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Thread: 1/12
During the impeachment hearings, we’ve heard Republicans repeatedly ask:
Why did the Ukrainians not publicize that they were being asked for a quid pro quo?
#wtpEBRC
#wtp2020
@wtp__2020
During the impeachment hearings, we’ve heard Republicans repeatedly ask:
Why did the Ukrainians not publicize that they were being asked for a quid pro quo?
#wtpEBRC
#wtp2020
@wtp__2020
2/12
This line of questioning from the GOP reminds me of the question – with multiple variations – that many of these same wealthy white men were asking two years ago, when #MeToo
was taking off:
Why didn’t they speak up earlier?
This line of questioning from the GOP reminds me of the question – with multiple variations – that many of these same wealthy white men were asking two years ago, when #MeToo
was taking off:Why didn’t they speak up earlier?
3/12
Whether through naiveté, cynicism or willful ignorance, these monochromatic GOP representatives clearly don’t understand – or choose not to understand – the reality of power disparity.
Whether through naiveté, cynicism or willful ignorance, these monochromatic GOP representatives clearly don’t understand – or choose not to understand – the reality of power disparity.
4/12
Power disparity forces people to follow commands – whether verbal or implied –
even when they don’t wish to;
even when those commands are not in their best interests.
Power disparity forces people to follow commands – whether verbal or implied –
even when they don’t wish to;
even when those commands are not in their best interests.
5/12
They fear for their livelihood, their safety, their health or even their lives, so they comply with the command.
Afterwards, if the power disparity remains, reporting isn’t an option.
They fear for their livelihood, their safety, their health or even their lives, so they comply with the command.
Afterwards, if the power disparity remains, reporting isn’t an option.
6/12
This is especially true when the command is implied. The powerful know what they are asking for. The victim knows what they’re being asked to do.
Unfortunately, too many of us, like the GOP during the Intelligence Committee testimony, keep ourselves blind to reality.
This is especially true when the command is implied. The powerful know what they are asking for. The victim knows what they’re being asked to do.
Unfortunately, too many of us, like the GOP during the Intelligence Committee testimony, keep ourselves blind to reality.
7/12
Instead of seeing the truth of the actions by the powerful, we blame the victims.
* Why didn’t they say no?
* Why didn’t they leave?
* Why didn’t they go to the authorities?
Instead of seeing the truth of the actions by the powerful, we blame the victims.
* Why didn’t they say no?
* Why didn’t they leave?
* Why didn’t they go to the authorities?
8/12
The victims of people like Harvey Weinstein remained silent for decades because of power disparity.
* He could ruin careers
* He could hire investigators to dig up dirt and falsely smear accusers
* He could hire thugs
* He could call in favors from other powerful people
The victims of people like Harvey Weinstein remained silent for decades because of power disparity.
* He could ruin careers
* He could hire investigators to dig up dirt and falsely smear accusers
* He could hire thugs
* He could call in favors from other powerful people
9/12
The President of the United States is the most powerful individual in the world. The power disparity between him and any other person – even world leaders – is unparalleled.
How can anyone be surprised that Ukraine was unwilling to go public with unreasonable demands?
The President of the United States is the most powerful individual in the world. The power disparity between him and any other person – even world leaders – is unparalleled.
How can anyone be surprised that Ukraine was unwilling to go public with unreasonable demands?
10/11
I understand that #MeToo and the Ukraine Quid Pro Quo are not exactly equivalent.
Ukraine and President Zelensky has a diplomatic infrastructure that can help navigate this dangerous situation.
#MeToo victims did not.
I understand that #MeToo
and the Ukraine Quid Pro Quo are not exactly equivalent. Ukraine and President Zelensky has a diplomatic infrastructure that can help navigate this dangerous situation.
#MeToo
victims did not.
11/12
This infrastructure of advisors helps explain why Ukraine and Zelensky haven’t already caved into the pressure from #Cult45.
But the similarities outweigh the differences.
This infrastructure of advisors helps explain why Ukraine and Zelensky haven’t already caved into the pressure from #Cult45.
But the similarities outweigh the differences.
12/12
At its heart, #MeToo and the Ukraine Quid Pro Quo are about the same thing. Those with power take what they want from those without.
Whether it’s about unwanted sex or investigations into political rivals, they are both about abuse of power.
#wtpEBRC
#wtp2020
@wtp__2020
At its heart, #MeToo
and the Ukraine Quid Pro Quo are about the same thing. Those with power take what they want from those without.Whether it’s about unwanted sex or investigations into political rivals, they are both about abuse of power.
#wtpEBRC
#wtp2020
@wtp__2020
