Too much power is dangerous

The media frenzy surrounding accusations of sexual misconduct continues to gather momentum. Many of the allegations are true, and those who have abused their power should be held accountable. Many charges, however, make no sense unless sexual misconduct has been redefined beyond the realm of logic. The snowball effect has taken on a lynch mob mentality to the point that the abuser and victim are no longer clearly defined.

The Associated Press recently published an article exposing an Idaho State Representative who made a woman “uncomfortable” when he asked her about her use of snapchat. When this came to light, another woman added that she thought he once might have flirted with her. I’m not sure how this incident came to the attention of the State Attorney General, but he dealt with the issue and thought it was closed until AP found it in a blanket search of any record involving sexual misconduct.

I wonder why AP found this incident newsworthy? It seems to me that the national media are successfully creating wind storms out of breezes. The Today Show was on the other day as I was drinking my tea. A female journalist was interviewing a young lady who claimed that she thought that President Trump had once flirted with her, therefore, she demanded a Congressional investigation.

Where is the story here? When did flirting become misconduct? How did NBC find this meaningful?

An assistant to a federal judge found some soft porn (whatever that is) on his computer. She was so offended she quit her job to write romance novels. There was no claim that the judge intentionally left the offending pictures for her to see, nor did he make any advances toward the lady. Where is the misconduct? Who is the victim?

If being friendly with an assistant is misconduct, then we have taken the issue too far. Melinda Gates married her boss. Would you think that he expressed an interest in her while she was his employee? His advances were obviously welcome.

If, however, a boss makes advances that are unwelcome, the issue becomes questionable. If the assistant experiences consequences for rejecting his advances, the boss is guilty of misconduct and should be dealt with appropriately.

If, on the other hand, there are no consequences aimed at the assistant then this should fall outside the definition of sexual misconduct.

Dustin Hoffman has his character attacked with a 37 year old allegation. Why did she wait until now? Garrison Keiller is fired because he put his hand on a woman’s bare back. Who is the victim here?

Granting the power to make anonymous unsupported claims is not good for women and is not good for our nation. I realize that the national media tailors their reports to their own political leaning. Sometimes they are so biased that they abuse the First Amendment that protects them. Biased reporting has the power to destroy lives and careers.

The whistle blowers have been touted as heroes, but they are not all victims. Power is a delicate commodity. Unchecked power can lead to mob rule wherein no one is safe.

Frank Watson is a retired Air Force Colonel and long-term resident of Eastern Washington. He has been a freelance columnist for over 19 years.