I, Tonya

[bardtoob]

^obviously Tonya heeds the call to periodically get off her mower because she needs the cash or is at that point still interested in rehabilitating her image.

Tonya wants that understanding or sympathy that others call playing the victim. That was the point of the source material of the movie.

To be honest, I do not actually begrudge her for making a little cash. I would rather see Tonya than Keep Up with whatever never had talent that is on E! ... Also, this is America, the land governed by market demand. It makes perfect sense for Tonya to sell her labor, brand, and intellectual property to the highest bidder. Buyers and sellers are all price takers.

I thought this was interesting ...

Tonya's net worth is/was about $30,000 ... I bet she is worth about $55,000 now.
https://www.therichest.com/celebnetworth/athletes/richest-figure-skaters/tonya-harding-net-worth/

Nancy's net worth is about $8,000,000
https://www.therichest.com/celebnetworth/athletes/richest-figure-skaters/nancy-kerrigan-net-worth/

 

[berthesghost]

Well that goes back to Albertville and not just the difference between 3rd and 4th, but the phenomenon of Kerrigan and Kwan making major dosh to rival or even surpass OGMs. Margot can say what she wants into the camera, but I don’t buy that we as a species owe anyone an apology for who we collectively prefer to see on magazine covers.

 

[meggonzo]

She was fortunate not to have been charged with some form of attempted manslaughter; at least, IMO.

This is a tad dramatic!

 

[wickedwitch]

She was fortunate not to have been charged with some form of attempted manslaughter; at least, IMO.

Manslaughter involves someone dying. Nancy didn't die. Nancy wasn't remotely close to dying. Of all the potentially appropriate punishment, and there are so many because we can't be really sure how much Tonya was involved, this isn't one.

 

[skatesindreams]

When an assailant does serious harm to someone with the intent of inflicting severe injury; with potentially permanent consequences, what is that?

They acted with malice, as well.

 

[wickedwitch]

When an assailant does serious harm to someone with the intent of inflicting severe injury; with potentially permanent consequences, what else is it?

Not manslaughter! Maybe assault.

from http://dictionary.law.com/Default.aspx?selected=1209:

n. the unlawful killing of another person without premeditation or so-called "malice aforethought" (an evil intent prior to the killing)

 

[skatesindreams]

Thanks for the legal clarification.

Whatever sentence Tonya received; it was less than a charge that would have required a prison sentence
She was very fortunate.
I hope she realizes that.

 

[ks777]

I used to work with a guy that have worked with Tonya's former boyfriend who was assaulted by Tonya with a hubcap.
I guess people still call him hubcap and he hates it.

 

[Vagabond]

She was fortunate not to have been charged with some form of attempted manslaughter; at least, IMO.

There is no such crime as attempted manslaughter. Manslaughter is either involuntary or, if voluntary, unpremeditated. I don't believe there has even been a suggestion that anyone attempted to kill Nancy Kerrigan.

 

[berthesghost]

I used to work with a guy that have worked with Tonya's former boyfriend who was assaulted by Tonya with a hubcap.
I guess people still call him hubcap and he hates it.

Was “hubcap” the incident that got Tonya fired from her big pro comeback career? All the madcap escapades get muddled in my mind sometimes.

I know the movie made a big point of stressing that she’d rather have gone to prison than be banned by usfs, but that interview someone posted earlier didn’t do her argument much good imo. She could have skated for Austria but declined? She could coach to make $, but if she can’t go to comps she’s not interested? But I thought all she wanted was to skate?

Of course what I find so fascination about Tonya is that I totally don’t get how she thinks.

 

[Yazmeen]

Was “hubcap” the incident that got Tonya fired from her big pro comeback career? All the madcap escapades get muddled in my mind sometimes.

I know the movie made a big point of stressing that she’d rather have gone to prison than be banned by usfs, but that interview someone posted earlier didn’t do her argument much good imo. She could have skated for Austria but declined? She could coach to make $, but if she can’t go to comps she’s not interested? But I thought all she wanted was to skate?

Of course what I find so fascination about Tonya is that I totally don’t get how she thinks.

Yes, IIRC, she had a good result (2nd) at the 1999 ESPN Pro Championships, but then this happened and her agent dropped her and it was back to semi-oblivion.

 

[MacMadame]

Manslaughter involves someone dying. Nancy didn't die. Nancy wasn't remotely close to dying. Of all the potentially appropriate punishment, and there are so many because we can't be really sure how much Tonya was involved, this isn't one.

There is no such crime as attempted manslaughter. Manslaughter is either involuntary or, if voluntary, unpremeditated. I don't believe there has even been a suggestion that anyone attempted to kill Nancy Kerrigan.

Actually, when plotting, the Gang that Couldn't Shoot Straight, did contemplate killing Nancy. This is why I think the lifetime ban and the pros not wanting to skate with her is appropriate. Even though they abandoned the plan to murder her, their eventual plan could have crippled Nancy for life. The fact that it didn't doesn't lessen what they did IMO. It was just dumb luck that Nancy wasn't hurt more than she was.

 

[skatesindreams]

Your post, above; speaks for me, MacMadame.
It's nothing short of miraculous that Nancy was able to perform so well in Lillehammer, a few weeks later.

 

[Inessence]

There is no such crime as attempted manslaughter. Manslaughter is either involuntary or, if voluntary, unpremeditated. I don't believe there has even been a suggestion that anyone attempted to kill Nancy Kerrigan.

Christine Brennan never fails to bring up that someone (probably Fantasist Shawn) in “The gang that couldn’t Whack straight” said “why don’t we just kill her” during one of their boob meetings.

 

[Inessence]

Yes, IIRC, she had a good result (2nd) at the 1999 ESPN Pro Championships, but then this happened and her agent dropped her and it was back to semi-oblivion.

Yes, it also cost her a book deal and a potential Ice Capades contract. It was the final nail really. “Hubcap” apparently said that he loved his motorcycle more than her and the fight was ON.

 

[casken]

Actually, when plotting, the Gang that Couldn't Shoot Straight, did contemplate killing Nancy.

According to to what little we know about it, the "plot" to kill Nancy was something thrown out there by Shawn, and was ignored by the others.

Eckardt suggests a car crash, even murder by sniper fire, but no one responds.

I would love for the full transcripts to finally be released, particular whatever Kerrigan was allowed to read/hear that leads her to say she knows Harding was involved.

I've would also like to know more about the supposed late night meeting at Harding's practice rink ( the mall rink??);

Eckardt says Harding skates up to him during one of her late-night practices and demands that "if it doesn't get done, you call them and get the $2,000 back." Gillooly is ready to write off the money.

Were there security guards or anyone there? Security camera footage? Was Tonya on such good terms with the mall's management that she could train there after hours? Did she have keys?

 

[Yazmeen]

Yes, it also cost her a book deal and a potential Ice Capades contract. It was the final nail really. “Hubcap” apparently said that he loved his motorcycle more than her and the fight was ON.

Never argue with a biker who loves his ride...

Some comments from Nancy from a local reporter who knows her, although her husband called back and said they have nothing to say at this point unless they change their minds. Apparently they are being driven batty with calls.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/...ya/YoRRIf1zA3OFa2SsU616zI/story.html#comments

 

[Yazmeen]

Oh, snap!

http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/television/2018/01/tonya_harding_is_skating_over_remorse

 

[berthesghost]

And that my friends is the sound of someone who has actually moved on

 

[Aussie Willy]

She was fortunate not to have been charged with some form of attempted manslaughter; at least, IMO.

Seriously? That is a bit over the top.

I find it interesting how venomous some people are. Like I said it says more about people writing the comments than about Tonya herself. I think that people still holding onto this hate actually makes me feel sorry for Tonya. It was such a long time ago and I do think people should have the opportunity to redeem themselves or get on with their lives which it appears Tonya has done. If she was a rapist or murderer then I could understand the depth of feeling but she isn't.

The media had field day at the time over the knee capping because it was ratings win news and for skating and it gave skating a profile that it had never had before. Even in Australia where skating gets no coverage it was major news. That wasn't Tonya's doing. That was everyone else. For what the story was, it made it a hell of a lot bigger than the actual severity of the incident (which in terms of health and safety risk consequences falls into the serious category - it wasn't major or catastrophic).

If someone hadn't made the movie, then no-one would be giving two hoots about Tonya. Of course people are going to be interested in her story and want to know what she is doing these days. I have no feelings towards her one way or the other. But I know that people being nasty sends me in the other direction because I feel that we all should have moved on.

I am not being an apologist for her but seriously it is 23 years later and time has passed. Outside the skating world this will be a human interest story, a good movie has been made, Allison Janey will have the Best Supporting Actress Oscar and next year the whole thing will fall into another footnote in history.

 

[Deleted member 53443]

Seriously? That is a bit over the top.

I find it interesting how venomous some people are. Like I said it says more about people writing the comments than about Tonya herself. I think that people still holding onto this hate actually makes me feel sorry for Tonya. It was such a long time ago and I do think people should have the opportunity to redeem themselves or get on with their lives which it appears Tonya has done. If she was a rapist or murderer then I could understand the depth of feeling but she isn't.

The media had field day at the time over the knee capping because it was ratings win news and for skating and it gave skating a profile that it had never had before. Even in Australia where skating gets no coverage it was major news. That wasn't Tonya's doing. That was everyone else. For what the story was, it made it a hell of a lot bigger than the actual severity of the incident (which in terms of health and safety risk consequences falls into the serious category - it wasn't major or catastrophic).

If someone hadn't made the movie, then no-one would be giving two hoots about Tonya. Of course people are going to be interested in her story and want to know what she is doing these days. I have no feelings towards her one way or the other. But I know that people being nasty sends me in the other direction because I feel that we all should have moved on.

I am not being an apologist for her but seriously it is 23 years later and time has passed. Outside the skating world this will be a human interest story, a good movie has been made, Allison Janey will have the Best Supporting Actress Oscar and next year the whole thing will fall into another footnote in history.

Sanity restored, I love this post and agree with every sentence in it.

 

[skatesindreams]

Could we agree to disagree about Tonya, Aussie Willy?

As I said at the beginning of the thread; I believed that the film would be used in an attempt to create sympathy, minimize responsibility for her part in the attack, and "rehabilitate" her reputation.
Thus far, all of that appears to be happening; at least with the general public.

I hope that Tonya returns to "obscurity" following the Academy Awards.
I will always regret that she will not be primarily remembered for making maximum use of her tremendous talent and great gift.

 

[berthesghost]

I see zero evidence Tonya has moved on. And yeah, well duh, that says more about me than it does her because I’m an impartial 3rd party speaking from the remove of not having anything to gain or lose from events in her life. It’s a good thing she’s gone to Hollywood because when you listen to the things she says, it seems she lives in Lalaland. All the changing stories combined with the lack of ever really telling anything detailed or full disclosure makes sense. Why would she ever “tell all”. She has so much at stake.
Personally, I think it’s still all unknown and up for grabs. If she really did mastermind the attack, then people’s venom toward her is justified. If she didn’t, then everyone defending her is justified. But the facts present thus far make either inconclusive at best. We’ll probably ever know so why beat each other up over different opinions. Especially since our opinions really don’t matter all that much.

 

[skatesindreams]

Tonya is the one who keeps exposing herself to more scrutiny; and potential criticism.

 

[Inessence]

Could we agree to disagree about Tonya, Aussie Willy?

As I said at the beginning of the thread; I believed that the film would be used in an attempt to create sympathy, minimize responsibility for her part in the attack, and "rehabilitate" her reputation.
Thus far, all of that appears to be happening; at least with the general public.

I hope that Tonya returns to "obscurity" following the Academy Awards.
I will always regret that she will not be primarily remembered for making maximum use of her tremendous talent and great gift.

I suppose you could argue we saw her best in 1991 at Nationals and Skate America. Too bad she got back with Gillooly in late 1991 and completely lost focus in Albertville.

 

[meggonzo]

TSL has a screenshot on Facebook from Michael Rosenberg. He terminated his business relationship with Tonya because she wanted reporters to sign an affidavit not to ask her anything about "the past" or they would be fined $25k. Well maybe he won't be booking her now so she won't even be doing these interviews....

 

[VGThuy]

I feel like Rosenberg has been her agent on-off forever.

 

[bardtoob]

She was fortunate not to have been charged with some form of attempted manslaughter; at least, IMO.

I think "racketeering" is more precise because Tonya did not weld the club personally but might have hired someone.

Anyways, I always use Tonya Vs Nicole to decide how I feel about Tonya's punishment:

Nicole pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute crystal methamphetamine and:

- Paid a $2,500 fine
- Did 250 hours of community service
- Spent 5 years on probation

Tonya pleaded guilty to hindering an investigation and:

- Paid a $160,000 fine
- Did 500 hours of community service
- Spent 3 years on probation
- Was banned from US Figure Skating for life

IMO, I think Nicole did far worse, harming way more than one person, and paid much less.

 

[berthesghost]

IMO, I think Nicole did far worse, harming way more than one person, and paid much less.

nobody snuck up on unsuspecting people and forced meth on them. What Ford did to those poor Pinto owners is way way worse than any drug dealer so before we spend all day playing “who’s more immoral, school bus or light bulb?” Let’s admit this is apples and oranges and Nancy’s free will to participate never played into the attack.

 

[casken]

Tonya Harding 1989 Skate America SP.

Just posted on Youtube. This is the event where she beat Trenary. I don't think I've seen the sp before though.