Hollywoo Stars and Celebrities: Who's sexually harassing? Who's sexually harassed? Let's find out!
- Thread starter blotsfan
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This is "steering towards" the politics forum type of thing, but at the same time it's very intertwined with what's happening in this thread, so I'm putting it here.
Margaret Atwood (for those non-Canadians out there, she's the author who wrote the book The Handmaid's Tale of which the new TV series is based on) wrote an editorial about how she's been attacked as a "Bad Feminist" for saying that a process used against a Professor accused of sexual misconduct at UBC was unjust, as well as attacking the trend towards assumption of guilt: Am I a bad feminist?
For the record, I find her writing style in the editorial superb. This is a world-class writer as opposed to a reporter. She's using every word to the benefit of the argument. Well-crafted. I'd say she has a number of good points too. I particularly liked this:
I think that headline doesn't reflect the original editorial very well, though at the same time, the accusers don't seem to be reading the original editorial very well either IMO. But still, she's getting some heat from it.
Margaret Atwood (for those non-Canadians out there, she's the author who wrote the book The Handmaid's Tale of which the new TV series is based on) wrote an editorial about how she's been attacked as a "Bad Feminist" for saying that a process used against a Professor accused of sexual misconduct at UBC was unjust, as well as attacking the trend towards assumption of guilt: Am I a bad feminist?
For the record, I find her writing style in the editorial superb. This is a world-class writer as opposed to a reporter. She's using every word to the benefit of the argument. Well-crafted. I'd say she has a number of good points too. I particularly liked this:
And she's being attacked for writing the editorial now too: Margaret Atwood defends controversial op-ed unpacking #MeToo movement, feminism
I think that headline doesn't reflect the original editorial very well, though at the same time, the accusers don't seem to be reading the original editorial very well either IMO. But still, she's getting some heat from it.
figmentPez
Staff member
Some more choice quotes from her editorial:
(Regarding sexual assault allegations towards a former chair at University of British Columbia.)
"...Specifically, several years ago, the university went public in national media before there was an inquiry, and even before the accused was allowed to know the details of the accusation. Before he could find them out, he had to sign a confidentiality agreement. .... But then, after an inquiry by a judge that went on for months, with multiple witnesses and interviews, the judge said there had been no sexual assault, according to a statement released by Mr. Galloway through his lawyer. The employee got fired anyway."
....
"There are, at present, three kinds of 'witch' language. 1) Calling someone a witch, as applied lavishly to Hillary Clinton during the recent election. 2) 'Witchhunt,' used to imply that someone is looking for something that doesn't exist. 3) The structure of the Salem witchcraft trials, in which you were guilty because accused. I was talking about the third use."
GasBandit
Staff member
Aziz Ansari... or is he?
https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/01/the-humiliation-of-aziz-ansari/550541/
https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/01/the-humiliation-of-aziz-ansari/550541/
figmentPez
Staff member
That is a revolting story, and the editors at "Babe" should be ashamed of themselves. Regardless of the truth of the matter, that is not how journalists should behave.
GasBandit
Staff member
Including days, weeks, or months after the fact, apparently.
Presumably that's always consensual.
One could argue otherwise, I guess, but I doubt it would hold up.
--Patrick
You would know better than me the veracity of that claim.
Hey, remember that time someone falsely accused someone of a crime, and then no one could ever accuse ever again because no one could apply logic and reasoning to ascertain whether a claim was valid or not, and the very concept of truth was forever erased from history?
What's that, that never happened? Say again, you're saying this is all hyperbole? What's that? I'm typing on a forum and so the bit about hearing a silent voice off stage makes no sense?
Huh, well then.
What's that, that never happened? Say again, you're saying this is all hyperbole? What's that? I'm typing on a forum and so the bit about hearing a silent voice off stage makes no sense?
Huh, well then.
fade
Staff member
Also, as much as I like Atwood, she's been drinking a bit much of her own Kool aid. Slippery slope arguments are quasi-fallacious because we have no proof or evidence that things will steadily trend worse. This is the pendulum being pulled back by extremists which will hopefully center it where it should be. This isn't to condone false allegations, but I doubt we're heading to a guilt by accusation situation. It feels like that right now because people are actually listening to allegations because of heavy societal pressure (for a change).
But she's not talking about what might happen in the future, just one single incident that did indeed happen.
And hey look! It was a University trying to mete out justice. They really suck at that.
The App requests that consent be refreshed every 30 seconds.
If confirmation of consent is not given, a notification is sent to the police.
figmentPez
Staff member
Not a celebrity, but an abuser of celebrities (Olympians count as celebrities, right?): Larry Nassar sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for decades of sexual abuse
The asshole in question was physician for many Olympic gymnasts in the United States. Over 150 victims testified in court. Even after pleading guilty the scumbag tried to claim that what he did was good, and that he didn't deserve prison.
"Many of the women said that when they spoke up about the treatment, they were ignored or their concerns brushed aside by organizations in power, primarily USA Gymnastics, Michigan State University and the US Olympic Committee."
I hope that those people who ignored concerns will face trial as well.
"Michigan State University, the school I loved and trusted, had the audacity to tell me that I did not understand the difference between sexual assault and a medical procedure," Amanda Thomashow said in court. "That master manipulator took advantage of his title, he abused me, and when I found the strength to talk about what had happened I was ignored and my voice was silenced."
The asshole in question was physician for many Olympic gymnasts in the United States. Over 150 victims testified in court. Even after pleading guilty the scumbag tried to claim that what he did was good, and that he didn't deserve prison.
"Many of the women said that when they spoke up about the treatment, they were ignored or their concerns brushed aside by organizations in power, primarily USA Gymnastics, Michigan State University and the US Olympic Committee."
I hope that those people who ignored concerns will face trial as well.
"Michigan State University, the school I loved and trusted, had the audacity to tell me that I did not understand the difference between sexual assault and a medical procedure," Amanda Thomashow said in court. "That master manipulator took advantage of his title, he abused me, and when I found the strength to talk about what had happened I was ignored and my voice was silenced."
Fuck every single god damn thing about this:
NCAA President Alerted to 37 Sexual Assault Cases Involving MSU Athletes, Did Nothing
I'm fucking done with this bullshit. I may never watch another college athletic competition again. How in the fuck is the rape of so many people just so callously discarded by so many fucking people?!
NCAA President Alerted to 37 Sexual Assault Cases Involving MSU Athletes, Did Nothing
I'm fucking done with this bullshit. I may never watch another college athletic competition again. How in the fuck is the rape of so many people just so callously discarded by so many fucking people?!
Because Sports?
No, really. I think that because star athletes are supposed to be promoted as role models, much of the bad stuff gets hushed up, just as their seamy antics get explained away..."heat of the moment/to the victor the spoils/conquering heroes" and all that.
--Patrick
It uh... it was a rhetorical question, Patrick.
But yeah, because sports. Although, really, eventually, in the end, it all boils down to "because they could."
At the risk of quoting someone we don't want quoted - if you're a star, you can do anything. Grab'm by the pussy. Etc etc.
If you're important and well-regarded in a community - be it as a star player, as lead singer of a big band, a powerful politican, the priest of the village, what-have-you, it's easy for lawmakers/powerful people to look the other way, and to disbelief charges brought against you. A girl/woman lying for attention? Gosh, that hasn't been a trope for hundreds of years. Having to investigate - probably unpopularly - the misdeeds of someone looked up to or admired? No fun at all.
Combination of nepotism, fear, easy way out, perhaps a bit of the ole "American Dream" of "I can become as powerful/rich/successful as that person is now and I want to be able to reap the rewards as well",...
If you're important and well-regarded in a community - be it as a star player, as lead singer of a big band, a powerful politican, the priest of the village, what-have-you, it's easy for lawmakers/powerful people to look the other way, and to disbelief charges brought against you. A girl/woman lying for attention? Gosh, that hasn't been a trope for hundreds of years. Having to investigate - probably unpopularly - the misdeeds of someone looked up to or admired? No fun at all.
Combination of nepotism, fear, easy way out, perhaps a bit of the ole "American Dream" of "I can become as powerful/rich/successful as that person is now and I want to be able to reap the rewards as well",...
Oh, yet again, a University shows it should not be in the business of Justice.
GasBandit
Staff member
Jess Cliffe, of Valve. Co-creator of Counter-Strike.
https://www.bluesnews.com/s/187622/valve_s-cliffe-arrested-suspended
https://www.bluesnews.com/s/187622/valve_s-cliffe-arrested-suspended
The footage is horrifying.
He wants to appeal their decision? Fine. Let him. Just make him do it in person.
GasBandit
Staff member
God dammit I DON'T WANT ICE CREAM TO RAPE.
Wow. I have to admit, honestly, as much as I've publicly been "don't expect anyone to walk away clean from this," this one shakes me deep. Granted, there's been some local stuff going on - a nearby school district was sued (successfully) by the ACLU to get the principal fired for forcing openly LGBTQ students to read the bible as punishment and for ignoring their complaints of sexual assault. The superintendent admitted in the investigation to having known about it for years, and the principal's family was directly involved in bullying kids, while the district was found to have retaliated against teachers' and counselors' jobs when they attempted to stand up for the kids.
For right now, I'll try to keep in mind that this is just an allegation, but it ain't easy.
For right now, I'll try to keep in mind that this is just an allegation, but it ain't easy.
And be honest, the worst part is you read the headline in his voice.
Titty sprinkles.