We have another one. Another what, you say. Well, of course, another casualty of the me2 movement. I have opined on it before, and there are good and bad things about it. The best thing is that people are finally giving some thought to the issue of bad behavior by powerful men. Mainly sexual behavior against women, although Kevin Spacey has been accused of sexual misbehavior toward males. Rep. Keith Ellison, D-MO, has been accused by

The Keith Ellison she said-he said: She goes on TV, he denies abuse allegations, goes door-knocking

a former girlfriend of physical and verbal abuse. There has been deafening silence from most on the left. They are still smarting from the removal of Sen. Al Franken from the same state for sexual misbehavior that did not, however, involve violent assault.

Rep. Keith Ellison is a steward of the progressive, Bernie Sanders wing of the Democratic party. He is also a Muslim. The Islamic religion is not famous for its fair and equal treatment of women. Even so, I don’t think that should be a factor in deciding Ellison’s fate. There are many, many Muslim men who don’t drag their women by the ankle shouting obscenities, as Ellison is accused of doing. When deciding on the veracity of such an accusation, one must look at the demeanor and credibility of the accuser. The woman is apparently a good, responsible person with nothing to gain by putting herself in the spotlight. I have read some articles that say, well, she wasn’t injured. That infuriates me. A person doesn’t have to be either dead or seriously injured to be a victim of domestic assault.

There are different standards in a court of law. In these types of situations, I like to compare them to a civil court. A criminal court requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt. That’s why you have sly defense attorneys trying to poke holes in law enforcement procedures (see the acquittal of O.J. Simpson). But civil court is governed by a preponderance of the evidence. If it is more likely true than untrue, the case is decided in favor of the more likely scenario. Likewise for the reverse. I have every reason to believe Ellison’s former girlfriend, and zero reason to believe Ellison’s self-serving arguments to stay in his powerful job.

Keith Ellison is a lawyer. Maybe after he resigns from the House, he can do some pro bono work for women’s rights groups. That would be a good start on his way to a better life, and to being a better Muslim.