Senator Bob Packwood of Oregon didn’t learn a thing from Watergate. Allegations of sexual harassment have spewed forth about the 20 women claiming that Packwood made offensive behavior and inappropriate conduct during his years in Washington D.C.
And yet even though an immediate story, over 100 women came to speak against the senator and a book donation. The committee voted last week for the senate to permanently prosecute him.
How does he continue to be a senator? Two years ago he decided to use his earlier confessions, first companionship, the Senate voted that Packwood should turn over the diaries he instilled, but refused. Now the matter is up to be put to court.
Wait a minute – what is there to decide anyway? Isn’t it written somewhere that no one can be forced to incriminate himself? We believe it is called the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution.
The committee wants to force Packwood to incriminate himself through his writings. But does the Constitution say any law can force anyone to be forced to incriminate himself out? Of course not. The mere fact he is standing there with him instead of spoken aloud should not make that a difference.
Packwood may be guilty of sexual harassment, but so far there is no evidence. Harassment involving lewd jokes and possible advances isn’t the same as assaulting someone unless the diaries which Packwood has written have incriminating evidence in his diaries we are a collective whole inventing then explained.
But Packwood deserves the same protection as any other person accused of a crime, a fundamental right in the eyes of law. Before we crucify him in the public forum, he may be able to rebut. But let’s not forget – no matter how public it be, the Constitution applies to him, too.