Vice President Joe Biden was dispatched to the University of Illinois Thursday to speak to students about the “It’s On Us” campaign, launched by the White House in Sept. 2014 to bring awareness to sexual assault on college campuses.
Appearing along with Biden were “Gossip Girl” actress Jessica Szohr, Rep. Rodney Davis, and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who had a very specific request of the students in the audience.
"If somebody tells you they've been a victim of sexual assault, I want you to believe them," Madigan said.
— The Daily Illini (@TheDailyIllini) April 23, 2015
That led to a shocking claim by Instapundit, aka Glenn Reynolds. Our immediate reaction was to dismiss it as a joke pushing the boundaries of poor taste, but that would be in direct conflict with Madigan’s request, so …
https://twitter.com/instapundit/status/591294241801949184
@instapundit @TheDailyIllini I believe you.
— Labor Conservative (@Ggoblue) April 23, 2015
RT if you've been raped by Lisa Madigan.https://t.co/2H69i9eXCP
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) April 23, 2015
@instapundit @ScottInSC Arrest her, ruin her life and reputation, and then don't apologize. Do it Rolling Stone style.
— JT (@Jaberuski) April 23, 2015
@Ggoblue I believe @instapundit, because Lisa Madigan raped me, too. @TheDailyIllini
— Not-So-OK Boomer Rand (@Rand_Simberg) April 23, 2015
https://twitter.com/BigRMV/status/591300663084240897
.@instapundit @TheDailyIllini Lisa Madigan should resign as IL Attorney Gen now that she has been accused of rape. Must be true.
— The Sampo (@GoldSaltFlour) April 23, 2015
Ace Rolling Stone reporter Sabrina Rubin Erdely must be available to look into this allegation, no?
https://twitter.com/MIThYAs71/status/591301528692121601
@instapundit That was a microaggression
— 8@44y (@844y) April 23, 2015
@instapundit I didn't even know she belonged to a frat.
— HELMS-DEEP.US (@ThatchHD) April 23, 2015
https://twitter.com/JammieWF/status/591305756269510657
*hugs* Remember, you have friends who will help you get through this. #yesallinstapundits @instapundit
— Galt's Goat (@Red__Rover) April 23, 2015
We still can’t shake this feeling that perhaps Reynolds is “misremembering” just what happened. Vice President Biden himself, though, would be compelled to thank Reynolds for speaking up.
Biden said every time someone speaks out about what they went through, it matters. He thanked them for stepping up. "Enough is enough."
— The Daily Illini (@TheDailyIllini) April 23, 2015
"Once you make America look at this dirty little secret… They can no longer engage in plausible deniability," Biden said.
— The Daily Illini (@TheDailyIllini) April 23, 2015
He said silence is a form of approval and speaking up takes courage but it is expected.
— The Daily Illini (@TheDailyIllini) April 23, 2015
Speaking of Biden, a small group of students did take seriously allegations (backed up by extensive news footage) that Biden is a serial groper and let the campus know that unwanted touching is not acceptable.
Protestors are chanting against Biden's appearance because of allegations of "handsy" behavior. #ItsOnILLINOIS pic.twitter.com/9daxCDSuWJ
— The Daily Illini (@TheDailyIllini) April 23, 2015
Protestors are voicing their opposition to the "It's On Us" campaign for general inaction. pic.twitter.com/MXAcYLKnMu
— The Daily Illini (@TheDailyIllini) April 23, 2015
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