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Are_grits_groceries

(17,111 posts)
53. I don't feel better.
Mon Jan 12, 2015, 12:02 PM
Jan 2015

There are many people made great progress on the one hand but also had a negative impact on the other. I call them 50/50 people.
Lyndon Johnson is one to me. His support for civil rights and the poor was outstanding. On the other hand, actions in Vietnam were shameful.
Bobby Knight, the former Indiana basketball coach is another. His players went to class and he never had NCAA violations. He quietly helped people. On the other hand he was a bully and a complete jackass to many.
There are others.

It's not a zero sum situation. The good doesn't cancel out the bad. In considering these people their whole lives have to be considered.

There are those who refuse to hear anything negative about Cosby because it's tearing him down. There are others who acknowledge no good that he has done.

His being instrumental in changing Americn society is a great point in his favor. IMO that in no way excuses other actions that weren't so great.

I have felt for a long time that Cosby's preachiness was arrogant and condescending yellowcanine Jan 2015 #1
+1 azurnoir Jan 2015 #11
woa. BlancheSplanchnik Jan 2015 #80
Yep. And it pretty clearly was masking some underlying fucked-upedness. Warren DeMontague Jan 2015 #98
Pretty much my evolution with Bill Cosby. He was a 'hero' I was surprised to learn had feet of clay marble falls Jan 2015 #2
This is news to me winterwar Jan 2015 #3
Cruel, lousy thing to do to Dean Brown or any kid.. whathehell Jan 2015 #6
Arrogant jerk TNNurse Jan 2015 #4
excellent read. I too enjoyed his comedy and his tv shows. Doctor_J Jan 2015 #5
I loved "Fat Albert" growing up deutsey Jan 2015 #7
The above story doesn't surprise me. In the mid 70's I was exposed to Mr. Cosby mulsh Jan 2015 #8
A comic who'd gotten tired of Cosby's holier-than-thou lectures made a crack onstage pnwmom Jan 2015 #61
Sexual harassment and rape are crimes that leave the victim with a sense of shame and the fear JDPriestly Jan 2015 #96
Sometimes courage needs to be prompted. And your questioning makes it clear why these women didn't WinkyDink Jan 2015 #107
I had that same exposure to him... tosh Jan 2015 #109
Bill Cosby has been well-known as an asshole for ages. Spider Jerusalem Jan 2015 #9
That was my impression. I had heard first-hand stories from people who worked on sets with him. DanTex Jan 2015 #16
attempting to control the press NJCher Jan 2015 #23
People like Cosby have Unknown Beatle Jan 2015 #88
That's amazing LittleGirl Jan 2015 #10
"I'm sure the Cosby apologists will be out in force." This is a horrible story, and my ScreamingMeemie Jan 2015 #12
I am not spoiling for a fight. Are_grits_groceries Jan 2015 #39
I consider you one of the nice guys fadedrose Jan 2015 #51
Another reason I'm glad I've consciously attempted to separate the art from the artist. LanternWaste Jan 2015 #13
I try to do that, too NJCher Jan 2015 #24
Art? Maybe, maybe not-- I s'pose it's a diaphanous definition in the eye of the beholder. LanternWaste Jan 2015 #84
confirmation of the story from the Chicago Tribune burfman Jan 2015 #14
Oh my AwakeAtLast Jan 2015 #21
Bill Cosby, pull your own damn pants up N/T swag Jan 2015 #15
LOL, what are YOU doing here, mister? bettyellen Jan 2015 #44
Bill Cosby was very well paid to come to a fund raiser for an Ohio organization ... Botany Jan 2015 #17
I've heard from people that work at the local casino dflprincess Jan 2015 #110
That WAS uncalled for Catherine Vincent Jan 2015 #18
On the other side of the coin, Cosby inflated his education history. no_hypocrisy Jan 2015 #19
amazing--it's all crumbling NJCher Jan 2015 #33
Always thought it was strange his "credentials" appeared in the credits of The Cosby Show. nt eppur_se_muova Jan 2015 #46
Generally you don't see others doing that 47of74 Jan 2015 #99
fwiw, it was an ed.d, not a ph.d., and at least somewhat "earned". unblock Jan 2015 #49
I thought the degree was "Ed. D." Thats' what the credits say on the "Cosby Show" and muntrv Jan 2015 #58
That was my first inkling that he's an arrogant asswipe. Frank Cannon Jan 2015 #134
This message was self-deleted by its author spooky3 Jan 2015 #108
The Cosby Rape Apologist brigade won't dispute this, since the victim and the witnesses were men nt geek tragedy Jan 2015 #20
There is no such brigade oberliner Jan 2015 #28
there are people who refer to the victims collectively as "party groupies" geek tragedy Jan 2015 #31
yes, I know; ran up against one NJCher Jan 2015 #35
Oh please, they're everywhere. NuclearDem Jan 2015 #69
See for example geek tragedy Jan 2015 #74
Plenty more than that. NuclearDem Jan 2015 #76
The Spanish fly bit from his late 60s album always kind of bugged me Hissyspit Jan 2015 #22
it is creepy. redgreenandblue Jan 2015 #137
Bill Cosby is a D-Bag for sure but I am sure there are many on these boards who secretly agree with dilby Jan 2015 #25
You are wrong oberliner Jan 2015 #26
I agree with you. MADem Jan 2015 #57
I was one who wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt; I knew nothing of him except... Hekate Jan 2015 #122
When it gets to the point where there are so many people out there who MADem Jan 2015 #126
He was a skillful and very successful predator for most of his life. He had the rest of us... Hekate Jan 2015 #128
I agree, just people wanting to see evidence and don't take the word of people who want big money uponit7771 Jan 2015 #66
So your claim is that all of the women are just chasing money? geek tragedy Jan 2015 #123
That's how DU rolls now, unfortunately. arcane1 Jan 2015 #75
Thanks for an informative post. Thespian2 Jan 2015 #27
Personally I stopped liking him JackInGreen Jan 2015 #29
^this Schema Thing Jan 2015 #37
^This, a thousand times. nt Nay Jan 2015 #72
I dropped him NOLALady Jan 2015 #116
I had never see this, but it doesn't surprise me.. mountain grammy Jan 2015 #30
That may explain why Lisa Bonet left the show. muntrv Jan 2015 #59
I've been thinking that for some time now. When only one member of a family is the odd man out... Hekate Jan 2015 #129
My former profession was at CBS. I had heard a few stories about Cosby but didn't think much.. BlueJazz Jan 2015 #32
I've heard that... 47of74 Jan 2015 #47
Ah Yes.I think? he was offered an extension of his contract with Mash but wanted to do other things. BlueJazz Jan 2015 #50
He was really good friends with Gary Burghoff (Radar) 47of74 Jan 2015 #63
"If only some in Congress would follow his example" BlueJazz Jan 2015 #83
Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter) is apparently a nice guy IRL nxylas Jan 2015 #102
i'm not surprised by your opinion of andrews, being as she was best friends with ND-Dem Jan 2015 #71
I stopped liking him when he went on TV. nt bemildred Jan 2015 #34
Reminds me of a story... vankuria Jan 2015 #36
Cosby showed his contempt for lowly high school grads in the 80's Kelselsius Jan 2015 #38
I remember that show, and I had the SAME reaction, as you! Siwsan Jan 2015 #56
Watched it with the sound off zipplewrath Jan 2015 #62
OMG SOMEONE ELSE SAW IT!!! Skittles Jan 2015 #106
They covered for him zipplewrath Jan 2015 #112
That was the first episode of the series. muntrv Jan 2015 #67
This was a second season episode Kelselsius Jan 2015 #81
For blacks, that's almost true... I looked at that episode in that context... without a degree uponit7771 Jan 2015 #68
I never watched ann--- Jan 2015 #40
Truly disgusting Cosby has left a lot of human wreckage. gordianot Jan 2015 #41
I never did like him. Why, I am not sure LawDeeDah Jan 2015 #42
He was instrumental in changing American society. Is saying that fact being "an apologist"? KittyWampus Jan 2015 #43
I don't feel better. Are_grits_groceries Jan 2015 #53
I won't disagree that he was an important cultural figure. Spider Jerusalem Jan 2015 #54
each one after the first though hfojvt Jan 2015 #64
Why drug women and rape them? Because he's a sociopath, pretty clearly. Spider Jerusalem Jan 2015 #70
Paul Rubens / Pee Wee Herman Mopar151 Jan 2015 #131
People take dumps on serial rapists and bullies. geek tragedy Jan 2015 #73
+1000 BeanMusical Jan 2015 #95
Proof? Or just because he is accused? peacebird Jan 2015 #115
Accused by dozens of people who have nothing to gain? Spider Jerusalem Jan 2015 #125
So, at this point in time, I am now very curious about your impression of American society. Major Hogwash Jan 2015 #130
Bullshit! Are_grits_groceries Jan 2015 #136
Dean Brown is no longer with us. 47of74 Jan 2015 #45
Makes the story related in the OP BronxBoy Jan 2015 #86
how fucking horrible, i wish he had been alive to hear the truth about Cosby JI7 Jan 2015 #93
I was informed about an incident involving Cosby by a relative. olegramps Jan 2015 #48
Cosby reminds me of the right-wing moralists .... kwassa Jan 2015 #52
that makes me dislike Cosby even more. samsingh Jan 2015 #55
Never really cared for Cosby. bigwillq Jan 2015 #60
WOW!!! WTF!?! I thought the GPA question was a leading joke... he was SERIOUS!? Cosby is fucked up uponit7771 Jan 2015 #65
Yeah GPA wasn't something I knew day to day 47of74 Jan 2015 #101
I've never liked him Skittles Jan 2015 #77
Went to see Cosby way back when demigoddess Jan 2015 #78
And consider this . . FairWinds Jan 2015 #79
A lot of negativity here. Here's a heart-warming story in cartoon form about someone nice TlalocW Jan 2015 #82
Thanks! burfman Jan 2015 #138
Most people with a 4.0 average couldn't find words as eloquent, classy and deeply felt as Mr. Brown's... Demoiselle Jan 2015 #85
I never liked Bill Cosby's shows. polly7 Jan 2015 #87
So because he had higher standards when it came to grades that's a bad thing? craigmatic Jan 2015 #89
No, it's because he was a sadistic asshole. Did you read the article! nt geek tragedy Jan 2015 #90
this had nothing to do with academic standards, it was him treating someone like they are worthless JI7 Jan 2015 #94
what a fucking asshole JI7 Jan 2015 #91
I agree totally. This story shows what a worthless person he really is. no text. Stuart G Jan 2015 #100
I was done with Cosby in the mid-80's at the height of 'Cosby Show' popularity. tenderfoot Jan 2015 #92
He always gave me the creeps- like in his comedy bit where he smirks about beating his kids. Warren DeMontague Jan 2015 #97
Bill Cosby, Joe Paterno douggg Jan 2015 #103
There is a significant difference. avaistheone1 Jul 2015 #140
For some reason I have always associated Cosby with the song "I'm Black and I'm Proud" Voice for Peace Jan 2015 #104
Maybe he did a James Brown impression? deurbano Jan 2015 #114
I have no idea, my memories are mixed up. Voice for Peace Jan 2015 #118
I remember. I started high school in 1968 and it was my first integrated experience. deurbano Jan 2015 #120
off topic from the OP, but this is a clip about the effect of that song Voice for Peace Jan 2015 #119
He's a bully. That has been obvious for a very long time. nt alphafemale Jan 2015 #105
Except for the Jello pudding commercials, Art_from_Ark Jan 2015 #111
Remember Cockroach, Theo's buddy? Cosby fired him for not getting a haircut. muntrv Jan 2015 #113
I can't say anything good about him as a person with all of the stories coming out, but goldent Jan 2015 #117
Never heard about this cruel, ignorant act. I hope Dean has put this bullying behind him. freshwest Jan 2015 #121
Dean lost his life about 3 years ago JI7 Jan 2015 #124
I am so sorry to hear this. Thanks for the update. freshwest Jan 2015 #127
I am going to assume. Malbrownluna8708 Jan 2015 #132
Wanda Sykes snort Jan 2015 #133
If I recall, Cosby berated her for not speaking proper English. muntrv Jan 2015 #139
, blkmusclmachine Jan 2015 #135
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