EDITORIAL: Sex, lies and politics

Dec. 08--Sen. Al Franken joined Rep. John Conyers Thursday as casualties of political purges.

Their departures from the Senate and House -- Conyers immediately and Franken "in the next few weeks" -- are warranted. Both stand accused of sexual misconduct toward women. The country has entered a season for victims to shed their fears, reclaim their dignity and break their silence about abusive behavior they endured even long ago. Prominent men in the media, entertainment, business and politics now are paying for their sins with public disgrace and abrupt departures from their positions of power.

This exercise of societal justice is healthy -- if fair standards are set and apply equally to everyone. And if everyone accused is actually guilty. It's either a cleansing, like a controlled burn in an overgrown forest, or the kind of destructive wildfire that's tearing through Southern California on angry winds.

Conyers, a civil rights icon from Detroit and the longest-serving House member, flatly denied every allegation. Franken, from Minnesota, admitted some, challenged others and lamented his lack of due process.

But both are Democrats, and Democrats decided this week to be the party of zero tolerance for sexual misconduct. Bill Clinton has left the building, at long last.

Republicans are stuck with Roy Moore and, well, Donald Trump. Franken claimed an "irony" in his resignation while Trump sits in the Oval Office and Moore might be elected to the Senate next week in Alabama.

He's right, and Democrats want to make exactly that point.

Several credible women say Moore made advances when they were teenagers and he was in his 30s. One was 14. Another, who was 16, described a forcible attempt to have sex. Moore says his accusers are lying. Trump strongly supports him.

The president has his own history of bad behavior, having bragged on a "Hollywood Access" tape from 2005 of grabbing and kissing women uninvited. But he calls "liars" women who accuse him of doing those things to them. He also speaks disparagingly of women, mocking their appearance or making references to "blood." Megyn Kelly, Carly Fiorina and Mika Brzezinski are among many who have been objects of his insults.

Most Republicans who expressed shock after seeing the "Hollywood Access" tape still stood by Trump. The Republican National Committee, which initially withdrew support from Moore, has sent him money again. The GOP, which once touted "family values" and roundly condemned Bill Clinton for his irresponsible actions toward women, now has a high tolerance for sleazy conduct.

This could be a case of situational ethics, however. Republicans need Moore in the Senate to hold their unsteady 52-48 advantage. Democrats can afford to lose Franken, because Minnesota's Democratic governor appears ready to appoint Democratic Lt. Gov. Tina Smith to serve until a special election in 2018 -- which Democrats would be expected to win. In the meantime, they can tar Republicans with the odious Roy Moore.

A few Republicans, such as Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, who sent a $100 campaign contribution to Democrat Doug Jones in Alabama, understand the consequences. But most just want to repeal Obamacare and pass tax cuts and don't care how or with whom, as if they're oblivious to the inferno of indignation against the mistreatment of women.

Members of both parties agree on one point: That public funds should no longer be used to secretly pay off congressional employees who complain about sexual abuse. We'll never know how often that happens in the private sector, but it should never be done with tax dollars.

For now, no one knows which way the fire will burn or how to put it out. Later, we'll have to make something new grow from scorched earth. Maybe we'll learn that we all owe each other respect as fellow human beings of equal value, who have the right to say no. Those who won't change will belong to the ashes.

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