One allegation and we mob the accused

President Kennedy was reportedly having extramarital affairs while in office. President Clinton’s sexual exploits were made public in lurid detail but he was not punished — by today’s standards. Today a man’s sexual behavior, down to inappropriate flirtation, is being made grounds to destroy his life. No presumption of innocence until proven guilty, no opportunity to confront his accuser, no investigation, no day in court or due process is now afforded. There are legally defined sex crimes that must be investigated and prosecuted, but to destroy a man (or a woman) for a pat on the butt may well be the greater offense, especially if the motive is selfserving. If we’re not going to extend the principles and processes of American justice to the accused, perhaps we should at least pause before casting our righteously indignant stones. Regressing to witch hunts as the response to transgressions will undermine any gains we’ve made as a society.

David Sizemore

Fairbanks, Alaska