By David Futrelle
Another day, another batch of atrocities and embarrassments, from Donald Trump challenging his secretary of state to a public IQ-test bakeoff to the release of a vomit-inducing tape of Harvey Weinstein demonstrating his, er, pickup technique.
Let’s start with that one, huh, because it’s somehow even worse than it sounds — so much so that you may want to think twice before listening to it.
Weinstein, in conversation with Gutierrez, admits to groping her. Here’s the audio: https://t.co/zSQbK5NV0c pic.twitter.com/vmrrSUp43w
— The New Yorker (@NewYorker) October 10, 2017
You can’t help but wonder how many dozens if not hundreds of times Weinstein has had similar, er, conversations with young, vulnerable women.
In other Harvey Weinstein news:
NYT: Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie say Harvey Weinstein sexually harassed them when they were young actresses. https://t.co/1n7FgrNmoW
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/rosemcgowan/status/917526296925683713
https://twitter.com/xeni/status/917805989511913472
In non-Harvey Weinstein News That is Not Actually From The Onion, No Really, This is the World We Live in Today:
NEW: Trump proposes ‘IQ tests’ face-off with Tillerson after secretary of state calls him a ‘moron.’ https://t.co/kuCOSALDUl
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) October 10, 2017
How long before Trump tweets a screengrab of an online IQ test.
— Jemaine Clement (@AJemaineClement) October 10, 2017
I challenge Donald Trump to a public Buzzfeed "Tell Us Your Food Preferences And We'll Reveal Which Instagram Cat You Are" quiz showdown.
— David Futrelle (@DavidFutrelle) October 10, 2017
Still have not heard back from the White House on this one.
More news from the alternate reality we’re now stuck in: Melania Trump is feuding with Ivana Trump (yes, Ivana, not Ivanka) over who is the true First Lady.
https://twitter.com/BenjySarlin/status/917450380044390400
Blurgledsvgpo4qwbwd.
Henry Kissinger is definitely alive and absolutely not being Weekend at Bernie’s-ed pic.twitter.com/xdYNUlrwdC
— Ashley Feinberg (ashleyfeinberg.bsky.social) (@ashleyfeinberg) October 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/pattymo/status/917583613918695424
https://twitter.com/morninggloria/status/917808982819033088
https://twitter.com/lyssfame/status/917127717820153856
Now, cats:
— ねこばす (@neko_bus2010) October 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/MeetAnimals/status/917260879430811648
Ok, some dogs too:
https://twitter.com/dognkitty/status/917382725610332160
https://twitter.com/awwcuteness/status/917244228836691969
Ok, bye.
The magistrate’s warrant is enough to indict Harris and have the police arrest him, but the DA (who, IIRC, is a Democrat) still needs to decide that there’s enough evidence to pursue the case. It looks like it’s a bullying tactic to lower the likelihood that Harris will cooperate with the investigation in the case against his attackers.
Well that’s the end of Weinstein’s career. Hollywood just won’t countenance that sort of thing.
http://www.slate.com/content/dam/slate/articles/arts/culturebox/2014/02/140210_CBOX_PolanskiAllen.jpg
White nationalists are probably worried that a lot of members of so-called “non-violent moderate” white nationalist organizations could end up being convicted of serious violent felonies. That would open the door for groups like the SPLC to sue those organizations for tolerating an environment that encourages violence. They’re probably doing whatever they can to make sure the charges get dropped.
The great Digby from Hullabaloo had a prescient take on the long-term ramifications men like Trump and Weinstein have on women that I thought was worth sharing: https://digbysblog.blogspot.ca/2017/10/its-not-just-donnie-and-harve-folks.html
Seconding the recommendation for Spotlight. It’s not an easy watch, but it’s an important film and I’m glad it was made.
Re: Jesalin’s first link about Weinstein’s departure for ‘rehab’ (I mean, what does rehab for sex abuse even look like? No doubt it’s a fuckin’ resort, but I’m side eyeing the rest) Van Nuys airport is a good-sized regional airport with no major airlines serving it; it’s all private jets, high-end air shuttles and privately owned small aircraft. I grew up very close to it.
Not that it’s terribly salient to the story, but it seemed like they were making it out to be a regular commercial airport in the article.
@Gussie
That was depressing as all hell, mainly because it’s 100% true.
It’s the height male privilege that Weinstein was already assuming he’d be forgiven and invited back after “therapy” when he should be in prison. Or somewhere far away from women. I just can’t fathom the mindset.
There’s no “rehab” for sex offenders that will “cure” people after 6 months. Weinstein is 65, so he’s probably not going to change his learned behaviors.
@booburry:
“But I always got away with it before! Why should people suddenly start caring now?”
In some ways, it’s a lot like what happens with a lot of thieves who get caught because they figured they’d always gotten away before and got arrogant. In other ways, of course, it isn’t: there’s rarely this much cultural support for theft (unless you’re only stealing from people who don’t have anything anyway).
There’s a video.
Of Crew’s assault.
There is not a black person near him.
There is no fucking case against Harris.
None.
They can drop that warrant.
They need to.
Now.
Weinstein – you’re a raging pustule on the arse of humanity.
A mistake is when you put salt in your tea instead of sugar.
You don’t mistakenly put your penis inside someone who doesn’t want it. You don’t accidentally threaten, bully and cajole women into coming to your room when they obviously want to get away.
You don’t harass, assault or rape people by mistake. They are always deliberate and calculated acts. Your disingenuous non-apology is a result only of you being exposed and caught for the abusive predator that you are.
Fuck.
Off.
Andy Signore, the “Honest Trailers” guy (I’m not sure if he’s the person who narrates the videos), was fired by Defy Media only after the sexual assault and harassment allegations against him were made public: http://www.businessinsider.com/honest-trailers-creator-andy-signore-fired-sexual-abuse-allegations-2017-10
History Nerd said
Pretty much what I thought. He’s going to a resort in Arizona where he’ll have a bit of talk therapy to make him feel better.
I’m probably going to have to have a break from things for a week or so. Our beloved Catbeast is going to be put down tomorrow as his kidneys seem to have shut down suddenly. He’s gotten a couple of shots to keep him comfortable till then. I don’t want to preside over any more deaths for, well, ever.
So it seems that Twitter gave Rose McGowan a temporary ban for her comments on Weinstein. You know, the company people had to basically beg for them to enforce their own TOS against actual Nazis. But boy were they ready to silence her.
Since this was on Facebook News it also showed some rando’s thoughts on this, which was two very stupid points;
1. Twitter is a private company and can do what they want with their platform. *Points at my comment above to show why that’s so fucking problematic*
2. This person then, I shit you not, said “I don’t remember anyone complaining when Milo Y. was banned on Twitter!”
Son, if you don’t remember the uproar that happened when Milo’s Frozen Peaches were taken away by the SJW Twitters, you might wish to see a doctor about your memory problems.
Yeah, I’d guess Weinstein’s “treatment” is talk therapy that helps him feel better. The vast majority of people who attend sex offender treatment or batterer intervention programs voluntarily (not as part of being sentenced to treatment for a criminal conviction) drop out after a few sessions.
@Schnookums
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL re: point 2
@Hambeast
OMG, I’m so sorry!
@Hambeast
I’m so sorry to hear about Catbeast.
@Hambeast,
I’m so sorry about Catbeast. Everyone here will be aware of how much you love him.
As our vet nurse said to us when our BooBoo had heart failure, “They’re never with us for long enough.”
Oh, @Hambeast, I am so sorry about Catbeast. Take your time.
Oh, Hambeast, I am so, so sorry. My sincerest condolences. ?
@Hambeast
I’m so sorry. Losing our cat friends is always heartbreaking. I hope he can at least go peacefully.
@repdavebrat @repmobrooks @repkenbuck @reptedbudd @repstevechabot @kycomer @warrendavidson @desjarlaisTN04 @repseanduffy @repjeffduncan @repjohnduncanjr @reptomemmer @virginiafoxx @reptrentfranks @repgallagher @RepTomGarrett @RepBobGibbs @replouiegohmert @RepGoodlatte @RepGosar @RepMGriffith @RepAndyHarrisMD @rephensarling @CongressmanHice @RepFrenchHill @repholding @RepRichHudson @repmikejohnson @repwalterjones @Jim_Jordan @RepTrentKelly @repdavidkustof @RepDLamborn @RepJasonLewis @reploudermilk @repkenmarchant @RepThomasMassie @RepMarkMeadows @RepLukeMesser @repalexmooney @repmullin @repkristinoem @RalphNorman @USRepGaryPalmer @RepStevePearce @repscottperry
These are the members of the United States House of Representatives that voted AGAINST relief funds for Puerto Rico. Shameless, craven ghouls.
I am so very, very angry right now.
@Hambeast
I’m so very sorry. You’re doing the right thing, of course, but it still hurts a lot.
Take all the time you need to recover from this blow.
Bon voyage, Catbeast. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
@Hambeast so so sorry.
I’m sat here with our beloved (16yo, blind, doddery) Spyro on my lap. Think I’ll delay getting ready for work for a few more minutes.