General Discussion

Tommy_Carcetti

(44,476 posts)

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

Mon Nov 17, 2014, 06:09 PM

Nov 2014

If one takes the accusations at face value and believes they may be true, that's entirely different. But to go out on a limb and say absolutely, 100%, without a doubt this man is a "rapist "when there's never been any criminal charges filed, evidence presented or sworn testimony given, yes, I do believe that is reckless.

Because "rapist" is a very strong word. If you call someone a "rapist" and it turns out not to be true, that's what is called in the legal field as defamation per se, i.e. defamation the nature of which no doubt was intended to harm one's reputation.

It doesn't matter that Zimmerman was found not guilty. What matters is that evidence and testimony was presented at a public trial that people such as myself could use to form an opinion on Zimmerman's guilt or innocence. It never even got close to that level in Cosby's case. All we have are accusations. Words, really. Words that could be true, but right now they are only words.

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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