June 22, 2011

"It would be impossible for me in a paragraph or a page or two or a tome or volumes one and two to help you understand the dynamics of these events."

A lesson in how to say "no comment" with maximum verbosity, from Democratic Congressman Alcee Hastings — accused of sexually harassing a woman on his staff.

AND: Aaron Worthing has read the complaint:
[T]he plaintiff seems to be a somewhat high-strung person....  It all struck me as a bit “dramatic”...

I found paragraphs 43 and 44 particularly damning.  And gosh, Hastings (allegedly) sure likes to hug her, doesn’t he?  Otherwise, as sexual harassment complaints go (in my work I have become kind of a connoisseur of them) what struck me was how ordinary it all was.  If there was ever a template for sexual harrassment, Hastings (allegedly) largely seems to fit into it.

Of course I can’t tell you how many times you get a complaint like this and you think your client is doomed, only to see if fall apart if you breathe too hard on it, so time will tell.  But right after Weinergate, I am not sure Democrats want to talk about another accusation of sexual impropriety.

68 comments:

Mark O said...

Is it that he is too stupid to do it or that he, like most Demos including John Stewart, thinks we are too stupid to get it?

Sal said...

It still needs a couple of $5 words to be a really good quote. Maybe he's tired.

Scott M said...

Mr. Hastings's attorney in the lawsuit, said he "in the strongest terms, denies the charges. He is confident that he will be fully exonerated.

Women's panties have gotten into such a twist about sexual harassment, I'm usually willing to give the guy the benefit of the doubt, but then there's this...

the suit said Mr. Hastings asked her "what kind of underwear are you wearing" in front of others

That seems not only pretty cut and dry harassment, but fairly easy to prove or disprove.

vnjagvet said...

Looks like Alcee might be shooting for a record second impeachment. First the federal court now congress.

Some people never learn.

Scott M said...

Maybe he's just making up now for all the beatings he was given in school for having a name like Alcee. That's very bully-friendly. I doubt seriously that a kid named Alcee would ever survive past the double-dog dare.

Anonymous said...

How could you comment on this without noting the name of the plaintiff - Winsome Packer?

Fred4Pres said...

Dems are confused. It is not supposed to be sexual harassment when a Democrat does it. Didn't the MSM get the memo?

MadisonMan said...

The investigation of Mr. Hastings is being conducted by the Office of Congressional Ethics, the House's independent ethics investigative arm

I am so sure they'll do a thorough job.

gerry said...

Looks like Alcee might be shooting for a record second impeachment. First the federal court now congress.

The first impeachment was for a bribe, of course (he was acquitted of criminal charges but Congress pulled that bench out from under him).

May we refer to the coupled scandals as the Hasti-Weiner affairs?

Original Mike said...

"But right after Weinergate, I am not sure Democrats want to talk about another accusation of sexual impropriety."

But, but, but, ... David Vitter!!!!

(just saving garage the trouble of posting.)

William said...

Winsome Packer. Not even a porn star would use such a name.

MadisonMan said...

But, but, but, ... David Vitter!!!!

If he (Hastings) resigns -- as IF!, then it's a 2-2 tie, party-wise, for resignations for Penis-related activities this year. To be fair, though, one of the Republican resignations was just quaint shirtless photos.

Four resignations would have to be a record!

The Crack Emcee said...

But right after Weinergate, I am not sure Democrats want to talk about another accusation of sexual impropriety.

Oh, but I want to talk about it! Let's see how many women step up to defend Hastings like they did Weiner and all the rest before him. I'm sure he's voted the right way, and said all the right things, so - after all the years he's been in office - there should be a veritable mob ready to engage the rest of us on the subject of this black man's innocence, right? Or will the mob hang him?

Democrats - you just never know,...

Carol_Herman said...

I dunno. This is one of the risks of rising to fame (in your neighborhood).

Back in the old days they said "men chased their secretaries around their desk."

But when I worked, I discovered most women wore low cut dresses; and made themselves as obvious as Monica Lewinsky did.

How did Monica do it? She turned her fat ass towards the president's face. She lifted the top of her thong up over her skirt's waistband. And, she snapped it.

Case closed.

You know, lots of women walked out when they got pursued. It was just a low paying job. And, the desk was full of work.

Sometimes, the boss would call home and ask. And, the woman would say "I'll put my husband on the phone."

The whole male and female thing ... comes with courtship rights.

That women learned they could sue? Well, a lot of them just got bored. And, attorneys can be so seductive.

Anonymous said...

I think Gloria Alred will likely reappear:

Mr. Hastings remarked that he did not understand how female Members of Congress could wear the same underwear from the time the House of Representatives went into session in the morning until it recessed late at night. He then stated that for that reason he could never take a female Representative "home with him."

Complaint, Paragraph 29.

Carol_Herman said...

You know what's missing?

There was an Israeli ambassador to the UN. Who kept thinking about how he'd look on camera. So he went around the office in his underwear.

That made sense to me! I've noticed that when men are TV you hardly see their pants creased with sitting marks.

So lots of guys are in their offices, with their suits on hangers.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure that's the reason that Hastings never hooked up with Representative Tammy Baldwin.

Anonymous said...

Or "Skid Marks" Wasserman-Shultz.

Scott M said...

Or "Skid Marks" Wasserman-Shultz.

Expand on that, please. I must have missed something.

bagoh20 said...

How would you feel about a pol who when confronted about these things would just say: "Yea, I did it. Now, deal with it. Next question."

I might vote for him on that alone. It would show an appreciation for the seriousness of his work, rather than the usual narcissism.

Fred4Pres said...

As Ted Kennedy said: "If you vote the "right" way, you get the pussy!"

or maybe it was if you have a nice boat you get pussy.

Phil 314 said...

If he (Hastings) resigns -- as IF!, then it's a 2-2 tie, party-wise, for resignations for Penis-related activities this year.

Will there be extra innings if it ends in a tie?

bagoh20 said...

"So lots of guys are in their offices, with their suits on hangers."

I don't like wrinkles in my underwear either, so my office is very lonely, but very comfortable.

A. Shmendrik said...

He is one corrupt piece of work. I have no idea about this specific charge, but for all the proven misdeeds in his past he sure does not belong in the House of Representatives. I do not live in his district, but am nearby to it. I understand he has a lock in it a la Rangel, Barney Frank, etc. It's just sad when there are no standards.

bagoh20 said...

"or maybe it was if you have a nice boat you get pussy."

It's all about the stocking of the bar, followed by stockings on the the bar, and then the very kind offer to drive her home.

Hoosier Daddy said...

"....Mr. Hastings remarked that he did not understand how female Members of Congress could wear the same underwear from the time the House of Representatives went into session in the morning until it recessed late at night..."

Now that's funny.

m stone said...

If I'm charged with harassment, I want Carol for a lawyer.

edutcher said...

Another way of saying, "I could tell ya, but I'd have to kill you afterward".

t-man said...

I think Gloria Alred will likely reappear:

And the sun will rise in the East.

Fred4Pres said...

As Ted Kennedy said: "If you vote the "right" way, you get the pussy!"

or maybe it was if you have a nice boat you get pussy.


And afterward drown it?

The Drill SGT said...

Alcee has a strong sense of invulnerability to charges like this. After all, they seated him in Congress after he had been impeached as a Judge... Then he sees Freezer Jefferson not get tossed by the Dems. He figures that nobody is going to have enough balls to impeach (e.g lynch) a black man for being a black man...

Mike said...

I'll have to read the complaint.
But from my local paper it appears that, among other things, Mr. Hastings wanted to have Ms. Packer stay with him in Vienna on some sort of business related trip.

Now that's odd. Mr. Hastings wanted to show Ms. Packer his "weiner" in Vienna--the home of the original "weiner".

Hoosier Daddy said...

Yeah, its not like he drove some broad into a river and left her for dead.

Hoosier Daddy said...

"..., Mr. Hastings wanted to have Ms. Packer stay with him in Vienna on some sort of business related trip..."

So? Maybe she speaks Austrian and Al-C needed a translator.

WaitingToBuy said...

Hastings is a good example of the stupidity or ignorance of the American Voter. He's a proven crook but voters still reelect him.

Anonymous said...

It's the Democrat Culture Of Corruption(tm).

The Drill SGT said...

Mike said...
Now that's odd. Mr. Hastings wanted to show Ms. Packer his "weiner" in Vienna--the home of the original "weiner".


I wonder if they went to Figlmuellers?

FWIW In Vienna (Wien) the Wieners eat wieners and wienerschnitzel

pronounced WEENer

Anonymous said...

Scott M -

It would be impossible for me, in a paragraph or a page or two or a tome or volumes one and to help you understand my feeble attempt at humor.

Scott M said...

Oh, come on. Give.

Anonymous said...

Just read my three posts (exclude the Winsome Packer post) together, I think you will get it.

I have to admit, though, that I don't know anything about Wasserman-Shultz's hygiene. But with the sh_t that comes out of her mouth, I can only imagine.

Anonymous said...

"How could you comment on this without noting the name of the plaintiff?"

The only way this story could get any juicier is if she was named Fudge Packer.

ndspinelli said...

It's just The Man[or woman] trying to keep Alcee down. And, Crack is correct..the usual suspects may come out to defend this guy. And, while I also agree w/ Crack that you never know w/ Dems..it was Dems who impeached him the first time. One might think they're bigots. They wage a land, air and sea war to defend a white Christian like Bill Clinton but bury Jewish and black men. I'm just sayn'!

RichardS said...

Do you think Bill Clinton realized that if he had not signed the sexual harassment bill there would have been no impeachment--no discovery in the Paula Jones case, no search for a pattern of behavior, no Monica, no guiding of witnesses, no dress . . .

Anonymous said...

Where is GarageMahall to lecture us that the private sexual harassments of members of Congress should not be any reason for a Congressman to resign?

Where is AlphaLiberal to tell us this is all a union-busting tactic and that this fine upstanding judge is being unfairly railroaded?

Why are Democrats not here to defend Alcee Hastings?

traditionalguy said...

It looks like the poor old guy Hastings was trying to relax and be himself and therefore he stepped into the net of rules to enforce rules on treating women that Congress so easily threw onto the rest of us. A Congressmen in a gerrymandered black, safe district probably never expected that such rules applied to exempt guys like himself. So I say we cut him some slack and send him to Lustful Thoughts Management Classes.

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

Jay Retread could not be reached for comment...

Anonymous said...

Hastings will not be forced to resign because he is black.

Black is untouchable.

He can threaten to fuck anyone he wants and end the career of anyone he wants because he is black.

Black is untouchable.

Pianoman said...

What's the big deal? I mean, at least he didn't say anything about Coke and pubic hair, right?

Original Mike said...

"Yeah, its not like he drove some broad into a river and left her for dead."

But, but, but, ... David Vitter!!!!

The Crack Emcee said...

Mr. Hastings remarked that he did not understand how female Members of Congress could wear the same underwear from the time the House of Representatives went into session in the morning until it recessed late at night. He then stated that for that reason he could never take a female Representative "home with him."

Now you see, that makes sense. I might have to re-think my whole position on this, based on such an astute observation and distinguished taste.

"Alcee" is even starting to have a nice ring to it,...sorta "manly."

The Drill SGT said...

scott said...
What's the big deal? I mean, at least he didn't say anything about Coke and pubic hair, right?


My personal fav: )

Within moments, the screen became a blur of sound and action as FBI agents stormed the room, grabbing Barry, placing him up against a wall with his arms outstretched and reading him his rights before leading him away in handcuffs.

The enraged Barry muttered over and over, "Bitch set me up . . . . I shouldn't have come up here . . . goddamn bitch" -- references to the woman who lured him to the hotel, former girlfriend Hazel Diane "Rasheeda" Moore.

The Drill SGT said...

The Crack Emcee said...
Now you see, that makes sense. I might have to re-think my whole position on this, based on such an astute observation and distinguished taste.


don't forget articulate... Alcee is all about articulate.

Anonymous said...

Funny how the John Edwards case seems to have faded from public view. Why?

Anonymous said...

Crack -

Thanks for that. The best part, for me was that the first comment said "Wow, two Debbie Blabbermouth Schultz pics on the same day."

Great coincidence.

Pianoman said...

pinkmonkeybird said...
> Funny how the John Edwards case seems to have faded from public view. Why?

--

Because sex scandals only count when GOP members are involved. The act itself isn't important; what's important is the hypocrisy.

Unknown said...

I think he's saying "Until I figure out if she kept that damn blue dress, this is all you're getting!"

MadisonMan said...

Funny how the John Edwards case seems to have faded from public view. Why?

Not much going on with it, I'll guess. Trial starts in the Fall. Look for more news then.

Or, it's a conspiracy because he's not a Republican. You choose.

Mark said...

According to MMD Newswire, the plaintiff wrote a novel called "A Personal Agenda." The blurb says, "'A Personal Agenda' by Winsome Packer offers a unique look at political relationships and aims to show that racial, cultural and sexual harassment know no color."

http://www.mmdnewswire.com/winsome-packer-8783.html

Martin L. Shoemaker said...

bagoh20 said...

How would you feel about a pol who when confronted about these things would just say: "Yea, I did it. Now, deal with it. Next question."

I might vote for him on that alone. It would show an appreciation for the seriousness of his work, rather than the usual narcissism.


I wouldn't vote for him on that alone. My vote would still depend on his record and his policies. But if he admitted to actions, and those actions were demonstrably not illegal, and those actions were all he was guilty of, then I would certainly ignore the "scandal".

bagoh20 said...

"Or, it's a conspiracy because he's not a Republican. You choose"

Well, compare and contrast: A guy who came very close to being President is busted for serious crimes that occurred while campaigning = light coverage to nothing.

The private emails from years ago when nothing happened of a lady who almost became Vice-President = covered by every news outlet and pundit in the nation and over seas.

William said...

I don't mean to blame the victim, but parents beware: if you name your child Winsome Packer you are planting subliminal seeds of sexual harrassment in the minds of anyone who has to address her. Bodacious Bosom is another inappropriate name to choose for your child. Plus, you just know that if the attorney offers her a settlement, he will tell her "Winsome, lose some." She's probably heard jokes like that all her life. I wouldn't blame her if she killed himl. Sexual harrassment. Bad jokes. How that woman must have suffered. She should start a self helf group with Weiner.

Kim said...

"[The Hastings statement] still needs a couple of $5 words to be a really good quote."

I don't think Hastings knows any $5 words.

MadisonMan said...

The private emails from years ago when nothing happened of a lady who almost became Vice-President = covered by every news outlet and pundit in the nation and over seas.

Haven't read much about that this week either.

Big Mike said...

Mr. Hastings wanted to have Ms. Packer stay with him in Vienna on some sort of business related trip ...

I hate to disabuse you folks, but Vienna, Virginia, is the name of a town in the Washington suburbs, just outside the Beltway.

So it's not (necessarily) the case that friend Alcee wanted to wisk her off to Europe.

Big Mike said...

@MadMan, I'll take conspiracy for $800.

Hey! I just got the daily double!

Minicapt said...

"How would you feel about a pol who when confronted about these things would just say: "Yea, I did it. Now, deal with it. Next question.""

You might then be thinking of this chap: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Studds

Cheers

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