We are all responsible for this mess

I am not a member of the media. Nor am I a great writer. Finally, neither do I have editors and proof-readers checking my work to make sure what I say is grammatically accurate and will flow in a manner that makes it easier for the reader to consume.

And having said all that, even I can write something more accurate and truthful than the average media "professional"; Right or Left!  I have this thing those of us in the real world call "common sense," and "perspective." I, like many Americans, know media crap when I see it.

And Michael Gerson's article, The religious right's scary, judgemental old men, is a perfect example of media crap!

Why is it crap?  First and foremost, because Gerson gives just a single name in the article; Michael Dobson, previous head of Focus on the Family.  One, "scary, judgmental old man," and someone who was ousted from Focus on the Family years ago and is no longer a media voice as far as I can tell. 

Further, Gerson notes that Dobson was defending, not all those accused of sexual misconduct, but just one political candidate; Judge Roy Moore.  I don't think anyone should defend Judge Moore, but we all know that in the 1990s most of the media establishment worked very hard to defend Bill Clinton from numerous allegations of sexual misconduct, assault, and rape.  So how is Dobson any different from members of the media?  From my perspective, they're all very good at defending people who do not deserve a defense.

Mr. Gerson, if you want to accuse Dobson (and all those other "scary, judgmental old men" clustered in that brain of yours) of standing in the way of societal progress, perhaps you shouldn't write articles telling President Trump he has things to learn from President Clinton. Clearly, when it comes to accusations of sexual harassment, Trump has indeed learned from Bill Clinton.  He's learned that, when accused, you deny, belittle, and, as much as possible, ignore all accusations. Behind the scenes, you send out your political operatives to attack both the press and your accusers, as the Clinton political machine so effectively in the 90s.  And you use your personal wealth and power to silence your accusers, one way or another.

Would you like to see the Clinton machine in action?  Nothing is more instructive than watching a young George Stephanopoulos bully a member of the media into not publishing a list of those who had accused then-candidate Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct, harassment, and assault.

You wonder why women, and some men, have been too afraid to speak up against their accusers over the past decades? They know, as we all now know, the media has actively aided and abetted those who have tried to hide the truth. 

Why is the media finally, at long last, willing to stand up for the victims? President Trump, of course.

What was not allowed in the 1990s and early 2000s, for Clinton, Weinstein, or anyone else, was suddenly allowed in light of Trump's ascension to the position of POTUS.  Suddenly, the media establishment itself was willing to get behind long-suffering victims and give them a voice, rather than remaining silent or, worse, defending those accused of sexual misconduct. 

And let's face it, all the rest of us are guilty too.  While we have been more than happy to go after people on the other side of the political spectrum for their abusive behavior, we have been perfectly willing to ignore those on our side of the political spectrum.  I think, at worst, this is what you can fairly accuse Dobson of doing in the case of Judge Moore.  

It's time to remove the political and ideological blinders, acknowledge that the sexual harassment of innocent women and men is a major and longstanding problem in business, politics, and media, and DO something about it as a collective society.  

We know for a fact that:

1. The problem is everywhere
2. The problem has been systematically downplayed or ignored
3. We all have some collective responsibility in changing this kind of behavior
4. It begins with a decision to no longer remain silent and allow abusers to continue with their behavior

Silence means assent. It's silly and, worse, counterproductive to point the finger at one group while ignoring another.  What of the fact that Gloria Steinem was willing to give Bill Clinton a pass for his behavior? 

Should we fall back into this pattern of political and ideological partisanship, the victims will be our daughters and sons, our friends and neighbors, or ourselves.  No more victims.  No more passes just because your political ideology might agree with my own. If you are an abuser, then you will pay the penalty.

What do you think Mr. Gerson?  Shall we try something that actually works?