against Kavanaugh. There is no possibility of false memory here. Either he raped these women or they are lying for no particular reason that I can see. The FBI should investigate but meanwhile Fairfax should take a leave. The idea of having a suspected rapist in his position boggles the mind. If the Democrats give in on this in the name of identity politics, they can forget about moderate women voters - and not only in Virginia.
13
In reply to mor California
Lieutenant Governor Fairfax is innocent until proven guilty.
1
Please look up: John 8: verse7
As a person who looks back at some of the things I have done in my life, I cringe when those memories comes flooding back into my consciousness.
I get and understand why DEMS are outraged at Northam and Herring did in the past.
However, I'm not going to go back a punish them for doing something that was thirty years in the past before I knew or even heard their names.
I have to look at what this person is like now, in the present.
The same goes for Fairfax.
His dalliance with both Ms Watson and Ms Lias-Booker should have been over the second they walked out and closed the door.
I would love to know why what happened with them when they were in law school, should preclude him from serving in his office and be labeled now.
Years ago, Fairfax turned out to be a selfish louse.
But to wait ten, twenty years after the fact and cry foul, gives me pause.
Heaven knows that the person I was in my twenties is not the same person I am now.
As for the MeToo movement, it is seeming now nothing like what it's original founder Tarana Burke had in mind.
It looks now like a movement used to get even for all the ills of previous bad relationships and the bad behavior of men in general.
Cut that out!
Define it, refine it use it as a teaching tool, not a
sledgehammer or it might fall down on the movement itself.
5
Too many comments here about equating blackface and rape. It doesn't matter which is worse. They are both wrong. Being ignored is the fact that two reputable institutions allowed these photos in their yearbooks.
It is time to end the cycle of committing crimes in ones youth and ignoring them later on. Yes people can change, but has the person in any way used the time after committing the act to ameliorate what he/she did or to work toward making sure it doesn't happen again?
4
If the LT UV is really innocent-which I personally do not believe, he can prove it by suing the two women for defamation. Then in Discovery his lawyers can try to ID the alleged smear campaign.
Of course, he will not sue, which tells you everything you need to know.
Kavanagh didn’t either, did he?
2
Fairfax’s alleged offenses are potentially criminal. Northam’s and Herring’s were tasteless and thoughtless, but not criminal.
8
When did an accusation turn into an immediate assumption of guilt?
14
@jdvnew When Cavanaugh was names for a seat on the Supreme Court is when!
4
In reply to letmeknow Ohio
Judge Cavanaugh, like Lieutenant Governor Fairfax is presumed innocent until proven guilty. That is why he was elevated to the Supreme Court.
“Innocent until proven guilty” is an Anglo-Saxon tenet of law that was first introduced by the Magna Carta in 1215. It helps protect freemen(as citizens were called in those days) from scurrilous charges.
Other than the 2 females who report a rape by Justin Fairfax, are there others? If not, then if neither one of them said anything contemporaneous with the event or sought medical care or even discussed the same with a therapist or religious equivalent, then the likelihood is that perhaps it may have been a 'secret occurrence'. A secret occurrence is one where there are 2 real credible interpretations of what occurred. Mr. Fairfax must defend against the allegations when exculpatory evidence may have vanished years earlier.
Even in the time of 'Me Too', just because the complaint is credible doesn't mean that it occurred as purported especially when a lot of time has passed, absent proof. How can someone defend against an allegation when it occurred so long ago? Recall is flawed. Facts that prove the event didn't occur as described have been long forgotten. The ugly truth is that for some women, sex absent marriage is remembered as rape.
Should Mr. Fairfax be impeached? Never, unless real hard evidence exists independent from the memories of the 2 women involved. Unfortunately, in many places a male of color is believed to be a rapist secondary to an unsupported allegation. Just because the accusers are of color, doesn't mean the event occurred as alleged. Please save your comments related to my age or race [Black, 69 year old] or female betrayal. I am a feminist.
8
Our millenial folks have created a new structure in our criminal justice system that should save a decent amount of money to help pay for all the free stuff they intend to lather on themselves and their open border new residents of our country. By replacing the criminal justice system with its police, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges and juries, with "she told a friend about it", we'll save billions. Billions that can help pay for "federal jobs for all"; "free college for all"; "free healthcare for all"; "free birth control and abortions for all"; "free gender changes for all"; and "free shipping for all". Please note: "All" includes most of Mexico and Central America.
Anyway: "He locked the door." (Maybe so his roommate would know not to come in?) "Did you unlock the door?" "No." "Did you tell him No?" "No. I couldn't". "Cat bit your tongue?" "No. I just couldn't".
Decision of her peers: "Guilty. Even though he's a person of color."
9
The Democrats want Fairfax and Northam to resign but I want both of them to insist on investigation so this continues in the news which will show the public what the Democrats are.
8
Calls for "resignation" are really a form of extra-constitutional impeachment. The flavor of the day since Big Al in MN. has been to respond to the group claiming outrage.
What is hoped is there to be some type of proportionality in the offense.
If criminal, then adjudication is appropriate, i.e. trial, impeachment, etc.
If it is non-criminal but offensive or boorish or offensive or violative to employment or regulatory policies it should be processed that way.
If that is not available then let it up to the voters either at term or by recall to handle it.
The present situation in VA seems to equate foolish, boorish, post adolescent behavior with rape. There are degrees of "badness" but a felony trumps an insult.
4
Assault charges must be investigated and the person should not be castigated until the charges are proved. It does not matter whether the person is a Democrat, a Republican, White, black or whatever. We cannot just accuse and convict people!
10
Oh dear, whatever group of identity-politics-obsessed mobs shall the Democrats choose to pander to, rather than looking at the facts and responding accordingly?
13
Rape is indeed a more severe a wrong than wearing Blackface, although blackface is reprehensible, unacceptable, destructive and not to be tolerated. But in this country, the more severe the charge, the more there is a need for due process. A rape charge is as severe as it gets.
There should be a complete and open investigation of the charges against Fairfax, which, admittedly, sound credible. Witnesses should be called and both Fairfax and his accusers should face cross examination that seeks the truth without denigrating the accusers. If Fairfax takes the 5th, as is his right, he should also resign. But not before.
2
@Mike Colllins
I refuse to judge one act for being more of a "severe wrong" than the other, because both acts involve a degree of violence which makes them both reprehensible.
And anyone familiar with the tragic history of Blacks in America knows very well that wearing Blackface is just the tip of an iceberg which has also led to some very criminal acts indeed.
1
I can't believe I'm reading this. How primitive are you going to let your system become? Follow those who have the most votes?
It seems to unbelievable that presumably law-abiding groups of the US society dare question the law having its way. Surely it is a difficult area to venture into as there are more often than not no witnesses but you must give the law a try.
If you don't, then you are really sawing off the limb you are sitting on and there will be no respect left for your group.
So shape up!
2
Grew up in a community of mostly Dutch and Portuguese farmers and dairyman. Ethnic jokes and mockery were rampant expected, a competition. But whenever one suffered a death fire,flood or such the neighbors quickly responded with machinery,hay ,grain,labor or loaner cows to see them though. Point is the mutual respect and help during tragedy and the mockery and ethnic jokes in good times went hand in hand.
7
@Lane
Therein lies the greatest flaw in modern progressive ideology. It is based entirely on victimology. Completely divisiveness and narrow to the point of worthlessness.
Consider this thinking now pervades all college campuses.
2
@AACNY
I disagree. Nobody plays the "victim" more laboriously and consistently than Donald Trump, who is hardly a modern progressive.
1
@N. Smith
You confuse victimhood with fighting back, furiously. Trump does a lot of that.
1
If Fairfax did commit these acts, he should step down. But we shouldn't base it on accusations because in this age of the internet accusations, both false and true, fly. He has asked for an investigation by the FBI. After a full investigation (unlike the limited Kavanaugh investigation) if he is found guilty he should resign. If not guilty he should remain. Democrats are too quick to convict for accusations. The fact that Franken was not fighting the accusations made me wonder what else he had done.
7
Although I believe the Fairfax accusers I do not believe that the media should be running duly elected people out of office. We have seen way too much of that and the ones that are getting driven out are Democrats. I have yet to see a Republican run out.
Therefore, let's knock it off and leave the issue for the courts to determine.
4
The underlying truth is that ,it's really over ,they're just going through the motions.
2
Right now the people of Virginia need to let law enforcement do their job and look into this case to see if there is any truth to it.
At this time it's he said, she said and the fact that it's been said by more then one doesn't make it a fact because one persons truth is another person lie.
Let the FBI do it's job.
2
There is no excuse for the conduct of the VA Governor and Atty. General. Yes it is bad, yes it reflects conduct by willingly blind students about our sordid past. The conduct never should have happened but, not surprising for the time, did. And yes that conduct needs to be condemned.
But, like it or not, that conduct was not uncommon in the 80s, especially regarding the Michael Jackson impersonation and his famous trademark moon dancing. Lots of people regardless of race were emulating him. Blackening a white face for that contest...was it racist or not? That was in the eyes of the contestant and his audience AT THE TIME OF THE CONTEST, not the eyed of today, decades later.
Most important, it was not illegal and it was not violent. Each of these politicians have much to atone for but they are both not who they were and no one was knowongly harmed. Resignations may be appropriate but that is their personal decision to make. If they do not, removal from office is up to the voters in the next election.
The situation with the Lt. Governor is much different. It is about serious criminal accusations. As such, a proper legal investigation is warranted and if justified by the evidence charges levied. Again, resignation before indictment or conviction may be appropriate but it his to make and know one else's. The Rule of Law, including remaining in office during the investigation and any crimial trial must be followed.
If they don't resign, that's what elections are for.
4
"If Democrats do not oust Mr. Fairfax, who faces sexual assault allegations, they could anger female voters. But if they push him out, they could deeply trouble African-Americans."
Just about everything that's basically broken about identity politics is illustrated right there. Who deserves punishment or gets a pass depends not on what crime was committed; rather, what part of the "rainbow coalition" you ask. Team Black vs Team Women. Identity politics will inevitable eat itself. A house divided against itself cannot stand.
12
Should uninvestigated allegations be a legitimate basis for impeachment? Impeachment in Virginia does not preclude continued indictment and conviction, nor are indictment or conviction necessary for impeachment. This rush to judgement, especially given the circumstances within which these allegations came to the surface, is just unseemly and no way to treat anyone.
1
Regretfully, the Democrats are taking the road of self immolation that their political nemesis the GOP anticipated. An ethnic slight is reprehensible in today’s culture, but have those perpetrators done good work over the past forty years? Are they now egalitarians? However, sexual assault is illegal
The juxtaposition and timing of these allegations appear to be designed to create a political debacle with racial and sexual impropriety overtones. At best suspect. Hopefully the Democrats will be more circumspect and let procedural and substantive process take it course before ousting these three.
The situation in Virginia is certainly revealing. Both racism and sexism are alive and well there. We can logically conclude that they also live elsewhere in America. And, they are not limited to political affiliation.
1
The Governor has lost almost everyone's confidence. He is no longer capable of rallying students or teachers or first-responders or the business community. He will be unwelcome at most major pronouncements, let alone commencement speeches etc.
The Lt. Governor, an accused but certainly not convicted felon, has similar issues. But since there are (so far) not actual photographs (unlike with Northam) and actual video-taped admissions followed by video-taped walk-backs, he and the accussers should be given time to make their cases.
For now, Northam absolutely must resign and the Lt. Governor must be elevated and serves as Governor if and until hard evidence and/or the Justice system (courts or impeachment) deem otherwise.
Due process? What a joke! Unfortunately sexual assault does not lend itself to "due process". Justin Fairfax knows that. It's in the interests of the perpetrator to request that the unprovable be proven and when that can't be done... to insist on an acquittal.
The problem for Fairfax is that this is not being tried before a jury of 11 peers but the more important court of public opinion. Fairfax's defense is that his assaults were "consensual". Maybe in his mind they were. Who fathom the minds of men who feel entitled? But it is obvious that in the minds of the entirely credible women who have come forward - they were not!
These women have absolutely nothing to gain from their accusations. Nothing. Their exemplary personal histories additionally establish their credibility. Pity a victim with less education or social standing. Pity the victim that is viewed as a "nobody". Well, Fairfax happened to choose at least two victims that became somebodies and are willing to risk personal exposure to come forward in the name of the social good and justice.
Fairfax's ploy of insisting on due process is an empty if desperate gesture. He's clearly the party with everything to lose and every incentive to lie his way out of this. I think that tactic, including calling upon the FBI to investigate the uninvestigatable a la Brett Kavanaugh is destined to failure. There's a growing distaste for liars in American politics. Dr. Tyson and Dr. Watson deserve the public's admiration and support.
3
We already know that the Republicans are not particularly thrilled by the concept of due process but since our legal system is based on the concepts of innocent until proven guilty in a court of law (the meaning of due process), and since accusations are not equivalent to automatic guilt (unless they are about Russia) the Democrats rush to be rid of both Mr. Fairfax and the governor shows a complete disregard for the Constitutional rights of the accused and no respect whatsoever for our legal system; it only reflects pandering to the crowd and a lynching mentality (deeply ingrained, I fear, in our culture one way or another). This almost instant howling for impeachment (which should be a last resort) is shameful and ridiculous and a threat to our Democratic rights and system of justice. Assault is a crime let Mr. Fairfax first have his due process to determine his guilt or innocence. Racism is unacceptable. It seems the governor engaged in racist behavior three decades past, if he has reformed and learned his lesson since those days, bravo for him, if he is still a racist then he must leave office.
2
Now the Republicans know how to beat the Democrats in 2020 and get Trump re-elected. All they have to do is to hire a half dozen women and men to make false accusations against each candidate and the Democrats zero tolerance policy means each of them must resign and remove themselves from the race. By the time the accusations are proven false the Republicans will have control of the government.
3
Democrats sanctimoniously embraced a presumption of guilt that reached its hysterical peak during the Kavanaugh hearings.
However, what goes around does indeed come around, and now they are hoisted on their own petard.
Their present discomfort is well earned and fully deserved.
9
I grew up in New York City and have been living in the south for 30+ years. I don't know how anyone - especially someone in their late 50's - can say with a straight face that they didn't know or understand why wearing blackface is offensive. Governor Northam claimed he is just now getting around to reading "a few chapters" of Roots. Seriously? It was one of the most-watched mini-series ever.
Not to excuse Mark Herring at all, but at least he owned up to his conduct right away and apologized. Still - didn't know at the time that blackface was offensive? Seriously?
The claim by Justin Fairfax that his encounters with his two accusers were consensual is laughable if it weren't so disgusting. Newsflash: just because your date didn't fight you off with every ounce of strength she had doesn't mean she consented.
All three of these men need to resign immediately. They are each one of them completely out of tune with their constituents here in the Commonwealth and are an embarrassment to all of us. They are done politically. They need to leave now before this gets worse (and it will get much worse) and return to the private sector. Virginia needs to move on.
1
Virginia needs to own it's past, both from a racial and gender perspective. To me it is obvious that Northam needs to step down NOW. flip flopping his presence in the photo is not the issue. The fact that he felt from the get go that it was him (or could have been) means that he as an adult condoned that vicious and hurtful behavior. Must go. He cannot govern effectively. Plain and simple.
As for Fairfax his 2 accusers need their day on court as does Fairfax and let the facts decide. These are serious allegations and need to be addressed accordingly.
I wrote another comment (in an earlier article). So why did I as a kid of 15 and actually before that (age 5) know that Northam's behavior was, is and will be forever hateful and just plain wrong. Shame!
Issues need to be addressed otherwise we have hit rock bottom by accepting the low bar our potus has inserted in our society as the new standard.
Putting a tactical squeeze on the three top elected Democrats in State of Virginia is a bases-loaded home run for Republicans locally and nationally. Their triumph rivals Dan Rather’s downfall engineered at the hands of Karl Rove. How did the Republican yearbook editor escape scrutiny in this drama?
2
Put aside colonialism and race, gender and accusations as well as political affiliation; there is no political aisle here. Allow due process run its course in the form of the investigatory process and the courtroom NOT in the court of public opinion.
Even under FOIA requests, there is privileged material evidence to an investigation that is not released - even to the accused - before the investigation is complete.
2
The FBI can only investigate violations of Federal law. These allegations do not meet that standard. Also, these alleged actions may be beyond the statute of limitations. If so, no law enforcement agency can conduct any investigation.
4
When will candidates be adequately vetted before they are approved by their party? And this goes for all parties. Further, all standards should be uniform for all parties, and take a sworn oath that their statements are true.
1
@Quandry
Are you kidding?
It has been an old saw for a long time that Pols are dishonest. This is often due to the mistaken idea that you elect them to do what you want them to do and the need of the pol to win in less time than it takes to educate a person about the flaw in reasoning and fact that leads to that false opinion of our system.
That said the GOP consciously turned to communist style propaganda somewhere between Nixon being VP and 1968. Communist style propaganda if you forget is the use of deceit in all things even when the truth would make accomplishing a goal easier.
The point is to create a false sense that there is no right and that confusion and incompetence is normal and impossible to do away with.
Since the GOP started that the system for selecting people to run has been so corrupted many of them actually think they are supposed to do what "the people" who elected them want without realizing the flaws there.
How can you screen potential nominees for unreported
rape or forcing a woman to give a man oral sex? Can’t be done. But once it is known, the accused should be forced to resign.
What is Fairfax thinking? That he will be able to continue his political career until a jury finds him guilty? His stance reveals how criminals think. If you “got away with a crime...no harm done!!” He is just a sociopath. He can start to plan his next job now. Perhaps a behind the scenes clerical position with the NFL or WWF. Or the window guy at a fast food place.
Can we please get our priorities straight here? Wearing blackface in Virginia 35 or more years ago is abhorrent, to be sure, but it was the culture back then (I’m very glad we evolved). Sexual assault and rape is a different thing, and Lt. Governor Fairfax now has two credible allegations against him.
Governor Northam has a long record behind him, and it’s a good one, for the most part. Keep him in office. The lieutenant governor must go.
18
In the past, justice and individual liberty in the US have been threatened from within by American nazis, American communists, and numerous other groups. Some movements were violent, some were not. One vulnerability they all shared was that their numbers were small, they were but a tiny percentage of our population. The common sense and basic decency of our people made it impossible for them to gain the support they needed to prevail.
Now we face yet another threat to justice and to our individual liberty. This threat is greater than all the others. Its strength comes not from violence. Its strength comes from its numbers. There are so many of them that they control the ballot, they install the government, they control that government because those officials, even if unsympathetic, know that their re-election depends upon their votes in the next election.
This threat to justice and to our freedom may already be the majority of the population! It is the very large number of women and some men who have abandoned and now reject those principles which are fundamental to justice and to individual liberty. They reject the concept of presumed innocence. They reject the requirement of proof beyond reasonable doubt. Indeed, they reject the requirement of any evidence at all to prove accusation, they pronounce guilt based upon accusation alone.
8
Yep, an I too am tired of Trump and Trumpists. Let’s vote them gone.
1
This headline "Justin Fairfax put Democrats in a bind over impeachment" does not have a good "ring" to it.
Why should old stories of "black-face" or unwanted sex have a different effect on the reader depending on your political party.
It's a sad day for our inability to view these things in their true relations and relative importance when our headlines point to
the impression that one political party only is in a "bind"
in Virginia because of "black-face" and scandals relating to sex.
In fact, all political parties are in a "bind" because of this and what has happened in Washington since the inauguration of our current president.
You can be sure that the Virginia democrats are not the only Americans who now find themselves in a "bind on impeachment" per headlines of this article by writers Martin,
Blinder and Robertson.
1
Investigate the rape charges and act accordingly.
Blackface and Rape are not equal under the Rule of Law.
Blackface has been admitted, let them repent.
12
Will justice or tribe prevail?
This whole episode exposes the idiocy of the firestorm of political correctness about blackface. Those who are pushing for Northham and Herring to resign should focus on the serious rape allegations against Fairfax.
9
Without FULL due process this is little more than a media lynching of a duly elected official.
13
Chickens finally coming home to roost, men. Hundreds of years of mistreatment of females is unfurling. This would not be and ought not be the case but for the fact that the U.S. has been such a wholly sexist mess since 1776 that females of all ages and races relegated to subservient invisible status, or as all religions preach nothing more than breeding livestock.
It's encouraging that more young and some older females now come forward to stand up for themselves when a male assaults or rapes them - an absolute vile, heinous crime that deviant males know is and do specifically to degrade and disempower females. It does not matte if the female reports the crime a few years "too late" for all the misogynists who never believe girls and women are equal human beings, anyway. A traumatic felony crime has been committed and justice has been denied that female. It was not that long ago when next to zero females in America expected any sort of justice over male crimes against them. Reading some of the comments here, seems America just cannot crawl out from under its misogynist rock and might never.
5
@Maggie
Since 1776? Really?
@Maggie . . . Such a comment speaks for the countless women who hate men, most often for very personal reasons such as their inability to succeed alongside them, their inability to sustain relationships with them, and their confusion as to their own sexual beings.
8
Megan Kelly simply talked about blackface - was then destroyed by the MSM and fired.
14
@Dr. John
What progressives engaging in their modern day identity "lynchings" don't realize is that identity is a cudgel that can easily be used to bash them right on their own heads.
6
What we have here is as follows:
reporter = lawenforcement
editor = prosecutor
publisher = judge
comments sections of publisher = jury
Is this rule of law?
Or, is this marketing?
8
Please pass the popcorn.
Oh, and Justice Kavanaugh sends his regards.
13
Here's what they need to do. Have Lt Gov resign. Gov appoints a new LtGov, assuming they can find somebody untarnished, and then the Gov should resign.
2
No one has mentioned Al Jolson!
This is what identity politics does for you. Instead of doing the right thing, it clouds your judgement and interferes with your decision making.
12
Some advice to Justin Fairfax: When a sad-looking photo of you appears atop the two lead articles on the NYT's on-line "Politics" page, as it does right now on my computer, it might be time for you to think seriously about a field other than politics. Even if you're right, you're toast. Better deal with it.
2
The perspective gained by this Washington Post poll would help:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/virginians-split-on-governors-fate-amid-blackface-scandal-poll-shows/2019/02/09/93002e84-2bc1-11e9-b011-d8500644dc98_story.html?utm_term=.5895c7aade21
African-Americans polled, 58 percent to 37 percent, say that Northam should not step down.
Possibly turning over the state to Republicans terrifies me. Virginia voters—I am one—did not vote for that party.
3
Were the Democrats put in the same bind when Gillibrand lead the cry to oust Al Franken?
Were they afraid then about upsetting the apple cart, re the women's vote vs the Jewish vote?
If not, then why not then and why now be afraid of upsetting the apple cart re the women's vote vs the African American vote?
Identity politics unequally applied and a losing strategy every time.
13
If he did wrong he should feel the consequences. Speculating how the African-American feel about it is mixing stuff that should be kept separate. This is not about African-American. This is about doing right or wrong. I guess the African-American women have their own opinion about this case. Treat him like any other men. I thought before the law we are all equal.
2
I think it’s premature to try to impeach Justin Fairfax. Precisely because the allegations against him are so serious, an investigation should be held before he is ousted. Both accusers have agreed to speak to investigators. If those demanding his resignation believe the investigation will confirm Mr. Fairfax’s guilt, why are they trying to oust him before any investigation?
As for the governor, I find his flip flopping rather suspect. Based on what I’ve read, he probably wore blackface on a number of occasions. Whether he stays or goes, this has become a teachable moment about an ugly period of American history. No doubt many Americans are appalled to learn how pervasive and accepted the practice of denigrating black people for fun has been among an elite segment of the white population. If there’s heightened awareness and rejection of such behavior, some good may come of this mess.
Have these democrats lost their minds? They are calling for the ouster of elected officials, based on nothing more than uncorroborated accusations. They are destroying the party from inside with their fanatical support for the insidious practices of the me too movement, which seeks to sacrifice on the altar of political correctness every man ever suspected of a sexual transgression. We are becoming the party of the easily offended, willingly ignoring basic principles of due process, fairness, and law.
13
What is totally crazy is that there are actually people out there who are black and women. Can you believe it? And they might be horrified by these allegations AND want action taken, including additional investigation of the allegations and impeachment if they are true.
Quelle horreur!
3
The Democrats are reaping what they sowed with their rush-to-judgment treatment of Judge Kavanaugh.
11
The sexual assault charges should be fully investigated before Fairfax steps down.
5
To me, the issue isn't whether the Democrats should choose between alienating either women, or black voters. The issue is that all three of these men have displayed abhorrent conduct which is unacceptable in our society. All three need to go post haste.
2
It seems the political strategy now is to sacrifice Fairfax while hoping his resignation will appease the electorate and allow the Dems to continue controlling Virginia.
I guess the political calculus is that Dems can't afford to lose women while blacks have nowhere else to go.
3
Many of us did things in our youth that are thoughtless and regretful. Perhaps that requires no more than an apology to those offended, perhaps not. But, rape, sexual assault and physical intimidation are not in the same league...these actions are totally unacceptable and if the African-American community cannot distinguish the difference, Lord help us all. That they should be upset by the prospective chucking of Fairfax from his office is unsettling when the nature of this allegation is unacceptable for anyone, white or black.
5
I don't know if this guy is a rapist or not. And neither does the Virginia assembly. And neither does anyone making comments about the situation.
I do know this, however. If we continue the trend of demanding resignations from every politician based on allegations, we are heading down a dangerous hole.
What is to stop any person from making accusations against others who they do not like or whose politics they do not agree with. We talk about witch hunts? Consider this.
Most of the women accused of witches in Salem had their family property confiscated and given to others, sometimes their accusers. In the latest Iraq and Afghan wars, a BOUNTY was offered to anyone turning in members of al-Qaeda. Without a hearing or trial, thousands were arrested and imprisoned. And millions was paid out. With no evidence other than someone' s word.
As I said, I don't know if this guy is guilty or not, but he and his accusers deserve a hearing. It is fundamental to our concept of justice.
6
D's and Libs need to step off their purity test mentality, they are doing the work of the R's and eviscerating their own party.
Remember the "revelations" about the yearbook and the old claim against the LT Gov were dredged up by R political operatives. They took a bet the D's would eat their own and they were right.
Further the 2020 redistricting is going to happen in Virginia, new maps... do you really want R's in charge when those are drawn? or do you just shut up let the D's in power stay there to control the redistricting and then vote for someone else after the maps are drawn.
8
BMOC .... years later it all comes back to haunt him.
Kavanagh is confirmed with sexual accusations looming over him, but Fairfax must resign without an investigation? this makes no sense... Investigate before condemning...Northam on the other hand needs to be impeached...that’s a done deal...
2
This is almost too funny.
In order to not be labeled racist, the Democrats’ only play is to have all three resign, handing the Governorship over to a Republican.
Yet, they can’t get themselves to do it.
So, instead they will keep shooting themselves in the foot until the voters get rid of them.
6
For God's sake, can't we just once withhold judgment until all the facts are in? I say this as a Trump supporter.
7
What kind of democracy condemns a man on allegations?
5
@Bruce Savin
One where Democrats are in charge.
2
I think there should be a complete, credible, transparent investigation of all those accused of inappropriate behavior. After the results of those separate investigations are available we can then decide if *stepping down* or resigning is called for.
In my view, the investigations of Brent Kavanaugh was incomplete and not transparent. Those on the right want to compare the situation in VA with Brent Kavanaugh, I reject those comparisons. Brent Kavanaugh should not have been elevated to the highest court in the land. The FBI was constrained by Trump & there was an artificial time restriction placed on the investigation.
Northrup, Fairfax & others should be subject to investigation before stepping aside. Fairfax's accuser deserves to be allowed to be heard & an investigation completed.
2
The United States a democracy that follows a system of rule by laws, not individuals. In a democracy, the rule of law protects the rights of citizens, maintains order, and limits the power of government. To empower an individual or even a group of accusers to, perhaps falsely, ruin a reputation or career without due process is tantamount to transforming our country into a place ruled by power, innuendo and political agenda. The safety of our citizens and institutions depends upon our confidence in the law. Have we learned nothing from the last two years under a president who does not understand the importance of integrity and respect for the law? He is the ultimate example of a temporary winner who won by cheating. Integrity is a state of mind and is not situational. We must apply the same set of rules to everyone or we risk everything.
2
This conundrum is simply the price the Democrats are paying for having abandoned the notion that a national political party is obliged to have a political program for the good of the whole country, in favor of a lot of quasi-moralistic notions directed at specific interest groups they feel beholden to. Wake up fast Democrats, 2020 is fast approaching and the prospect of a second Trump term looms ever larger. The lives of the vast majority of Americans depend upon it.
5
This is where this will end. Northam will go, Fairfax will go, and the AG will stay. He will then appoint two women, one who is African American to the two open places. He will say that he will commit himself to all sorts of social justice things. That way the guys will go, minority vs. female concerns will be addressed, and the Republican will not be governor. Then, the wheels of justice will grind forward and the claims against Fairfax will be considered. I am not suggesting this is necessarily the correct course, only that it is probably what will occur. Stay tuned.
2
In an age where even the notion of what constitutes an objective scientific fact is matter for heated debate, it would seem that a satisfactory outcome in a situation such as this is all but impossible. Our "Laws" are now viewed by many as simply a means of advancing the agendas of those in power. Organizations once trusted are now awash in scandal. Our religious, political and social leaders are viewed as the sum of their faults. The notion of "benefit of the doubt" is obsolete. Who, or what, is to blame for this precarious state of affairs? I believe we have become, as a society, too focused on searching for the "blame", rather than the cause. I like to believe that we, as a society, are like the teenager who has discovered that his parents are flawed. Our country is young, after all - let's hope that we can grow up to be better than our parents.
3
If crisis weren't available, there'd be another along soon. Careers depend upon it. How it is resolved is inconsequential at best.
"The Republican and Democratic parties, or, to be more exact, the Republican-Democratic party, represent the capitalist class in the class struggle. They are the political wings of the capitalist system and such differences as arise between them relate to spoils and not to principles."-- Eugene Debs. Sept 1, 1904
2
Stop the identity witch hunts that happen today, and then these past events can be evaluated more rationally. Today is the problem.
2
You also have to look at what impact these revelations would have had on the Virginia elections. It's likely the Republicans would have won handily. This throws the whole outcome of the elections into the realm of illegitimacy. If they're able to, the Virginia legislators should call for a new election.
3
@dgbu
So they're all "illegitimate" to borrow a progressive term? You cannot make this stuff up.
2
I was born in Virginia and went to public schools that were lily white. My parents moved to Virginia (My mother from NYC) because my father's job was there. We were liberals, living in a racist world. I can't tell you how many times I heard conversation from schoolmates that, by today's standards, would be considered, at best, racially insensitive. Do I believe that all my classmates who were involved in these conversations are irredeemable? Absolutely not. I look at Virginia and see how it has evolved from the capitol of the Confederacy to a State that, to a large extent, has become intolerant of racism. Do I believe that the Governor Northam and AG Herring's feeling on racism could have evolved between the time they were in college and today. Absolutely. The objective of civil rights activism was to change people's minds - and behavior. I believe Governor Northam's handling of this matter leaves a lot to be desired. He should have said that I apologize for the racially insensitive activities of my youth, but I have grown over the years and I am proud to be the Governor of all Virginians.
He should be given the opportunity to prove that he has evolved.
Justin Fairfax is a very different story.
4
I seem to have heard this story before. It's as if sexual assault, or at least the allegation, is the new orange the press recklessly craves, whether proven or not. The trouble is if I hear the charge often enough, and I have, I become insensitive to the real victims heinous crimes becuase I cannot separate the wheat from the chaff. Political assassins cannot become the method by which sexual crimes are adjudicated. And the press should not be unwitting accomplices.
3
The events that have occurred over the last week are reprehensible on all accounts. Maybe it's time for Mr. Northam and Mr. Herring to fight for the removal of all Confederate Monuments in Virginia. Virginia, lets move forward and start making amends for our racist past. Maybe even pave the way for other states to do the same!
Why is Mr. Fairfax being treated as if one’s mere words of alleged sexual misconduct is enough to make him ‘guilty’ as charged? Is there something else at play here? Perhaps a well-orchestrated distraction from Governor Northam’s plight. Moreover I’m amazed at how quickly Black Democrats have also jumped on this bandwagon against Fairfax - enough to say “all” politicians appear to have no real compass, moral or otherwise, except to gauge how they might benefit politically by throwing all common sense out the door, no matter if they might well be wrong.
2
The party should sit tight and do nothing right now. Perhaps the best strategy is a demonstration that the high road doesn't require the same old milk toast surrender to avoid appearing hypocritical. I'm not saying Fairfax doesn't have to go, but the whole party need not cave to the party that always plays dirty. Frankly, a little hypocrisy wouldn't be such a bad thing right now provided the party's affected contingent bands together with a common message of forgiveness and tolerance when appropriate.
These character snipes have proven extremely effective and will certainly continue in blue and purple states for the next twenty-one months. And the Dems, going forward, better have a real good strategy for dealing with them, particularly with so many candidates running for President. The first step is for those running for office to consider the party first, and to not minimize what they have done even decades ago. The second step is what I call the "revenge factor" that exposes those behind these coordinated character assassinations and who likely have more than a few skeletons of their own. People who think like they do usually come by it honestly. "To know one is to be one."
1
I don't care what color Justin Fairfax is. I'm a white woman who lives in Virginia, and I do NOT want Fairfax ousted over allegations without due process. We have proof of what Northam and Herring did. Northam can continue with his switcheroos till the cows come home, but the "Coonman" has lost credibility entirely. Both men need to go. Before the state Democratic Party drives Fairfax out of office, it should be made aware that a good many women in the state will not follow the MeToo unfairness of automatically siding with the women in examining facts. Forgoing facts should not be an option. Let the people hear the evidence.
If the state Democratic Party is unwilling to make time for an investigation in Fairfax's case, I feel certain I will not make time to go to the voting polls in the future.
3
I am still trying to understand why an allegation is enough to ruin someone's life. Just because you are a woman, doesn't mean that you are honest or truthful. I have been a lawyer for many years and have seen many women lie to get what they want or for revenge. The rush to judgment needs to stop. When allegations are made, they need to be investigated and handled like any other criminal complaint. And if you are charged, and judged by a jury of your peers, then you face the consequences. And I am really tired of old allegations surfacing. If you were raped and didn't report it 15 years ago, then you really can't expect justice today.
4
The only fair option is to give him due process that everyone deserves.
3
Fairfax is entitled to due process and until he is proven guilty, he should not resign. No one should be railroaded by mere accusations, regardless of how truthful they sound. I also think this whole incident -- along with Kavanaugh debacle -- should make women consider how they deal with sexual trauma when it occurs. It's not enough to sympathize with sexual assault victims when they belatedly accuse a man of a crime. No matter how hard it is to report a crime, sexual victims should understand the consequence of that inaction. It's not enough to tell your friends. A crime must be reported to the police. I find it ultimately not helpful to the victims and to the society as a whole to simply explain away such inaction by stating that most sexual victims prefer to block out the trauma. This entire MeToo movement seems to encourage not reporting a sexual crime until the woman "feels" ready, even if it takes 20 years or more and makes us wring our collective hands about how to raise boys to be better.
As for the blackface debacle, that is not even close to Fairfax's alleged crime. I am kind of amused by the African American politicians forgiving Herring because Herring was politically savvy enough to repent and cry in front of right people. Instead of wasting their energy on lamenting the past, they should use this as a leverage to push for initiatives that will solve real economic and social problems facing African American communities in VA today.
5
Doesn’t he at least get presumed innocent until PROVEN guilty?
3
What is surprising to me is the narrow perspective of the story -- this story focuses on the impact of Virginia politics, the what are the electoral implications, blah, blah -- minor stuff -- focus on the broader issues of hypocrisy in government, the moral failings of our political parties (yes, NYT -- even the Democrats) and that maybe we should stop this, rush to judgement, smear to the death, lowest common denominator approach to political discourse -- let legal processes run their course, let's not apply 2019 standards to 1975 behavior, let's recognize that young people are immature and do grow wiser as time goes on, people change their viewpoints as they learn, etc.
2
@Tiburon110
When the NYT doesn't want to investigate, it focuses on the political aspects of a story. Everything is in the "Politics" section now.
Clearly not as many NYT readers would be interested in a story that outlined, say, the lack of evidence or a full detailing of how their records belie the allegations.
I hope sanity is restored, and the identity-crazed mob doesn't destroy these officials until they have a chance to fully respond. As a republican I understand very well how the mob works.
3
The FBI should not only look into these allegations but also see if this has to do with outside influences trying to impact democrats and the 2020 election cycle. All these allegations came just days after the Governor discussed a late-term abortion bill. A similar bill as in NY. Virginia had been a target of outside influence during the 2016 election with Senator Kane, this could be another attack on our democracy.
3
@Dave -- Really, this is your best shot?
Virginia voters -- this is all your leaders are worried about:“We’ve worked hard on the Democratic brand for so many years,” he said, “and now we have to deal with this.”
Guys, how about worrying about how to re-establish a moral basis for governing the state? To give the citizens of Virginia confidence in their leadership?
3
Of course it's an attack on democracy when it's your party in the cross-hairs, just like it was an attack on democracy when democrat sat on the Brett Kavanaugh ”fake news” and revealed it when conventional methods of stopping Brett failed. Here is the challenge for the Democrats, they claimed just a few months ago that ”they believe all women”. Now that one of their own has sexual allegations leveled against them, will they really believe all women?
4
@Dave
I bet it was the Russians.
A Democrat led investigation will just uncover more Democrat corruption, like the Mueller witchunt.
3
A sitting elected official should not be pushed out without due process. I don't understand the media's rush to shove anyone out.
He demands an investigation. Sounds like a great idea.
8
@Paul
Anyone on the taxpayer dime ought be investigated when a felony assault crime is alleged. No one is entitled to hold elected office nor cling to it if they skirted the law. Believe it or not, Paul, women are also forced to pay taxes that fund all these cretins. It's a shame women still get so little in return.
1
It's discouraging to see the crime of rape conflated with racist caricatures, as deplorable as they were, for the sake of crass political advantage.
Every politician is politically answerable for their actions. However, placing Northam's and Herring's actions on the same level as Fairfax's alleged rapes is a distinction defined in this case solely by racial considerations.
12
While Justin Fairfax’s two accusers may be very credible, he should not be convicted in the absence of forensic evidence. That said, he should not be removed from office. However, upon the expiration of his term in office, his elective career effectively will be over (unless he can emulate Alcee Hastings, Marion Barry, and James M. Curley).
Extreme bad taste is not a reason to jettison Messrs.
Northam and Herring, at least not until their terms expire as well.
Also, is not a black caucus an intrinsically separatist and racist entity?
6
Taking a zero-tolerance position on misconduct against women or people of color sounds good in theory, but reality is more complex and ambiguous. What is being alleged and by whom? Are the allegations disputed, and, if so, what if any corroborating evidence exists? What does the rest of the alleged offender's life tell us about his/her character?
Doing the right thing requires great care and contemplation. Application of any inflexible rule is folly.
8
@Lyle P. Hough, Jr.
Do men and white people have any rights??
3
@Bill - That goes without saying, just as women and non-whites are entitled to those same rights.
My point is that "zero-tolerance" tests for destructive, anti-social behavior is an attempt to use a one-dimensional ruler in a three-dimensional world.
The democratic party in the South is a different beast than say, NY. In fact, most barely meet the definition of Democrat. Definitely blue dogs. Fairfax may be a bit more moderate. Nonetheless, he deserves at least as much as Kavenaugh got. Conduct a thorough investigation. If he's guilty, out he goes. If not, put it to rest. I do find it odd that two accusations came out of thin air as soon as he came next in line to the executive office.
7
Or perhaps a not so thorough investigation that Kavanaugh got.
1
Your baseless disparagement of Democrats in the south is without factual basis. Check out Dems accomplishments here in Virginia. Check out our US senators records. Check our fight to expand Medicaid to all. As a former New Yorker it’s liberating to have left the corrupt dem politics of ny/nj where segregation remains
@Ron
How thorough need it be when all the accusers recant and retract their false allegations?
I think a thorough investigation is in order.
3
Democrats clearly set the bar for disqualification of candidates and office holders during the Kavanaugh hearings. All that is required is for a woman to make an accusation of sexual assault. Witnesses and evidence are not. Unlike Brett Kavanaughs main accuser, the women accusing Lt. Governor Fairfax are identifying the time and place of the attacks. One of them has provided details of the assault that are so graphic that they can only be described as revolting.
It’s probably safe to say that a majority of the country, including many women found the claims against Kavanaugh dubious and Democrats treatment of him despicable. Nevertheless Republicans authorized an FBI investigation of the claims and found them to be without merit. I hope Fairfax and his accusers are provided the same consideration.
12
but they did not prevent him from eng appointed. conclusion. for GOP its hot important
1
Wearing blackface may be distasteful but it is not illegal. Sexual harassment and attempted rape are, we need a sense of proportion about these matters.
10
Any allegations should be investigated before drastic decisions are made, especially when one side claims innocence.
If we resort to demanding resignations before investigating allegations, we are reverting to vigilante law.
5
Why is it when a corporation has a sexual assault claim against an employee and they are suspended from their jobs, can’t the government do the same with it’s employees!?!
3
If these three do not resign, they become glaring symbols of hypocrisy for a Democrat party desperate to regain power in 2020. So much for the moral high ground.
6
If they do, Rob, it will be because of repulicans' desperate to regain power in 2020.
Stand firm, Governor Northam and AG Herring - and Mr. Fairfax if you are truly innocent. The matter can be decided in a civil courtroom - not the media circus.
2
@njglea
There isn't a single republican involved in this mess.
3
Oh come on, Bill. A Neo-conservative website started it. The man who would take over if the governor and lieutenant governor resign is a republican.
It's Koch brothers democracy-destroying propaganda.
Virginia Democrats should be pushing for the same FBI investigation and due process before they simply push Fairfax out to get him off their political plate. Accusations are not guilt. And what I want to know is why after 18 and 14 years respectively, these women are suddenly coming forward. These are questions that need to be asked and answered. Mr. Fairfax needs to be thoroughly interviewed as do any other witnesses to these allegations. The Democrats needs to be more concerned about justice for all concerned and less focused on their political welfare. The look is not good. Assuming someone's guilt is not American.
4
We want to be colorblind -- but not yet.
3
@creepingdoubt
Elizabeth Warren declared stoutly yesterday that "race matters!"
We have come a long way from color blindness in the 60s, which was a beacon of moral clarity, to the present hypocritical, self-defeating contest to determine whose claim to victimhood deserves priority.
How many valuable careers must be destroyed by an accusation of sexual misconduct that allegedly took place years if not decades ago before we ask the only question that remains relevant. Why were the accusations not made in a timely fashion when proof was still a possibility? Why are these late arriving accusers called heroes when they failed to act immediately to prevent others from being similarly victimized?
4
The Statute of Limitation for Rape is Massachusetts is 16 years. Ms. Tyson says he raped her in 2004. She should file a complaint ain’t with the Boston PD.
There is apparently noStatute of investigation for Rape in North Carolina. Ms. Aston should fle a Complaint with the Durham PD.
Then, Mr.fairfax can get the investigation he has demanded- two in fact. Of course, he could also end up on rial.
Mr. Fairfax could also sue these women for defamation if he is really innocent.
2
We know from Kavanaugh it ony takes the FBI 6 days to investigate that type of allegation: they could be done by Valentine’s Day.
3
I hate to say it but it’s kinda fun watching the dems twist themselves into knots over this whole mess, but they are getting exactly what they deserve.
8
@Thomas Aquinas
I don't hate to say it at all.
1
Here's what will happen if Fairfax is ousted or resigns - the allegations & any follow up will vanish as if they never existed, as if it never happened (see Al Franken). Perhaps it is time to allow a process of discovery to happen to determine the allegations truth. Perhaps at last we should allow due process to proceed and the media should behave as if they understood what that meas. Perhaps in allowing the process of discovery to occur we respect the alleged victim(s) & the individual accused, you know they way its suppose to work.
Let's use another example, Brett Kavanaugh (who is now a Supreme Court Justice). Did he commit sexual assault against the women who accused him of assault? Where have those allegations gone? Is there going to be follow up? I've seen none in the mainstream media: He is on the Supreme Court is that the end of Story?
So the GOP has their man installed & the Media have moved on to the next headline (see current article). Still the question remains, what happened between those women and Brett Kavanaugh? (& what happened to the allegations against Al Franken & the women who accused him of groping them & Donald Trumps accusers? - unexplored & unanswered questions remain). The GOP is going to play this to its own interests that's politics. But journalism should be better than that, journalist should do their job. We should demand better, of your folks, of our politics & ourselves. We should want the truth, we should want justice.
6
The question is will Corey Booker and Kamala Harris assume that he is guilty like they did to Kavanaugh and scream in his face?
5
@P McGrath "will Corey Booker and Kamala Harris assume that he is guilty like they did to Kavanaugh and scream in his face?"
We'll know, after they've had a chance to take some surveys and decide whether it would be to their advantage.
If this is how the dems govern I’m voting republican!
6
Generalizing a bit are we?
2
@Tullymd
Generalizing is the meat and potatoes of this whole torturous struggle.
Is anybody else as sick as I am of trial by rumor and innuendo and conviction by character assassination? Who among us over the age of 35 hasn't done something we would be embarrassed by or ashamed of now? I thought so - none of us.
Okay, so who are these men now? What is their record of service? What are the attitudes that they show now as they serve the people who elected them? And why should rumor, innuendo, and character assassination, especially generated by so-called opposition research, trash our democracy from within? The Republican party's laughing as Democrats are doing their nefarious work for them. It seems that when in doubt Democrats form a circular firing squad.
The press and the country seem obsessed with the ain't-it-awful aspects of the story (yes, it is to varying degrees), but the real story runs deeper. The source of this noise is a dirty trickster website that would make Roger Stone proud. It and those like it need to be tamped down, not bought into.
Please stop the madness. As long as the thoroughly immoral and questionably legal Donald Trump occupies the White House, we have a lot more urgent work to do.
5
@CP
Where did you stand on Kavanaugh?
1
@Bill, what he did as a rowdy frat boy, past and present, matters to me, but less so than his abhorrent arch-conservative policies which he is bringing to a supposedly nonpartisan bench. His confirmation hearing was a show trial and very few of the relevant witnesses were heard from. Those policies are my biggest objection.
And yes, I believe Dr. Ford. I don't know enough about the women in the Fairfax case and its questionable timing.
“You’re more able to survive as a white man in America who wore blackface than as a black man that’s facing #MeToo accusations.”
True, with the primary defense being Dem’s stance towards the Kavanaugh & Franken accusations.
This case reminds me somewhat of the Clarence Thomas case. He survived sexual harassment charges & it wasn’t just because it occurred decades ago, long before MeToo.
It’s illustrative that allegations of sexual harassment against Thomas, even by a black woman, allegedly didn’t move many in the black community.
It’s of course completely understandable, given the position Thomas was appointed to, especially as a replacement for Marshall.
The idea that nefarious, racist forces were being employed to keep a black man down (I believe Thomas endorsed such a theory) were obviously more persuasive than the uncorroborated account of a black woman who was potentially a tool of such forces, among other possibilities.
Unfortunately, “believe all women” has backfired for Dems in this unusually unfortunate set of circumstances.
An investigation & hearing, in which all parties testify is likely the only way to make Blacks feel at least somewhat more heard by Dems. This is the case that shows that the “one size fits all” approach simply doesn’t work.
It would be ideal if Dems finally just admitted as much, though many will simply accuse them of hypocrisy given the complex racial dynamics.
2
Why is it always the Democrats who have to resign, while Republicans go on to become Supreme Court justices and President? Where are the calls for Trump to resign? He too has been accused of sexual assault.
3
@j. garcia
Ask your own party. There were no Republicans calling for Al Franken's excommunication.
2
We are focusing all of our attention on three politicians in the executive branch who have responded variously to accusations. Let's put what's most important first, honoring the voters' will and getting their business done. Are the elected officials or their replacements fulfilling their campaign promises? If we put the voters first, deciding what is just and appropriate to the politicians comes second.
To unwind that mess, Northam and Herring made a similar error as young men. Both admitted it, but Northam then denied what he had admitted while governor, so he is lying one way or another right now, showing that he is fundamentally untrustworthy. Herring admitted his error without contradiction. Should youthful stupidity and crassness destroy his political career if he admits his mistake and stands against racism today? These offenses have nothing to do with the difficulties of Justin Fairfax, except for issues of succession and optics.
Two credible women have come forward with accusations. What if the alleged victims and perpetrator each believe their version of the story? People can have different perceptions of sexual intentions, which is no excuse for forcing another to submit against their will. Fairfax demands an investigation. That can occur via the FBI or impeachment, although the latter distract the legislature from the people's business. Should he step aside during that adjudication and a temporary replacement who is black honor the voters' will?
1
Let's get out the mirrors and take good look at ourselves. Those of you crying out for "Due Process" in the case of Justin E. Fairfax need to ask themselves where they stood on the issue a fair and thorough investigation when it was the Duke Lacrosse team who was accused, or the U VA frat, or Harvey Weinstein, or the accused in the CT rape case, or Kavanagh's nomination or the Title IX tribunals.
Are we governed by the mob or by rule of law. If we choose the rule of law then the law applies equally to all.
3
The timing on this is dubious. I do not question the women but do question the timing.
Thanks to the readers who corrected my earlier comment that one woman was using the same lawyer as Kavanaugh used - it was actually Mr. Fairfax.
I think they should take this to civil court and that the media circus - which can destroy a career in a couple of days - must stop on these kinds of things.
The fact is that the people behind the Neo-conserative website that started the attacks on the governor and lieutenant governor have one goal -- destroy democrats in power. One thing I have always admired about Senator Susan Collins is that she consistently says she will wait to react until she has the facts. Democrats can take a lesson from her. They are too quick to crucify their fellow democrats in power, just as Senator Gilibrand attacked Senator Al Franken and helped give the senate to Traitor Mitch McConnell. There ARE degrees of misbehavior.
Let's all keep our wits and not believe or spread junior high level gossip. "I'm sorry" seldom heals the damage done.
Readers who would like a little more background on this can read these articles:
https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/A-tip-from-a-concerned-citizen-helps-a-reporter-13585192.php
https://www.seattlepi.com/news/education/article/Racist-yearbook-photo-went-unnoticed-by-busy-med-13591054.php
3
Why the rush to judgment? Where is the vaunted "rule of law" here? What happened to "innocent until proven guilty?" Yes, he has been accused by two women. And I "get the MeToo movement, and the need not to dismiss these types of allegations. But doesn't the accused party still have rights? What if - really, seriously - what if it turns out that he is telling the truth? Should he have to resign his job BEFORE that is the case? Why? The allegations are called "serious" - which they certainly are - but also "credible." Based on what? Yes, they may very well turn OUT to be credible. But what makes them "credible" before the facts are known? Personally, I think that, given how often this occurs now - and even if the allegations turn out to be true, say, 95% of the time - the very first order of business is for everyone involved to take a lie detector test. True, they are not 100% accurate. But they are generally very accurate. Ultimately, until these allegations truly turn out to be "credible" - until we know all the facts (which we don't), I think this type of rush to judgement, by the media, pundits, talking heads and political colleagues and detractors - he has every right to remain in office to defend himself.
4
Since when must ethics be based on "optics" and the resultant feelings of core political constituencies? How about the simple principle of innocent until proven guilty? It wasn't fair of Democrats to try to punish Brett Kavanaugh based on accusations without due process, and Justin Fairfax deserves due process, too. Otherwise, the Democrats are behaving just like the perpetrators of the Salem witch trials.
5
Mr. Fairfax is absolutely correct in asking for "due process" and the "presumption of innocence." The issue confronting Democrats is what is due process in this case? One possibility is to refer this case and those of Gov. Northam and Attorney General Mark Herring to the state's "Ethics Advisory Council" for adjudication. Fairness and transparency must be achieved by the Democratic Party and it is not fair, especially in the racially-charged atmosphere, for two white men to declare themselves essentially innocent of racism while prosecuting a black man. The last thing the nation needs to see and hear is the cry of another "High-tech lynching."
2
What is the role of media in augmenting allegations? Would the claims against Northam, Fairfax and Herring exist without the media? In all three cases there were remedies available at the time of the alleged incident(s) and there have been remedies since then. Why now? Without the expectation of media attention, would these allegations have been made? This is a credible question to ask. Media refuses to investigate, it distorts any possibility of knowing the truth. It cherry picks. Are emails among girlfriends enough evidence for sexual assault allegations? Ask any therapist if any woman or man may feel uncomfortable, or 'violated' after consensual sex. Consensual sex may be painful for a variety of reasons, ask a gynecologist or urologist. What does that mean in terms of the law? There are simply too many questions. Sexual accusations seem to be an effective way for extremists to disrupt society. This does not bring about social or institutional change, but chaos. Media cheapens the real pain of women who are being abused. Their stories remain untold. In order to secure our democracy from the tyranny of the media, we must demand an investigation for each and every allegation all the time. Fairfax must stay in office until an investigation is done, lest all elected official be held hostage by the power of the media.
2
@et.al.nyc
You are sounding like a Republican who is sick in tired of blatant media bias.
1
We see allegations of sexual assault being levied on a plethora of politicians, and as a woman I say its about time these things are called attention to, however, if we are going to hold these men accountable for assault that happened pre-office, then we need to apply the same standards across the whole board. How can we impeach a Lt. Governor when we have a similar situation in the highest office in the land with no consequences?
2
Are there two women with credible accusations of forcible rape against Donald Trump? I was unaware.
1
@JerseyGirl
Correct. But there was, and is, a highly credible accusation against a certain living former president. The Democrats' response is that was then, this is now.
Inquiring minds want to know WHY NOW? When will journalists dig into how these politicians won election after election for decades but only now, three months after the 2018 general election, this information surfaces? Opposition research is supposed to become public shortly BEFORE the election.
What has happened in the intervening three months? Who benefits from this circus? Why did it become public around the same time as Roger Stone's arrest?
I'm afraid this may be a distraction from other short term issues. It could, however, be a tactical effort by advantaged white males to return to business as usual.
1
I don’t understand. Has he been found guilty of a crime? What has happened to due process in this country?
6
Fairfax should get due process otherwise no one will be safe from accusations that magically materialize as if from nowhere on cue at the best possible moment — for Republicans.
One problem with the Kavanaugh nomination was that he skirted due process with Republican assistance and connivance. Now, those same Republicans bay loudest for inquisition, proving that two rule books exist: one for Republicans (a perpetual get out of jail free card), another for everyone else (presumed guilty upon accusation).
1
What has happened to our country? There was a time when all were afforded due process, and everyone was innocent unless or until proven guilty.
None of these men are guilty of anything, none have been charged with anything, and some have denied heresay allegations. Where are the police in this? any of this? Last time I looked, sexual assault was a CRIMINAL offense. It takes the police to investigate, the DA to prosecute (or not), and a jury to convict.
1
I see frequent comparisons of the current climate to the Salem witch trials, but you don’t have to go that far back to find another example of a shoot-first environment. McCarthy, et al, managed to stir up mass hysteria over the Communist lurking around every corner. He might have rooted out some who were dedicated to the violent overthrow of the US government, but he certainly destroyed a lot of lives in the process. This was allowed to happen because so many were willing to suspend their notion of fairness and due process.
I’m aware of the difficulties in proving sexual assault, but in the absence of anything beyond an accusation, the benefit of the doubt should go to the accused. This hurts individuals, I know, but the alternative is a danger to everyone.
All three Virginia officials in the crosshairs were elected to state positions. I see no hazard to the rest of us if we allow Virginians to decide their fate.
5
Is this America now? Impeachment is a little premature. We must wait until he is convicted in a court of law not in the court of public opinion. Just because people bring accusations to light the must do it under oath.
1
We as a nation have never confronted racism, or our racist and terrorizing past. We won't do it, in part, because it would cost the GOP votes. But the longer we avoid dealing with the shame of our past, and gain a perspective to help us recognize our racist present, the longer we will not be able to deal with situations like Virginia's in a moral way.
First, Mr. Fairfax, it seems, has actually physically harmed someone. That is unforgivable, without atonement on his part. He needs to go.
The other two have spent their adulthoods gaining the respect and trust of their fellow-citizens in the commonwealth to the point that they were elected into statewide office. They also acted like jerks at one point in their lives. Who is ready to cast the first stone here?
In the context of a society which has no balance, no scale on which to weigh dumb acts other than "this is offensive" it is impossible to say: that wearing black-face one night deserves life-long shame and permanent rebuke from political life. Maybe that's the right thing to do, but we haven't reconciled our past. And if we did reconcile it a lot of other things would be very different (not just a now common awareness that wearing blackface is offensive).
Let's also not forget that the governor is part of a generation that grew up with overtly racist parents and societies and which has struggled to make a permanent change for the better. Ironically, this change may now cost a person in this struggle his job.
@rick
Misogyny, denial of legal rights, sex slavery and violence against females is America's original sin, not racism.
@Maggie . . . There are about a million MEN who have died on subsequent battlefields for your right as an American to provide this hysterical "pearl of wisdom."
1
“Identity politics”, with is emphasis on ego centric voter groupings, has become as polarizing as Donald Trump. Aa repeat of the 2016 election result is becoming more likely.
5
Optics and worrying about “racial stereotyping” are one thing—
Suitability for office is another.
If Justin Fairfax refuses to resign and can’t be fired, then articles of impeachment should be filed immediately. That will also give him the investigation he is requesting.
2
I have to agree with the President on one thing here - Republican opposition research really dropped the ball in Virginia in 2017.
1
Oh please!
"Mr. Fairfax doesn't think he forced himself on either woman because it was something HE wanted to do. His sexual gratification was far more important to him than what each of those two ladies wanted."
You don't have a clue what "those two ladies wanted." They say it was non-consensual, and maybe it was, but he says just the opposite. I don't know who's right, and you don't either. I doubt we'll ever know (though I'd try to figure it out), but I do know that Fairfax should be presumed innocent. That's the way we do it, and no amount of mob hysteria should change that.
4
@MyThreeCents
Just like Kavanaugh, U VA frat, and Duke Lacrosse players.
1
I am a woman and I have a daughter. If a woman is raped, a victim of attempted rape. or sexually or physically assaulted in other ways, it is her responsibility to society and all other women to tell trusted others immediately and report rape to police immediately, no matter how emotionally painful. A crime has been committed. ALL crimes should be reported. Services are available to help her heal psychologically. There are support groups too. She may not wish to testify if a trial results and a conviction may not result, but there will be a record. We have to start standing up for ourselves when we are injured and holding the men accountable. You never know when one of those men will rise to a position of authority without anyone knowing his crime and his character. Waiting until he does is not good for either his victim or our society.
5
Victims of sexual assault should report the allegation to police immediately, as painful as that can be. When years have elapsed between a crime and a claim, physical evidence is almost always absent, and establishing what occurred in private (such as a hotel room) can be virtually impossible. Calls for an “investigation” thus are often fruitless because there simply isn’t enough to investigate. And this can all be compounded if a victim didn’t at least confide in friends or acquaintances at the time. Please note that these are only general observations intended to help ensure that justice is served, not to diminish any legitimate claims.
3
@JM
Males should not assault or rape.
There, fixed it for 'ya.
How can it be that 75% of American males all seem to have been absent on "Keep Your Hands to Yourself Day" in kindergarten? What kind of feral son culture homes are these males raised in?
@Maggie Your first sentence makes sense. The “fixed it” part does not. Without solid evidence, convictions are very difficult to obtain. And please note I never mentioned men or women in the original post. No matter their gender, victims should contact investigators as soon as possible.
4
Question who stands to benefit if all three leave?. Maybe that's where you should start looking
It's somewhat coincidental that all three are Democrats. And who among you believe that there is no such thing as coincidence especially in the game of politics.
2
Democrats can only do one thing, unless Virginian voters demand a recall: Condemn the behavior, make it unambiguously clear that the political careers of the three are over after they have served their term, expect end ensure that they implement policies that are beneficial to Virginian victims of sexual assaullt and discrimination, and do not under any circumstance demand their stepping down, unless they shoot someone on Fifth Avenue. As long as Republicans treat their own more leniently and even reward them with a Supreme Courtship and the presidency of the United States (and the governorship of Alabama if the voters hadn't decided otherwise), Democrats shouldn't give an inch to make it easier for them to grab or remain in power.
Fairfax should resign from this mostly ceremonial post. He is not very important in the running of the government and obviously guilty
1
Holding public office is a public trust, not a property right, and there is no criminal prosecution here, so proof beyond a reasonable doubt is not required. It's more about confidence, reputation and judgment and under what circumstances Virginians want to overturn a democratic election. Fairfax should probably voluntarily step aside and work on his issues as a private citizen. I don’t buy the distinctions being made between Herring and Northram’s misdeeds and think they should both stay or both go. This whole situation strikes me as political machinations gone wild because the Democrats were clumsy and failed to clarify, cleanup and effectively defend Northram on the initial abortion law comments. Despite the spin, Northram did not endorse infanticide but basically said the parents gets to make medical and care decisions for a compromised infant in consultation with physicians (which strangely sounds to me like a position which respects everyone’s religious traditions). Apparently some were angry about those comments and publicized the pictures of Northram to weaken or chase him from office. Then some Democrats saw an opportunity to get a more charismatic governor and reacted accordingly. End result is that now Democrats have three freely elected officials in jeopardy. Really, you just cannot make this stuff. Whatever happened to using the political power you have to make the lives of the people you supposedly serve better.
Also the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia is a part-time, seemingly only ceremonial position paying $35,000 per year (check Ballotpedia). To me it looks like a position which someone runs for to give him or her profile and name recognition. Professor Tyson probably knew this given that she has a PhD in political science so that which might explain why she did not vigorously go to additional news outlets with her Fairfax allegations when he was running for the office. That seems reasonable calculation which would spare yourself the public attention. Except for easier elevation to higher office it does not seem to have a lot of power. Fairfax had a prior partnership at a prominent DC area firm and currently holds a partnership at another well-respected DC area firm. Given the caliber of the law firms, each likely paid him over $1 million per year. I do not believe he has not denied sex with Ms. Watson, but he has accused her of crying rape as a pattern (so he has some detailed knowledge of her past). It is his private conduct got him into this position, and he should be using his private resources to extract himself. He always has the option of private lawsuits against one or both women. Public office is a privilege, not an entitlement, and it seems strange that the people of Virginia should have to bear witness to this spectacle and quite selfish that he would want his family to.
As a Democrat, I will not vote for Gillibrand, Harris, Sanders or any politician, who
would assist in the political lynching of Lt Gov Fairfax, based upon 20 year old unsubstantiated & unreported (to the Police) allegations of sexual misconduct. Fairfax has not been charged or convicted of a crime in a court of law, however is being railroaded in the " Me Too" court of public opinion. I am still incensed over the actions of Democrat party towards former Sen Al Franken. Impeaching Fairfax, while letting Northam & Herring slide, will turn Virginia GOP red at the next election.
4
@jdantz
How do you feel about how Md. Kavanaugh was treated?
@Bill
I believe that everyone to include Kavanaugh should be presumed innocent, until proven otherwise in a court of law.
How would you feel if someone made these unsubstantiated allegations against you and your employer fired you, without you having the opportunity to refute or defend yourself. I would sue them both for Slander & Defamation of Character if I was in Fairfax's situation.
1
Exactly as we argued with Brett Kavanaugh, let there be an investigation into the truth of this and make a decision then.
Oh: And actually let there BE an investigation, not a farce in which FBI investigators are forbidden by Republicans from asking any meaningful questions or interviewing any actual witnesses.
This situation will bring to the fore the tension that many of us have witnessed in various meetings, fora, etc., between men of color, white women, women of color, and the current sense that wielding and understanding moral superiority are the true privileges of being a member of the Left. It has long been clear that those who support people of color issues will not stand up first for women, even women of color. Go back to the origin of civil rights. This has always been the case.
2
@RE
"Wielding moral superiority...[as] a true privilege of being a member of the Left".
Beautifully, and very accurately, stated! Never get between a member of the left and her sense of privilege.
Let’s separate the issues related to Gov. Ralph Northam and Lt Gov Justin Fairfax. In the latter case, there needs to be formal legal processes in place before we pass our sentence that he needs to go. In the case of the former (Gov. Northam) what we need to do is to listen to the black community. Why? Because this community is the one that has been harmed. And in the black community, Gov. Northam has much higher support than the White community. Guess why? Because we have seen worse. Much much worse. And we continue to see it almost daily in every institution (for instance, just go to the CMS website and compare the mortality rates for blacks and whites for any given ailment. You will see glaring disparities. Black mortality is substantially higher than white for any ailment. So enough about words.). Gov. Northam’s actions as a governor have been consistently pro-black. Actions speak louder than words or pictures. I would rather have a person who committed a grevious youthful indiscretion and then did good for my community later than a hypocrite who’s words are sweet but takes zero actions.
Irony abounds. The two guys accused of the lesser misconduct -- dressing in blackface -- have confessed, and so no investigation is necessary; the people of Virginia must decide what, if anything, they want to do about it.
In contrast, the guy accused of the more serious misconduct (rape) -- Justin Fairfax -- has denied guilt and demanded an investigation. He should be presumed innocent and normal legal procedures should be followed. If, and only if, he's charged, tried and found guilty should he be punished in any way. I understand it's hard to prove sexual abuse, but that's not reason enough to take away his legal rights, including a presumption of innocence. I'm not saying he's telling the truth and his accusers aren't, but more than just uncorroborated allegations are necessary.
1
Impeach him for what? Allegations? Were I him I would tell them to pound salt until they get a conviction. Innocent until proven guilty, if he is guilty then fire him! Until then there are no grounds for firing.
3
Yes. Let's see what the FBI has to say. That's what we wanted with Kavanaugh. Why is this any different?
If they say they can't say, let's hold some hearings and see who is credible. The women seem to have the edge.
I am a bleeding blue liberal, wanting African Americans to succeed. This man failed on all counts. Highly credible confirmed victims, going through the agony of the act and now again for standing up.
He is done.
Virginia, the Union, and all of us will survive without this.
1
Lt. Governor Fairfax is entitled to an investigation and/or impeachment, both of which preserve due process.
The disturbing prevalence of calls for process-free instant punishment is reminiscent of a lynching, and historically it leads to the corruption of due process into a witch trial.
Political and media leaders should be identifying the dangers of the underlying public hysteria here, advising prudence and/or silence, and reasserting the rule of law.
2
There needs to be some uniform policy that applies to all elected officials, regardless of party, regarding how allegations of criminal conduct, including sexual assault, are handled. Clearly, there is none when you have a Republican legislator in NY (Collins) continuing to serve notwithstanding that he is under indictment for multiple felonies and two Republican Supreme Court Justices confirmed to lifetime appointments despite allegations of sexual assault. If this current situation in VA doesn't smack of politics, I don't know what does. Like it or not, Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing has set a precedent. Let the FBI investigate and the process play out. The Democrats have to stop cannibalizing themselves by adhering to standards that no Republican follows. And as to the State of Virgina, it's sordid history of human slavery continues to play out today. Take a page from the Mandela playbook and confront the past, acknowledge it, and make amends, collectively. Only then will attitudes change that have normalized Blackface and other racist behavior in primarily.
So please explain what the rush is too impeach. Why is it that the word of one person is believed over another. Asking for some type of proof is not unreasonable, and I do question why a white democratic legislator is so quick to impeach. They need to take a deep breath and THINK.
2
If I understand the timing of this, these alleged events occurred before he was elected to his position. And these are allegations, not criminal charges, nor was he found guilty or liable to any legal matter.. He maintains his innocence.
Stay on and fight it out then, don't allow yourself to be bullied. I am a Democrat, but I must say allegations are just that, allow for due process. Put an end to this madness.
2
We have proof of Northam's mistake in the forms of yearbook pictures and his own public confession. All we have in the case of Fairfax are allegations about behavior nearly 20 years ago. A much toucher standard is being applied to Fairfax, -- possibly because of his race? At least it looks very bad, very bad indeed to see Northam untouched by the scandal and Fairfax already declared guilty. Fairfax has the right of every citizen to due process and to be presumed innocent until proven in a court to have been guilty.
1
"Mr. Fairfax asked for 'due process'."
Due process? What an old-fashioned concept in the MeToo era. Women are being raped and Fairfax is insisting on evidence being presented and deliberated? Who needs "evidence" when a woman has made a "credible" claim? Our justice system would be much more efficient and fair if the burden of proof were placed on the accused, not the accuser. This is how it is done in China and North Korea and I don't hear anyone there complaining.
2
@Ed L.
Funny, but a clarification. This country wants to reverse the presumption of innocence and the need for due process, but only for a certain gender and certain races. This will not end well.
A lot to say, but it boils down to this: this is the inevitable terminus of a commitment to identity politics.
Fairfax is one man. So is Northam. Each should be judged based solely on his actions. in that light, Fairfax must go.
2
I'm not a fan of "whataboutisms," BUT the President of the United States has admitted to sexual assault yet suffers no consequences, legal or political, regarding his remaining in office. Due process is the law of the land. Trump is guilty. Fairfax is not.
@slk
No. Trump has admitted to nothing except boasting. No women came forward during the campaign on the record with any claims of assault.
Republicans should do a litmus test: purposefully dig up a disparaging yearbook photo of one of their own, release it, and then do and side-by-side of reactions from the media and the people.
Don't you think that if this were a scene in a political comedy that you would be laughing your sides off? I mean, it's hysterical! It's like a parody of Democratic do-goodism. I'm trying to think of the names of political satirists who would have come up with something like this. Perhaps some of you can help me out here. Ah, the human comedy.
While having no patience for racial bigotry or sexual harassment, I am concerned that it is a little too convenient that all three top office holders have been accused of various wrong-doing at the same time. If all three were to be removed from office it is more that interesting that the GOP would again take over Virginian's government. Is at least some of this more GOP dirty tricks? I would prefer to wait for solid evidence of wrong-doing before a kangaroo court takes control of the justice system.
One photograph at a party years ago without a context - that's a reason to resign?
Who among us (of all races) has not said/done something offensive?
What seems more troublesome is the posse of people who jump on this and use it to prove their anti-racist character or their black-pride. What has this Governor done for the people? What policies has he stood for and social programs did he fund in his budget? If you look at that record, you will come up with a man who is socially responsible.
Sexual assault, twice accused, is a more serious allegation.It's not adolescent misbehavior, it's a violent crime. However, an investigation is in order - an investigation by the FBI and police, not social media.
Should a sitting AG be under investigation? That seems to weaken the office on many levels.
But we cannot convict people based on allegations or run them out of office for adolescent behavior in early 20s to prove our collective reckoning with racism. Ridiculous.
Assuming we get very lucky and Fairfax’s problems somehow reach the Supreme Court, Justice Kavanaugh may turn out to be the man who gets to decide whether Fairfax stays or goes.
Who was it who said we ain’t got fun?
1
As a Virginian, I'm embarrassed to say we have a governor who is delusional and a lieutenant governor who is in denial.
Meanwhile, while the media and politicians gin up controversy, the world continues to spin whether we have leaders or not. Did anyone notice the lack of actual outcry by the citizenry of Virginia. No one is on the streets, no one is protesting.(Typing on your computer doesn't really count for much). Meanwhile another State trooper in Virginia was killed and buried last week. Barely detectable amongst the breathless coverage and commentary of this freakshow. The coverage and commentary is part of the freakshow. Its embarrassing. grow up and move on.
The allegations against Mr. Fairfax are despicable. But he is asking for "due process." Shouldn't that be a viable option? Could he take a leave of absence while his case goes forward or is that just not possible?
When I read about these allegations, it literally turns my stomach. Who are these men who think they can treat women like property, like a body without a soul, there only to serve. It will take a long, long time for this world to truly understand that women are complete human beings and not just objects of desire. But then I think that even Mr. Fairfax deserves a defense. When I was attacked in the middle of the day on Second Avenue in New York by six young men, I ran down the street crying, trying to hold my blouse together, because it had been ripped open. I saw a police car parked at the corner of 6th street. These two policemen offered to drive me home. I was so thankful. But then they went off on a riff, asking what I'd done to provoke these men and why was I out walking alone (it was 6:00 pm in July and I was on my way to a waitressing job.) They got pretty mad at me for somehow making these young men behave badly. You want to know how society made women crazy and depressed for millennia? My long winded point is that everyone deserves to be heard. I think that if my assault had gone to trial, it might have helped my double trauma. But wait - the judge would have been a man.
2
I am a life-long feminist, and a progressive socialist. As such, I must subscribe, in all cases and regardless of political ideology or party affiliation, that the foundational principle of a just legal system is EVIDENCE. DUE PROCESS is the essential requirement for a free and democratic civil society. Not belief. Not hearsay. That principle applies to Justin Fairfax as much as it applies to Donald Trump. And to me. And to you.
11
"Mr. Fairfax called on the F.B.I. to investigate the allegations, and asked that “no one rush to judgment” and for “due process.”"
This is exactly the right thing to do if he is not guilty. It is exactly the wrong thing to do if he is guilty.
I must believe this is a serious mistake if I actually do believe the women. I find in this case that I really do believe them. That means I feel he's toast, that this is the worst possible of all very bad moves.
3
@Mark Thomason How do you believe or disbelieve with no evidence? The accusers are educated and professional women. If the alleged victims less educated with fewer professional credentials, are they to be believed? Bar tenders? Exotic dancer? Grocery store cashier?
I'm a woman. In matters of sexual assault my natural inclinations align with women. But in these cases there's simply no evidence, as difficult as that is to accept, and more worrisome, we have people who know nothing of either accused/accuser determining innocence or guilt. Frightening.
1
@Mark Thomason I find the second accuser’s claim more credible than the first’s, but in any event, I think it highly unlikely that he’ll face a criminal charge, let alone conviction. Even if the second accuser told a friend at the time that she was raped, that demonstrates her frame of mind. It doesn’t establish that a rape occurred. I imagine he’ll show that they had cordial relations thereafter, that she never said anything to him about it, etc. creating reasonable doubt about an incident that occurred over 20 years ago with no other witnesses shouldn’t be difficult.
1
@Mark Thomason -- If he did the same thing in the same way twice, widely separated in time, then a serious investigation will turn up more, probably a lot more. Turn loose serious competent investigators to comb through all available methods, and it won't be pretty. That is what must happen, if the women are to be believed.
I'm not say to remove him. My comment is on his choice of tactics. I think it will be a disaster for him. Then he'll be removed.
George Washington warned against political parties. Now we find the efficient running of our Commonwealth hampered by one party struggling for relevance while desperately holding on to the reins of power.
I would hope that a successor appointed to any of the top three posts would be an independent: one who would be best for the citizens of Virginia, not one who would be best for one party or another.
2
@NorthernVirginia It could be argued that NOT releasing this information prior to the election is akin to having stolen the election. Would folks have voted for... if they had known... WaPo took a political position.
Ask yourself, why now? then? What's NOT in the news?
The answer is to be found on the Thursday IMMEDIATELY prior.
I am a woman and am not a democrat, so I am inclined to believe the women and have no particular affinity for Mr. Fairfax. That said,two accusations do not make someone guilty. Perhaps a plethora of accusations a la Bill Cosby or Harvey Weinstein justifies jumping to judgement, but not two. So let's allow some time for an investigation and give this man a chance to defend himself. I realize that one is only presumed innocent in a court of law and not necessarily in the court of public opinion, but perhaps one should be. As Benjamin Franklin said, "it is better 100 guilty Persons should escape than that one innocent Person should suffer." So let's not impeach this man when there is still uncertainty around his innocence or guilt even if we believe he is more likely guilty than not.
47
Tifany, what you suggest makes sense but has never been the reality for many whom negotiate justice in America, land of the free. This Lieut. Gov. seems to have spent his whole life here. Rape has long been in the "she asked for it" category. The Pope was recently forced to address its endemic nature in the "married to God" group. I really do not know what this man can provide to demonstrate innocence. As a father I am aware of the anti predator dance that a similarly aged daughter had to do in the late 80s and nineties. An assumption of privilege lasts for a while. His time ran out even before he seems to have known. He realizes it now.
@Tifany Indeed. There is really nothing un-American about waiting for evidence and trial before conviction and punishment.
1
The victims in this case, black women, deserve the same respect as their white counterparts, though Republicans disrespect all women, regardless of race—equal opportunity misogynists.
Just as Cavanaugh should not be a Supreme Court justice, Virginia’s Lt. Gov. should resign or be forced from office.
In both cases, I am disgusted by the outcome to date.
6
Cavanaugh was applying for a promotion,which he should not have gotten given the credible claims of sexual assault.
None of these politicians should ever be elected again, and certainly not given lifetime appointments.
Firing someone is a different story.
@Paul
Well, if DiFi hadn't sat on the accusation for two months before springing her own October Surprise, there would have been more time for an investigation that lived up even to exacting Democrat expectations.
Is there any alternative?
"And now [Fairfax] wants the FBI to investigate? Only because he is trying to scare the women away. I hope they don't fall for his sham."
What SHOULD we do? Just accept their version of what happened, and ignore his? Proving sexual abuse is tough, but that's not reason enough to deny Fairfax the presumption of innocence. More than uncorroborated allegations are required.
22
@MyThreeCents
only way i see he can prove his innocence is a polygraph. i have dealt w the FBI they are corruption grand central.
@MyThreeCents The FBI doesn’t investigate sexual assault crimes.
1
Mr. Fairfax should resign. Mr. Northam should appoint a black woman vp known for her competence, political skills, and honesty. Mr. Northam should then resign. The black woman vp would become the first black governor of Virginia, and for all I know, the first woman governor. She could appoint a new vp, presumably after some background checks. Those who resigned could lead happy after-lives as physicians or consultants.
Problem solved. Come on folks--are there no persons of probity in the Commonwealth of Virginia?
4
Douglas Wilder was the first black Governor of Virginia. There has never been a woman elected governor.
This dredging up of old crimes or moral turpitudes has got to stop or all of us are potential targets of opportunity. I suggest that we require that all crimes must be reported within a specified time so that objective, verifiable evidence can be collected contemporaneously. If the reporter or the reporting witness elects voluntarily not to pursue the matter then that is between them and their conscience with no “do overs” allowed. No one should have the sword of Damocles hang over them forever.
25
@Indy1 That is EXACTLY how it is meant to work, indeed that is how it did work for a long time. Everyone was afforded presumption of innocence and due process. We left it to police to investigate criminal matters, and we entrusted our DA's to charge or not... hey! even better, folks were allowed a jury or their peers, that is the ONLY way we may convict, all else is a witch hunt or hearsay.
If someone makes a criminal allegation and does NOT report it to the POLICE, they, themselves, should be charged for withholding evidence.
2
I’m not sure how we can “require” accusers of acquaintance assault to immediately report crimes or forever remain silent per the 1st Amendment.
Must they also “press charges” so the accused has option of timely rebuttal?
Ive read rape kits aren’t always processed unless they do, so DNA evidence, etc. may be lost forever.
Formally reporting typically seems lose/lose for the accuser. At best, the accused will typically plea “consensual.” Even if they do go to trial, these acquaintance cases frequently seem to fail.
Meanwhile, the accuser may be publicly ostracized if the accused is part of her community, famous young hunk, etc. Her life before, at the time of the alleged assault (including her underwear choice - “Irish thong case of 2018”) & after may be subject to all manner of examination & humiliation.
I suspect that we will need to decide as a society what we’re going to do with delayed accusations. especially in the absence of any truly “hard evidence” from the incident in question.
Even “evidence” isn’t much help. Video of intoxicated accuser, event immediately reported to peers & soon after to cops, immediate witnesses to other supporting evidence, DNA evidence, social media, etc
If the accused typically prevails in such cases, why would we care re: “delayed reports” unless there was “hard evidence” from the incident and/or the DA would now take the case on (assuming its within the statue of limitations)?
Sad?
"No one should have the sword of Damocles hang over them forever." Why? There are some whom I have encountered earlier in life who were unreasonable in their dealings with me. I have issued no threat but await a crossing of paths even in retirement. Offenders usually minimize their acts and seldom spot the aforementioned sword. Revenge is a dish, best served cold.
Fairfax is entitled to due process. But is it too much to ask him to take a leave of absence from his lieutenant governor's position while an investigation is conducted? It might help turn down the volume on Virginia politics that is consuming the news cycle.
10
He shouldn’t take a leave unless the investigation is fairly rapid. Depending on the outcome, he should have the option of some sort of hearing/trial of sort.
If accusers not willing to testify & be cross-examined after upending the lives of Fairfax & many others (including the VA voters & many Americans), then as far as Im concerned, true or not, the accusation are completely moot.
I’m very sympathetic to those that don’t report at the time of an assault, etc.
But in my opinion, if they don’t, a great deal of caution should go into managing later accusations. Especially when the accusation(s) concern an individual that is famous/well-known, etc.
One shouldn’t make such delayed accusations public (or “public enough,” given the often strong possibility that they may be leaked by someone else) without being willing to formally “testify” for an investigation, hearing, etc.
7
Whatever happened with respect to innocent until proven guilty? Let a case and an open investigation begin. If he resigns who benefits? Start a objective investigation.
17
This hysteria to impeach when he has been not charged with nor been convicted of a crime is irrational. There is no need for the politicians to do anything but allow the criminal justice system to make a determination. Far too many people's lives are being damaged by accusations not proof. No matter how believable those are who levy the charges it is should not be justice by popular opinion as that is not justice at all.
37
What “criminal justice system” are you referring to?
Unless the women press charges AND their alleged cases are still within the statute of limitations, the regular old “criminal justice system” is not that highly likely to take any action.
Perhaps Faulkner, or someone involved with the state etc. can request an FBI investigation.
Otherwise maybe it’s a private investigation & then potentially some sort of proceeding via the VA legislature or something if the women will testify.
I don’t know enough about impeachment to know if that actually starts a true “mini-trial” or sorts.
But again, that’s not the criminal justice system.
Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t seem to understand that especially if none of the late accusers file a report/try to press charges AND the potential crime is within the statute of limitations etc. then random cops, DA’s, etc. don’t spring into action to help protect the informally accused.
All 3 must go. No double standards please. How about governor appoints Ms. McClellan as Lt. Gov and then resign!
4
Thank you for so clearly explaining that all questions there have nothing to do with morals, principles, racism, crime, rape or #MeToo - it's just about calculating which voters to please.
15
One option might be : pretend to be republicans and then just ignore the problem.
22
@David
If by "ignore" you mean ignoring facially preposterous evidentiary presumptions like "believe the woman!", you're right.
1
Anyone remember the result of the Kavanaugh hearings?
The accusations against Mr. Fairfax sound awfully credible and unless he has something significant to counter them with, he ought to resign. But impeachment? Can you really be impeached for being accused of a crime? How is being accused a high crime or misdemeanor?
6
Everyone Needs to listen to the wise words of the "black Richmonder" Deon Wright.
1
"Al Jolson ... decked out in blackface."
When most people think of blackface, they think of Al Jolson. I do. But just because Al Jolson was a nice guy (I assume) doesn't mean it was ever OK to deck oneself out in blackface. It never was -- Al Jolson notwithstanding. Rape is much worse, but decking oneself out in blackface isn't good and never has been. Maybe it was in the South (I grew up in the North), but I doubt it.
Fairfax deserves a presumption of innocence, and so he, perhaps ironically, is the one of the three I'd favor most. Frankly, I can't even imagine being a black Virginian with a Governor and an Attorney General who once thought it was OK to attend a party dressed in blackface.
4
Do some research on Mr. Jolson. He was, for his time, very enlightened, and emphatically not a racist. For instance, look at this from The New York Times on October 22, 2000:
“Songwriter and performer Noble Sissle, a longtime partner of the ragtime pioneer Eubie Blake, recalled Jolson’s unprompted act of kindness in 1919 after a Hartford restaurant refused to serve the two black musicians. A local newspaper mentioned the incident, and, Sissle later recalled: ‘To our everlasting amazement, we promptly got a call from Al Jolson. He was in town with his show and even though we were two very unimportant guys whom he’d never heard of until that morning, he was so sore about that story he wanted to make it up to us.’ The next evening, Jolson treated Sissle and Blake to dinner, insisting that ‘he’d punch anyone in the nose who tried to kick us out.’ ”
Jolson and Blake remained in touch and were friends from that point on.
INNOCENT UNTIL **PROVEN**GUILTY.
Are we a democracy or not?
BRAVO, Mr. Fairfax, for bravely requesting an FBI investigation. Not exactly a cover-up response (and how many of THOSE have we seen in the last two years?) !
29
It may be unfair to women, but Fairfax deserves the presumption of innocence here, and he deserves to win the "ties," meaning his version of what happened must be accepted unless his accusers can corroborate their allegations. Sexual abuse allegations are virtually impossible to corroborate -- I get that -- but that's not reason enough to suspend the rule of law. He's innocent until proven guilty, and uncorroborated allegations aren't enough.
22
Why would it be unfair to women? It would be unfair to Fairfax if they fried him without a trial. The fairest thing for both would be an independent verification of something happening.
1
The second victim is pretty damning. She named him in 2000 to friends and has the Facebook messages proving it. It is not a video or DNA.
Still, the most likely scenario is Fairfax is forced out, and the two white guys in black face remain. That’s not a good look.
8
If self-created social media postings are to be considered evidence of a crime by someone else then maybe Trump is a true prophet.
16
Am I crazy or does there seem to be a subtle subnarrative in which dressing in blackface 35 years ago is morally equivalent to rape.?
45
@CDF I'd not dismiss out of hand the possibility that you're crazy. Rape is much worse than dressing in blackface, but the fact that rape is very bad doesn't make dressing in blackface good.
4
Or that decades of public service are negated by one photograph from half a lifetime ago?
In the SJW universe, there is no logic, and nothing is measured by degrees.
41
Salaried public service with benefits is a choice. No evidence that it was enforced. No reason for a break for bad behaviour.
My mother had an Al Jolson record that she loved . Here he was on the cover, a Jew decked out in blackface. She also grew up in El Paso Texas and told me that as a young girl taking the bus to Hebrew School that couldn’t understand why the black people had to sit in the back of the bus . So she told me that from that day on she decided she would sit in the back of the bus with them. Was she racist ? Hardly , she was just the opposite . But she played the Al Jolson record proudly and ofciyrse no one thought anything of it .
A KKK costume is a WHOLE other story . The blackface ? Come on people , give the guy a break .
12
@KarenE Right. I'm sure Fairfax meant to honor blacks just as Jolson did. That poor misunderstood little man.
3
@KarenE
Me too. Jewish. SW Virginia. And back of the bus.
But blackface? Saddening, disgusting, and cheap !
It had nothing to do with Jolson, who was actually honoring blacks.
3
This business of indicting a man based upon a mere accusation is getting out of hand. Do Democrats not have fathers, brothers or sons who may someday be caught up in the destruction of their career on the basis of an accusation. These recent events remind me of the Salem witch trials of America in the year 1692. Women were burned at the stake based upon charges without due process. These accusations and calls to step down without trial and conviction are no more than modern day lynching.
46
Salem Witch Trials? I think it’s more akin to the French Revolution. Those with “power” over others are getting their comeuppance.
The authors of this article write that they could “anger female voters”. No one talks about how angry male voters are. I’ll tell you how angry men are. They are furious. They already elected Donald J Trump to be president of this country. Democrats have started on their long tortured road to defeat in November 2020.
46
@John Murray
Yes. Kirsten Gillibrand finds it fashionable to declare that the future is female, but that sure writes off a lot of voters. Democrats don't care and, at present, we will return the favor in 2020.
25
@John Murray
I am pained to say it, but, indeed I believe the Democrats are on the road you identify, that is, to defeat, at the hands of self-inflicted wounds, double standards, obsession with identity politics, and an alienating righteousness. No idea how to stop the cycle.
5
You cannot compare what Mr. Fairfax is being questioned about with what the Gov and AG have admitted to. Black face and rape are two different things.
Mr. Fairfax doesn't think he forced himself on either woman because it was something HE wanted to do. His sexual gratification was far more important to him than what each of those two ladies wanted. And now he wants the FBI to investigate? Only because he is trying to scare the women away. I hope they don't fall for his sham.
8
He wants an FBI investigation because there have been allegations of a criminal nature made against him. So let's have a trial, as soon as possible, and test the allegations in a court of law. That's providing, of course, that you can find a Prosecutor willing to take it on. Without that, it's just words.
14
Personally I think that Fairdax did do what the women claim but what I
“ think “ is irrelevant. He deserves an investigation before being impeached or anything else.
Frankly what the Governor did is in extremely poor taste but it does not compare to a crime of rape if that is in fact what occurred.
The whole thing is one big mess .
12
kavanaugh, accused and sits on the supreme court.
fairfax ,accused, should get the same treatment
7
Somebody should ask Al Franken what he thinks about all of this --
I'm sure his opinions and insights would be very enlightening ...
23
Two women have alleged that Lt. Gov. Fairfax sexually assaulted them. Both these women now must go to the police and tell the police exactly what happened. The police then refer the allegations to the Attorney General who will then bring charges against the Lt. Gov if there is sufficient evidence.
I believe that the statute of limitations for sexual assault is 20 years in Virginia, therefore the AG can bring charges against the Lt. Gov if warranted. Maybe the women are lying? Who knows, but the police will have a good idea when they interview the women. Maybe there is insufficient evidence. Maybe the AG will drop the cases. Maybe Mr Fairfax’s lawyer can get the charges dismissed.
None of this changes one thing. Lt.Gov. Fairfax is innocent until proven guilty. Why should he resign? To satisfy the mob? At this present moment in time, Lt-Gov Fairfax is innocent. The mob should stop its howling.
35
Trump, Kavanaugh, Fairfax to young men of the world: grab whoever you want by whatever you want. No permission is necessary, because all you have to do to clear your name is call the victims liars. So there’s a fair chance you’re going to get away with it. What a message; what a country.
Innocent until proven guilty - OK, but there were only two (or three) people in the room, and despite The Internet, you can’t assume there is recorded evidence of aggressive, nonconsensual sexual conduct. I think with sexual crimes, it is a giant, giant problem that innocence until proven guilt inherently rejects victims’ claims if they can’t provide smoking gun evidence. So victims are disincentivized to go after powerful men who behave wrongly, and those who behave wrongly feel emboldened to hurt women and other victims since it’s difficult to secure a conviction, much less a resignation.
This type of crime probably needs to be held to different standards, or we are never going to get past “abused woman is lying” until/unless she can produce video evidence. That’s not a reasonable standard. Groping might occur and be over before you could even get a cell phone out.
1
It is clear to me that the Republican party will step to any means to destroy democracy, the vote of the people. Repression of the vote in much of the SE is beyond belief. Personally, I do not believe any of the charges as representing the beliefs and policies of the newly elected officials in Virginia. If the Senate of the US can approve a Supreme Court justice who had clearly attempted rape of a classmate in his late teens, then this is a clear representation of Republican party politics. They should be ashamed of themselves. The Virginia state legislature came close to being thrown into the Democratic Party despite several seats being to close to call. I do not believe that the state of Virginia can hold a free and fair election. My wife and I were at Florida State U. for many years as graduate students and some very strange things happened on that campus and in Tallahassee. We later lived in S. Carolina for a short period of time and again saw similar strange events. Similarly, in the Boston area there were race riots surrounding bussing of children to school. Finally, 42 years ago we moved to Seattle area. Things are not perfect here, but we have lived in our present home since then. We have been involved in political activities and recently we helped turn the Washington Senate over to the Democratic Party, thanks mostly to mr. t. Our legislature still can not fully fund public education.
1
@Tlaw
How did the Republican Party cause this?
For all what ever the reasons the top three democrats in Virginia might of done wrong, people still keep forgetting that Joe Biden plagiarized somebody else's speech in 1988 and still rose to become Senator and later Vice President.
I can understand how people might be upset at these guys, esp Fairfax but move on and get back to to the business of governing. This will all pass.
Even with his past mistakes, Justice Thomas has been a very respectable member of the Supreme Court.
1
The best defense I can offer for Mr. Fairfax is that I guess we’ve told little boys and girls everywhere that Mr. Fairfax could sexually assault 20 additional people and still be the president.
When he resigns, it would be nice to use the platform to talk about sexual assault in the military and in the prison system. I feel like this stage of society is about tearing down the individual to steer us away from actually rectifying the culture and misconduct of institution.
6
'No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any other way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land.'
That's taken from the Magna Carta, Written in 1215. The 14th Amendment to the Constitution says pretty much the same thing. I'm all for justice. Seeing the 'right thing' done. This guy has been 'accused'. Let him have his day in court. This, 'guilty until proven innocent', 'guilty when accused', has got to stop. Who says that a woman is more believable than a man ? These days, all it takes is a accusation to ruin a person's life. They knew better than that over 800 years ago.
30
Either force them all out of come up with something equitable.
2
Sexual Harassment accusations were part of the Bernie Sanders 2016 Presidential campaign and yet donors continue to give to him.
Fairfax is asked to resign without an investigation.
Although I am a Democrat, it seems as if the party has forgotten what sets it apart from Republicans.
7
Thought that our system of justice relied on the principle that one is innocent until proven guilty after a fair trial. If this is not the case then just an accusation can cause irreparable damage to the accused not unlike the “Villager” mob scene from Frankenstein or a “Necktie” party from an old western. Where is Emile Zola when you need him to defend the rights of the accused.
8
The Democrats efforts for immaculately conceived candidates continues to flounder.
17
This is a note to New York Times concerning the headline devoted to this article created by writers Martin,Blinder and Robertson.
The article's headline "Justin Fairfax puts Virginia democrats
"in a bind" on impeachment"
"In a bind" means the democrats have no easy solution for this problem concerning Fairfax, (lieutenant governor of the state).
It seems that The Virginia democrats have Lost their perspective, meaning they are currently unable to view this in its relative importance or true relations.
Putting Fairfax aside for a moment, it is still true that a person in America is not guilty because two people say that he is.
There must first be a trial (or at least a hearing) as in the case of current supreme court justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Lieutenant governor of Virginia is being accused of a felony which is a serious crime of violence and punishable by time in prison.
It's pitiful that the politicians of Virginia find themselves in a "bind" over this matter
They should insist( and Lt. governor Fairfax should agree) upon a hearing(If not a real trial) concerning this issue.
After such a hearing, Brett Kavanaugh went to the supreme court(for life). But, at least, there was a hearing,first.
The politicians should not be in such a "bind" over this matter (meaning there is no easy solution.)
There is a solution . Have a "hearing" like Kavanaugh or a trial (if possible).
This will remove you from your pitiful current "bind."
It's time to get moving.
4
PC will choke the life blood out of all opposition possible.
It's America, it's Virginia, ok?
Trump is President last time I checked... and is a morally corrupt individual, the most morally corrupt individual imaginable and he revels in it to his credit. He's hit the moral vein of this country and is tapping into it for all it will yield.
Yes.
4
@JL I'm not terribly fond of DT either, but he was not mentioned as part of this story "last time I checked."
14
If he was a a Republican he’d already be gone from office. Days ago.
10
not true at all!
5
Give me a break! Are you insinuating that the Democrats could somehow be going after a Republican MORE than the Dems they’re going after now?! That would be impossible.
2
The Lieutenant Governor is credibly accused of rape -- twice. In one instance, the victim disclosed her experience to friends at the time of the rape. He has to go. He should consider himself fortunate not to have experienced criminal prosecution yet. I suspect there are other women who are going to come forward.
5
@Tow
No. All accusations, credible or not, should be investigated by law enforcement. Fairfax has the right to defend himself and also has the right of due process before any consequences are handed down. Please stash your pointed hood a while longer.
1
Why is no one talking about the way the Dems insisted on these centrist candidates in Virginia instead of the truly progressive one with an outstanding record. Dems strike again!
3
@RachelK No one is talking about that little Bronx girl who fell from an apartment window either. Try to change the subject much?
8
While I accept Northam's changing of his story to claim he wasn't in the photo after all, it does seem that he'd remember immediately whether he'd been in the photo or not. If he thought he might have been in it but later concluded he wasn't, what he's REALLY saying is that he could believe he was one of the two guys in the photo. That fact remains even if he later concludes that neither guy was him.
1
I'm all for "investigations," but I doubt anything will come of one here. It's his word against hers, and he wins the ties. That may be unfair, but it's more unfair to punish someone based only on allegations, and that's all we have. She alleges it was non-consensual; he insists it was consensual (indeed, he claims she called him after the incident and suggested that he meet her mother, which he says he declined to do and never saw her again).
Maybe she's telling the truth; maybe he is. Maybe both of them are, and perceived the situation differently. Whatever it is, the rest of us probably will never know more than we do now, and what we know now isn't enough to punish Fairfax.
11
There are two alleged victims. And corroborating witnesses to their stories.
All 3 are marked men.
If they resign, they have no political or financial futures.
So, none of them will resign.
If they stay put, voters may forgive and forget by 2021 when their terms run out.
The Democrats will suffer blood baths in 2019 and 2020.
Only question is how big.
Trying to impeach Fairfax may result in another OJ.
6
This is a bad "Sophie's Choice" situation. They need to go into a room and make a serious decision. Fairfax is in deeper trouble, but you see Bret Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court, and his accusations were as bad, or worse. It doesn't excuse Fairfax, and there should be a thorough investigation (which didn't happen in Kavanaugh's charade). I say make Northham and Herring do a genuine, public contrition to the African American community who supported and voted for them. Fairfax needs to go through a THOROUGH & FAIR (to both sides) investigation, and if it proves against him, then he must immediately resign.
4
@Marcus Aurelius
So that makes the ridiculous Kavanaugh hearing fair and his advancement correct? There were other accusers who were ignored.The so called investigation was bogus. Kavanaugh should not be on the Supreme Court.
6
@Marc Castle
The other accusers of Kavanaugh were found by the FBI and Senate investigators to be lying through their teeth (Ford was merely found to have no corroboration for her story, and alleged witnesses contradicted her. The others were LYING.) Several of them have been referred by the Senate to DOJ for perjury prosecution.
I think Mr. Fairfax should take a leave of absence until these claims can be investigated. I don't think it is fair to have someone ousted from a public service career on the basis of newspaper reports. Perhaps the same team can investigate Northam et al., although that is a more political issue. Or perhaps, after Bret Stephens, people can be more forgiving.
2
When Justin Fairfax was accused of one woman of sexual assault, I argued that he should be given an investigation before passing judgment, not forced to resign. But now it is two accusers.
My point of view will not be shared by many readers. I believe the constitution demands he be given due process no matter how many accusers.
I am well aware that this is not the way most people think. But I am also aware that one of the internal inconsistencies of democracy is its belief in the wisdom of crowds.
I believe that Charles Mackey was onto something when he wrote, "Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds." People in groups tend to let other people do the reasoning and then make wrong decisions as a result.
The same can happen with groups of feminists.
If you want to make a charge of sexual assault it should be made as close to the event as possible. As time passes it becomes increasingly difficult to separate truth from falsity, particularly when the case is based on the word of the accuser versus the accused.
Shortly after the event, Monica Lewinsky said her affair with Bill Clinton was consensual. Twenty years after the event she says it could not possibly have been consensual.
Women lie in divorce trials. It is preposterous to argue that they cannot lie in a sexual encounter that was not sanctioned by marriage.
By forcing Fairfax out without due process denies him constitutional protections. In what sense are we free if we scuttle due process?
12
This and no other individual is subject to due process when it concerns the public sphere, the workplace or the court of public opinion. Due process is constitutionally required such that to be convicted of a crime, the perpetrator would need to be charged first and given the opportunity to defend himself. People do not have an inherent right to public service or any specific type of employment in general - it’s a privilege.
That said, crowds reacting emotionally and especially angrily burned a bunch of women alive before this country was a country. I think I hear where you’re coming from. I struggle with the issue of the ability of the individual to lie versus a culture that threatens victims’ safety and pursuit of justice by defaulting to disbelieving them. I have to pick defaulting to believing claims or we are making it safer for individuals to commit and get away with sexual assault in the first place. If you need smoking gun evidence to believe a victim’s allegations, this type of crime would be nearly impossible to secure conviction and justice.
When considering each case separately and apart from one another the answers to what should be done becomes far more clear.
First we have Mr. Northam (I’m no longer able to call him governor nor can I ever disassociate him from that soul searing picture). By not recognizing why it is incumbent that he step down immediately is enough in itself to disqualify him from office. Every time he opens his mouth he reveals more reasons why he does not meet the most basic standards that we rightfully demand from our leaders. Our state legislature may have no legal avenues to remove him from office, but there is nothing to say that the people and institutions of our commonwealth have to extend the dignities of governorship to him. From here on out he should be referred to as Virginia’s sitting governor, Mr. Northam, and he should be excluded from all pomp of the office. Perhaps then it will dawn on him that he should go away.
Then there’s Justin Fairfax and the excruciatingly ignorant white politicians who worry about looking racist if they were to impeach a black man, all at the expense of the forthright and brave women who have come forward, women of color no less. Anyone who views this situation with any ambiguity needs to seriously check their privilege, whether that be white, male, or both. Like the long list of those before him, he needs to go, voluntarily or not.
AG Herring is an uncommonly decent and principled man. He shouldn’t be included in with the likes of these two.
3
I think we can let the blackface go. A costume is a costume, and it was not a big deal of which young people were aware back then. Sad, but not criminal. Time to wake up and apologize and making amends, but that's enough.
Abusing women, never OK.
Nobody should be enabling Republicans after their shenanigans for the last 40 years.
5
@Susan Anderson Agreed, but still waiting for that honest apology.
1
Has the governor done anything since, say, the mid-1980s that can remotely be considered racist? Everything I’ve read about the guy suggests quite the opposite. And even the Michael Jackson caper seems more the doing of a nerd than a Grand Dragon. I can’t explain the yearbook page, but it seems that if it was him in the problematic photo, someone would have come forward by now to say so.
5
You only make the choice `excruciating' if you're blinded by race.
If any one of these men is deemed unfit for the job by a fair and reasonable standard, then he should resign or be removed.
The tortured calculation over race is a non-starter.
If two whites remain and one black goes; if one white and one black remain and one white goes; if two whites go and a black remains. Stop!
Why not simplify matters, moving away from the `excruciating.' If the evidence is convincing that you behaved in a way that makes you unfit for office, then leave - regardless of race.
6
I think people should remember that music has, like college and professional sports, brought people of various communities and ethnicities together for many years. I saw it with my younger (white) siblings, who, in the early 1980s favored rap over other genres of music. As I rocked out and played masterful air guitar to Zeppelin, Sabbath and Metallica, they were rapping to Ice T, Dr. Dre and NWA.
I think Northrum should go because he changed his story. I don’t believe him, and I don’t like the KKK jerk next to him (or is he the KKK jerk, which makes it that much worse). But going in blackface to themed college costume parties as popular entertainers who brought people together is no justification to demand their resignation. Now, one could allege that racists would impersonate such entertainers purely to demean them, but there is no evidence either way so I withhold final judgement.
But going as Michael Jackson David Duke’s party in blackface is quite another matter, no? Context matters.
Fairfax is too damaged to stay. He deserves due process to be sure, but as a private citizen. The AG should stay and serve as acting governor until new elections can be called or, if they can’t, until the end of his term. My two cents.
1
Wearing blackface is in poor taste, is despicable, and is highly insensitive to the feelings of others.
Rape, on the other hand, is a crime. Yes, punishable by jail.
23
@Mike
Didn't you accidentally forget the piece about "if proven guilty"?
It's troubling how many people have the same lapse of memory.
1
I thought precedence has been set that past sexual assaulters escape unscathed and indeed get promoted in their professions? Kavanaugh did. Or does this only apply to republicans? Or is this another "they go low we go high" charade? Its a cute jingle but it doesn't win elections nor keep 'em in office.
2
Richard,
Surely, you know the major difference. Professor Ford had vague ideas of what happened to her 35 years ago. She had no place, name, or date. Professor Tyson has graphic description of what exactly happened in that hotel room. And Mr. Fairfax already said that indeed they were together in the room. See the difference?
12
Painting your face black at 25 is much more benign than stating or condoning the statement that a racist demonstration has good people. Unless there is additional evidence of racism, accept the apology and move on PC police.
3
The only way to course-correct in Virginia:
Lt. Governor Fairfax AND Republican State Senator Norment resign
Northam appoints one of the many qualified black women in VA as Lt. Governor
Northam resigns and she becomes new Governor
She appoints a new Lt. Governor.
Anything else will be a Republican power grab.
4
@John Joseph
I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
Very principled of you: "Justice will be done even if the heavens fall! ......... just so long as the Republicans don't benefit."
1
And Al Franken was urged to resign...I just dont get anything anymore..I am lost.
20
Given the seriousness of this situation, it seems prudent for the charges against the lieutenant governor to be thoroughly and impartially investigated before demands for him to step down are made. I’m not implying the accusers are not telling the truth, but considering the chaos the state’s government will be thrown into if the top three officials simultaneously leave office, it is important for the good of the state to be certain.
1
Were you similarly cautious and restrained re the accusations against Kavanaugh?
6
They risk angering men if they attempt to impeach without any evidence besides “she said”. I believe men.
7
Justin Fairfax has called the allegations "demonstrably false." Will Mr. Fairfax demonstrate their falseness? Or does 'demonstrably' not mean what he thinks it means?
8
@Nate Guilty until proven innocent?
1
What ever happened to due process, presumption of innocence and proof beyond a reasonable doubt. These untimely allegations are getting ridiculous. Anyone can come out of the woodwork anymore and is given undeserved credence. He should not resign.
8
@Nate I suspect Fairfax misused "demonstrably." If he really could "demonstrate" that the accusations are untrue, he'd have done so already.
My very strong hunch is that this case will end up right where it is now -- a "he said, she said" case -- no matter how much investigating happens. For better or worse, Fairfax should win a tie: innocent until proven guilty' that rule doesn't change just because it's hard or impossible to prove guilt in these cases.
5
How convenient that this has come up right after Governor in photo with blackface or was it wearing a Klu klux clan garb? What happened to that story, is the Lt Governor being set up?
Arent we all sickened by these stories of the boys from the south ? Go after the Governor.
@Sherry Moser steiker: Why would two independent women agree to be used politically in this way? They have little to gain and a lot to lose. And the first woman (not sure about the second) is a Democrat. The timing is about them nbot wanting to see a man who assauled them having power over an entire state. That's understandable. And admirable; like I said, they personally have little to gain.
7
@Anne
So you have held court and decided Fairfax is guilty?
Could it also be a case of different opinions of the same event? She regretted it later? She didn't say no or indicate if she felt coerced? Or maybe it did happen the way she said and it was forced. I don't know because I wasn't there but women and men can look at the same event differently and that should be taken into account before you pass judgement that he is guilty as accused.
8
The Democrts are in a bind of their own making. Don't forget Kirsten Gillibrand forced Al Franken to give up his Senate seat over a photo of him with his hands over the breasts of a sleeping woman. Then there are the other METOO episodes exposing various bosses of the entertainment world. The METOO cries took down a lot of prominent figures.
Now we have a black faced scandal involving the governor and attorney general of Virginia . Cries of resign, resign were heard from all important democratic politicians in Virginia.
The Democrats must come up with a plan to untie the Gordian which they themselves constructed. At first it seemed simple: force the governor and attorney general to resign, and make the Lt. governor the governor. That was a great idea until it became public that two women accused the Attorney General of Rape. Now if all 3 were made to resign according to the Democrat's code of conduct then a Republican would be Governor of Virginia.
Once solution is to make the Lt. Governor resign ( he has been accused of rape which if a felony) and spank the other two miscreants for breaking the Dem's Code of Conduct, created by Kristen Gillibrand. No matter what they do they will anger one of their chief supporters - African American vs Women.
13
IF all charges for all three of them are true, the difference is that two of them committed gross, insensitive, and racist acts whereas the third one committed criminal acts. The former are acts of prejudice which can be shown leniency if they show true remorse and repentance and commit themselves to self-improvement, but under our legal system criminal acts have to be addressed by making them pay their debt to society.
4
Northam and Herring should step aside, Mr. Fairfax should take over as governor and be given the hearing he has asked for. Since this is now a matter of perhaps a crime having been committed, then it should be a legal hearing. Let the court decide this matter. If he is exonerated or at least not found guilty, he remains in office, if found guilty, then he is impeached and punished as seen fit by the court. A Republican then becomes governor in this situation. It is the only way out of this mess that I see. The consequences for unethical behavior in all three instances are profound no matter the outcome of any of this.
Democrats in Virginia are now wounded. Will the wounds prove fatal? No one knows at this point. What a horrible mess.
3
Identity politics in a really quandary.
Remove the black guy but keep the white racists?
How’s that going to look.
10
@JQGALT: This is not about identity politics. It'a about sexual assault. Blackface is abhorrent, but sexual assault is worse regardless of the race of the perpetrator. And my guess is that more women will likely come forward. Men who do this tend to have patterns.
7
We have got to get away from mob justice. Like the incident between Dr. Ford and Justice Kavanaugh, it is impossible to know what happened just from a 30 year old accusation. Both of them deserved a proper investigation - which wasn't done because the GOP was desperate to force him though before the election. I was very much opposed to his SCOTUS candidacy for based on his lies during both confirmation hearings, hiding of his record and his ridiculous behaviour during the process (including a vow to get back at the Dems).
Even though the accusations against Mr. Fairfax are egregious, I think both he, and his accusers, deserve a proper investigation, too. Perhaps he could take a leave of absence while the claims are being investigated. At the conclusion, if a preponderance of the evidence is against him, he will resign.
8
@Elizabeth Carlisle
Hi lied under oath about
1. obtaining stolen memos from Leah
2. his involvement in warrantless wiretaps
3. his knowledge of the role of a general being appointed to a judge in crafting detention of combatants and torture policy
4. that he weighed in on the question of detention of combatants
Also
5. His knowledge of the inappropriate conduct and sexual harrassment of the judge he was clerking for
6. And then the numerous lies he told during the hearings painting himself as a choir boy
Kavanaugh only released 4% of his paper trail and he was a known political activist and biased. The question is more what didn't Kavanaugh lie about
to be effective in politics takes ego, and thus (usually) the ability to court the public and often individuals. You have to be a seducer in real ways to make any sense to the people you are supposed to be representing. We must stop expecting people to be saints, because then we get smug arrogance -- perhaps Mike Pence, maybe Jerry Falwell. There's no wisdom in "holier than thou". Let these talented people get back to work. They have been duly chastised. That's enough.
4
@Sarah Taylor: Being seduced is different than being assaulted. If a man grabbed you by the hair and forced oral sex would you feel you'd been seduced?
4
Get the popcorn, and make mine an extra-large.
13
Make no mistake about it. All three of these so-called men are creeps and should be thrown out of office. However, the allegations against Mr. Fairfax are criminal in nature. The allegations against the other two are based on poor social judgment. I don't support or condone their use of blackface. However, it would be interesting to see if the same standards of (negative) social behavior would be applied if any current or past Black legislators ever dressed up as a white historical figure (George Washington, Lincoln, etc.) when participating in a school pageant or Halloween. It's a slippery slope.
3
Blackface may be all the rage among white frat bros in Ole Virginie, for all I know, but out here in California it's not common. Sexual assault against females, though criminal, is rife the world over.
Does that make blackface ok? Not at all.
It does suggest that men have a very serious problem, one that isn't being addressed, and won't be, by calling for one guy's resignation.
What is it with men (white, black, Asian, Hispanic)?!
Trump says this is a scary time for boys. That really is too bad, but we've see more than enough to warrant seriously rethinking what we mean by "boys will be boys" (from the ground up).
My theory: A lot of racist behavior relates to--indeed, is born of--widely-held ideas about what it means to be a man (ideas held by many men and many women, I might add). Root out those ideas, and racism will be diminished significantly.
1
I believe this is what is referred to when someone uses the expression , " Hoisted on their own petard ." It's hysterical watching them tripping over themselves .
13
Put him through the system. If he’s guilty, impeach him. If he’s not guilty, leave him there.
2
The reason we are Democrats is because, unlike the Republican Party, we hold a higher standard to our politicians. These men should resign, and if they don’t, we need to force them out and find better candidates. Even if the next person in line is a Republican, that doesn’t mean we will throw out our values. We will never accept racist nor sexually abusive politicians to hold office. If you do not agree with this, then maybe you should find a new party.
3
It’s amazing how many Trumpists have managed to interview every single Democrat on the planet and find out precisely what they think about all this since last Friday.
Honestly, however did they find the time? What, they don’t have jobs?
WHAT DO VIRGINIA VOTERS WANT?
Maybe we should ask them.
4
@Elizabeth Mahan maybe that's what the Gallup people do every day of the year.
So, I wonder what Bret K might have to say about all of this? Take it to the Supreme Court? He certainly did.
Democrats, here is a solution:
1. Virginia governor and AG, sincerely apologize for their past racist behavior with "black face." Which is what they should have done to begin with! Sincerely apologize...own it and ask forgiveness.
2. Lt. Gov. Fairfax, should be investigated and the evidence allows to speak for itself. IF there's enough evidence of sexual assault, if the laws in Virginia allow have a trial and see where the "chips fall." I find it curious that Northam is asked to resign, making Fairfax the governor and suddenly there are two accusers? Hmmm.
Democrats, take a breath and think things through. Republicans support a serial adulterer and misogynist in the White House and have installed not one, but TWO sexual predators in the SCOTUS! When the GOP come and call you out....call them out for their hypocrisy!
2
It should not be a question whether people who wore blackface should be high ranking Democratic Party officials in VA.
I have not kept up on the news and am not 100% aware of the allegations about Fairfax. If it's true that they're as damning as they appear, which I suspect they are, he should also step down.
I refuse to play some kind of "optics chicken" here. If they won't all step down, the party should expel them, impeach them if possible, and refuse to cooperate with them where impossible. None of this "oh well we can't do *anything* because it would all just look too bad.
This is a big part of the reason people hate Democrats. It's obvious that all these people are *cooperating* to make the system *worse*.
1
People who are crying for Mr. Fairfax to resign have lost their collective minds. Anyone can say anything at all about anybody else and it does not have to be taken as true even if a woman is saying it. If a person claims to have been subject to a "premeditated and aggressive assault" and does not go to the police at the time, but chooses only to talk about it with her friends and then move on, fine. But that person has forgone use of our criminal justice system.
It is set up to bring an accused to trial. Witnesses including the victim must appear before a jury and testify under oath.
The jury can listen and watch the witnesses carefully to assess their credibility. The defense attorneys have a right to cross-examine the witnesses and try to shake their credibility. The whole process is governed by many laws that govern how the attorneys can act, the judge, the jury and all the other plays. It is deigned to be fair to all concerned, including the accused. Then certain prescribed punishments are imposed. But this person chose not to make use of our system of justice. OK. It's her prerogative. But I think you then forfeit the right to pop up 14 years later and demand to be believed and to run a person who is serving in public office out of his office on the basis of a mere untested allegation. I cannot believe that our public officials, each and every one of them sworn to uphold the Constitution and the laws, is so ready to discard them. Shame on them.
11
@Cornflower Rhys: People who ask why women don't come immediately forward do not understand how trauma works. First, when you're assaulted by someone you know and trust, it's very surreal. You literally struggle to make sense of what just happened. You also feel guilt and shame (why did I trust this person? How could they do this to me?) You also know that--short of bruises or blood--it's going to be your word against his. And if he's a powerful man with status, he's more likely to be believed. Few women want to put themselves in the limelight for these types of things. They know they'll be torn apart (like Dr. Blasy Ford was) and they have little to gain. Tysen and Ford are heroes in my mind. They came forward to protect other women knowing it'd be a rough road. And that their perpetrators likely won't face any real consequences.
@Anne . . . Nobody cares how "trauma" works; it doesn't trump our system of justice. And if we are going to arm wrestle to see if it should, you are going to lose (as you have already lost the 2020 election).
4
While there is no good solution to this crisis, I can easily see the situation devolving where all three men are forced to leave office, and a Republican takes over the governorship. Should this occur, it would be akin to a Republican coup against the three legitimately statewide elected officials, who happen to be Democrats. This unprecedented political triple play would be one for the history books.
2
Again, the Democrats are rushing to judgment. Before those mightier than thou Democrats judge, the should make sure they are perfect. BTW, I am a Democrat. I also agree with Jules in California.
1
One thing we learned about politics from Donald Trump is that egos are bigger than principles. Now we see that the Democrats are no better than the Republicans when it comes to moral principles versus elected office. How sad! Everyone deserves redemption for past indiscretions, especially when politicians apologize for their misdeeds and ask for forgiveness. But denial of sexual assault, which is more than an indiscretion, such as that of Bret Kavanaugh and this Lt.Gov deserves only scorn.
Why exactly are they planning to impeach him?
2
@Jason: Because two credible women women have said he's assaulted them and it's likely more will come forward.
4
@Anne . . . I look forward to seeing that impeachment vote in the VA Assembly; representatives are going to have to go home and tell their constituents why they voted the way they did. Net gain for the VA GOP.
If ANY American, be it man, woman, straight, gay conservative or progressive, can be forced from office based on ACCUSATIONS that aren't in any way substantiated and that took place nearly TWENTY years ago, then I assert that our LIBERTIES are under threat. I will never ever assign guilt to anyone unless they are proven guilty, and I don't care how hard it is for the accuser to come forward. The burden of proof has for hundreds of years assumed innocence until proven guilty, and forcing someone to lose their job or impugn their character based on the statement that one person makes against another is absolutely disgusting from where I sit. I don't care what race or sex or orientation you are. We ALL deserve the presumption of innocence and what's more, any unsubstantiated claims against someone are nothing more than SLANDER and people should be subjected to being sued if they make claims damaging to someone that cannot be proven, PERIOD.
33
Let me get this right: So you expect that every woman needs to assume she is going to be raped or sexually assaulted any time she may be in the company of a man, therefore should wear a body cam so that in case something does happens, she’ll have it on tape as evidence.
Got it.
This is literally what people are demanding when they refuse not to accept a woman’s—very credible—account of sexual violence as evidence. We need to believe women. I’m not saying this man should necessarily go to jail. But do we want someone who has multiple women coming forward with stories that he sexually assaulted them to be a Governor? No. We have higher standards in our party; unlike the Republican Party who is ok letting a probable child rapist run for Governor.
This means we also don’t want someone who thinks wearing blackface is no big deal in office. Both men should resign and apologize.
1
@Selena
"He raped me 19 years ago". Evidence: "I told a friend 2 years ago. Friend: "Yes, she did".
There's proof for you...case closed!
7
Stop this lynch mob reaction to all three men. Don’t you all see that this is a Republican-manufactured crisis to wrest control out of liberal hands and return the entire state to the even more racist and more sexist GOP? Have you all not bothered to notice that the party you’re rushing to hand power with these resignations is far more racist and sexist to the core?
It’s absolute stupidity to call for resignations when those resignations only empower more racism and sexism. The man waiting in line to step into power is a Republican! The people who started this “crisis” is a far right fringe conspiracy website. Big picture, people. Sheesh, I’m about ready to give up on Dems for good. I’m so tired of purity politics sabotaging the progressive agenda repeatedly while the blatantly bigoted Republican Party wins, wins, wins and is actually taking the country back to the era of true racism and sexism.
10
@left coast finch -- It's so easy. Turn the victim groups against each other, then sit back and laugh. It's good times in the various Trump mansions tonight, while progressives eat each other.
And they'll do it again next week, and next year. The progressives don't learn. They just get more and more dug in, in their identity group / victim group politics.
And we all lose.
1
Politics in general and Southern Politics in particular is a bilious concoction, infused with racism,(historical & present) gender, misogyny and tacit acceptance; until it isn't.
Roy Moore, the *amorous* near-pedophile, was vigorously supported and surrounded by a shield of GOP protective armor. No clamor to get out of the race; no outrage.
Current Virginia Senate Majority Leader- Republican Tommy Norment also issued a weak attempt at self-distance from his own blackface yearbook editing;while currently teaching courses at William & Mary filled with racist rhetoric according to a long list of students. (thinkprogress.org)
Democrats have boxed themselves in with no way out of their #me too-at-any-cost stance. This will truly take the proverbial judgement of Solomon:
A sickening sexual assault (albeit alleged) of two women pitted against the sickening racist assault of an entire racial group. One an official crime; the other, a crime against the humanity of millions.
3
I note that there is a very simple and honorable way for the Democrats in VA to handle this crisis.
With regard to Fairfax, They can simply say that they stand foursquare for due process and for the presumption that a person is innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law and that therefore they are not going to impeach Fairfax or even ask him to resign unless and until the women that have charged him with sexual assault prove their allegations in a court of law. That is they need to sue him in a civil court and win or persuade a DA to prosecute him in a criminal court and get a conviction. Otherwise the Dems are going to allow him to serve out his term and even run for reelection if he wants to.
And with regard to the Gov. and the AG, they should say that wearing blackface is protected by the First Amendment and therefore can not be considered an impeachable offense, even if they had been committed by the Gov. and AG while in office rather than 40 or so years ago. Wearing blackface can be, and perhaps in these cases was intended to be, insulting to black people when worn, but insults however expressed and about whomever expressed, should not be considered to indelibly taint forever the characters of the insulters and the actions and words of the Gov. and AG since being elected to office in VA do not reflect any animus towards black people or any other minority. So we are moving on and whether the people of VA do so as well is up to them.
4
Why is it always a false dichotomy?
3
This is a terrible situation, and it seems to relect a widespread inability to see the 'beam in one's eye' mentality.
We continue to be a society wearing blinders of some description, that gravitates towards the embodiment of power in flesh and institutions and it must stop if we ever dare to hope for better.
Our society might be evolving, but not in the right direction if we continue to excuse violence or unchecked egoism, refuse to accept consequences. Or if we expect some ethical coming of age to be a happenstance discovery in university or among peers.
Let's face the unfortunate disappointing fact: being a Democrat, a Republican, a black or a white person, a doctor or a priest has not proven to be a prerequisite for any behaviour nor the embodiment of a higher moral ground or thought.
Should we abandon our hope?
I hope not.
Unfortunately the consequences and indeed the shame of widespread rot and unchecked power must now be shared by all, even those who unwittingly put their faith in flawed individuals.
38
@Rosiepi So, I am sure you are more than willing to share the cottoborating evidence you have found to add weight to these accusations.
9
@Rosiepi "The shame of widespread rot and unchecked power must now be shared by all".
Does that include the people who want to abandon Due Process and the Presumption of Innocence?
18
@Rosiepi Your rush to premature judgement prior to even the first stage in due process is disturbing and antithetical to our venerable system of juris prudence. You might wish realign your stance on such matters to comport with our core constitutional principles, or seek to amend the constitution to accommodate a guilty verdict prior to investigation of the facts and a trial, the system embraced by the despots of the world.
2
How in God's name can anyone talk about Virginia when we've got a career criminal in the White House who is doing everything in his power to deliver us to our enemies?
Blackface? Yeah, a problem. But not the problem that's going to destroy us.
Dust in corner, roof caving in. You decide.
8
Live by identity politics die by identity politics. When the Democrats decided to push Al Franken out of the Senate without due process they opened Pandora’s box.
The allegations in the Virginia case are far more serious than anything Franken is said to have done. The difference is the accused is African-American and the the man he would replace is embroiled in his own scandal involving, what else, race. Mind you It would be poetic justice if a Black guy replaced a white guy who was stupid enough and clueless enough to prance around in black face except for the fact that the replacement has been plausibly accused of rape.
In the immortal words of that great American philosopher Charlie Brown “Good Grief”
So what to do? It seems that the honorable thing to do would be to proceed with investigations into the rape allegations and let the chips fall where they may. As for the Governor and all the other blackface boys let the voters decide—and please, Virginia, next time do a better job of screening your candidates.
14
Gross stupidity and racial callousness do not equal two charges of felony sex offenses.
Virginia's lieutenant governor should face indictments. If indicted, he should resign his elected post.
As for the governor and the AG: each should take a full swig of the proper medicine, but neither should be required to drink the whole bottle. Perform the appropriate acts of contrition, then move on. All other elected officials: take copious notes.
9
No wonder the average citizen does not care to vote, nor does he believe that his vote, except in the last national election, would count for anything. The political class in Va. as elsewhere incarnates the arrogance of power, as if the shenanigans of disreputable folks like the governor and lieutenant governor made any difference in their lives. Is democracy a sham?Churchill declared it to be the least worst form of government in the world, but 1 cannot be even sure of that anymore!The government in Hungary with its no immigrant policy, having built walls to keep out those who would enter illegally from Serbia and Croatia appears more responsive to the popular will than the "rigolos"in Richmond. While we r on the subject, I believe that it is past time the EB stood up for a free press, W/o mentioning names, I wrote in my last comment of 1 MSNBC commentator accused of sexual impropriety who has never been called to account, who escaped service in VN by joining the D.C. police force, and a writer from the Times gazette, despite accusations against him of sexual misconduct, has now apparently been restored to his former status at the paper. What were the accusations and what was the rationale for reinstating him? Readers have a right to the truth, and Alexander Harrison, for whom the "mot d'order" is "rien ne m'echappe" has the right as well to full disclosure!
If the rape charges hold up to scrutiny, the lieutenant governor has to go or be impeached. The fact that he is black should not be a factor.
As far as blackface is concerned, doing so 30+ years ago is sophomoric, stupid and hurtful. The question I would ask is what did you do for the next 30 years? Did you support African-American candidates? Did you support progressive causes as Democrats such as affordable health care for all? Do you have a record of inclusiveness regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or LGBTQ issues? If so, apologize and let's move on with our progressive agenda.
Democrats should stop shooting themselves in the foot demanding resignation of every indivudual who did "stupid stuff" long ago. If the voters feel strongly enough, vote them out next time they run for office.
I belong to a group of liberals in a small Southern town and we find almost every Democrat office holder who wore blackface being asked to resign IF they have a record of inclusiveness to be counter productive. Rape is a ten and blackface ranks a three on my scale of unforgivable behavior, especially if their record on inclusiveness is clear since then.
3
@A Tree in Florida
One of the accomplishment of Governor Northam is that he finally got Medicaid Expansion enacted in Virginia, 8 years after ACA. That will benefit 400K low-income Virginians, many of them minority. If Republicans take power, they will take Medicaid expansion away. I know medical community, the previous governor, and democrats worked so hard for this year after year. Just for that reason, I hope they do not resign.
5
@xavier "he finally got Medicaid Expansion enacted in Virginia, 8 years after ACA. That will benefit 400K low-income Virginians, many of them minority. If Republicans take power, they will take Medicaid expansion away."
That doesn't matter. He may have done something that was politically incorrect (the facts of which are unclear) in a setting of which we now know little, 30+ years ago.
A nonphysical racist action is in no way, shape, or form equivalent to a physical sexual assault. The very headline of this article creates a misleading and ridiculous false equivalency that’s dangerous.
13
Virginia needs a woman of color Governor.
1
Due process?
3
Deon Wright states that blackface is not as important as rape. I agree with him, and will go further to say that it would not matter if the rapist is black or white, it is still rape.
6
Fairfax should resign out of loyalty to the Black Community and the Democratic Party which fights for the rights of all Minorities. If he resigns, Northrum can appoint another Lt. Governor who could take over should Northrum have to resign.
I was just reading a review of "Schindler's List" in today's NYT. It said Schindler was a member of the Nazi Party. Then he became a hero. It is possible to make up for our mistakes. There are many cases of people having done so.
10
The revolution always devours its children; the Democrats are reaping the whirlwind. Who said that?
5
I can't believe that dressing in blackface decades ago is being treated as the equivalent of raping two women. Atrocious.
12
Tom Morets,
It clearly singals that women do not matter in this country, but virtue-signaling, regarding racism, is extremely important- Vital work.
Meanwhile women get raped and disbelieved, harassed and bullied and canceled from public life.
What other crime is the veracity of the victim so doubted? Who else would know whether or not a woman has been violated?
Which is, yes, atrocious.
An orange in one hand and Avery rotten apple lying in the other.. dressing in blackface has been institutionalized as ignorant, insensitive and yes, a display of racism... qualities that too many of us have exhibited in full measure on many occasions.... but a corroborated charge of sexual assault and rape?... that’s something that lies beyond the boundaries of the insensitive and the merely ignorant... in lies in the realm of criminality.
1
Is his guilt presumed because he is black? Or did I miss any indictment or lying under oath or something?
8
Well while we have been arguing about 30 year old blackface how many African Americans have been the victim of police brutality, gang violence or actual discrimination in their community or workplace? Keep your eyes on the ball people...
This really goes to how badly we are prioritizing what angers us and what we spend our energies on... I am white and have no clue as to the weight of the pain felt by this incident but it strikes me as the lowest priority when you consider the other prevalent offenses above.
1
What I think you may be missing, is that it is all one and the same. The caricature portrayed by whites in Blackface is/was an insulting and demoralizing statement about every black person. It was/is dehumanizing, which is at the root of every racist challenge we face. Our educational institutions have let us down by omitting this nasty truth from our school’s history books. As a result there are multiple generations of Americans who fail to make the racist connection to Blackface. So it may be forgivable in some instances when a white person darkens their face out of ignorance rather than with malice.
But it is an entirely different situation when it comes to the KKK. Americans learn early about the long and ongoing heinous nature of their despicable history. Whether or not Northam was behind the costumes in that yearbook is immaterial. The fact that he saw fit to place it as a representation of himself, trumpets his approval for all that the KKK stood for. People can and should learn to evolve in their world views and we should make an allowance for that growth. Hand in hand with that is evidence of an authentic sense of shame for their previous reckless thinking with offers of sincere contrition. Lack of that perpetuates their original sin. Northam seeks only to excuse himself from liability. Unacceptable.
There may be variables in how racism plays out, but they are all connected along the same thread of dehumanization; one instance cannot be separated from the others.
Anybody out there know the meaning of the word “alleged?”
7
I have been a “race man” all my long life! I think it’s in my genes! As a child my mother would send my baby brother to the post office for fear I’d get in trouble saying something to whitefolks in a way forbidden to Blackfolks! As soon as summer vacation began she’d shipped me “up-North” to my Grandmother in NYC to decrease my chances of running afoul of the Jim-Crow rules of racial etiquette! When James Brown released ‘I’m Black And I’m Proud’ I cried! This because it symbolized the political neutering of a movement I’d been an integral part of. Our Naturals became Afro-Sheened bouffants!
All to say it is terribly unserious to equate racism with rape! Racism is as American as apple pie! Rape was only so on the plantation! If my child told me she was accosted by someone in Blackface I’d tell her we unfortunately live in a world recrudescent reprobates. If she said she had been raped there is nothing I wouldn’t do to assure that there was one less reprobate in the world in which we lived.
6
Democrats purge from their ranks everyone who doesn't show absolute purity, or is accused of crimes with no evidence.
Republicans, right up to the presidency, stay in power as admitted sexual predators, con artists, self-dealers, and bigots.
How, exactly, is this a winning strategy?
I miss Senator Al Franken, guilty only of insensitive but harmless clowning around while he was a professional comedian.
15
@Charlie B. They never purged Bill Clinton.
7
@Jackson True, but the Clinton affair was the pivot point. Before that you had promiscuous politicians like Kennedy and Johnson, and no one cared.
2
Has anyone read today’s WAPO article about the history of blackface? It’s worth a read.
1
This is what happens with identity politics run amuck. The Dems don't know which way to turn.
Impeach Fairfax. Inpeach Northam because it seems he may have lied after he told the truth. Let the AG stay--thereby becoming the Gov.-- bcause he cam clean about what he did before it was revealed.
3
Elect women.
1
Just one thing seem strange here. If Mr. Fairfax was indeed a rapist, I'm curious exactly why no one came forward when the guy was actually running for office? Seems that may have been the time to open his character up to the public.
Why does it take a White Governor getting busted to bring out the accusations?
It would certainly appear that in the "card game" of life rape certainly beats a "black face." Does this means the rape goes down and the black face walks? It really does appear that is what's happening in this case. I'm starting to think I'm watching House of Cards season 8.
"Double standard"? Rape is equivalent in someway to blackface?
One is a dire felony of violence. The other is, obviously, not even a minor legal infraction.
11
In the Fairfax situation, it's mind-blowing to see democrats argue that due process ONLY applies in a courtroom and with criminal cases. Outside of trials... they support mob rule. They really have lost their minds.
Glad I left that party and am now independent.
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
11
It is a false equivalency to even suggest that a sexual assault is in the same league as mimicking somebody's appearance.
14
Whatever happened to due process??
3
How to sustain the will of the people of Virginia, expressed in the last Virginia election within the swirl of racial and gender politics?
Until the line of succession laws are changed, here's a ...
Solution:
A woman of color appointee as lieutenant governor… then to become governor.
How:
With cooperation of Northam and Fairfax and the support or concurrence from a significant number of motivated, Virginia Democratic office holders, a linked-resignation scenario exists to achieve this in a legitimate way, that sustains the outcome of the recent Virginia election.
As Geoffrey Skelley points out on the FiveThirtyEight Politics podcast, Northam could resign. Justin Fairfax, now the lieutenant governor, would ascend and quickly appoint a new scandal-free lieutenant governor. Fairfax would then resign and the new lieutenant governor — a woman of color— would become governor.
Unlikely? Perhaps not. It's face-saving to both governor and lieutenant governor. It could make them heroes of a sort. Gentlemen, giving up a seat to a lady. Having their say in the Court of media attention and public opinion. They both would be free to deal with their respective situations in a court of law or the court of media attention and public opinion.
Where to find a candidate?
Ask for suggestions from
Jennifer Wexton, Vangie Williams, Elaine Luria, Leslie Cockburn Jennifer Lewis, and Abigail Spanberger, Kathy Tran), Hala Ayala, Elizabeth Guzman and i Danica Roem.
Douglas Johnston Ralei
Wow, it's like everywhere you turn in American society, everyone is a terrible person, regardless of their race, gender, or political affiliation. But it's the greatest country on earth, so that can't be true....
1
Oh, what a tangled web we weave when everything revolves around identity politics. It has reached the point of being almost comical, but really it is very sad. Dressing up like Michael Jackson for a dance contest in 1984, including darkening your skin, is not the same as wearing blackface to demean others. Dressing up like a black rapper for a party, including darkening your skin, is not the same as wearing blackface to demean others. Dressing up as "a beautiful African-American woman" for a party, as Joy Behar did, is not the same as wearing blackface to demean others. Costumes for parties and contests are just that--costumes, not blackface. As far as the sexual assault and rape allegations, it should not matter one bit what race the alleged perpetrator and the victims are and how blacks and women will feel about the decision of whether or not he should be impeached. What should matter is whether or not he is innocent or guilty. He should not be impeached without an investigation, but if he is found to be guilty, of course he needs to go.
20
Innocent until PROVEN GUILTY is the standard in the United States. In the case of Fairfax, WHERE IS THE PROOF? People cannot be condemned based only on unconfirmed allegations. I want an investigation and a court trial. If rape actually occurred, and it is PROVEN in a court of law, Fairfax should go to JAIL! Are we a nation of laws, or are we like the Puritans in 1682 and 1983? Are we willing to condemn and destroy people based solely on the unproven testimony of women just because we want to "believe all women" regardless of whether there is proof or not? Sounds too familiar to me. . .
https://www.thedailybeast.com/what-fueled-the-child-sex-abuse-scandal-that-never-was
https://www.famous-trials.com/mcmartin/940-daycareabuse
Nevertheless, I also believe that Fairfax is to blame for all of this. If he had stuck to MORAL STANDARDS, he wouldn't be in this trouble. Men need to return to high standards, meeting women who are introduced by dear family and friends instead of seeking relationships with strangers; refusing to be alone with women on first meeting and choosing to socialize in mixed groups instead; getting to know people THOROUGHLY, before even the smallest intimacy; and insisting on courtship instead of hook-ups. We need to bring "going steady" back, where the whole community, family and friends were in on the romance. Men need to return to the standards of "gentlemen."
4
Why does the article say that Northam's "yearbook page surfaced on a conservative website" without explaining WHY it appeared then ... Northam's comment about letting a mother and her doctor decide whether a handicapped newborn should be saved or left to die?! If it were not for Northam's extreme statement on abortion, the Virginia Democrats would not be in this quandary today!
2
There's a huge difference between between rape and blackface.
Whether true or false, one is a crime, the other is not.
3
Why the rush to do anything until the facts are known about Fairfax? If he has assaulted two women, he probably assaulted more than two. He deserves a fair investigation of the allegations, which were promoted by a politically motivated organization, just as was the allegation against Northram.
On the other hand, sexual assault is a far more serious charge than wearing blackface, though that behavior is base and demeaning.
Democrats must ask why a right-wing organization has released this information at this time. A high ethical standard is laudable, but let's not play into Republican hands.
1
Shouldn't he be given a chance to face his accusers?
Not that a woman would want to lie about something- you know, like Tawana?
And, doesn't it seem strange that these women would wait so long? You would think they would have come forward during the election.
4
If every person in Congress- or in fact the world, were to answer truthfully whether he or she were racist (to agree) or involved in sexual misbehavior (perpertrator or victim), the response would be 150%. Humans are flawed.
1
I wish everyone was as adamant about getting Trump out of office as they are our Virginia leaders. Everyone is so fast to jump on the bandwagon. Allow Mr. Fairfax to have his allegations investigated before you crucify him. What's the rush since his accusers took so many years to publicly accuse him (yes, I realize the accusations are serious). For the other two in black face, let those without sin cast the first stone!!!
4
What's so excruciating about choosing to accept stale but late-breaking victims' accusations at face value to trash careers and reputations without due process? I thought that was de rigueur for the imported version of Mao's Red Guard, which in the U.S. might be known as the Blue Guard, or the Democratic Party. Power to the People!
But if you live byy the sword, don't you die by the sword?
If you look at the history of China's Cultural Revolution, it got very nasty, very fast. Watch out what you ask for if you want to abandon due process. Guys like Weinstein will get their due even with due process. Guys like Kavanaugh should not be lumped into the same category.
Fairfax's fate should not be determined by tabloid-style journalism. I am not defending Fairfax, but we should all defend due process or we are no better than the mob.
6
@Dave Oedel
Here, here!
@KC Was that supposed to be a pun, or did you really mean "Hear, hear" ?
Having forced Franken out for being in a goofy photo, there's no wiggle room for people who do things that are genuinely bad.
How about this? Go before the voters and explain that having everybody resign, while morally right, will be a gift to Trump which is morally indefensible. Let Republican voters continue voting against their own interests, but don't join them in this.
6
racial reconciliation is a worthy goal and the 1965 civil rights act said to increase African American representation in large populations. if we abide that Virginia is heavily African American...
I know willingly handing the executive branch to the GOP sounds like heresy, but to me, it's the only honest choice. Three heads need to roll here.
1
I'm really tired of Democrats asking people to step down based on allegations only. Why are they not insisting on investigations, especially on the assault case?
The state of Virginia has an investigative body. Use it.
412
@Jules Totally agree.
21
@Jules
It’s not that simple, and most women understand that. The results of the Kavanaugh hearings—not just for him (and by extension for all women in this country)—but for his accuser (who had to move for her family’s safety)—confirm that men continue to abuse women with impunity.
12
@PJC468 It absolutely is that simple. We are a nation of laws He deserves at least as much as Kavenaugh got. That being said, Kavenaugh's situation was the opposite. A sham investigation took place, and now he is cemented in the most influential position in the country.
13
I respect Donna Brazile and she is right in saying “There’s no playbook for this.”
One extreme alternative is to have all three resign and turn the governorship to the next in line, a Republican (who I hope has a clean record).
But what exactly IS a “clean record” anymore? I’m 64 and have been a Dem and liberal all of my life. JFK, despite his now well-known marital transgressions is still viewed ad some type of god. But that was the early 60s. No internet, and no reporter wanted to mess with Camelot.
Out of the three the accusations against Fairfax are the most serious and must be investigated. Even so, it’s hard to see that end in more than a “he said/she said” situation.
No playbook indeed. At this rate, no one will be “eligible” for office. I think Northam should be allowed to remain, as he clearly wishes. Forgiveness is a virtue, and I don’t see him as a racist. More like stupid.
And unless hard evidence surfaces in the case of Fairfax, he should probably be allowed to remain.
In the end, no one wins here, and a lot of people have been hurt. Racism and misogyny are alive in the USA, ideally as a very small minority. Hopefully this is a lesson to all of us. Watch your own actions because some else will. And think a little bit about how other people perceive things. In the case of Fairfax, something that started consensual turned into something much more sinister.
Listen to women when they say “No.”
1
For Donna Brazil’s there is no playbooks for this,is only because it involved Democrats. Can you imagine her answer if it involved Republicans.
4
Where's the due process in the three trials by media? I'd advise all three not to cave like Al Franken. The media assured us Hillary was to be president in 2016. The Virginia scandals are petty in light of the reality most Americans face outside the beltway.
We live in a "free" country with active shooter drills in our schools, and where citizens in traffic stops have to keep their hands clearly on steering wheels for fear of being shot. A place where violent civil and human rights violations are so routine the American people have become desensitized even apathetic about them due to their regularity and high body counts. A nation where we the peaceful unarmed and sane feel a powerlessness to do anything about the grotesque American gun tyranny because the SCOTUS and POTUS do nothing, along with federal and municipalgovernments, to serve and protect the electorate and larger civil society as a whole.
The Democratic and Republican leadership are in contempt of the majority. If they were not, we'd have much lower violence and drug abuse statistics and not be living paycheck to paycheck.
Most elected officials and media employees are partisan liars.
1
Yet another "Johnny come lately" sexual assault accusation. If these women were truly assaulted, why the wait? And what about the women their decades long silence has put in danger of the same? I'm no fan of Mr. Fairfax, but to accuse him now without the least ability for him to offer anything other than vocal retort simply isn't justice - for him or anyone. He very well may be guilty of that which he is accused. But what if he is not? Anyone reading this article might find themselves in a position in which they can't rely on justice but will instead have their fate be at the whim of an unsubstantiated allegiation.
4
The Statute of Limitations on rape is 16 years in Massachusetts. Prof Tyson can make a complaint and law Enforcement willl investigate
Therei is reportedly no Statute f Limtation for rape in NC. So the second woman can also file charges and te Durham PD can investigate.
That means that Impeachment discussion is premature, alltough I hasten to add that I entirely believe the women. Still and all, they can proceed formally if they wish. If they choose not to do so, then it seems that Impeachment has to come off the table.
It's time for the MeToo movement to accept the fact that accusations are not enough. They have never been enough. At some point, there has to be a conviction.
5
In my humble opinion, it is ridiculous to compare the case of Mr. Fairfax with the cases of Mr. Northam and Mr. Herring. Mr. Fairfax is being accused of a felony and the evidence against him is very credible. He could well end up in prison. The other two are accused of offenses committed long ago which are racist (at least by 2019 standards) but which did not violate any law. Offensive or racist speech and felonious assault are two entirely different things.
321
So at least one reader seems to discriminate between felonious assault and adolescent stupidity.
30
@David Friedlander
What evidence would that be?
14
@David Friedlander this comment is a "ridiculous" and shining example of white privileged person not having a clue about black suffering and anguish. While the blackface may be more subtle and legal and of "two entirely different things" it is no less damaging in its effect.
13
I like Sen. Cory Booker's response:
Regarding Kavanagh: She must be believed
Regarding Fairfax: He must be believed
Really, if liberals like Cory Booker didn't have double standards, they'd have no standards at all.
7
Northam and Herring both did something awful over 30 years ago that was not illegal then or now, just overtly disrespectful of blacks and politically incorrect. Fairfax on the other hand committed sexual assaults which are illegal if the women had reported them to the police at the time or now, and he had been charged and convicted.
I do not think Northam or Herring "must" resign. There is a lynch mob mentality in our society today that is calling for them to go, but I think it's an overreaction to two people whose professional behavior towards minorities do not reflect racist ideologies. (I am using that description because it fits, not to be sly.)
I think Fairfax should resign as he has assaulted two women whose stories are corroborated, even as he denies the assaults. Despite what Donald Trump claims, you cannot physically assault women and get away with it just because you are in a position of power. (Eventually Trump will get his, too.)
2
His political career is over so he might as well leave office.
1
How to sustain the will of the people, expressed in the last election?
Solution:
A woman of color Governor.
How:
With cooperation of a both Northam and Fairfax and with support of a significant number, probably large majority, of now motivated, Virginia Democratic office holders, a linked-resignation scenario exists to achieve this in a legitimate way, that sustains the outcome of the recent Virginia election.
Geoffrey Skelley points out that
Northam could resign. Fairfax, would ascend and quickly appoint a new scandal-free lieutenant governor. Fairfax would then resign and the new lieutenant governor — a woman of color — would become governor.
Unlikely? Perhaps not. It's face-saving to both governor and lieutenant governor. Why it could even make them heroes of a sort.
A gentleman, man giving up his seat to a lady. A white, going to the back of the bus.
They both would be free to deal with their respective situations in a court of law or the court of media attention and public opinion.
Where to find a candidate?
Ask for suggestions from
Jennifer Wexton, Vangie Williams, Elaine Luria, Leslie Cockburn Jennifer Lewis, and Abigail Spanberger, Kathy Tran, Hala Ayala, Elizabeth Guzman and Danica Roem.
Democratic leaders are in a bind, how? Two women ‘publicly’ accuse a man holding a prominent public office of ‘long’ past and separate sexual assaults. He denies their allegations.Are there any photos or material evidence to substantiate the allegations of illegal, unethical, immoral or dishonest behaviors?
Impeachment is an investigative process for determining a public official’s removal from office. Call for impeachment hearings and make a decision upon that conclusion alone.
The issue of Democrats potentially losing political power cannot be placed a ahead of demonstrating purposeful public integrity. Seek truth before arrogance’s, then the facts will at least be made clear whether personally agreeable or not. GOP members have been the moral of that lesson writ large not just publicly but religiously!
1
The least tainted Democrat seems to be the AG, but if Fairfax is forced our, Northam must either lead or follow him through the door. After that, maybe the AG can work out some "truth and reconciliation" process despite his taint.
No elected politician should resign based solely on allegations.
With the "evidence" we know about, would that be enough for the DA to prosecute? North Carolina, from what I have found through research, has no statute of limitations on rape. So.....Ms. Watson......the woman who alleges being raped while at Duke..... can ask for Mr. Fairfax to be charged. And, she should. Why not?
We do have laws. We do have legal processes. We do have constitutional rights to due process. The jury system is not perfect; sometimes guilty people get off, sometimes innocent people get convicted.
Enough of this public shaming of Mr. Fairfax. He has a right to stay in his office unless removed by Virginia constitutional or legislative process, or found guilty in a trial.
2
It is very troubling to me that disgusting, but by no means illegal, behavior from decades ago, for which a politician took full responsibility, apologized, and most importantly, proved through decades of public service that he stands for the exact opposite, is equated with credible allegation of a serious crime - sexual assault - allegedly committed by a politician in recent years.
It is unfathomable if Democrats are considering giving a free pass to an alleged sexual predator, one accused of terrible crimes and abuse of power, because of the *optics* of race rather than actual interest of justice and good governance. The very perception that they might be employing this kind of perverted thinking is, in and of itself, a great reason for why the aweful republicans still have a chance of power -because the general public is justly weary of identity politics reduced to utter absurd, to the point of utterly distoriing basic norms of justice and judgement, to the point judging people chiefly based on the color of their skin rather than their character and actions. This is not what civil rights and social justice struggles are about.
3
All victims of sexual assault deserve to be heard, and treated fairly by law enforcement. All persons accused of sexual assault deserve due process, and fair treatment from the criminal justice system. Mr. Fairfax has not been convicted of a crime, therefore impeachment should not be considered. If Governor Northam resigns, Mr. Fairfax should become Virginia's next governor.
If Fairfax can be impeached prior to the conclusion of a criminal investigation, then Mr. Trump is next in line for impeachment.
2
all three must go since they made the democrats look like the racist, sexist,and hypocrites; they claim others are
3
One is a crime. The other is insensitive, stupid and moronic.
Let’s not equate the two.
I think 35 years is probably the statute of limitations on insensitive, stupid and moronic, especially as neither of them has shown any signs of repeating the offences once they grew up.
5
And there's apparently no physical evidence of any crime being committed either, just he-said-she-said, so how will it every be proven beyond a reasonable doubt?
1
Really looks like the Democrats are the party of the “deplorable” after all.
Sure, Trump rails against illegal immigrants and Islamist terrorists from select Muslim majority countries.
But he sure didn’t wear blackface, dress in KKK costumes, wear black wigs and then refuse to resign. Nor did he racially misappropriate black or Native American identity like Warren did for decades as in her own handwriting on her bar certificate.
4
How sad. Mr. Fairfax has been convicted OF NO CRIME. Yet they are talking about impeaching him. Oh I forgot. He's black, he doesn't get due process.
2
As a Dem, both Northam and Fairfax have to go, and soon.
For Northam, it's not just the act but the pathetic cover-up.
You can't remember which costume you wore?
Then you suddenly weren't in the photos at all?
And now you never, ever looked at your yearbook page?
For Fairfax, it's the crime - times two. He clearly should resign. We can't have anything else.
As for the AG, he seems to be honest and contrite about that past and people ware allowed to change for the better.
It hinges on his record on race for the past decades and relationships with the black community.
I don't envy them that decision.
1
He has denied the charges, so please let us not rush to judgment. Or, perhaps, the position could be taken that there is another, higher, officeholder who is in the same position--multiple accusations, all denied. He could offer to resign if that other officerholder resigns, in the interests of equity.
1
Isn't this why we have a judicial process and a legislative process to reach serious determinations?
If Democrats now stand for the proposition that only if another Democrat is available to take a person's place that an accused should not have to face the music, with full due process, heaven help us all.
1
Is anybody else troubled by the process here? Fairfax was elected by over a million voters in Virginia, 52% of the electorate, at the midterms. This trial by news and social media is overturning the results of the last election.
It's irresponsible to allow accusers to destroy someone's reputation and livelihood simply by making an accusation. The next step is a fair investigation. I have no opinion about what the women are saying. I think they should be heard in a responsible way. I also believe there has to be a more fair process than this for the sake of voters in Virginia, not only Fairfax.
4
I think Mr. Justin Fairfax should be allowed some due process before he is asked to step down from office. Time is needed for a proper investigation.
A rush to judgment sends a terrible message. It sets a chaotic and dangerous precedent to force public officials to step down without due process.
1
Fairfax should fight off all calls for his resignation, unless he truly is guilty of committing these assaults. Only he and the women involved know what happened between them all those years ago. And a court of law (and jury) would have been best to determine whether any sexual assault occurred. Why? Because one person's idea of consent can be another person's idea of assault, and it is the law that gets to define what assault is. Who gets to determine which story is accurate? Who is to be believed? That's why, in part, it's so important for allegations of this type to be litigated through the criminal justice system at the time of occurrence, and not decades later through a media blitz and a prism of politics. Fairfax deserves a presumption of innocence against such allegations. He deserves a right to fight back and for the voters to allow him to do so.
I ask: what has motivated the women to bring these allegations up now, after all these years? Why now? And why do they have law firms representing them? Is it because Fairfax was next in line to be Governor over the last week or so? Mr. Fairfax: don't resign. If you're truly innocent of such allegations, then fight, and fight back hard. If you are culpable, then do the right thing and resign.
2
Fairfax deserves a fair hearing and opportunity to be heard before he is removed from office. The women who accused him are credible, but that in itself does not mean that we should rush to judge and condemn him.
1
People who suggest that Lt. Governor Fairfax should be impeached ought to read Article IV, sec.17 of the Virginia Constitution. It sets forth the bases for impeachment of office holders. These are "malfeasance in office, corruption, neglect of duty and High Crimes or Misdemeanors."
That any of these would apply to uncharged, alleged criminal conduct, occurring outside the State of Virginia, 15 and 19 years ago, while a private citizen, is very doubtful, at best.
Virginia Democrats have a hot mess on their hands. As it stands now, all 3 officials could refuse to resign, or 1 or 2 could go, with 1 or 2 staying, or all 3 could go. However, it seems that impeachment is not a solution in regards to Fairfax or the others, either.
2
So now anyone can accuse anyone holding office with a crime relating to a sexual assault and be brought up for impeachment based on the charge? Very dangerous path. We will constantly have the opposite party encouraging these charges AFTER elections so the people will not choose but rather the legislature. Why weren't these charges brought while he was running for Lt Governor--hardly a low profile office.
4
What I fear is that if accusations become enough to remove someone from office, or for that matter from any other job, how long before somebody decides that monetizing these accusations is a good idea. Or perhaps blackmailing someone into making them. There are plenty of unscrupulous people out there which is why due process of law is so important in the first place - to make sure that accusations have a factual basis. This situation should be no different.
2
Well, it may depend on what brand he likes:
"The only question regarding Justin Fairfax ... is whether or not he likes beer. If he does, he’ll be assured of vindication."
because of the criminal seriousness of the accusations against Lt. Governor Fairfax and for the sake of the integrity of the accusers a thorough, impartial investigation is warranted, and should precede resignation from office or legal actions to remove Mr. Fairfax from office
1
Many Republicans, including Donald Trump, are calling for the immediate ouster of an elected Virginia official who happens to be black. Yet they these same voices defended the Duke lacrosse team when they were accused of an equally if not more egregious crime.
Meanwhile, many Democrats are falling over each other to look progressive and fair minded, yet both parties positions ignore how unfair it is for both the accused and accuser not to have an honest and open investigation before we draw any conclusions.
Voters should reward neither the political hypocrisy of some Republicans nor the political expediency of some Democrats. We should demand a fair and open investigation in all cases, no matter which political party is involved.
3
Women should no longer be considered special citizens. If they are attacked by anyone, they need to come forward and make a charge. They must come to the police with evidence. If they are embarrassed, then they can can stay silent. But they should not be able to make unsubstantiated charges ten or twenty years later and expect the court of the media to enforce their claims. Equal rights mean equal responsibility. This is a difficult transition, but it needs to be made.
5
I am not from Virginia so I offer my opinion as an outsider looking in without the nuance of local knowledge of the actors in this mess.
I think that both the governor and lieutenant governor should resign. The governor because of his equivocation of the details of the photograph and the lieutenant governor because if he is allowed to stay all the vitriol aimed at Brett Kavanaugh will appear as partisan hypocrisy.
In a perfect world Mr. Fairfax would be allowed to face his accusers and maybe Mr. Northam could provide a more persuasive mea culpa.
But since it is not a perfect world, so it seems reasonable to allow the AG to take the office of governor. Of the three he has been the most forthcoming. The voters decided they wanted Democratic leadership in their state and that should not be reversed because a couple of their pols were insincere/ racist or criminal.
One thing about allowing the AG to assume the role of governor is that in future, others in similar dust-ups, regarding their less than perfect moral past might be granted a bit of grace and forgiveness if they are indeed repentant. The AG seems to be.
It is easy to send everyone to the guillotine but it is not so easy to find qualified people to can take political office who are not like Mary Poppins; that is, "practically perfect in every way". Mary Poppins for Governor? Nah.
2
As Crosby, Stills, and Nash once told us, "teach your children well." Teach them that we are nation of zero tolerance and no second chances. Teach them that whatever they do from their teens on will be held against them for the rest of their lives. Teach them that there is no social redemption for customs that were once acceptable but have become anathema. Teach them that we consider balanced judgment and due process to be outmoded and that they will be judged by the worst things they ever do.
1
As much as I love seeing Democrats get a taste of their own medicine for what they did to Brett Kavanaugh, Mr Fairfax is entitled to a presumption of innocence and must be given a chance to face his accusers. A civil suit might be in order.
2
Why should he resign? Let him defend himself. Women should no longer be special. If they are attacked, let them bring their charges forward. Immediately. And to the police. If women and men are equal in this world, they shouldn't be able to lurk in the shadows and then spring out when they want to. We're a tipping point, Are women equal, as they claim. or not?
4
What makes this Virginia trifecta even more worrisome is that in contemporary U.S. society (and elsewhere) these situations are being navigated and written about in the context of how each respective decision will "play" across gender and/or race lines, as opposed to what the behavior(s) in question deserve ethically and require legally.
88
@Reggie Marra If only journalism had a charge to report on government's conduct as it related to the Constitution.
2
It may help to reflect that impeachment does not mean 'removal from office'. Impeachment is a statement of charges, at which point a due process follows. This usually takes the form of a 'trial' or a vote in the legislature during which evidence is presented.
In addition, the subsequent impeachment process cannot levy any criminal penalties. It means only that the individual, here Mr. Fairfax, may or may not be removed from the public office they hold. So to those asking "where is due process?", impeachment charges are the beginning of a political due process. How fair and just such a process would be towards Mr. Fairfax in the Virginian legislature is a valid question. It would probably expand the current massive media circus and probably generate even more division in the Democratic party.
13
@Malcolm
Thanks for the clarity. Respectfully, Avoiding further division within a ‘party’ is why our governments are in disarray and crisis. Not putting private partisanship (parties) before public governance is why we elect individuals and our Constitution does not mention the establishment or recognition of a political party as a public official or authority. One person-one vote. I am not naive either, fully realizing that money interests matter since our Founding. Right now as a group I believe Dems have the public moral high ground because Republicans I gone so low in slithering about over years. Fairfax resigns or Dems start impeachment proceedings; either way Dems maintain their elevated public position.
Yeah, this seems like a no-brainer to me, as a democrat. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor have to go.
Who will replace them? The attorney general seems genuinely apologetic to me, and it will be largely up to Democrats, and in particular black Democrats, to decide if his contrition makes him eligible for the state’s highest office in spite of his past.
I hope this whole episode forces the people of Virginia to meditate on their pasts, and do what they can to make right the historic humiliations and injustices black people have suffered by facing them honestly, and rectifying them for future generations
67
@David Clarkson
If the Governor must go, so must the Attorney General - contrite or no. In fact, the Attorney General is one of the folks who requested the Governor to resign for the same reason he's now in the hot seat. The only way for the AG to stay in office is if the Governor sticks around as well, anything else would be a stark contradiction.
14
@David Clarkson
Please correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't Mr. Fairfax only stand accused? Does the man not have rights ?
20
@David Clarkson In an elected democracy, we don't scold leaders, take away their offices, and tell them to go to their rooms and think long and hard about what they've done. We have further elections, we report crimes to the police, and we try to follow some sort of process.
26
He deserves an independent investigation befor people run to judgement.
16
Not disputing the allegations, but they were all right with him being Lt. Governor, but not Governor. Honestly I don’t get the timing of all these accusations even if they’re correct.
10
Nobody's equating rape and wearing black-face:
"Imagine how painful it must be for rape victims to see the media equate wearing 'blackface' to rape."
When two different things happen, it's possible that both of them are bad even if one of them is much worse than the other.
A standard "debating tactic" is to mention two bad things and then claim your opponent is saying they're equally bad. I hope nobody takes that tactic seriously here.
9
Sexual assault is a criminal offense. Wearing blackface is abhorrent but not illegal.
3
Agreed, but so what?
"Sexual assault and blackface not comparable..."
Sexual assault is worse, no question, but does that mean dressing in black-face is OK? Or what, exactly?
1
@MyThreeCents. Of course it’s not okay, but the point people are trying to get across is that, as a consequence, the punishment need not be the same.
1
We now equate forcible rape with dressing as a rapper at a college party?
40
@Adam
Yes.
The world according to Democrats...
4
Yes, Adam, we do.
Women are secondary concerns in every instance and our sexual violation is never a matter of urgency, why, it happens every day in every nation across the world!
Rape is universal- the women should be used to it by now, right?
1
Why not just impeach all 3 of them?
Enough of this nonsense. Kick them out!
11
Not sure you really followed the Al Franken case:
"Al Franken ... When he became a politician he wised up."
Not exactly. Franken already was a politician running for office when he pinched the woman's butt at the Minnesota State Fair, and was an actual US Senator when he allegedly attacked the female aide of another Senator in his office. (It's worth noting, incidentally, that Franken was booted out only when that aide came forward, not when the woman at the Minnesota State Fair did; apparently there was a "credibility difference" between those two women).
6
Get rid of all three of them, Jesus Christ.
7
Wow did you just equate rape with a racist costume?
15
@Aaron The legit comparison is in the extra-legal way all men are being treated: hounded out of office by a braying mob. Elected officials can stand for another elections. Crimes can be reported to the police. The current hysteria is nuts.
2
Entire 80s/90s movie franchises celebrated wearing makeup of another race. We are lying to ourselves if we now say that was always racist behavior. Everyone NOW knows darkening your skin, even to portray a person you like and respect, is unacceptable. In my childhood, Halloween was free reign. I don't recall dressing up outside of my race, but I definitely dressed up like a beggar a few times. Many many many of us have pictures of skeletons in our closets. Acknowledge you know it's unacceptable and hurtful now, and move on.
I am all for revisiting assault, especially if the victim had some compelling reason to stay quiet at the time. We haven't seen the 'damning' corroborating evidence in the Fairfax case. Just hearsay from the media. I know next to nothing about Fairfax and the media isn't exactly doing their job of presenting him as anything but guilty.
4
Generally, look to Google more so than the Bible for topical insight...
But sometimes – no adages like old adages...
“...will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom every cause of sin and all who practice lawlessness. And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth...
Not casting the first stone is so BC...
But clinging to one’s Bible – metaphorically, not literally, of course – seems to be ever in fashion...
Alexa, read from Corinthians 6:18...
1
Fairfax if he thinks he is innocent should fight the allegations.
There is a presumption here that he is guilty, guilty guilty, but there has been no court trial.
Let the prosecutor submit evidence to the grand jury, and if the grand jury agrees then have a trial. There is no statute of limitations in Virginia.
The next time elections come around, whether he wins in court or not, let the people of Virginia can decide whether to keep him in office or not. It's their state.
6
The Governor did not admit to racist conduct.
He is not in the picture he says.
He did not choose the picture we know.
Just because he initially was so shocked about the black face and the KKK mask on his yearbook page that he said this this awful does not make him guilty.
Just as that Al Franken said I feel sorry if somebody feel denigrated does not make so. In particular after we found the Hannity background of the "accusers".
Stop joining the baying lynch posse of wannabee democratic candidates and the super clever leaders of the Democratic party. .
Di9 you not learning to be truthful from the artificial hunting of Al Franken. And of the hunting of Hillary Clinton, while given the novel attraction Trump a free path.
That CNN maybe was worse than the NYT is no excuse.
Shame on you.
18
“He says he’s not in the picture.”
That was a revision of his, after he initially confessed to being in the photos.
Do you really buy that? To me, it looks like embarrassingly threadbare and childish taking back and lying. “I wasn’t in it, I only said I was because I felt bad and wanted to take responsibility,” is just such a nonsense response to me, since it’s easy to say “it’s not me in the photo, but I take responsibility for the tragic racism that appeared on that page.”
To be honest, I wouldn’t even be in the “he needs to step down” camp if he just came clean and used this as a chance to honestly reckon with Virginia’s historic racism and own his part in it. He could have taken this painful piece of history and used it, by honestly facing it, to push positive change. Instead chose to lie about it, showing he isn’t ready to be honest, grow as a person, and help rectify the injustices of his state. That’s why he needs to step down.
1
Imagine how painful it must be for rape victims to see the media equate wearing "blackface" to rape. Even referring to both in the same sentence is unbelievably disrespectful to victims of sexual violence. Please world, grow a heart.
494
@M. Casey I'd agree--except that racism as expressed in speech or activity intended to humiliate the other is inextricably linked to racial violence, just as sexual violence is inextricably linked to views that shame and humiliate women. Neither is acceptable.
18
@M. Casey
But imagine how equally painful it must be for black people to see blackface being defended or made light of. Blackface is inextricably linked to this country's racial trauma, which includes slavery and the rape of black women.
Both are horrible, and I don't think it's productive to have a competition over which is worse. Both are totally unacceptable and the leaders involved should resign or be impeached. Yes, that messes up the Democratic Party in Virginia, but some principles should be defended even when the cost is high.
17
@M. Casey you miss the point here. No one would argue that wearing blackface is equally offensive to rape. The issue isn’t parity but hypocrisy with a distinction of racism. All 3 leaders should resign or face impeachment.
12
How is this a bind? Why should the race of the alleged perpetrator or constituents qualify in any moral calculation?
70
Northram has to go. He might have been ok and he not changed his story. But he did and that speakd to character. Fairfax needs hearings, as fair as they can be under the circumstances. My first reaction is to believe the accuser(s).
But what if he is innocent? #metoo has done some amazing things but I also don't want lives ruined under false allegations
7
I’m beginning to get the impression that the screeching unreason stems directly from the ways that Northam, the AG, and Ed Gillespie have shown people far, far too clearly that nobody, but nobody, is squeaky-clean on the issues of race in America. Maybe worse, they’re reminding us yet again that however much some howl, yep, race still matters to us.
I mean, look at two obvious examples. A fair amount of lefties are posturingly demanding purges, purges and more purges, and pretending to be Pure themselves; a whole passel of righties and Trumpists are trying to sneer at them even while they frantically, hopelessly, try to scrub their own hands clean of identity politics, litmus paper, and intolerance.
No, I am NOT talking about Fairfax. Whole different category, where the nuttiness is being played out between lefties who don’t want to look at the history of leftism and women, righties frantically trying to pretend that little things like the Access Hollywood tapes and Dennis Hastert never happened, with a fair number of perfectly-reasonable angry women who have a lot to be angry about trying to heard between the noise.
I mean plain old race matters. Hard to notice, what with the loudest people on one side chewing off their own legs, and the loudest dolts on the other pretending that Trump’s attacks on everything from voting rights to refugees don’t mean exactly what they mean.
5
How do you impeach somebody based on an accusation, even if the accusation is serious - atrocious, in this instance - and credible? Constitutionally, assuming that the accusations are denied, how do you show bad conduct sufficient to justify impeachment if there has not been due process? What are the grounds?
I’m not familiar with the constitution of Virginia, but I suspect that the real bind that the Democrats find themselves in is that, if Fairfax denies the accusations and refuses to resign, they have no grounds on which to impeach him unless they try him themselves, a trial beyond their jurisdiction.
16
Where were you and your friends during the Kavanaugh hearings? No doubt, very very silent. Why? Wrong party methinks.
"Democrats risk alienating women or African-Americans depending on how they respond to allegations that Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax of Virginia sexually assaulted two women"
Identity politics at its finest...
116
@Luciano
And it couldn't be happening to a nicer party...
4
Fair point:
"Just another 17 or 18 accusers, and Mr. Fairfax could have a good chance of securing the Republican Presidential nomination for 2024!"
When the Access Hollywood tape leaked 3 weeks before the 2016 election, I assumed Trump was toast. His victory says more about Hillary Clinton's "negatives" than about Trump's "positives."
25
IMHO, Northam should not resign. Wearing blackface, though stupid, racist and insensitive, is not a crime. If the Democrats continue pouncing, leave the party and become an independent. Fairfax has a bigger problem. Sexual predation is a crime. But we have 2 justices on the Supreme Court who have credible sexual assault claims against them, and no one is trying to impeach them. What about an investigation to see the circumstances of both complaints against him? Hopefully a more thorough one than the sham of Kavanaugh’s. It shouldn’t take more than a few weeks, and after that let the chips fall where they may.
23
@Ed Campbell Blasey Ford had zero credibility. She had no recollection of the date or location for her accusations. There were zero witnesses to corroborate her. Meanwhile the accusations against Fairfax are much more specific and detailed.
5
The claim against Justice Thomas was sexual harassment not sexual assault.
3
"Democrats risk alienating women or African-Americans depending on how they respond to allegations that Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax of Virginia sexually assaulted two women"
Well, we've certainly come along way.
Apparently, in 2019, if you're accused of rape, it's actually an ADVANTAGE to be black
32
Being black is clearly not an advantage here. That comment doesn’t make any sense. Donald Trump and Bret Kavanaugh are white and they made it out of their accusations with no impeachment and maintained sky-high support from their party.
Alternatively, Fairfax seems to be trending toward getting impeached and has lost all support from his party, something Trump and Kavanaugh never suffered. Clearly being black is subjecting Fairfax to greater opprobrium, not less. If he were white, a US Senator would have given him raging, full-throated support from the Senate floor.
2
@Luciano
Tell that to Bill Cosby.
Having dressed up as Michael Jackson for a dance contest in the 1980s is not conclusive proof of racial hatred.
44
True. But only if you are a Democrat. If you were a Republican then they might be better served by being hung from a lamppost. Duplicity at its finest?
11
@JustInsideBeltway, you are almost correct. Dressing as any black person that you admire using black makeup is the OPPOSITE OF RACISM. It's too bad that the politically correct who declare this innocent behavior inherently wrong in all contexts will never enjoy the advancement of equality that it can foster.
Uh oh, women vs. blacks. Who's more correct? White men are breathing a sigh of relief for the temporary respite.
35
@Tom J
And then, bit by bit, they move out of the Democratic party. After all, it's mostly boys and men who engage in the college hijinks and such.
No redemption, no nothing....outa there.
1
Therr’s a clear difference between insensitivity and crime. Presuming that African-Americans can’t see it is condescending and racist.
35
The NYT writers seem to be very confused about the issues. The two white Democrats have admitted to behavior 30+years ago that clearly violates our society’s mores today, and likely did at the time they dressed in blackface. Boorish behavior, possibly racist, but it is not a crime.
The black politician, on the other hand, has been twice accused of committing a crime, possibly a felony. He has not admitted to the actions, which differs from the first two, but the activity, if it occurred, is clearly more serious.
I personally find the role reversal for the Dems and Reps to be rather humorous. When it was a Rep that was accused of sexual assault with little to no corroborating evidence, the Reps defended their person, and the Dems attacked, needing no evidence of actual guilt. Now that it is a Dem that has been accused, the Reps are ready to pounce, and it is the Dems that are talking of due process.
51
Rape is a serious crime.
No doubt about that.
I don't the answer to this question.
How much credence should be placed on an allegation after almost 20 years when there is no independent confirmation and when the alleged rape was not reported at the time.
Is there added credence if there are two alleged rapes neither of which have independent confirmation.
Sexual assaults must be reported to the police at the time of alleged occurrence so that trained forensic investigators can attempt to obtain PHYSICAL evidence.
These cases are of the he said [consensual] she said
[forced =rape]. How does one judge who is truthful.
7
For Fairfax, the precedence has been set by Clarence Thomas, Brett Kavanaugh and Donald Trump. None of those three resigned - indeed they got promoted for having decades old sexual abuse claims hanging over their heads.
The issue now is that anyone can try and bring down a politician they dislike with a claim that something happened several decades ago with no real evidence, just hearsay. You miss the opportunity for justice by not speaking up at the time of the event. It is a different issue if the assault was recorded at the time yet no action was taken by the police, and I’m quite sure that in Virginia at that time, a reported assault by a coloured person would have been investigated thoroughly judging by the racial undertones that appear to have been prevalent during that period.
The accusers need to go to the police and show evidence of a crime being committed. Once that evidence is collated, then the law can be applied. If there is no evidence then the accusers need to accept that they missed their opportunity for justice.
I think Justice Thomas' judicial views are terrible and would have voted against him on those grounds alone.
What Anita Hill accused Thomas of was disgusting behavior but it did not involve contact and certainly was not rape.
Trump admitted to sexual assault. Thrusting hands up women's skirts and barging in on undressed women are crimes.
What Kavanaugh was accused of by Ford is a crime.
The problem with Kavanaugh is there was not independent confirmation of Ford's account.
Sorry but sexual assault is a bit more serious than putting on blackface for a party 30+ years ago, especially since the accusations agains Fairfax indicate that this a recurring issue...
46
“You’re more able to survive as a white man in America who wore blackface than as a black man that’s facing #MeToo accusations.”
Yes.
Rape is more serious than insulting costumery- isn’t it America?
76
At least when Al Franken committed juvenile stupidity he had an excuse—- comedy writer not politician. When he became a politician he wised up.
Not so with politicians who do this.
I hold clear headed men accountable but I do not hold drunken students to the same standard. Many others feel the same. Our witless President—- he does not
3
No bind in my opinion. Don’t impeach. He is a minority Democrat and his repeated, substantiated sexual attacks should be dismissed as “fake news “. His actions certainly don’t rise to the level of Trump’s paying a multimillionaire prostitute for sex. A liberal newspaper even decided before his election that the claims were untrue. And there are after all, no demonstrations or marches demanding his removal from office so the only ones who apparently care, are his supposed victims.
7
When you worship at the alter of identity politics sooner or later you're going to have a crisis of faith.
145
Do the Democrats learn NOTHING from the Republicans?!
6
Northan and Faifax must be impeached and removed
Herring should be forgiven, assume Gov but agree not to run for Gov
McClellan should become Lt Gov and run for Gov.
So a person accuses him of assaulting her 15 years ago
She has no proof
Didn't report the incident at the time and comes forward only when he decided to run for office.
Ok...
Then largely as a result of the publicity of that another woman comes forward with an allegation of Rape
Didn't report it at the time to the authorities but supposedly reported it to several friends - non of whom reported it to the authorities...
If you're so traumatized that you cant or wont call the authorities but you can tell all your friends what does that say?
And apparently she now reports she was also raped by another individual but didn't report that either...
15 to 20 years later
Memories from an incident that happened 15 minutes ago can be questionable
15-20 years...
How do we ascertain the "truth"
The fact is WE CAN NOT!
He says it didn't happen
They say it did...
We need to set some standard
Some time frame that says simply this
You have this much time to report such an occurrence
After that we're not going to accept your allegation
1 year or 2 years should be the maximum
4
@Marcus Aurelius
I think he like beer just a little bit too much...
Please leaders of Virginia do the right thing and resign. Your behaviors have been offensive and embarrassing, and it is ridiculous that you are clinging to the last shreds of power. Please move aside and let better people run the state.
33
@Catgirl
But who would these 'better' people be? They might be acceptable to you today, but if held to the same standards as the present governor, attorney general and lt. governor (where accusations still have to be proven), their history will be held against them too. The past, we all have one.
13
@Catgirl I suppose you realize that the next person in line is a Republican who is at least as guilty of blackface crimes as the Democrats, and who barely won his election?
15
@Catgirl As someone else suggested, Fairfax should resign first, but CONTINUE the fight for his reputation while out of office. As long as Fairfax stays in office, even if he is innocent, he is a distraction. Northam could then appoint his replacement, preferably a black woman in the Virginia legislature. Once Fairfax has been replaced, Northam should also resign and seek to make amends for what he has done. This would keep Virginia's governorship in Democratic hands, which is what the people want.
11
Well this female isn't going to be mad if they don't immediately resign. Go thru the investigative process. Don't rush to judgement and quit playing the political game as dictated by the media headlines. Northam sounds like an idiot and it is shocking he got this far electorally speaking. As for Fairfax, any she said he said will be messy. The Dems can take a page from the Trump playbook - deny, deny and deny some more and don't resign. Worked for them - might even pick up some votes from Independents and Republicans. Just folding up and fading away only makes Republicans happy and casts Democrats as principled and lame.
6
It's not that hard. Start with an investigation. Do any other women claim that Justin Fairfax raped them? Conduct hearings and reach a conclusion based on the balance of probabilities. If it's more likely that he's a rapist, impeach him if he won't resign.
I'm not familiar with standard for impeachment under Virginia law, but there are ways to make a governor resign even without impeachment. You just call for his resignation all the time and change the constitution if necessary to do it. You can cut the governor out of the legislative process using two thirds majorities. Eventually Ralph Northam will get the message.
What upsets me most is that this is like Anita Hill all over again. When do African American women get a break? In many ways they are especially disadvantaged. Why were national Dems all over Brett Kavanaugh but relatively quiet now? If you really believe that rape and sexual assault are evil you stand up regardless of the politics. And can we please stand up and start taking African American women seriously.
4
This article offers a false equivalency. Sexual assault, if proven, is a crime. Donning blackface is not a crime. To equate these two in this context is just bad reporting. Democrats, (I am one) please just stop, take a breath and stop the knee-jerk political correctness. You don't even have all the facts. In my opinion, Gov. Northam's life as an adult is what matters. The Lt. Governor at least merits a full investigation before calls for his resignation.
4
A growing crisis ..... hardly. Northam and Herring have admitted to dressing in blackface for a dancing contest and comedy skit, respectively. Fairfax, however, is facing two credible accusations of sexual assault. Fairfax's alleged offenses, if true, are truly impeachable crimes. This isn't a close decision. Gather and evaluate the evidence; impeach if you must. Stop the shaming and bullying as a means of removal from political office.
11
Is there some sort of hierarchy, women vs. African-Americans? Fairfax deserves a fair trial just as his accusers deserve for this matter to be fully investigated. The only thing that matters is whether he is found guilty of sexually assaulting these women, not the gender of the accusers or the race of the accused. To believe these women- or if he is found guilty- does not mean that the accusers, legal system or believers are racist; nor does it mean Fairfax's supporters - or the legal system, if he is found not guilty- are sexist.
6
@Jen Italia And apparently the hierarchy includes not only gender and race but political affiliation.
Thank goodness we strive for more equal treatment in the court of law than the courts if public opinion!
"whether to impeach an African-American leader at a moment when the state’s other two top leaders, both white, are resisting"
What HAS RACE to do with this ?
Race cannot possibly enter into deciding whether Justin Fairfax should be removed from office!
It's time for him to go, I hope Fairfax will do the right thing and resign, as his career as a politician is over.
13
Is it fair to ruin a man because he's accused of rape ? Accusations are not a valid way to prove a person guilty. We have judges and jurys for a reason. There are many good and bad reasons a woman would claim a rape and it's too easy to make accusations and cause a scandal for politicians.
5
The accusations against Fairfax are, if anything, more detailed and specific than the accusations against Kavanaugh, and made by stalwart Democrats. It has been suggested that should not step down because:
(1) The replacement might be a Republican, (2) He has not been formally charged/convicted. (3) Kavanaugh got away with it.
Basically, the Democrat politicians should tell us what the SCOTUS hearings were about: accountability? ideology (#i believe her)? political expediency? opportunism? Those who excoriated Kavanaugh and are keeping quiet are telling us that they were using Dr. Ford for political purposes and grandstanding. Voting women might want to note that.
13
To quote Bryan Stevenson: “Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.” and misquote W. Kamau Bell white people need to start having enough pride to call out and stand up to racism when it happens.
Even casual racism demonstrates poor character and values. And we must continue to call out racism when we see it, as well as consider if those who lead us are who we truly want representing our cities, states, and country. None of us is perfect. If someone has made a mistake in the past, let us judge them on their behavior since then. Not to cover up their mistakes or make excuses for them, but has that person learned and grown from their mistakes, have they made an effort to make amends, to be better than who they were before.
Rape is criminal regardless of race. That being said: Yes, we need to believe the women who make charges of rape, sexual assault, but we also need to have those charges investigated properly. Not in the media. Not by public opinion. But legally and in such as way that justice is done.
4
So he's African American. So the other two are white. Crime is crime. Looking for excuses or nuance in race is foolish and dangerous.
28
@Len,
Putting on blackface for a costume party is not a crime. Not now, and not 30 years ago. Get a grip.
2
Ok, wearing blackface at a party 35 years ago is not the equivalent of rape. At all.
33
I don't think stupid and insensitive decisions over a decade ago are in the same category of a rape allegation. I am not sure that without a conviction in court that an allegation is cause for impeachment. Virginia, you need to move on.
5
He should not resign without some sort of formal investigation. Sounds like the FBI needs to create a special unit for cases like this.
On the one hand, victims have a right to justice.
On the other hand, people lives should not destroyed by allegations.
In the meantime, he should not resign until we see solid evidence or he admits it.
Party leaders don’t care about justice, they care about public relations.
4
@Prudence Spencer
The FBI has no jurisdiction in cases like these, as they are not federal offenses (blackface is not a crime anywhere) or involve federal officials.
4
As an independent, I really have no skin in this game down party lines. As a proud American observer that truly believes in democracy i must say ... we now have a Supreme Court justice accused of much worse and pardons for such on the republican side without any consideration of the desire of “we the people” Through true democracy. In the state of Virginia, for republicans to get the state government back post mid term election they would have to destroy 3 people currently in power ... oh wait ? Hmmmmm, is it politics and business as usual for the far right Republican Party? By any means, at any cost ? Political coup de tante in the state of Virginia? I am not saying the actions of these men are not fundamentally wrong , I don’t approve on any level but at some point we have to determine a level of intent and conscious effort to harm others, start there before we undo what “we the people” decided through democratic elections. Let’s stop and think of the consequences of “off with their heads” before we build the guillotine and call for the executioner. Take a minute, just saying ...
3
So where's the article about how Republicans are in a bind over impeaching Trump?
Only Democrats are expected to police their own at all costs, whereas the GOP won't lift one finger against Trump unless and until he might affect their own positions.
6
What are you suggesting? That a person accused of misconduct or crime should be condemned just on the "allegation"? It's not enough. I'm glad reports of sexual misconduct are coming out, even late reports, because I think the atmosphere of support will make women stronger and men more sensitive. But I don't think anyone should lose anything allegations. There has to be more, and probably it has to come along sooner. In Fairfax's case, before the election, when there could have been an investigation, but without police reports or hospital records, who knows? For the others? They were stupid, cruel, and young. None of these things has to last a lifetime.
2
I fear the Democratic party is going down a dangerous path and have been for a few years. they are reacting instead of responding. they aren't adhering to core tenets of our democracy because they are singularly focused on "staying on the right side of history". they are swift to cannibalize others because of Twitter. social media will be the downfall of the Democratic party. they fail to see preserving the rights of everyone supercedes being the first to vocalize outrage. they speak of personal growth and change and then demonize an offensive act of pictures three decades ago and demand accountability because obviously they don't agree with their own philosophy. this is an indeed a dangerous path.
12
Several commenters have called for an "investigation" of the allegations. Investigations are great, but nearly all sexual abuse incidents occur (if at all) in private, and only two people -- the accused and the accuser -- know what really happened. We can "investigate" until the cows come home, but we'll almost always end up exactly where we started: with a "he said, she said" case. You either believe the accuser, who insists it happened, or you believe the accused, who insists it didn't.
There are rare exceptions, of course -- such as the former Stanford student who was caught by passers-by as he abused a drunk woman in public, or the occasional accused who can prove he was in Angola when his accuser claimed he was at a party in Los Angeles -- and it's certainly worth "investigating" to determine whether a particular case is exceptional. But if one determines that the case isn't exceptional (as probably occurs in 99+% of the cases), there's nothing left to "investigate:" You either believe the accuser, or you believe the accused (or insist that the accused be presumed innocent because he hasn't been proven guilty).
That's the way it is, that's the way it's always been, and that's probably the way it will always be.
4
It is Apple's and oranges. One is a crime the other is offensive. The one who committed a crime must be investigated and resign. Those who did something offensive should resign as a matter of principle.
Wearing blackface, even with young naiveté is bad, but wearing blackface, next to a friend who has dressed in a KKK outfit is utterly unforgivable. Sexual assault is unforgivable. Herring may be able to be forgiven.... the other two need to go work somewhere else. They can't be my leaders. I feel so deeply hurt by all of this. This city is amazingly vibrant, but has heavy, heavy karma of its past. We are suffering a tragic time in leadership.
70
@Sharon R.
Northam has admitted to being in blackface as part of a Michael Jackson costume, but he denies that he is in the picture with the KKK costume. You may not believe him, and you may find this just as unforgivable, but the complete story needs to be assessed.
It is all gut-wrenching in any case. I wish you the best as you and your fellow Virginians wrestle with this mess. It's a tragic time in leadership, indeed.
6
@Sharon R.
I have seen the families of murder victims forgive the murderer. You are tight!
8
@Sharon R.,
Unforgivable? Unforgivable?! Nothing is unforgivable.
You mention karma, but the meaning of karma is that the universe will find its own balance, just as water finds its level in a glass. Meaning: leave it alone, it will take care of itself.
Instead, you want to use karma as a tool and a weapon. It does not work that way. It's not yours. You don't control anyone's karma but your own. So, leave it alone. It takes care of itself.
Forgiveness is the milk of human kindness, which is unconditional love, which is the blood of god.
When you appreciate that, you will feel much less judgemental toward others and that much happier with yourself.
By the way, you weren't hurt by this -- it all happened years ago and you weren't there. You cannot possibly claim to be a victim. Stop pretending.
16
False equivalency reporting at its best. Two dumb Halloween party costumes 35 years ago vrs sexual assault of two women 10 and 18 years ago. I doubt the dumb costumes were aimed to hurt an individual but sexual assault definitely changed those women's lives. no way are these two acts comparable
163
Thank you, well said. I can't believe people are comparing the two. Sexual assault is a crime.
10
Sexual assault and blackface not comparable but why can’t these guys just behave themselves. So much to lose.
7
The "blackface" controversy is an all-media issue. Cable news and newspapers love conflict and foment controversy. To put it in context: I first marched for civil rights in 1960 and had rocks thrown at me even though I was just a kid. I was at the March on Washington when Dr. King gave his "I Have a Dream" speech. I've been a gay rights and antiwar activist and, as the only Jewish family in my hometown, I endured decades of antisemitic tropes from swastikas on our driveway to Charlottesville and the Tree of Life. And dressing in blackface is dumb - I can't watch Day at the Races although I love the Marx Brothers because they're in blackface in one scene http://bytesdaily.blogspot.com/2010/03/movies-racism.html. Holiday Inn is even worse https://reelclub.wordpress.com/2013/12/15/a-white-christmas-witnessing-racial-intolerance-in-1940s-america-through-holiday-inn/. But, do I reject all Marx Brothers or Bing Crosby movies? More to the point, if I heard a coworker dressed in Nazi regalia 35 years ago but now regrets it and does his or her job well, I wouldn't have a glimmer of wanting them to be fired or resign. There are REAL ISSUES like healthcare and income inequality and biased policing - I'd like the NY Times to print a front page apology for behaving just like Donald Trump and playing to our weakest side and say they regret publishing more than one brief article on this phony crisis. It's time to Move On
148
@Peter Quince
Thank you Mr. Quince. I too am an activist and a liberal (whatever that means), and I am appalled at the amount of media coverage this “blackface” controversy of 35 YEARS AGO has gotten. Blackface is demeaning and I understand the hurt it causes. BUT I would not want to be judged from my actions of 35-40 years ago, if I have lived a moral and productive life since then. Who among us didn’t do stupid things in our teens and 20s??? I cringe thinking of my youthful gaffes....
6
If Virginia democrats and republicans don't demand the resignation of their AG, aren't they saying that criminal assault is no worse than wearing blackface?
4
The obvious answer is to have free hearings and an investigation without restriction by the FBI or whatever state authority is to be trusted with this in VA.
You know what should have happened with Kavanaugh the unfit JOTSC these attacks are in revenge for.
They won't be the last either.
Is the new DEM House looking into removing Kavanaugh and Gorsuch? They should be neither one is a legit Justice.
3
The conundrum the Democrats face is a direct result of their embracement of Identity Politics and Political Correctness.
The Democrats grabbed their pitchforks and denounced due process during the Kavanaugh hearings not realizing that they could find themselves in a similar situation.
Now the world gets to watch them go through some sort of hypocritical logic rationalization game to justify their actions.
Can’t wait to watch the self inflicted damage during the upcoming primary spectacle.
58
Yeah, it’ll be fun to watch Trump, Trumpists and FOX keep trying to pretend that they’re not goosestepping their way down the avenue bearing standards that say, “WE’RE WHITE,” and “YOU BETTER BE,” then spraying really, really weird tangles of logic around the town at random when anybody notices.
Just kidding. Not even trying to represent those boyos fairly; after all, I spelled the words correctly.
2
@Norville T. Johnson I
Yes!
The GOP has been playing the long game for a long, long time.
Meanwhile, the Dems play PC politics and turn off *all* kinds of voters -- including black women!
Idiot Democrats pushed out an excellent Senator (Franken), while Republicans stand firm with the likes of Trump.
The GOP wages all-out war while Democrats wring their hands.
7
the fact is rape and attempted rape is a crime and black face is not!
1
In a Red State I would be cautious of what might be a retaliatory false accusation levied against an African American. It may be (yet) another form of lynching. And it cuts both ways. We can't side-step due process for anyone. Innocent until proven guilty.
These individuals should have made their accusations at the time. Gender is irrelevant in the Law.
5
@Mik Men simply don't understand the hate that follows women who report rape, and why rapes tend to be unreported. You only need to read comments like this one, to understand how female victims are vilified, how quickly the sympathy goes to the alleged perpetrator.
6
Missing from the dirty laundry of Virginia politics - who is Kirk Cox and what are his politics beyond "Republican" - early searches showing him grinning at Trump's side don't look promising. Is there any precedent for a special election? Also, it sounds ridiculous to ask - has anyone checked his yearbooks and background?
5
"an excruciating choice: whether to impeach an African-American leader at a moment when the state’s other two top leaders, both white, are resisting calls to quit after admitting to racist conduct."
I haven't yet decided whether we should start calling this 'reverse intersectionality' or 'disjunctionality.' Or perhaps just to go with the old-fashioned 'double standard,' that Progressive standby.
4
I would call it “irony”. A double standard implies that rape and black face are equally immoral. Black face is a symbol of violence and supremacy, rape is the actual act of violence and supremacy. If you’d ever been raped, you’d understand one does not equate the other.
3
@Martini
Fortunately, the experience is unnecessary to assess the immorality. And the wavering is entirely being conducted over issues of identity, not genuine injury. I'll stand by my original comment.
This guy should resign, and so should Northam. The AG seems to have made a sincere apology that somewhat satisfies the black caucus — so I don’t know about him — but he’s a problem too.
And all of them should be replaced by women.
I wonder what Justin Fairfax's Twitter history looked like when Kavanaugh was going through the Supreme Court confirmation process???
I'll bet now he regrets being so "woke". What goes around comes around...
The Democrats created this monster and now it's devouring them.
11
I’m a liberal and I’m okay with getting rid of all political figures that have multiple credible accusations of rape against them. That’s the price of public life.
3
@Martini
There was nothing credible about the accusations that Blasey-Ford made about Justice Kavanaugh. No date, place or time... she couldn't even nail down what month it was or a street.
Fairfax's initial accuser has all of the above circumstances accounted for and he even acknowledged that a sexual act took place between the two.
No prosecutor would go near Kavanaugh but I bet Fairfax would have something to actually worry about if his accuser were to file a criminal charge in Massachusetts.
2
Basically the behavior of the Governor and AG are stupid early 20's things that people did in the early 80's that do not necessarily reflect the people they are today. The real question is what are their actions since that time and do they reflect the person they have become as an adult. I remember some behavior of my own from the 70's that I would prefer to not remember, that embarrasses me, and I would be reluctant to acknowledge publicly. Some I admitted to my kids when they were growing up as an example of things not to do. On the other hand rape or sexual assault as a full blown adult is a horse of an entirely different hue and needs to be handled that way. I thought what was done to Kavenaugh fell into the same boat. However both Northam and Kavenaugh failed the character test of confirming they behaved like idiots as teenagers and 20 somethings and did things they wish they hadn't. That in more ways tells you about the sort of people they are, they failed the "tell the truth" test
4
all three should do the right thing
@Joe Yoh,
The right thing, you say.
The right thing would be never to have dressed in blackface or KKK robes, the right thing would be to never sexually assault another human being, the right thing would be to work with both egregiously flawed political parties, Democratic and Republican, to solve our monumental societal and economic problems, that, my friend, is the right thing.
So once again the “standards” are quite flexible. Should it matter if the accused is black or white? Would the questions even be asked if the accused was a white man? Is racial insensitivity truly on a par with an allegation of an actual crime, rape no less? Are we, contrary to the exportation of Dr. King judging on the color of someone’s skin rather than on the content of their character? Are we modifying “#Ibelievesurvivors” to “InelievesurvivorsdepedningontheraceofTheaccused”?
Sorry, but when you base your approach to governance on subdividing everybody into identity categories you will inevitably end up pitting one group against the other for most favored status. That’s not a recipe for justice.
13
It is playing into the divide-and-conquer strategy of the ruling class since time immemorial. Will we never learn?
It's not "the intersection of race and gender". It's the false equivalence of 40 year old displays of casual racism versus rape.
I'm not saying blackface is or was acceptable. I'm saying that raping someone is a lot worse than dressing up as Michael Jackson. It's even a lot worse than dressing up as a KKK guy, who represents and possibly validates systematized murder and rape and suppression, but is not actually committing those crimes.
This is the crux of the issue for Democrats. Is turning a blind eye to crimes equivalent to committing those crimes? To me it is not.
52
Both parties are morally bankrupt and financially corrupt.
Both parties attract narcissists pursuing self-interest and power at the expense of the American people.
Impeach all and clean house.
1
How many racial slurs has Donald Trump made? How many times has he taken money from or praised white supremacists? How many women have accused him of sexual assault? How many blatant lies has he told?
Let us start taking people down only after starting at the top. If we aren’t willing to take down Trump first then we have a double standard.
3
I just don't understand how people are equating blackface (a disgraceful, insensitive cultural practice, yes) with rape and sexual assault.
107
“whether to impeach an African-American leader at a moment when the state’s other two top leaders, both white, are resisting calls to quit after admitting to racist conduct.”
So now we’re pitting sexual assault vs racist conduct as how to judge people. Clever..
7
What is the dilemma? One committed a crime the other just let his racism show through. He will be punished at his next election.
3
@Kevin
There's been no demonstration that Fairfax committed any crime at all. Has everyone lost their ability to think?
3
Here's a thought - rape is illegal and blackface isn't. Does that clear up the issue?
87
Fight for your right to Due Process, Justin!
If there's anything this country should be ashamed of it's the number of black men railroaded over false accusations of rape. It wasn't just Emmett Till in 1955, it was also the Hofstra Five in 2009.
If there's any state that should be sensitive to false allegations of rape it's Virginia whose flagship university was at the center of lurid, but ultimately false, gangrape accusations in Rolling Stone by a pathological liar.
And if there's any university that has a poor history of handling rape accusations it's Fairfax' and the accuser's alma mater, Duke University, which in 2006 railroaded innocent men over lurid and ultimately false rape accusations by a woman so hateful she now sits in prison convicted of murder. The DA who prosecuted that case, Mike Nifong, was disbarred for his conduct.
This is why we have Due Process, because not all accusations are truthful. Black men have faced far too many lynch mobs in this country. Now's the time for Investigations and Due Process, not a time for a Rush to Judgment. As a black man who enthusiastically spent numerous weekends canvassing for Hillary in 2016, the Dems won't get a vote from me again if they can't stay true to Due Process, a value so core to liberalism it originated in the Enlightenment.
Now's the time for Enlightenment and not Lynch Mobs.
323
@Nirrin. Some good points, yet it illustrates what a farce the Kavanaugh hearings were when man of the same people demanding due process now were quite quick to decry it then. The mere accusation was sufficient to condemn during that process, and fighting back was assailed as an affront to the alleged victim.
49
@Nirrin While black men have been falsely accused of rape, the numbers don't lie: this is a crime that has been perpetrated against women of all races by men of all races. Do you understand that the female victims are also black? Do you begin to get why rape is so underreported? The vilification of every victim that immediately follows? Is EVERY black man accused of rape innocent, because some have been falsely accused?
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@George S
Huh? There was a hearing and an (extremely minimal) investigation regarding Kavanaugh. The Republicans were the ones hustling to force the vote on Kavanaugh's nomination and resisting even considering the accusations. While I'm sure there were Democrats who wanted his nomination withdrawn merely because of the accusation, the larger outcry was because of the farce of due process that occurred.
23
It’s the how of the process.., not the what...at this point for all three the question should be put to them... each separately... while they are placed on administrative leave: “What is your specific solution to the dilemma you have created for your victim and your constituents ?” You have one week.
This 3 ring clown act of letting politicians waste our tax money and time while still lounging in their comfy government office chairs needs to end.
The phrase from weddings — “whoever has objections, speak up or forever hold your peace” — should perhaps be spoken before elections.
11
It is. It's called "voting."
2
What should the Democratic Party do? Well, which constituency does the Democrat Party care about more? Black voters or "MeToo" women? You can't have it both ways this time. Time to choose which group is more valuable to Dems.
4
The hand wringing in this article is excruciating! Democrats set the rules of engagement, i.e., zero tolerance, in the media, Kavanaugh hearings, etc. Now they must live with them. Let the executions begin...Anything less than three is hypocrisy.
22
@Kingston Cole
I must confess I toast: "Confusion to the Democrats!"
1
How do they not - at the very least - investigate?
The timing is suspicious. I would want to know more about the accusers. We cannot be as stupid as we were with Franken. But there are two women who have raised allegations of rape - that simply has to be addressed.
4
@E The black female victim has raised the issue BEFORE.
7
Why didnt this come up during the election?
134
@Monique Diggs That is the question I am asking. That has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with what any newspaper chose to publish. BOTH of these women KNEW Fairfax was running and they could have appeared during the campaign to register their complaints. But they appear NOW? Why? I am sure there is a story there. That is why I believe there must be a full investigation.
24
@Monique Diggs The allegations were not published until after the election so that a republican would not win.
14
@Chriva
Did the Republican opponent have absolutely horrible opposition research? Or did this sit on this until they thought the moment was ripe for an undemocratic coop?
2
It is an outrageous that the Lt. Governor is being pressured to resign over mere allegations, without a hearing, without fact finding, without a trial. The foundation of our juris prudence is "innocent until proven guilty". I guess that concept is a casualty of the Me too movement. Any Democatic candidate for President who calls for his resignation without due process is simply a self serving opportunist and is not fit for the office.
8
His accusers are too credible. In the world of politics, within the Democratic party, he has to go. If he were Republican he might be able to fight it but doubtful. I believe the accusers.
3
@Mayor Jeremy Harris Exactly. Everyone is entitled to Due Process and so is Fairfax. If he is tried and convicted, then he can be impeached. Until then, he should be afforded the rights that all Americans enjoy.
Democratic Party leaders and Presidential candidates, among others, need to wise up. Trial and cross-examination are the well-established American, Constitutional manner to handle accusations of crimes. It is that simple.
1
The Dems need to be pragmatic and consistent with their newer code of holding power accountable. Pragmatic, so they don't lose the Govenor's seat. Here's what they do, Fairfax resign, appoint McClellan to Lt. Gov, then Northam resigns, McClellan moves to Gov., then AG stays until election, and McClellan appoints another Lt. Gov. When GOP complains? Tell'em, Merrick Garland...
2
No honorable and decent human being of any party would be in the bind described between angering women voters versus standing for justice, presuming innocence, and requiring evidence of wrongdoing. It doesn't matter what race the accused is or what race his accusers are. It doesn't matter whether he is in line for the governorship, or holds a trivial office.
No woman is decent or honorable who would vote against any politician for standing on principle to refuse doing injustice.
This campaign of injustice by MeToo women must be beaten. Honorable men and women must oppose it at every opportunity.
3
Being black or white isn't the issue here, it's a matter of doing the right thing if these allegations are true. When the president's Hollywood Access tape was made public during his winning presidential run, Republicans urged him to withdraw his nomination while they considered who could be an alternative and acceptable GOP candidate. They knew he was damaged goods but the future president refused to bow out. He simply didn't care and decided to ride out the public's outrage.
Justin Fairfax may or may not be guilty of sexual predatory behavior but Virginians don't need another Kavanaugh spectacle. The Democratic Party has made great strides in a once-deep red state but Fairfax owes it to Virginians to do the right thing and step down and clear his name as a private citizen. He'll never be able to do that in the Governor's mansion.
1
Texas has Abbott and Patrick. Both focus on bathroom bills and building a wall. I would love to trade them for Virginia's Governor and Lt. Governor. We desperately need expanded Medicaid.
1
@Yvette
Dear Yvette,
I have a home just outside Houston and though I think Abbott and Patrick are rapscallions, I must say I prefer them to their counterparts in Virginia.
That said maybe the AG Herring might be ok. The other two, what a mess.
1
as a conservative I think this guy needs to dig in. If he doesn't think the allegations are valid he should fight them. I don't care about his political affiliation.
3
"Accusation" has now become the political weapon of choice. "Impeachment" has now become the political method of choice to remove someone from office. but there is nothing impeachable in the accusations.
Wearing blackface is not a crime. Appearing to appear in a photo is not a crime; stating that he was in the photo when he was not might be a freudian slip, but it is not a crime. Being accused of a criminal act -until charges are laid and conviction clinched- is not a crime.
Instant reflex reactions of resign or impeach to accusations has become a rather ridiculous exercise among the American body political, especially when the man who has been accused the most is still the president and the photos were revealed in a public sleight of hand by an obscure right wing journal (but that has been conveniently forgotten.
2
Would it be to much for a suspension from their positions while investigation into the claims takes place? What good is there to have these people drug through the mud everyday give them due process and let justice prevail. Allowing them to remain in office during all of this allows for continuing public scrutiny with no resolution and makes them incapable of performing the essential functions of their positions.
2
@Nate. There is likely no provision in the Virginia law or constitution for the suspension of an elected official. There is certainly no such thing in the federal system.
1
Just another 17 or 18 accusers, and Mr. Fairfax could have a good chance of securing the Republican Presidential nomination for 2024!
Interesting how that works, isn't it?
1
It shows that the Democrat response is all about protecting the vote bank based on race and gender in the state and beyond. The sexual abuse allegation weaponized by DiFi and others in the Brett K case is coming back to haunt. But there are other factors here - The victims, the state citizens other than the loyal Democratic vote bank (probably 80% of the state), the public service contribution of the officials, and the process required to address such situations.
The elected officials should not be allowed walk off the field. Use the due process, communication with people of the state, and then have them leave if necessary. It will be a blueprint for managing issues for others in the state and the nation. Keeping them there without a due process is a political liability, and letting them walk away is also a wrong precedent.
We have a 200 year old democracy and can deal with this.
5
@LongDistance
Dear LongDistance,
Well said!
1
Sorry, but comparing political incorrect behavior by adolescents and post-adolescents of some 35-40 years ago does not match with alleged sexual assault from this century. Herring seems to have addressed his faults and apologized. Northam and Herring deserve to be judged upon the work they have done for the communities in the years since. Northam may have addressed his situation with extreme sloppiness, but that is a political issue.
I liked Fairfax as much as either of the other two, but sexual assault is sexual assault, and it is felonious, folks.
29
You have a political class that, for the most part, have no problem working within a system in which "unlimited legal bribery" (Jimmy Carter's words) is routine.
Should we be surprised that our politicians have no moral code in any other area of their lives?
2
I do not believe that "J'Accuse" is proof sufficient for the issuance of an immediate decision and penalty.
1
If he wont resign, they have to Impeach him. Northrum has to appoint a Lt Governor who can take over if anything happens.
Fairfax has cooked his goose so to speak. Now he MUST resign for the sake of the Country and his People. Trump has already claimed Virginia as his, even though Trump has many more immoral charges against him.
While I agree with the truth and reconciliation process, this can take place after these three men have been removed from office. There can be no minimizing the trauma racism and misogyny cause. All three men need to go.
1
If the women claiming to have been sexually assaulted by Mr. Fairfax didn't bother to report the matter to police at the time, I would have a problem with assigning any credence to their claims at this late date.
How do you get three politicians lined up like ducks who all have serious allegations against them who never had to face those allegations before election?
By a complicit press, who investigates and reports only the failings of one party.
Democracy Dies in Darkness -- and the press supplies the Darkness.
5
I don't appreciate that this article characterizes this as a false choice between women and blacks. I'm a black woman in Virginia. They should all go. In 2020 I will vote for someone on the left side of the spectrum who represents my interests.
8
Reading through the comments I'm finding it very interesting that almost all men are suggesting we "take a step back", "let blind justice do its thing", or proceed to denigrate the women who are accusing the Lt. Gov and chide us Black folk for being too sensitive. Whereas the women seem to be weighing the consequences of allowing a man with two very credible accusations of rape stay in office and two men who have demonstrated their inability for empathetic understanding. Their consensus is, the three men must go. Not surprisingly, I agree. But I want to say to all the men who are saying, "why now, 30yrs later are these accusations coming forth?" If you were alive 30yrs ago you know why; no one outside maybe your immediate family cared. Not the police, judges, prosecutors, no one. And, it made a woman even more vulnerable. Today, it's changing, finally. So is it important that Virginia say, no, we don't want a rapist in office? YES. And to the black population, we Virginians will no longer tolerate racism in any form in our public officials? YES.
3
@Angela R
The sexual assault alleged did not occur 30 years ago. There has been no demonstration that Fairfax did anything untoward and he denies the allegation strongly.
To call him a rapist at this point is a gross injustice.
1
Sexual assault and racist images are not the same thing, even if it was 18 years ago while the people involved were in college.
Sexual assault is generally defined to include the use of force, uses emotional and biological urges rather than critical thinking skills and causes physical harm and mental distress. This is a legal issue.
Dressing in blackface and KKK gear generally does not take force, excludes the use of critical thinking skills and adds a sense of the ability to use some level of mob mentality to cause fear. This is a moral issue.
Definitely a dilemma when it surfaces long after the fact.
I still don't believe one could or should be disbarred, impeached or removed from office based on allegations or photos that were not considered or known at the time of being put into that office. And, at this point there has been no reported similar behavior since they have been in office.
The one thing about this situation that is entertaining is that it involves Democrats. Watching them alternately attack and then defend their own has been amusing.
If there was actual sexual assault there needs to be a police report, official, legal accusations. That is serious and must be done for those stories to be considered at all.
I bet a lot of people are currently re-thinking some dress-up hijinks and have become more sensitive to the appearance of what they might have thought was innocent and was acutally insulting or offensive to many in this country.
Make good out of this.
5
There is no good answer to this mess. Either let them all continue or get rid of them all. A side question on the Fairfax case is why did the media decide to blow up the unverified accusations on Kavanaugh but bury the more serious accusations on Fairfax? I would welcome a response from anyone in the media.
11
WAPO said it couldn’t corroborate the accusation.
Sadly all three VA Democrats are losers. But their State is part of the equation. Nonetheless I have always thought that when someone has come from a past of unfair profiling (such as Fairfax) it might make that person find such behavior (that he is accused of) even more abhorrent. I guess he will stand tough as his colleagues are not real leaders either. But then in New York, a state of promise and advance, we have both a current Council Member named Ruben Diaz (who calls himself a Reverend) who is aggressively anti-Gay and a President named Trump, who is the most un-Presidential person America has had in that office, so to me the balance of good and evil and excellent and failure is very slim indeed. Hope some of these "men" see the light.
1
We are dealing with three different categories of allegation:
1. Darkening white skin as part of a costume is ill-advised and insensitive.
2. Blackface (a la Al Jolson) is inexcusably disrespectful and overtly racist.
3. Rape is a violent felony.
This should not be about counting voter demographics. By all means investigate, but, appealing as Fairfax is, if his accusers claims are substantiated, the question isn’t whether he should step down but whether the statute of limitations would prevent a crimimal prosecution.
7
@Sandra Scott, and a fourth category, after your #2 but before your #3. Putting on a white sheet & dressing up as a Klan member.
It certainly seems possible that if facial recognition technology is not identifying Mr. Northam as the person dressed in blackface in his yearbook photo, that he is the person dressed up as a Klan member.
1
Poor Democrats. So weak. So fearful of their own people. Whatever shall they do? When you work so hard to empower a culture of conviction without due process, it will keep coming back to your own doorstep. Now theyre caught between a rock and a hard place. Which part of their outraged and aggrieved base will they appease? Perhaps culture wars are not the right answer.
11
With all the dirty tricks coming out of the GOP, those accused need to take a leave of absence while their transgressions are adjudicated. I’m awfully suspicious that “Frankening” is going on. We shouldn’t keep falling for it.
1