Harvey Weinstein - WDYT?

Warrigal

Warrigal

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Location
Sydney, Australia
I am not familiar with this man but is seems that he is/was a very powerful man in Hollywood who could make and break careers.

Now that he has been decloaked as a sexual predator it seems that many in the industry knew all about him. Unfortunately the people least likely to know were the young actresses just starting out.

Do you think he will be prosecuted?
 

I'm probably in the minority but I have little sympathy for people who do not walk away from these creepy old goats after the first inappropriate comment or gesture.

IMO these women were attempting to use Harvey Weinstein just as much as he was trying to use them.
 
Aunt Bea said:
I'm probably in the minority but I have little sympathy for people who do not walk away from these creepy old goats after the first inappropriate comment or gesture.

IMO these women were attempting to use Harvey Weinstein just as much as he was trying to use them.
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I agree with you Bea, I think a lot of them were too busy seeing dollar signs to object too much, I haven't followed the whole story, not that interested in this stuff, but I guess some women made out big with payoffs from him.
 

Aunt Bea said:
I'm probably in the minority but I have little sympathy for people who do not walk away from these creepy old goats after the first inappropriate comment or gesture.

IMO these women were attempting to use Harvey Weinstein just as much as he was trying to use them.
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I think this is called "blaming the victim".
 
Hoot N Annie said:
I think this is called "blaming the victim".
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Well, a lot of these victims seem to be very loud and outspoken on things with microphones in front of them, I agree with Bea that they can easily walk away from him, and report any real offense when it happens, either to his company or to the public, whatever way they choose to deal with it. But maybe I'm missing something, maybe they were forced to accept his comments and gestures?
 
The time to stand up and expose people like Mr. Weinstein is the first time that an inappropriate advance is made.

I don't think that women portraying themselves as innocent victims in these situations does anything to help the majority of women gain credibility or equality in the business world.

I also believe that these high profile scandals desensitize the public and detract from the serious brutal cases of rape that take place all to often in our society.
 
Aunt Bea said:
The time to stand up and expose people like Mr. Weinstein is the first time that an inappropriate advance is made.

I don't think that women portraying themselves as innocent victims in these situations does anything to help the majority of women gain credibility or equality in the business world.

I also believe that these high profile scandals desensitize the public and detract from the serious brutal cases of rape that take place all to often in our society.
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Well said! I agree that these types of scandals diminish the severity of the brutal attacks that take place far too often in our society of women who are truly victimized.
 
SeaBreeze said:
Well said! I agree that these types of scandals diminish the severity of the brutal attacks that take place far too often in our society of women who are truly victimized.
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So, you have determined that Weinstein's victims were somehow not "truly victimized"? Hmmm. Interesting. What is your process and criteria for that determination?
 
Hoot N Annie said:
So, you have determined that Weinstein's victims were somehow not "truly victimized"? Hmmm. Interesting. What is your process and criteria for that determination?
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I'm just referring to all the women who are not famous and rich and have been severely raped and beaten. I don't have any process, as I said I don't even know all the details of this guy's story, just going by the little I've read or heard on the news in the last day or so.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life...-30-year-history-sexual-harassment/736387001/

Okay, just looked this up to see what I might not know about these victims.

  • In 2014, Weinstein invited Emily Nestor, who had worked just one day as a temporary employee, to a hotel. He told her that if she accepted his sexual advances, he would boost her career
  • In 2015, a female assistant said Weinstein badgered her into giving him a massage while he was naked, leaving her “crying and very distraught."
  • Also in 2015, Italian model Ambra Battilana called the police to report that Weinstein had groped her after inviting her to his New York office to discuss her acting prospects. The Manhattan district attorney's office did not press charges and she reportedly reached a settlement with Weinstein.
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Boost her career for sexual favors, "badgered into giving him a massage while he was naked", discuss her acting prospects and took his money to shut up. Sorry Hoot, I can't compare these women with some who have been beaten beyond recognition, raped in the most severe ways, and sometimes killed....they are victims in my book. They had no choice to walk away or refuse money payments, or refuse advancement of their careers. Of course, if he's guilty of rape, then he should be charged and reported immediately by the victim.
 
Nothing at all new, this has been the modus operandi in Hollywood from the very beginning.

But, to stay on-topic I'd say this: Sure, if his actions broke laws, of course he should be prosecuted.

In any event, the victims certainly have(and have had) ample recourse, with civil litigation.
 
Hoot N Annie said:
I think this is called "blaming the victim".
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Indeed it is. I look forward to a day when that attitude is gone. It is particularly distressing when voiced by women. I see a double standard re women involved in the entertainment industry versus other women. It seems to me there is an expectation

that somehow these actresses etc knew, or should have known what they were getting into? Grrrrr. I ran into the same type of men while I was in Graduate school. They used their power mercilessly. If the woman complained, the professor would have

had her blacklisted, she would never have been able to get her PhD, and good luck finding a job! I expect it is far worse in Hollywood. These are sexual predators, plain and simple, who prey on vulnerable women. It is time we stop shaming the victims. I understand that to some, a woman's refusal/reluctance to speak out

seems suspicious. Beyond the fact that these women are/were going up against a very powerful man, and were afraid they would not be believed, would lose their livelihood, there is the huge shame factor. I have been there, it ain't pretty.
 
As I mentioned sometime ago, in a Bill Cosby thread, I think, I was sexually assaulted by the professor who served as my mentor while I was in Grad school. He was married, I was friends with he and his wife etc, I had no reason to believe I was being "groomed." The attack came out of nowhere. His wife was out, he weighed an athletic 185lbs, I weighed in at 115lbs. What was I supposed to do? Had I made a


complaint, I would not be a psychologist. I was in debt, a single parent, I did what I had to do. It took a great deal of therapy for me to understand that none of it was my fault---and I was in the mental health field. Imagine how difficult it must be for

young women who have no understanding of psychological issues, pathology etc? My assault, although none of my bruises were visible, was just as vile as if I had been beaten. Emotional violence if often far more lingering than physical battery.
 
Shalimar said:
Indeed it is. I look forward to a day when that attitude is gone. It is particularly distressing when voiced by women. I see a double standard re women involved in the entertainment industry versus other women. It seems to me there is an expectation

that somehow these actresses etc knew, or should have known what they were getting into? Grrrrr. I ran into the same type of men while I was in Graduate school. They used their power mercilessly. If the woman complained, the professor would have

had her blacklisted, she would never have been able to get her PhD, and good luck finding a job! I expect it is far worse in Hollywood. These are sexual predators, plain and simple, who prey on vulnerable women. It is time we stop shaming the victims. I understand that to some, a woman's refusal/reluctance to speak out

seems suspicious. Beyond the fact that these women are/were going up against a very powerful man, and were afraid they would not be believed, would lose their livelihood, there is the huge shame factor. I have been there, it ain't pretty.
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Thank you. I agree with every word you said. Women who speak out against victimized women empower sexual predators like Weinstein. I'm sure he counted on that support.

These actresses' agents sent them to Weinstein and told them it was make or break. He was the ultimate decision-maker on whether they had careers. Even if they knew ahead of time he was a predator, the careers they had worked hard for were on the line. Ashley Judd talked about that. She was told she had to meet with him, and she knew the rumors. So she met him for breakfast and she ordered cold cereal so she could make a quick getaway.
 
Smiling Jane said:
Thank you. I agree with every word you said. Women who speak out against victimized women empower sexual predators like Weinstein. I'm sure he counted on that support.

These actresses' agents sent them to Weinstein and told them it was make or break. He was the ultimate decision-maker on whether they had careers. Even if they knew ahead of time he was a predator, the careers they had worked hard for were on the line. Ashley Judd talked about that. She was told she had to meet with him, and she knew the rumors. So she met him for breakfast and she ordered cold cereal so she could make a quick getaway.
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Thank you!
 
Shalimar said:
As I mentioned sometime ago, in a Bill Cosby thread, I think, I was sexually assaulted by the professor who served as my mentor while I was in Grad school. He was married, I was friends with he and his wife etc, I had no reason to believe I was being "groomed." The attack came out of nowhere. His wife was out, he weighed an athletic 185lbs, I weighed in at 115lbs. What was I supposed to do? Had I made a complaint, I would not be a psychologist. I was in debt, a single parent, I did what I had to do. It took a great deal of therapy for me to understand that none of it was my fault---and I was in the mental health field. Imagine how difficult it must be for young women who have no understanding of psychological issues, pathology etc? My assault, although none of my bruises were visible, was just as vile as if I had been beaten. Emotional violence if often far more lingering than physical battery.
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That also happened to a close friend, and I was around to see the devastation. She was in her last semester of school, in a design class that was required for her degree, when a powerful professor told her to either put out or no credit for his class. I got her in to see my friend who was dean of students, and he took the teacher's side. She finished her other classes and turned in everything required for his class, then she dropped out of school rather than acquiesce to him. I have to say she and I were the only ones we knew who thought she was right. Her father's lawyer contacted the school to threaten a lawsuit and they forced the teacher to give her the grade she deserved, an A. What helped her make up her mind was knowing her wealthy father could get her into another school to complete her degree.

Psych departments are notorious for bad behavior on every level. They are nearly always run by petty people who are misogynistic, racist, elitist, greedy and downright mean. I'm sad for the young woman you were. That must have been a horrible experience. I despise men who prey on women and the enablers who allow it to happen.
 
Smiling Jane said:
That also happened to a close friend, and I was around to see the devastation. She was in her last semester of school, in a design class that was required for her degree, when a powerful professor told her to either put out or no credit for his class. I got her in to see my friend who was dean of students, and he took the teacher's side. She finished her other classes and turned in everything required for his class, then she dropped out of school rather than acquiesce to him. I have to say she and I were the only ones we knew who thought she was right. Her father's lawyer contacted the school to threaten a lawsuit and they forced the teacher to give her the grade she deserved, an A. What helped her make up her mind was knowing her wealthy father could get her into another school to complete her degree.

Psych departments are notorious for bad behavior on every level. They are nearly always run by petty people who are misogynistic, racist, elitist, greedy and downright mean. I'm sad for the young woman you were. That must have been a horrible experience. I despise men who prey on women and the enablers who allow it to happen.
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Thanks. I am so sorry for what your friend endured. Sadly, many psych depts are as you described, one of the many reasons why I am not an academic. Years later, while attending a conference in New York, I ran into my assailant. Time, and years of dissipation had taken a toll. He was a shell of his former self. He looked horrified when he saw me at the podium. I stared him down, he left. It was a powerful moment.
 
Shalimar said:
Thanks. I am so sorry for what your friend endured. Sadly, many psych depts are as you described, one of the many reasons why I am not an academic. Years later, while attending a conference in New York, I ran into my assailant. Time, and years of dissipation had taken a toll. He was a shell of his former self. He looked horrified when he saw me at the podium. I stared him down, he left. It was a powerful moment.
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Good for you. When life gives you such a moment, you have to jump on it.

A friend wanted to become a research psychologist. After enduring his colleagues to get his master's, he switched to clinical. He has many horror stories, as I'm sure you can imagine.

One good thing (for me anyway) came from the incident with my friend. I turned my back on the enabling dean, after giving him a real earful. That was some overdue housekeeping.
 
Smiling Jane said:
Good for you. When life gives you such a moment, you have to jump on it.

A friend wanted to become a research psychologist. After enduring his colleagues to get his master's, he switched to clinical. He has many horror stories, as I'm sure you can imagine.

One good thing (for me anyway) came from the incident with my friend. I turned my back on the enabling dean, after giving him a real earful. That was some overdue housekeeping.
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Good for you!
 
One of the really disturbing aspects of life as a woman is how quickly some of my sisters will turn on each other. I worked in a predominantly female profession and the women treated each other far worse that any of the males.
As far as Hollywood is concerned that has been the culture there for many years (hence the term "casting couch") - probably from the beginning. Many young women were deliberately kept ignorant about most things considered sexual, so they were poorly prepared to deal with predatory males. There were some actresses who did say "no" and got away with it. Predators get better with practice, unfortunately. Not all women have the self confidence and assertiveness to say "no" to a powerful man - particularly if tthe grew up in a "man as master" environment.
 
He will not be prosecuted since the time limits have run out but he is ruined anyway. I think his wife left him mainly because of the possible damage to her designer clothing line. They say he has fled to Europe for treatment but I doubt he will be back. If he does return he will be toast. He has lost everything and I don't think he can be rehabilitated. He has shown everybody who he is and theres no going back.
 
Falcon said:
Ever since Hollywood came into existence there was the "Casting Couch".

You either jumped on it or looked for another method 0f making money.
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So, it sounds like you are okay with Weinstein's behavior. Business as usual? Quid pro quo?
 
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