TOTALLY GEEKED!

huskerbb · Guru

I don't know if these accusations are true, or not--but it's BS they are coming out 40+ years later.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Yeah, I am suspicious too Grandpa. Why are they all of a sudden resurfacing?

Southern_Belle · Nothing's Impossible

Someone wants their 15 minutes of fame. Poor Bill.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

I don't understand it either.

I think it is ridiculous.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

I hope the allegations are not true. I think he is a stand up kind of guy, especially with the way he came out against all the gangsters and no show fathers. I can't imagine someone like that doing what he is accused of. Makes me sad.

huskerbb · Guru

I don't know if they are true, or not.

While I can't blame a teenager for not reporting this--she hasn't been that teenager for a LONG time, yet NOW she brings this up?

It's fundamentally unfair. There is no way for him to really "prove" the accusations are false, nor is there any way for them to "prove" what they are saying is true. The statute of limitations is long over, and to the extent he was ever a threat to other vulnerable young women, that ship has sailed, as well, so that can no longer be a motivation to come forward.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I think he is being Clarenced Thomased or Hermann Cained.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

He's 77. Soooo yeah why now? Sheesh.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

I have issues when a woman says she was assaulted by a man after he spiked her drink and then she goes out with him and drinks with him again. And then 40 years later she claims she was raped.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Yeah. It smells like stink.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

He was supposed to be on Queen Latifah's show and she dropped him because of the accusations.

Bonny22Pye · Guru

They've been around a long time. He's paid off tons of women.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Bonny22Pye wrote:
They've been around a long time. He's paid off tons of women.

He has paid off 3 I believe. But is that because he just didn't want publicity 30 years ago or because he was guilty? Many celebs pay off people because they are caught in compromising positions, not necessarily criminal.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
Bonny22Pye wrote:
They've been around a long time. He's paid off tons of women.
He has paid off 3 I believe. But is that because he just didn't want publicity 30 years ago or because he was guilty? Many celebs pay off people because they are caught in compromising positions, not necessarily criminal.

Exactly.

The accusations make me sick. The latest "victim" is Janice Dickinson...

flan

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

The Liberal media has decided that only certain opinions may come from black men. So, this is their typical medial lynching of a black man who strayed too far off the white liberal plantation by daring to have opinions they don't like. They did it to Thomas, Cain and now Cosby.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

So he made jokes in 1969 about Spanish Fly. Oh, ok. What idiocy.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
He was supposed to be on Queen Latifah's show and she dropped him because of the accusations.

See, that's the thing. Someone makes an accusation and then you are tried and crucified in the media.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

One of the things I've noticed in reading these women's stories is that they don't actually accuse him of force. They say they didn't want to, they say "he made me" - but doing something you don't want to do when you don't actually say no is not rape. "He made me" - HOW? Forced you?

There is a difference between a woman allowing herself to be used because she doesn't object and a woman being raped.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Lawyerlady wrote:
One of the things I've noticed in reading these women's stories is that they don't actually accuse him of force. They say they didn't want to, they say "he made me" - but doing something you don't want to do when you don't actually say no is not rape. "He made me" - HOW? Forced you?

There is a difference between a woman allowing herself to be used because she doesn't object and a woman being raped.

Excellent point!

flan

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Now, don't get me wrong. The guy was probably a jerk. He took advantage of young girls b/c he could.

Lexxy · My dog name is Sasha, too!

He probably did take advantage but I agree with LL that if he spiked their drink why did they go out & drink with him again. The first time he's a sleeze. The second time she's an idiot & asking for trouble. Sorry I'm not one to blame the victim but if you know what happened once don't put yourself in that position again.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

It just strikes me as similar to starlets blaming producers when they are used on the casting couch.

And why now after 40 years? You think he's still taking advantage and getting it on with young girls at age 77?

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Lawyerlady wrote:
It just strikes me as similar to starlets blaming producers when they are used on the casting couch.

And why now after 40 years? You think he's still taking advantage and getting it on with young girls at age 77?

He would need LOTS of Viagra!

flan

huskerbb · Guru

Bonny22Pye wrote:
They've been around a long time. He's paid off tons of women.

No, he hasn't paid off "tons" of women.

He paid off a few--but that in and of itself doesn't mean he was guilty of raping them, let alone others that he didn't pay off.

Again, I don't know if he did or did not--but it's BS that they waited four DECADES to bring it up. If they were fine with it for forty years, I'm not convinced that they are so "traumatized" now.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Sooo, a point was brought up today on a radio show today. All the accusations are from the 80's when society opinions were such that a lot of rape victims did not come forward. I think this has merit here. But these women also met with him multiple times after the initial "rape". So if they feared him why did they go back and see him? A rape victim myself, I would not ever put myself back in the perps control. Only place I want to see him is court or jail. I think he was a horn dog but also think these women thought they would get a leg up on their celeb careers and so met with him and kept doing so. That makes Cosby a jerk but not a rapist. They were both getting stuff from each other.

huskerbb · Guru

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
Sooo, a point was brought up today on a radio show today. All the accusations are from the 80's when society opinions were such that a lot of rape victims did not come forward. I think this has merit here. But these women also met with him multiple times after the initial "rape". So if they feared him why did they go back and see him? A rape victim myself, I would not ever put myself back in the perps control. Only place I want to see him is court or jail. I think he was a horn dog but also think these women thought they would get a leg up on their celeb careers and so met with him and kept doing so. That makes Cosby a jerk but not a rapist. They were both getting stuff from each other.

But rapes were reported back then. It was their choice to not come forward at the time.

Plus, even if I can understand a 19 year old kid trying to establish a career not wanting to come forward--what about 5 years later? 10? For one woman, this was FORTY years later. She hasn't been that scared teen for a LONG, LONG time.

Bonny22Pye · Guru

13 other women came forward as witnesses for the assault that was settled out of court.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Bonny22Pye wrote:
13 other women came forward as witnesses for the assault that was settled out of court.

Not as witness to that assault, but supposedly as women he had assaulted. So, that makes 15 women. And NONE of them accused him of rape back then. NONE of them came forward until the discussion was about money. And now, there's the fame factor and the fact that society likes to venerate victims.

Janice Dickerson now claims he raped her, but in her book says she wanted a career opportunity from him and he blew her off when she wouldn't have sex with him. Which is it?

But, let's say worse case that it's true and he did it. Every woman that stayed silent contributed to the next victim. So, I guess, if they didn't care enough to do something about it then, I can't really care now.

Bonny22Pye · Guru

I think he's a douchebag.

ed11563 · Guru

I have to wonder how many women might accuse ME if I was now rich and famous. I might enjoy being rich, but I'd never want to be famous.

ed11563 · Guru

Bonny22Pye wrote:
I think he's a douchebag.

One thing I know, he's always been a great entertainer.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Bonny22Pye wrote:
I think he's a douchebag.

Quite probably true.

huskerbb · Guru

Bonny22Pye wrote:
13 other women came forward as witnesses for the assault that was settled out of court.

No. They didn't witness said assault.

burns07 · Guru

well, am inclined to believe her--you can't live in denial your whole life--eventually, you have to do things for your OWN good, your OWN sanity--spiking / drugging was/is his likely m.o.--a common theme in the accusations--perhaps she decided the hell with it, he's not going to get away with it scot free and decided to act--it can take a long time to come to a decision

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

ed11563 wrote:
Bonny22Pye wrote:
I think he's a douchebag.
One thing I know, he's always been a great entertainer.

I agree. Dad owned his comedy albums...actual vinyl! LOL

flan

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

burns07 wrote:

well, am inclined to believe her--you can't live in denial your whole life--eventually, you have to do things for your OWN good, your OWN sanity--spiking / drugging was/is his likely m.o.--a common theme in the accusations--perhaps she decided the hell with it, he's not going to get away with it scot free and decided to act--it can take a long time to come to a decision

And back then, partying with drugs and alcohol was very, very common. If he drugged her and raped her, why the hell would she go drinking with him again?

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I am sure there was a lot of sex, drugs and rock and roll going on among the celebrity crowd back then.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I am sure there was a lot of sex, drugs and rock and roll going on among the celebrity crowd back then.

Yep. 40 years ago was the early 70s.

ed11563 · Guru

flan327 wrote:
ed11563 wrote:
Bonny22Pye wrote:
I think he's a douchebag.
One thing I know, he's always been a great entertainer.
I agree. Dad owned his comedy albums...actual vinyl! LOL
flan

Me too. When I saw him live in Milwaukee, I was about 50 rows back from the stage, and didn't have binoculars.

I decided it was smarter to spend the money for his albums than to listen from 50 rows away.

I still have them.

huskerbb · Guru

burns07 wrote:

well, am inclined to believe her--you can't live in denial your whole life--eventually, you have to do things for your OWN good, your OWN sanity--spiking / drugging was/is his likely m.o.--a common theme in the accusations--perhaps she decided the hell with it, he's not going to get away with it scot free and decided to act--it can take a long time to come to a decision

A "long" time? It's taken her about as long as I've been alive--and I'm not that young.

That's BS.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

huskerbb wrote:
I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
Sooo, a point was brought up today on a radio show today. All the accusations are from the 80's when society opinions were such that a lot of rape victims did not come forward. I think this has merit here. But these women also met with him multiple times after the initial "rape". So if they feared him why did they go back and see him? A rape victim myself, I would not ever put myself back in the perps control. Only place I want to see him is court or jail. I think he was a horn dog but also think these women thought they would get a leg up on their celeb careers and so met with him and kept doing so. That makes Cosby a jerk but not a rapist. They were both getting stuff from each other.
But rapes were reported back then. It was their choice to not come forward at the time.
Plus, even if I can understand a 19 year old kid trying to establish a career not wanting to come forward--what about 5 years later? 10? For one woman, this was FORTY years later. She hasn't been that scared teen for a LONG, LONG time.

I've re thought this. You are correct. He may have been a deviant, but it appears these women got something out of it, so much so, that they valued whatever that "what" is over reporting what they are now calling rape. No true rape victim would do that. There had to be a compelling reason for them not to report it to the police immediately and not to see him again. I can understand a young child having been raped not coming out about it until decades later, but not an adult.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
Sooo, a point was brought up today on a radio show today. All the accusations are from the 80's when society opinions were such that a lot of rape victims did not come forward. I think this has merit here. But these women also met with him multiple times after the initial "rape". So if they feared him why did they go back and see him? A rape victim myself, I would not ever put myself back in the perps control. Only place I want to see him is court or jail. I think he was a horn dog but also think these women thought they would get a leg up on their celeb careers and so met with him and kept doing so. That makes Cosby a jerk but not a rapist. They were both getting stuff from each other.
But rapes were reported back then. It was their choice to not come forward at the time.
Plus, even if I can understand a 19 year old kid trying to establish a career not wanting to come forward--what about 5 years later? 10? For one woman, this was FORTY years later. She hasn't been that scared teen for a LONG, LONG time.
I've re thought this. You are correct. He may have been a deviant, but it appears these women got something out of it, so much so, that they valued whatever that "what" is over reporting what they are now calling rape. No true rape victim would do that. There had to be a compelling reason for them not to report it to the police immediately and not to see him again. I can understand a young child having been raped not coming out about it until decades later, but not an adult.

Some of this is society's fault. When a state decides there has to be a "yes" law on sex because women can't be responsible for saying no or for drinking too much, then it changes what people think of as rape.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Lawyerlady wrote:
I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
huskerbb wrote:
I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
Sooo, a point was brought up today on a radio show today. All the accusations are from the 80's when society opinions were such that a lot of rape victims did not come forward. I think this has merit here. But these women also met with him multiple times after the initial "rape". So if they feared him why did they go back and see him? A rape victim myself, I would not ever put myself back in the perps control. Only place I want to see him is court or jail. I think he was a horn dog but also think these women thought they would get a leg up on their celeb careers and so met with him and kept doing so. That makes Cosby a jerk but not a rapist. They were both getting stuff from each other.
But rapes were reported back then. It was their choice to not come forward at the time.
Plus, even if I can understand a 19 year old kid trying to establish a career not wanting to come forward--what about 5 years later? 10? For one woman, this was FORTY years later. She hasn't been that scared teen for a LONG, LONG time.
I've re thought this. You are correct. He may have been a deviant, but it appears these women got something out of it, so much so, that they valued whatever that "what" is over reporting what they are now calling rape. No true rape victim would do that. There had to be a compelling reason for them not to report it to the police immediately and not to see him again. I can understand a young child having been raped not coming out about it until decades later, but not an adult.
Some of this is society's fault. When a state decides there has to be a "yes" law on sex because women can't be responsible for saying no or for drinking too much, then it changes what people think of as rape.

And this is sad. People need to take responsibility for their own actions. And today's societal attitude about screaming rape when you've had way too many drinks may be propelling this current situation with Cosby.

ed11563 · Guru

http://www.newsday.com/opinion/oped/cosby-accusers-should-have-spoken-up-sooner-christine-flowers-1.9638597 Reprints

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Cosby accusers should have spoken up sooner

November 20, 2014 by CHRISTINE M. FLOWERS, Philadelphia Daily News

Bill Cosby stars in Comedy Central's "Bill Cosby:

I know that the nuns who had custody of my conscience for 12 long years will be hanging their heads about this, but I've come to the conclusion that you can actually be too compassionate.

While it's always good to reach out to the suffering, there are times when you have to say, "Sorry, but you waited too long. I can't help you now." That's how I feel about the women who are coming out and accusing Bill Cosby of raping them decades ago. I know that most of the ladies are doing it to make themselves feel better and neutralize the shame they say he caused them to carry through their teen years and into adulthood, but the regurgitated revelations have been picked up by people who advocate for abolishing statutes of limitations.

The thinking in this goes that statutes that prevent putative victims from making accusations against their alleged abusers if they don't file them in a timely manner are just another way of victimizing the innocent, and don't take into consideration the psychological trauma experienced by a person who has been raped.

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I get that. Clearly, not everyone has the ability to transcend their own pain, uncurl from the fetal position and raise their defiant voices to say "J'accuse!" It would be a much better world if society welcomed the testimony of victims, particularly children, and believed their claims of persecution and abuse.

But just because we don't live in that utopia, we don't then get the right to trash our venerable tradition of due process and simply eliminate the protections against false accusations or faulty memories. Exposing anyone to a lifetime of liability because we feel sorry for a woman who says she was ashamed to tell that sordid tale of date rape, or a man who only found the courage to admit he'd been sexually violated in the sacristy 30 years after the fact, is as fundamentally un-American as you can get.

I know that this will not make me a lot of fans. I raised the issue on my Facebook page earlier this week, and while some of my virtual friends agreed that decades-old allegations are untrustworthy, many others believed that we need to give women the benefit of the doubt. I say "women," because I didn't touch on the child abuse scandal, which is a special variant of the topic with its own complications. I'm also pretty certain that my critics don't think men should be afforded the same tolerance, because many of those who responded to my post talked about how women were traditionally discouraged from speaking out about rape. In point of fact, it's actually been harder for men because of the stigma society attaches to male victims of sexual abuse, but we are all somehow conditioned to believe that women have a harder time of it.

I've studied the claims of the women who say they were drugged by Cosby and then raped, and they all seem to follow a pattern: The women were either interns or mentored by the actor, went to his room to discuss some project, had a drink (or several) and then woke up after he'd allegedly attacked them. They sound so similar that I'm reminded of the McMartin preschool case where children were coached to tell the sordid tales of being raped by their teachers. That story, which never gets the attention it deserves, turned out to be false. Lives were destroyed by opportunistic psychologists, parents who were naïve enough to believe them, and a flock of media vultures who fed on the carcass of manipulation and lies.

I'm not sure whether Cosby is innocent of having extracurricular sex, and it's quite possible that he did take advantage of his position. Even so, we have an obligation to tell these women that they waited too long for their day of reckoning.

Compassion is a good thing, but it needs to be evenly applied. Sometimes, the people that we are naturally inclined to view as victims bear some responsibility for their injuries, and it's neither sinful nor heartless to say that. If we tell them it's OK to wait lifetimes to speak out about what they think happened to them, we are showing no compassion to the targets of their anger.

The thing that angers me the most about this whole situation with Cosby is the mean-spirited, vengeful way the story is being trotted out yet again like some B-movie zombie that refuses to die. It's been a nonstory for a decade, and it seems to pop up periodically when Temple's pride and joy has a project or is railing against the gangsta culture. His detractors know they can't get to him legally, so they want to destroy what Shakespeare's Cassio called "the eternal part of myself," his reputation.

For that reason alone, I have no compassion for these women and their cobwebbed, aged stories. Enough.

Christine M. Flowers is a lawyer and columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News.

< back to article

huskerbb · Guru

I agree with ed's article.

It also defies credulity that if there were all these women--not ONE of them spoke up at the time? Not a single one?

Again, I get that some young, teenage girl might not want to take on a Hollywood icon--but rapes do get reported. They don't ALL go unreported. It just defies logic that not one of them wouldn't have come forward when it might still have been possible to gather actual, you know, evidence.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Okay...good thing I'm sitting down right now.

I agree with ed AND husker.

flan

huskerbb · Guru

Then everyone sits there and wonders why many rape victims are not believed. Well, this is part of the reason. Making accusations years (and in this case DECADES) later when any possibility of proving or disproving said accusations is long gone. Of course people are going to be skeptical about such accusations--and, by extension, sometimes even accusations of he said/she said that are more immediate.

There was a website or online forum not so long ago in which women were encouraged to talk about their unreported rape. Everyone who participated said it was so empowering to be able to talk about it.

Obviously I don't know what it is like to have been raped. However, I would think it would be more empowering to have reported it. Even if that isn't the case, NOTHING about this issue is going to change with either silence immediately after the fact, or by bringing up such accusations long after they will do any good.

TOTALLY GEEKED!

Woman accuses Bill Cosby of sexually assaulting her decades ago

Cosby accusers should have spoken up sooner