If I may, y'all know I'm skeptical of whyte people, of men, and of queers - especially the combo.

So hearing the allegations of #AlexMorse, I was surprised how skeptical but angry I was; due to my hope of my progressive wins, I was in the "we need to listen and verify" camp

I was being inundated by so much news and many perspectives, I didn't know what to believe or how to act or say.

Because it felt credible, and many on the left were jumping ship, I even sent this tweet: https://twitter.com/JC_Cali/status/1292144256124096512?s=20

But then I started to get push back from those on the Left I respect, as follows:
https://twitter.com/ryangrim/status/1292211952715010048?s=20

https://twitter.com/TheLDPage/status/1292186217816170498?s=20 https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/1292436711742545920?s=20

I didn't feel this particular case was as black and white as some on the Left were making it out to be.

The urge to cancel everyone over the slightest infractions is exactly why leftists lose; we need to give people space to be wrong & redeemed instead of excommunicated

Then I started to watch some videos, and BOY did @krystalball, @TheYoungTurks ( @cenkuygur + @AnaKasparian) BRING IT and make this #AlexMorse story much clearer

Ana & Cenk did an amazing job of pointin out:
1) the allegations were for "being uncomfortable" -
2) the homophobic "older gay preying on young boys" trope - when Morse was 23-29 (my f*cking age range!)
Watch here: https://tyt.com/watch/7a7yATec02O6NpuK4B39tZ/clips/5MnQVVgj6JHaPBiekgyf36 & support #TYT

Krystal highlighted effectively how:
1) The story showed the personal feelings of a few torpedoing policy change for the many all because "we put feelings & symbols of actual political change"
2) Calling out the #smearcampaign of personal victimhood

Then I heard from @AlexBMorse on @HillTVLive
and oof, did just seeing the fatigue on his face hurt.

He really laid out how a sex-positive young person in a political system that hates change for the working class was weaponized against him by the media

These vids & commentary helped further instruct me re: complexity of consent, sexual misconduct, scandal, smear campaigns, & power dynamics.

For starters,
there's a diff between not comin forward out of fear of retaliation & not detailing any specific harms beyond discomfort,

2nd, we shouldn't infantilize college kids and learn to maturely handle discomfort (through communication for example) & NOT conflating it with sexual assault.

3rd,
There's also a diff between using ya status for sexual or political favors,
& checking in w/ students you met, not ever hooking up w/ any of your direct students, & not disclosing your status and then someone finding out later.

(all when your under 30 during this time)

4th,
As Alex is a queer dude in public service who has used these dating apps & likes younger folks, I can def relate & empathize since I've been worried bout how my sexuality be weaponized, & how concerning the predatory / pedophilic nature of the claims against Alex are

These opinions developed were before I heard bout the Neal wannabe but after @CollegeDemsofMA got $1000 from Neal himself!
It added a whole new element & now it's proven true & Alex's accusations ain't, I hope it blowbacks on Neal & Morse wins! #VoteMorse https://alexmorseforcongress.com/