The proverbial water cooler discussion over the past week involved sexual harassment and worse. The political scientist in me viewed what occurred as a perverse exercise of power.

Acts totally unjustified.

I tweeted a Newsday editorial with my own spin, “Protecting #predators & letting acts go unpunished, endangers more people. Shame too on enablers.”

So many stories came out and one theme that interests me involves what kept the perpetrator of such harm in place to persist in such horrible conduct. Explanations (justifications) abound. None acceptable to this commentator.

In another context I spoke of chasing the yacht. Indeed a piece I wrote that Newsday printed almost 23 years back shared my view about The Freedom to Say No. And I stand by that view.

So I pose questions to those around a perpetrator of sexual harassment: Could you have done something to help protect some of the victims? Could you take a stand by moving your talents elsewhere (I presume those folks had some expertise.)?

I reject the notion of these perps as all-powerful.

I see individuals empowered by success and their standing among colleagues and the work of their teams (those they employ and engage.) I also see a culture that puts politics, ideology and cronyism ahead of rejecting and sanctioning harassment. Explain any other reason following the testimony of Anita Hill that 52 Senators approved a Supreme Court nomination. (That analogy applies to more than harassment, remains troubling and gets into partisanship I intend to avoid in the forum that hosts this commentary.)

If employees and advisors move on, these perps stand alone and less able to harm others.

This goes back to a proverbial issue faced by any individual: one has got to eat; one must provide for one’s family. But must it always be at all costs.  What alternative paths exist?

I abhor the concept of sharing my talents to help a bad cause or bad person. But I remain unpersuaded that all those enablers had no other choice; others might argue the enablers as victims too.  Frankly, many enablers enjoy their own degree of power and authority.

Where do you stand?

P.S. Proud to be first blog that appears following the launch of an updated and refreshed Gotham City Networking, Inc. website.