There is blood in the water, and the sharks are circling. I can guarantee that every news outlet, website and opposing party operative is looking for women (and in some cases, men) to accuse politicians, media members and celebrities of sexual assault or harassment. Every awkward first date, crude attempt at humor and even yearbook inscription is being scrutinized for any shred of inappropriateness–dating back decades if necessary. Many of the men in Congress are likely lying awake hoping that any questionable incident from their past will not be uncovered in the days, weeks and months before the rest of the media tires of this story and moves on to the next “crisis”.
But one man that likely is having no problem sleeping right now is Vice President Mike Pence. You see, Pence has a policy that he will not dine alone with a woman that is not his wife, and he will not attend any function where alcohol is being served without her by his side. It’s a version of the Reverend Billy Graham’s rule that he had for himself and his pastors–never be alone in a closed room with a woman that is not your wife.
Pence–who is an Evangelical–has always given a Puritanical reason for his “never alone” policy–it eliminates the temptation and opportunity for the type of behavior that every high-profile male is now at risk for accusation. When this practice came to light, Pence was roundly criticized by feminists and liberals. They accused the Vice President of being sexist and misogynistic. They believe the policy denies women equal access to Pence–and treats all women as potential seductresses or false accusers.
But in the current environment, Pence’s “never alone” practice looks like the greatest security policy in modern political history. No one has to worry about a “He said/She Said” situation–because it will be a “He said/She said/The other person in the room saw” scenario. Undoubtedly, there are people out there beating the bushes looking for any woman that may have slipped past this security measure (and if she is ever found, Gloria Allred will be there to “represent her”–practically sitting on her lap to make sure she gets in all of the TV shots at the press conference)–but the odds are they aren’t going to find one.
Now, am I going to call for a ban on men and women being alone together because that is the only way to prevent accusations of sexual harassment or assault? No. We should be working our way to a society where every encounter between the genders is not sexually-charged. But in the current climate of hysteria, it might not be a bad insurance policy.
