Off the Bench #9 - Society's Abuse of Victims

[irwin1227]

I have no clue how it feels.

Forget innocent or guilt. Forget that details have not been released about the case. Just imagine yourself trying to shield yourself from the eyes of the increasingly savage public. Your face is plastered all over the internet. Everyone seems to have a comment on your situation. The public eye casts a very heavy stare on you.

There is no sympathy it seems from people these days. In Colorado there is a girl who is the object of fascination and ridicule, scorn and hate.

Consider the case of a well known radio host who repeatedly violates any moral standards by not keeping her identity a secret. And then her so-called "friends" looking for their time in the spotlight, dropping any morsel of information they can about this person.

You hear names being tossed out like darts...

Slut. Golddigger. Crazy. All of this based on the supposed clean reputation of the defendant.

I do not know this person. I do not know exactly what happened to her. And my opinion on the accused's innocence or guilt is a moot point due to me not knowing anything about this case.

I am a father. I do have a little girl. I cant imagine the pain it would cause if the charges were true and that was my girl. After this is over, no one will ever be the same, or uknown.

The best thing right now is to offer sympathy - and privacy.

[karmattack]

What is the case you're talking about? Actually, it's probably ironic that I don't know because I've been trying not to pay attention to the news. When I get involved with the news and keep up on all the stories, I find myself being someone like the people you're complaining about -- I form an opinion about a subject I have no involvement in and about people I don't know. Any more, I think the news is sick and wrong in general. It's all sensational, it's all fear, heartbreak and humiliation. Why don't they have news programs that promote positive things that are going right in the world?? Beyond me.
Which brings up the other side to your topic. What about people who are out in the world causing chaos because it will get them on TV with their name in the paper and on everybody's lips?
If you ask me, media is the real evil here. Just my humble opinion.

[Ryall]

The Kobe Bryant case.

[karmattack]

Ah, yeah. See, now I understand and am readying my opinions about it.


She's lying. Long live Kobe.

In the meantime, here's a newsflash:
http://www.theonion.com/onion3928/lapd_discovers.html

[psychofiend]

R. Kelly, not just a deusch with awful songs but a abuser of little girls and boys. I think he took Marilyn Manson line as his own:
"I like little boys they're good for a [censored] [censored] [censored]."
-Kiddie Grinder by Marilyn Manson

Petifile:
http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/pic200_web/drp200/p222/p22280axdrb.jpg

[FanGirl]

I personally feel that this should not even be brought to the attention of the news until the courts have settled it. I am sick to death of the media trying and convicting someone before it even hits the courts.

I am sick of the blame the victim mentality as well. It shouldn't matter what she was wearing, where she was, or her whole sexual history. If a woman says No, it's No.

Unfortunately, in this day and age, women try to use this to gain money or recognition by lying. Kobe is a lightning rod was this sort of thing.

It could go either way. I don't have all the facts and I don't presume to make any judgements either way. I wasn't there and it really isn't any of my business.

But that's just my opinion...

[DangerSeeker]

I concur. Too often they try and use the argument of how often a woman says yes to clear somebody, instead of the very important time she said no.

Does character come into play if somebody is murdered? "Well, he had a history of being around guns, so when one shot him in a dark alley, he was just asking for it."

[Razorback]

The thing is... maybe the girl IS crazy. The fact that her "friends" and associates are coming out and speaking about her negatively says something.

I am sure we all know at least one person who is a drama queen (I am not saying this person is) and if that person came out and said that a superstar had sexually assaulted her we would think "Sure... uh huh, whatever you say." Some people cry wolf too much.

She does deserve to have the case investigated and I do feel bad for anyone who is trashed all over TV and the Internet; for her sake the story better be true.

RB

[FanGirl]

Even if she is a drama queen, even if she has cried wolf in the past, who is to say it didn't still happen to her. Does she then deserve it? Never. You have to take into consideration that she may not be lying.

If she is lying, then I hope she realizes the damage she's doing to future women who are in fact attacked.

[Razorback]

Did I say anything like "She deserves it"? Nope, in fact, I said the opposite.

RB

[ratm1966]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
Did I say anything like "She deserves it"?

[/ QUOTE ]

I read you post and it didn't seem you said she deserved it.

[irwin1227]

The bad thing is these people who say they know her, probably dont. Everyone seems like theyre wanting to get on TV and talk about this person. Honestly I dont believe anyone has said about anything. This is turning into OJ part 2. And unfortunately, that means oversaturation to the highest order.

I think in this society we live in today with its total lack of respect towards other people, is only going to make it harder for victims of abuse to come forward and not be afraid of the consequences.

[FanGirl]

I didn't mean to say you were saying that. Sorry I have co-workers who have said that. I was speaking generally. I should have said they instead of you. My bad. It just irks me to no end. So frustrating...