The executives that had to have known should also be held accountable!!!!
2
After decades of "if it feels good, do it", all of a sudden the standards have changed. Did anyone notify these men of the new standard and the new puritanism that has swept the nation? This situation is more about power than sex.
Now we can all sit in judgement and shake our fingers at this behavior, because the standard has changed.
1
Nope. It's not a hippie hangover or such. Men have been chasing secretaries around desks (we used to laugh at that cartoon) and grasping, grabbing, leering and poking, threatening and worse--for a lot longer than that. But you are right that we as a people have brought out this oppressive behavior into the open, and we are seeing that it never was right. But really, we knew that then, didn't we? Women just didn't matter enough that we cared.
In the south, there was a time that if a black person didn't get off a sidewalk when a white person was coming down it, or a black person looked a white person in the eye, that was called "being uppity", and the black person could be beaten or worse, a lot worse, for it. But time and effort, tears and suffering changed that. And still, some minded and said it was too much too soon, black folks were being pushy--all that. You are scorning people now for minding behavior that is bad, was bad in the past--and I get that. Because some people here scorn civil rights, and those who believe in them, even now. But we aren't going back to the bad old days for them or for you.
5
To all the people saying that NBC execs knew about this.
Jeff Zucker was a good friend of Donald Trump and also the executive producer of Today, Matt Lauer's boss. If anyone knew about Lauer, he did.
I'd say it's likely that Zucker told his BFF Trump about Lauer at some point.
Now think back to that Town Hall where Lauer beat on Hillary and gushed over Trump, widely recognized as a biased performance by Lauer that many called out of character and inexplicable.
Perhaps now you have your explanation.
5
I think we can finally understand why Lauer was so brutal on Hillary and so soft on Trump at the town hall last year: blackmail.
Where did the alleged incident of misconduct take place ? Russia
Hmm ...
Now how would an incident taking place in Russia find it's way to the Trump campaign so they could use it to rig the election.
Hmm ....
2
Matt Lauer's apology appears to be sincere and heartfelt. Sadly, in our very "personality" oriented and litigious society, you never know what is genuinely felt and expressed by the person themselves, or their publicist and attorneys.
I am sure people have read Mr. Lauer's apology, and those of other men recently and thought, "Gee, he does sound like a nice guy." And I imagine many of these men are...
...and that goes to the heart of the problem. Many, if not most of these men may be "nice guys," but they are all, regardless of the degree of their offence, nice guys with a significant problem. A problem they either did not recognize, believe was significant, or chose - specifically chose - not to get help with or do something about. These are intelligent men.
And that is a problem for our society as a whole; our lack of real emotional maturity.
Sadly, I am afraid the companies and corporations rushing to fire these men are not doing so because their first priority is defending and protecting women...it is about marketing and money. The bottom line and profits are driving the reflexive response of firing these men.
Soon however, women will have to come together with men in partnership to co-create positive, productive, and lasting change so this moment has a meaningful and lasting impact on our society.
I have experienced sexual molestation, harassment, and gender harassment over a long career, I know how this feels. Let's make this an opportunity for real change now.
2
With a 20+ million dollar annual salary, I'm not feeling bad for Matt Lauer that examining his conscience is now his fulltime job. I think he'll survive.
5
Yes he will.
He can discuss morality and biased interviewing techniques with Bill O'Reilly in Thailand or Estonia for the next 20 years.
1
This is the smart phone generation. Smart phones have easily accessed unobtrusive video and audio recording functions. The age of he said, she said should be over.
See something, RECORD IT, say something.
4
Always the caveat sandwiched in between the expressed sorrow and shame just to muddy the pool and throw in some doubt; but never any detail on what accusations were not completely correct. Credibility: Nil.
5
I think his NDA would prevent him from giving out that level of detail.
Any apology that comes with a caveat is not a true apology.
Sorry, Matt, NOT accepted.
4
Isn't it nice to have a public relations team. It is beyond sickening how much money theses PIGS are paid. It is now high time that O'Reilly comes clean.
3
I think the ENTIRE Fox organization from the top down needs to come clean.
They think because Roger Ailes "accidentally" fell and died ( like so many Russian officials in the weeks following our election ), that they can just kind of blame him and move on.
Not so fast.
They claim to be the leader in the news world. Well, it's time for them to lead.
1
To all the men who are wondering whether sending that sex toy to that female fellow worker was sexual harassment, I have a 'home test' that will make it really easy to determine: imagine that a man has sent one to your daughter. This test can be used in every instance where you are wondering if that thing you said last week qualifies as sexual harassment and, hopefully, will eventually be used before any man says or does anything to any woman they have any contact with. It can also be used by employers who really want to let that sexual harasser, who has been reported as such, off the hook because, well, he's a good guy and gets to work on time.
5
Lauer had to be fired but I think his accuser should not be permitted anonymity. She was a married woman at the time of the alleged rape and claims she immediately told her husband. Why didn't he go the police? So many people are now "astounded" by the behavior of celebrities they have known for years. One of the reasons for this is that the women never came forward and simply endangered other women. There is a time when people have to have the courage to risk getting fired and in such cases, any fired employee could have sued.
3
Reporting a rape requires a detailed statement and rehash of events the woman may have not been comfortable with. Her husband could not have given this statement for her and he may have been the only person she felt safe telling. Coming forward now is surely to do with this moment in the zeitgeist in which women feel they will be believed, even if a man is powerful. Victims of rape and sexual assault are not just given anonymity to protect them professionally, they have a right to go unassociated with the sins of others in all aspects of life. Predators and their enablers are the ones endangering women, not previous victims.
4
Stop with the apologies! They mean absolutely nothing!
1
The only people that Lauer and his ilk "cherish deeply" are themselves. Real men who actually cherish deeply their family members do not do these things.
Period. End of story.
9
2 words:
Jail Time
2
I don't get it. I'm closing in in on 50, but I learned decades ago what is appropriate and what isn't. It's not rocket science. I wish I could ask the Lauers of the world "What were you thinking?" and be able to press for an answer beyond the platitudes.
10
At least they're not priests - sanctioned by their hierarchical princes. This would be covered up longer and take years to get to the courts. So much for clerical justice and values. Clerics are more tolerant of their own.
As a victim of Catholic schools, do not misinterpret this comparison of for-profit cultures. My point is outing is happening and bishops are not covering up reflexively. The difference in speed and outcome is sadly remarkable when it does not involve children. I wish for justice, safety and equality for all
I wonder how many men in power are considering they too may have possibly been wrong by behaving similarly? Could this be and may they be outed? Nah, not happened yet and it was all a joke. Or are we changing at a societal level?
1
All these apologies are written carefully to protect the abusers legally, when the lawsuits begin.
3
Why can't we have honest politicians. Is it really too much to ask?
That phrase itself "honest politician" is an oxymoron and went the way of the dinosaur.
It's difficult for me to comprehend, much as I've tried, the macho boy's only club culture, in a giant national media outlet, conditioned to exposing scandal with glee wherever they find it, that would allow a professional, successful, highly scrutinized individual to think he could get away with the conduct- alleged by several individuals- forever. Was their narcisism and exhibitionism so powerful to overwhelm their fundamental survival instinct to not throw away their life's work? Obviously yes. That even in a world where the cameras are always rolling, the boys believed they were above judgment. So far it still hasn't been proven they were wrong. When I see the other macho boy's club, the criminal justice system, taking action based on these credible allegations, I'll believe the victims can feel encouraged.
1
What is astonishing about Matt Lauer is the extraordinary hubris and contempt this man has demonstrated towards women.That a man ( who is so loved by his viewers) gets paid around $ 20 M a year, and can lock his office door from an automatic device on his desk to trap women in his office, is truly repugnant. It just seems that men like Lauer (and e.g. Weinstein, Rose, O'Reilly and Ailes) just enjoy the sadistic pleasure of treating women like sexual doormats.
That said, what bothers more is the fact that (1) female employees wait for so long (sometimes too many years) in cases of corporate sexual harassment to finally get the courage to come forward to lodge their complaints, and finally do so only after another woman has had the courage to speak first; (2) more troubling is that so many female colleagues, who have been told by their co-workers that they have been harassed, don't bond together with the victims and come forward sooner as a group; and ( 3) I really find it hard to believe that the corporate heads ( e.g. Matt Lauer's bosses) really didn't have any idea through the years that this type of behavior had been going on for so long, and never attempted to privately intervene to stop it, even here, regardless of Lauer's popularity.
I get the feeling that what we are seeing is just the tip of the iceberg. Going into 2018, to use an old Bette Davis quote, "Fasten your seat belts, it's gonna' be a bumpy ride!"
1
Shouldn't the Anita Hill / Clarence Thomas case be reviewed again?
Otherwise we have a sitting Supreme Court justice and a sitting so-called president who are predators.
I'm wondering if there are more women who may step forward today about Thomas's past.
3
Maybe I've misunderstood. But is Ms. Kelly inviting Mr. Lauer and his victims to appear on the show at the same time?
Isn't that a little tacky? I imagine they don't want to be in the same room as him let alone take part in a televised interview with him. I can't imagine how awkward and uncomfortable that would make them feel.
1
I never watch the “morning news shows”. They are incredibly boring and shallow. Matt Lauer’s apology, like so many others lately, rings hollow. Seems they apologized only because they got caught.
2
"Head-spinning" is the perfect adjective for the revelations about public figures like Lauer. My most intense cognitive dissonance, though, occurs at the thought of these abusers' wives! What must they be feeling? How can Matt Lauer's wife reconcile living so many years with a man who's obviously led a double life: a wholesome husband and father of three at home and a predatory creep/abuser/rapist at work? How could you ever sleep in the same bed with him again? Let him come near your children? To think that you've always lived with a stranger.
And this had been going on for 17 years, with no reaction whatsoever from NBC until now.
1
Trump BFF and NBC exec at the time Zucker says he didn't know.
If he didn't, nobody did.
Wow. As a man, I have no sympathy for any man who uses his position and power to sexually assault or force women to do things that they do NOT want to do. My mother raised me to treat everybody equally - and to never have a woman show up on her doorstep pregnant with me as the father. In 30 years of marriage, the values my mother imparted in me have remained. There have been opportunities to stray, but no thank you. There have been times where I might have used my position to pressure a girl into something she might have THOUGHT she wanted to do, but no thanks. When somethings WRONG - it's WRONG. Who are these men, and what did they learn, that makes them think they can just use women, abuse women, assault women, and it's ok? They deserve everything they get!
5
You had a wise Mother.
2
Don't you just love those folks, who after offending you, say, "If I've offended you, I'm sorry." One can only conclude that if it doesn't, they're not.
We are in dire need of restoring a moral code and upbringing that address boorish, self-serving, abusive behavior.
One wonders if our Political Correctness believers will ever get around to promulgating what the Golden Rule already provides.
2
Men, it is really quite simple. If you wouldn't want a man to behave as you have towards your sister, daughter or wife then perhaps you should change YOUR behavior. You can't be appalled when your loved ones are harassed but then perpetrate the same behavior.
1
"I'm bad, but not as bad as you might think." No, you are.
2
As usual, these men are sorry they've been caught and for the things they've lost rather than the actual behavior. Countless other men have managed to work alongside women for decades and refrain from touching, saying inappropriate things, and/or showing or seeking to see genitalia. Why expect anything less of so many others? But I digress...
I've been an ardent fan of "The Today Show" for decades and have caught enough questionable comments by both Matt AND Al to believe "The Variety" article regarding the atmosphere in the offices. After hearing Al openly comment on Tamron Hall's breasts in a photo from her experience with Bear Grylls ("Look at those mountains!" - 6/27/2014 "Today's Take" show), it was clear something was amiss. No apology was ever made, even after a flustered Tamron called him out.
Although the Lauer scandal wasn't necessarily surprising, I am incredibly disappointed to hear that it was an open secret and women like Savannah Guthrie may have even joked about the impropriety.
5
Only after I found empty sugar jars all over my house did my son become ashamed and, between his tears, offer to go on a sugar free diet. His friends claimed they knew nothing about it, while desperately brushing crumbs off their faces.
Are you kidding me? Cosby, Oreilly, Weinstein, Spacey and now Lauer - they repeatedly did this stuff for years and no one did anything about it until they were forced to. Careers and money were at stake, so why not close your ears to rumors and forge ahead. Then laud the victims’ “courage to come forth.” I don’t respect NBC when it equivocates that “current management” was not aware and I don’t believe Lauer’s co-hosts when they express shock. Sorry.
2
I don't know what he did or not. The one incident of which we were given details, I think the 2001 incident, which may or may not be true or completely true, sounded like consensual sex followed by deep regret on her part to me and to a lot of others who commented on it in another article yesterday. But, I do not think we can really know what happened this early and probably never will. Media reports of which I have some personal knowledge were very inaccurate and I just do not trust them. I am amazed that people do after all the inaccurate reporting we've seen over the years.
Nevertheless, I don't take celebrity apologies seriously. He can't move on and hope to have a career again unless he apologizes publicly and the media and now social media accepts it. It doesn't mean he isn't genuine. He may be. But, because of the informal system we have of public shaming followed by apology and redemption that is so well known, I can't assume it is so. I know many people don't care - they just want the apology so they can feel the side they associated with is right and the apology definitely gives them a leg up on the argument.
As I usually say concerning Weinstein effect articles, I'm glad women are feeling more comfortable coming forward with their stories and there should be consequences when it is admitted or certain enough. But, we do need to be careful not to overreact. Every case is different, not every accusation is fair and not every consequence should be the same.
Public figures commit two wrongs - one against the victim of their unwanted assaults and one against the public trust that who they are and who they appear to be are unfortunately different.
For public figures the most important part of the apology is the admission of what they did and the wrongness of it.
When Matt Lauer admitted his assaults, it slammed the door on all of those who felt that Lauer had not been given “due process”. It slammed the door on all those who sought to excuse his behavior or sought to blame the victim.
Contrast this with Roy Moore and his apologists. And Trump.
1
Anita Hill has been most articulate regarding not only our culture of pervasive harassment of women by powerful men, but what precisely should be done about it beyond publicizing it, firing of the offenders, and then what?.....
Speaker Pelosi, finally, called for the resignation of Conyers yesterday, after waffling about him on "Meet the Press". And yes, people should be entitled to due process, but Congress clearly has no effective due process other than an interminable ethics investigation procedure that can take longer than a member's two year term, and a SECRET compensation fund using non-transparent, unreported taxpayer funds to pay off victims after they've signed the required NDAs.
Corporate offenders with lucrative personal contracts such as the media hosts have can be fired for violation of their moral terpitude clauses.
Congress has no effective mechanism for dealing with harassers beyond the election cycles.
Sexual harassment is a global epidemic, and as has often been the case, the United States is leading the way in just starting to come to grips with it. Women have been second class citizens, or worse, forever, so we're a long way from solutions beyond promoting women to top leadership positions.
Professor Hill is arguably one of the most qualified experts with the credibility to lead a National Commission on the issue, defining the issues and how to address them if we are to take advantage of this moment in our history and begin to rectify the situation.
5
Ms. Hill's accusations were refuted by all the other women working in offices with her and and Mr. Thomas. Unlike President Clinton, Mr. Lauer, Mr. Weinstein (and others) there were no other women claiming harassment from Mr. Thomas. Ms. Hill clearly believes she was made uncomfortable but her situation was not comparable to the multiple accusations made against other men of power.
1
Anita Hill = Trojan Horse Joe Biden attack.
Not about women at all.
Read the book Strange Justice, written by two former Wall Street Journal reporters. Excellent book that has stood the test of time. Anita Hill did not lie. We need to ask ourselves if we really want to pay men to behave like dogs humping on our legs. Thank God, in 2017 we are starting to say NO!
1
Like most spoiled children ... he got caught being a bad boy and he is going to do all the tricks that he has learned to get out of trouble.. Apologies, contrition, somewhere alone the way he will probably offer money to someone to do something .. basically .. Matt Lauer is a loser and I am most sorry for his beautiful wife ... the humiliation of a husband behaving that way is bad enough but the world is aware and watching too ... She should pack up ( if she hasn't already ) and go on a holiday ... far from NYC.
8
And he’s looking to get paid a hefty chunk even though!
1
The phony remorse spewing from Lauer's lips is quite laughable as are the other phony mea culpas from sexual predators of late. Funny how they are always sorry after the fact but never while they are victimizing their prey. I hope you invested well Lauer as your career is finished thankfully. Once a lightweight always a lightweight. Nothing more than a news reader.
9
The Times will often stereotype Italians and things Italian. For example, when Berlusconi was Prime Minister, who often did you use the term "opera buffa?" Now, with Trump, we seem to have our own "opera not-so-buffa." So, what to do what to do with the derriere-pinching Mr. Lauer. Perhaps your investigative team can "uncover" a Neapolitan great-grandparent on his mother's side, and use the discovery to explain the whole thing away.
As an Italian I take umbrage with stereotypes o fall people and ethnicities it's not funny nor was it ever. And I highly doubt the men you mentioned have one scintilla of Italian blood coursing through their thin veins.
What a creep. Whether his actions be unlawful - or an etiquette laced with empowered contempt... I shudder at the thought of having my employment based on his whims.
1
Headline--"Matt Lauer Offers Apology (With a Caveat)"
What warning is the headline writer referring to? "Caveat : a warning enjoining one from certain acts or practices a caveat against unfair practices"--Merriam-Webster Online
1
Note his appology came too late.
Was scrolling through channels on the radio while in my car and I heard Jim Nabors" and I thought oh, no, Jim Nabors is a pervert,too? And then I heard that he had passed. I was relieved, then sad.
1
"Yes, but..." means "no."
1
So glad Matt Lauer's "full-time job" will be spent soul-searching. Oh please. He knew from the get-go that what he was doing and saying was so very wrong and so very hurtful to these women. And to his family as well. Yet he continued on for years because he knew he could get away with it. Now that he's been found out, he is so sorry and apologizes to all concerned and will spend his millions taking time out to soul-search. Here's a question, Matt. If you hadn't been caught, would you have stopped? I think we all know the answer to that one. Also, to all his co-workers, including Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker, who claim they didn't have so much as an inkling about all this, shame on you. Because we all know you had to have had, at the very least, your suspicions and, at the very least, must have heard one or two of his degrading remarks to women - yet you still did and said nothing. That's called enabling.
12
In fact, the Variety reporter who helped break open this scandal, stated yesterday during an interview with CNN that co-anchors past and present knew of Lauer’s behavior , but did nothing.
5
"I am blessed to be surrounded by the people I love. I thank them for their patience and grace.”
With 20 million a year he can buy people, his own family.
Ditto Trump. Trump bought his family.
We have to end inequalities so great that one person can buy other people.
6
The entire cast of the "Today" show knew what Matt Lauer was...a predator. They knew and they looked the other way so spare me the croc tears.
8
I LOVE reading how Matt Lauer's career is ruined (exposed) by women after he helped torpedo the career of Hillary Clinton with his sexist interview. Take THAT, Lauer! Where in the world is Matt Lauer? In the doghouse and unemployed!
5
Will you and so many others like you please stop with the blaming of others for HER defeat??? You have to ask yourselves as a group why did 42%+ of women vote for him rather than her. What made them turn away? She lost because she forgot that the United States comprises more than just California, Florida and New York.
2
re “Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized":
This is a recording.
These serial "open secret" predators are all using the same playbook, aren't they?
In this case, it isn't Harvey or Charlie or Mark or Al ... or ... or ... or ... or ... it's Matt.
OK, so which parts are untrue? What's mischaracterized? Please elaborate.
Hard to be fair when they're being so oblique ... or simply dishonest. Take your pick.
5
Let's put aside for a moment the fact that the representatives of one gender (male) are treating as non-human objects representatives of another gender (female).
As a 58-year old white male -- now, at my adult daughter's encouragement, dating for the first time after the collapse of a lengthy marriage -- what I find striking is the fact that Lauer, Rose, Barton, Franken and the rest of these creeps somehow think that with their balding heads, droopy eyes, bulging pale pot bellies and decrepit frames, they are appealing to younger women.
All I can say is that I hope that their disgrace is a potent as their hubris.
9
Sure he is talking the talk while he is lawyering up and going after the money for the rest of his contract. There have been three basic motivators for men and it goes back hundreds of years: fear, sex, and money. Once Lauer achieved the earning level he did being at the top of the broadcast world, he wanted sex in the workplace and had no fear of reprisal from his victims. Ayn Rand was paraphrased to have written: The question isn't who is going to let me, it's who is going to stop me? Lauer's behavior for years did appear to follow Rand's observation....and now we know who stopped him.
6
"... but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed."
"Enough" truth?
I guess it depends on what the definition of "is" is.
8
I'm tired of the "some of it's not true or mischaracterized" addendum to so many of these apologies.
4
It's there to protect the abusers legally when the lawsuits or indictments begin.
1
Thank you!!
It's about time male sexual behavior is being exposed. Think of the millions who have demeaned women, but are not famous enough to be noticed by the general public. I hope that the American males in their teens are paying attention. I doubt that they are. Groping and grabbing will continue, except among the famous.
2
Who cares what a criminally overpaid teleprompter reader did beyond his family and co-workers ? The 500 pound gorilla in the room is why is the Media complicit in shielding the " National Disgrace " Trump ( " Hump " ) from the momentum and focus of these stories which hopefully would result in his removal from office ?
7
We might as well scrub the dictionary of the words "apology" and "sorry"
They have no meaning anymore.
3
At some point, in the Lauer house, the words "you did what?!" were yelled.
Again, I have to ask what is it about accomplished, ambitious dudes that they don't know how to appropriately express their stupid glands?
Excuse my blunt language, but I'm whittling this down to the core problem, here. I would say that most men figure out how to master their urges and compulsions. Morals and core values have to come with some gravitas, however. Ascribing moral authority to a power greater than ourselves has been a miserable failure, throughout a history rife with rape and abuse. So that doesn't seem to have worked out very well. Women are draped with shrouds of cloth, in hot, arid countries because their stupid men cannot trust themselves to control the call of their glands. And that is the truth.
Now it's poor, mildewy Garrison Keillor. And Matt Lauer, who so deftly bounced between asking the tough questions and helping Martha Stewart buttercream heirloom recipe cup cakes. Louis CK was so out of control of his stupid gland, he destroyed everything he cared most about; he cheated his gifts for a biological compulsion that drove a psychological disorder. Seriously?
Notice nobody is going after Mick Jagger? The bassist from his band boasted of groupies and tour conquests. Funny how Motley Crue and every rock star ever gets a pass, but wheezy old Garrison Keillor is done for.
If human culture is biologically driven, I suggest it's time for the matriarchy to run things.
5
Is Matt Lauer, or any man accused of sexual impropriety, allowed to defend himself? Is he allowed to say that he doesn't remember something or that his memory is different? Or is he supposed to swallow whole whatever accusation is thrown his way and suffer a punishment that may not be deserved?
Matt Lauer and all the others may very well be guilty of everything they're accused of but we must also consider that anyone can be falsly accused of anything at any time so we should go into our judgments with just a tad more humility.
2
The "Mike Pence Principle" doesn't look so crazy or bizarre now does it men? It's a practice men need to implement, like yesterday! Without it you are in the Bad Lands, or in this case No Mans Lands, literally! I don't know much about MGTOW, but its time to do exactly that!
1
I will believe something is changing when ordinary men start to connect this kind of high-profile misconduct with their own "hook-up" behavior and the times that they have aggressively pursued or psychologically manipulated unwilling women to have sex with them. I am talking about in ordinary dating and other social situations. Because you can draw a straight line from that behavior to the Matt Lauers and Harvey Weinstein's of the world. It is a cultural mindset which holds that male sexual desire has an absolute right to seek satisfaction, so that if a woman is reluctant, the man has a certain entitlement to push past her resistance to whatever kind of pro forma "consent" he can get. I don't want to hear that men believe me and feel my pain. I want to hear more of them admit they've engaged in these lower-level behaviors that, taken all together, create a culture of harassment, and resolve to do something meaningful to change it.
7
Face it, men are taught to equate masculinity with promiscuity, right from the start. Loose is cute and sex is power, even in an age where HIV is still around and gonorrhea is resistant. The smart high school "nerd" is scoffed, and the "nerd" who cares about others is suspected. This is ingrained at home, taught at school, and will not change because of a moment of shame on TV. Its always seems to be "too little, too late" when it comes to women's issues. Which gender stands at the pulpit in religious institutions, who sits at the bench in the courts, or walks the steps of the Capitol? The mental picture is not female friendly. Someone is about to be elected to the Senate with a credible history of abuse of teenagers. Would all the statues in Washington come to life and cry, because not one Congressional Republican is wearing a shamed face! To be fair, too many women use promiscuity for social advancement, even at work, "Playing the man's game" is not a "giant leap" for women when the man's game is immoral. It is no wonder that men of power might assume that all women are equal prey. This is not an easy fix. In order to make the playing field fair, labor laws need to protect all workers, regardless of gender, race or age, from all or any form of abuse. Otherwise, this moment becomes just another sigh of regret sans afterglow. Children need to be taught to be greater than dominant, especially by their fathers.
4
This all begins with the sense of entitlement these clowns along with other so called “powerful” people are given. There really is nothing special about them over and above the everyday schmo who trudges off to their job everyday. They are hardly worth what their employers are paying them and what they are doing is far less important than what a nurse, electrician, tree trimmer, janitor, etc. are doing.
6
Oh my Goodness!
His apology was "less than complete."
Did he not get the memo?
"I am not now, nor have I ever been, more regretful or sorry. I have embarrasses, shamed and humiliated my victims and myself, and my family, and my friends, and my colleagues, and my faith, and my state and country. Words cannot erase my disgust with myself."
I now carry the above mantra in my wallet, to be displayed whenever I see someone with a "Me, too" button.
I am glad we have found something else to substitute for our need to instantly condemn and lynch. It used to be racial, but we have come far and do not do that any more. Unless you are a conservative black candidate for he Supreme Court. But I digress.....
I feel much better now, that I have confessed and cleansed my soul. But enough about me. this is about the many victims, the many, many , many victims. The innumerable and endless and bottomless well of victims. Not of hunger, disease, famine or just not having potable water, but the real, only, special, victims of ..... celebrities who should be sensitive enough to know better, and probably voted for Hillary.
I am glad that we have not been distracted by North Korea's latest launch and have focused on the real enemy, the one within, Men.
Next, let us make certain that our armed forces are required to both pledge allegiance, and know the "mantra" of shame.
Only then, can we truly be free.
2
If only people had believed Anita Hill...
8
Oh please, leave the guy alone.
I love all these self-righteous commenters, that have probably done much worse, come off the sidelines to kick the corpse around.
Must make them feel better, but I take no pleasure in watching people fall or wriggle in pain.
Never have.
Enjoy your game.
1
It's like every one of Nancy Grace's 500 viewers all show up to high five each other every time one of these articles comes out.
Al Roker is not a meteorologist. He is a celebrity "weatherman" from bygone times.
1
Too many words to say "I did it, I'm sorry and my conduct was wrong"
2
It's the women who really need to be front and centre of your reporting.
Look at the slant you're putting on these stories....Lauer and others are still fully pictured with all their words in full glory. And who cares about Roker, really?
3
Sorry, we are going to need some more information here to rule out wrongful termination. Specifically, we need to know if there was more than a casual relationship developed among the accuser and the accused. Was this a case of a relationship gone bad or was the claim the result standards that were established in the work environment exclusive of the accused behavior. For example, were other individuals within the work environment participating in these communications and behaviors. Names and facts need to be made public as the accused is a public figure.
No, they don't. You may be sure that with the people involved as rich and as smart as they are on every side of this matter, all the i's will be dotted and all the t's will be crossed. You don't need to watch from the comments section to ensure that multi-millionaire Matt gets a fair shake. He wouldn't have "apologized" without a team of lawyers and PR people around him a mile thick and a mile wide. Neither would NBC have taken one step or whispered one word without their own legal teams, evidence, and depositions in hand. It's kind of funny that you'd think "we" are the ones who get to "rule out wrongful termination." Being a member of the public is not the high and mighty position you seem to think it is.
1
We should all remember the 5th Amendment an investigation is neeeded in some cases. If we don't follow the law then we are all guilty. I didn't saying it but it had to be said. If guilty jail is what I say.
Our courts witness this type of contrition every day. People who openly weep and express remorse for their deeds. Except their remorse is actually about now facing the often terrible consequences of their actions.
8
The most sincere statement of guilt and regret of all would be the one that precedes public exposure. I haven't seen any of these yet.
7
I'm just so sad for all who trusted and welcomed him into their homes every morning. I'm also sad for his wife, his sons, and for those of us who believed that he was a decent person. He had a wonderful life, with a beautiful, sweet wife, loving kids, wealth, smarts, a great exciting career, influence, connections, old age and good health. He could have used all of that to be a role model, someone who could on a daily basis help navigate us through these turbulent times. But like so many of these men, he displayed such an utter lack of decency, humility, and gratefulness. NBC should do something truly cleansing now, and show everyone, particularly its large female audience, that THEY are role models: bring back Ann Curry who is truly a person of integrity.
28
The greatest and most sincere form of apology would be to simply disappear. Forget the heartfelt apologies that use the right words but come to quickly after one is "found out". Just go away.
19
"But with a caveat." So I'm assuming you want him to apologise for those of the accusations that aren't true as well as those that are true?
8
But of course. Didn't you hear ? No apology will be accepted for anything. None is good enough. Every behavior is exactly like the next, with nothing short of a public lynching acceptable. Except of course for Reilly, Limbaugh & Trump who apparently will never face the consequences of their actions.
1
One down or twenty down whatever. Only a few or so million to go (in the U.S.).
8
Annette his wife filed divorce not citing the norm 'irreconcilable differences', but MUCH WORSE. 'CRUEL AND INHUMANE' treatment. that needs to come out to fully display this monster.
I weep for Annette, the kids, all the victims. it is now incumbent upon Annette to speak the truth. if she doesn't, she's as ugly as Lauer.
3
Here is what was crystal clear about this media personality all along. His ego was threatened by female colleagues who were actually better at his job than he was. You could see it in every show. Fragile male egos often seek to demean the competent female co-worker. To undermine their women colleagues, they will do what they can on the purely professional front - spread rumors, create a boys club atmosphere etc. Often they can't engage in sexual harassment of high-ranking female co-workers - so they prey on the junior women just coming up in the organization. Men in power back each other up and reinforce the fiction that the male is more important in the workplace. You can see this dynamic everywhere. Sexual harassment is just one part of a whole strategy of fragile men who really, at heart, do not like women in their workplace and won't see them as equals. Men are deeply frightenede of being out-performed at work, and it happens too often for their taste.
127
It is believed that senior management knew for years about his lascivious behavior and also those who were on air with him but the suits had a "protect" the star mandate. For the empty suits at nbc to deny that they knew nothing speaks volumes to who's in charge.
2
NBC head honcho Jeff Zucker denies it.
He's a pal of Trump, so you know he's telling the truth and didn't leak blackmail info on Lauer to him.
Even before Lauer's crimes were revealed, any reasonable person could see he was a chameleon and a misogynist. He would cover serious stories and puff pieces with the exact same fake gravitas, and he never took women seriously. The right-wing calls him a liberal, but nothing about his style or substance reflected a personal concern for social issues.
What is most disturbing is that it was believed among NBC executives that he was responsible for the success of Today for twenty years. The truth is that the Today show is an ensemble piece, and the women around Lauer should have been taken more seriously. If the management respected the women of the show more, at all levels, abuse of those women would not have been tolerated. Nothing will have changed if, after the dust settles, another man becomes the "star" of Today, and the women remain second-class participants.
32
If he were truly sorry, he’d offer to pay reparations.
Might make a bigger difference to his victims than his proposed soul-searching will.
14
Lesson #1: You do not know these people simply because you watch them reading things to a camera.
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
21
Of course these men know that the behavior's wrong. But they choose women who aren't in positions to fight back...women who don't have enough clout, who don't want to lose their jobs, who 'don't matter.' Makes one wonder why Lauer disliked Ann Curry so much...was she too strong or did she turn him down?
So...can we have Ann Curry back now? BRING BACK ANN CURRY!! BRING BACK ANN CURRY!!
It too bad this didn't come out before they got rid of Ann to keep Matt Lauer happy.
19
First, the most prized star of the #1 morning show in this country was harassing women, earning more than any of his (female) colleagues, and the brass at NBC refused to do the right thing until Variety was writing a tell-all. Gross. And women are the base for this show!
Secondly, I watched Megyn Kelly's show last week and she proudly exclaimed during a cooking demo that she can't cook. Translation: "Folks, I have better things to do." For $15M or whatever the salary, you certainly do, Megyn! And NBC should put you front and center and show the boys how it's done. I am not a huge fan, but I would rather see her kick up some dust than watch someone charisma-free or insipid and dumb try to right this ship.
Third, and with all due respect, the Board of Directors overseeing NBC News should kick the honchos who let this happen to the curb. Maybe then we will start to believe real change is coming.
12
Lauer's atrociously aggressive tv interview of Hillary Clinton and contrasting pillow-soft interview of Donald Trump last year must now be seen in a new light. At the time, they were dismissed as lousy journalism. We now know he has a thing for abusing women and can strongly suspect that he sympathizes with other abusive men.
30
What do you have to apologize for? I am sure NBC didn't fire you because they had morale convictions. but because they could cut the cost of your contract now that Charlie and Bill have been let go. I hope now Matt you can date anyone you want. And if you molested someone, shame on you. Otherwise go on with peace!
6
He should be indicted for sexual assault, possibly rape.
1
Can I ask for us to reasonably acknowledge that there may be another side to some of these stories? And can we acknowledge that we cannot and should not believe everything we read or hear? Please know: I am as appalled and horrified at all of the recent accusations and in many cases, evidence of illegal and disgusting, patterns of behavior have emerged that speak for themselves. However, I am concerned that every accusation is being taken as a fact and that some people's lives and careers are being ended because of it. Specifically with Matt Lauer, (who I am not a big fan of), part of the story is he gave a sex toy with a note of how it will be used to a colleague. Let's assume this is true: would it be insensitive of us to ask what the relationship was before the gift? My unscientific survey of both males and females revealed that most intimate gifts (jewelry, lingerie etc) are inevitably from people with whom we have been intimate. I don't know the answer but can't help but wonder. I am so happy for how empowered so many real victims have become but am afraid that not everyone is telling the truth and many people's lives are going to be defined by it. I feel so bad for the victims but I also feel bad for some good people that may be being falsely accused or made some mistakes that they are truly sorry for: they should not be defined and remembered by the lowest points in their life. Let's change the culture but please lets make this about the truth.
4
You have no indication that these women have not told the truth .... it's a straw man you are introducing to the conversation. Policies and procedures at professional organizations have been on the book for years regarding sexual harassment. Just as we don't steal from our employer, can't utilize drugs on the job we can't sexually harass our co workers. These are not surprises at all to those perpetrating bad behavior. Men are intelligent beings and perfectly capable as the rest of the human population to know what they are doing is wrong. Also what these men have done Matt Lauer , Weinstein et al is sexual assault....
4
Jtighetto
1)corroboration means it’s true and 2) these are workplace behaviors where Lauer had power over the women he abused.
The woman who contacted HR with incontrovertible evidence of his assault showed inordinate courage; she deserves praise in no small part because she likely spared other women who would have been victimized in the future.
You have no right to question the credulity of these women.
2
More than 20 yrs ago there were well substantiated rumors about this man and his behavior towards women and his wife. It is cynical to claim the network did not know. His so called apology is another affront, he does not even have the "manhood" to face up to his abhorrent actions.
14
I'm quite sick of reading "apologies" after abhorrent behavior becomes public knowledge.
First - the apology means nothing, zero, nada.
If you are aware of a need to apologize today, you were just as aware yesterday when you felt all-powerful.
Second, if you are ashamed of your acts, you don't suddenly become ashamed because your acts are now public knowledge.
Save your insincere, meaningless words. They might make you feel better, you might think you can control the damage, but these words do absolutely nothing to restore your standing, or erase the pain you've caused to your family, friends and especially your victim (s).
Much better to remember, every day of your life, that the person you are dealing with at that moment, could be your spouse, your child, or your parent. Behave accordingly.
RESPECT people!
97
I agree 100% . As soon as they started reading his apology. " I am deeply saddened" I finished the sentence out loud, I got caught.
1
Ditto!!
Why are Lauer’s actions being called “sexual assault” and “sexual misconduct”? A woman who passes out due to such behavior is not being assaulted, she is being raped. NYTimes editors, why are you not using the word “rape”?
23
Why is it that men in the media fall [or are thrown] on their swords, while men in politics swagger on? Perhaps it's because the media deals in the truth, and politics in lies.
9
Elected to their positions versus hired? Not as easy to get rid of
3
And still, even after so many powerful and sociopathic men have been accused and have admitted sexual harrassment and sexual abuse of women, there is still one who dismisses all of the allegations from all of the women as "fake news", and millions of Americans just shrug. That says more about the state of spiritual health of this country than any mea culpas.
14
There are no secrets in an agency or organization. None, ever. The “I didn’t know” response is never, ever true when it comes to the bosses.
7
Would it ask to much to suggest that we stop the vitriol and try to understand what has been happening with unwanted sexual advances? This is not something new; it's been going on for a very long time. At last it's being spoken aloud, and with the speaking of the shock, terror, humiliation and confusion this causes for women, things will change.
It is quite possible, and in some cases almost a certainty, that the men involved have not been not aware of how devastating such actions can be to a woman. Should they have been aware? Of course. But in fact, women who are accosted by someone they know do not express (or have not until now) how utterly horrible they feel or how turned off they are by unwanted, uninvited, insistent sexual advances. It is not funny to women, who almost always have less physical strength than the aggressor, and be assured, it is NOT flattering. At least some men are beginning to recognize this, and instead of beating them up, we might do better to engage in civil conversation about what this long practice has done to women. You're sorry? That's a start. Apology accepted. Now comes the real work: (1) Ask a few women how it feels, listen when they tell you, and believe them, and (2) Get active in making changes in the collective attitude so that this sort of thing stops happening.
54
The fact that all these men have actively tried to suppress women from coming forward for years would indicate that they had some idea that their actions were wrong, or at least publicly frowned upon. They chose instead to continue, and sometimes escalate this behavior (operative word being chose--their firings are the results of many, many, many choices they made, while knowing what they did was wrong).
1
We have to explain to men what rape does to women? It's been a crime, formerly considered so bad it was a capital crime, for hundreds of years. Lauer is guilty of rape. We don't need civil discourse about rape. Your remarks are fine for the comments, the innuendo, the disrespect shown to women, but not for sexual assault. It's a crime, and apologies simply don't cut it.
1
Perhaps this has been mentioned, but the women victims in most cases did not have anyone to defend them. No husband. No father. No adult son. No boyfriend. I think that is the case. These perverts, cowards, ingrates prey on women who have no men in their personal life to defend them or for these jerks to fear for their lives.
5
Matt Lauer's transgressions are significant. BUT what a about the President of these United States? How does the man called Donald Trump get a free pass?
19
The fact that this reckoning is ongoing with the curse Trump, the groper, the molester TRump still in office?????
Are we truly in some alternate dimension?
12
It is no coincidence that Matt Lauer conducted one of the most brutal interrogations of candidate Hillary Clinton while he subsequently lobbed good ole boy softballs to Donald Trump. Unfortunately the misogynistic behavior of this sexual predator had the power to shape our perceptions of the candidates and the narrative we were fed about HRC. We are all paying the consequences of this misplaced journalistic power.
143
STRONGLY RECOMMEND!!! &, AGREE that, ..."We are ALL paying the consequences...."
3
He should have been fired last year for that spectacle. Andy Lack and Savannah Guthrie should resign. He knew and she's a nit wit for claiming Lauer was such a great guy.
9
"Informed Reader" nails it. I've listened to sad men who grieve the loss of Matt on the Today Show. SAD? I cant even relate. Get him outa here. Does anyone out there even KNOW one woman who hasn't experienced sexual harassment? And none of this even inspires more men to stand up to Trump. Sickening.
3
I just need someone to explain to me why someone as wealthy and attractive as Matt Lauer had to attack/rape women. He is (was)attractive millions of viewers on NBC, he surely could appeal to women in a dating situation. What is it? Is there a need to take women without their permission? Or a dominance need? I just don't get this need, or what appears to be a fetish or compulsion of locking women in. If women are only compliant or non-combative because of your perceived power/wealth, well, that's very pathetic. The women are not attracted to the person, but only to the threat avoidance. Why is that satisfying to these men? I just don't get it. Its like a Hannibal Lechter perversion. Were these men sick before they got money and power or did the power trigger this perverse behavior.
7
Maybe this is a hit job.
Expect more of them. It's "fake news" and "liberal media" season in America.
The Long Knives are out.
It's about power Annie, nothing else. Tiny little men like this feel the need to over power female subordinates at any cost, think current POTUS. Anybody who makes an excuse for this man ought to see a shrink.
We men need to take action. Since most of us find this type of harassment as disagreeable as the victims, and, of course, some of us our victims, we should form committees at work and privately that monitor and respond to the actions of other men. Somewhere in the harasser's mind is the idea that this type of predation is envied and admired. (That narrative was also at the heart, also, of the Playboy mythos.) We need to talk with our colleagues, friends and neighbors and explain in the starkest terms we think sexual harassment is disgusting, and we will act to ostracize and otherwise discipline (legally, appropriately) any man who does it, well before the courts get to him.
We need strong contacts with senior administrators, especially women, helping and advising in this process, but unless we ourselves take concrete steps to shut harassment down, we are complicit in something we despise.
7
This story and his "apology" makes me feel sick. It's only in the last two days that he is taking a "hard look" at his "troubling flaws"??? Is he kidding? He's known since the first incident of harassment that his behavior was despicable and abusive because he took great pains to hide, like most abusive people do.
7
"deep shame" .... "sorrow & regret" ... after only 2 days He hasn't felt anything other than embarrassment so far! Wait till he meets Ann Curry or any of the men that he heavy handed in interviews over sexual harassment!
Suggest he spend time with Michael Millken to learn bout the path to remorse!
3
I was taught that an apology with a caveat is not an apology. The apology should be about your misdeeds, not how others view your misdeeds.
84
She passed out while he was assaulting her due to being so traumatized. He has no soul. Disgusting!
6
As usual, the American form of suffering is suffering-lite. He touched my back as opposed to he held a knife to my throat and swore I’d better not scream. Women around the world are crying their eyes out for you, girls.
17
You should consider raising your standards. And to be clear, no one is crying their eyes out about a back touch.
7
Gee Whiz, I don’t think we’ve seen this many heads roll since Robespierre was running things. Sic Semper Tyrannis!
7
Not one newspaper at the higher end of what was once called journalism has posed a single question: how do we define sexual harassment? How do we assign gravity to a charge? In the criminal justice system, the law distinguishes between 1st degree and 2nd degree murder, manslaughter, criminal negligence. Not so with the Press. Jumping on the bandwagon of condemnation and encouraging the mindless to demand no less than "prison time for this creep" or satisfaction taken in a man's ruin because Lsurt sed "doug." Reason enough.
A winkl an off-color joke, innuendo, drugging and rape, a touch, a smirk, a smile that lingered. It's all the same. Have women been complicit. How dare I ask! Do bare breast and red carpet non-gowns entice? Never.
Twenty years ago. Who cares. Accusation based on "She said..." Good enough.
We have entered the land of Trump. Entertainment, Accusation, Bring on the clowns. A circus of shame.....on us
18
If the accused is President, you're not guilty. Otherwise, you are.
See ? I defined it for you.
1
Trump isn't the ring master for this circus. It was around well before he got on the scene.
3
Perhaps it hasn't occurred to anyone at the higher end of journalism that there are Americans in the workforce in 2017 who don't know what sexual harassment is.
The first time I dealt with an allegation of sexual harassment in a managerial capacity was 1977. It wasn't hard to figure out how to handle it since even in 1977, most large employers and some mid-size employers already had written policies in place regarding sexual harassment.
The issue is not now and never has been that employees don't know what sexual harassment is. It is that: (1) there are some people who realize that, for whatever reason, they are unlikely to face any negative consequences for behavior that would get other people fired, and (2) a subset of those people don't have moral standards that would stop them from exploiting (1).
5
A woman scorned. You’re only hearing from the women that feel jilted. They’re getting even. These ‘office romances’ are always going on. But when a woman finds out she’s not “the only one,” she’s mad. Suddenly she was, “taken advantage of.” Some even claiming rape. Look how many of Bill Cosby’s women suddenly found out they were only a number. What you’re seeing is spite.
7
Spoken like an ignorant man.
11
right! a man's point of view.
For once, think of your daughter as the victim. Then again, you might not have one.
Think of your mother as the victim.
7
Yeah, I’m so sure they were all jealous and upset when they found out they weren’t his number one rape victim.
11
Misuse of the word 'caveat'.
11
what an absolute light weight of a man to be in such a powerful position - what an abject failure - now blubbering after his pockets have been stuffed with cash.
20
He expressed sorrow and regret that he got caught.
29
So ?
Your President got caught, had ZERO sorrow, ZERO regret and got away with it all.
All you "he's only sorry he got caught" people are so righteous and smug, and you're gleefully grooming a generation of kids who will NEVER apologize for anything.
Hope you're all happy with yourselves.
2
Former Repub: an apology does not entitle someone to forgiveness.
I think we're raising a generation of kids who will understand that you don't get to commit horrific crimes against other people and then expect absolution simply because you say you're sorry after you get caught.
I'm very proud of us.
2
I hope that all of Matt’s soul searching will result in him someday finding one.
20
I don't know how much more of this the country can take.
The only silver lining is that at least President Trump has courageously stepped up and exposed the Access Hollywood tape for the crude dubbing job that it is.
Our President is indeed a man, who, in his own words, has never felt the need to ask God for Her forgiveness.
4
Oh please. Trump already said that it was his voice. And that's on tape, too.
Next, he'll have the gullible believing that there are people impersonating him on videotape and in public.
His fake university and usury violating tactics, fake veterans university, cheating small businessmen, fines for breaking United States laws, cheating on his wives, sticking us with the tab for his many bankruptcy filings means your great white "savior" should be on his knees daily.
Since when in the Christian doctrine are mere morals meant to be so arrogant before your God as to declare themselves non sinners?
He claims of dubbing are ridiculous.
Next there'll be claims of alien abductions.
5
Are you serious? I can't tell if you are being sarcastic or if you actually believe this.
1
hahahahaha
1
I've often mused about the frustrations of high-profile and powerful MARRIED men...They have all the empty superficial trappings but they cannot indulge themselves sexually without tripping some alarm...An anonymous SINGLE guy in NBC's mailroom can, after work, live a sybaritic private life...I think the constrictions of monogamy play a role in corrupting the desires of so-called "powerful men"...
3
So insightful. Well done Man.
1
Since many of these accused are beloved figures and Democrats, I can't help but wonder if there isn't something fishy perpretrated by the Trump administration to deflect public sentiments from the Republicans, and especially, the prevaricator-in-chief.
4
In all of the cases except Roy Moore's and Trump's, there are either damning photos, texts, wiretaps or emails.
At some point, you just need to stop making excuses for liberals and Democrats who do these things simply because you're a Democrat.
2
Crafty , sleazy predator. Knew which ones to attack - certainly not Savannah or others of her stature.Of course she is heart broken because he was an entirely different person to her. The desk-button activator to lock his office door says it all.
10
So in 2001, a woman "in her earlier 40's" (Lauer's was 43), who was repulsed by Lauer's advances 2 years earlier, goes into his office where he locks the door and asks her to unbutton her blouse, which she does. Then they have intercourse. The other seven accuser's allegations are disturbing, but this one rings hollow.
I'll bet that Joe and Mika's office tryst while married to other people could be described graphically, and therefore misconstrued as inappropriate. Joe hit on a married coworker. Just like Matt and Mark Halperin. Mika embraced Joe's advances, rather than rejecting and vilifying him. Lucky guy.
12
The Meredith Vieira tape says it all.
We viewers always saw the glib, sophisticated, happy go lucky Matt. Once the cameras were off, however, he was just another disgusting pig.
Oh. And NO ONE else knew (Andy, Savannah, Hoda)? Give me a break!
9
I am glad the journalism profession is cleaning house. They are correct in assuming that no one will take them seriously on this issue until they do.
2
could you be more specific about the "truth in these stories"? it would help us assess the scope of the grievance.
2
I always feel like “mischaracterized” is code for “I thought it was consensual, despite my obvious position of power and/or trust that made it difficult for the other person to say no.”
I’m sure many of these men are legitimately shocked that lack of consent is difficult to see when you’re not looking for it. Maybe they can spend their remaining years learning what it’s like to focus on another person’s needs.
6
Ann Curry would be an excellent replacement for Lauer. She's an extraordinarily competent and courageous reporter.
28
Hollywood and media VIPs who have engaged in sexual misconduct should be deeply ashamed of themselves, and it's only good that their actions are finally being exposed.
But. Ahem...
What. About.The. PRESIDENT?!
Please focus more light over there, because the elephant in the living room is making a huge mess everywhere he goes.
39
What do they have to be ashamed of if your President endorses their behavior.
The only thing they did wrong according to Executive orthodoxy is admitting and apologizing.
2
Maybe he can claim it was someone impersonating him.
2
What about the president, you ask? Oh please. I was living in Washington during the Lewinsky period. At the time only Republicans cared about any of that or about Clinton’s dalliances before he entered the White House. It was always, “It shouldn’t matter what he does on his own time; that’s his personal life.“ Or “but the economy is great.“ You bunch of hypocrites. So now it matters? Now you’re all morality kings and queens? And where did Clinton learn his ways? From his idol, JFK. Don’t give me any of that What about the president nonsense. If it didn’t mean anything to you then, it shouldn’t mean anything to you now. Just because there’s a buffoon in the oval office your morals suddenly change. Be honest about it.
2
Never really cared much for Matt Lauer. In the interviews Always thought h.was a bit smug, a lightweight and a chauvinist and in the bag for the Republicans. His treatment of Hillary vs “The Donald “ confirmed it for me
34
How about some jail time for this creep? I'm sure he'd really feel sorry then.
15
Jail? Then lets put every woman in jail that has tried to seduce a powerful successful man. C'mon. There would be no women roaming the streets. And the Range Rover dealers would suffer.
Mr. Lauer, your apologies are so empty and meaningless. If you knew what you were doing was wrong and was going to hurt people, why did you do it? You already make tons of money, Have a home in the Hamptons, limousine back and forth to work (try getting on a bus or subway sometime) probably have all your meals paid for, and not to mention a ton of power and influence at your workplace, and you still feel empty ! You cannot fill that emptiness by molesting young women. And you ate a father of daughters. Shame on you, you ate a smug predator and you are finally getting what you deserve. Your empty apologies should be saved for your poor wife.
22
We have a mentally unhinged president about to start a nuclear war and all the press wants to talk about is horrible bosses.
Matt Lauer is a jerk, and Bill O'Reilly is a jerk, and Louis CK is a jerk, and John Conyers is a jerk -- but as bad as they all are, their behavior isn't going to lead to nuclear winter and an extinction of all life on earth.
24
The media vampires and their trial lawyer carrionistas seem to have run out of politicians as a source of blood and money they can feast on and seem to be turning on their own. Is anyone really surprised that an occupation rife with overblown sexual imagery, 30 second sound bites, contempt for logic and context, totally driven by ratings and profits, and staffed by greedy millennial hipsters would not produce an abundance of abusive monsters? Readers of the Times should now ask themselves if said monsters would abuse the women they work with, would they not abuse the political information they present the public ever day as "news"?
8
Sorry Matt, no sympathy here. Funny how you don't feel the sorrow and regret until you are exposed. Same old same old.
26
Honestly ladies - a course in self defense - a quick kick to the nether regions, a photo, and the outrage of family in friends - a wimp in a suit! No one needs a job that much! It’s empowering to be in your their face.
4
Matt: Sorry to inform you. No one cares if you are embarrassed or ashamed. "The last two days have forced me to take a very hard look...." What? How about the past ten years--was your conscience on vacation? Your crocodile tears are too late pal. You used your position to exploit women and perhaps perpetrate a criminal act. Time to go away now.
30
He's a multimillionaire with access to the best spin machines on this continent who could make John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy and Harvey Weinstein out to be boy scouts with blemishes, like poor acne problems. DOES ANYONE REALLY GIVE CONSIDERATION TO HIS "APOLOGY?" [Ok, no dead bodies have shown up on HW's watch but you never know].
5
Another disgusting orgy of schadenfreude from the glass house menagerie.
Celebrating while you all know that your President is at least as culpable.
8
Seems like a lot of women knew what a jerk he was, but it took an entire movement to bring him down.
Oh, and NBC, just know that he came across the screen as a jerk, too, almost as awful as Bryant Gumbel back in his smug heyday. Get some guys that aren't so full of themselves to host!
(Al Roker had better not be next>:( I'm hoping Al is a nice as he seems?)
9
Seriously, NYT? The tax bill, something that will negatively impact our lives and futures is being rushed though Congress and your lead story is Matt Lauer? Yes, the sexual harassment stories are very important but they will be around for days and months to come; the tax bill will be law tomorrow. I thought you were a serious newspaper; today, I have my doubts. I'm afraid our monthly financial arrangement will have to come to an end.
10
Money over morals, how long did NBC know and just wink, wink, nod nod.
11
I'm no fan of Lauer, but the schadenfreude exhibited in this commentary is really no better.
5
So who's leading so far in the sexual harassment take down? the R's or the D's?
2
The Republicans, because they deny, deny, deny, and leak House documents to right wing bloggers.
He's only sorry he's been outed.
9
Underlying all of these reports of sexual harassment and assault is the power imbalance in this country favoring men over women. Women can work hard, play fairly, attain any educational degree, vote, drive, multi-task and excel.....but who controls the purse strings as well as the access to finance, board rooms, and the halls of government and influence? How is it possible that pay differences still exist among men and women of the same educational attainment, profession and hours devoted to work? Men are the primary beneficiaries of this society's largesse.
Until this equation is altered, this kind of uncouth behavior will continue. Those in positions of influence look the other way and shield the offenders.
The "shame", the "sorrow", the excuses that it was their "generational mores" is utter baloney. Families across this country have raised honorable and well mannered daughters and sons for generations. What all of these situations have in common is an abuse of power.
Hiding behind a public relations team as the apologies pour forth is even more offensive.....stating that they are seeking "treatment" is even more fraudulent. There is no real contrition or sorrow. Man up and face the music.
Perhaps it's time for us to legislate equal representation of women in office, in board rooms and equal pay for equal work? Bet that would shift the landscape.....
7
Stop the presses! Men make passes at women! And many women accept them which is why men continue to make passes at women. If this was not the case the human race would have died out long ago.
10
locking the door and exposing yourself to a subordinate is not "making a pass."
26
I am deeply troubled by Megan Kelly's attempt to make this a spectacle instead of a topic that needs coverage in more meaningful ways. Instead of bringing Lauer and the accuser onto the show, have a week long series on how people (all peoples) become victims of harassment and how harassers become harassers. This type of programing will do far more good than a Megan Kelly moment where she is exploiting other people's pain for her personal gain.
On a side note, why doesn't the Today show hire women who are not as attractive as Ms. Kelly and possess far more skill? There are plenty of female reporters who are shunned because of their physical appearance. This type of sexism is rampant in the entertainment culture.
10
NBC could hire Ann Coury, who was dissed by Matt and fired, Good reporter, well-liked.
Translation: There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the loss of my job and the power and money that came with it.”
10
Unfortunately moral crimes go unpunished when victims keep silent. Some of the sexual aggressors/predators say they are sorry when caught. Although like many people that drink-and-drive don’t stop unless they are caught.
An apology like this is obviously insincere - if he were capable of feeling this way now, why not before. Nobody talks like this, uses this kind of language, unless they're intellectually concocting something. There's no soul factor visible on the page and why would there be at this point.
As he sits in comfort with his millions he appears to be angling to rejoin society at some point. That's understandable. But what's he going to do to deserve it, write apologies and seek counseling?
Fortunately there are many, many people professionally capable of replacing him, as well as most or all of the others gracing the headlines so notoriously these days. Too bad for them, but...being wildly rich will take the edge off.
5
Franken has to go but Trump can stay
NBC knew and must be ripped apart, but Fox was the victim of O'Reilly and are completely clean.
House Republicans paid out settlements but they deserve privacy, Conyers must go.
Every day, another double standard.
9
So much for all of the commenters yesterday who thought Lauer was somehow denied due process and fired unfairly.
I realize many of them are older and don't understand how things work now--that no one is fired so quickly unless there is a damning email or text--but they need to be more self-aware of their own limitations so that they are not such easy prey for every crooked politician or financial scammer out there.
2
I am thinking about the obituaries lauding Hugh Hefner for liberating attitudes toward sex. I think the "Playboy philosophy" has some responsibility for these men thinking they can behave the way they do. I am sure Matt Lauer is terribly sorry - that he lost his job and that his behavior was made public.
6
I understand why Savannah Guthrie made a statement the morning the news broke, but why in the world did NBC allow Matt Lauer's statement to be read the next day? This is really bizarre. He no longer works there, but his words are read on air as if NBC is a PR firm for him. Weird.
1
Uhh ... they told him what to say.
It reads like a hostage note ... "NBC is treating me well, I am completely to blame, with some small exceptions that I mention so the press can rip into me for being a phony."
1
All of these guys remind me of The Brothers Osbourne song, "It Ain't My Fault". Lauer's statement was simply another of the fake "apologies" we've been hearing lately.
2
It's all so confusing for us men in the workplace now. Are we saying I'm not supposed to grope women even if I keep my pants on? I'm going to have to write a note on my hand to remember that. What if someone sees it? I shouldn't have to suffer that embarrassment. Strange times we live in!
7
Money in combination with ego and power is a deadly mix. How many more cases like this are still waiting to come out? I am sorry to say that corporate management are ignoring these issues and pandering to these ego maniacs. Offices should be open and administrative assistants should have access to the highest levels of the corporation or even boards when working for these high level/popular/powerful/famous folks. It is abhorrent that management allows locked offices with attached baths! Looks like now cameras needs to be installed in offices to ensure security for the weak and those in power. I hope, unlike the 2016 election result, these cases will finally break the glass ceiling.
Nevertheless, a basic question I have for the media and others who knew what was going on - Got laryngitis?
2
Once again I'm left scratching my head.
I thought they let you do it if you're a star.
What am I missing ? Do we have a different President ??
3
He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone.
2
No, Mr. Lauer, while your friends and family may undeservedly share in the embarassment you’ve brought them, the “shame” of your behavior attaches to you and you alone.
4
It's easy to blame the high-profile TV star. It's even easier when the accusers remain out of the spotlight. I hope the accusers come forward instead of remaining anonymous. At the least, I would like to hear both sides of the stories. We've only heard high level terms, and not the specific details, not enough to give a clear picture of what did or did not happen.
Without a clearer picture, blaming Mr Lauer is the equivalent of forming a posse and a lynch mob.
6
A lot of posses and lynch mobs on their high horses right now.
Someone didn't tell Matt that the best thing is just to apologize. Those caveats sure make him sound insincere.
2
It's quite a simple situation. He can't deny everything because that would open him to the charge of disbelieving female victims. He can't admit to it all, because then he'd be admitting liability. So instead he does this business about "some of it is true, some isn't, and I'm not saying which is which." These are the undignified stunts this little man is reduced to.
5
Truth is Funnier than Fiction Department: From the accompanying story, "Fans of Today Express Their Disappointment," comes this wondrous gem: One couple, who work in radioactive waste management, said visiting “Today” was a priority during their trip to New York.
2
Sad that visiting Today, or any television studio/show, would be a priority for anyone.
Sad that people don't realize all of the TV people are paid actors.
4
Crocodile tears. These guys are full of sorrow--for being caught.
2
Lauer offers variations on "i'm sorry but. . . " and "I'm sorry of. . . ", two phrases my middle school students know better than to utter in my presence as the qualifiers make the "I'm sorry" anything but an apology.
4
As many have said, the apology is pure fakery. If he had said after interviewing Bill O'Reilly that he too had guilt in this area and that he wanted to set the record straight and had apologized then, maybe I would have thought it was heart felt.
Now, not so much - actually not at all! And even the apology was less than half hearted!
1
As long as money rules all else? CEO's and HR departments and upper management will punish the victim and reward the money maker with blind silence. That's how we roll in America. Money is GOD.
2
The hedging is for the courts, his career is ruined, now his priority is to stay out of jail. "Where is the evidence!" his lawyers will shout. That will feature in act two of this long overdue revolution which has become so ridiculous in its pervasiveness and depravity it will likely one day be turned into a farce.
Recently in the news and around America, there have been many accusations of men in power sexually harassing or assaulting women of lower power to them. Matt Lauer, the most recently accused, has worked for NBC for two decades, was recently fired from this job as an anchorman from the “TODAY” show. Mr. Lauer has not denied any of the accusations and feels, “sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused.” This is all taking part in the #MeToo movement which has prompted many women to be brave and speak out about their personal stories involving sexual harassment and even assault. Some of Mr. Lauer’s co-workers, especially his co-anchor Ms. Guthrie were shocked stating, “It is a difficult morning here again.” The whole studio seemed to be stunned at this information creating an awkward environment for the normally composed and seasoned studio. I feel like it was the right decision to fire Matt Lauer, it’s very important to me to be transparent with your audience and NBC did the right thing in this situation. NBC could have just denied the accusations and kept this whole scandal underground but they didn’t, they did what is fair and just.
1
I for one withhold condemnation until a neutral party has issued a reasoned judgement after a hearing that accords with natural justice.
4
I sure hope Matt Lauer was a spendthrift. I sure hope he is content from now-to-infinity puttering around the house and yard. Because no matter how much shame and embarrassment and regret he heaps upon himself, it will not make up for sexual offenses against female subordinates. It will never be long enough before watching him again on TV, anywhere, analyzing news or providing expertise.
For years, millions of us let him give us the news when I first awoke. Because of a medical condition, I often lie in bed for a bit before arising. Lauer was the first to tell and show me the 9/11 airstrikes against the World Trade Towers, and he did a great job. That's the kind of news you don't forget.
I initially thought that NBC's almost-instantaneous firing of Lauer was too fast, especially based upon a single complaint, no matter how detailed. Suspension and investigation should have followed, I thought. Not any longer. Forget his viewers, forget his colleagues. What about his targets? What about his family and kids, those people who were closest to and proudest of him? I bet they're pretty ashamed and disappointed, too.
Sometime ago I quit the Today show because I hated the happy news and fluff. So where do you head for a bit of serious and straight, a.m. TV news? I was watching the other day CBS Morning, when two shaken female co-anchors told of Charlie Rose's transgressions.
That's the end of the morning shows. Anyone for the nightly news?
3
These so-called apologies are getting better and better. You have to hand it to the public relations firms that draft these statements. They earn the dollars they get from their high-priced predator clients.
2
Every self-righteous man here will regret his rush to judgement when it is his turn to deal with inflammatory allegations.
Stepping back to Oct 2, with the Weinstein revelations, what an epic two months. Amid my personal pleasure reading about these dynamics, and also the #metoo and #meat14 pages on Twitter, my mind moves on to theory.
One common factor in all these men is that they are in their 60s or 70s (or like Lauer, 59). Almost none are my age (54), or younger.
Why?
I was 18 (male peak of testosterone) in 1981. By 1981, the sexual revolution of the 60s and 70s was over. Young women were no longer expressing their political emancipation via free sexual expression. AIDS loomed, and Nancy Reagan preached.
But all of these men since Weinstein were 18 in the wild 60s or 70s.
My guess is that most of them were not the biggest "movers and shakers" during these strange days ... piling up their sexual 'conquests' by the dozen.
Instead, I bet they were the weird boys who watched all the ... modern words coming here ... 'Chads' getting it on with all the 'Staceys' and felt left out.
So by the 80s and later, when these guys became powerful public figures, perhaps they figured it was 'their turn'.
This theory helps explain why they didn't see themselves as criminals or abusers -- not then, nor now in their public 'apologies'. Maybe they see themselves as 'successful' Lotharios, at worst.
The corollary to this is that any man my age or younger who behaves this way is truly a criminal. Hence my dim view of the deposed Uber CEO, versus my tepid sympathy for these pathetic 60+ dinosaurs.
3
They all knew Matt Lauer was a creep and they were fine with it, until they were not.
4
McCarthyism is alive and well in the USA. This time it is those in the media who will suffer... first.
1
My hope is that Lauer and O'Reilly get sent to prison and are forced to be bunkmates.
They fired these people so fast in hopes that the managers, lawyers, and hr will not be help accountable.
2
They are only sorry because they were caught. If you really examine their statements, they really aren't sorry at all. They all say to some extent that their actions were misunderstood or mischaracterized - or like O'Reilly still vehemently denied. And it comes out to be common knowledge that the behavior of these men was sleazy at best and clearly beyond what any internal policies would have allowed. In some cases the behavior was probably criminal. It doesn't seem credible that managers and co-workers were completely unaware of the activities of these people. That being said, I can understand why co-workers didn't do anything, or were unable to do anything. My experience was that people who filed complaints were immediately seen as a trouble maker - even when proved right. The goal of management was to pay them off and move them out, while the perpetrator kept their job. In order for things to change in all work places, this is what has to change.
14
I invite Lauer to make his journey of soul-searching, regret and atonement off-camera and to stay there. Let's get Ann Curry back in that seat, while Lauer lives a life of quiet good works, permanently exiled from the spotlight.
33
I've noticed that when these guys express supposed sorrow and regret, they leave the door open a crack to deniability of unspecified allegations -- meaning they claim that you can't rely on any specific charge because that might be the one that's not true. Franken has puled this. I guess these celebs think we're idiots.
12
I'm sincerely sorry for anything I might have done that may have been taken by anybody in a way that might cause them some possible discomfort, if that happened, ever. Even if they just imagined it, I still take full responsibility for my failure to get them the help they needed. And I'd like to thank my employers in advance for taking me back in as short a time as we can get away with.
34
I think you've got the apology down pretty good.
I'd like to see one of these prominent sexual-offenders bury himself in quiet philanthropy, the kind where you toil in obscurity for 20 or 30 years. God knows other people do it and it's not in contrition. This jerk would never speak accidentally on-purpose about his good deeds or cite extensive rehab and soul-searching as the reasons why he should be allowed to return to his previous profession. A lot of these men have reached the utmost heights of their very public careers and thus should fall an equal distance. The more trust and power had been placed in them, the more distrust and cynicism they would merit.
The very biggest hair shirt of all would be saved, of course, for His Most Prideful Majesty, our President. It's gotta be pretty darn large, judging by how big he's getting, how long it's taking and how many offenses he has amassed, before his fall.
2
I notice when Trump and Moore just dent everything, they win elections.
Great message you people are sending.
If you can't accept apologies, eventually people will stop giving them.
As far as:
“...Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized...
Perhaps you mean this:
https://pagesix.com/2017/11/30/matt-lauers-behavior-not-a-shock-to-today...
“...It was known by many employees at the ‘Today’ show, including some employees that have gone on television and said publicly, ‘We had no idea.’...
Per another article on this very same NYT front-page:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/29/business/media/matt-lauer-sexual-misc...
"...For the news business, this is the way it has to be: Its main product, after all, is integrity, which, in the case of the networks, is personified by those who sit behind the desk. Once the audience’s trust is lost, the entire enterprise falls apart...
So, NYT - please do let us know what's real, what's fake, and what's been planted by Russia...
10
Good luck.
The NY Times still hasn't addressed Leeann Tweeden's lie, or why the link to their article on Google News falsely claimed that Franken admitted groping Tweeden.
The Times has obviously been compromised. The only question is by whom.
1
It's all very boring. I have to say to all of you who commented on this rubbish: Get a life! Men have all the power and most of the money so what else is new? Your own President doesn't get this kind of negative verbiage and he's done much worse! Oh and when will we start to see women in powerful positions being accused? Yeah, that's what I thought.
7
When will we see women being accused? You said it yourself...when they have all the power and most of the money.
Ah, when they are drugging, harassing, raping,and sexually assaulting men?
BTW there have been a few cases of accusations.
What rubbish, Lauer. A good thing that America is waking up, but the self-serving "raised-consciousness" lingo employed by the accused makes one want to vomit.
9
I love the way they all say how sorry they are. Yah, sorry they got caught!
1
Stick it in your bottom, Matt! We're not interested in your "apology; it isn't one when you place conditions on it.
You're not sorry, you're just sorry you got fired! Bring on the next bonehead!
18
Matt Lauer you will not be missed. Maybe you can become a sex education teacher or what not to do. Or maybe you can start a support group just give Bill Clinton ,O'Reilly, and Charlie Rose and any other congress men that might want to join
7
Sex ed teacher? Not in schools...maybe in prisons or congress.
You rather wonder if there will be any man in a prominent position left in his respective business who is able to keep his hands in his pockets and his pants zipped at the appropriate times when he is around women. Must be a cultural thing that this is so prevalent.
8
It's a global thing. Any woman has traveled knows that. It's not our culture.
3
Always thought Matt hung around too long anyway and it was never clear why he became so famous.....generally unimpressive. I'm afraid men in power, surrounded by younger women, are generally corruptible. Sad but true. I think women typically underestimate the power of the male libido. I believe women likely do not understand the baseline sexual urges that men live with, and suppress, on a daily basis. Nature, nurture, anybodies guess. Cherish the gentleman in your life for they balance great sexual urges with societies expectations. It's not always an easy balance.
6
Oh, men, those poor, helpless animals, simply incapable of keeping their zippers up when women are around. Give me a break.
4
You know, I have never longed to assault anyone, actually, or felt I deserved praise for not raping anyone. I love my wife and daughter, and am friends with several women, too. I keep wondering why a number of men--far from all, I think-- seem to see women as this "they", this kind of prey that they get to grab, when their own mothers and other loved ones are women. And if I don't hurt or disrespect them, it isn't because of "societies expectations."
4
Lauer is as big a monster as the others. Glad he is gone. We will not miss him.
10
I stopped watching TV about half a century ago. It's all foolishness for people who are idiots. It makes for racism, genocide (remember the Lone Ranger and Tonto and what do you really think Thanksgiving is about and what really happened in 1607?), sexism (... able to leap tall buildings in a single bound), and misogyny (who was Princess Summerfallwinterspring anyway?). Be part of the solution, not the problem is what I've thought since I was young.
6
How can he be so stupid? Dont these guys ever think they will be caught? Or set up to be caught? Why do they always think they are invincible. Yes, there is a big hand waiting to slap you down. I am reminded of the reggae song lyrics: If you are the big tree- we are the small axe....." Yes all of the victims are trhe small axe felling forests of pervs.
9
Hey Matt:
I hope you lose EVERYTHING.
Regards.
11
His spot at MSNBC is waiting. His stink will be wearing off just as Morning Joe crashes and burns for some domestic meltdown. Thus goes the way of our media.
3
Ummm...the woman fainted during/after her encounter with Lauer in his "locked" office? Doesn't sound consensual to me!
20
He has the gall to think we really want to hear from him. Just shows his narcissistic personality. The best thing to do is let them all go away quiet. It drives them nuts to not be in the news or spot light. Let him deal with his family.
15
Lauer's (former) colleagues at NBC are either complicit at some level or they are the world's worst journalists. In either case, they all should go.
12
Same with Bill O'Reilly's colleagues. And Trump's colleagues, and frankly, his voters.
Sounds like "har-rape-ment"... hardly consensual. And what was this nurse thinking when these women were sent to him/her after passing out?
In any case, it's reasonable to assume the Russians knew about Lauer's indiscretions in Sochi? Were they able to "influence" his news coverage?
9
I don't understand the self-immolation of these men. They're not guilty of anything horribly wrong, and they should defend themselves. First of all, no one is perfect. What they are guilty of is perhaps sexually propositioning a woman who didn't like their advance. But for all we know, once the woman's refusal was made clear, they didn't continue against their will. Probing for sexual interest is not in itself a crime! It becomes inappropriate when they get feedback about their behavior being unwelcome. But from what we know, most of these men didn't get that feedback. They didn't willingly ignore a "No" from these women.
5
When are men like you going to grasp that the issue isn’t just sexually propositioning a woman who didn’t want their advances. It’s sexually propositioning her IN A WORKPLACE.
3
The simple answer is in the NDA. He can't say anything about NBC.
Other people silenced by NDA's, everyone who worked on the Apprentice and Miss Teen USA, including the contestants.
That's your answer.
2
Another man who is part of the problem. Please reread what you have written. It is a power inequality where the victim, in fear of losing her job or not being believed is coerced, intimidated, and manipulated. Yes, they are guilty of something horribly wrong if not a crime. Probing for sexual interest is not a crime, yes, touching, offending, and force is a crime. Please question your female co workers, freinds and family. This is wide spread. Maybe they will clue you in.
It's hard to believe that people at NBC are surprised by Lauer's transgressions. After 20 years, somebody had to know something. I think Matt is very much like his fraternity brother Al Franken. They are both part of the "Gropa Gropa Phi" frat that should be booted off campus at corporations and institutions. It's too bad the people back in Minnesota can't fire politicians between elections, or Al the Frat Rat might be out of a job too.
7
They can call loudly for Franken's resignation.
This apology is longhand for "Sorry I got caught."
22
The article headline references a caveat. The article content does not appear to, with the exception of this line: “Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed." Am I missing something?
5
No you caught it.
Someone decided the original headline wasn't rough enough on Lauer, so they added that piece to get the Nancy Grace contingent more angry/happy.
1
That sounds like a caveat to me, big enough to let him slither out of criminal charges, he hopes.
And Trump is still President so this will not be over until it is over with all of these sexual predators/abusers loose their jobs - including Mr. Trump.
11
STARTING with Trump.
Lauer's mistake was not saying "Trump told me I could do it if I was a star".
1
He is sorry he got fired. Having now been fired from his $25 million dollars a year job, he is sorry about his behavior. But at no time in his life did his internal ethical conscience inhibit his behavior with the women he enjoyed pushing around.
18
To see Lauer's grilling and moral shaming of sexual harasser Bill O'Reilly on the Today Show is to realize the full hypocrisy of this individual and the media as a whole.
Reality check: All the key players at NBC KNEW as Matt was grilling O'Reilly that Lauer was guilty of the exact same behavior. How did Lauer even conduct that interview without feeling like a fraud? Did it prompt him to change his own behavior? No.
And then the Weinstein and Charlie Rose stories broke and he covered those. I guess he just assumed he was too big a star and too protected by the NBC brass to have the changing societal rules of workplace conduct actually apply to him.
It's pathetic and sickening. I certainly think NBC is primarily responsible.
9
Let's make one thing perfectly clear: NBC was complicit in this because there is zero probability that someone UP THERE in the Grey Flannel Suits division knew all along. For profit-making reasons s/he (and or a cabal) chose to keep this quiet. When the entire sex scandal opened (thank you, Ronan Farrow and The New Yorker, et al.) on Harvey Weinstein, it gave women some degree of empowerment to come forward. More to follow, I'm certain. And I'm as certain of that, as I am that NBC kept this under the peacock for as long as it could. Lauer had to have been shaking in his Gucci loafers this entire time, in anticipation of the inevitable explosion.
Matt -- your new FULL TIME JOB is apologizing and humbling yourself to the women you abused -- NOT "recuperating" and "healing." You are a skunk.
10
Correction of typo: "... zero probability that someone UP THERE in the Grey Flannel Suits division 'didn't know' all along.."
sorry.
1
Can we get full in-depth interviews with the enablers?
It is reminiscent of "Mission Impossible” show.
"... Should you be caught ... we will disavow any knowledge of your actions..."
2
You have to admin, though the allegations against Charlie Rose and Matt Lauer are indeed shameful and unforgivable, they really pale in comparison with the charges against Roy Moore.
An adult male in his 30s attempting to seduce and assaulting teenage girls below the age of consent? The same "man of high morals" as Fox News?
Teenage girls?
It's amazing to see Fox News reporting with outrage on Charlie Rose and Lauer and yet they're somehow supportive of Roy Moore!
To say nothing of the current president!
9
How about a story detailing the multiple allegations against Trump. Then run it daily until we are rid of him.
18
Good luck. Who do you think is behind THESE stories ?
1
"...sorrow and regret..." I wonder what he was thinking when he invited a young woman into his office and then locked the door behind her using a remote switch. Was he sorry and regretful about that move? The cheek and audacity he showed towards female colleagues who were trying to earn their living by doing their best at NBC is mind-boggling. Redemption? He and the others who have been "outed" by women they have wronged will have to earn it. Sack cloth and ashes might be a good way to start. Meanwhile the NBC brass has to come to grips with the fact that some members of management were aware of Lauer's sexual intimidation. What were they thinking in ignoring women's complaints about his behavior towards them. Was Matt just "one of the boys"?
8
"I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly.”
Um, really? Why should they be sharing your shame? Sorry, dude, that belongs to you. 100%.
14
He allegedly raped a woman until she passed out, and then handed her off to the company nurse with the assumption that he would never be caught. That kind of behavior is not a "troubling flaw." That kind of behavior should get him sent to prison. Yet here we are with Lauer already embarking on his 'rehabilitation' tour, which will be aided and abetted by his fellow sexual abusers in the media. If Lauer truly had regret he would disappear from public life forever.
10
Matt Lauer and other disgraced newsmen were very hard on Hillary's emails. Matt tossed softballs to Trump, while being rude to Hillary.
13
Lauer's colleagues' stated ignorance regarding the harassment and assault of multiple subordinates is impossible to believe. Between the numerous media stories calling Lauer's behavior "the worst kept secret in news", and common sense about how workplace rumors spread, the idea that Guthrie and Roker had no clue about their co-host's pattern of abuse seems inconceivable. Guthrie in particular, with her sniffling at the camera, looks like the personification of "is she lying or just really stupid?" Perhaps Dictionary.com could use what's left of the Today Show (as well as the multitude of enablers across the media, entertainment, political, and business spectrums) as a visual to go with its word of the year.
8
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yet another hollow apology over the "guilt and shame" they feel. Think about the women and their feelings when you did it and again now.
5
Other than the interview with Clinton, some of the remarks made to other women, and his sometime over friendly manner the thing that creeped me out about him was his Halloween costumes. Once was cute. Twice was OK, but when it became a parade and he seemed to mock women with his outfits it caused me to wonder what he really thought of women.
4
The domineering, disreputable, disrespectful behavior victims in these high-profile cases describe happens every day across all walks of life. As a society, we need to remedy the value system that leads some men to believe they can abuse women with impunity. The famous abusers are quick to express regret when they get caught. And perhaps they're sincere in their vows to search their souls. Who can know for sure? But from a distance, they bring to mind Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby -- arrogant, pampered, heedless and false.
5
So what is he supposed to say? It seems that whatever he says he is criticized? If he apologizes and says he is sorry, he's criticized for not apologizing before he got caught, or that he's only apologizing because he got caught. So should he never apologize, I don't get what you people want!
Do you expect us all to believe that not one of these women wanted a relationship with him? That they weren't flattered by the attention of the megastar, only to be disheartened when it turned out to be nothing more than sex for him?
I'm betting the ranch that had Lauer proposed marriage to any and or all of these "victims" they'd all have gladly been Mrs. Lauer.
4
Wow.
2
The best way you could demonstrate your growth, Matt, would be by disappearing and devoting yourself to helping make the world a better place without notice. I never want to see your face on T.V. again. Don't ask for forgiveness. Don't ask to be given a second chance by your audience. What you need to do is try to be a good person in private.
5
And blessed, Mr. Lauer, to be surrounded by piles of money. All of which should be given to your victims and to advocacy groups for victims. Then, Mr. Lauer, your real work can begin.
3
I heard a story about him creeping on someone 15 years ago. I wonder how many he's creeped on since then? It's not 3 and it's not 5.
5
Matt Lauer's real draft of his 'statement':
"I'm so very, very sorry...that I was caught."
4
We should feel slightly grateful for Matt Lauer's apology. He says he feels deep shame and sorrow for letting his friends down. He says the experience of being exposed is humbling. My guess is that the right word for him to use would be "embarrassing". Embarrassed that he got caught. At least all of this is more responsive than what we hear from our Supreme Leader Dippy Don. He doesn't apologize for anything. He says that the women accusing him are all liars. And now he is maintaining that the Access Hollywood tape is fake. I prefer Lauer — slightly.
3
Here is one among other, many fantastically wise sayings from Grace Hopper: "It is much easier to apologize than it is to get permission."
1
I am impressed with the speedy effective manner in which NBC handled this scandal. CBS also needs to be commended on their actions with Charlie Rose. This is in direct opposition to FOX, whose response to O'Reilley was intermingled with the Business /dollar loss--apparently FOX's concerns about the integrity of the work environment did not matter. It would appear that FOX will likely not now reconsider bringing O'Reilley back.
I am personally confident that the level of talent in the media is both broad and deep--and finally now willing to replace those unfortunate enough to think that true integrity did not matter. The woman they preyed on did not really matter.
These high flying media midgets will be a sad footnote in the history of the media.
2
Such a travesty that the pain caused to others could not have been foreseen by Lauer. The lack of empathy in all such cases and "apologies" is stunning.
4
Just a reminder that the Leader of the Free World, Mr. Trump, has boasted many times about his terrible and boorishly aggresive sexual treatment of women - in front of cameras and mics, when he was running for the highest office in this land. I'm sure that many who voted for him anyway, are among those who are now aghast at Matt Lauer, et al., and their admitted misbehavior with women.
7
What is with the likeable soothing music underlining the lead ML video? This should be some bare unnerving hard metal or disturbing disharmonic piano etudes. It is not okay.
2
The action described in Lauer’s Office in 2001 was no merely sexual assault. It was RAPE. And his assistant facilitated. Why has no one pointed out the obvious: Mr Lauer has a very serious psychological illness, that has been propped up by those around him, male and female, for the better part of 2 decades. He’s not alone, all who suffer are dangerous to their community, their families.
6
Along with everything else, maybe we can also get past the idea that just because someone talks into a camera, he is worthy of adulation. Lauer always seemed like a chump and Rose like a dope to me. But then I could never stomach watching either of them for more than a minute, so maybe I was missing something...
4
When I saw this picture above the story I remembered that interview Matt Lauer had with the then nominee, Hillary Clinton, followed by his next interview with Donald Trump. He was testy and cool with Hillary but when he interviewed The Donald there was a smile and back-slap as I recall. At the time, it gave me a chill because I witnessed someone who through body language was sharing his candidate preference. I read today that people felt betrayed by his admission of sexual misconduct. I lost my respect for Matt Lauer when I saw those two back-to-back interviews. Last night, one of the broadcast stations re-aired his interview with Bill O'Reilly where he chastised Bill for his sexual misconduct. That was bad theater. But at least it was after the fact. What he did in the back-to-back Presidential nominee interviews showed the man's character. The rest of the story we know from yesterday is sick, cruel and demeaning. He, like others of late show that absolute power corrupts absolutely.
6
The statement that apologizing and making amends was now his "full time job" seemed like a blatant attempt to remind people that he has paid a price by losing his job, as if it will be lost on anyone that he was making $20 million a year while using his office as a pick-up bar (or worse). All it reminded ME of is that these morals clauses in the contracts of "stars" should have claw back provisions whereby some of that clearly undeserved compensation could be recouped.
3
The current awareness is about sexual abuse of power, but that is just one area abuse. I have been in work environments with male and with female bosses and supervisors. I have seen respectful males and good females in these leadership roles, and I have seen male and female tyrants.
Often the tryants are rewarded by their superiors, and, of course, if they are the owner, there is little consequence except for a higher turnover.
Sexual talk and actions are invasive, but I am hoping that a light will start to shine on people in power who disrespect their employees (or co-workers), are inappropriately controlling or intimidating, or abuse them verbally in other ways. Just like people in sexual situations, many employees feel forced to take such abuse because they need the money. And some with low self-esteem may feel that their own weakness makes them deserve it.
Any abuse should be addressed. And perhaps, as with addicts, they should not necessarily be fired but be given an opportunity to get treatment and change.
3
If these people were not celebrities or politicians in the public eye, would any of this be happening?
2
Why not re-instate Ann Curry? I didn't watch NBC very often after she was sent packing.
6
Matt Lauer's Thursday morning statement sounds formulaic and equivocating - and therefore, as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't convey a sense of authentic contrition on his part.
And I was taken aback when I read that as part of that statement he said that "I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly."
Whether he's referring to his family or to his friends or to his colleagues at the "Today" show - or all those three at once - the notion that the people that he cherishes "share his shame" seems strange, at least to me, if he meant that to be taken literally.
He might have meant something like "I've failed those I cherish because I've not only brought shame upon myself, I've betrayed their trust in my patently false personal façade by which I pose as a decent, humane adult."
I guess I'll prefer to accept that "translation" of "sharing another's shame" - bizarre as that "translation" is - because to take that statement's sentence literally is to accept a "translation" that is even more bizarre: That Matt Lauer believes that the people he cherishes should themselves also feel ashamed of his very own abusive - and possibly criminal - predatory sexual behavior, in addition to feeling shocked and saddened at his firing right after the revelation of what he would have the public believe is the partial truth of "these stories."
4
He neglected to mention that his shame and sorrow are that he has been caught and is now being held to account. Just because as far as we know he did not actually beat his victims, it does not mean that he is not a man drunk on the dynamics of power, abasement, and domination. At his age and with his longstanding sexual violence habit it is unlikely he will change.
3
When you've made $20+ million a year for several years, "repairing the damage and soul searching" are pretty easy to find the time for as a "full-time job." I suspect the public at large will not hear from him again for a long time, if ever. Which is perfectly fine with me.
3
Mr. Lauer; a news anchor on the Today has been accused of sexual harassment by three different women and lost his job because of it. It is sad to say that people of high positions feel the need to degrade women because of their power over them. Mr. Lauer stated “he regrets all of the pain and sorrow he has caused.” But even with his apology his actions will speak louder than his words. This acquisition has not just hurt the women Mr. Lauer did it to, but the whole NBC news crew that worked with Mr. Lauer. As Mrs. Gurthie; a fellow co-worker of Laure stated that “It's a difficult morning here again.” She later went on and said that this has impact her as much as it did the victims of Lauer’s actions. I feel for NBC crew, as if these actions have been taken upon by someone close to me or even a coworker I wouldn’t be able to think about how I have been able to stand them. Knowing the actions taken by NBC to fire Mr. Lauer, it makes me feel like big companies do care about their workers environment, as well as people meeting their standards.
In my opinion, NBC did the right thing to fire Mr. Lauer. Why do men of high positions feel the right to degrade women in that sense? I don't know how someone can feel bad just because the information or the facts have been exposed. Men should not be able to take advantage of women, and women should have the right to come out about it and not be scared. NBC did the right as well as the women that came out and told their story.
4
Why didn't Matt Lauer confess just 2 months ago when he grilled Bill O'Reilly in an interview about the very same sexual harassment Lauer is now being accused of?
http://people.com/tv/matt-lauer-bill-oreilly-alleged-sexual-harassment/
What is wrong with these men?
It's like Trump and sons gleefully tweeting about sexual harassers, when Trump has been accused by over 16 women of the same, disgusting behavior.
Bizarre.
35
He didn't confess because he was under the radar, being protected by the big guns at NBC who never in a million years thought it would come to this. They knew all along -- but kept the dirt well hidden in the peacock's plumage, strutting around with nary a thought about it exploding.
The irony, don't you think?
3
Hubris
3
Last night my 7 yr old grandson walked me out to my car as I was preparing to leave his house. He sprinted ahead to open the car door for me, which was a first, and I thanked him for being such a gentleman. And then I was amazed by his next words, " I've been waiting all day to to do something special for you and to tell you that I love and respect you."
As a society, we have a genuine opportunity for meaningful change.
33
Your grandson obviously has excellent role models - his parents and grandparents.
1
Thanks. He's never used the term "respect" with me before so it's likely there's positive discussion at home and in school given current events. Very touching reminder of a whole generation coming up with the potential to contribute more sensitively and sensibly.
As a 64 year-old female professional, I grew up in a work world in which it was utterly acceptable for men to engage in sexually inappropriate behavior in the workplace. Complaints to management (and I did complain to management) were responded to with "boys will be boys" brush-offs and not too veiled threats about my own job security and promotion path. Thirty years ago, young professional women learned quickly to simply walk away from the offenders and to not stand up to management by "outing" offenders. We got tough in those workplaces, but we didn't thrive and we probably didn't succeed as well as we should have. Thirty years later and happily retired, I still have dreams about some of those incidents. I can only hope that by shining a spotlight on workplace sexual harassment, and by imposing the consequences of loss of a job and status on the harassers,our workplaces will begin to heal and become places where EVERYONE can thrive. To anyone who is listening -- it is not just "locker room talk" and "she didn't ask for it."
39
"Repairing the damage?" What, to your reputation? Because nothing you can say or do will EVER repair the damage you did to these women. To my way of thinking, your new "full time job" should just be to shut up and go away...
78
As hard as it is, we must come to grips with the situation. We can't change the past, but we can affect the future with changed behavior and attitudes. For the unfortunate victims, even the perpetrator, there is no simple solution to heal the harm wrought, but forgiveness and contrition are steps in the right direction.
3
There needs to be an independent investigation of the CBS and NBC news subsidiaries/divisions by someone of sufficient stature and competency to explore the broader issue of what elements of the each company’s culture contributed to these events and, equally important, how much was actually known by the respective news executives, were prior allegations or rumors communicated the news executives reviewed, and was anything mishandled or swept under the rug.
To me there appears to be sufficient reason to believe that somebody upstairs should have heard or should have been aware of these events. Human nature is that people talk.
This investigation cannot be done by anyone directly or indirectly associated with the news divisions.
14
But not Fox ?
Hmm. Of course not Fox. Never Fox and never Trump.
2
Mr Lauer's apology was the typical non apology that we see from predators used to getting away with their behavior. He didn't take any real responsiblity for his actions or express true remorse for those hurt by his actions. He wants us to feel sorry for him and to forgive him so that he can resume his place of power. The world is changing and men like him have no clue how to navigate this new environment where we no longer tolerate casual sexism.
32
Actually, the real predators call their accusers liars and say they were to ugly for them to harass. And then you vote for them.
3
Many thanks to the men here who are speaking out against this type of behavior.
Like almost every woman out there I have been harassed at work, but 99% of the men I have worked with and for have been good people who treated everyone with respect. These guys don't make headlines and tend to go unnoticed but they're the ones who help make the world worth living in.
45
He sounds like he quit rather than being fired. "Troubling flaws?" I would say they are very troubling. "Repairing the damage?" This kind of damage is difficult to repair. Ask the victims. His arrogance is palpable. He got caught - NBC protected him - of course he's sorry. Too late Matt.
31
My view of Matt Lauer was of his interviewing Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte when Mr Lochte had gotten in over his head and acted exceedingly foolishly. I was struck by the fact that Mr Lauer chose to be, with Mr. Lochte, not only rude but ruthless. He bullied, he badgered, he verbally shoved and prodded, he tried to put words into Mr. Lochte's mouth. He seemed determined to be both judge and jury in an unfortunate situation where immaturity had rulled. He appeared to want to bring Mr. Lochte down, big-time. I would suggest that his behavior with a fellow male gave us a preview of what he might apply to women. He was the essence of no holds barred, no stepping back, no relief given, and getting his own way. I was disgusted and I remain disgusted.
29
Ditto on his interview of Secretary Clinton vs. his genuflecting with Donald Trump
13
Enough of Matt Lauer, already. On-air discussion of his issues by his former colleagues should have ended with the news of his removal. The Today Show isn't a soap opera, nor should the foibles of Matt Lauer be its most pressing issue. Sheesh.
Would it not benefit the country more, and be a more apt response to Lauer, if the Today Show ignored him for now and spent that precious air time getting word out about what the GOP's tax plan is going to do to all their viewers? That's something the Today Show's mostly female audience (according to NBC) needs to hear more about, since they will be among its most damaged victims.
57
This post-facto performative contrition by men caught literally with their pants down is tiresome. One is not sorry for something repeatedly engineered over a period of years (right, Harvey? Charlie? Louis? Matt?! etc etc); much less so when the same so-called apology begins - inevitably - by denying the claims and casting doubt on victims' statements.
Being sorry means recognizing the problem and taking responsibility for it, not hoping that a two-bit, contrived PR move will make it all go away.
16
Matt Lauer is a monster and not anything like the News Anchorman we view on NBC morning show every day. He annual salary is $20,000000.00! Yet, when interviewing common folks or those facing plights, survival or related circumstances he managed to fain concern. I saw a video of him this morning off broadcasting of him disrespecting a woman and telling her to keep binding over. Aside from that, keep in mind that this creep is married to a Super Model. Much good that does.
3
I can’t fully articulate why, but this one hit harder than the others and I hoped it wasn’t true. There was something brutish, creepy, or weird about the others so far (Weinstein, Ailes, O’Reilly, Rose, Cosby etc). But, Matt was the handsome, affable everyman; ambitious, but still accessible; easy with a laugh even at his own expense; someone who took himself seriously, but not too seriously. I liked his personal style. He was one of the main reasons I tuned into the first half hour of the Today show for so many years. Now, I don’t know what I was tuning in to. So many venerated institutions, from presidential decorum to civil decency seemed to be falling in short order, and now Matt Lauer. The disappointment in “him too?” feels like a loss that will take time “to process” (to use a phrase used a lot lately).
11
So he was handsome, not an ugly ogre-looking oaf like the other guys, and that somehow made it hit you "harder"? Reading your comment makes me think of how so often these predators are enabled in great measure by the basic stupidity of people. If only he had been ugly... too bad, David. I hope you find "closure" soon, once the circus moves on to somebody uglier, a mathematical certainty that may happen as late as tomorrow.
3
You’re singling out the word “handsome” to distort my words. This hits harder because all of the qualities that made him disarming meant nothing in the end, because the behavior is the same. It feels worse, because I never expected this kind of behavior from him so the betrayal feels greater. And your reference to the "basic stupidity of people" is . . . not even worthy of a response.
1
Why is it not illegal for women to use sex and sexappeal to achieve their goals?
9
It is not illegal for men to use sex and sex appeal to achieve their goals either.
It is illegal for both men and women to sexually harass and sexually assault - note the difference.
1
Why, indeed? I would wager that there are at least as many women who slept with Lauer willingly. For these and all women who get promoted by sleeping with the boss, why should they retain their ill-gotten gains? Why should they not be exposed? I guarantee that, as with Matt Lauer, everyone knows exactly who these people are.
1
Pray tell, how do women use sex and sex appeal to achieve their goals? That's an easy question for you to put out here, but I really don't have any idea what you mean. Do you mean "why do women dress so that I find them sexually attractive?" If so, if they didn't dress the way they do, do you think you wouldn't find women sexually attractive? Is it a woman's "fault" if you or other men find her sexually attractive? Do you think she should be required to wear a burka, or what?
3
His apology should not be accepted. If he was not exposed, would he have stopped? Would he have realized his actions were criminal? No and no. He cannot feel shame, if he did, he would have behaved differently. Instead his career path was to cruelly exploit the women around him. He is a CRIMINAL.
11
I haven't heard any criminal acts described.. Inappropriate? Yes. Grounds for Termination? Yes. Criminal? No
1
Sorry but all these apologies from intelligent men who now act like, "oh, yeah will I probably hurt someone's feelings"?? Like they didn't know what appropriate behavior around women was until they got called out on being abusive! Insult to injury to all women who over their lifetimes have had to put up with this nonsense. Oh and then there's the "getting therapy" song and dance! Really? Because you can met the women who were abused sure needed it afterward. Such insulting nonsense.
10
Matt Lauer expressed “sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused”...really?
Because here is what actually comes across:
I'm sorry I got caught.
I'm sorry I conflated my bank balance with my actual worth as a human.
I'm sorry that my unbridled egotism made me think I was sexually irresistible to less-powerful colleagues trying to earn a living.
I'm sorry that I killed the goose that laid the golden eggs.
Spare us your false contrition, please.
113
Well said. You know it just boggles my mind how men like Lauer and O'Reilly think that their earning power makes them hot. I really don't understand why women don't hold this type of ego.
1
Relatedly, see an insightful article in the 11/29 SALON, by reporter Amanda Marcotte. Some connections to be made here.
Truth be told, a large percentage of men--of whatever political persuasion-- simply cannot abide the idea of a smart, intelligent and experienced WOMAN in charge of ANYTHING, least of all the White House. To the detriment of us all, sadly.
Why most women have not smothered most men in our sleep remains one of Life's Mysteries. It's all about dominance and control, and egregious misuse of power. This simply has to change, if we're to survive and prosper as a would-be civilized society. The fish, as they say, rots from the head down....(Mr. Trump, are you listening?)
Cartoon in a recent THE NEW YORKER: Wife to husband, "Remember how nice America was before it was great?"
Vst
23
Your intuition is right on. Research on banking in Iceland during the recent financial meltdowns demonstrated conclusively that women dominated boards took less risk then counterpart, testosterone driven men boards. As such, the banks managed by women took less of a financial hit and recovered quicker after the recession. We see this foolishness displayed daily in out highest office of the land. It is embarrassing. It is dangerous.
13
John Q.: "...Why most women have not smothered most men in our sleep remains one of Life's Mysteries..."
because we don't have the upper body strength to do the climbing we need for specific household chores; or the hand strength to open jars; and until recently, we didn't have the earning power. Now that we do, I'm hoping for science to perfect parthenogenesis in humans.
:-)
5
When will the president be held accountable for his despicable treatment of women?
48
Be patient, do not worry, his time will come, Mr. Mueller is working on that, and so far is doing well, hope we will see a good and great Christmas present.
6
And what treatment would that be? Please be specific......
Hey NBC, who signed off on a remote locking device for Lauer's office?
51
NBC is complicit.
15
Not to defend Lauer but it was my understanding that it was a standard fixture in high value employee's offices, installed to instantly lock the door to prevent intruders and shootings as we've seen in office violence - not to lock victim's in.
Sort of like how the power door lock in your car is an item of convenience until the bad guy uses to sinister ends.
At least that was what was offered as a explanation of the lock.
1
And the sex toys? Where those meant to distract disgruntled employee/shooters as well?
what is the point of apologizing after conducting yourself in such fashion for so long? it seems wrong only now?
22
funny that all of these apologies are still all about the perpetrator and his shame and embarrassment.
14
The idea that Ms. Guthrie did not know is absurd on its face. His creepy conduct has been tabloid fodder for years. Please don't insult our intelligence.
16
A lot of people never read tabloids or pay attention to gossip.
Intelligence is never insulted. Stupidity, on the other hand, demands constant lying and being insulted on a regular basis. Look at the world, look at the political market place. Look at all these "apologies" and claims "we are in shock, we never knew". These folks insult "intelligence" because it works. And it works because there's very little intelligence out there to begin with. Like the Trumpenfuhrer is so fond of saying: Sad!
1
Just what I've been saying, makes her look so foolish to sit there, tears in her eyes defending this man and acting like she knew nothing. I say please bring Ann Curie back and put her in the seat where she belong sitting in!!!
1
When these Notables, are making way too much money, why do they not pay for a discrete "Escort", to get their jollies, instead of picking on office staff. It makes me scratch my head, why they take these ridiculous chances in the workplace.
9
The jollies are about having power over someone and getting the ego kicks from that. A willing partner, even a paid on, wouldn't quite provide the payoff.
5
Why go to any trouble or expense? They think they can have any woman anytime, like a dessert, an object for them to grab. The president said it aptly, but I will spare us all the quote, which will live in infamy.
1
Those who are publicly shamed aren't usually sorry. Shaming is more for those accusing and those listening who want to feel morally superior about themself.
You can send them to therapy for years, it doesn't matter-- they're not sorry, and maybe they needed entirely be on the scale that is being cast.
Were the witches hunted down in Salem ever sorry? Were those put in pillory or stocks for public humiliation truly sorry? How about the scarlet letter? This is tried and true witch hunt gone afoul.
2
Did anyone see him actually say the things that were written?
3
Yes. His victims did. You see, men don't usually sexually harass and assault in front of an extended audience.
2
They're only "sorry" once they're caught. Sexual assault is a crime, felonies in some cases. "Troubling flaws"? That's not what other perpetrators of lower classes and different skin colors get to say to the court. If he locked the door and assaulted someone, what he deserves is to be in jail awaiting trial. It's his privilege that lets him resort to this self-pitying "soul-searching" shtick. What bunk.
14
Not really a big deal to me. Bring Matt back!
1
It wouldn't be, would it. That is why I discount the opinions of men.
1
Oh how the sorrow flows when you are caught.
"There are no words to express my sorrow (that my reckless, gross and disgusting behavior of the past many years has been exposed and I am losing my $25 million a year salary and all the perks I have enjoyed while constantly attempting to get involved with employees with whom I have worked and traveled with to many different places around the world while leaving my family at home as I have lived my double life in front of the camera and inside my office with the electronic lock on the door. Bummer.)
14
“There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions,” Mr. Lauer wrote.
Actually, there are.
"I'm a vile sexual predator who doesn't deserve my $200 million ill-gotten gains, having exploited my job to abuse and demean women; hence, I'm giving my fortune away for penance, to support worthy charities, and compensate women I preyed upon. I will only keep funds equal to my average viewer's net worth."
Why couldn't Mr. Lauer, paid 10s of millions per year largely for his facility with words, come up with such a simple statement, claiming instead "there are no words"? His admitted ignorance of the language in itself proves he was overpaid by the precise amount I suggest he give away.
A third grader (or an unemployed guy like me) knows English well enough to write that. Maybe Mr. Lauer ought to return to 3rd grade.
14
However facetious my comment may have seemed -or actually been--- Mr. Lauer, if he's smart, should seriously consider an aspect: Given his vast fortune, at some point a jury will be assessing his remorse in relation to his resources. Since he will certainly be absorbing a substantial financial reduction, he might as well voluntarily express his contrition financially, shedding some of that wealth before a jury does it for him.
Accordingly, I offer this "contrition authenticity" table. The figure on the left is the ratio of his net worth (estimated at $200 million) to his average viewer's Mr. Lauer may keep (giving away the rest, as described above) to achieve the corresponding contrition-authenticity score at the right. I liberally (in Lauer's favor, highballing the probable real figure) estimate average viewer net worth at $1 million.
ratio:........contrition authenticity score (out of perfect 100)
200:1.......0 (current ratio/score)
190:1.......0.1
180:1.......0.2
170:1.......0.3
160:1.......0.4
150:1.......0.5
140:1.......0.6
130:1.......0.7
120:1.......0.8
110:1.......0.9
100:1.......1
90:1........ 10
80:1.........10.5
70:1.........11.5
60:1.........12
50:1.........13
40:1.........15
30:1.........18
20:1..........22
15:1..........30
10:1..........90
1:1............100 (perfect contrition)
Will Mr. Lauer stay at 0? What score will he achieve voluntarily? What score will juries impose? It will be fun to see what juries decide on this scale. (I predict "0" till then.)
When others such as Weinstein were exposed as sexual predators, what was Matt Lauer thinking and feeling? Did he feel shame, sorrow, pain for his victims and embarrassment, apprehension that his behavior was probably about to be revealed? If so, why did not come clean earlier? He has these feelings now because he was outed, plain and simple.
How many of his superiors knew of his conduct? They need to bear some responsibility. The fact that Matt later was an enormous moneymaker for NBC is no excuse for their benign treatment of their 'superstar'. Presumably they were aware of what had been a fairly open secret.
9
That "no words" phrase is the mantra of a millennial copywriter. Later didn't write that statement.
3
To my ear, Matt's apology is as offensive as his alleged acts. "Sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused" "Embarrassed and ashamed" ? What about -- I need to come to terms with the fact that I am a sexual predator. All the power I was wielding and the money I was making masked that simple fact. I am horrified at my behavior. Then after he says something like that, "sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused" can follow.
10
Don't accept the apologies that always come after these guys are outed! Matt Lauer has been at the forefront of the sexual harassment reckoning since the beginning! He has reported on it on a daily basis! Why didn't he apologies before he himself was outed? Where was that remorse when he was reporting allegations against Weinstein and Ailes and Trump and O'Reilly and Oreskes, and Halperin and and and? If women want sexual harassment in the workplace to stop forever, then don't accept the apologies and the attempts to buy their silence! Out these guys and shame them! Out these guys and prosecute them whenever possible! Tell them in no uncertain terms that this behavior will no longer be tolerated! Only then will it stop.
6
Let's see now, Matt Lauer had 3 women come forward and accuse him of sexual harassment. Donald Trump had 16 women come forward and accuse him of sexual harassment. Matt Lauer was immediately fired and Trump?
20
Cheered by the masses. Get the moral?
1
Why are women very rarely accused of sexual harassment? I know it happens to men so that can't be an answer. I have my thoughts on why but I'd like to hear what other people think.
2
Really? This is a mystery?
Just another version of "Yes, we're bad but look there they are even worse!"
2
A squirrel, you say?
1
Lauer should do us all a favor, instead of apologizing, he should just go away. All of these heavily crafted apologies are getting really tiresome. Talk is cheap.
18
Remember when VP Mike Pence said he never has a meeting or dinner alone with a woman who is not his wife? Doesn't seem so absurd now.
6
Yes it does. It's completely absurd that a man can't be around women without resorting to groping, harassing, or otherwise assaulting them.
29
If I wasn't there, I didn't do it. Foolproof. Unfortunately, this is all going to set women's attempt to integrate into the upper echelons of industry back 20 years.
1
Actually it’s called avoiding even the appearance of impropriety and it’s pretty wise in the current climate. It has nothing whatsoever to do with your inane generalizations about men.
1
I'm sure that other readers have cited Lord Acton: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."
The capture is too broad, but not without empirical basis.
The quid pro quo aspect of these cases is particularly odious.
5
I hope Mr. Lauer won't go on Ms. Kelly's show. It's not necessary for the whole world to get involved in this business. If he speaks to his accusers, it should be privately. Sensationalism is the word for the hour and it's shameful how people love reveling in the downfall of others. Again, it's only my opinion, of which I have a right to voice, but this is a private matter and should remain as such. It does not need spectators for the sake of ratings.
4
I recall reading, after the Harvey Weinstein story broke, a remark from his brother, saying they thought the payouts had to do with marital infidelity, not the kind of activity we now know it was. I grew up in the environs of NYC, & there was much 'talk' or rumor mill sort of stuff about Lauer's extra-marital activity, not the kind of activity we now know it was. Coincidence? I think not.
2
A line is crossed when a man commits sexual assault (forcible rape) vs. sexual harassment (lewd and crude comments, inappropriate touching). How can men like Matt Lauer NOT be prosecuted for rape? He locked a woman in a room, raping her until she passed out. How is jail time NOT in the picture?
It takes a lot for me to become physically ill from reading something, but this account from one of his victims truly made me vomit. He has some gall to “expressed sorrow and regret for the pain [he has] caused”. . . “Repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul-searching and I’m committed to beginning that effort. It is now my full-time job.”
Such hollow words being stated AFTER the fact and act. Where was the sorrow, the regret, the shame, the sense of decency prior to hurting these women? What goes through a man’s head in that he does not think it is wrong to rape a woman? I find Lauer’s “confession” and “apology” as vile and insulting as his behavior. I think his only regret is being found out and losing his job.
10
The NBC network allowed for this to happen because he was the star. He, therefore, knew he was invincible. Everyone there knew how this guy is. It is only because Variety was coming out with a story along with the current climate that they "instantly" fired him. Remember that they had the Weinstein story from Farrow but did not want to release it.
6
I agree with the comments here that find Matt Lauer’s response ingenuous, formulaic, slimy and insincere. “Suddenly” — the day after he’s unceremoniously ousted and outed — he sincerely feels regret and understands how much damage he’s caused? No he doesn’t. It’s impossible. Someone who’s built this sophisticated an operation around his own power and ability to wield it over underlings has not yet even begun the first step in understanding what he’s done. The only real thing guys like this can do is apologize and then disappear from public life; then, perhaps, if they really are the kind of people who do want to examine their motivations and results of their actions, do so in an environment of private contemplation and not try to cash in on it with re-emergent appearances on TV and multimillion dollar book deals. The proof of real learning will be to see how each of these guys handles their next steps.
5
How about an all gross offender channel? High ratings guaranteed.
4
I love the way these people regret their actions AFTER they've been exposed. I don't believe Matt Lauer was embarrassed or ashamed for one second up until the time he was presented with the undeniable facts earlier this week and summarily dismissed. "There are no words to express my sorrow and regret" at being caught, period. If what he said in his statement were actually true, he would have taken remedial steps a long time ago. That said, I don't know what the remedy is for pressuring someone to have sex with you, who really doesn't want to, because they're fearful of losing their job. Damage is done. Remedial steps are about exposure of wrong-doing and future prevention.
4
As with other predators, Mr. Lauer is only sorry about being caught and exposed. His self-serving, narcissistic letter of apology is much about himself as ; very little about his victims.
He casts doubt on their allegations and mentions"hurt" as if that's only a possibility rather than something that he repeatedly caused and no doubt wanted to accomplish. He does not admit to causing humiliation, trauma, and wrecked careers.
He neither acknowledges not apologizes for the variety of specific abusive acts he committed.
His letter appears to be a PR strategy to reduce liability.
I hope both the press and NBC will review all the allegations with regard to which abuses were or might be criminal acts and bring those to the attention of law enforcement. NBC must furthermore discreetly assist victim of crimes to seek justice.
Yours
Elise Judy
8
I'll never grasp why it is so terribly hard for some people to treat others, women and men, with decency and respect. If you'd be ashamed to have your mother or your children see how you behave, then don't behave that way. It's really that simple.
21
Because they would not be ashamed at all. They basically don't care. They just care when they're caught. They're narcissistic jerks with zero moral principles. They will do and get as far as we allow them to.
2
You bet it's now his full-time job to "repair the damage" after getting caught...sending part of his fortune to these victims is a first step. Just hope he does not come back with a book on redemption once he's completed his soul searching.
3
My sense of personal safety has been invaded even perhaps destroyed (at least somewhat) by this story. I have always felt capable of taking care of myself which does not mean that like all woman I am not vigilant. My biggest concern has been alleys and dark doorways. Now I have to expand my fear to offices? As a former sworn police officer and retired criminal defense attorney, I have spent hours alone with men in squad cars, offices, prison cells. At 81 years of age, all innocence is fast sipping away ... Catholic priests and the boys they abused, the now president bragging about his ability to sexually abuse women, a judge who made a big show of displaying the 10 commandments, sitcom family man drugging women, and so it goes on and on.
4
These terrible things happen to many of us, and they are made worse by the people trying to downplay and victim blame, but there is a growing number of us who are sticking together and who won't put up with it anymore. The openness has shone a light on the patterns of abuse. We see you, and we're coming to out you!
2
I think It's fairly safe to say that the only thing Matt is "truly sorry" for is getting caught
12
Like the others, and like thousands of criminal defendants, he apologizes after he gets caught.
2
Yes he's very sorry he will no longer be able to demand 25 million dollar contracts.
4
When a man who made his living purportedly communicating with the public at the rate of $26 million a year needs a public relations team to get a message across, you know, really, that both he and the entire television "news" industry is a fraud.
5
you know, I'm fairly sure that everyone reading the NY Times article has some sordid past. Let's take it easy. Most people can go through this in solitude. A celebrity can't. I'm not defending Lauer or anyone else, yet I'm fairly sure it is easier to go through it as a private citizen versus in front of millions of people.
4
Really? Because I can tell you that, as a woman who respects others' right to consent, I have never assaulted someone. Hurt people I loved? Absolutely. But I would not put any of my transgressions anywhere near the level of Mr. Lauer's.
I feel no need to "take it easy" on a man whose victims will have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of their lives. If he did not want to go through this, as a public figure being paid 25 MILLION DOLLARS a year, he should have respected women as human beings. Lucky for him, he has his fortune to keep him comfortable for the rest of his life.
3
You know, I'm fairly sure that everyone reading the NY Times article has a sordid past. Most people can go through this in solitude. A celebrity can't. I'm not defending Matt Lauer or anyone else, yet I'm fairly sure it will be easier for Matt Lauer to go through it as a private citizen with millions - no, hundreds of millions- of dollars gotten largely in the course of the abusive behavior itself.
Three cheers for the ensconced-in-hundreds-of-millions-of-dollars penance celebrity sexual predators like Matt Lauer and David Letterman must endure.
Let's have some compassion for these only-human media hotshot folks. I'm with Rocketship on this one.
I am more concerned about how the woman he sexually assaulted in his office to the point she passed out is handling things.
3
Clever lawyerly wording: "untrue or mischaracterized." Gives the impression that he's denying "some of what is being said" when, given the disjunctive usage, all of that may be merely "mischaracterized," from the perspective of an entitled patriarch.
2
Due to the frequency of sexual misconduct, people who apologize for their horrible actions usually are accepted. Although, most of the time with any type of misconduct or series of allegations the person apologizing is really not sorry for what they did. They are usually just trying to back up/protect their reputation and whatever they may have been accused for. I believe Matt Lauer’s apology should not be taken that seriously. Not only was the apology made for an entire different reason, but it also wasn’t a very good apology. Most of the points in his apology were very “cliché,” one very good example of this could be when he said "Repairing the damage will take a lot of time... It is now my full-time job." We hear this kind of stuff all the time with people. They will do the best they can to resolve what has happened and they are truly sorry, but is Matt Lauer really going to do this…Probably not. So, an apology is probably the right thing to do for someone in this situation, but it usually Is done as an effort to protect social relationships.
3
Did a golden parachute accompany Lauer's firing? Did NBC pay him to leave?
2
His interview of Bill O’Reilly renders his current apology a sham. Every point he made to O’Reilly about disparity of power enabling g sexual harassment is on point in his own situation . He should have either declined to interview O’Reilly or used that as an opportunity to come clean and truly apologize.
10
I realize that this is terribly judgmental, but, after I read his statement of apology, I felt like I had been “slimed “.
13
You, along with all of the rest of us. HE says HE felt embarrassed and ashamed? What kind of apology is that? You're absolutely right, Mr. Alexander.
7
Again and again, but the issue here is the need for dramatic culture change, which is the most onerous task there is for any given society. Unless we, collectively, rise up, take responsibility, and work to change the culture that fosters, harbors, turns a blind eye, and encourages such behaviors, we will only have to suffice on the crumbs of breaking news about individual downfalls. These scandals are not only about the gender relations and power dynamics driving those, although these are very crucial. There needs to happen a fundamental shift in the way we think, treat, and behave towards one another in our homes, with our children, with our relatives, friends, colleagues at work, strangers in the street or on the airplane. We have to start practicing what we preach about dignity, respect, compassion.
8
As a rule you shouldn't act in a way where you'd be ashamed to explain you actions to your children. I wonder how he's going to explain what he did to his kids.
20
What is almost even more disturbing as the sexual assaults themselves is the apologies. It's like saying "I'm sorry I raped you, I know I hurt your feelings." He doesn't care. If he cared, he wouldn't rape people. Who is going to believe his words. And now that it is out, he's sorry? He's sorry because he got caught! Period.
128
Matt Lauer, another ignominious end to a brilliant career, and it's justly deserved. What is baffling is that Donald Trump, John Conyer, Al Franken and Roy Moore are not being held accountable for their sexual exploitations. Clearly, politics are "dirty". We no longer expect, let alone demand, decency in government. Shame on us.
16
The "man" should be put in jail, and Trump should be his cellmate.
58
He should go through the truths and the lies, one by one.
5
This apology is as phony as the persona he projected on the Today Show. You didn't care about the effects your demands had upon women locked in your office but your son, sadly, will pay brutally at school for your proclivities.
32
Sexual misconduct in the media is not new. Women didn't loudly protest because they were concerned that their complaints could inpact their careers. We'll see what happens to the women now complaining when their moment passes.
7
I totally agree with TJ. I'm also fed up with all these women coming forward after so many years. I do sympathize with the women that have been legitimately traumatized, but I personally find it hard to give creditability to these women coming forward after so many years. I bet when some of these women were climbing the so called corporate ladder, they didn't think about what their own actions were portraying. It takes two to play, and I believe most of these women knew what they were doing and the (consensual) choices they were making. They got the role, the raise, the promotion, etc. You get my point. And sending a co-worker a "sex toy", gee did it get returned or did she keep it?? I bet if these were not "famous" men, these women would never have said a word, but yet they were so harassed? I think we all need to look in the mirror and think about it; that one comment, one joke, one innocent touch on the shoulder or back? Will it come back to bite you...
4
I agree with you as well. Hurt feelings or a momentary humiliation (which won't matter in a weeks time) or ignorant remark. Should not be placed on the same level as a forced sexual assault or blatant threats to torpedo someone's career. It is just a matter of time before a false accusation of a 'woman scorned'. Variety comes forward and just hurts this case.
1
All of the apologies amount to "I'M SORRY THAT I GOT CAUGHT."
40
The “gee. I didn’t know sending co-workers sex toys was wrong” defense sure falls short when you realize he only harassed underlings who were not in a position to fight back. Sounds like he somehow managed to be a fine co-worker and gentleman to Savannah Guthrie.
334
As far as Savannah Guthrie goes, I never understood how she was selected over Ann Curie. She never had the grace or the calm, soothing way of interviewing as Miss Curie did. Even today interviewing the woman on this morning, she seemed almost disbelieving, sarcastic, well, she did ask why it took her 11 years before coming forward. To me, she got the job by default so she has to stand by her dear, dear friend and support this monster because he gave her her job!
5
I think Savannah, cool girl that she is, could have whipped him big time. Of course he didn't mess with her...men like him choose only the weakest or least-armed prey.
Too bad the image of Lauer -- clean cut, hard working, every guy -- was so far removed from the reality of Lauer. I don't want guys like this in power when my two daughters are in their 20s. We have to stop these men. And I don't care if it's the president or the head of NBC Comcast or it's the guy next door. Sexual misconduct in the work place and sexual harassment in society as a whole has too long been with us.
31
Instead of feeling "embarrassed and ashamed," what he ought to be feeling is terrified that he is about to have to pay millions of dollars in judgments against him and be sent to prison, and in a just world, he would.
14
Highly unlikely that any "out of pocket" financial reparations will come from Lauer's bank account (bear in mind -- at a $25,000,000 annual salary, he was earning about twelve thousand dollars an hour. IF there is any money to be paid, NBC will have to cough it up.
1
No surprise here. I always thought there was something fishy about Matt Lauer.
7
With all the sexual misconduct charges these days, apologies are becoming enough to fill a slew of cry buckets.
Offering an apology for a wrongdoing is certainly the correct thing for a perpetuator, an offender, to do. Yet so many sexual predator apologies ring falsely, as if they were crafted by speechwriters for teleprompters. They sound like quick outs for serial behavior, sweeps of dust under carpets that are so filthy, any half-hearted attempt to get them clean is futile: These warped, defiled carpets need to be washed many, many times -- maybe better, burned.
As the nation's latest alleged chronic love perv, Matt Lauer, in his use of a litany of cliched phrases, epitomizes the shallowness of apologies that prevails in the 2017 Camp of Sexual Wrongdoing. Lauer acknowledged "sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused." If this is true -- if this is really heartfelt -- why did Lauer allegedly commence, and Persist, in sexual misbehavior? And this classic ace card of the wicked: “Some of what is being said about me is untrue..."
Matt Lauer's "statement" of apology culminated with this admission: "Repairing the damage will take a lot of time... It is now my full-time job."
May it happen that this full-time job will be convened and handled in private.
May it also happen that Matt Lauer will never be allowed to work full time again in the public sector.
7
As a television personality in the employ of NBC, Matt Lauer did not work in the "public sector." NBC, like the other Big Four networks and CNN et al, is a private corporation, the purpose of which is to return profits for shareholders and boardmembers through the sale of adverstising time on their programs. Their mission begins and ends there. Lauer was so "powerful" because he was thought to be a major draw for the 80% of the audience of the "Today" show which is women householders, a coveted demographic, thus he was considered a moneymaker for his employers. Why so many people choose to turn their TVs and become emotionally invested in the onscreen personas of Lauer, Rose, O'Reilly et al is absolutely beyond my understanding. The fact that people so willingly project an idealzed fantasy onto these people is even more mystifiying, only slightly less so than how so many people are crushed and disillusioned when the fantasy is shattered. Lauer may be considered a "public figure" in the same way that a Kardashian is. He exercises power in the confines of his industry and employers, but he will not be, for example, voting on the upcoming tax bill, or charged by the GAO in evaluating the bill. Those persons are public sector employees and are, in theory, answerable to us the electorate, unlike Matt, who is answerable ultimately to advertisers. I worry that we, as a society, have lost the ability to make this distinction.
6
Semantics, my dear atavist 2.0.
In addressing the public -- in his being seen and heard daily by millions -- Matt Lauer worked in the public sector.
Ken, this isn’t semantics. It’s about understanding the locus of power. The “public sector” is simply the portion of the economy controlled by our government. Matt Lauer has never been employed in or associated with the private sector, nor was O’Reilly or Rose (even when at PBS). He is literally a paid entertainer on television. He is not empowered to make decisions or to advise those who do on issues of national import to you or to me. Everything about ML and his industry oozes slime. Ditto that sentiment in general on politicians and politics and public officials and bureaucrats—i.e., the public sector. If this is an issue of an power asymmetry—as a large consensus has it—then why muddy the picture by conflating a diaper salesman with, say, a senator or a judge? Ultimately, a Matt Lauer becomes powerless when consumers stop buying what he is selling. An advertising boycott or hashtag campaign is enough to trigger the downfall of many a private sector figure, with or without criminal proceedings. This is simply not true in the public sector, as present reality show us. Bad ratings for Matt and he’s fired by the execs. Government, for better or for worse, just doesn’t work that way.
If you read the statement by NBC one might assume they operate in a vacuum. Matt Lauer has been a known serial aggressor with women for years and years. His co-workers knew as would anyone who knows what their friend's behaviors are like. Men like Lauer are continuously on the prowl for sex as his video record shows. Every contact with their sexual preference is a potential sex encounter.
8
another non apology and only regret that he is being called out publicly for who he is. And for ANYONE to think there is room for a non repentant abuser and his victims on the same stage is an idiotic enabler for the abuser and self promotion. I still wait for a man t ocome forward and acknowledge his wrong doing on his own, instead of waiting to be 'discvered'
6
He is sorry he got caught, the standard mea culpa, as with Weinstein and the others.
Ironic how he came at BIll O'Reilly just weeks ago... no conscience.
9
Now, he will check into a five star rehab and drink wine and enjoy a five-course meal. Yep, that is the quick,rich fix to sexual misconduct. There needs to be prison time served for this behavior.
5
How many of the judges on this comment threat physically or verbally abuse people in their lives whether it be road rage or overpowering a child or spouse with your words? How many surf for porn thereby supporting the exploitation of women? How many yell "stick him" at a football game where people are damaging their brains -- on it goes - the point is - get off your high horses and let the guy apologize - take the log out of your own eye before you take the spec out of you brother's eye!
6
How shameless.Lauer had to know that he would be exposed as a sexual predator in this new world of long kept dark secrets being revealed. He could have had the decency to come clean on his own.And he did not do so. At least make public generous settlements to your victims.
4
At this rate they'll be no more old white guys left on TV.
17
There's one I can think of who isn't going away for at least another 7 years.
3
Please go away Matt and don't ever show your face on my tv again ... I'm done with the likes of you... you made plenty of money and ruined many women's lives, you do not get the last word on this. Scumbag.
9
“There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions,” Mr. Lauer wrote. “To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC.”
While Mr. Lauer's grief may pale compared to anguish he has visited upon others, his obviously sincere suffering tugs at my heartstrings. Even though I have my own problems, such as bills I have little hope of ever being able to pay, creditors hounding me, severe illness in my family, and myriad other assaults on my well-being, when I think about Matt Lauer's sorrow, I can only think, "There but for the grace..." Imagine a sense of guilt so severe, no words exist to mitigate the pain.
Mr. Lauer, REJOICE, for a remedy is available, you will be able to sleep again, your torment alIeviated! Rejoice! Fortune Magazine reports:
"....Lauer’s gross career worth easily top $100 million, and are perhaps even over $200 million."
If you give your fortune away (including to those you most severely hurt, but mostly to worthy charities), keeping only the wealth of your average audience member, you can salve this terrible, ineffable (as you say) wound in your conscience. Not only that, people will not think you're full of crap.
15
You make an interestingly sarcastic suggestion that he give away money which is a symbol of the power he sought and abused.
However, I find nothing truly self reflective in his statement. He, like other power abusers, remains clueless.
How was he abused is the question in that most all abusers were abused.
This does not excuse his behavior but highlights what he has never confronted in himself.
will check with Vegas on the over under on your recommendation.
stand by please
1
To me apologies sound pretty hollow after the culprit has been exposed for his behavior. None of these episodes should have ever happened, but once they did the apologies should be immediate, heart felt, and accompany a change in behavior.
They all sound like "I'm so sorry I got caught, please forgive me"
8
This started with Bill Clinton. If he had done the honorable thing and resigned when it was found out about his affair with Ms. Lewinsky, we wouldn't have had the issues we do today. His fighting back, claiming consensual when he was in a position of power, we should have had these conversations decades ago. We wouldn't have Trump as president had we addressed these issues many moons ago.
It is going to rain apologizes from broadcasters, Hollywood elites, actors, athletes, politicians, etc., for years!!!
8
Wow, "...we wouldn't have had the issues we do today."
How on earth have you come to that conclusion? This kind of stuff has been going on since the beginning of time. And, no doubt, the vast majority have been the male overstepping their bounds.
7
Very true, it has been going for years. Why is the tide turning now? It didn't turn when Woody Allen married his step daughter. It didn't turn when Bill Cosby was accused of rape. I think the tide is turning now because several women have accused the president of assault / harassment. There is something about the most powerful person in the country, Trump, being involved in this topic that seems to have opened an opportunity for women (mostly) to come forward and share their awful experiences. Had Clinton stepped up and admitted he abused his power / influence over the intern, the opportunity to come forward would have (maybe could have) allowed this issue to be discussed sooner. Just my opinion, I understand you disagree.
1
David, maybe you misunderstood? Earlier discussions possibly could have helped. Who knows? My comment was aimed at the OP's comment "we wouldn't have had the issues we have today." I am a firm believer this problem will never disappear although it may possibly get better through discussion.
So far, not a single predatory man has changed his behavior nor apologized prior to being outed. I suspect any "sorry" involves more being sorry to lose their illustrious careers and fat financial contracts.
9
Perhaps, just perhaps, behind the scenes somewhere men have apologized to the woman after these types of incidents and no one was the wiser. Not only possible but likely as well.
As far as the seemingly never ending parade in the media lately do you expect anything different? People, both male and female, are known to lie to protect themselves. Never right but done worldwide every day of the week. Same goes for the few women who have been involved in harassment incidents as well.
My advice? Don't get too upset as guaranteed you will never be able to completely resolve these types of problems. Do what you can to provide a better environment but don't get all angered up.
It is incumbent upon all of us that are witness to,or suspect that such reprehensible behavior is happening to speak out. I've a real hard time believing that Lauer, Rose, O,Reilly at all were not seen behaving Inappropriately Or suspected of this behavior long beforehand. The incredulous faces of their cohorts and disbelieving reactions strains credibility. I guess it's possible they didn't know , but they're supposed to be newspeople. Seems there was plenty of enabling going on and lots of looking the other way.
310
I absolutely agree! How did all these men and women who worked with him not witness his alleged behavior that they all seem so "shocked and saddened" with today? I don't believe it for one minute. Just as the Clooney's and Damon's turned their heads and said nothing in fear of damaging their golden careers, I believe the same can be said for the many people at the Today Show. They turned their heads and said nothing, they did not want to lose their time in front of the camera, and I say, Same on every single one of them! They are as guilty as he is!!!
3
Truth is an acquired taste which most people haven't acquired.
1
I've worked in offices, schools, etc. Everyone knows what is going on. Everyone knew what Matt was up to. Everyone!
2
When will someone get arrested. We put teachers in jail for much less and now we have what? a two class system.
All the people discussing income inequality and who's to blame should look at this and ask the question....and yes Wells Fargo executives should be in jail as well.
7
Matt Lauer's apology is nice. I'm still upset by all the comments yesterday that questioned the credibility of the accuser, insisting that her name be released before we believe her. Come on people. NBC knew her name and she had enough evidence that they fired the star from their cash cow (the Today show). Surely that is enough to make people believe her. Why were there so many people questioning the validity of the victim?
11
Well after being snookered by the liar Leeann Tweeden, and after finding out that Juanita Braoddrick committed perjury and even Ken Starr couldn't believe her, I can't blame people for having second thoughts about any accusers.
This is all political, and even Matt Lauer is nothing more than collateral damage in one man's campaign of distraction and destruction of his perceived enemies.
Perhaps it was Matt's time ( they didn't sign on Megyn Kelly for no reason ), but it doesn't mean anyone should lose perspective as to what this is really all about.
3
The way I read matt Lauer's apology is that he said he's sorry what he did upset the people he did it to, not that he is apologizing to them because what he did was wrong. In the great not-quite-mea-culpa parade to the microphone, only one has gotten it right, Al Franken, who said, "I did it, it was wrong of me to do it, I am ashamed of myself, I am sorry."
9
sad day when AF is the standard which to aspire
A powerful article on The Guardian today, which shows the many women that Trump has inappropriately touched, kissed and grabbed, with the pictures and statements of these women. It is clear from reading this article that these women are not making this up.
When is our president, Despicable Don, going to be held with his feet to the fire? He truly is a disgusting human being.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2017/nov/30/donald-tr...
33
The time to hold Trump's feet to the fire came and went. That time was November 2016.
3
I don't get why anyone should step down for similar behavior if your President endorses it. Let him lead and step aside, and then we can proceed with the others.
2
Reputation, Class, Respect
All words that have deeper meanings in the past couple weeks. What makes men think this is ok? Matt Lauer has been on my tv for many years, and in the blink of an eye is gone off of television. All of these men do it for nothing but power, it is a power thing nothing else to throw everything you have away just for what? It is hard to hear all these stories especially having two sisters, and a mother, imagining if it was one of them. I know friends who have been victims. We must change the culture in our country to start with it must happen or we will continue to have awful stories such as the ones committed by Harvey Weinstein. Having a remote to lock women in your office is NEVER ok, cornering women like wolves corner a hurt sheep is so wrong it makes me want to throw up.
I generally believe in second chances especially for nonviolent criminals, but people who abuse women I don't think should have a second chance. We all must make that decision though how we view people like Matt Lauer and others. This issue matters more than most as it affects everyone especially at home, the tax bill may affect your wallet, but this affects people in a deeper way. People who are victims of attacks such as these in some cases never recover, they don't feel the same. We all must attempt to make a difference to end this culture as it matters to much to stand by.
31
if we can get rid of lauer, o-reilly, rose, weinstein............all at the top of their professions, why in god's name (truly) can we not get rid of the worst of them all, our own president? gather the hundreds of women whom trump has groped, assaulted, sexuallty harassed to the point of incredulity, and bring this lying president down. god forbid we should end up the worst bigot in the country in VP pence, but anybody, anybody but trump. he is so cringe-worthy.
219
The reason trump stays in office despite doing much worse than other is quite simple.
The wealthy Republicans get their substantial tax cuts paid for by the middle class. And the extreme religious conservatives get to keep imposing their religious beliefs on the rest of the country, and perhaps most of all, Republican politicians get to impose their agenda, destroying the Consumer Protection agency, dismantling environmental protection rules, taking away civil rights etc. etc.
7
Too little too late. Matt. Apology not accepted by this father of two daughters.
473
Exactly, Can you imagine the terrible situation young interns and staffers experienced?
Seems not enough people think about these things through the lens of "their own daughter".
1
The fact that you have daughters should have nothing to do with this.
5
Everyone was waiting for him to say something, and when he did, the first words out of him were to say he was "truly sorry," that he is "embarrassed and ashamed" and had "sorrow and regret for the pain I caused" and acknowledged "the damage and disappointment." I am as disappointed and horrified as everyone. But, rejecting outright a pretty abject apology doesn't do anything to advance the national dialogue or help the healing begin for his victims, colleagues, and the millions of people who allowed him into their living rooms for 20 years. An apology is the first step in the healing process and a step forward on a long road, and I am glad it was given rather than letting doubt and uncertainty fester.
4
At this rate, women will rule the world before spring flowers bloom.
25
And then the harassment complaints from men start rolling in...
4
You may have said the one thing that explains all that is happening in regards to sexual harassment, abuse, and other crimes of passion. Ever since i was a child, women have ruled. Women ruled over my education. Women ruled over my freedom as a child. Women ruled over what I could do for fun or what toys I could have (no toys guns, no swords, nothing that could be used in a violent way), etc. Women rule over their marriages and now the numbers of single mothers are staggering. I could go on for pages here but nobody cares about men now. I've been telling my sons to be careful around women AT ALL TIMES. I said don't touch them EVER. You don't touch them on the arm, shoulder, back, or any part of them including their clothes. I say keep your guard up at ALL TIMES because anything you say might have unintended double meanings. I say don't make enemies of women. I say don't look anywhere about them except in their faces; definitely nowhere below their chins. My sons promise me that they are listening but still my oldest complained about an incompetent female coworker to their respective male boss. My son was let go and the female remained with her job intact. He got lucky and found an even better position that paid more with better hours. He told me he is far more cautious in his new job around women. I'm an old man and women no longer have the same effect on me as they once did. I confess I was not prepared for all the ways women could destroy me back then.
4
That's exactly right, Chris. It seems all these women can't comprehend that their gender commits the exact same atrocities. It's a human condition, not a gender one. Give humans power, and they abuse it.
1
How many people have you known who resemble Lauer? A model of deception with stupidity to match. A door which may be locked from his desk? Security and concern for safety? Right! Just like that shower and spa in the office for stress relief and those hot summer days. The wink, wink, nod, nod travels from office designers, builders, owners, Boards of trustees and right through ro security. Game's up now. More women at every level = fewer rapists and other violent criminals.
338
Don't count on it. I've had two women try to put their tongue down my throat at work parties and one was the head of HR. I don't think women are nearly as bad as men, but this can cut both ways.
7
So, I think that the current reckoning is a wonderful (if long overdue) phenomenon.
But I frequently work 16-hour or longer days, and I'm not gonna lie, for totally pragmatic reasons, on occasion, I would kill for a shower in this office.
1
Agree with everything you said except the last line. More women ensures nothing. Harvey Weinstein employed lots of women. They looked the other way. Charlie Rose employed a woman as his main producer- the minute she got a conscience about what was happening, she was fired. It's a mistake to think that some kind of sisterhood exists between women. I have a female boss who would kill her own grandmother for more glory and money. She deliberately does not promote women. Just saying this, as a woman.
3
Well, this explains his kid glove stroking of Trump during his campaign "interview". Just another Bro yucking it up with another Bro. Wink, Wink
Sad
59
Read between the lines! I'm sorry I am no longer going to collect millions of dollars for doing nothing! What a sham! This guy is pathetic....I don't feel sorry for him at all. He's always been a cheating womanizer....his wife and kids should dump him while they can! Good riddance and take Al Roker with you!
29
Doing "nothing" is not really accurate. The successful ones help to make a given network more successful. They also provide information and entertainment value. The fact they're so good at what they do with the masses help many other people (camera people, grips, etc) stay employed.
Very, very few are able to anchor a national newscast. Give them credit where credit is due. Don't combine they're supposed deeds with their accomplishments.
1
His apology is so cliche. Wonder how much severance pay he will receive? I'm sure Anne Curry is enjoying this karma.
25
Where is Trump in this mix of fallen moguls? Do women have to march on, hold up placards, put their lives on hold and wonder what the next vicious step of this predator will be? He's not only after women, he's after the middle class, the environment, the poor, the honest tax paying citizen. He hates all of us and he would like to see a country populated by mindless billionaires, a world of golf courses and a jungle filled with wild animals that he can kill.
When will the alarm be sounded? When will these women come forward? He is a toxic brew, this man, and he is infecting the whole country. Women, please come forward!
33
They are. That's what this is. Men, come forward too!
2
Why is rape referred to as "sexual misconduct"? Please, call it what it is. Yesterday the NYT wrote that Lauer called a subordinate woman into his office "for sex." Fearing her job, she did it. Later, she told her husband, who corroborated the story to the Times. Another person whom she told corroborated as well. This is "non-consensual sex" which is rape. If the news weren't going so soft perhaps we wouldn't see comments stating that poor Lauer got fired for having consensual affairs.
157
We don’t know that he raped anyone. Unless he physically prevented her from leaving his office, she made a choice — in this case, to keep her job and not to go to HR or, say, The New York Times. It was a difficult choice, and an unfair one that Lauer had no business making her confront. But rape? No.
That doesn’t excuse his behavior one bit. But let’s be careful here.
3
Exactly! Why can't people understand that sex after threats (implicit or explicit) is coercion and not consensual at all?
5
It is sexual misconduct because instead of physical force or taking advantage of a person under the influence, he used power and influence. The statutes vary a bit from state to state but NYT is using the correct term.
9
Along with the condemnation of Matt Lauer for his off-scene actions, I would like to see Network America explain why such a mediocre on-scene actor should be paid $20 million or more per year. Where does a wildly inflated ego take a weakly principled man?
29
Since when is a man's apology (even a sincere one) a sufficient or appropriate response to raping a woman?
108
It's sickening to see the press tip-toeing around these pathetic excuses for men. The stream of phony apologies demonstrates only that these men have no idea that they have committed serious crimes. They are criminals, and they should be locked up.
Well this was not an apology. What remedy did he offer beyond spending a lot of time looking at himself?
Only a matter of time for this guy. Still creeped out by his comment to Ann Hathaway back in 2012 . . . . .
25
Why didn't Lauer simply pay "hush" money ? I would imagine that lots of politicians and celebrities are hurriedly doing that right now, trying to snip past digressions in the bud, given the current outpouring of sexual harassment allegations.
2
No doubt he has. Or NBC has. But apparently somebody believed that she would be believed (at last) and blew the whistle anyway.
2
Apologies mean little coming from a person or adult, educated and sophisticated, privileged, etc., and manage to find themselves on the wrong side of social norms and good manners. A moral imbecile does not know right from wrong. Matt has not excuse for his thoughtless, careless and boorish behavior.
14
Last year it was reported that he purchased Richard Gere's mansion in the Hampton's for $36.5 million. I wish the man be sent to jail...for life...for doing this. These are epic, almost biblical times we are living through, and I'm not a religious person. "And the powerful shall be made to lay low." When will Trump be fired?
10
Why not just shut up and go away? Career is over so keep quiet and move on.
19
This is a belated reckoning for Lauer, who should have been fired after his despicable treatment of Hillary Clinton during what should have been a discussion of foreign policy. Clinton was on the butt end of many attacks by misogynists, but Lauer’s repeated badgering of Clinton on an unrelated topic and his free pass to Trump whom he permitted to lie repeatedly about his support for the war in Iraq, was one of the most egregious displays of abuse.
Thanks to NYT for featuring a picture of that low-point in the most painful presidential campaign of our era. This is a reminder that Lauer may have been fired for sexual abuse, but that is only one demonstration of his bias against women.
And, speaking of bias against women…I was equally glad to see the end of Charlie Rose. I was not a regular viewer of his, but I did see him interview Hillary Clinton about her book, “What Happened.” He repeatedly talked over her and he vigorously denied that misogyny had anything to do with her defeat, thereby proving that it DID!
Fellas, I would be glad to see you stop sexually harassing women, but you have far more to atone for, including your hand in the installation of Trump in the White House.
54
Matt Lauer has “no words,” but he has lots of $$$$$$. So, Matt, here’s an idea: use your bucks to support Democratic candidates across the land who will cleanse this land of the filth to which you have contributed. And with your now ample free time, volunteer at a shelter or a rape crisis hotline and learn about the real people out there who experience physical and verbal abuse daily, including by your own government.
34
"Matt Lauer Apologizes . . . "
Where's the "news" here?
& this makes it OK?
Really . . .
7
Please. They're all so "sorry." They're all so "ashamed." They're all so "humbled." They're all so sorry they got caught. Period.
Matt Lauer is an overrated, overpaid, glorified news reader, who got lucky, and abused his power by preying on women. Just like the rest of these troglodytes.
And we have a sitting president, and I purposely keep it lowercase, who is one of them. Nothing and no one really moves the bar until he goes, and his stain and stench are removed.
200
He is harassing the whole country now.
1
Except Trump!
3
Matt Lauer deserved his firing, and from what I read, some of what he did was rape. It is at best difficult to "consent" when the door is locked and one's job and/or safety may be at risk.
However, I do not for one minute believe that this conduct carried out repeatedly over a period of years was known only to those assaulted or those they told. Those associated with him professionally on a day to day basis knew or suspected, and very little remains private over two decades within any group. NBC and its corporate parent are not convincing -- any more than the colleagues of John Conyers are.
60
I expect we will continue to ignore women who sleep their way to the top--as a professional courtesy. As we should.
5
I think a lot of these men who rise to success and use their positions and power to harass and prey on women have been shielded by their employers and are now being dismissed at breakneck speed to protect the employers from suffering any consequences for their inaction. When women file a complaint and are told "that's just [insert predator's name here]" as I have read in so many articles where abusive or predatory behavior has been "rumored" but not substantiated, it represents a failure at the institutional level to protect victims.
Just because we are seeing men being terminated for past behavior dies not mean that there is a sea-change in the thinking of corporations. It feels more like a deflection away from the fact that bad behavior was allowed to continue after multiple complaints for the sake of their bottom line.
The fact that there are currently predatory men running our country as elected officials who benefit from legislated immunity to even the mention of their behavior toward women is appalling.
Finally, I must agree with the commenters here who are not buying these insincere "apologetic" statements being released by predatory men. It feels as if they expect by saying "sorry" and checking themselves into a rehab facility with tennis and horseback riding they expect full restoration of their lives in short order. I hope that does not happen because for the female victims it has been years of selff-doubt, and psychological torment.
29
Apology for deliberate, premeditated offenses proffered only after public exposure is empty. The only appropriate words for Lauer and his co-abusers to utter are "I confess my guilt and accept [whatever punishment is being applied]."
20
These apologies are so scripted and generic they lack any true emotions, and especially when they are read by someone else as in this case. I'm sure Matt cares very little for the victims and just trying to stay afloat during this crisis in his career hoping someday to bounce back in the spotlight. I say, if the allegations are true, he should be arrested. These are criminal acts.
18
While listening to the other Today hosts announce Lauer’s departure , with incredulity causes me to recall the Captain Renault quote from Casablanca,
“I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!”
It sounds as if it was an open secret.
23
This article has no business being in the 'Business Day' section. He's been fired. Done.
I'm not sure which section would be appropriate for glib apologies (high five to Tom Cruise!) from ignominiously terminated, formerly powerful industry creeps that suddenly profess imperfect contrition in a feeble attempt to salvage their position and hope for forgiveness all just to stage a comeback with their new focus being how to avoid getting caught again.
6
Eventually, we may hear an honest apology, i.e... "I’m sorry for having been caught. I hold little regret over the actions I have taken, but I do regret the pain and inconvenience it has caused to me and those I love. I would like to be able to explain, but really - I am a not-so-good person. I did not start out as a horrible person. I started out with good intentions and solid ambitions. I slowly became a horrible person. In the early years, I cringed inwardly at inappropriate comments and wondered if I had gone too far. But no one corrected me. No one judged me. And I rose in prestige. I continued to lose touch with my young well-intentioned self who loved their family. So rather than my caddish acts curtail my behavior, each act encouraged another. I began to interpret a tilt of a head or a smile as an obvious sign of another person succumbing to my charms. I began to assume the other person wanted me as much as my career success suggested they should. I didn’t ask, but I assumed. And very few people corrected me, if any. Now I sit chastised and although I may lose the majority of my fame’s yields, I will have my money and my public contrition to guide me through this redemption process. If I am too-far gone down this path and sincerely sick, you will find me (a la Anthony Weiner) in the newspapers again. But If I am successful at mastering the American Perv Apology, I shall be visiting your TVs in 2018 in an interview after I have suffered enough humility."
55
@Katherine - Your comment is spot on.
1
Katherine - spot on, and chilling in it's accuracy of the perv's thought process.
3
This should be a NYT pick and the topic of another story. There’s a troubling deterioration in the mind of powerful predator and that must be articulated expressly for anything to change. Reading through the apology, it’s clear Lauer still doesn’t get it.
It's appropriate for his to apologize. It's also appropriate for him to pay restitution to the women he attacked and to disappear from any position of influence he might have had. And if some of the allegations against him are true, prison time would also be appropriate.
More important even than deterrence on an individual level, as a famous and powerful man, it's important that we make clear that this conduct can never be tolerated. He should be punished to the full extent appropriate.
Apologies are fine, but relatively meaningless.
9
Isn't it interesting, the "deep shame" and "sorrow" these men have after the fact is exposed.
If anything, we have to wonder if younger men will take heed and come to terms the hurt and shame they are capable of creating if they follow these careless footsteps.
Because guess what? The harm done never ever goes away for the victims. Somewhere in the depths of life these episodes pop up with the smallest reminders. Also those around the lives of these careless characters will always be stained in their souls even if they had absolutely nothing to do with the actions - such as wives, kids, parents, friends. This kind of damage is permanent and so absolutely unnecessary.
No, Matt, and all you others, your soul searching will never be able to completely heal the harm done to others. Never.
577
Exactly...now let's see what other consequences he receives, stay tuned.
Thanks to the brave and articulate women victims were spoke their truth.
4
mima, i certainly agree with you , however, the victims(including the family members and friends of the "careless characters") must take it upon themselves to not remain or continue to be victim over and over again. how? by taking baby steps to FORGIVE the person in their own minds. prayer can be very rewarding in this regard. it is very powerful.
1
Tell you one victim where the harm done has gone away quickly and is licking her chops at the opportunity to advance her career at NBC
Megan Kelly!
2
Who is it that we reading about in these scandalous brief stories? They are notable public figures. Some are in the news media/journalism field, some are entertainers, some are public officials who have sworn to oaths of office. Someone here pointed out how the politicians are less apt to fess up or admit their wrong. Their benefit might be in jeopardy. Much of Matt Lauer's millions he's made over the years are probably salted away and earning big dividends. Is this American Justice? Are we going to have public pressure to more effectively penalize these actions? All of what we're seeing now is just the tip of the iceberg. These past years have pointed out that racisim, sexisim, and unethical leadership has never gone away. Our society pays lip services to these injustices and tries to move on. It will continue on until the public shock gets old, then we'll just "move on". It's a head shaking time. I don't have an answer, but we need to address it.
We in NYS just voted to be able to take away public pensions for "crimes" even though it should be intuitive that
4
How about we stop focusing on these sex scandals and focus on a real story, the tax plan that the Republicans are shoving through? What's in this tax plan? How many Senators have been bought through special little deals for their states? Let's focus on how many lives will be destroyed with this crafty new tax plan. Come on New York Times, Matt Lauer has been outed and fired, move on. We've handed Trump and his crony Senators a shield because all the papers are focused on Matt Lauer. Let's focus on middle America, you wonder why people are tired of liberals ( my being one) is because of this article and others similar in content? This doesn't put food on the table for the average Americans. Where's the meat and potatoes articles?
10
That is far too much to expect of this rabid mob.
I'd like to remind everyone that just yesterday, when news of Matt Lauer's dismissal was first published here, many, many people said that NBC is rushing to judgment, the public needs details, he's innocent until proven guilty, blah blah blah. Just like with Charlie Rose, readers came to the tepid defense of Matt Lauer. As it turns out, NBC did have more information than the average nytimes commenter, and, more importantly, the accusations were 100% on point and accurate. This is the problem with not believing victims of sexual harassment. Every time this happens, and every time these creeps are defended, the accusation has come to be proven accurate. You'd think people would start to learn a lesson at this point, but no, not yet. We still have a ways to go.
51
My sympathy to his wife and children who will have to carry his reputation around with them for a long time to come. No child should ever have be put in that position - ever.
I also am not sure I'll ever again trust a public figure who appears so squeaky clean. Harvey Weinstein was one thing - he never impressed me as someone who was not in it just for himself. But Lauer and Rose - enormous disappointments and wastes of intellect. Charm will forever be a red flag for me now. It's a shadow they've cast on all men, unfortunately.
11
I am not making excuses for any of these men accused of sexual harassment but the lines blur when celebrity, money and power are involved. I've witnessed many a female and male throw themselves at men of power. I understand the sense of entitlement these men develop as society has given them a free pass to behave as wish.
4
It still boggles the mind that after all this, Mr. Lauer would release such a misguided statement. It starts with what is “untrue and mischaracterized”, followed by “my shame”, “my sorrow” , etc, essentially portraying himself as the victim.
This is pervasive narcissism at its worst.
41
What is really awful is that if a woman were to employ physical violence to protect herself against unwanted advances/predation, she would then be subject to retribution from the company and perhaps even criminal charges. Just once (ok, maybe more than once) I would like to see a one of these men get his clock cleaned after being warned off, and the woman "get away with it."
6
"Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed."
Oh! What I wouldn't give to learn of the untruths and mischaracterizations, Matt! As if it would help your case!
6
Is that how you would like to be treated when you face inflammatory allegations that threaten to ruin your career?
Another Grand Old Phallus of a human being on naked display.
A wretched sight for all.
89
Mr. Lauer supposedly employed a button device under his desk that could lock the door to his office from the other side, preventing exit.
I have a button device in my livingroom. It's called a remote control and I will now employ it and never watch "Today" again.
116
Other reports have stated that Mr. Lauer (german for lurk, by the way) employed a button device under his desk that could lock the door to his office from the other side, preventing exit. If this is true it brings imprisonment into the mix. Not only that, assuming Mr. Lauer did not install the apparatus himself it would indicate some sort of institutional connivance at NBC. This ought to be investigated fully.
121
If your apology only comes after significant public shaming, I can't help but doubt the sincerity of these sentiments. How will these people behave once the cleansing spotlight moves on? Restorative justice is possible, but requires immense investment from both abusers and the communities around them—all these letters indicate neither. And most are merely an attempt at self-absolution.
12
Okay, so why are these reporters continually getting major updates "just moments before going on the air"?!? The media's obsession with sensationalizing this debacle is ridiculous. Give reporters - human beings - time to process the information and allow them to try and report objectively. Stop going for shock value. On a 2nd note, it's pathetic how in instances when harassment and assault takes place, it is power, privilege, and sexual predation that rule the moment. Then, when men are called out, they're "so sorry" for the shame and hurt they cause their loved ones. Where was that thoughtfulness and self awareness behind those locked doors and pulled curtains? Come on....
18
I was hoping against hope that while he was at it that Mr. Lauer apologized for his treatment of Hillary Clinton and Anne Hathaway.
61
Why didn't the NETWORK apologize for his treatment of these women?
5
Because Lauer got "caught", he now apologizes for what he did and the people he hurt. So what . . . it's not like he came forward voluntarily so his statement means nothing. More to the point, it sounds like Lauer has been doing this for years . . . Why? Because nobody -- management or the victims -- (I assume) specifically told him "NO!" at the time he first did it. So, like a drug addict, Lauer probably liked the rush he got from doing what he did even though he knew it was wrong, so he did it again and again. Moreover, all of these idiots (Lauer, Trump, Conyers, Weinstein, Moore and so many others) -- I'm guessing -- also really liked how powerful they felt in getting the victims to do their bidding . . . With each successful predatory conquest, their perceived power over others increased.
As I've told my daughters again and again, if someone does something inappropriate to you in the work place (touching, saying something offensive, sends you offensive jokes or images, etc.), or you witness it being done to others, correction of that individual's behavior begins when you outright tell them: "No! I find what you are doing is offensive and it is not all right that you've done this." Then document it and head straight to HR. If HR chooses to ignore what happened and it happens again, sue the company for sexual harassment. Staying silent at the time it happens only ensures the individual will do it again.
46
It seems that only recently that HR would even believe the victims. At the UN, when I went to HR, they just told me to change jobs. That was their idea of recourse.
9
That is terrible and I'm sorry you had to endure it. In the business sector, from what I've seen HR is actually there to protect the company from lawsuits, and not necessarily the employee. In gov, I think your experience is -- unfortunately -- more the norm, just look at how Congress has handled such claims within their own government house, both in the past and present. It is just horrible.
5
Matt Lauer, some friendly advice: now that you have some free time on your hands, get out of New York and go to the wilderness--I mean literally. Some remote spot in the Rockies, maybe the Grand Canyon or Moab, and plan to spend a lot of time staring at ancient canyons or vistas that haven't changed much over millions of years. This will provide perspective about what is important in life and what is not in your life. Hopefully, it will provide insights on repairing relationships with your family, friends, and colleagues. It might prompt you to sincerely apologize, not publicly, as you just attempted with reservations and nuances, but completely and personally, face to face, and privately, to those women you offended. Only then will you be able to take the first steps of a long painful road to redemption--redemption which may never be fully be achieved with the us, the public, as we will naturally recall--also flawed humans as we are--the sordid details of your transgressions against the long track record of smug, egotistical behavior that we have witnessed over the years from you, but it may make a difference with your wife and children, who are now suffering terribly from your actions and who are at great risk. My heart goes out to them. If you can humble yourself enough to do what it takes to salvage your marriage and the relationship with your children, that should be your first priority. Go to the wilderness, Matt, and start your long, difficult road to redemption.
15
Please don't send him here....
7
Hey at least he manned up to the accusations and apologized and he's ashamed. Those who run our government have NO shame.
It's too bad there are so many men who behave this way but are only apologetic and ashamed after they are found out.
8
Those who run our government or just Republicans? Dems seem to be admitting guilt and taking punishment. Repubs deny, deny, deny.
5
It is astonishing to naive me just what swine men in power can be.
19
Men in power? How about most men in general?
3
So unfair to men.
1
Well, it seems that Matt Lauer was fired for engaging in a consensual sexual relationship with a co-worker. If so, his paramour should be fired as well.
7
How is it consensual when he clearly holds more power and his advances carry an implied threat of professional or personal harm should she resist or speak out?
16
Learn a little more about the story.
8
1. it was not consensual. When you're asked to pull down your pants and bend over a chair, there's no consent. Especially not if you consciousness from the fear and horror of it all.
2. It occurred on more than one occasion with more than one woman. Each of them was a subordinate and feared for her job.
3. He was fired for engaging in behavior not appropriate for any man in any position of employment in any social or business setting that involved persons who were unwilling to be where they were and who didn't participate willingly.
Don't know what gave you the impression, ABC, that it was consensual. Read a little more about it before inserting your foot too far into your oral cavity.
8
Let me tell you the meta message I got from that apology:
- By referring to the impartial "people" it takes away the responsibility that he did to WOMEN. Had he said "to my colleagues or to women" it would have across less impersonal. It is an attempt to put distance between himself and his victims.
- His next line is about his family. Instead of talking about the shame and stigma these women have had to live with, he names the explicit feelings his family is having. I understand that they are hurting because of his self-inflicted wound, but again, that all PALES in comparison to the women he hurt.
- If you feel embarrassed--and that is the first emotion you name, let me tell you what I hear: "I am embarrassed that I was exposed." Other woulds like "regret", "sorrow" etc would have been more appropriate.
- "Repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul searching"? Seriously dude. How does that help your victims? You are talking about the damage to your ego, which is about the only thing that YOUR time and soul searching can address. IT does NOTHING for the women. The issue is not your flaws, dude, it's your actions.
....and while I am it, I was SO disappointed with Savannah Guthrie's almost hostile demeanor towards the woman she interviewed today who accused Conyers. Savannah came across accusatory, insensitive and vindictive--making the woman have to repeat the salacious details as though she was under oath. It was not her finest hour.
Shame all around.
295
Amen and hear, hear on all counts.
5
Mr. Lauer's response was perfect Matt Lauer. Like he has always been it was about him not what he did or who he damaged but himself. Matt Lauer revealing who he is and what kind of man he is, not much of a man there, except for an empty suit.
8
I think you mean "'apology'".
1
Funny how none of these guys are sorry until they get caught.
379
...so, so very sorry...they got caught.
9
Soul searching?
Goodness gracious.
That shouldn't take long.
464
You mean searching the soul? Or finding it?
3
He's sorry he got caught.
117
This is Matt Lauer’s lawyering up with an arrangement with the brass at NBC. Fly on the wall told me this: “Ok, we’ll agree to blah blah. You pay this in severance.” Follow.The.$$$.
This is the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
11
I never watch a program in which Matt Lauer was showcased. That said, he showed a lot of class with his statement. Instead of playing the "she said, he said" game, he has taken responsibility for his actions. With what appears to be an authentic statement, he has shown that his inappropriate sexual actions are not okay with him and it is his intention that they are not repeated. For me, it is the future which is more important than the past. Lauer cannot undo what he did, but he can alter his behavior in the realm of how he expresses (and how he doesn't) express his sexuality.
Going forward, I wish him the best and hope that he becomes a spokesperson for unwanted and inappropriate sexual behavior.
7
There was no class in his statement.
4
Unless these shows interview and cover the accusers of Roy Moore and Donald Trump, they are just aiding and abetting the shameless, hypocritical behavior of GOP "leaders" on these issues. Enough silence! The Grabby Old Predator in the Oval Office, and his GOP lackeys in the US Senate, which Roy Moore is eager to join, have far more impact on the rest of us than Matt Lauer!
If NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, and Fox don't cover the allegations against them as thoroughly as they cover allegations against entertainment figures, they are collaborators in ongoing crimes against women and children.
217
I gotta agree with that!
8
An excellent point. The news agencies only look outward for wrongdoing, but are quick to point out their accolades.
2
I watched CNN last night. Don Lemmon did cover the 11 accusers of Donald Trump. I found interesting, because all but two looked exactly the same. Like out of Central Casting. Ok, he has a type you can say. But the clips he showed, which , in my deduction, could have been a wrong move, all sounded the same. That these women were given the same thing to say. Same key words. Same type of crying at the same time. Not sure it was smart of Lemmon to have shown all at the same time. Too much of a pattern. With Matt Lauer, seems he did different things. Even Charlie Rose. Only constant was the robe.
But, I do agree with you it should be covered. But if memory serves me correctly all the stations you mentioned did cover it at the time Trump was running. I mean the video was exposed the day before the second debate.
At this point I think people are shocked by the hypocrisy that the men that are being accused were supposed to be the supporters of women’s rights. That’s the kicker.
1
Matt Lauer's "apology" seems to be written using a standard fill in the blank template.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/11/24/opinion/contributors/26wa...
79
Yes, "let's get rid of this thing" - it's called hubris and sexual power plays, and the feeling by powerful men that, as the so-called "pres*dent" said, "they'll let you do anything when your famous". Now it's time to get the big guy.
136
Of course, “It’s time to get the BIG GUY”. Why should he get a pass, America? It is America that is shamed by who this man is. Those who voted for him, you sanctioned his lusting for the young girls. Was this an attribute you admired? Or did you also admire his multitude of concomitant flaws?
8
None of these men are sorry about the victims. They are sorry for themselves and now the impact this will have on their income. They probably needn't worry, as their corporations will probably award them millions.
13
"pay no attention to the man behind the curtain"
the three ring sex scandals continue, the side shows to distract you
Republicans pay for a FOX "news" deep fog of disinformation to keep you confused
The largest theft in history
Republicans want YOU to pay more taxes and the ultra rich to pay less
Republicans want to take all the money you paid for Social Security over your life
and use it to pay for tax cuts for billionaires
Republicans want to take all the money you paid for Medicare over your life
and use it to pay for tax cuts for billionaires
Republicans want to destroy the EPA
Republicans will destroy your life and the lives of your children
126
You are so tragically right. There's a larger narrative here of horrifying behavior with consequences that may destroy this country. The women who are coming forward with their stories are STILL being used and abused to further the insidious agenda of the powerful right, and their little minion Donald. Orwellian is too tame a word now.
4
What? What on earth are you talking about? You are deflecting from the issue of what just happened. What on earth does this have to do with republicans? When I read comments like yours, it scares me. Granted you have every right to voice your option. However, it’s people like you why Trump got elected. I don’t want to go there, because the article and issue at hand is what Matt Lauer has done to women during his employment at NBC. They had to let go Mark Halperin because of his sexual harassment at NBC and MSNBC. There is no conspiracy by the republicans, if that is where you are headed. Let us remind you, this happened at Fox also. It just so happens now that the men who are being caught are liberals. They just happen to be all in the media. I’m sure there will be republicans outed too. I would put a lid on it.
1
Mr. Magus: This has WHAT to do with Matt Lauer, exactly? Dial down your virtue signaling and focus.
2
sexual predator. should be criminally tried for assault and rape.
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If he wasn't 'famous' and white, and under the umbrella of a big corporation, he would be.
5
You're devastated but Matt was a jerk in his treatment of HRC and others. The public always wondered what was it about him that allowed him to be a news caster star. Not so sad. He was a jerk.
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"I have been trying to take responsibility by apologizing and by apologizing to the people that I have let down, and I'm going to work to regain their trust." Al Franken
"Repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul searching and I'm committed to beginning that effort. It is now my full time job." Matt Lauer
"I will pursue as my primary goal in life the killer or killers who slaughtered Nicole and Mr. Goldman. They are out there somewhere." O. J. Simpson
The time to be responsible is long past. I am going to take a wild guess and state that most reasonable people don't buy these protestations one bit; rather these statements are but naked, maybe pantless, attempts by these men to keep up the illusion that they have a shred of decency. These statements debase honesty. The time for them to crawl under the rock of shame and join the rest of their ilk has come. Just shut up.
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I don't want any of these people to shut up, they should admit and answer for their behavior and the people wronged by them should never feel they wont be heard. Keeping silent is how dishonesty wins.
7
Not a witch hunt, gentlemen, although I don’t think history records the burning of a male witch—ahem! It isn’t hard to imagine a world without this kind of problem in the workplace. Just behave toward your coworkers in the way you wish your mothers/sisters/daughters were treated. Problem solved.
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"There are no words to express my sorrow...repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul-searching and I’m committed to beginning that effort. It is now my full-time job"
Please, please, please spare us you contrition and commitment to atonement. Are we seriously to believe that overnight your years long practice of abuse of power and exploitation of other human beings has been instantly transformed into contrition, repentance and enlightenment?
It would be refreshing of just one of these predators told the unvarnished truth: "I am so very, very sorry. Sorry that I was caught."
336
spare the air of all of these creeps
14
I still don't see how repairing "the damage" will be addressed by his soul searching. The only damage that can address is his fragile ego. The hurt he inflicted on others--that can only be repaired through true repentance and sincere apologies and that was ALL missing from this.
16
You got that one right. Poo poo. He is sorry , no more $28 million dollar salary...
8