Some of us still think violence against women matters. Quaint, I know...

Thank you, Dennis. A little perspective. Smith did nothing wrong in this incident based on the descriptions, and went far beyond where most college guys would in terms of assisting one's attacker afterwards. And it was COLLEGE, 20 years ago. Has had no bearing on his professional ability, which is all that matters.

Theresa, as a man who's worked at women's shelters and marched in Take Back the Night events, I find your comment to be the "fucking ridiculous" one.

You claim that every witness says Smith was the victim. That's just willfully ignoring reality. We've only heard from witnesses connected to Smith. And I can assure you that one person --the officer on the scene --didn't consider Smith the victim. Smith was cited for assault. The woman went to the hospital, for god sakes.

I understand that for many women, the gut reaction is to defend their man and hope he's telling the truth when he says "never again." The man's a violent abuser and you're not helping by rationalizing his behavior.

Theresa, please compose yourself. The only witnesses we've heard from are those produced by the Smith campaign. That's a fact. It's also a fact that there were others at the scene who didn't see the incident the same way --otherwise why would the police cite Smith and not the victim? These are logical, sane questions that everyone in this city is asking.

I understand that when you're emotionally invested in your man, it's hard to see the truth about him. I only hope that someday you'll find the courage to be the strong, smart and empowered woman I know you can be.

Euphonius, you could not be any more patronizing if you tried. And I can tell you ARE trying, so please be advised that it is OK to stop now. Really, son, your concern-trolling on behalf of womankind is lovely and much appreciated, but basta, baby.

Sometimes the police (just like MLB umpires and NFL referees) make mistakes. That's when charges get dropped. Like this time.

According to the Eugene police there aren't any court papers or other records of this incident, so all we know is that the witnesses who have come forward, at least two of whom are female, corroborate Smith's account of what happened.

But nonetheless you, an anonymous Internet concern troll, have decided that it will serve your preferred candidate if you use the vocabulary of domestic violence to attack a political opponent. In so doing, you dishonor all men and women who work to end domestic violence and who support the survivors of such violence. I don't care how many shelters you volunteer in or Take Back the Night marches you walk in, you have forfeited my respect and the respect of anyone who knows what domestic violence is, and how serious a matter it is.

You ought to be deeply ashamed of yourself. You're not, of course, because concern trolls never are. Charlie Hales ought to be ashamed of you too. I hope he is, but I'm not optimistic.

Imelda and Theresa: You two really need to think about what you're saying. Consciousness about violence against women has been a long time coming. Even looking at Smith's story in the best possible light, he still hit a woman and sent her to the emergency room. Yet your only response is to soft-peddle what he did and attack me.

So no, I am not ashamed of the things I'm saying. I'm proud of what I'm saying. Can you say the same thing?

How about you step back and think a little bit about why women who are victims of abuse don't come forward more often, given the support they DON'T get from "sisters" like you two.

Adding this comment thread to the links I send to someone who challenges the term "Mansplaining".

If that's your label for men who speak out against violence toward women, then I'll wear your insult proudly. The apologists for abusers ought to be ashamed.

Yes, it matters. It is not an isolated incident and speaks to a pattern of irrational behavior and a seeming unwillingness to adhere to basic societal rules

Mr. Smith:

1) has multiple driver's license suspensions and drove while suspended (don't let your license get suspended and don't drive while suspended)
2) has multiple traffic citations including citations for excessive speed (don't go nearly 90 mph and yield for emergency vehicles)
3) ignored multiple court appearances (go to court, especially if your in law school / are a lawyer)
4) ignored bar renewal notices and had his bar license suspended at least once (pay your bar dues or, if you don't intend to be an active lawyer, notify the bar so they won't send you payment requests)
5) lasted a few months as a lawyer before deciding that that profession which he understood much about growing up (as his father was a practicing lawyer) and for which he studied for three years and likely another six months of study before taking the bar was suddenly not for him (kind of gets a pass on this one, but I think he wanted to be a politician all along and I don't trust those sorts of folks).
6) Punched a fellow recreational basketball player in the testicles (don't punch another adult male in the testicles in a amateur, recreational sports league)
7) Got kicked out of a recreational soccer league for his behavior (don't act like such a dick that you get kicked out of a recreational soccer league)
8) Entered into a criminal diversion agreement to avoid an assault charge for causing bodily injury to a 20 / 21 year old woman (assuming what he says is true, if there's a crazy woman coming at you, GTFO, don't hit her and send her to the hospital).
9) Admittedly got into multiple bar fights in college (don't get into bar fights, and if you can't control that impulse, don't go to bars).
10) When news of his driving record first saw light, he was slow to release / disclose full details (despite giving interviews / press releases) until multiple reports kept finding additional details (be upfront when confronted with questions and offer full disclosure).

These are behavior patterns that, coupled with the conflicting witness statements re: couch tipping and intoxication, cause one to logically be inquisitive about the true nature of what happened 20 years ago. They are also behavior patterns that persist to this day and should lead one to conclude, logically, that Mr. Smith is not fit to be mayor of a mid-major American city.

Boom!!!!

What's odd is the O's withholding her name. I've only seen that with rape victims and minors, and she is neither. Given the fact that the reporting identifies her as being the person who was the aggressor, I don't think she should be able to hide behind her anonymity.