DAVE ROSS

At what point will the harassment pendulum swing too far?

Nov 30, 2017, 8:10 AM | Updated: 8:42 am

sexual harassment, shannon hader...

(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Former “Today” show host Matt Lauer is the latest media icon to fall from accusations of sexual harassment. But it raises a question: At what point will the pendulum swing too far?

RELATED: Why the silence suddenly broke

An op-ed piece by Bari Weiss, a female columnist for The New York Times, details the fears of the men she knows who are now scouring their memories for anything they may have done in the past. Many are asking that if they were wrongly accused, would anyone believe them?

Given that celebrities and politicians are being outed one day and fired the next, it’s a reasonable concern for men who are innocent. Former Washington state Attorney General Rob McKenna says there is a chance to defend oneself from claims of harassment, so long as those claims are false.

“This does happen every so often, but it is pretty rare,” he said. “I suspect because there aren’t that many false claims that are made relative to the number of truthful claims…”

The cases of sexual harassment being highly-publicized often involve a pattern of behavior. This pattern is what leads to the downfall of the accused.

“If there is a pattern of behavior, no one is going to believe that every single one of those accusers is making it up,” McKenna said.

A single accusation may turn out differently. Take the case involving Rep. Al Green as an example. After allegations of sexual misconduct were made, they were withdrawn when Green counter-sued his accuser. This all happened about 10 years ago, but Green opted to release a statement now due to the current climate.

McKenna says some much-needed reform could come out of the numerous harassment claims; especially where public officials are concerned.

“That will be a lasting benefit from this current torrent of cases,” he said.

Listen to the entire conversation here.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

car culture...

Dave Ross

Ross: Are we killing car culture? Or is car culture killing the US?

I don’t think the question is whether we're going to "kill" our car culture. The real question is can we stop our car culture from killing the U.S.?

3 days ago

drivers data insurance...

Dave Ross

Ross: As cars release driving data to insurance, is your driving my business?

Every move you make, every swerve you take, every lane change you fake – someone’s watching you. Do drivers have a right to keep driving data private?

10 days ago

rent control...

Dave Ross

Ross: Rent control was never the answer in Wash.

The rent control bill died in the Washington State Legislature this week, even though Democrats control both houses.

1 month ago

end of democracy...

Dave Ross

Ross: Conservative activist earns applause for pledging an ‘end of Democracy’

The theme from Jack Posobiec's speech is that Jan. 6 was a righteous attack not on democracy, but on those who threaten democracy.

1 month ago

Image: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, is seen on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo: Alex Brand...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters can help cull bad politicians from the herd early

Let's remember that just about every occupant of a higher office once occupied a lower office, and was put there by us, Dave Ross says.

1 month ago

Super Bowl celebration...

Dave Ross

Ross: The NFL does it again

The NFL once again put on a show that was able to keep me tuned in for four hours even though I had no stake in either team.

2 months ago

At what point will the harassment pendulum swing too far?