On the EDge: Standing up for women? #IWill

Stock images, St. George News

OPINION – The past week has been a real eye-opener.

Unless you remained buried in the back of your cave or hid beneath a rock, you saw the distressing number of women who took to social media to simply type in #MeToo.

It began when actress Alyssa Milano posted this on her Twitter account: “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet.”

Immediately, the post went viral to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and every nook and cranny of social media.

Within 24 hours, 4.7 million people responded, placing 12 million posts to the conversation. It sparked a rather tepid response from men, who were asked, at the very least, to acknowledge the problem and stand for women by typing #IWill.

It was, of course, in response to the repugnant revelations surrounding sexual predator Harvey Weinstein, who co-founded Miramax, a film production company that created such cinema heavyweights as “Pulp Fiction,” “The Crying Game,” “Clerks,” “Sex, Lies and Videotape” and a host of others.

Weinstein is the latest scumbag to be taken down for his criminal attacks on women for forcing scores of actresses to submit to sexual assaults.

The rumblings shook throughout not only the industry, but through political circles as well because of Weinstein’s healthy donations to liberal candidates and causes.

Those of us on the liberal side have no feel for this guy or his money.

His actions betray the heart of progressive idealism rooted in equality and freedom.

We don’t want his money.

We don’t want his influence.

And, we certainly don’t want criminals like this around our wives, our daughters, our mothers, sisters, aunts, friends.

Just because he supports liberal causes does not mean he gets a pass. He should be in jail and anybody who took money from this guy should return it, regardless of how much he gave, who he gave it to or which programs or ideologies he supported.

Weinstein is a reflection of the bad old days of Hollywood, where the casting couch determined which women got the best movie roles, which women were turbo-boosted to superstardom, which women got the best contracts in a highly corrupt business that has, at this point, forsaken creativity and innovation for a parade of remakes or dramatizations of comic book storylines.

But, the purpose of Milano’s post ran deeper than payback for Weinstein.

Its purpose was to reveal that it is not only high-profile movie moguls who participate in this abuse and harassment.

We’ve seen it at our highest levels of politics – from Bill Clinton to innumerable members of Congress.

We’ve seen it in sports, particularly the Olympics where members of the U.S. gymnastics team were abused by a team official.

We’ve seen this in everyday life, from the mom-and-pop stores to the mega-corporations that are sucking the life out of our economy.

And, it’s time for it all to end.

Not tomorrow, not a week from today, but right now, this second.

I was saddened by the number of women friends who quietly posted #MeToo on their social media accounts over the last week.

Some told horrible stories.

Most simply acknowledged that they had been sexually harassed or assaulted.

Some wrestled a few days before going public, which leads me to believe that there are many others who are still too shaken, shy or scarred to come forward.

And, I cannot blame them.

Look, we live in a society where it is permissible for this “boys will be boys” behavior.

When Clinton had a dalliance with a young intern, it was a matter of “oh, well, boys will be boys.” He was a womanizer who was not held to a greater standard because of his position.

When some of us who criticized him for his actions we were simply called prudes and told, “well, it was only sex.”

Except it wasn’t.

There were some women who claim he harassed them, badgered them There was the young star-struck intern who succumbed to the most powerful man in the world.

When Donald Trump was seen on videotape bragging about how the rich can sexually exploit women without fear of retribution, it was the television personality who was interviewing him who was punished. Trump, on the other hand, was rewarded with the presidency. It was, after all, only “locker room talk” to some.

This is, sadly, the world our mothers, wives, daughters and the other women in our lives go out and deal with each day.

There is little, if any, accountability for the men because they know the mountainous hurdles a woman must go through to prove she was sexually assaulted or harassed.

They know the embarrassment, the scrutiny, the shame a woman endures if she steps forward with a complaint, which is why so many remain silent.

What these guys don’t know about are the sleepless nights, the recurring trauma of reliving those encounters, the psychological toll their contemptuous actions have on the women they violate.

It begins with us, men.

How many times have you heard the conversation in the workplace that if a woman gets a promotion or salary hike it’s because she is sleeping with the boss?

How many times have you laughed and let it pass instead of standing up for the woman in question?

How many times have you heard, as is so common today, women referred to as “bitches” and “hos” and let it slide? It’s not funny, not cool, not hip. It is disgusting, dishonorable and disrespectful.

Would you let it slide if somebody referred to your wife, your daughter, your mother in those terms?

How many times have you seen some misogynist clod of human waste talk down to a woman who was simply trying to make a point, whether it was about business, politics, sports or human nature?

How many times have you heard a man bragging about his latest sexual conquest called a “player” and given a big “atta boy” for his latest score while the woman he is talking about is regarded as a “tramp?”

How many times have you seen some big, fat slob with a beer gut hanging over his belt berating his wife because her boobs aren’t big enough or she has a few age lines creeping into her smile?

You’re guilty dude, and you should be ashamed.

How many times have you looked at the disparity in pay between men and women and said, “well, you know…women just can’t do quite the same job as men” or “well, who knows when she’s going to go off and get married and have a kid, so why pay her the same?”

How many times have you said a woman “has it coming” when harassed because she happens to be attractive? Yet, that same guy will want his partner all dolled up whenever they go out in public. Somewhat hypocritical, don’t you think?

How many times have you seen women who have been verbally, psychologically, physically or sexually abused?

A lot more times than you realize because, you see, in this man’s world, most women are reluctant to share these experiences because they either won’t be believed, they will be told it is their fault and they will be ridiculed, judged, reviled. I don’t care what the cops or prosecuting attorneys tell you, this happens.

According to a recent National Crime Victimization Survey, only 35 percent of all rapes and sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement.

That reluctance will continue as long as the powers-that-be, almost uniformly men, continue to victimize the victims.

None of these women “asked for it”; none of these women “deserved what she got”; none of these women are to blame for some predator taking advantage of them; and not one woman I have ever met would knowingly place herself in a situation that would lead to a sexual assault or rape.

Harvey Weinstein should spend a lot of time in jail, probably the remainder of his life, for his attacks on women.

Simply going into rehab will not be enough. His crimes are severe and egregious. He repeatedly preyed on vulnerable women. This we know. He admitted as much. He has paid settlements to a number of women over the years. More than 40 have come forward recently, launching law enforcement investigations from LAPD to Scotland Yard to piece together charges. Hopefully, they will be successful and they will put this guy away. Unfortunately, he has held so much power and influence for so many years we will probably never know exactly how many women he raped and assaulted.

The problem, however, is what happens next?

Weinstein is done, his career over.

But how many other sexual predators remain in Hollywood, in our boardrooms, in our workplace, on the street?

While women should certainly be supported and encouraged to come forward, the real responsibility is with the men who should never put them in that place to begin with.

So, as far as standing with women against such abuses?

#IWill.

No bad days!

Ed Kociela is an opinion columnist for St. George News. The opinions stated in this article are his own and may not be representative of St. George News.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews, @EdKociela

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2017, all rights reserved.

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64 Comments

  • statusquo October 24, 2017 at 8:18 am

    The solution first requires an understanding of how our culture has fallen so far since the founding of our great nation.

    • Chris October 24, 2017 at 6:18 pm

      Yeah, our culture has really fallen from the days when only white, Christian, male landholders could vote, and when slavery was an accepted institution. If you think those were superior days, you are one pathetic human.

      • eddantes56 October 25, 2017 at 9:08 am

        Your generalization is uninformed and you might want to go back to school. First, status quo’s general statement is correct. You can choose the metrics, whether it is crime, social cohesion, big government, lack of morality et al and there is a strong argument that your and Ed’s “cultural marxist” view of the world has and is bringing degradation to our culture.

        Second, you are partially correct…..White males were the dominant force in creating the vision and reality of our constitutional Republic. From our economic foundation (see Adam Smith) to our moral foundation (see the traditions of Judaism and Christianity) to our type of government (see an adaptation of the Roman/Greek experience)…..and you can go on with every dynamic in the creation of our nation.

        Third, slavery has been the norm throughout human history. It is ugly and never justified. However, the idea that you can sit on your high chair and huff and puff that the U.S. is evil because slavery existed or males were landholders, demonstrates a real lack of historical knowledge.

        Our Founders were born into a slave-owning culture. They knew it was wrong and specifically put into place the elements that would lead to its demise. The fact that they could not “turn on a dime” and change it immediately is no condemnation of them.

        Objectively, Western civilization is superior to every other civilization established to date. The medical, agricultural, technological and every other progress made over the last 500 years is astonishing and has transformed the world.

        Subjectively, almost every third world citizen will tell you that that their civilization is superior, is the best. While I have not taken a poll, I have lived all around the world and this sentiment is strong in all countries. People have ingroup preferences and they prefer their culture (values, norms, traditions) over those of other countries.

        Subjectively, I also have the right to believe the values, norms and traditions of my country are the best.

        Finally, show me a civilization that has surpassed the one created by those “white males”. You cannot but I wait for an example of a civilization superior to western civilization. This does not mean there people or that other civilizations should be trod over by our country or western civilization…..it merely means that cultures are different.

        I don’t know how you can live in this nation and enjoy the largess and lack the basics on just what we have achieved.

        Many people are not opposed to progressing and refining our culture and civilization…..but to throw out the foundational elements of the U.S. and western civilization and to try to replace it with a utopian, egalitarian state is unacceptable…..take a look at the 20th century….BEEN THERE, DONE THAT!!! See Soviet Union, Cambodia, China, Cuba.

  • Alisa October 24, 2017 at 8:30 am

    Fantastic article!
    Very well thought out and researched.
    I agree with everything you said here, and I am grateful that you took the time to write it.
    Thank you.

  • mctrialsguy October 24, 2017 at 9:52 am

    I agree with most as you have said, but making comments about President Trump in this article (as you usually do in every article) kind of shows what your real intentions are. Weinstein and the other 95% of Hollyweird are all liberals, and they control Hollywood, media (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, and so on) and they control women and their pay scale, and that is unacceptable. You may wish to write an article on that one and on Bill Clinton’s molesting women, and Kennedy’s indiscretions. Politicians and celebrities need their mistresses and escorts. You steer the article in the wrong direction sir! How about the exploitation of women and sex-slavery in the U.S. Those issues are very real (as well as what you have stated regarding women) and no one wishes to touch those issues or to get involved.

    • bikeandfish October 24, 2017 at 10:41 am

      You are right to be concerned about sex slavery in the US but that isn’t what “#metoo” was about and there are several high profile organizations targeting that issue.

      Trump is very much a fair target in this issue. He was and remains a media brand. Remember “The Apprentice”? Remember how he talked about women in the bus and then how he proceeded to treat the woman greeting him on set? Remember how he talked about women on the Apprentice? Remember how his campaign treated the women who accused him of sexual assault and harrassment? Remember why hundreds of thousands of women marched on Washington after his election?

      Sexual harrassment and assault transcends party lines.

    • comments October 24, 2017 at 4:23 pm

      most women are too concerned with their iphone, social media, makeup, daytime TV, etc to be concerned with real world issues like sex slavery. I don’t know why most women think they get a pass and get to be ignorant of the world and just focus on me me me. Womenfolk are a massive part of the problem.

      • bikeandfish October 24, 2017 at 7:38 pm

        I think men who use the phrase “womenfolk” are one of the serious variables. That and those men who make such sexist stereotypes as you display.

  • bikeandfish October 24, 2017 at 10:43 am

    100% with you on this one, Ed.

    We need more men to step up and own our role in this issue.

  • mctrialsguy October 24, 2017 at 11:03 am

    Turning a blind eye from those that are truly doing the damage and being narrow-minded is not seeing at all. Some women treat men badly, some men treat women badly….no one should treat anyone badly, nor without respect, or abuse anyone in any way. Hollywood sitcoms now show people lying and cheating to win the price, narcissism, arrogance, sex exploitation, and me-me-me…and that is now how society acts. Look at the Facebook selfies and watch social media, everyone has lost respect, patience, common sense, and only think about themselves, that is so sad, and things are getting worse. No one makes full stops at stop signs, waits for the other driver, uses turn-signals like they should and are in a big hurry. The issue is an issue across the board…without living by some basic values, we will be reading thousands of Ed’s type articles for forever and wondering what went wrong. Everyone needs to start with themselves and correct their own (men & women)misgivings. Always pointing the figure towards others just magnifies the problem. I set simple standard’s years ago and everything that I do starts with those standards.

    • bikeandfish October 24, 2017 at 12:21 pm

      Setting personal goals towards being a better person is an admirable goal.

      Discussing problems and those responsible in order to end such abuses is also admirable. Solving problems requires an honest assessment of the root causes. Being diffuse about people treating each other badly isn’t a viable solution to the issue of sexual harrassment, abuse and assault. N this case, naming the powerful and empowering victims to speak out puts the issue in front of more citizens. We need a critical mass to change such widespread societal ills. Its long overdue.

      Its clear from the pushback that more Americans need to learn to listen instead of prescribing solutions. Victims have been silenced and shamed for too long.

    • comments October 24, 2017 at 4:25 pm

      mctrial is right, and after reading Ed’s article I feel like a victim as well. It’s time to be apathetic. Will have to leave the facebook activism to the professionals.

  • 42214 October 24, 2017 at 2:17 pm

    Gotta a question. Why does a woman get upwards of 30 million dollars for sexual harrassment which could be noything more than dirty jokes and unwanted flirting but that same woman killed in a commercial airline crash is only worth a feww hundred thousand. Does that make sense?

  • comments October 24, 2017 at 4:16 pm

    Well… to be fair, of all the men calling women “bitches” and “hos”, 99% of them are black. And they get a pass, ya know, “cuz all blacks are victims of white oppression”. How many of these women are claiming assault now, but actually slept around with the rich holly weinstein just to get a part in one of his movies. That’s how things have been done in hollywood as long as its existed. I’m not sure why the proverbial pot is finally being stirred now. sex assualt is bad, sex harassment is bad, always has been huh? so what else is new? To claim the problem is all men’s fault is naive. Ed is naive, as usual.

    • bikeandfish October 24, 2017 at 4:47 pm

      odd, prejudicial take on a widespread problem.

      Never seen much evidence that race has much to do with sexual harassment and assault. That said, it is primarily men who perpetuate the issue. Men are the victims of sexual harassment and assault but the statistics speak clearly that its not to the same level as women experience in our society.

      You ask what is new? More women have slowly gained greater recognition and empowerment so victims have found more safety in speaking out. Its a slow process though and clearly one in which the criminals are rarely brought to justice. And you are wrong. Sexual harassment and assault has not always been seen as bad. It wasn’t long ago that men had the legal right to rape their wives and were culturally empowered to do so. Rape is still not fully criminalized given the poor rate of prosecution. Sexual harassment is still common and seen as a boys club reality across many industries from tech to wall street to your average joe shop.

      Your question about women who slept with Weinstein is a symptom of how sick we still are as a nation. Countless women are coming forward and your response is to question the validity of their experiences. Its gross and unjust and undermines your entire statement about how sexual harassment is viewed as bad.

      • comments October 24, 2017 at 5:49 pm

        You like bacon, bike? Is it fair to eat the pig just bc u like bacon? Does it really matter what the pig wants bc it’s a pig and it can’t even tell us if it has a problem with getting eaten? Some will say the sole reason the pig exists is to provide us with delicious bacon. The point is, bike, life isn’t fair. You and Ed on this issue remind me of a bunch of feminists crying “all men are rapists”. How many girls were willing to have sex with weinstein to get a part in some garbage hollywood crap? I’d bet in LA alone there’d be a line a mile long of “aspiring actresses” willing to have sex with old man weinstien, the hollywood —-. It’s a sick society, bike, and since half the society is made up of women I’d say they’re at least half at fault. Like I said above, most women too concerned with _______________ to even care. PLus women are so competitive with eachother they really don’t even look out for each other. And the pig story: well, women just as likely to eat up that pig as men. We live in a world of predators.

        • bikeandfish October 24, 2017 at 6:07 pm

          So your conclusion is women are equally guilty as men for sexual assault and harrassment?

          • bikeandfish October 24, 2017 at 6:14 pm

            *in relation to the Weinstein scandal…

          • comments October 24, 2017 at 8:29 pm

            Not quite, bike, the point is that women are equally responsible for shaping our society and culture. The whole “ohhh we’re the weaker sex and so picked on and oppressed by the evil patriarchy wah wah wah” is just ridiculous and has no backing in reality. So in a way, or maybe in every way they ARE “equally guilty”, as you put it. They are half the population, after all.

          • bikeandfish October 24, 2017 at 10:54 pm

            That’s not how it works, common. They are 50-51% but that doesn’t mean they share equal responsibility for everything. Nothing in life works that way.

            I don’t know a single woman, in person, that considers herself a “weaker sex”. But criticisms of patriatchial influence don’t make them weak. Critiquing that reality actually takes alot strength as anyone who has been oppressed would know. Doesnt make all men pigs, evil or sexist either. If you actually took the time to read important sources you would know that. But that takes effort and vulnerability, not just defensive rhetoric talking points.

          • comments October 24, 2017 at 11:52 pm

            ” If you actually took the time to read important sources you would know that.”

            Important according to who, bike? Do you even interact with women in real life? I don’t need to read your “Important sources ” BS or whatever garbage to know how women behave in the real world, i’ve dealt with plenty of it first hand, and God knows, I’ve been married enough times. A large % of women (possibly the majority) are extremely shallow and clueless. I’m not gonna say it’s female nature, but it probably is. possibly it’s partially a cultural thing, but that doesn’t explain it, really. You’re pretty clueless yourself, bike. Night night 😉

        • ladybugavenger October 24, 2017 at 7:12 pm

          I love bacon!

          I’m not going to completely blow off your comment Bob. I also believe a lot of the women willfully (at the time) did some deeds to get the part. And now they feel dirty.

          To their defense, they were young and dumb and vulnerable and taken advantage of.

          The women sold themselves for fame. And it’s a shame. But it’s true.

          • bikeandfish October 24, 2017 at 7:35 pm

            Do actually have evidence of that? If not, your comment is the exact definition of victim blaming.

            None of the evidence I have seen shown ANY complicity. Did you listen to the tape the police had by
            a model who recorded him aggressively trying to coerce her into a room? That is what we are talking our about.

            Its a shame to hear so many people taking your approach on the internet. It goes to show how much we victim blame.

          • ladybugavenger October 24, 2017 at 8:07 pm

            Well, a set up tape is not quite evidence.

            b&f in no way am I saying he’s not a pig. I’m not saying he didn’t use money and power to belittle and use women. I’m not saying he’s not a predator.

            What I am saying is that some woman got a role, a movie, a job for going along with it. Is it sexual extortion (If there is such a thing) ?
            Could they have never gotten a part in Hollywood if they didn’t go along with it, yes. Would they have been ostracized for speaking up, yes. Would no one believed them if they spoke up? Yes.
            In spite of all that, should they have spoke up or walked away? Yes!

            But what did they get out of it? They got money, they got the role, they got fame.

            It’s easier to speak up when your not the only one. But how do you know you are the only one, if you don’t speak up?

            To all the young girls, millions of dollars and fame is not worth a man having sexual power or abuse of power, over you. Stay safe!

          • ladybugavenger October 24, 2017 at 8:08 pm

            Do you blame the prostitute or the pimp? Or do you blame both of them?

          • comments October 24, 2017 at 8:15 pm

            The world according to Bike:

            -All men are rapist pigs
            -All women are innocent, naive victims

          • comments October 24, 2017 at 8:22 pm

            Yea, LB, parents to to warn their young naive daughters about the dangers of hollywood (am I allowed to say the ‘J word’ lol?). Anyway, being young and dumb only goes so far as an excuse. The girls probly really wanted those parts, and I’m sure not all of them were “all that young”. There comes a time when these girls and women need to accept personal responsibility. Not all of them get to be “victims” just because they have a vagina. Now that comment might be interpreted by Bike as being “sexist”. Sorry in advance, bike. lol

          • comments October 24, 2017 at 8:23 pm

            *Yea, LB, parents need to warn their young naive daughters

        • bikeandfish October 25, 2017 at 8:19 am

          Divorced multiple times, huh? What a shock given the sexist attitude you display.

          Happily married myself. Enjoying it and in it for the long haul.

          I would say 75% of my friends are women. Not naive. I view individuals as individuals not as stereotypes. You might want to try it sometime.

  • John October 24, 2017 at 5:09 pm

    Leave it to Special Ed to politicize something that is not political.. ED your leftist propensities are showing again..This Tragedy is non political..This is a problem ..Attacking the president is childish .. Might as well attack Bill Clinton the rapist too while you are at it..And Hillary for enabling him..And Pee Wee Herman for going to the Movies… This isn’t political Ed… Shame on you for making it so..

    • bikeandfish October 24, 2017 at 6:12 pm

      You did he dealt with Clinton’s sexual harrassment and abuse of power? Calling Trump out for his serial sexual harassment isn’t political. Its well established fact. We have tape of him talking openly and proudly of his behavior.

      • bikeandfish October 24, 2017 at 6:34 pm

        *you do know he dealt.
        Computer keypad glitching

        • John October 24, 2017 at 6:51 pm

          Ed’s political.. the problem is not…the piece has the right idea but using it to make unfounded political attacks is a tactic of a deeply wounded left.. Losing every day must be terribly hard for liberals ..Trump 2020.. keep going, it’s going to be a very easy win..

          • bikeandfish October 24, 2017 at 7:16 pm

            How is pointing out Trump’s misogyny and sexual harassment unfounded? I mean the guy talks sexually about his own daughter’s breasts and we have a recording of him talking about sexual assault.

          • John October 24, 2017 at 9:17 pm

            How about Laura Silsby? Hillary Clinton’s friend?…why don’t you look her up? if you want to talk about abuse..

          • bikeandfish October 25, 2017 at 12:08 am

            Its not a competition to see who is the most abused. Bill Clinton was definitely an abuser and likely still is. Constantly deferring to how another party’s politicians were worse isn’t a solution. But right now we have Trump as president and we have proof of his sexual abuse and harassment. We can talk about that because its an important indicator of how men with power still get away with so much.

          • John October 25, 2017 at 8:24 am

            what’s funny is you don’t have any proof, they have an illegally obtained sound clip…that’s why it went no where..you sheep will believe anything.. going to be a very long time till 2024 ..hope you have plenty of kleenex…

          • bikeandfish October 25, 2017 at 9:15 am

            How is a video and sound clip not proof of his behavior?

            The extremes his supporters will go to justify his behavior is wild. Now the clip is illegal? Ha. Got any proof for that? He willfully went on Access Hollywood and was on their private bus filming for them.

            I could care less about 2020. I only have control over my own vote. That said, talking about sexual predators is fair game and our POTUS is one.

          • bikeandfish October 25, 2017 at 9:21 am

            PS..it went no where because it takes women willing to come forward and a justice system that works. Prosecution of sexual predators is relatively difficult. The tape wasn’t about prosecution as it was a statement about his general behavior not about a specific assault. How he talked about the woman that rebuked his advances and then how he treated his host on site were just further examples of his sexism, harassment and misogyny.

            Remember….you are the one who elected a sexual predator. You get to live with that. The GOP has abandoned any place of sexual ethics or morality with their current leader. Doesnt jive well with any definition of Christianity I am aware of (granted as LBA exposed most Christians aren’t even aware of Trump’s beliefs or religion).

  • 42214 October 24, 2017 at 6:44 pm

    I asked a serious question and got derailed by Comments asinine post. Why does Erin Andrews get awarded 55 million dollars for a peeping Tom at a Marriott hotel and a wrongful death is worth a few hundred thousand. O’Reilly supposedly settles for 32 million with Lis Weill for workplace sexual harassment? I’m not defending bad behavior but remedies are totally out of whack.

    • bikeandfish October 24, 2017 at 7:21 pm

      Two different issues. One has to do with the wealth of O’Reilly and Fox and what they are willing to sacrifice to avoid a detrimental legal judgement. The other is a ridiculously lowball number that an average joe can expect to get from another average joe’s actions. Unfortunate but true. I say take everything you can from rich, powerful men who abuse their position. I also think we can expect more from incidents like wrongful death convictions.

        • bikeandfish October 24, 2017 at 10:46 pm

          Sorry, I like my computers function too much and my own sanity enough to not click random hyperlinks with no explanation.

          • John October 24, 2017 at 11:37 pm

            Why? you chase Eddy with no explanation…Look up Laura Silsby sometime know it all! . Don’t you lefties ever get tired of losing? You haven’t won a thing since before the election , Haven’t you learned that slander and fake news doesn’t work? Keep it up ! Trump is going to win by a landslide in 2020 so keep doing what you are doing because it just makes him stronger because you fools actually believe it’s all about Trump! You haven’t got a clue !!hahahahaha!

        • bikeandfish October 25, 2017 at 8:14 am

          Same old, tired fall back every time?

          I’ll look up that name through reputable sources not some random hyperlink.

          I don’t think you understand the definition of slander. A clue, it’s not holding a person accountable for his own words caught on tape. What Trump described in the Access Hollywood tape is the definition of sexual assault.

    • ladybugavenger October 24, 2017 at 7:40 pm

      If someone with lots of money and power says something sexual to you or touches you inappropriately, 42214. Take the money and run. It will give you clarity to your question.

      • comments October 24, 2017 at 8:17 pm

        I’m also a victim. When is my payday?

        lol

      • 42214 October 24, 2017 at 9:21 pm

        So it’s just about the money. Right, wrong, proportionality has nothing to do with it. You’re saying a poor guy and a rich guy do the same thing to a woman and the rich guy pays millions and the poor guy gets away with it. That’s your definition of justice. You’re better than that Bug.

        • ladybugavenger October 25, 2017 at 6:27 am

          No, the poor guy/girl gets jail time and the rich guy/girl pays you millions and if we are lucky gets convicted. But the case will drag on for years (lots of money buys free time) Doesn’t sound like justice at all….doeant sound like the court system is justice for all. The only justice for predators with too much money.. . is millions of dollars paid to a person with a proposed agreement to hush up and don’t talk about it. It’s terrible isn’t it.

  • bikeandfish October 25, 2017 at 12:04 am

    Listening to the “sleeping their way to the top” myth is disheartening. I get the immaturity, sexism and inhumanity of the likes of “comments” but hearing someone try to go to illogical extremes to explain how women benefited from Weinstein’s assaults exposes a different low. Maybe LBA is just ignorant of the full scale of this issue but I think its deeper than that and has more to do with cognitive dissonance. Its just easier to blame women if its so pervasive and persistent. But it doesn’t line up with reality:

    1) There are several agonizing descriptions of rape and sexual assault that take a profound inhumanity to try explain with “but they got a movie role” (which many did not). “Weinstein held her down on a bed in his Soho loft ” and “after fighting off his advances, she said the mogul forced himself on her and performed oral sex. ” He is claimed to have raped Rose McGowan when she was 24 and then paid her $100k for a non-disclosure agreement. One woman was raped and stated ” “He’s a big guy. He overpowered me.” Do those sound like young women sleeping their way to the top? Hint: rape is never beneficial to the victim.

    2) He stalked and coerced women aggressively after victims repeatedly telling him no. Beyond the gross cliches people here are using about the “casting couch” he actually went to women’s houses without invitation or permission. When they would say no he would do what one victim said was “sort of chasing me around” in attempts to force himself on her.

    3) Multiple actresses and employees filed complaints for decades to no avail. Angelina Jolie refused to work with him after he sexually harassed her and notified other actresses through what is known as the “whisper” network. laughed in his face after being assaulted in public and being coerced to exchange roles for sex. He often threatened actresses who rebuked him.

    4) At moments he would not force himself on them but get naked and pleasure himself while blocking their exit. These aren’t just actresses but reporters assigned to his story without knowledge of his history.

    Stop making excuses and victim blaming. So far we are talking almost fifty women have come forward about his assaults and harassment. These reporters, actresses and employees aren’t craft women trying to sleep their way to the top but examples of how common women are victims of men in positions of power in the industries (not unique to Hollywood).

    Also, the Access Hollywood tape was not a setup. Trump was being himself with another guy and was caught on a hot mic. He was comfortable when he said he could assault women with impunity. He then harassed the woman hosting him on set. He isn’t the victim of some conspiracy. He is a serial abuser who is now president (not the first).

    • ladybugavenger October 25, 2017 at 12:09 pm

      Maybe you are not qualified to label me.

      For one, if a guy did that to me- I wouldn’t take the role- I would run as fast as I could. Why did they take the role? Because they wanted it?

      Sleeping their way to the top is not a new concept. Disgusting isn’t it.

      We could switch this conversation from Hollywood to politics or from politics to a regular job that pays a fraction of Hollywood. It’s been going on for as long as people have been created. Remember Adam and Eve. Adam blamed Eve for him taking a bite out of the forbidden fruit.

      What does it come down to….sin.

      Protect yourself, protect your soul, protect your integrity. And be very very careful in this awful awful world. There are monsters in this world that are looking for their next prey.

      Find peace, find Jesus. Be saved.

      God bless us all!

      • bikeandfish October 25, 2017 at 12:42 pm

        Once again you double down on ignorance, LBA. Did you read the post or take the time to do any research? It appears not because you make statements that have no merit or relationship to the issue. I listed dozens of examples of women not “taking the role who resisted while Weinstein continously attacked them, harassed them and assaulted them

        This doesn’t come down to sin. This comes down to sexual predation by men in power. This time its Weinstein. Last fall it was revelations about Trump. Before him we had Bill Clinton. Right now there are several other “well respected” men finally hearing their predation in a public venue. And each time citizens like you turn the cards on the victims and blame them. They should or could have done. That is the definition of victim blaming and its shameful. Not just for my ethics and morality but for your perpetual claim to christian belief. Jesus didn’t step all over victims the way you do. He went out of his way to help and to right injustices. Taking the time to talk about sleeping their way to the top while countless women come forward about rape, assault and constant harassment is a hideous, inhumane approach.

        Maybe constantly telling people to find Jesus makes you feel better but it doesn’t provide one iota of help to victims or society. Sexual assault continues to be acceptable in our society while people like you wish it away on religious failures. Its not solved by such prayers.

        As an agnostic, I am going to the Christian thing and actually help. Not just victim blame and tell women to do more. But vigorously fight the issue. We donate to women’s shelters. I fought for more aggressive policy at every company I worked at (which like most businesses largely turn a blind eye to “occasional” claims). Real, concrete efforts to stop men from abusing women and helping victims when we can.

        What Would Jesus Do? He wouldn’t go on the internet and blame the rape and assault victims, I can tell you that LBA. Christianity has a lot to offer but it has nothing to do with the superficial “gospel” you vomit on this website.

      • bikeandfish October 25, 2017 at 12:45 pm

        I have a right to label your voluntary statements on the internet. And after repeating the same thing over and over again I can label your behavior and actions. When Danger constantly volunteers details of his sexism and racism I will name it. And now when you make constant claims about it being the victims fault then I will label your ignorance openly.

        • ladybugavenger October 25, 2017 at 3:32 pm

          I didn’t say you don’t have a right. I said you’re not qualified

          I don’t like you one bit b&f. You have words but you have no heart. You sit on a pesestool and spread your nonsense. It smells like fish. And I hate fish. Everyone is wrong in your comments, except you and when you agree with someone you are both right.

          Your comment earlier about someone’s divorces (I have no idea who are talking to. But does it even matter? Does it make what they say wrong?, no.

          I can’t stand you or your comments
          I’ve been on here for 4 years and I’ve seen a lot of comments. But you make me want to leave this site. Maybe I will, maybe I won’t it depends how sick i get of reading your crap.

          • John October 27, 2017 at 7:26 pm

            Don’t let it bother you Ladybug ! bikeandfish just likes to act like the loudmouthed know it all on these threads ! Might be right once in a while but mostly wrong and she is only a liberal blowhard! This is the only place where she thinks somebody listens..she is easy to trigger and fun to laugh at…You really know you are getting to her when she hits you with.” I have a college degree ( a college degree doe not mean you have common sense , which most liberals do not have) and fifty years of experience with that.. laughable at best.. Good Luck Ladybug.. Hope you stay !!

          • bikeandfish October 29, 2017 at 12:46 am

            I have zero concern for your likes.

            When you voluntarily state inhumane and unfounded accusations about victims I am going to call it out. Your own words are what qualify that judgement. I would say it takes plenty of heart to stand up for victims when individuals like you so complacently have been kicking them down my whole life.

        • comments October 25, 2017 at 3:46 pm

          Bike, it’s kind of ironic now that you call me a “conspiracy theorist”. Seems you’ve concocted quite a set of “conspiracy theories” regarding some kind of massive coverup of some sort of epidemic of women getting sexually abused willy-nilly by all sorts of “men in charge”.

          Bike if you want to upset yourself even further you should research the ties that both Clinton and trump have to men that traffic underage girls from East Europe to work as sex slaves and forced prostitutes. Hell, Trump could write a book on sex tourism of impoverished East Europe, and I have no doubt in my mind that both of them have taken advantage of underaged girls, probably on dozens of occasions, because that’s the type of creatures they are. And what do they have in common more that anything, they both surround themselves with powerful and monied zionists. Weinstein = hollywood zionist. Why had weinstein been able to keep the media from exposing his sexual abuse of women for so long? No doubt he’s buddies with a lot of powerful, media-controlling zionists. What did he do to piss off his zionist media buddies to where they finally allowed him to be exposed? Who in the world knows. You should also look into how the Israelis traffic in girls from russia and ukraine to use as sex slaves and forced prostitutes. Bike, really, the world is a lot darker than old Slick Willy porking a few interns and old zionist weinstein molesting some actresses. The ol’ rabbit hole goes pretty deep. I don’t even have the stomach to look into that stuff anymore.

          • comments October 25, 2017 at 4:03 pm

            So much of the world is rules by zionist psychopaths. I myself don’t have the ambitions or qualities it takes to make real change in this world. I do my part when and where I can, but I’m just a little ant in the ant hill. ?

            This means you gonna have to take the reigns, bike. You gonna have to go out and make the change you want to see happen. Maybe, LBA can get her bible and go out and be your sidekick. Maybe Ed Kociela can be sidekick #2, but I got a feeling he’s too old and tired. Ed Kociela will have to stick to facebook warrioring LOL 😉

          • bikeandfish October 29, 2017 at 1:08 am

            No conspiracy theory but an observation born from experience and data. Look at the details this week emerging about Tobac, Halperin, and George HW Bush. Conde Naste finally dropped photographer Terry Richardson this week after years of women detailing his sexual harrassment and coercion. Even former Congressional aides are coming forward with accounts of harassment and assault in the work place. I wasn’t aware that the 16,000+ workers there didn’t have workplace protections until 1995.

            Calling out the power politics of sexual harrassment isn’t saying all men in positions of power sexually harass women employees. But for decades women victimized by such men had to be quiet because of how that power could silence and harm them. We are finally seeing that tradition and structure start to crumble. Hopefully its a turning point for our country but it will take alot of effort to sustain meaningful change.

  • valia October 25, 2017 at 7:25 am

    I never add my voice to #campaigns, because I suspect that they make people feel better about themselves for a day or two … or a minute, which commonly makes it less likely that they’ll do anything productive. I’m sure most women have talked to enough other women to know that almost all women, in this society or any other, have been “harassed” (low bar here) at some time. Question: can anything be done?

    A better way to measure the size of the problem would be to ask how many men are harassers. What percentage of men harass women and how often do they do it? Even if it’s as low as 10% and they do it, say 10 times a week (a conservative estimate, since this is a personality disorder), that’s 520 times a year. That’s over 3,000 times in a lifetime. If you see 100 men in a month, including everyone you pass in the street, you have roughly 5000 opportunities to experience one of these incidents during that time. And if it’s not you, it’s someone else. There are no limits. Age, attractiveness, intelligence, personality, wealth, popularity, physical limitations … nothing stops these people. It’s a personality disorder, a weakness, and need to prop ones self up by dragging someone else down, encouraged by others with the same problem.

  • John October 25, 2017 at 2:49 pm

    Just remember,It’s not true unless bikeandfish says so.. hahahaha! Now that’s funny, I don’t care who you are !

  • Redbud October 26, 2017 at 3:12 pm

    I agree with bikeandfish that women suffer abuse and harassment more than men. However, I think part of the problem is there are women out there who dress scantily clad, likes hoes, and they act like one, therefore they put themselves in the situation they’re in. NOTE that I did not say ALL or even MOST women, but there definitely are SOME women who do this. Now, do these women deserve to be treated like this even though they are dressed and act like skanks? NO!, But at the same time, they are asking for it, so I have MUCH less sympathy for them!

  • Larsen October 27, 2017 at 8:27 am

    Thank you Ed, for your compassionate and thoughtful expression on the treatment of women in our society. I’m heartened to know that there are safe men as allies.

    However, I continue to be disheartened and worried by the misogyny and racism that is so pervasive as evidenced by the comments found here.

    Do all us womenfolk a favor, “Comments,” don’t marry again.

  • commonsense October 27, 2017 at 9:10 pm

    Did Bill Clinton receive the contempt he deserved? There is a history of multiple women with names who came forward and accused him of sexual harassment while he was governor and president. Most victims were subordinates. The magnitude of his infidelity and criminal behavior is legendary but there was no prosecution. His wife became the candidate of the Dems and she would have brought Bill back into the White House to prey on more women.

    Ed did give a bipartisan tone to his piece and I applaud him for that. The coverup and tolerance for misbehavior seems pervasive amoung the liberal world of entertainers, media and pro athletes.

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