Why isn't Hollywood turning against Harvey Weinstein?

[Beet]

Most celebrities turned very quickly against Cosby once the allegations against him came out, but they've been rather silent on Harvey Weinstein. Why is that?

The accusations against Cosby were known about for like 20 years at least.

Anyway, is Weinstein accused of rape? Being accused of sexually harassment is very different than being accused of rape. Especially if you give the people you sexually harassed like a million dollars each. If your boss tells you "nice ass", that's bad but I think if he gives you a million bucks afterwards it kind of cancels out the badness.

I just saw a news segment on Weinstein.  The allegation, if true, would be a crime.  

I watched Judi Dench and Meryl Streep comment on Weinstein today.  These are folks that would knock over little old church ladies to get to a microphone to blast Trump for ogling some beach babe 20 years ago, but they sure are deliberate about Weinstein, and it begs the question why?

One reason, of course, is that these folks have business relationships with Weinstein, and the company he founded that has now pushed him out.  But the real reason is that all of these folks coming forward now have known what Weinstein has been doing for a long time.  Think about it; all the feminist whiners of Hollywood have known about Weinstein for years, maybe decades, but they're "coming forward" now, once others have taken the risk.  

What does it say about these folks' "feminist" principles?  Silent in the face of decades of Weinstein.  Weinstein's a creep and deserves what he gets, but there will be a whole lot of folks coming forward that had the ability to say something long ago and didn't.  Could Weinstein have "ruined" them?  The latecomers coming forward who knew all along what was going on are collaborators with Weinstein, whether they believe themselves to be or not.

So Weinstein's a creep and deserves what he gets, yet Trump is president? What about the women who came forward against Trump? What did they get? Nothing but to see him elected as the most powerful man in the world. Perhaps these women who knew about Weinstein were collaborators, and to blame for his behavior. Or perhaps they merely realized that what happened to Trump's accusers would also happen to them.

If these women want to bring suit against Trump, bring it on.  

I'm amazed how they all went away.  I noted that they surfaced at the same time a number of intelligence community figures began to endorse Hillary Clinton.  I also know that Allen Dulles once said that the best covert operations were the ones that remained secret "from inception to eternity".  Now I don't know about you, but I don't think that the emergence of "accusers" that have miraculously disappeared is the kind of covert operation that would tax the abilities of the "Spies for Clinton" committee.

One of them has brought a suit. Trump's lawyers have argued he can't be sued. In any case, why couldn't Weinstein say the same thing? "If these women want to bring a suit, bring it on. It's amazing they didn't speak out for 20 years. etc." Are you say it's unfair he was fired from his own company when a suit hasn't been concluded?

If there is probable cause for some of the allegations I've heard against Weinstein, he should be charged with a crime.

He's not going to be charged with any crimes, however.  Whatever his guilt or innocence, the Weinstein matter is going to be one about folks seeking civil awards.

That doesn't answer the question. Is it fair that he's being fired from his own company when no legal judgements have been handed down? Hollywood may be an ugly and sexist place, but at least it has enough shame to kick Weinstein to the curb once the accusations about his behavior become public. That the GOP still swears fealty to Trump as their nominee and POTUS despite his self-admitted behavior is even worse. That's for the whole world to see, by the way. A Pakistani man who sexually assaults his wife can argue "even the president of the United States did it, why can't I?"

To answer the question, "Is it fair?", depends on the totality of circumstances.

Weinstein isn't a mere employee, and he likely was pushed out of the plane with a golden parachute.  That's a lot different than an ordinary employee of a company getting fired because he commented on somebody's figure in an inappropriate way.  Companies do the Weinsteins like this to minimize liability all the time.

Is it fair?  In and of itself, no, but Weinstein, while a private citizen, also has power and perks that you or I don't enjoy on our jobs.

And if Trump returned to being a private citizen he'd still be about as rich and influential as Weinstein. Again, you won't see me defending the corrupt, hypocritical institution that is Hollywood, it's no more hypocritical than the Trump brigade.

[kyc0705]

Hollywood is downright scummy. They gave an Oscar to someone who couldn't step foot into the United States because he raped a 13 y/o girl. The world would be better off without this elite class.

The nature of the top 1% of Hollywood is like the top 1% of any other field. Powerful, wealthy people will do what they will, no matter how bad it looks.

Of course, I can't call for any kind of overthrow of the American film industry, since they're indirectly a source of earned income for me

[pbrower2a]

Hollywood is a moral cesspool.

I've always thought that Hollywood and Washington have a lot in common

Government agencies seem to be honest enough, at least for now, although Donald Trump is doing his damnedest to make the Government reflect his scummy personality.

Joke:

Do you know what the crookedest streets in America are?

Michigan Avenue, Detroit -- America's Sodom and Gomorrah

Madison Avenue, New York (advertising)

Wall Street, New York (high finance)

K Street, Washington DC (lobbying, the real power in America)

the Las Vegas Strip.   

[Val]

John Oliver did on his show. Also just last night Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart called him out on live TV.

[Fuzzy Stands With His Friend, Chairman Sanchez]

Hollywood is downright scummy. They gave an Oscar to someone who couldn't step foot into the United States because he raped a 13 y/o girl. The world would be better off without this elite class.

I'll agree with this.

[dead0man]

Seth MacFamilyguy made a funny joke a few years ago at the Academy Awards

(if you don't want to watch, he lists the nominees for supporting actress and then says "congratulations ladies, you no longer have to pretend to be attracted to Harvey Weinstein" followed by 23 people laughing uncomfortably and hundreds of others sitting in silence feeling bad about themselves.)

[adrac]

Seth MacFamilyguy made a funny joke a few years ago at the Academy Awards

(if you don't want to watch, he lists the nominees for supporting actress and then says "congratulations ladies, you no longer have to pretend to be attracted to Harvey Weinstein" followed by 23 people laughing uncomfortably and hundreds of others sitting in silence feeling bad about themselves.)

Damn, that's actually super telling

[Confused Democrat]

Why aren't Republicans turning against Trump? Hmmm....

[Silent Hunter]

Seth MacFamilyguy made a funny joke a few years ago at the Academy Awards

(if you don't want to watch, he lists the nominees for supporting actress and then says "congratulations ladies, you no longer have to pretend to be attracted to Harvey Weinstein" followed by 23 people laughing uncomfortably and hundreds of others sitting in silence feeling bad about themselves.)

Wasn't this the awards that had the song in the main ceremony about actresses getting naked, sung by Seth himself?

Seriously, this looks very much like your equivalent of the Jimmy Saville scandal.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

What Polanski has done is worse and Hollywood keeps working with him and giving him (undeserved) awards.

We can question whether a person of his record should be eligible for Academy Awards at all, but if you were referring specifically to "the Pianist", then you are wrong.

[kyc0705]

What Polanski has done is worse and Hollywood keeps working with him and giving him (undeserved) awards.

We can question whether a person of his record should be eligible for Academy Awards at all, but if you were referring specifically to "the Pianist", then you are wrong.

It's the perennial debate about art and the artist. Polanski is a horrible man, but he makes good films quite regularly. Woody Allen is a horrible man, but he makes good films as well (once or twice every decade or so.) Does a work of art cease to be appreciable simply because of who made it?

[Devout Centrist]

Hollywood is downright scummy. They gave an Oscar to someone who couldn't step foot into the United States because he raped a 13 y/o girl. The world would be better off without this elite class.

Why aren't you a leftist again?

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Lol@theDNC


It's understandable why the DNC wouldn't be donating the full $300,000; after all, right now that would constitute more than one-tenth of its net funds (i.e., cash on hand minus debt), which stood at just $2.8 million at the end of August. The DNC has had money problems for years, and it's basically bleeding cash right now.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

What Polanski has done is worse and Hollywood keeps working with him and giving him (undeserved) awards.

We can question whether a person of his record should be eligible for Academy Awards at all, but if you were referring specifically to "the Pianist", then you are wrong.

It's the perennial debate about art and the artist. Polanski is a horrible man, but he makes good films quite regularly. Woody Allen is a horrible man, but he makes good films as well (once or twice every decade or so.) Does a work of art cease to be appreciable simply because of who made it?

That's the kicker. Somebody like Cosby can't get away with it, because he is light entertainment: without the "friendly" image, the whole gimmick collapses (see Rolf Harris); but people who make things a bit deeper can escape as flawed geniuses or whatever.

I don't think Weinstein will get away with it. Historically people like him would get away scot-free (Louis B Meyer being the classic monstrous predator), but if your main skill is procuring capital and talent and you have access to neither, you're effectively useless.

[°Leprechaun]

Who is Harvey Weinstein and why should I care?

[kyc0705]

Who is Harvey Weinstein and why should I care?

If you've managed to miss this entire story (or his entire career) until now, the explanation will not be worth the payoff.

Or, if your search engine is broken: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Harvey+Weinstein

[elcorazon]

We live in a country where the culture is sexist. Powerful men take advantage of younger vulnerable women at every turn in every industry. Men with all kinds of politics are scumbags. Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Socialists, etc. Most men are not like this, but a disturbingly large number are. From what I've seen, Weinstein being a scumbag was well known. The extent to which he was a true predator was not as well known. Some stories got shut down either for legal reasons, because women were shamed, feared for their careers or in some cases because the powerful man had enough power to keep those in the know from wanting to lose their insider status with an important man despite knowing he's a scumbag.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Harvey Weinstein is entitled to be presumed innocent until (if) finds guilty by the court just like everybody else. He's accused, not convicted.

[they don't love you like i love you]

Seth MacFamilyguy made a funny joke a few years ago at the Academy Awards

(if you don't want to watch, he lists the nominees for supporting actress and then says "congratulations ladies, you no longer have to pretend to be attracted to Harvey Weinstein" followed by 23 people laughing uncomfortably and hundreds of others sitting in silence feeling bad about themselves.)

As usual, Seth MacFarlane is an absolute f[inks]ing genius.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Has Hillary or Michelle Obummer issued a statement condemning this horrible person?

Neither has a relationship with him, so I don't see why it is relevant. They're not "Hollywood" at all.

Is Barack aware of that?

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Harvey Weinstein is entitled to be presumed innocent until (if) finds guilty by the court just like everybody else. He's accused, not convicted.

Legally, yes, but we have audio of him admitting to sexual assault.

[dead0man]

Harvey Weinstein is entitled to be presumed innocent until (if) finds guilty by the court just like everybody else. He's accused, not convicted.

stay classy!

[Mr. Smith]

What Polanski has done is worse and Hollywood keeps working with him and giving him (undeserved) awards.

We can question whether a person of his record should be eligible for Academy Awards at all, but if you were referring specifically to "the Pianist", then you are wrong.

It's the perennial debate about art and the artist. Polanski is a horrible man, but he makes good films quite regularly. Woody Allen is a horrible man, but he makes good films as well (once or twice every decade or so.) Does a work of art cease to be appreciable simply because of who made it?

That's the kicker. Somebody like Cosby can't get away with it, because he is light entertainment: without the "friendly" image, the whole gimmick collapses (see Rolf Harris); but people who make things a bit deeper can escape as flawed geniuses or whatever.

I don't think Weinstein will get away with it. Historically people like him would get away scot-free (Louis B Meyer being the classic monstrous predator), but if your main skill is procuring capital and talent and you have access to neither, you're effectively useless.

Not to mention Cosby was supposed to be a role-model of sorts.

Polanski and Weinstein never had that on them, and in the case of Polanski, his work was out there to begin with.

The logic's the same logic Trump got by on against everyone else.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Because Weinstein was a top political backer of those most likely to yell "sexist".

[SNJ1985]

When will Michael Moore distance himself from his friend (and film collaborator) Weinstein?

https://twitter.com/MMFlint/status/569677514559221760

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-moore-harvey-weinstein-reteam-trump-doc-11-9-1003733