…To due process?
I am dipping my toes into the murky waters of the Harvey Wienstein debacle here. The balance of probabilities tends to look bad for Weinstein. In all probability we are looking at someone who used his position to obtain sexual favours and is most likely an unpleasant sleazebag, who did, indeed, sexually assault various actresses. The evidence so far does tend to suggest a serial sexual predator.
Okay, okay, so now people are coming forward and making allegations. However, these are at present allegations, mind. They are not proof of misconduct. Yet, based upon the allegations he has been sacked, stripped of various industry posts and determined guilty. This is trial by media. Since when did allegations – no matter how reliable the witness – become enough to condemn? What happened to investigation before coming to a conclusion? What happened to the accused’s right to a defence?
What the flying fuck happened to due process when someone is deemed guilty on the basis of allegations that have not been fully investigated?
This is no better than the witch hunts of yesteryear. Whether this man is guilty or not is not the issue here; it is the complete failure to properly investigate the allegations and apply sub judice rules, because if it comes to court then how on earth can he expect a fair trial? Oh, yeah, we don’t do those anymore…
As for #MeToo; someone asking you out that you don’t fancy is not sexual assault, no matter how much you like to think it is. Nor is someone flirting with you. So please stop jumping on the bandwagon. If you have clear evidence of assault, take it to the relevant authorities, not Twatter.
Well, over here we had Saville and lately Ted Heath, both too dead to defend themselves from 40 year old made up bollocks which however resulted in a payday for the legal scum.
The ‘casting couch’ has been a thing and source of humour since the 40s at least,the only difference now is we have these mad bitches, sorry, ’empowered women’, deciding that they have actual talent instead of a limited ability to remember someone elses writings combined with big tits and a pert rump.Weinstein’s problem is that he was not apparently raking in the shekels with his latest films, and so Hollywood could afford to throw him under the bus.
I think what you are seeing is what happens when someone who has had the protection of the Establishment for decades suddenly has it removed. This isn’t a case of a random person being accused of something, and no-one can be sure if they did it or not. Its a case of someone who definitely did it all, everyone in the industry knew about it, and everyone ignored it for years. Thats why you’re seeing so much dropping him like a hot potato – they all KNOW the truth and are trying desperately to avoid the sh*tstorm thats welling up to engulf him.
I note in last night’s ‘One Show’ interview with Tom Hangs (to plug his new book) he was asked if Weinstein could return to Hollywood. You’d think, from his reaction, he’d been tried and convicted in a court of law…
My point exactly. He probably is as guilty as hell, but that’s for a court to decide.
Asking for sex isn’t a crime. It’s not rape or sexual assault if you’re asking for favours in return. Simply because it’s a simple transaction between consenting adults. Indeed, isn’t there some statute about prostitution that Weinsteins accusers are guilty of? After all, they wanted payment for sex in the form of a movie role.
These outraged actresses only had to say ‘no’.
It is both interesting and revealing how the “Stars” are treating Mr Wienstein. To date, as you say, there has been neither a formal legal enquiry nor a trial. Clearly, he has behaved in a manner best described as ungentlemanly but all of his accusers were over the age of legal consent for such in the US. Not a single one uttered a word until recently and the noise and light show is most intriguing. Firstly, are they not prejudicing any potential legal action by ensuring such a hullabaloo? Their hypocrisy is, however, clearly displayed when one compares their current actions to the complete silence regarding a rather (in)famous convicted rapist of under-age girls. Although the BFI awarded a retrospective for the latter whilst stripping Mr Wienstein of his honours?
Hypocrisy thy name is Hollywood
The same sort of thing happened to a police officer and a few male students all accused of rape by lying women making allegations. Allegations with no hard proof, especially historical ones should be binned. They will go nowhere without proof that can stand up to cross examination in court.