Some social media unchecked sends wrong message

The following editorial appeared in the Foster's Daily Democrat (New Hampshire), on May 22:

The New Hampshire House Legislative Administration Committee sent the wrong message last week when it failed to hand down any punishment to (now former) Rep. Robert Fisher for his despicable statements on social media.

The House's failure to censure and condemn Fisher is reprehensible and leaves rape culture unchecked in New Hampshire.

Fisher, a Republican from Laconia, was called before the committee by a wide margin of House members after news surfaced that he'd made misogynistic posts on the Reddit forum "The Red Pill," which bills itself as a men's rights online forum. One of the quotes Fisher is accused of posting includes, "Rape isn't an absolute bad, because the rapist I think probably likes it a lot. I think he'd say it's quite good, really."

He has also defended some of his sickening statements. In one past comment, he said videotaping sexual encoun- ters with women may be the only way for men to defend themselves against fake rape allegations."

Fisher has also said women have "sub-par intelligence."

Sherry Frost, a Democratic representative from Dover, was also in front of the committee for controversial social media posts. We didn't love what she said, but to equate her comments with Fisher's is beyond the pale. Her comments were far, far less severe. She had used profanity on her Twitter account and characterized terrorists as "usually white, Christian men." She also said that men "telling me to 'calm down' and 'not take it hard' are making me homicidal."

Frost said that "hyperbole is not the same as vicious misogyny." We agree with her, and thought the committee should not take any action against Frost. Her being in front of the committee to begin with was clearly a political move – a tit-for-tat, if you will, after the Republican Fisher was voted to go before the committee.

Not only were both representatives in front of the committee, the committee would vote on the actions of both in one motion; an absurd move that basically said their misdeeds were of equal weight.

The committee ended up taking no action against both representatives – such a travesty when you consider what Fisher said and the rape culture he encourages. We agree with the committee taking no action against Frost, but Fisher should have been reprimanded and asked to resign.

Thankfully, Fisher resigned soon after the vote and did so without apology. "Unfortunately, the falsehoods, lies and comments of an overzealous blogger and some of my colleagues have created a situation where I must genuinely consider the safety and well-being of my girlfriend, my family, and myself. It is with a heavy heart I will be unable to complete my term."

Despite Fisher's resignation, the damage has been done.

There's way too much demeaning and belittling of women going on all over the country; we don't need to see it coming from our state legislators, too. Failure to condemn Fisher sets a dangerous and disturbing precedent and equating his remarks with Frost's is nothing but political games.