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* Kass…
Does the #MeToo movement really want to go after Boss Madigan?
Madigan has been harshly criticized for his indifferent handling of sexual harassment allegations against his Democratic political aides and allies.
And many of those who keep calling for a truly “independent” investigation somehow keep forgetting that job should be done by the Illinois attorney general. But she happens to be his daughter, Lisa.
So where’s the #MeToo movement?
They’re nowhere near Madigan and his boys.
If Madigan were a Republican, I have no doubt they’d be protesting, holding marches and speeches. And not just women, but we’d see men in those fuzzy pink hats they wear when virtue signaling before news cameras against Republicans.
But when it comes to Democrats? Crickets.
It’s almost as if the #MeToo is all about partisan politics.
Discuss.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:18 am
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How can John Kass say #MeToo is about partisan politics?
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:20 am
A broken clock is right twice a day.
Comment by Saluki Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:22 am
So John Kass is dismayed at the discrepancy he perceives between how things are and how he imagines they might be if circumstances were otherwise?
It’s almost as if John Kass is all about partisan politics.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:24 am
Remember when Al Franken was given a pass? Oh wait, he was forced to resign. Spare us the phony outrage.
Comment by Anon E. Moose Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:24 am
Yay, more paternalistic condescension from Kass
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:24 am
What did the DNC do with Weinstein ’s bucks?
What did the RNC do with Wynn’s bucks?
We know how the GOP feels about the metoo movement. They elected - and continue to protect - Donald Trump.
Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:26 am
Takes a virtue signaler to know a virtue signaler. Here’s a mantra I use when confronted with Kassian logic: Make two vees with the thumb and index finger of each hand then join them together with each thumb just above where your eyebrows meet, exhale and say … “whatever.”
Comment by Sonny Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:27 am
Rupert Pupkin continues his long, sad audition for a Fox News or right-wing radio gig.
Are you sure your phone’s working? Better check it. Again.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:28 am
No criticism of Madigan from the left? Has Kass been hiding under a rock?
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:28 am
Perhaps it is the collective public judgment that Ms. Hampton’s accusations, though serious and unfortunate, do not rise to the level enough to ruin 40 years of public service. Just a thought.
Comment by Name/Nickname/Anon Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:29 am
He’s too stupid to really try to analyze, but does he think the movement has some sort of governing body that’s voted to ignore Madigan? Lots of Democrats have been all over the Speaker for this. He talks about “metoo” as if it’s an actual entity failing to act instead of a general idea.
Comment by PJ Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:29 am
A Kass take so lazy you just have to assume a Kass-bot wrote it.
Comment by Natty_B Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:30 am
If anyone has their finger on the pulse of the #MeToo movement, it’s John Kass.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:32 am
All about partisan politics?
Let’s see
No inspector general to investigate these matters for 3 years
Senator Cullerton supports Senator Silverstein
Mike Madigan sits on the Quinn dismissal until the day before the Trib drops the story
Chris Kennedy is spot on for saying he would not let his daughter intern in Springfield. It is truly an “old boys” club run by septuagenarians from the Mad Men era
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:33 am
MeToo has been much swifter and harsher on the Dem side of the aisle. I’m not sure how there can be any question about this. It’s brought down the hollywood elite, Al Franken and John Conyers. Meanwhile it took the voters of Alabama to reject Roy Moore, and Blake Farenthold still has a job. More incoherence from Kass
Comment by JohnnyPyleDriver Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:34 am
How is he so bad at trolling?
Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:34 am
Nonsense. The only major politician to be brought down by #MeToo is Al Franken, a Democrat, and in other states Democrats have been expelled or forced to resign because of #MeToo (a Democratic Colardo state senator was expelled by his fellow members just the other day.)
This is an Illinois specific problem, and I don’t think it’s a partisan problem here either. People are just cautious around Madigan because, well, look at what’s happened to people who went after him in the past. If you come at the king you better not miss, as they say.
Comment by Angel's Sword Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:35 am
Hey Kass - if Jim Durkin released a list of sexual harassment complaints that his office has dealt with, but MJM hadn’t, would you be calling for MJM to release such a list? #PartisanPolitics
Comment by SaulGoodman Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:35 am
–And many of those who keep calling for a truly “independent” investigation somehow keep forgetting that job should be done by the Illinois attorney general.–
You can’t “forget” something that is just flatly not true. By what statute/authority would an Illinois AG have to “investigate” sexual harassment charges brought against state employees or those in a political organization?
The troncs don’t even bother to fact-check or edit this guy. It’s the height of laziness and willful ignorance.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:37 am
Never thought I say the words “John Kass might be right” but…
Comment by BucknIrish Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:38 am
wonder how Kass feels about Boss Madigan lending his support to Dan Lipinski
Comment by Well Actually Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:39 am
Can Kass be any more of a victim? Only the perpetual victims can turn this info a partisan issue.
And we’ve got our victim-in-chief commenter in LP cheering him on.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:44 am
Saul, I’m curious as to whether Durkin, Brady, Cullerton and all the statewide constitutional officers will be able to slide without any sort of accounting as to whether any accusations have been filed with their offices.
If the answer was “no,” I’m guessing we would have heard by now.
The simple question is if you won’t disclose, why not?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:45 am
Personally I don’t think Madigan trying to handle inappropriate behavior quietly should be the touch of death everyone else seems to think it should, but regardless, the democratic party in general pushes for more women’s rights. That’s just true, whether it’s abortion or healthcare in general or the pay gap or paid family leave, those are all planks of the democratic party. So it is not that surprising that women’s rights activists hit Republicans harder. Yeah, it’s sad that the wider picture affects even this issue, which everyone should get behind, but that’s just the way people worker.
Comment by Perrid Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:55 am
Kass is also a perpetual victim
Comment by Iggy Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:57 am
apparently once upon a time the family of Mike Royko felt good that Kass was taking the spot. Royko was not a partisan tool. Wise up, John.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 9:58 am
Since Kass is outraged about sexual harassment, where is his column supporting the 15 women who have accused President Trump? If Kass and his fellow conservatives give Trump a total pass, then it’s just a partisan double standard to demand the death penalty for the far more mild offense of “indifference” by the Speaker.
Comment by anon2 Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 10:03 am
===It’s almost as if the #MeToo is all about partisan politics.===
Ridiculous.
===If Madigan were a Republican, I have no doubt they’d be protesting, holding marches and speeches.===
Not so ridiculous. I think he has a point here.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 10:04 am
I don’t disagree that Republicans and Democrats should be treated the same. Perhaps one reason Republicans are held to a different standard is because of their proselytizing on family values. When an R politician preaches about family values and the sanctity of marriage, then gets caught in an adulterous or same sex relationship, the level of hypocrisy is clearly greater.
Comment by Steve Rogers Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 10:08 am
In fairness — almost all of the gubernatorial candidates have asked for him to step down from one thing or another.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 10:27 am
“How come more Democrats aren’t eating their own? Hypocrites!!” -Every Republican
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 10:44 am
Classic Kass. Denigrate the metoo movement- particularly the men who support it- and then in the same breathe use it to smite your political enemies.
It’s like Christmas with my Alex Jones loving Uncle.
Comment by Boone's is Back Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 10:48 am
A big surprise here, Kass taking a massive social movement and making it all about him
Comment by FDB Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 10:56 am
The comments here do a better job at making his point than Kass does for himself.
Comment by Jack Kemp Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 10:58 am
He’s a victim and his point is derived from his status as a victim. His opinions should be relegated to the trash heap where they belong.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 11:01 am
I’m trying to figure out if Kass uses a dartboard or a spinner with post-it notes reading “Madigan”, “Moutza”, “James DeLeo” and “Beer Can Chicken”
Comment by Jocko Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 11:05 am
This is gaslighting.
Gaslighting in the service
Of perfidy.
The intensional obfuscation
Of the issue.
It is a perfidious attempt
To cast shade on
Madigan
It’s Rauners only hope.
It’s Rauners only play
With no achievements
With only widespread destruction
Rauner must focus his media
Lickspittles
On
Madigan
Perfidy Mr Kass perfidy
Comment by Honeybear Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 11:20 am
I have a policy against discussing John Kass
Comment by Molly Maguire Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 12:02 pm
Just a month ago Lisa Madigan was making public statements about the #metoo movement. It is perfectly legitimate to ask The Attorney General of the State of Illinois and arguably the third most powerful elected Democrat in the state what her office is doing and what is her opinion of Speaker Madigan’s actions to-date. Sure, she might have to say she has a conflict and have someone else at her office answer, but it should at least be asked about her.
Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 12:04 pm
Not a Kass fan. Never was. His observation here is obvious enough to people that it doesn’t need to be legitimized. It’s legit on it’s face. This movement has been eerily silent about the Speaker’s issues here. To their own discredit.
Comment by A guy Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 12:52 pm
I absolutely love when Rich uses some Kass on this blog.
I could become a millionaire by just offering readers a service for panty un-bunching.
Go Kass.
Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 12:58 pm
–This movement has been eerily silent about the Speaker’s issues here. To their own discredit.–
Who are you speaking about, specifically? Claiming a “movement” is “silent” is just as lazy as Kass. Are you sure, like he apparently is, that you have all bases covered?
Curiously, the tronc edit board was cheering a couple of weeks ago how women Democratic officeholders were “fragging” Madigan.
“Fragging” — that sounds like it would be loud.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-madigan-speaker-illinois-scandal-20180221-story.html
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 1:00 pm
–I could become a millionaire by just offering readers a service for panty un-bunching.–
I won’t judge how you daydream away the time, but maybe your peccadilloes and fantasies don’t have to be shared with everyone.
Please?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 1:05 pm
From the top of the trash heap, a day late and a dollar short, the Speaker and John Kass finally agree.
Alert the rest of the commenters here the victim isn’t John Kass.
“Everyone has a right to work without fear of harassment, abuse or retaliation. We haven’t done enough. I take responsibility,” he told his Democratic Party minions.
How do you know the Speaker is in trouble?
A rare mea culpa, I can’t remember another one, ever.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 1:14 pm
Sling, in your perspective, “Who has been targeted by the MeToo movement?” I’ve been paying attention. I haven’t observed all manner of flak directed at the Speaker. Have you?
That’s why I called it eerie silence. They should be. But I’m paying attention and I just don’t see it. If you do, by all means share.
Comment by A guy Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 1:15 pm
==His observation here is obvious enough to people that it doesn’t need to be legitimized==
What is obvious enough is his victimhood.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 1:20 pm
–If you do, by all means share.–
I posted a link. The technology doesn’t allow me to read it to you. Perhaps someone else can.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 1:29 pm
Wordslinger -”I won’t judge how you daydream away the time, but maybe your peccadilloes and fantasies don’t have to be shared with everyone.
Please?”Just proved my point. Let me know if you need my services.
Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 1:37 pm
–Just proved my point. Let me know if you need my services–
I don’t swing like that, buddy.
AllKnowing, seriously, maybe Craigslist personals is where you want to be.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 1:42 pm
Good one wordslinger. I never used Craigslist so I wouldn’t know you can find these types of services there.
Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 1:54 pm
Sling, if you’re speaking of your link at 1pm, I did read that. Without any assistance, I’ll proudly state. If that’s what you’re pointing to…well, I’ve seen you do much better than that. That’s hardly a lot of whoop a– out of a movement that has packed plenty of it. But, if it’s loud enough for you; fair enough.
Even when we agree, you make it difficult. You’re an enigma man.
Comment by A guy Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 2:19 pm
==That’s hardly a lot of whoop a–==
So be “eerie silence” you mean an insufficient amount of “whoop a-”.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 2:25 pm
Guy, out of all prominent Illinois politicians, Madigan is the only one — currently — taking heat from the #metoo movement.
Do we really believe there has been no sexual harassment in any other political organizations in the state, regardless of party?
Hampton has pursued and is pursuing her complaints against Madigan with support and assistance from members of the #metoo movement.
By your and Kass’ logic, those facts add up to evidence that the #metoo movement is in the tank for Democrats.
It’s difficult to argue with your logic because you make no sense at all.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 2:44 pm
Seriously Sling, Compare it to who the Metoo movement has been whooping. It’s not even close. I don’t share logic with John Kass. Made that clear at the outset.
Comment by A guy Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 4:16 pm
–Seriously Sling, Compare it to who the Metoo movement has been whooping. It’s not even close.–
Who are you speaking of? If you’re going to make an effort, do so. Be specific to make whatever your point is.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 5, 18 @ 4:26 pm
Um, some guy named Donald Trump.
Comment by A guy Tuesday, Mar 6, 18 @ 6:35 am
–Um, some guy named Donald Trump.–
You’re wondering why Madigan hasn’t taken heat like Trump from #metoo? You’re comparing the two of them?
Did you hit your head on something hard?
By last count, Trump has been accused by 20 women of sexual assault or misconduct. He also said some things on that Access Hollywood tape as to his smooth ways that you may have heard about.
Compare the accusations in the link below with Hampton’s accounts of her treatment by Madigan’s political organization. See if you can spot any differences in the two.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2017/nov/30/donald-trump-sexual-misconduct-allegations-full-list
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 6, 18 @ 8:01 am