Go to Admin » Appearance » Widgets » and move Gabfire Widget: Social into that MastheadOverlay zone
Rand Paul Defends Herman Cain – Complains that Women Can’t Take a Joke
more from Hrafnkell Haraldsson
So Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.), who likes to tie women up and leave them in a creek is complaining that women are entirely too sensitive these days, that “they can’t take a joke.” As he told the National Review “There are people now who hesitate to tell a joke to a woman in the workplace, any kind of joke, because it could be interpreted incorrectly. I don’t. I’m very cautious.”
Yes, that tying women up and leaving them in a creek is pretty cautious. Of course, he then goes on to say that the woman he tied up and left in the creek had no right to complain and it was wrong for the media to even mention it:
‘In my election, I had an anonymous girl from college — who I still don’t know — make accusations against me. I don’t think you should print stuff like that. To libel someone’s character and not put your name on it, I think is inappropriate and shouldn’t be printed.”
How dare she complain? It was just a joke. It was probably just a joke as well when Rand Paul’s supporters stomped a woman in 2010 after a Senate debate. I mean, it was only a concussion and a sprained shoulder and arm.
Watch the video:
But Rand Paul’s real beef is that Politico reported on Herman Cain’s sexual harassment problem. Like Ann Coulter, he is not upset about Herman Cain behaving badly toward women but about anyone actually having the nerve to talk about it:
“I don’t think you should print stuff like that. To libel someone’s character and not put your name on it, I think is inappropriate and shouldn’t be printed.”
No, but you should be able to tie them up and leave them in a creek, or sexually harass them at work. Of course, the victim’s name is generally withheld in these cases. Never mind about that, however. The real point here is that women don’t know their place.
Apparently, women should just lay back and enjoy it. Isn’t that what the good ole boys say? This is an attitude that is almost institutional at this point. Look at New Jersey Senate candidate Phil Mitsch, who publicly tweeted that women should be “a lady in the living room and a whore in the bedroom.” The full context of the quote makes his attitude even worse:
“Women, you increase your odds of keeping your men by being faithful, a lady in the living room and a whore in the bedroom.”
Because it’s the woman’s fault if the relationship fails. She wasn’t enough of a whore to keep her man, who, presumably, being ultra-patriotic like Newt Gingrich will be off dropping trou’ and saluting from Oakland to New York (and let’s not address job creation, Mr. Mitsch…). And then there is a candidate for state legislature in Virginia, Dick Black, who says we shouldn’t bother prosecuting cases of spousal rape, because you can’t prove it wasn’t consensual. Why? Well, this good ole boy says, she was “wearing a nightie”in bed.
We come right around to that old good ole boy argument that it’s the woman’s fault because of how she was dressed. But what else is a woman supposed to wear to bed?
So here is the Republican position in a nutshell: What right do women have to complain about what a man does to them? The answer is, “None. Women have no rights at all.”
This is part of a disturbing Republican trend, the denigration of women; an absolute disregard for women’s rights from womb to workplace. Women more than any other segment of our population have fallen under attack since 2010. Republicans absolutely hate women, and their words and actions are in perfect synch: the fewer rights the better. Hell, take away their right to vote too! A simple look at their long and vindictive record of legislation since the mid-term elections are proof enough of that.
What Rand Paula and his fellow Republican thugs want you women to do is to know your role, enjoy it, don’t complain, and vote Republican. If you don’t, they’ll stomp you. Aw, come on, can’t you take a joke?
You would think that given his own less than savory history in the joke department Rand Paul would be one person who would not want to voice this complaint. That he did shows his utters disregard for the reality we all share, and what we at one point thought to be common values of decency. But the He-Man Woman Haters Club sticks together, good ole boys all and they’ll be damned if they’ll change their ways for anyone. In this they are right. They won’t, and we should recognize this. And vote for someone else.
The Associated Press is reporting today that 19-year-old William Paul, the son of Republican senator Ran ...
Herman Cain now believes that all women who have made accusations against him are being paid off as part ...
Notice to Herman Cain: Gloria Allred is in the house. Less than two weeks after we were assured that ...
With his already public statements reflecting his disrespect for women, the story of Herman Cain’s alleg ...
Fox News is still so angry over the debate beating that Joe Biden gave Paul Ryan that they are insinuati ...
Noel jack
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 8:18 am
We Liberal Progressives voted to give Women and Blacks the vote. A lot good it did. Candidates are worse today that ever. So what happen to the great wisdom of women and black voters that would result from their being included in the process? It’s women voting for this shit that is promoting the attack on women. I’m moving to Sweden
EmmaLib
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 9:54 am
If you voted for women and blacks, than you clearly voted democrat, because it has been well known for thirty plus years, the GOP hates women, blacks, gays, lesbians, minorities, educated elite, atheist, liberals, Muslims, Mormons, the list is extensive. It is submissive women who are voting as their husbands direct them too, those without a mind, those brain-washed by the bible to believe they are best serving god, staying dumb, submissive to men, pregnant, and chief cook and bottle washer at her man’s castle….. these women you should pity, but don’t. It’s amazing what a woman will do for some companionship, set her sights so low, she would settle for a knuckle-dragging conservative, with an eighth grade education! Be assured, there are many women and blacks who will not tolerate being a second class citizen, have faith in us, and help make sure we all get out and vote!
Tanner Campbell
Nov. 3rd, 2011 at 2:01 pm
BOOM! Well said!
colleen
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 8:27 pm
Rand sounds like he has personal experience with this. I wonder how many women couldn’t take a joke when he harrassed them.
Christina
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 8:57 pm
Wait…the majority of women and blacks *do* vote Democratic. Who do the majority of white, working and middle class men vote for? I mean, the Republican platform is screwing them over too. So who are THEY voting for?
Oh, right. The Republicans–because all those nasty c*nts, n*ggers, sp*cs and f*gs are voting Democratic and they have to protect themselves from our AGENDA TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD AND ENSLAVE THEM!!!eleven!!
Fat lot of good it did us to expand the vote to all white males regardless of property ownership, huh?
See how it feels?
Jordan
Nov. 3rd, 2011 at 2:25 pm
Great reply. Thank you for that.
SinghX
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 9:04 am
“God, Rand, what is that hair? So yesterday.” ~ Carly Fiorina
The Platzner Post
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 9:15 am
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!!!
Older_Wiser
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 9:30 am
It’s the War on Women. And many of us worked so hard 40 years ago. I’ve been distraught for years about how women’s rights are slowly being eroded by the christofascists and “libertarian” types. How could any woman in her right mind support them? You’d have to be awfully self-hating and beaten down to even consider it.
And there’s still no ERA…piecemeal legislation isn’t working. We need a constitutional amendment.
EmmaLib
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 9:55 am
Amen to that sister, we need the constitution behind us!
Sally
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 9:58 am
Oh we’re going to get an amendment. They are working on one to call any fertilized egg a person. Our only recourse is to refuse to have sex until men start treating us as equals. Since they can’t, tough crap. No sex, no babies. And why do these guys NEVER, ever, lay any blame on the animals who can’t keep their member in their pants? If you’re a Democrat, men as well as women are to blame. But in the GOP, it’s frat party all the time…men rule, women lay there and take whatever is handed out. Enough. The GOP has either got to grow up or go away. We vote.
EmmaLib
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 11:05 am
The problem with that, is the conservative submissive twits will do as told by the king of HIS castle, and these are the men who should be punished! My liberal male friends and family have zero problem with a woman making her own choices….so really, what good is a punishment, if it is punishing those who respect us? What we must do is legislate the male penis, and anyone caught inserting it into a uterus with out a rain coat, can be brought up on assault and battery with a deadly weapon.
Moongal6
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 2:12 pm
Withholding is a good idea. Boycott always works, look at Netflix. The problem of withholding sex is that many men have a sense of entitlement, especially when it comes to sex.
Many men will have their,entitlement, by force. For so many men, they think sex is their ‘god given’ right.
Each state that passes any of these malicious laws against women, the men better hope that there is NO marital rape laws on the books.
KatzKids
Nov. 3rd, 2011 at 10:51 am
Unfortunately the states that are passing these vile laws are also taking care of any marital or stranger rape cases by refusing to prosecute them.
SinghX
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 9:40 am
Republican politicians, fundamentalist, misogynist,”my friends”…(John McCains’ famous opener) we are gathered here to day, in 2011, to bring forth a new agenda, a proposed legislation that is essential to our survival as citizens; that more aggressive gender must be stopped before it’s too late. Therefore, I bring forth an old proposition, one that is almost 100 years old in our history; that we should repeal the right of suffrage as men should not have the vote.
Why We Don’t Want Men to Vote
* Because if men should adopt peaceable methods women will no longer look up to them.
* Because no really manly man wants to settle any question otherwise than by fighting about it.
* Because men will lose their charm if they step out of their natural sphere and interest themselves in other matters than feats of arms, uniforms, and drums; a man’s place is in trenches.
* Because men are too emotional to vote. Their conduct at baseball games and political conventions shows this, while their innate tendency to appeal to force renders them unfit for government.
Alice Duer Miller, 1915
Reynardine
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 11:46 am
I remember reading that! It was in an old publication of my dad’s, which has since fallen prey to Florida booksworms. Thank you for resurrecting it!
P. S. I believe Nikola Tesla thought so, too.
SinghX
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 7:55 pm
Since you’re a fan of Tesla…
…”“But the female mind has demonstrated a capacity for all the mental acquirement and achievements of men, and as generations ensue that capacity will be expanded; the average woman will be as well educated as the average man, and then better educated, for the dormant faculties of her brain will be stimulated to an activity that will be all the more intense and powerful because of centuries of repose. Woman will ignore precedent and startle civilization with their progress.”…
- Nikola Tesla
Pretty powerful stuff. It goes without saying why there is a war on women by those who know their demise is eminent .
Mr. Peabody
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 8:09 pm
DAMN! If NIKOLA TESLA said it, I’m for it!!
SinghX
Nov. 3rd, 2011 at 10:41 am
Well, he’s a quote especially for you Mr. Peabody. It’s from a famous London magician, Sidney Waterman…
“You…you are truly credit to your species and I mean that, sincerely, that from the bottom of my heart…I’ve always been so impressed with your people…it’s amazing…look at how well your people go through life, with everything that has happened, it’s amazing, and, I truly, sincerely mean it when I say, you are a credit to your species… ans, I mean that, from the bottom of my heart!…”
Ahab
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 10:01 am
Very good post. We all have a responsibility to call out misogyny, with both our voices and our votes.
Older_Wiser — I agree. I think the assault on reproductive rights is another facet of the overall misogyny embraced by the right-wing.
Anne
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 10:36 am
It’s completely beyond me why any woman with an ounce of self-respect would vote for any of these dim-witted buffoons, including Rand Paul and Herman Cain. From the actions of the GOP in 2011, it’s obvious that the progress women have made over the decades doesn’t sit well with them. Why else would they be pushing legislation designed to erode reproductive rights of women? The women they have been promoting fit the stereotype they seem to like so much–outwardly attractive and equally vacuous like Bachmann and Palin. The women they like are also the ones who gleefully promote these misogynistic policies they’ve been trying to enact. It’s all a part of returning to a world in which women and minorities “knew our place” and conservative white men reigned supreme.
Shiva (Moderator)
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 11:22 am
I don’t think he is any different from his father. I think his father hides it better so he only difference. You’re absolutely right, women do not know their place when it comes to this being a man’s world.
You have to wonder what is said at the midnight religious freako meetings that these people must Attend
Sarah Jones
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 11:25 am
Great article. It burned me to hear Cain defame the women who made claims against him while they are bound (at least one of them) by a confidentiality agreement so they can’t give their side of the story. Odd that HE isn’t bound by the same agreement. It seems the standard thing for these men is to defame the woman — never to ask show an ounce of respect or even question if perhaps they did anything to make her feel she was being sexually harassed (assuming good intentions, which I probably shouldn’t). But that’s the best case scenario and they can’t even manage that.
Reynardine
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 11:51 am
Actually, it’s possible to fill in the lacunae from the context. He admits to having kidded the object of his attentions about being short. What he likely left out is the part where he suggested what she could do for him without bending her knees.
Sarah Jones
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 2:49 pm
This goes to Cain’s character – if he abused his power in this way AND he denies it, what does that say about his character? They impeached Clinton for the “lie”. Cain lied, but even worse, he appears to have acted this way toward several women and still doesn’t get what he did wrong. That speaks volumes about his character. Does he really think women are here to take his crap and rally his obviously ailing ego? Please. Someone better inform him how many of us actually vote and also, he clearly needs to work on his pick up techniques (he lacks charm, humor, and kindness – three traits that actually attract rather than repel women).
Reynardine
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 11:54 am
It’s a fairly standard tactic of abusers to suggest their victims can’t take a joke.
Brown cow
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 12:29 pm
I’m a woman and I can take a joke. Every conservative running for president makes me laugh.
Hrafnkell Haraldsson
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Touché
Mr. Peabody
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 12:38 pm
What is sexual harassment? What’s the difference between sexual harrassment and just being an idiot? I mean, I understand some sexual harrassment;if a man is your boss and says, “Hey, sleep with me, or you’re fired.”,that’s sexual harrassment. And that’s the only thing that’s sexual harrassment. Everything else falls under “Just trying to get laid.” You can’t put a man in jail for that! I don’t care how hard he tries, that’s all he was trying to do! So, what’s sexual harrassment, when an ugly man wants some? “Oh, he’s ugly! Call the police! Call the authority!”
Hrafnkell Haraldsson
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 12:48 pm
You’re entirely wrong. That’s not the only thing that is sexual harassment and you will find the law disagrees with you as well. Thank you for highlighting the problem with the Republican worldview once again, Mr. Peabody. We always appreciate your timely input.
Mr. Peabody
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Don’t play dumb with me,Mr. Haraldsson. You know that was a bit Chris Rock did on SNL.
Hrafnkell Haraldsson
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 1:22 pm
I might have if I watched SNL but I haven’t in its entire run watched it on a regular basis
Mr. Peabody
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 2:09 pm
Well,okay.(Rock is referencing Clarence Thomas, so it was YEARS ago, too.)
KarenJ
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 7:12 pm
This subthread made me LOL — even though I’m in the same boat as Hrafnkell Haraldsson re: watching SNL (rare up to Sarah Palin/Tina Fey).
Anne
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 2:50 pm
A very clear definition of sexual harassment is the occurence of persistent and unwelcome sexual advances that the target of them has done nothing to encourage and has often actively discouraged. It can occur on or off the job, but it is especially egregious when it’s at the hands of someone in a position of authority over the target. It can also be a man subjected to it from a woman in a position of power. I agree with you on one point, though. Someone committing sexual harassment IS an idiot.
SinghX
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 8:09 pm
Oh wow…
If you’ve worked in “the work force”/military the past 30 plus years, you will at some point be required go attend a company “come to Jaysuss meetin’” by the HR department on what sexual harassment is, and, isn’t.
Obviously, you’ve never been to one; you do not know what you’re talking, you are showing ignorance; Sexual harassment education is basic/part of the culture of the work place. Please get some education before speaking on topic that you have no information or have not researched.
Inez
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 10:50 pm
When I ws a young divorced mother with 2 children to support.I worked as a waitress, back in the fifties. One day while waiting to pick up an order “The boss” reached around and squeezed one of my breasts. When I told him not to ever do that again, he said “it’S part of your job’” The height of lunch hour with every table filled, I took my check book and handed it to him and said, “If it’s part of the job, I”ll make it my job. More money and easier on my feet.”I walked out, leaving him stunned. I went directly to my Union office and reported the situation.after being told you’ll never work for the Union again” Well, he was wrong. I wasn’t the first to quite over that situation. Worked many years for that Union local..
kimbutgar
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 4:30 pm
As a woman who was seriously harassed by a male colleague I did not think it was funny. This recent incident with Cain brought up the time when I was right out of college and working in a stock brokerage firm. At first it was funny but then he got so awful I couldn’t sleep, eat and dreaded going to work. When he went on vacation I was so happy. I complained to my bosses and they did nothing. It got so bad my Dad wanted to go in and confront the guy (he didn’t) The harasser got my number and used to call me and say awful lewd things. When I got engaged to be married he “volunteered” to show me what a really wedding night would be like to “break me in”. I had planned on staying but left before I got married because it was so bad. Until it happens to you, you have no idea how horrible it is. This Cain thing dredged up something that happened to me a long time ago. I know exactly how those women felt.
Inez
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 10:42 pm
No one is talking about Cain’s association with billionare brothers, Koch. They are buying up politicians like a clearance sale at Filene’s bridal sale.(Which by the way filed for bankruptcy under Seamons, who bought the properties)
Joy
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 6:33 pm
I still blame MSNBC’s Chris Matthews for helping to get this idiot elected to the US senate. Chris Matthews criticized Paul’s opponent for bringing up his religious affiliations during the campaign. It was a close race and that was the leaning factor. Remember the Tea Party leader who had put his foot on the female protestor’s head during the campaign? What ever happened to that situation? Rand Paul and Ron Paul should not be benefitting from the US government since neither one thinks that we should have a government.
Shiva (Moderator)
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 7:20 pm
They both will retire on government pensions like good little socialists
Mr. Peabody
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 7:40 pm
There you go again. Joy, Ron Paul doesn’t want NO government; he calls for the LIMITED government as described in the Constitution. And it’s not police, firemen, and teachers conservatives are against, it’s things like the San Francisco $600,000 wheel-chair ramp in the Supervisor chambers that we’re expected to pay for.
Brown cow
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 8:14 pm
Yeah. Those darn crippled people always wanting the ramps and the best parking spaces.
Mr. Peabody
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 9:00 pm
Cow, this is ONE ramp for a POSSIBLE future wheel-chair needing President of the Supervisors. This is ONE RAMP to simply allow someone to sit higher than the other subordinate supervisors. For more fun, go look up up how much the brass rail will cost the tax-payers.
Reynardine
Nov. 3rd, 2011 at 9:03 am
We have had a “wheel-chair needing” President of th United States, Mr. Peabrain, and before you object to my form of address to you, see where you addressed that blogger as “cow” supra.
Shiva (Moderator)
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 9:36 pm
The constitution does not call for limited government
ReadIt
Nov. 6th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
Yes, yes it does. The constitution’s sole function is to limit government’s power. Or have you not read it?
Shiva (Moderator)
Nov. 6th, 2011 at 2:37 pm
I have read it, but the constitution does not limit the governments powers. it gives the Federal and states specific functions but in no way does it say that government is limited to those functions.
The tea bag theory of relativity does not hold water
Inez
Nov. 2nd, 2011 at 10:37 pm
Men who feel justified in their sick humor, making a mockery of sensitivity to callous remarks are what is making lawyers and their victims rich. What if a woman in her place of employment said to a male employee,” Your balls are hanging lower lately.” Sick revenge. What would the male employee feel about that remark if it were made in the presence of others????????????????????
Tina
Nov. 3rd, 2011 at 6:51 am
Hey Rand,I am women and I know the difference between a joke and harassment.Do you?
Jim Faubel
Nov. 3rd, 2011 at 2:07 pm
He’s right and the joke that women can’t and won’t take most is Rand Paul.
Debbie Bingham
Nov. 3rd, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Thats what wrong with men they think this behavior is a joke. I wonder how they would feel someone was doing this kind of thing to their wife, mother or daughter. Respect is what we want from someone who is going to run our country.
Mack Hopkins
Nov. 3rd, 2011 at 3:29 pm
I cam’t believe we allow these monsters to be politicians.