I agree. Context matters.

I am glad we, as a society, have re-framed the discussion around sexual assault. I think it goes too far at times, but, overall, it is a step in the right direction. When I think of the allegations made against Trump and Biden, then consider the era in which they were living, it lessens the severity of the accusation. This is not to say it was acceptable, but, rather, the culture had a different perception of what was right and wrong. Go back and watch all the Hollywood black and whites. These dudes grew up watching men "take" women who were sassy or interested in them. I think there was a certain belief that women wanted to be taken in that manner. Some did. Some didn't. If a man thought a woman was interested, he asserted himself towards her with the belief that this is what she wanted. I think we, as men, benefit from living in an era where we are taught that is not as acceptable, so that if we were to do something similar, there would be no possible excuse for it. If Trump or Biden were to do something similar now, there would be no excuse for it. However, looking back, we can clearly see it was wrong, but it's hard to hold someone in the past to our current standard.

On the flip side, I believe that this type of assault is more common, even in the past, with men who had power. This could be, in part, due to more women being drawn to them, but it could also be driven by a sense of entitlement. I feel like it's appropriate to challenge those who have power, even when looking back, because it serves as an example to everyone that it's not ok, even if you're among the elite. To those who did made the mistake in a different cultural period, I think an public apology is warranted and adequate. This reinforces the behaviors that current society wants to embrace, and juxtaposes it against a time when people didn't have such concerns. To those who made the mistake within the current conditions, they need to be removed from office and shunned publicly.

In the instance of Tara Reade, the culture had not quite shifted. 93 was prior to the Clinton accusations, but it was after the Clarence Thomas allegations (which were much less severe that what is being claimed against Biden). Biden lead the bipartisan hearing against Thomas that resulted in him voting against Thomas as a Supreme Court Justice. This means Biden took a position, prior to the incident with Reade, that it was unacceptable to make unwanted sexual advances towards women, and the result should be removal from office. I think it would be hard for Biden or his supporters to use a cultural defense with this information in mind.

This is a not good thing for conservatives, though. Biden alienated the progressives as he secured his bid for the Presidency. He is showing signs of dementia. Trump was virtually a lock to beat him. If the DNC can convince Biden to step down due to health reasons, they can run their convention early, hand pick the VP (one that hasn't alienated progressives), and appoint that person as the Presidential nominee according to their by-laws. This could actually energize their base. I'd be very concerned about how the DNC plays this down the stretch. Things are set up perfectly for them to hand pick Trump's opponent without a democratic process, condemn Biden for his assault, and blame Trump for his choices that lead to either American deaths or economic collapse.

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