Al Franken

Okay, I didn't feel like writing all this, but here's the bottom line: Al Franken had to resign. I don't care how much you liked him, I don't care how you think we need him on our side in the war, I don't care if you think it's dirty tricks by Republicans. 
At this point, a lot of women have come forward claiming he groped them. At first I thought they might be making something out of nothing, or misinterpreting it. Now it's too many women, most of them lifelong Democrats and liberals that loved Al too. A lot of them seem conflicted, like they are hurting their own cause by coming forward. And what are they getting for their trouble?
A bunch of "liberals" questioning their stories and crying foul and conspiracy. Exactly the way you claim Republicans act. And you wonder why women are afraid to come forward. Liberals sticking up for the man, claiming that even if true, his transgressions don't merit him resigning, saying he shouldn't be punished simply because he's on our side. If you think the Republicans are setting us up to weaken our position, you are doing their work for them. You are making us look like hypocrites, mimicking their horrible behavior.
Al Franken realizes this, and he is stepping down so as not to damage the party any more than he already has. If you like and respect him so much, why can't you appreciate and support his decision?
What really bothers me is how quickly so many of you are willing to throw away your moral convictions. You claim that we need to get in the trenches with the Republicans and beat them at their own game. You claim Democrats are weak for giving in, and even calling some of your own camp "snowflakes" or "FemiNazis", using the right's sickening terminology on your own side. That is setting yourself up to lose.
True strength comes from holding tight to your convictions, no matter what the cost. If it is right, it is right, that's all there is too it. Does that make it a little scary, to give up such an important piece as Al Franken seemed to be? Well, if you want to talk about being scared, be the liberal woman who has to be brave enough to not only tell their story and fear reprisal by the right, but have her own people turn on her. The people that are supposed to support women who come forward. I guess that nobility only applies when they are coming out against people you don't like.
Sticking to your guns when it hurts you is the true test of your moral fiber. Martin Luther King didn't resort to his enemies tactics, and look what he accomplished. That's why there are so few heroes in the world. That's why change is so hard to achieve. You have to have real courage and real strength, even when it frightens you, even when it might weaken your side for a moment. You have to have faith that you will be stronger in the end for remaining true to yourself and your message.
The Republicans aren't making us look bad, we are.