NBC manages to track down 36 women - all SNL employees - that Al Franken didn't assault

36 Women, all former or current employees of Saturday Night Live, have signed a letter in support of Al Franken. They claim that, in their time working with Franken, none of them were ever forced to endure the "stupid and foolish" behavior that he directed toward his accusers. They know him as a family man and an excellent performer, but feel he should apologize for what he's done.

Here's the full text of the letter:

“We feel compelled to stand up for Al Franken, whom we have all had the pleasure of working with over the years on Saturday Night Live (SNL). What Al did was stupid and foolish, and we think it was appropriate for him to apologize to Ms. Tweeden, and to the public. In our experience, we know Al as a devoted and dedicated family man, a wonderful comedic performer, and an honorable public servant. That is why we are moved to quickly and directly affirm that after years of working with him, we would like to acknowledge that not one of us ever experienced any inappropriate behavior; and mention our sincere appreciation that he treated each of us with the utmost respect and regard. We send our support and gratitude to Al and his family thuis Thanksgiving and Holiday season.”

The message is followed by a list of women who've been a part of the SNL machine, at various levels, since the 1970's. So what?

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We're supposed to be impressed that these 36 women were never the victim of Al Franken? Hundreds of millions of Americans weren't ripped off by Bernie Madoff. That doesn't mitigate the fact that Bernie Madoff was a con artist who bilked innocent victims of their life's savings. No one has argued that Franken groped everyone he came in contact with, but that doesn't diminish the accusations of those who found themselves being felt up - nor does it explain "the photo." Here's a true story: Once upon a time, when I was a kid, I knew an older man who was later exposed as a pedophile and a child molester. He never molested me, never made any sort of move on me, and never gave me the faintest inkling that anything was wrong. That means precisely nothing to the people who eventually came forward to level accusations at him. My experience wasn't theirs. They have every right to release whatever statement they like, but who gives a damn what 36 of Al Franken's old SNL buddies think? The only thing that matters is: Did he do what he's accused of doing? If he did, and again there's a photo, he should step down. By the way, I think it's safe to say that, if Al Franken had switched parties an hour before his first accuser appeared, the women of SNL would NEVER have written this letter.

If Franken were a Republican, liberals like me would *instantly* call for him to resign. Should be no different because he’s a Democrat. https://t.co/vxrNOxYYIN

— Sally Kohn (@sallykohn) November 20, 2017

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36 women from SNL sign statement in support of @alfranken. But call what he did “stupid and foolish” pic.twitter.com/FGuXjOTVPD

— Leigh Ann Caldwell (@LACaldwellDC) November 21, 2017