I don't agree with the "vanishingly" part especially when we limit to cases of accusations against the powerful, where there may be incentives we can't see.
BUT - even if "vanishingly rare" is true - how about that ONE person executed for murder who was actually innocent? same situation here. (If you support the death penalty then we can stop discussing now.) Obviously here the accused doesn't lose their life ... but they potentially lose their livelihood and much, much more.
Also there are many more "what were you thinking??" aspects in the CNN story, that I don't dare post here. Which is why it is often worse for accusers to come forward - exactly that reaction. People are people and people are stupid (including me). We aren't always able to get revenge for someone taking advantage of our stupidity. Many of us won't trumpet our own stupidity just to take someone else down. But we might, if we realize many other people have been harmed. Which does seem the case here.
My take is that
1) Swalwell has a bad drinking problem but so do at least one or two of his accusers. But as a public officeholder he has a bigger responsibility to address his problem, or step down.
2) Dems shouldn't support him except to finish his current term of office; unless convicted before it ends, then he should be removed.
3) If guilty Swalwell should become a decent human being long enough to step down (if he can ensure another Dem will fill his seat).
4) the CNN story sounds like there *IS* some evidence. So get it to at least a civil court.
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