General Discussion

MoonRiver

(36,926 posts) Sun Nov 16, 2014, 12:04 PM Nov 2014

Did Bill Cosby rape Barbara Bowman, and possibly others? [View all]

56 votes, 0 passes \| Time left: Unlimited
	Definitely yes
	8 (14%)
	Probably yes
	17 (30%)
	Definitely no
	2 (4%)
	Probably no
	5 (9%)
	Don't have an opinion
	24 (43%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

184 replies

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Did Bill Cosby rape Barbara Bowman, and possibly others? [View all] MoonRiver Nov 2014 OP

I'm thinking where there's smoke there's fire and he is not defending himself.... monmouth4 Nov 2014 #1

I've been hearing these allegations against him for years. MoonRiver Nov 2014 #2

Not a single woman filed a criminal complaint with the police. JimDandy Nov 2014 #11

Autumn Jackson is the alleged daughter of Cosby's admitted affair rocktivity Nov 2014 #58

A criminal complaint is in the form of 'State v Cosby'. JimDandy Nov 2014 #69

You're right -- it was a civil suit rocktivity Nov 2014 #151

Most rape victims don't, especially young ones. pnwmom Nov 2014 #96

Please watch the video of her talking about this brush Nov 2014 #79

It is still sexual assault even if there is no penetration and it was forced. Jamastiene Nov 2014 #92

Did you watch the interview? brush Nov 2014 #101

People respond differently to trauma. Including, at times, doing things that seem counter-intuitive. nomorenomore08 Nov 2014 #110

I'm sure she was quite traumatized by all the money he lavished on her TexasMommaWithAHat Nov 2014 #157

If he had sex with her just once when she was drugged, as she thinks, pnwmom Nov 2014 #97

I still can't get around her repeatedly putting herself in his presence brush Nov 2014 #102

Doesn't matter. If he drugged her it was rape. pnwmom Nov 2014 #114

But how do you know it's true? GGJohn Nov 2014 #115

I can't know but that doesn't matter. I'm not on a jury. She's not getting anything out of this, pnwmom Nov 2014 #116

Tawana Brawley and Crystal Magnum seem sincere also, GGJohn Nov 2014 #117

Those women were trying to get the men prosecuted. This woman seems to have no agenda. pnwmom Nov 2014 #119

Fair enough. GGJohn Nov 2014 #120

And without a prosecution, TexasMommaWithAHat Nov 2014 #163

She doesn't want his money. She's not suing him in civil court, either. pnwmom Nov 2014 #164

I'm not sure this can be determined with a poll, but The Velveteen Ocelot Nov 2014 #3

I was just curious about what people's opinions were. MoonRiver Nov 2014 #4

My opinion is how the fuck can people be so fucking willing and quick to leap to concrete judgment? Fred Sanders Nov 2014 #5

Most people on this poll are saying they don't know! MoonRiver Nov 2014 #6

What people like Fred don't get is that they are offering an opinion, themselves. boston bean Nov 2014 #7

The outrage about discussing crimes against women is truly appalling. MoonRiver Nov 2014 #9

One thing I didn't like about her story cwydro Nov 2014 #20

He was sued in 2005 and settled, and 13 women with similar stories boston bean Nov 2014 #21

Presumably you believe Clarence Thomas over Anita Hill, then? Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #22

No. cwydro Nov 2014 #168

Well of course everyone is possibly lying Shivering Jemmy Nov 2014 #85

the fact you say "whatever" rather than elaborate on that very important whatever KittyWampus Nov 2014 #87

Exactly. n/t Jamastiene Nov 2014 #91

Looking at the poll, precisely one DUer has so far formed a "concrete judgment" (nt) Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #13

Because Bill Cosby tabasco Nov 2014 #33

No I think it's all fabricated to extort money or to look for a book deal scarystuffyo Nov 2014 #8

If it was one woman or maybe even two, that might be a possibility. But 13 women? Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #12

Were all these women working on the Cosby show together? scarystuffyo Nov 2014 #14

Here's what Bowman said , it sounds like it was an affair not rape until he sent her packing scarystuffyo Nov 2014 #19

A previous or even current relationship doesn't mean the other person must consent to sex stevenleser Nov 2014 #26

Thank you for pointing that out. n/t moriah Nov 2014 #68

Thank you, Steven. Jamastiene Nov 2014 #93

Or if they are married. BeanMusical Nov 2014 #99

Exactly. Jamastiene Nov 2014 #100

People aren't saying that at all brush Nov 2014 #105

You don't go back AFTER the rape TexasMommaWithAHat Nov 2014 #160

But do you keep going back for more? TexasMommaWithAHat Nov 2014 #161

She was only 17 years old when the "affair" supposedly started.. whathehell Nov 2014 #56

I read that was false scarystuffyo Nov 2014 #67

Whatever whathehell Nov 2014 #70

I'm not sure what the laws were at the time, but 17 is legal in MOST states hughee99 Nov 2014 #72

RAPE is never legal. n/t MoonRiver Nov 2014 #80

Please read the post I was responding to. It was specifically about statutory rape. n/t hughee99 Nov 2014 #82

Barely legal, then whathehell Nov 2014 #89

I think it's possible based on the fact that while he is a very funny man, he also has a massive ego OregonBlue Nov 2014 #10

No opinion on this. MineralMan Nov 2014 #15

Well, there can't be a Grand Unified Conspiracy against Bill Cosby when THIRTEEN women alp227 Nov 2014 #52

I had never heard anything about any of this until a few weeks ago. NaturalHigh Nov 2014 #16

I voted 'definitely yes' arely staircase Nov 2014 #17

Don't know. bigwillq Nov 2014 #18

It is extremely, extremely reckless to label someone a rapist without some level of proof. Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #23

Hyperbole... it is not reckless.... boston bean Nov 2014 #27

I gave no opinion as to the validity of their claims. Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #29

Do you have this postion for every allegation, boston bean Nov 2014 #30

Every situation is different. Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #32

What concrete action do you know of, FOR REAL, really really KNOW boston bean Nov 2014 #34

Do you have any idea how ridiculous you sound? Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #37

Well... Do you render opinions on other crimes boston bean Nov 2014 #41

The difference there is that there's some sort of evidentary record. Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #123

I thought we were having a calm discussion. boston bean Nov 2014 #126

Isn't it funny how your comments have been characterized as "outrage" and "bizarre"? Sheldon Cooper Nov 2014 #129

Bullshit. Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #130

Again, you refuse to label someone a rapist, who settled a court case boston bean Nov 2014 #135

Allegations aren't evidence. Allegations are allegations. Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #137

There was a settled court case based upon the allegations. boston bean Nov 2014 #139

I'm not saying there's any basis in their allegations. Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #140

I'm beginning to feel the same about you... re your last sentence. boston bean Nov 2014 #141

You're the one who is putting words in my mouth. nt Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #142

No I am not. boston bean Nov 2014 #143

Well, apparently I believe people are liars even when I don't. Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #145

They are staying he raped them. boston bean Nov 2014 #146

Okay, let me try this again. Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #147

Yet you easily offer you opinion on boston bean Nov 2014 #148

Zimmerman had a trial with witnesses and evidence. Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #149

In your minds eye it is apples and oranges. boston bean Nov 2014 #150

IMHO it is reckless to affirmatively label him a "rapist" at this point in time. Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #152

You make my point. People will look at the evidence boston bean Nov 2014 #153

But if there's no evidence beyond mere accusations, it's reckless to make a rush to judgment. Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #154

Yes there is. 13 women making statements and boston bean Nov 2014 #155

Again, they are just words at this point. Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #156

wow... boston bean Nov 2014 #158

Yup. Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #159

yeah... boston bean Nov 2014 #165

What? You don't believe me? Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #171

Was there a civil settlement declaring you Queen of England? boston bean Nov 2014 #173

You do know that civil settlements aren't evidence of anything, right? nt Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #174

You do know that someone paid someone to aviod a trial boston bean Nov 2014 #175

People assume that anyone who settles a case is deathly afraid of the truth coming out at trial. Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #176

No strawman. You think women who speak of their experience is boston bean Nov 2014 #177

The art of the metaphor is woefully lost on you. Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #178

It is woefully lost on someone, that's for sure. boston bean Nov 2014 #179

Yes it is. Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #180

weird response... boston bean Nov 2014 #181

Sarcasm appears to be lost on you as well. nt Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #182

This message was self-deleted by its author boston bean Nov 2014 #183

other than not one, not two, but at least three independent eye witnesses dsc Nov 2014 #43

So, there is a different bar for the types of crime and when one can inform an opinion? boston bean Nov 2014 #44

eyewitness testimony is often unreliable as to the who but not the what dsc Nov 2014 #45

We have real live persons stating what happened to them. 13 in fact. boston bean Nov 2014 #46

I have no idea what your second paragraph means dsc Nov 2014 #50

Along with credibility of persons.... boston bean Nov 2014 #53

I still don't get it dsc Nov 2014 #60

yeah, that is exactly what I am saying... NOT. boston bean Nov 2014 #61

then just what are you saying? dsc Nov 2014 #63

Exactly what I said. Read it again. If needed. boston bean Nov 2014 #64

It is extremely wreckless. What evidence is there? And some women ARE liars just fyi. Or are you sabrina 1 Nov 2014 #78

If it was one woman making an accusation, certainly. There was the Duke Lacrosse accuser, after all. Nye Bevan Nov 2014 #36

All I know is accusations were made years ago. Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #38

Nothing wrong with not wanting to comment. But kcr Nov 2014 #66

Sure, it does give some pause. Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #122

I think probably yes... Spazito Nov 2014 #24

Only he and they know.......or will ever know at this point. WillowTree Nov 2014 #25

Change the name to Glenn Beck freeplessinseattle Nov 2014 #28

Hey… National Inquire… Is that YOU? MrMickeysMom Nov 2014 #31

i voted yes noiretextatique Nov 2014 #35

I would need evidence to determine that. JVS Nov 2014 #39

At least now I know who I would never want on a real world jury. Comrade Grumpy Nov 2014 #40

I voted probably... LeftInTX Nov 2014 #42

Why isn't there an "I don't know" option? Donald Ian Rankin Nov 2014 #47

I don't know would have been my vote too. Jamastiene Nov 2014 #94

I voted don't have an opinion, GGJohn Nov 2014 #48

Innocent untilproven guilty NobodyHere Nov 2014 #49

"Innocent until proven guilty" . . . markpkessinger Nov 2014 #162

True, but it is a legal standard for good reason. Tommy_Carcetti Nov 2014 #172

A poll? ismnotwasm Nov 2014 #51

I guess there is an enlightened reason why juries hear evidence and then deliberate Douglas Carpenter Nov 2014 #54

Let's see...did he ever have a single opinion uncomfortable or inconvenient to the Left? Dreamer Tatum Nov 2014 #55

The poll results are different than what you are posting. Kingofalldems Nov 2014 #83

I DID! However did you guess? Dreamer Tatum Nov 2014 #84

You noticed that, too. BKH70041 Nov 2014 #86

I wasn't there JonLP24 Nov 2014 #57

Don't know. LostInAnomie Nov 2014 #59

Sure sounds like it. AngryAmish Nov 2014 #62

voted no opinion but would have preferred don't know.... steve2470 Nov 2014 #65

Really? A poll? Iggo Nov 2014 #71

I'm all for giving the benefit of the doubt legally LittleBlue Nov 2014 #73

The sheer number of accusers is the most damning aspect IMO. n/t nomorenomore08 Nov 2014 #81

The interview with Barbara Bowman is also quite credible Wella Nov 2014 #107

I wasn't aware of that interview, but you're absolutely right. n/t nomorenomore08 Nov 2014 #109

I really hate this because I liked The Cosby Show Wella Nov 2014 #111

So if the poll has more "yes" votes, then he did it? AlinPA Nov 2014 #74

DU polls often spark discussion and ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #88

Or, they post polls because they have a personal agenda. kwassa Nov 2014 #104

Oh? Is that a concern of yours? ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #118

Yes, it is a concern of mine. kwassa Nov 2014 #128

Can you break down the bias in the OP for me? ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #133

Sure. Putting it up for a poll in the first place. kwassa Nov 2014 #167

Polls don't make coffee either, ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #169

If the calling out was done directly, I have no problem with it. kwassa Nov 2014 #170

DU polls are a fun and often effective way to start a discussion. ZombieHorde Nov 2014 #184

i wasn't there, so i don't know. if he did, he's a scumbag. dionysus Nov 2014 #75

Never heard such allegations, and since there isn't a shred of evidence posted here my answer sabrina 1 Nov 2014 #76

I have no idea. And absent sufficient evidence, we'll never know either way. nomorenomore08 Nov 2014 #77

I don't know. Jamastiene Nov 2014 #90

Yes. Statistically speaking, any given accusation is fairly unlikely to be false. n/t nomorenomore08 Nov 2014 #112

I don't know if Cosby has done anything illegal or not. Jenoch Nov 2014 #95

I have no clue. Shoulders of Giants Nov 2014 #98

Tabloid-y Droning Predator Nov 2014 #103

This is anecdotal, I know deutsey Nov 2014 #106

Well, I'm honestly not sure at this point. But it certainly can't be ruled out..... AverageJoe90 Nov 2014 #108

We're all quite more stupid for this poll. flvegan Nov 2014 #113

My vote is a very strong probably yes CrawlingChaos Nov 2014 #121

I find it impossible to take seriously anyone who voted "definitely" ... 11 Bravo Nov 2014 #124

Where there is this much smoke.. sendero Nov 2014 #125

Cosby should be high-tailing it to an Ecuadoran embassy...nt SidDithers Nov 2014 #127

Nailed it. nt msanthrope Nov 2014 #131

I wasn't there, so I don't know. we can do it Nov 2014 #132

I have no idea yet Prophet 451 Nov 2014 #134

How should I know? KamaAina Nov 2014 #136

OK, I've looked into it and so I finally feel educated enough to vote. "Probably yes" stevenleser Nov 2014 #138

I don't know. hamsterjill Nov 2014 #144

Even I'm not THAT naive. tavernier Nov 2014 #166