Why doesn't everyone involved -- Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain and his half-dozen or so accusers -- all take polygraph examinations, and let the chips fall where they may?
Cain has already publicly agreed to take one. Have his accusers take one, too.
Although the test results are not admissible as evidence in a court of law -- unless all sides agree to their admissibility -- there's no court case pending and the statutes of limitation to file one, have long since expired.
Forget about more press conferences with accusations and denials. Let's get wired up instead and watch the little needles move back and forth.
Chicago's Sharon Bialek has been the first to come forward accusing Cain of sexual harassment in a job interview situation, putting her reputation and peace of mind on the line. Karen Kraushaar has accused him of sexual harassment as well, and she received a financial settlement from his employer. Others may be coming forward publicly sooner rather than later, too.
Forget the joint press conference being proposed with the ladies all ganging up on Cain. Talk is cheap. Let's just watch those needles moving back and forth. Televise the polygraph exams as they are being conducted. Do them live. No editing please. Right in time for the November ratings sweeps. What a gift for the networks.
Dr. John Gottman, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Washington in Seattle, has widely been quoted over the years as saying sexual harassment is a subtle form of rape. It's not a joke. It's not an office dating strategy. Which is why voters need to know who is telling the truth here.
These are serious accusations of sex being demanded in return for a job offer. This is not the type of hospitality we expect from a national restaurant association or from its president, if true. What more do women have to say or do to make their point? Stop eating out?
Bring on the polygraph tests for all concerned. It's not fair to just make Herman Cain take one as he has so generously and gallantly offered to do. All concerned should take one and agree to make public all results. It's the right thing to do.