Eric Swalwell and the Death of Accountability

[Sympthsical]

51. Because the victims had to come forward

We can know or hear all kinds of things - and some people like this man will talk about it publicly.

But unless someone with proof and direct experience comes forward in public, all people have is talk. Police cannot respond to a crime if they don't have a victim. Reporters cannot run a story based on hearsay without risking legal and reputational blowback.

After the past decade, we really shouldn't have to explain the myriad of reasons victims of abuse might keep quiet for years. Particularly victims of powerful people. As Democrats, we should especially know this as the party that is supposed to be supportive of women.

Hell, I knew the surface of this. Or at least I was told it over the past five or so years by people more well-positioned than me to at least be aware of what was being said. Do you think I was going to post about it on DU? What do you think the response would've been? Do you think people would have listened, or would it be a "How dare you speak of a good Democrat this way!" with some alerts to accompany it?

We both know the answer.

It is difficult to crack this kind of nut when so many people are personally and professionally invested in it not being cracked.