Columnist David Martin"Falling under the definition of sexual assault are sexual activities such as forced sexual intercourse, forcible sodomy, child molestation, incest, fondling, and attempted rape."
I "grab 'em by the p--. I don't even wait."
Admitting it himself, Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has repeatedly engaged in sexual assault as defined by the Department of Justice. It's pretty straightforward. Read the above definition again and then listen to the tape of him bragging about groping and forcing himself on women.
It's disgusting and should be instantly disqualifying for someone pursuing America's highest elected office. Yet Trump apologists are lining up to make excuses for his comments, dismissing them as "locker room banter."
Um no. That wasn't locker room talk. That was rapist talk.
If you've never visited a men's locker room, here's how most conversations start: "Did you see the ball game on Saturday?" Or, "How's the job?" In all my years, I've never heard guys swap tales of sexual assault while changing into their workout clothes.
Over the past few days, we've also heard Trump surrogates implore voters to "focus on the issues" instead of the contents of the leaked tape. But is it not an issue when a major party nominee is caught revelling in deeds that should land a person on an offender's registry? Is it not an issue that women are now stepping forward, recounting their stomach-churning encounters with that molester?
After all, many of us conservatives have long disparaged House Clinton for Bill's similar improprieties. During his hot mic moment, Trump chuckled, "When you're a star you can do anything." How is this mindset any different from the one that got Bill Clinton in trouble when he was in the Oval Office? Why is it any less of an issue just because the fellow in question today has an R next to his name? Answer: It's not.
The most painful thing to watch over the past week is the legion of otherwise respectable humans continuing to endorse Donald Trump's candidacy. While listening to these folks carefully massage their words so they can simultaneously condemn the perp while still supporting him, I have been very proud of my old mayor.
I'm talking about Gov. Bill Haslam, of course. He is one of the few Tennessee Republicans willing to put politics aside and stand on principles by calling on Trump to drop out. On the other hand, Chattanooga's own Bob Corker and Chuck Fleischmann seem content to back a self-avowed sexual assaulter into the Oval Office.
"She was married. I moved on her like a b----," Trump said. Perhaps our elected officials might have a change of heart about their nominee if he was talking about their own wives.
Who knows anymore? One thing is for sure, though: In a year when Trump's alt-right fans have unfortunately mainstreamed the word "cuck," referencing the supposed wimpiness of anti-Trump Republicans, it has become very clear who the true beta politicians are on the right.
Now hear me out, GOP loyalists, we are friends (ideological first cousins, really). And friends speak honestly with each other. The truth is you have to abandon Trump. Yes, Hillary is grossly unsatisfactory as well, but you can't defend the indefensible on those grounds alone.
In 2016, countless commenters have pointed fingers over who is responsible for Trump's rise. I believe we all have some culpability in the matter. However, only one group will be remembered for enabling him to stick around: Trump's Republican apologists.
So do the party (and our country) a favor. Dump him.
Contact David Allen Martin at davidallenmartin423@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @DMart423.