Harvey Weinstein megaproducer and executive ousted over sexual harassment

[Prancer]

Do you know what he is referring to? It is a political remark and not a sexist remark.
He is referencing the fact that she had to spend a lot of time cleaning up her husband's infidelities.

No, really? Color me stunned.

To Prancer: What I was referring to was were you the on-duty admin.

We don't have shifts except during big competitions and then it's just to make sure someone is here to open threads and make sure the board is running. And what difference would it make anyway? I'm either here or I'm not and your cartoon isn't exactly something that requires any special admin attention.

 

[snowbird]

To Prancer: Thank you for your fast response. Sometimes the board indicates who is on-duty, you, Genevieve, or that Irish guy.
BTW, thank you for letting all my posts go through all these years.

 

[snoopy]

Do you know what he is referring to? It is a political remark and not a sexist remark.
He is referencing the fact that she had to spend a lot of time cleaning up her husband's infidelities.

Calling women bimbos even in the context of a political remark is sexist.

 

[Wyliefan]

Is it? Not to be cynical, but they ejected Harvey Weinstein while Roman Polanski gets standing Os?

It's not unheard of for any group that is being called out on an endemic problem to sacrifice one of their own in the name of eliminating some form of corruption while nothing really changes. It's not like Hollywood hasn't been called out for this behavior before and clutched pearls and.......nothing. Weinstein has been known for his abuses for years and no one called him out on it until he wasn't making the big money any more.

Paul had it right--the love of money is the root of all evil.

The Polanski thing is a freaking disgrace. There is no excuse. People were scared, justifiably, that Weinstein could ruin their lives, but Polanski has no such power.

 

[overedge]

The Polanski thing is a freaking disgrace. There is no excuse. People were scared, justifiably, that Weinstein could ruin their lives, but Polanski has no such power.

I get what you are saying, but at the time he committed the assault, he was a very well-regarded director with lots of powerful friends in the business. And his films made lots of $$$. He may not have been the Weinstein of his day, but there were people who thought they had reasons to defend him or downplay the seriousness of his actions.

 

[Buzz]

Don't forget about Woody Allen!
https://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2...from-dylan-farrow/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=1

 

[VGThuy]

Yeah. The fact that social media has blown up and people outside of Hollywood are more aware of the problem and the nuances of the problem and now have a way to be heard and heard loudly, the powers that be know they need to heed those calls and respond now because it may affect their image aka their pockets. Plus being proactive can be profitable. Hitting people where it hurts (money) is usually the most effective way to bring change. Making it broader than Hollywood, why do you think we see changes in company behavior and policies and culture over time? It’s because they’ve either been sued or know they need to make changes to avoid getting sued.

With regard to Weinstein v. Polanski/Allen, I hate to say it but I think it’s because of the sheer number of women who came out while in the latter there is one case each and so it makes it easier for a lot of people to dismiss it in their own ways. In Polanski’s case a lot of victim blaming, conspiracy theories about how he was being targeted by an overzealous LAPD, and the time it took place where people thought sexual assault in that way was nbd and wasn’t “rape rape” to borrow a phrase from Whoopi Goldberg. Also, I remember some Euro posters arguing our sex laws regarding age of consent was too puritanical or something which explains why he’s still been working steadily in Europe and is still celebrated there.

I also think it’s easier to see someone on the business side of Hollywood as an enemy rather than someone on the creative side. They’re more faceless and expected to be evil while those on the creative side may have created works that truly have spoken to members of the public and it’s hard to let go of that for many until they have to like say a great number of victims come forward to the point where one can’t deny it anymore.

 

[Fan123]

The hypocrisy with Hollywood is astounding. Everyone in Hollywood knew about Harvey, yet Hilary continues to say she had no idea. A smart woman like her doesn't know?!

 

[Wyliefan]

There's more than one with Polanski. He's just had his fourth allegation.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/03/movies/roman-polanski-rape-accusation.html

 

[VGThuy]

There's more than one with Polanski. He's just had his fourth allegation.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/03/movies/roman-polanski-rape-accusation.html

It seems like two of the four came out very recently (in the past two months). I never heard of the one in 2010 and it seems the only one people talk about is the one that made him flee the country. I wonder why the 2010 accusation isn’t as known. Is it because the last time he was big news in the U.S. was back in 2002-2003 when his movie The Pianist was up for awards? Anyway, knowing what we know now, it’s not surprising that Polanski turns out to have been a serial rapist who targeted teenaged girls. Despicable.

 

[overedge]

The hypocrisy with Hollywood is astounding. Everyone in Hollywood knew about Harvey, yet Hilary continues to say she had no idea. A smart woman like her doesn't know?!

"Everyone" in Hollywood did not know about him. He got more than one person to sign non-disclosure agreements in exchange for $$$ to stay out of court. And it seems that much of the information-sharing about him was informal, so people without those social connections wouldn't have known.

 

[VGThuy]

I think for many in Hollywood, they only heard vague things or thought it was “another” story about a producer being predatory, which the easy if resigned acceptance of that behavior is a related but also its own problem that needs to be addressed and it’s sort of broader than just Hollywood though Hollywood has its unique power dynamics to make that problem widespread. I mean honestly, if we really reflect, I’m sure many of us have been in a situation where we heard gossip about a creepy guy at work, etc. who may or may not have done something. Hell, how often have we gossiped and even joked about a few predatory coaches in figure skating?

 

[Fan123]

I think for many in Hollywood, they only heard vague things or thought it was “another” story about a producer being predatory, which the easy if resigned acceptance of that behavior is a related but also its own problem that needs to be addressed and it’s sort of broader than just Hollywood though Hollywood has its unique power dynamics to make that problem widespread. I mean honestly, if we really reflect, I’m sure many of us have been in a situation where we heard gossip about a creepy guy at work, etc. who may or may not have done something. Hell, how often have we gossiped and even joked about a few predatory coaches in figure skating?

I agree, but Hillary was a candidate who championed women's rights 24/7, and was receiving big money from a sexual predator. For me, she's a hypocrite to say the least. I can give a pass to say the likes of Meryl Streep.

 

[VGThuy]

I wasn’t even talking about Hillary with my post. But since you quoted me, I am curious about one thing. Would it have been better if she wasn’t/isn’t championing women’s rights and had done crucial work in that field and still accepted his money? Following that logic, why does Streep who benefitted financially and professionally working on movies he distributed/produced and has spoken about a great many issues dealing with women’s rights and others like male politicians who accepted money from him get a pass? I don’t know why I’m asking since I don’t really care for this conversation.

 

[Coco]

Given that she married Bill Clinton, I would believe she's kind of clueless about sexual things. I mean, she doesn't seem to be on that wavelength to recognize what's going on until it literally crashes down around her. This is consistent behavior.

 

[Prancer]

To Prancer: Thank you for your fast response. Sometimes the board indicates who is on-duty, you, Genevieve, or that Irish guy.
BTW, thank you for letting all my posts go through all these years.

The board does no such thing. It might indicate that we are here, but that just means we are here. I am just PML at the idea that we are on duty. I guess if I am here, I might have to do something if there's anything to do, but

Why wouldn't your posts go through? You don't break the rules.

 

[Prancer]

I agree, but Hillary was a candidate who championed women's rights 24/7, and was receiving big money from a sexual predator. For me, she's a hypocrite to say the least. I can give a pass to say the likes of Meryl Streep.

If she knowingly took money from a sexual predator, yes, she's a hypocrite.

Do you have any evidence that she knew? And by evidence, I don't mean assumptions or baseless deductions.

 

[MsZem]

The Pianist won 15 years ago; not a lifetime ago, but I would hope that things have changed to the point where we won't see something like the standing o for Polanski happen again (or a male winner grabbing and kissing a female presenter, for that matter). I suspect that with Polanski, allowances were also made because of his difficult life experiences. Those do not excuse sexual assault by any means, but I suppose it's easier to feel for someone who's been through what he has, and that may have affected the way he has been treated.

The hypocrisy with Hollywood is astounding. Everyone in Hollywood knew about Harvey, yet Hilary continues to say she had no idea. A smart woman like her doesn't know?!

Hillary Clinton is a Hollywood person

The obsession among some on the right with making her accountable for everything is bizarre. Weinstein is a sexual predator. Why is this about what various women knew or said about it?

 

[MacMadame]

Hillary Clinton is a Hollywood person

The obsession among some on the right with making her accountable for everything is bizarre. Weinstein is a sexual predator. Why is this about what various women knew or said about it?

Word. Apparently she is supposed to simultaneously go away and never tell us her thoughts on anything again but also speak out about every current event.

I was reading an article today where someone who worked for Weinstein Co. said that they knew he traded sex for favors but they didn't know it wasn't consensual. I don't know if I believe that 100% but when people whisper about stuff and give each other vague warnings, it's easy to believe what you want to believe. So "people" generally "knew" that Weinstein was a pig. The higher ups who wrote his contract saying he had to pay his own lawsuit expenses knew that he was a sexual predator. His victims knew. But others would either really not know or could tell themselves they didn't know.

Anyone outside the industry, though, wouldn't really have any reason to have been given explicit warnings so I can believe they really didn't know as long as he didn't target them.

As for Polanski and Allen, I don't understand how they still get work and I won't see any of their movies. I really have trouble respecting anyone who appears in any of their movies either. Though, since I don't pay attention to their movies, I am not 100% sure who all those people are.

 

[Fan123]

If she knowingly took money from a sexual predator, yes, she's a hypocrite.

Do you have any evidence that she knew? And by evidence, I don't mean assumptions or baseless deductions.

You're right, only Hillary herself knows, but didn't she knowingly accepted money from countries that treat women and gays in horrible ways?

 

[overedge]

You're right, only Hillary herself knows, but didn't she knowingly accepted money from countries that treat women and gays in horrible ways?

Which, as with your previous comment, has exactly zero to do with Weinstein being a serial sexual predator/assaulter.

 

[Prancer]

You're right, only Hillary herself knows, but didn't she knowingly accepted money from countries that treat women and gays in horrible ways?

Yes, and there is a thread in PI for discussing this and all other things Hillary Clinton at length.

 

[jenny12]

Jenny...I am glad that I don't think women are as weak and defenseless as you do.

This is ridiculous. It does not matter who a woman is, what she wears, what job she has, how tall she is, etc. Rape and sexual harassment is the pepetrator's fault 100%. It does not matter if a woman is walking around naked, no man has the right to anything from her without her consent. It's not women who are weak. It is men who are so weak and insecure in who they are that they need to consistently perform their power by abusing others. Only men can stop rape and sexual assault.

 

[Fan123]

I wasn’t even talking about Hillary with my post. But since you quoted me, I am curious about one thing. Would it have been better if she wasn’t/isn’t championing women’s rights and had done crucial work in that field and still accepted his money? Following that logic, why does Streep who benefitted financially and professionally working on movies he distributed/produced and has spoken about a great many issues dealing with women’s rights and others like male politicians who accepted money from him get a pass? I don’t know why I’m asking since I don’t really care for this conversation.

Well, that makes Hollywood hypocrites too, wouldn't it?

 

[Fan123]

Which, as with your previous comment, has exactly zero to do with Weinstein being a serial sexual predator/assaulter.

I didn't say it has anything to do with Weinstein being a sexual predator. My issue is those who criticize others selectively are hypocrites, like some anti-gay folks who engaged in same sex activities in airport bathrooms.

 

[Fan123]

I think for many in Hollywood, they only heard vague things or thought it was “another” story about a producer being predatory, which the easy if resigned acceptance of that behavior is a related but also its own problem that needs to be addressed and it’s sort of broader than just Hollywood though Hollywood has its unique power dynamics to make that problem widespread. I mean honestly, if we really reflect, I’m sure many of us have been in a situation where we heard gossip about a creepy guy at work, etc. who may or may not have done something. Hell, how often have we gossiped and even joked about a few predatory coaches in figure skating?

But it's much more horrific with this scumbag. Victims were taped wired by the NYPD, multiple victims share the same story of him masturbating, needing massages, forcing them to watch him shower, etc. Then the cover-up by NBC, his board, and countless Hollywood hypocrites look the other way.

 

[agalisgv]

This article credits Weinstein for garnering support for Polanski and resurrecting the career of Allen.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.pb...instein-came-rescue-alleged-abusers-hollywood

Now women are coming forward with allegations against Affleck which has also been an open secret.

 

[cocotaffy]

At the initiative of a French female journalist, an hash tag campaign, #ratoutyourpig (in French #balancetonporc), on social network has started in France two days ago to encourage women to tell of their personal stories with sexual misconducts/harassments. Reading some of the thousands of testimonies, I feel like puking. Now, Weinstein received the Legion d'Honneur, high honor in France, I heard he might be stripped of that one too.
If this dreadful ordeal can finally give women the strength to testify at least well #silverlinings
Has there been any similar campaign in your countries ?

 

[susan6]

Apparently Bjork just put Lars von Trier on blast on facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/bjork/posts/10155777444371460

"it was extremely clear to me when i walked into the actresses profession that my humiliation and role as a lesser sexually harassed being was the norm and set in stone with the director and a staff of dozens who enabled it and encouraged it . i became aware of that it is a universal thing that a director can touch and harass his actresses at will and the institution of film allows it."

 

[marbri]

At the initiative of a French female journalist, an hash tag campaign, #ratoutyourpig (in French #balancetonporc), on social network has started in France two days ago to encourage women to tell of their personal stories with sexual misconducts/harassments. Reading some of the thousands of testimonies, I feel like puking. Now, Weinstein received the Legion d'Honneur, high honor in France, I heard he might be stripped of that one too.
If this dreadful ordeal can finally give women the strength to testify at least well #silverlinings
Has there been any similar campaign in your countries ?

Silver lining or double edged sword? The way some people are politicizing this is leading to some unfortunate situations (google Seth Rogen and Dana Jade). I understand it takes that one woman to start the ball rolling giving strength to others to come forward but it can also open up the door to others with more sinister motives to hijack the situation for their own gains.