We think this is only a Hollyood problem, it isn't. Europe and Japan in particular are and were far worse in expoiting female actors than Hollywood ever was. I've been reading about Japanese film industry history and it's just mind blowing with the way they treated female actors. Hollywood ain't got nothing on them.
2
Paltrow and Jolie were daughters of powerful people in their own rights. When are women going to stand up to this? I get that women with no juice have no options but these two were not “typical”. Women need to learn to call this abomination out immediately.
14
"If this is what it takes, I can't do it".
That sums up what I saw it took to succeed in my industry. I watched women who were more than willing to sleep their way to the top. These women became bosses --awful bosses. But they saw the salaries, bonuses, the titles and the perks. It's not just Hollywood!
9
I would agree that no woman should be treated this way. But I also believe no decent woman or man stays silent in order to further their own careers allowing others to become victims. I'm sorry these women went through this, but why didn't they speak up. Evidently this was an "open secret" in the industry and yet nobody said a word. Either it is bad for everyone, or the left needs to stop pointing fingers at others. I have absolutely NO sympathy for Matt Damon, Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck of any of the others that squashed stories using their celebrity status to do so. Shame on all of you.
The way a decent person behaves is to recognize harassment and to stop it. My husband did this when a receptionist at his work was being repeatedly harassed by a salesman. He went to HR and made the report and when the man came in ready for a fight, my husband told him what he was doing was abusive and unacceptable. The man was his immediate boss. So my conservative, Republican husband has more decency and more concern for women than these self-proclaimed liberal male celebrities. Consider that the next time one of them tells you what to think.
17
Now that it's safe these big stars are speaking up. I pray to god that no one will credit them with the courage they failed to show over the many years of Weinstein's abuse of others. Stars at their level could have made a difference if they'd spoken up before. Too late now. This will always be a stain on their reputations.
23
I am so furious about Hillary Clinton's disingenuous 'outrage' about Weinstein. I voted for Hillary (progressive change). Any female grad student of my generation (MFA "83) understood the currency in academia - consenting to, tolerating, or being oblivious to, advances by a major professor was part of the deal. Good thing she's dropped out of politics because I will never see her as a feminist or advocate for change again. She sold her soul with her delayed response and faux outrage.
16
It is clear now that Weinstein is a monster. Every decent person among us has to feel a sense of shame and guilt that we would somehow allow these kinds of things to happen to others - female or male. The shock of reading about Jerry Sandusky's sexual abuse of young boys and Joe Paterno and Penn State's stubborn resistance to confront that abuse head on is getting another revisit - this time in Hollywood. One is also reminded aplenty of the abuse of young children by priests in the Catholic Church and the relevant administrations reluctance to address those issues head on or to even acknowledge them. There is much that needs to be done.
At the same time, one is also left wondering why reasonably articulate, talented and strong women like Paltrow, Jolie, McGowan, Sorvino and others chose silence all these years over the option of confronting Weinstein. And one senses that this silence would have continued indefinitely had there not been a breakout story in the New Yorker.
A lot of people love their careers. Not many however would compromise a basic foundation of decency and ethical behavior in order to further their careers. And people like Paltrow and others made a compromise. In doing so, they enabled Weinstein to continue with his monstrosity. They are certainly complicit in the continuation of his crime.
To others in Hollywood - speak up about the others engaging in such behavior NOW. The right time to speak up about sexual assault is when it happens.
21
All the assistants who scheduled these appointments, along with other movie executives are accomplices to Mr. W's abuses. And should feel guilty and ashamed for allowing his behavior!
21
Ugh. And who knows how many women he succeeded in abusing.
My only satisfaction in reading this article is that he failed so miserably with all of these women who came forward. You failed, Weinstein. Way to fend off that bloated octopus, ladies!
18
As I read these disturbing allegations of sexual abuse against women, would like to remind people than men of power also sexually abuse other men. Unwanted sexual advances, misconduct, crimes, happen across all sectors of the workplace. Remarkable that in the age of cell phones, which easily record events, more of these predators have not been outed.
12
You’re a true hero Gwenyth. It takes a hero to call out someone for his awful sins only after there will be no consequences for doing so. Thank you for the courage to talk about your experiences only after Harvey continued his harassment for decades
28
For all his millions or billions I'd hate to be Weinstein right now.
4
I am truly shocked that Hollywood moguls would act in such a boorish manner as Weinstein. I mean, would Joe Kennedy ever act this way? Or Alfred Hitchcock, or others their ilk? Why, next thing we know, we will be hearing that our leading political figures have been mistreating women for decades. I am truly shocked!
11
I am reminded of how women started talking to each other after the Anita HIll hearings. People who hardly knew each other talked of the "little" humiliations and aggressions they had experienced, the "hair on the coke" things, that they had never talked about but had never gotten past feeling were bad and somehow bigger than they sounded when you parsed it out. And we knew what Anita Hill was talking about and we knew that the men, who would confirm Clarence Thomas, did not. They simply did not. I hope they get it this time.
16
I married quickly, too quickly, 52 years ago, because of sexual harassment in my job. At my Jon sy COLUMBIA records. 60 years ago, there were no words to express my subjugation. My fear. Humiliation. Being young and beautiful, instead of opening doors, only dirty old/young men appeared. I married the first decent guy I met.
9
A corollary lesson to others similarly situated:
Note carefully how quickly the mighty has fallen. Sunday afternoon Ole Harv dialed up a couple of his bestest buddies to help him avoid being fired that very day.
crickets.
3
Media reports have revealed that his office (DA Cy Vance) dropped investigations into allegations of sexual assault and harassment against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein
Vance in particular has taken flak for campaign donations he received from attorneys representing the targets of those investigations. One New York elected official has asked New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to look into possible corruption allegations.
http://www.newyorklawjournal.com/id=1202800191831/Manhattan-DA-Takes-Hea...
14
Cy Vance should step down.
13
What Weinstein is alleged to have done is despicable. I am glad he was fired. Perhaps now he can also be brought into court with criminal charges, face legal scrutiny and the possibility of justice.
In no way do I question or blame any these women for not coming forward at the time. These women were vulnerable, young, probably in shock, and just trying to start a career. They were traumatized by the experience, every one.
However, I do wonder why the women who reached the pinnacle of professional success some years ago (such as Paltrow, Jolie, and Arquette) are only now choosing to speak out after the story has broken. They might have saved numerous victims from being attacked by this man, empowered other women to come forward and gained a heightened measure of autonomy for themselves that was lost when they were victimized.
Perhaps they feared further humiliation or not being believed? That is possible. Retaliation from other powerful men in the industry? But these three in particular strike me as strong, independent, and centered women. I am not trying to blame anyone, I just don't fully understand it.
I hope someone can report on that deeper story.
16
If his lawyers think a civil suit is pending, Weinstein will never set foot back in the U.S. a la Roman Polanski.
2
My sympathy goes to the victims of this lamentable tale - - at the top of the list are Weinstein's children. His youngest daughter is 7, his youngest son 4. How will these innocent children deal with their father's repugnant behavior? And then I think of the Myanmar women, gang-raped, tortured. Should not more media attention be paid to them? But of course, Hollywood's more glamorous.
9
What about the Yazidi women who have been targeted and kidnapped by ISIS for torture and a bizarre form of serial marriage to ISIS fighters? Those women deserve far more help and attention than the media gives them.
4
Rehab/counselling should not be used as an escape for sexual predators who have committed crimes. The arrogance that he was concerned about losing his job, instead of his freedom - he belongs in prison.
15
it is certainly interesting that he needed to leave the country in order to find a facility.
6
Oh, we only care when the women are stars and celebrities? This is a reality for the woman who is a waitress in a diner, the woman who is a receptionist, the woman who works in a factory. I could go on.
22
Hear, hear, Monica! A woman's struggle doesn't count in the media anymore unless she is rich or famous. It's six-figure feminism, nothing more. The same people "leaning in" for Sheryl Sandberg or weeping over Hillary's glass ceiling couldn't care less for the cashier at the checkout line.
9
Hollywood? Consider that the US government doesn't believe that any women should have sovereign control over her own body.
18
The backlash against Harvey Weinstein is unequivocal. The man is getting his just desserts for his past actions. But WHERE, I would ask, are the women, journalists and outraged members of society in regard to the similar allegations against Donald Trump, this time last year? Have they settled? Have they been silenced? Should our head of state be receiving treatment in a Sexual Addiction clinic somewhere in Europe, instead of dismantling this country's infrastructure. It seems like Weinstein is a safe target, but victim of a double standard.
23
My thoughts, exactly!
7
After Rose McGowan's latest revelations about Hollywood A-List star Ben Affleck enabling Harvey Weinstein's violent rapes, I am just utterly thunderstruck. Will Affleck be allowed to escape unscathed and untouched?
How can any Hollywood studio continue to employ Ben Affleck while knowing that he abetted Weinstein's unending series of rapes for decades? Also, McGowan's revelations put the related issue of Ben Affleck shielding his brother Casey Affleck from sexual assault charges in a whole new light. If Ben Affleck did not have any qualms about protecting Weinstein, then he clearly wouldn't have qualms about protecting Casey and other men in Hollywood.
6
Everything about this story with Harvey is despicable. I also have to say what about Bryan Singer and what he does to young boys on his movies – that's just as bad and shouldn't be allowed. How about doing that story because there's a man that also needs to be ripped off the face of the planet for what he does.
8
There should be a law preventing sealed envelopes in criminal or potentially criminal cases even when a settlement is reached. Money shouldn't be able to hide criminals. Trump, would be toast. Fox news, toast. Weinstein, toast. And countless more. It might give pause to these sexual predators along with a host of other malicious doings that fundamentally corrupt the legal system. Name them and shame them.
4
I agree wholeheartedly. This practice is contrary to public policy when it is used to shield repetitive criminal behavior.
2
No agreement can prevent a criminal investigation no matter what you sign. An investigative body needs only to have probable cause. These NDAs are already on shaky ground legally, but if it ever happens to you, maybe just refuse to sign and walk away from the money. Go press charges instead.
3
The only news here is that it's considered news that's fit to print. I think the record clearly shows that this was public information -- including the fact that actresses talked about it often without complaining about the nature of the reality -- since the film industry started a century ago. Any reasonably good library should have the published sources.
1
There is a lot of super-privileged woman as victim here.
These two power players know and knew better. These are not girls. These are not wannabes. These women are inner sanctum. This article is damage control. Nothing more.
It is maybe hard for some women to admit, but there are women who are 'business' enough and cynical enough that they will see something and say nothing because there is career and money involved. There are women quite capable of calculation. Quite capable of greed. There are women who are players. Not as many maybe, but please they are there. Quite capable of abusing power, abusing privilege, abusing sex, using people for their drug habit or their power trip or whatever, playing their part in the Hollywood illuminati. And then white washing over it with their charity and Vegan diet.
It is absurd to compare this type of PR management with the plight of real victims here.
The fallout of this story shows a lack of values and ethics across gender.
When you are already wealthy enough and famous enough, player enough, then if you know something say something. It just didn't happen. It did not happen until they knew the dragon was dead and it was harmless to pile on.
There are different kinds of players taking a knee every Sunday at the risk of their careers for principle. Learn from that why don't you.
11
Silence allows sexual predators to persist and be successful. Yes, it would have helped this situation if famous celebrities would have stepped forward sooner and spoke out about how their rights were violated. They are also human beings and we are all vulnerable and often not at our courageous best when we are "fearful". Sexual Predation is a disease, it is NOT to be tolerated. We must learn from these women's testimonies and teach women and men of all ages that sexual predation will not be tolerated. People who speak out about these abuses MUST be protected. Healthy sexuality involves love, humanity and equality. If someone (either a man or woman) does not want to engage in sexual activity, this request must be respected. Predators who threaten people must be prosecuted and also medically and psychologically examined. Sexual predation is a disease. I have worked with many, many men throughout my career in media. Not one man has ever manipulated or threatened my sexual identity or my right to decide what I was willing or not willing to do. Mr. Weinstein's behavior is NOT the behavior of most men, it is the behavior of a sexual predator. SILENCE is NEVER the ANSWER. We, both men and women must work to make protect the space and voices that speak out. TRANSPARENCY is the answer and KNOWLEDGE. Forcing sexual acts on anyone, either male or female, young or old is not normal behavior. Young people and ALL PEOPLE must engage in open conversation about this.
6
Some people are willing to literally do anything to be famous.
Look at the Kardashians.
4
I wouldn’t be too hard on the established actresses who have just now come forward with their allegations of sexual harassment. When they were younger and without power, they had to put up with it or end their careers. Now that they’re successful and have power, they can safely use their influence to reform their industry. Recall that Robert Oppenheimer first made a name for himself by developing the atomic bomb and only afterwards tried to curb its use. I’m no feminist, but compared to Oppenheimer, the established actresses look pretty good. Few of us are saints, but if we try to do some good in whatever situation we find ourselves in, that is sufficient.
3
Why aren't you a feminist?
3
There are three kinds of feminists:
1. Difference feminists: in areas where women are clearly superior, it’s innate; in areas where women ore inferior, it’s because of discrimination. For example, there are fewer women muggers (innate superiority). There are fewer women physicists (discrimination).
2. Radical feminists: any differences between men and women are due sociological factors, i.e. male dominance (all men make women submissive by rape or threat of rape).
3. Liberal feminism: each person, either male or female, is entitled to fulfill her unique potential. That men and women have different potentials should be self-evident. But working out these differences is a matter of trial and error. I would imagine that this is how women and men have always sorting things out. (That in fact is what is going on in the Weinberg episode.)
I reject the first two kinds of feminism. I am whole heartedly committed to the third, not merely as a kind of feminism, but as an ideal and end of universal history.
Jolie and Paltrow had an obligation to come out years ago about this story. They are Johnnie-come-latelies to this story. They let lesser stars take the abuse and now they have something to say. I guess money means more to them then self-repect and honor. They have their money and could care less about the other victims.
13
All these high powered women knew and didn't say one word!! They could have stopped this years ago and looked the other way.
12
Harvey Weinstein is the one who should have stopped this years ago.
12
Now that this loud mouth bully isn't powerful anymore , I would think he must be thinking about his safety, all those girls now have husbands, boyfriends.
3
To all of these women: Why did you not come forward? More specifically, why did nobody inform Barack and Michelle Obama about their fears of Weinstein as they were allowing Malia to intern with him?
11
What about looking into Trump, given his Access Hollywood bus confession
4
Because he didn't "confess" anything, he was lewdly trying to make his buddies laugh. No woman has come forward with a credible story about Trump, or you'd be reading about it in the NYT over the last ten months.
Asked and answered.
2
There are so many Catch-22s, it'd be funny if it wasn't so tragic. How much of the pay wage gap could be the result of sexual harrassment? How much time and money was lost by career-seeking women dodging perverts like Weinstein? If you speak up, you're an "opportunity or attention seeker". If you don't, you're "letting him get away with it". And given the short shelf lives of actresses, how many saw succumbing to sexual harrassment as their only way to get their foot in the door? Until more women occupy leadership roles, (and until society in general recognize misogyny in general) this inequality, these injustices will remain.
6
Why am I struggling with this story? With these hugely successful women coming out now...and not in some way long before the less successful tried to help stop the creep.
I in no way wish to blame any female, as I know many who have been victimized, who had to keep their mouths shut to keep a job...and keep food, and rent, etc, money coming in. Who suffered with their secrets. Who thought a change of workplace would also be a change from what they thought were just those guys,
but of course it only changed the faces, and locations.
I think Im struggling because Ms. Paltrow and Jolie HAD OPTIONS...! Their parents were in the Biz, they were already living the Hollywood lifestyle, etc. They already knew the creep stories, knew the potential was there, as its likely as younger women they met older actors, etc, who tried some of the same tricks.
I feel for the women who were struggling to get-in the Biz, had no in the Biz support system, didn't want to be on screen, but work behind the scenes and therefore go unseen, unnoticed...and probably over looked if not outright ignored by "stars" like Paltrow and Jolie.
I feel nothing for these two, or any of the others who had similar backgrounds. Who now, when its safe, and lesser known women have already spoken up...now these alleged "strong women" have the courage.
Yeah...Im not feeling it for these two...
And if either got any settlement monies, they should immediately donate it...and quadruple the amounts.
17
Brad Pitt-tough guy, NOT. Complicit in every way.
4
To Wally Wallace,
What makes you think, and, to write in your comment that Harvey Weinstein will never go to jail though he should?
The courage of Hollywood celebs -- once the guy is lying in the gutter let's all start kicking. Neither had the courage to raise the claim when it could have affected their careers. But now when it is trendy let's get some good PR for ourselves.
13
Hey, famous ladies, how about you stand up for us?
Hey, not famous ladies, speak up, even anonymously. How many times, what happened, how many friends, date rape, real common, anonymous person rape ( that's what people usually consider "real rape" ), forced advances and more, how early in your life, we had jobs or worse were just kids. I was silent when raped at 13 and hearing my best friend get gang raped in the other room - because we lied to go to the party at a cool guy's house. I have several other stories to tell about when in college and an adult Been a guardian ad liem? Been a cop? Been a social worker? A Teacher? Any woman? We know. hurray for anyone who has not experienced it.
1
I cheer these brave women who are now speaking up now that Weinstein can no longer hurt their careers.
7
Hollywood future:
And the Oscar goes to........George Clooney......
" I want to first thank Amal who had to look at me as I gained 100 pounds for the role. She was undaunted and brave, sacrificing beauty for art.......a real trooper.
2
It is not just sex, American men and women turn a blind eye to. At Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, the White house, ad infinitum. So who will claim the high ground? The Veterans administration who turns vets away because they don't have the right answers though they can provide their name and tag number? This paper and the majority of American citizens don't really give a rats ear about those who have been invalidated and tossed aside. This entire episode makes me sick. To ad insult to injury The New Yorker hires "impartial" observer Dylan Farrow( who had he the courage would subject himself to a patrimony test) of all people to investigate Weinstein. Why not bring Kristof and Mia on board with their incredibly irresponsible take on the Woody Allen situation. And speaking of Harvey, I guess the Texas hurricane is no longer news worthy.
All I see here is prurient interest, biased reporting, the Time sensationalizing peoples private lives and even though Weinstein's behavior was absolutely wrong that does not make him legit front page media feeding frenzy fare in the NYTs.
What this most resembles is a medieval execution with many of you making a party out of it.
On top of that the portrayal of women as victims lacking any agency even when established in their work and multimillionaires begs credence. Especially as according to most; everybody knew.
I suspect that like many males exposed to these situations the real reason for not going public was, who needs it.
2
Pardon me for being cynical, but...
Harvey Weinstein is routinely described as one of the biggest donors to the Democratic Party, but whenever a politician vows to donate to charity every dime Weinstein has ever given to the politician, the amount seems to be very small.
4
From the article, Ms. Dunning said, "maybe this is how the business works". The answer is substantially, YES. This IS how 'the business' works. Weinstein was just more brutal and blatant than most in his approach. Power and wealth corrupted his sense of reality and he is now in jail avoidance mode. Maybe he will share a cell with Bill Cosby and the pair of them will get to run over a few scripts with Bubba and a bar of soap in a threesome?
Charges are coming.
Don't Put your Daughter on the Stage Mrs. Worthington.
2
Why was it not time for this to end when it was revealed that Donald J. Trump had also groped women and when he was accused of sexual assault? Or does the IOKIYAR ("It's OK If You're A Republican") rule apply to sexual assault as well as to the Trump family's other crimes? I am serious. I want to understand what the rules are.
7
Sexual harassment had a very long history where it was accepted - I'm old enough to remember this first hand.
It's not uncommon or unexpected, especially a few decades back, that there might be some quid pro quo, some expectation that exposing yourself, propositioning, offering work for sex - all excused with "well, it's not like rape, I didn't force them - and if they really want the job, they have to learn how to play ball." "Don't be so sensitive!" "It's just the way it is".
The more someone has power over a very scarce resource, the easier it is to have this kind of power - speak up, and NO ONE will hire you, because you're a trouble maker, and they'll pretend you made it all up because you were turned down for a role - AND people will believe them, not you. Because, he's got money, he wouldn't NEED to do that to get women to sleep with him, you must be a jilted girlfriend.
Look at what it took for Cosby, and how many excused that over and over. "Nah, these women must be looking for money, for fame, piling on, it's all a lie - heard that excuse over and over." And then, when it's out - its "Why didn't they speak up earlier" - yeah, because they knew they wouldn't be remotely believed.
8
Not much sympathy for him, but watching this man's rapid fall into disgrace, and how quickly those who benefited from his money and influence quickly turn on him, somehow reminds me of a savage pack of hyenas converging on a sick animal.
6
Gross behavior that these women had to tolerate. Some now speak up and some are silent. But there are also some that would seem to have gone along with this and gotten some benefit Prostitution sort of without actual money involved but favors none the less. Unlikely that every woman was a innocent victim for last 30 years.
Either way, he is very lucky that nobody turned his lights off after doing what he did.
1
Hillary Clinton and the Obama’s protestations “that they didn’t know anything “ are truly laughable. Do you seriously believe that people at that level of government have not been fully briefed on the individuals they associate with. Harvey Weinstein was fully vetted by U.S. intelligence and their findings of his proclivities passed on. That this information was weighed against his fundraising abilities, and found to be acceptable is what is reprehensible!
7
So what is the next step? Will this man be charged with rape? Assualt? Sexual harrassment at the very least?
1
Yet all of these women were fine keeping their heads down and making millions while Harvey continued his disgusting behavior. They were fine with Harvey harassing an untold number of women so they could continue their lavish lifestyles. It takes a true hero to speak up only when there are no consequences for doing so.
11
I don't think people are "blaming the women" and pointing out that this sort of thing happens "all the time" on college campuses is not exactly a glowing endorsement for the hard line liberals that run those colleges.
Did everyone just think the "Casting couch" was a thing of myth and legend? I'd be willing to bet if you took a black light into any Hollywood office you would find the stains of past "auditions" and the DNA from all of the major stars.
What this does is points a very bad light upon the people in Hollywood who wish the American public to look up to them as somehow role models who should lead the thoughts of Americans. We know how they "earned" their jobs and that hasn't changed for as long as the business has been around.
There are 2 types of people in Hollywood, those who sexually harass and those who keep it quiet. Neither of those types of people should be looked up to as role models.
And what do you want to bet that the problem is just as deeply entrenched in the music business? And don't think for a minute that it doesn't happen to men as well. No one is safe from the debauchery.
5
I rencently saw a vintage video of Siskel and Ebert reviewing the film Pulp Fiction distributed by Miramax then owned by Mr. Weinstein. They both gave glowing reviews for Tarantino’s masterpiece. One thing they agreed on was how the film recognized the humanity of the most ignoble of people.
The Weinstein scandal is fresh in the public’s mind and more time needs pass to heal the wounds of his victims. He will also need to make restitution to these women for his treatment of them as well as his family and colleagues whom he has let down. But if we have learned any lesson from the film Pulp Fiction wouldn’t it be to at some point to recognize the humanity in Harvey Weinstein as well? Otherwise the film has little culturally redeeming value.
3
Folks, if you all think that only women are subjected to sexual harassment, and/or sexual favors i.e. the "casting couch", and that Mr. Weinstein's behavior represents an isolated case, you're in La-La land. I would love to hear many more women AND men come forward, and out of the shadows toreveal the ugly and sinister truth of an empire that answers to no one and knows no bounds of indecency. This man is merely the tiny tip of a very large iceberg, and is being allowed to go under the bus, probably in the hope that no one will scrutinize this issue further, and bring down more studio heads.
7
What am I missing here? What is the attraction of these women to Weinstein or any other guy who is a boorish womanizer? Why is this news? Where are the days of "just say no" and move on? When narcissistic sexually-charged women and narcissistic sexually-charged men chase each other, there is a good chance there will be a collision of metal. After all of the legal, political and social changes of the past decades, you would think that grown adults would learn to behave themselves by now or stay away from situations. I don't understand why Americans are not focused on the more important issues facing this Nation right now.
2
Perhaps it is possible that Paltrow didn't report him immediately because she thought she was the only woman he had harrassed. But the minute she heard a rumor about a second victim, she should have teamed up with that woman and gone public.
5
It’s wonderful how these women came out now over this issue.
Not 10 years ago when they were just as powerful as they are today. Shame on these women.
6
The Hypocrisy of the Liberals & The Left - Yes, the liberals would use every excuse possible to justify to complicity and silence. The same liberals that condemn Trump just on news report or stories they themselves did not verify would rather keep quiet about Harvey despite knowing for a fact that these abuses by Weinstein were going on. We saw Ashley Judd, despite knowing for a fact about Harvey Weinstein's behavior, went on her nasty woman tirade. We've seen the Clintons, the Obama's whom I sure know or heard about this abuses, kept quiet at the time. A lot of women called Trump a sexual offender, despite seeing no concrete proof of that, but are willing to stay silent about Weinstein's abuses. Notice the behavior of Hollywood executives and notice how quiet Hollywood is on this matter. It would not even surprise me one bit if there are no indictments brought on Weinstein. Commentators here can try to give all the excuses they want for Weinstein, they are all complicit as far as I'm concerned. And this Weinstein episode, shows the hypocrisy of the liberals and left once & for all - They are the worst of the worst hypocrites.
10
Jeffery Fischer - perhaps you should educate yourself about the fear, self-loathing, guilt, and confusion that victims of abuse - particularly sexual abuse - suffer as a result of a crime perpetrated against them.
If we are going to call out silences, then we need to call out the silence of those that were told of these incidents, and took no action to bring it them to a halt. That this has come to light (after previous aborted attempts) due to the bravery of victims removes no culpability from those that were not victims but knew.
@ Tony Arnold: That also applies to Hillary Clinton for excoriating the women who came forward in accusing Bill Clinton for his sexual misconduct.
Ms. Clinton wasn't just silent; she wielded her power to ridicule and shame these women.
4
All Weinstein needs to do is run for President and all will be swept under the rug, never mind how many women come forward. We have seen this show before, nothing to see here.
1
What took them so long?
7
personal gain was put in front of pride.
1
these predators are vile & disgusting, and it's even worse when they can intimidate & silence the victims with legal threats and payoffs..that just makes the predator feel even more in control & powerful..they can "get away with anything" and even become president of the USA! Speak out loud when wrong is done, you'll save the future innocents.
1
Everyone who knew this about Weinstein but said nothing is an enabler. I'm undecided about who committed the worse sin....Damon and Crowe for working to silence an expose, or Paltrow and Jolie for putting their own careers against the well-being of other women.
Oops! Silly me. I forgot....Hollywood is populated by vacuous narcissists. Of course they would behave this way.
6
What is being reported in these articles is horrific. I am a straight white male who was sexually assalted repeatedly by a pedophile when I was a teenager. I understand the shame of not wanting to tell. When I finally got up the courage to tell my mom what had happened to me she immediately reported it to the authorities. Nothing was done, but I was left alone. What puzzles me is why none of these parents spoke out when their daughters told them about these incidents. The secrecy is what allows this to fester for decades.
11
And just when we all thought Trump was the most despicable man on the face of the earth, along comes Weinstein. It's hopeless to try and quantify anything.
3
Why do we hear more about celebrities being sexually harassed than, say, hotel housekeepers, retail clerks, admin aids? Newsflash: Less powerful women suffer much more harassment, and with greater ramifications to them.
9
Can Ben Affleck and Matt Damon please bring Meryl Streep up to speed on the other open Hollywood 'secrets'? And who is in charge of providing Hillary Clinton with background information on her big donors?
4
People are wondering why these women did not speak out earlier. Simple: Weinstein’s abuse of his power and his authority as a person who had the wherewithal to make or break careers, and by extension, lives.
Fear, especially as it concerns subordinates, breeds silence: Fear of not being believed, fear of repercussions, and fear of one person going up against an entrenched coroprate (and societal) structure and mindset.
We saw this thousands of times as the Church sex scandal slowly came to light: Priests using their positions of authority to manipulate and intmidate. It’s the same with Weinstein.
It’s easy to ask from a million miles away, “Why didn’t she...?” That is victim blaming of the highest degree and also very much serves to deepen the silence. These women have now come forward. We now must give them our support by letting them — and anyone else who is going through this — know that this silence needs to be broken and it’s time to stop enabiling this abuse.
11
All the onus is put on women to "come forward" by some random date. Gwyneth Paltrow told her powerful friends and family when it happened--and it didn't matter. Ditto for so many victims. Power and money help predators, but we women are shrugged off whenever we complain about any sexual harassment.
I worked at Starbucks and a homeless man, who never purchased an item, would come in to harass me. This man would wait until I was alone then he'd come over and say disgusting, threatening things to me. I reported it to my manager, a second manager, and I called the corporate hotline. Know what I was told? He was a "customer" and I needed to respect that. I had to relocate.
I worked at an exclusive cognac club and a drunk man groped by breasts. I reported it and I was told he was an opera singer, so I must be confused. He returned to the club every night for a week to intimidate and mock me for telling them about the incident, claiming he'd get me fired.
I worked at a hotel and a wealthy man followed me, coming by my bar after we'd closed several nights in a row and physically cornering me, trying to get me to go up to his hotel room. I reported it and was told it was my fault, I must have encouraged him.
So when is NYT going to do an expose on one of the guys who harassed me? Do women have to publicly, "bravely" go to the papers to get poetic justice? Or could we now, finally, just be able to report a sex crime and be believed?
17
This is not female bashing- but where have Patrow and Jolie been hiding? Both are in the public- Patrow with her 'healthy' lifestyle empire and Jolie with her outspokenness on many issues. Seems to me they (and other well known celebrities) should have been shouting from the rooftops about Weinstein years ago. Unlike the starlets, they were already established.
And, as much as I like Streep and Hillary, I don't believe they hadn't heard stories.
Shame on all who hid the atrocities perpetrated by Weinstein over the years. No excuse.
6
And now there is a video being shown of Ben Affleck and a young woman who is apparently supposedly interviewing him for a TV show she hosted but instead it is a display of disgusting sexual aggression on his part - and a giggling, laughing, yet seemingly uncomfortable young woman on his lap, enduring? enjoying? the really way out of line activity. She doesn't get up, she doesn't tell him to stop, she doesn't do anything but act like an infantilized, silly plaything - and we are all debased by it. Ben Affleck is truly contemptible in that video and the young woman is complicit with his disrespect and disregard for her, and thus the sexualized objectification of all women. Such men need to be stopped. Women need to stop enabling! Bette Davis or Rosalind Russell, those blessed "dames", would have slapped him and shut him down with wit and strength (written for them by brilliant writers to demonstrate how "real women" act!) They never acted like cutesy little girls. Real women know their boundaries, honor them, and demand that others do, too.
1
Is there a point at which the famous LAPD steps forward and charges this man with a crime? Or is his punishment going to be early retirement to his mansion?
5
For those of you who wonder why the women didn't come forward: Have a look at the testimony of James Comey from back in March. Why didn't he just tell the president "no"? Why didn't he report it earlier? A powerful man, 6 feet 7 inches tall, couldn't do it, how can anyone. I was surprised they didn't ask Comey what he was wearing. Facing down power, the end of your career. It's hard. Unless you've been there, you just don't understand how hard it is.
7
Had Ms. Paltrow or Ms. Jolie spoken, dozens of victims might have been spared horror. Yet this website treats them like heroines. Shame.
13
In Hollywood, men are sexually harassed as much as women if not more but no one wants to have that conversation. Imagine what a powerful studio head or producer would do to keep the world and his wife from knowing the truth about his sexual preference.
5
What is stunning is the pervasiveness of the behaviour, the complicity of many of the participants and the willingness to pile on after the door is opened. Understanding the reality, how many women would have or did submit so that they too could be stars. The ultimate sexual predator is currently our president and the majority of white women could not possibly be unaware of his reputation and voted for him.
And then there are the naive innocents to whom I am truly sorry.
3
Hillary Clinton finally released a statement. To paraphrase, "I'm shocked, shocked to find that Harvey Weinstein committed sexual harassment ! " After all the years and donations to her and Bill's Foundation, I am sure lots of insiders in Hollywood and political circles told her about Harvey's proclivities early on.
9
I'm guessing it would be difficult for Hillary Clinton to make a credible statement that spoke to abhorrence for sexual impropriety (and worse) towards young women. After all, she is on record with her own verbal attacks against women who made claims against her husband.
4
Reading a number of articles, comments and tweets related to this, I think it's way past time for men to stop saying "I wouldn't want this to happen to my daughter." Why does one have to have a daughter to not want this to happen? We're talking about half of humanity having to go through what can only be described as a sexual gauntlet for no other reason than they are women.
Weinstein is a high-profile example of something that is really putrid in virtually every culture in the world.
What I have to say is quite simple - we need a whole different type of culture, and we need to do whatever it takes to achieve that. That's easy to say, isn't it? Now, who's ready to do the hard and dirty work to get to that place?
9
Maybe George Clooney can remind America again on Oscars night about Hollywood's progressive legacy being a shining example for the rest of the country.
9
I am enraged by the arrogance of those who hold these courageous women to blame for their long silence. Obviously, the writers of those comments have never been violated by a powerful man, or they would show some humility and empathy. Having been victimized only recently at the age of 68, I can tell you that first I went into shock, then into months of complete denial, culminating in a fall that broke both elbows and a shoulder. Although no career was at stake, as a victim (when I could finally feel anything) I felt shame, fear, loneliness, betrayal and a complete disconnection from myself. I was afraid to go to the police because my aggressor had not consummated rape, and I was convinced I would not be believed. Too long women have heard "you must have been asking for it;" "how were you dressed?"; "how stupid were you, to go there alone;" instead of the support of caring understanding, even a glimpse into the soul-shattering effect of being turned from a human being into an object of prey. Rape is not the only way our spirits can be crushed. The threat of it, and the aggressive, crude touching and talk alone is enough. As victims we go through the stages of grieving for ourselves; shock and denial, unjustified guilt, fear of being mocked and diminished yet again, this time publicly, are long processes of mourning that must be endured before we gain enough strength for anger to kick in and propel us to speak. May it never happen to you.
11
TMI. And lots and lots of projection. May you find appropriate help for what is obviously deeply disturbing.
Way too much PC.
If it had been Robert Redford or Jon Hamm, these women would have a treasured memory. Because Weinstein looks like a toad, it was harassment.
There is major mismatch between men and women when it comes to lust. It routinely leads to misunderstandings. The law allows men to make advances. It is perfectly legal for a man to suggest to a non-employee (independent contractor actor) that they have sex and it will be good for her career. These examples show that women know how to say No.
It was, however, correct to fire Weinsten -- not for sexual misbehavior, but for putting his personal interests above the company's.
2
whoa! If you know who this person is...KenC from Long Island.....look out for him! Doesn't matter what you look like, to inappropriately touch or talk to a woman is NOT welcome! Major mismatch??? Holy moly, way to justify yourself! You are disgusting.
9
Why don't women report these abuses to authorities at the time they occur? The fact that they are doing so now is the answer....they feel alone and pretty terrible at the time. Our society does not really welcome calling out the rich, famous and powerful. Only when they can join others with similar experiences, do we feel we will be understood and supported. Women are propositioned all the time, in all walks of life. Sometimes it's a big deal, sometimes it's not. Sometimes you tell someone, sometimes you don't. Sometimes it's a friend, sometimes it's someone you have to work with. I suspect weinstein does not know the definition of consensual.
5
Please, take a good look at Harvey Weinstein. It's blatantly obvious that the only reason a physically attractive woman would have anything to do with a guy like that is to gain access to his influence or money. That being said powerful, wealthy men, who wish to do, so use their influence to attract physically beautiful women. Each enables the other in these tête-à-tête arrangements. All's right in there world until one of the parties feels slighted in which case they drop the relationship, go public right away, take a payoff to keep quiet or own up to their own willing participation and move on. Influence and money are powerful forces that enable and draw people to it like a moth to a flame. No it's not right and no amount of investigative reporting is going to stop it. What's really disgusting is the private audience that witnessed all this, did and said nothing.
2
R - A - P - E. Please read up on rape and sexual harassment. Ever had a boss? These women were not hanging around Harvey Weinstein for fun; they were employees or potential employees and he was an employer.
Women do not exist solely on the social or sexual planes; we are human being with careers and professional goals and there are many demnds on our time that are not social.
6
Hollywood is filled with "talent" like Ben Affleck who never speak a truth but built their careers on playing the game with out a drop of dignity,
6
Is this story being over covered? What about nuclear weapons, global warming, economic inequality, guns, and infectious diseases?
5
High priced lawyers enable these sexual predators and clearly stretch the bounds of legal ethics and basic morality. They should be required to atone by doing pro bono work on behalf of sex-crime victims.
3
Amazing that Paltrow and other famous American actresses long admired for their "feminist" views are only now "coming forward" after the bold few made Weinstein's despicable acts public.
Their fame has been unassailable for decades. They could have spared hundreds of women the same personal degradation, not to mention perpetrating misogynistic behavior in the acting industry, by having the guts to go public once it was clear they wouldn't be "losing roles" they coveted. And Angelina Jolie? When has she ever backed down from exposing immorality, from the American political system to global atrocities? When has she kept her mouth shut instead of exposing the truth? They should both be ashamed of themselves. I am.
7
To people who wonder why women did not speak up before: have you thought about what happens to the women who speak up vs. What usually happens to the men they accuse? Look at what Ambra Brittilana went through to prove Weinstein had groped her, and still no charges were filed. And this is 2017 so what do you think it was like 20 years ago? If you did file charges as a young woman, How would you like to have this story about you publicized and follow you for the rest of your life?
8
It sure helped that Manhattan DA Cy Vance received a lovely $50,000.00 donation from Weinstein's attorney. Paging Mr. Schneiderman. An investigation should be done pronto.
5
It was 1971. I was 21 years old. I worked as a secretary for an advertising company. He called me into his office. "Close the door, please." I did. He pushed me into a corner, breathing heavily. "C'mon, give me a little". I didn't know what to say or do, he was my boss. I tried to be coy. "Listen, stop it, you have a wife, you just got married. Why are you doing this?" "Never mind that!" And he literally proceeded to chase me around his desk. I managed to open the door, and ran down the hall. I quit and the end of the week, and enrolled in night school. This was only one experience. There were a few more at the advertising agency and even in school. I didn't go to HR as I should have. I was wrong not to do so, but at the time, who would have listened? Harvey Weinstein is not anomaly, nor is our President for that matter. Listening to these stories gives many women feelings of PTSD . Thank you, Hollywood to bringing this to light. Sometimes it takes a major industry to stop these horrors.
7
In 1971, HR would have given you as much attention as Gwyneth Paltrow did after her Harvey incident.
Come to think of it, I don;t think that HR departments even existed beyond hiring or firing folks.
The times have changed considerably since 1971. So have attitudes and opinions.
2
Why didn't these women go to the media? Because the same thing has happened in journalism. Editors and publishers have groped women or propositioned them. When I worked at the Tampa Tribune, the head of one department offered a woman a promotion if she would have sex with him. The (married) executive editor would demand that employees meet him on Saturday so that he could show them around the area. With me, he took me to a tourist area and kept offering to buy me gifts. At lunch, he insisted that we have alcoholic drinks, and he regaled me with his sexual exploits. This man is dead now, but lots of these guys are still in the business.
5
Likewise, I'd ask why YOU didn't go to the competitive "media". answer that question honestly and you'll find out why "they" didn't go to the media.
1
Hollywood allowed this to go on out of fear that they might lose out on $. Same old script in Hollywood. The fact that a prosecutor gave the NYPD less time than a SVU rerun to build a case on this guy is highly suspicious. I believe these type of crime have a long statute of limitations . I feel like this is another example of the 2 tiered legal system. One for the elites and one for the rest of us.
2
You mean the "Elites" vs the "Wannabee Elites"?
From what I understand, the NY Prosecutor was not consulted "before" the wire sting operation and as such prosecutable information "which could be used in court" was not obtained.
Perhaps folks need to be attorney's or need to sit in on some court cases to find out that prosecuting someone for a crime is not as easy as SVU presents it.
1
Weinstein is paying for his inexcusable and horrific acts against women and it seems like justice will be served.
Hillary speaking up is hypocritical, with all of the cover she provided for
her husband, but a what doesn't make any sense at all is that if Trump did similar things to women why does seems to be avoiding a similar fate?
2
It is the same old story: "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely".
2
With every single woman who speaks up and comes forward --- whether it is now, later, whether they have a lot to lose or nothing to lose --- with every single woman who tells the truth, there is less of a chance of this happening to someone else.
Every single woman who is speaking out deserves to be called a hero.
They are all courageous and heroic.
8
I am appreciative someone is recognizing the importance of a curriculum to help girls (and boys too I suppose) understand what is appropriate behavior and how to react. The idea of introducing a sliding scale of behaviors that increase with intensity and making it available to them is brilliant. This crosses all racial and ethnic barriers. I love movies, am married to an actor/artist and must say whenever I saw Harvey Weinstein I got an uncomfortable feeling in my body. I wondered because something never felt right, yet he was receiving all these accolades. I know thousands of women must have felt the same because women's wisdom doesn't lie. Our daughters and granddaughters need to learn to listen to their bodies. Our bodies will never lie to us.
2
THAT doesn't shock me.
"It shocks folks that women didn't 'speak up?'"
I can easily understand why women don't speak up. What I CAN'T understand, though, is why any woman says "yes." There IS a third alternative, after all: Say "no" and DON'T "speak up."
The casting couch has been around since the beginning of the movies, and from well before. How many young women acquiesced and got a nice part in a movie?
2
There is one aspect that I haven't heard mentioned too often - as to why women don't report these things. They might fear that if the info got out that others would say "oh so that's how she landed that role" or "got that job." -- even if she had refused. Following that, a woman who was unable to reject the advances or even if she did might also fear that that was the ONLY reason she got the job (either because she went along or because she kept her mouth shut). It's subtle, psychological coercion. It's a way of undermining self-confidence.
As we all know, this behavior is in play all over the place.
4
Women have always come forward but have been fired, kept from advancing in their careers, harassed about not being able to cut it in the "big league", not believed, or was told "that's the way it is". This has been known for a very long time, yet every time, there are countless people pointing fingers at them and asking why they never came forward.
I can only believe now that these people don't want to get it.
7
I appreciate the fact that a lot of women are coming forward but a LOT of these women have made names for themselves in the entertainment industry.
Reports of what happened 20 years ago, while true, are still 20 years old.
I imagine that had Gwyneth come forward 20 years ago, that she would probably NOT be the household name she is today and there in lies the problem.
Men in Power that do this stuff only do it because they have the financial and legal backing to literally crush ANYBODY that stands in their way.
AND THAT is the Big Hollywood Secret.
3
The term "casting couch" has been around since the early days of Hollywood. So sad that this was an accepted practice used by the moguls of the studios on women who were just trying to get work.
3
A lot of this is a day late and a $ short. (Actually, decades late and millions of $ short.) There are no heroes in this story, except for the Italian model who went to the NY police. Certainly many blue chip names in Hollywood are tainted, even the most acclaimed and admired stars who worked with him and heard rumours, yet did nothing. Too much of Hollywood wer enablers or else were co-dependent.
I will never see another Hollywood movie in the same light, wondering who was likely exploited in the filming of any given movie. Maybe it would be best not to see another Hollywood movie period.
2
It was a different time, a different place. In the early 1990s I too was in my early twenties. I was also harassed on the job and knew there was no way anyone was going to come to my defense. I was in accounting and I could simply move on to a different job. (Not much later, I got justice. I found out this boss was in jail for soliciting minors.)
For professional actors, you can't just simply move on. In the film industry where everything has to depend on the reputation of the people you work with not the company your work for, you have to pay to play. So for everyone involved - to those who were complicit in the cover up, to those who had to look the other way, to those who made the plans and the reservations, to those who rolled the eyeballs and snickered at backstories - I understand why you did it - you tried to fit into a misogynistic industry and had to play along in order to succeed. I am sure you lost a little bit of your soul doing it.
To every actress who had to suffer in silence for all of those years, - to have to smile for the cameras knowing the truth, to not have any justice whatsoever, to try to shake it off, to hear about the abuse of others and felt helpless about it- it took a special kind of stoicism and talent to hide your anger. I applaud your strength.
To Harvey Weinstein - the gig is up, your stock is down. No one will have to play in your dirty sandlot anymore.
7
With all due respect because you are one of many who making similar comments like "it's a different time..." or "it was the '60s or '70s" and so on: it has NEVER been the behavior of decent men and women to engage in this kind of deviance. Never. That it happened throughout all recorded time, no doubt about that, but to even think that decent people of character and self-respect and NORMALCY did this garbage is absurd. It's just not true and serves only to do that vile thing of tarnishing other times and people by way of trying to polish up one's one time and image. Nobody who was normal and decent has ever done this stuff. People have rejected, shunned, rebuffed and held in contempt those who displayed bad behavior. It is only in our hypersexualized, pornography as normal, society where a "Fifty Shades..." thing is a long-time bestseller and all manner of deviant, perverted garbage is sold as normal that perverts think they have at last found a nest. It is not normal, nor has it ever been a norm.
1
It's more than a little creepy that powerhouse politicians like the Obamas and Clintons are so closely aligned as "good friends" and recipients of massive donations from the sleazy Weinstein.
I pray for a time when high rollers are no longer involved in our political landscape, whether they come from Hollywood, Silicon Valley, or wherever. I do not want to hear from the likes of Streisand, Katy Perry or even Tom Hanks and Clooney.
Power back to the people!
5
I am shocked, shocked that there is gambling going on here.
- Casablanca
6
I do not understand why all of the focus on this story is on only Harvey Weinstien. As if this happened in a vacuum. As if this was not institutionalized corporate sponsored rape and exploitation of women. Who was involved in procuring victims for Harvey to proposition, harass and rape? Agents who are supposed to be attorneys representing the interests of the women. Staff members of the studio who escorted this women up to these rooms providing an air or normalcy designed to give the women the perception that they had no outlet for help.
In the colloquial Hollywood version of this story these women would end up owning Miramax Films and Wienstien Studios and Angelina Jolie would direct a film which names all of the people who participated in this horror. But this is real Hollywood. And it is a nightmare. And it makes me never want to see a movie again.
11
The question is why is Mr. Weinstein being taken down now? From all accounts, his abusive behavior has been going on for years. Did he offended someone even more powerful than himself? Did someone want a piece of his business and he wouldn't cooperate? Perhaps, I watched too many movies, but the timing of this attack is suspicious since he could have been exposed at any time in the past. Perhaps we'll never know the story behind the story, but sexual abuse by Hollywood moguls is an old story indeed.
6
Previously it was, IMO, considered the norm, just a fact of the business. We're less willing to tolerate that type of "work for sex" pressure now. The world has changed a lot, and it has been against resistance from a fair number (not remotely all) of men who think this should be no big deal.
2
Its dog eat dog. There's a bigger dog in there who wants to replace this dog who has outlived its glory and is discardable now.
I am surprised Gwyneth Paltrow had this crime happen to her by Weinstein, considering her very famous Mom and Dad are very well-known in Hollywood/Manhattan in the Entertainment Field. Something is very wrong here, something is going on here, that hasn't been said/reported yet.
4
I'll take HW's word on this, but ...
"Mr. Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances."
It probably depends on what one means by "retaliation." Undoubtedly in some cases, a woman who said "no" would still get a desired role and go on to fame and glory. But other actresses who said "no" -- most of them, probably -- would NOT get that desired role, and might or might not go on to fame and glory. HW might not call that "retaliation," but I'll wager that those actresses would.
How about us movie-goers?
I suspect we have been denied the opportunity to see some excellent actresses who said "no."
Finally, how about the actresses who got the desired role?
Did all of them say "no" but get the role anyway? Or did some of them say "yes?" The revelations about HW's disgusting behavior inevitably will cast a cloud on the reputations of actresses who got big roles in his movies.
3
I wonder how many women "cooperated" with Harvey to obtain acting roles in his films? We've heard from some who have rejected his advances to have their careers damaged, but how many actually accepted his gross misconduct as a way to further their careers? Every female actress who has appeared in a Weinstein film is now suspect of complying with his sexual advances.
2
"Suspected" by you perhaps. Most people are focused on the person who committed the crimes.
1
The women cited in this article clearly "cooperated" by keeping their mouths shut. Their no-acting/denouncing right after the fact may make these women liable by omission. They may not have allowed Weinstein to achieve his goals but they kept quiet (perhaps, in order to succeed in their careers), and in doing so, they help to prevent damage on the many women who met (and were harassed by) Weinstein.
1
The common thread in the sexual advances purportedly initiated by Harvey Weinstein ends up with an summary rejection by the young 'stars to be' towards the world's foremost movie producer:Nyet:"We are not like that".
They (the starlets) say in unison.
The question is the credibility of Harvey Weinstein's ability or shall I say inability to persuade/charm women on the potential upside of having an relationship with him,albeit temporary.
Harassment is an continual series of threat.No where did he continue to pester.
Three decades is a long time to bring up harassment issues.
I think is not just me but also other may be wondering why this women didn't tell us their stories before, right after they happened? Why did Ms. Paltrow and Ms. Jolie waited for so long? If they have told the us of their stories before, couldn't they have helped other young aspiring actresses to avoid being preyed by the Mr. Weinstein?
4
No one cares about Weinstein.
At least not the man himself.
What is worrisome for the Left is that those most outspoken about "caring about women" were protecting Weinstein while at the same time bragging how "pro-woman" they were.
The entire Tinsel Town community definitely knew so how could ANY Dem pol who got his money not know as well?
From now on when any Hollywood figure or Democrat lectures us about precious women's rights or how "oh-so-concerned" they are for women they're going to sound like a stupid hypocrite and met with one huge national eye-roll.
Recently Michelle Obama scolded women Trump voters. Michelle and Hillary conveniently protected Weinstein as long as his wallet was open. Hillary also protected Pres. Clinton and Carlos Danger too.
So who are the big supporters and defenders of women again?
13
The actresses that kept silent for so long should be prosecuted along with Mr. Weinstein.
3
Hollywood has covered for Weinstein and (many) others for years and until today have done nothing to stop the exploitation of young vulnerable women. do you think Weinstein will take what he knows to the grave or will he expose all the other men that have been involved in the past?
real Americans have nothing in common with Hollywood liberal elites and should not be emulated
2
Why is this man not behind bars? It's been 5 days since this story broke, and he's walking around free as a bird.
6
I guess because he didnt commit any actual crimes for which there is evidence?
2
Donna Karan said probably all the women were wearing something that was too provocative!!
1
So when will Donna Karan STOP making outfits that are provocative? If she has courage she will wrap women in burlap.
1
No, they were in hijab, every one of them. Either that or dressed as the Mother Superior in The Sound of Music. As you would expect from those visiting the chaste and austere sanctorum of a Hollywood Producer, where the Holy Cross watches over All.
1
I'm not so sure about this. I have questions.
Is it illegal for fat old men to hit on pretty young women?
If no force is used, how is it rape or assault? Doesn't a woman have the right to just say "No"? Or, perhaps, "Yes"? (HW's wife said Yes and I'll bet HW was no more romantic with her than a Neanderthal would have been.)
In the movie industry, don't most actors use their sex appeal to make money? (Sorry, Linda Hunt.) These people are entertainers, not neurosurgeons.
Is the shaming of HW just hyped gender politics?
I saw your reporter Jodi Kantor on CBS News this morning. She seemed self-possessed, if not smug. I'm confident she would have told HW to take a flying leap if he had put the moves on her.
6
Assault includes the fear of being touched without consent, and yes, it's a crime. He wasn't just "hitting" on women half his age or younger. He was bullying them, and his size and aggressiveness would be very intimidating. I guess you've never experienced it.
3
How odd.
This reminds me of the predator-priests, right down to collusion of the community.
On the other hand, it also reminds me of trump and his sneering, "They'll let you do anything."
America: We've got dry rot.
12
Behind all this are the corporate lawyers requesting confidentiality agreements, the scoundrels who preferred a paycheck instead of reporting criminal activities which should be considered accesory to rape.
This society has slowly replaced justice with laws designed to feed the greedy, a system where money and power wins all. OJ was just a rehearsal to extend its reach.
3
Why are so many comments veering off to focus on why HW's victims have kept silent for so long? Remember all the altar boys and Senate pages who kept silent for decades about priests and legislators who preyed on them? It's a power thing, a shame thing. And it's getting worse. Another powerful, wealthy creep who bragged of serial assault on women got a pass and was elected president of the U.S.
16
John: The Senate pages and altar boys were children, in the custody of adults. We give adult responsibilities to adults. We have discarded the idea that women are children and need guardians. Thus, we assess the responsibility of the adults who knew Weinstein was a predator.
These woman weren't 10 years old. Nor were most of them starving artists. In fact, most of the ones in the article were already stars with major movie roles on their resume. They stayed quiet so their careers could continue to flourish and they could continue to rake in money. Pure selfishness. To equate them with children in elementary school is pretty ridiculous.
At what point do we not arrest the good Mr Weinstein and begin a proper prosecution of this walking pig of a man?
Some of his victims were not just "under advantaged", they were underage.
Even if he is not clearly a pedophile, he is a rapist and psychopath who will be impossible to rehabilitate - not unlike other men who kill and maim innocent strangers from elevated positions....
5
I'd suggest that the attitudes towards women that aided and abetted Harvey Weinstein are very little different from the attitudes exhibited by Donald Trump and at least some NFL owners towards players: you're just meat that I own, so shut up, hit harder, and be grateful for what I give you.
5
Share my thoughts? Cosby, Ailes, Weinstein, Trump -- largely identical patterns.
8
Remember when Jack Nicholson made lascivious remarks about Jennifer Lawrence...like he wanted to sleep with her. Of course, I am not saying that Nicholson committed an act but the notion that it was even an acceptable remark that took place at the Oscars by a man 53 years OLDER and nobody was shocked and everyone pretty much laughed like "how funny" speaks to the disgusting, imbalanced, sexist culture we live in.
9
There is little doubt after all this that Weinstein is both a sick and deplorable man. It is also commendable that the New Yorker finally dared to expose him. However, this late admission by people like Sorvino, Paltrow, Jolie, McGowan and others simply reeks of opportunism. The mode of operation here seems to have been to wait until their careers were well established with the help of a man they purportedly "despised" before they came forward with tales of his abuse. You cannot have the cake and eat it too. McGowan is seen parading with this misogynist a good ten years after she first encountered his amorous advances. Why believe her now?
A far more acceptable, and courageous, option would have been to highlight his behavior right when it happened. By waiting this long, these women simply allowed Weinstein to carry on with his merry ways and to implicitly encourage this behavior across the whole industry.
2
Why isn't he in jail?
5
So Weinstein is a rotten guy, no question. So Roman Polanski, and apparently Woody Allen were also pretty bad. But it's amazing how fast this castigation of Weinstein has spread and its sticking power -- particularly in light of Despicable-in-Chief Trump, who is light years worse than Weinstein (or anyone else I've ever read about). Why is it that we spend so much time on this rotten character, and ignore the most rotten of them all? Because Weinstein is on a scale we understand and because we know the main characters?
3
Why should the American people care about what Hollywood entertainers do for and to each other?
Who knew what Harvey Weinstein could have gotten away with had he preyed on black African, brown Native and yellow Asian American women?
When rich, famous and powerful white women were cowered into silence.
O.J. Simpson and Bill Cosby's "mistake" was not sticking to their own colored kind.
Weinstein's mistake was thinking that he could forever get away with what John F. Kennedy and William J. Clinton got away with while POTUS that did not bar Donald J. Trump from the White House.
The closest that Hollywood ever got to the Oval Office was the divorced actor Ronald W. Reagan and his second actress wife Nancy. Reality TV media maven Trump and his third model wife are second to none but the Reagans.
3
These white men who use their status, privilege, power to use, demean, harass, and discriminate against others they view as less than them. Given that Weinstein had help from his paid minions to set up these assaults, it shows how "isms" become systemic.
1
Once we hear from Barbra, the entire constellation of lefties will have had their chances to be indignant.
4
Weistein does not need therapy.
Weinstein should go to prison.
Period.
6
Before the right wingers get on a hi horse about hypocrisy, they must face the fact that there is at least a very robust denouncement of Weinstein from the progressive/liberal/left wing world.
The right just e caused Trump, et al as 'locker room boys will b boys' stuff.
All GOP transgressions have been poo pooed by these Christian moralists!
4
Hollywood has always been a place where beautiful people are abused, and ugly people are simply shown the door. Many of those actresses probably wouldnt have been considered for roles if Harvey Weinstein wasnt hoping to get somewhere with them. He repeatedly told them “This is how the business works,“ perhaps disgusting, but so true as to be a cliche. Saturday Night Live has a running skit with Catherine McKinnon about old actresses, talking about all of the sexual things they had to do to get roles in old Hollywood. And what about Seth MacFarlanes winking comment at the Oscars? It was such an open secret that the whole world was joking about it, and nobody should have been surprised. You dont see any actresses complaining about the undeserved consideration they were given by men like Weinstein based on their physical attractiveness. I know they were intimidated, but its hard to take seriously claims of emotional trauma by successful superstars who were still lauding this guy and cashing his checks up until a week ago.
1
Your last sentence encapsulates the problem--you find it hard to take serious.
1
What is the problem with these people who say that these women should have come forward years ago? The problem is that they have never been in a situation where they were young and powerless.All you need is one situation in your life to understand that. Sex, sexual orientation, religion, race- all the same. Young and powerless, you tuck your tail in , suck it up and move on. Think about it.
8
Interestingly, the article where Rose McGowan calls out Ben Affleck for his dishonest "shocked reaction" isn't allowing comments. I wonder why....
Not buying it. Paltrow told Brad Pitt -- and then Brad Pitt was with Angelina Jolie for years -- and George Clooney had no idea these were non-consensual incidents? Paltrow dated Affleck for a couple of years relatively soon after Weinstein attacked her, but Affleck is "shocked" to discover all this now?
Here's the thing about the truth -- it has a life of its own. It wants to be told. And it's stronger than any "bankable stars," who will hopefully learn that there is some price to be paid for treating their fellow human beings as cannon fodder and acceptable losses in the battle to get mediocre movies made.
6
Having experienced sexual abuse by my father as a young girl myself, I was happy when I saw Lauren Sivan on Megan Kelly at NBC, being interviewed about being sexually harassed by Harvey Weinstein. Then I was elated when I saw in the New York Times article that Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and many others had come forward to speak of their experiences with HW. I am elated because I feel that the times they are a changing in the direction of women feeling comfortable coming forward with speaking about their experiencesof any sexual inappropriateness from men and also they are being supported by many others. I would like to believe that with the evolution of how sexual abuse is being outed in these times, that the natural outcome will be that there will be less chance of it happening and that if it does happen people will be believed and listened to and something will be done about it. Hooray I say! I also would like to believe that this is a sign of our times in the world for women and all who are opressed or abused in any manner.
That said I would like to give kudos to Dylan Farrow, Jessica Hendra and Oprah Winfrey for having the courage to come forward with their stories in the past.
10
Here's what I don't get about the situation. The NYTimes reveals "a hidden history of sexual harassment allegations against Mr. Weinstein ... over three decades." Then, the Weinstein Company fires him, citing “new information about misconduct by Harvey Weinstein.” New evidence? Seriously? The board did not notice hundreds of thousands of dollars going to settlements? And why are such settlements, binding the payees to silence, even legal, when all the gag orders do is allow the perp to continue with complete impunity?
The whole system is slanted toward men with power by men with power.
15
Years ago, I knew someone at the start of their career that was told to sell used products as new. This person, knowing right from wrong, chose not to follow that order, and then chose to report the request to upper management in that company. This was done knowing full-well what the repercussions would be.
Operative term here being "chose."
Management whitewashed the whole thing, and the employee resigned. Staying would have been untenable. And yes, it took an industry change and a year to get going again.
People that "whistle blow" from a position of no or little risk aren't really heroes.
10
Cry Vance doesn’t find the evidence to indict Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump for real estate fraud. Now he doesn’t find enough evidence to pursue charges against Harvey Weinstein. Wealthy doniors? I’m just sayin’........
8
Now why doesn't go after the abuser in the White House?
5
Women voted for this President at a 52% margin in the election, hard to believe after what he said on “Access Hollywood” tape.
1
I think Harvey Weinstein got some of his moves from director, James Toback. The culture of sexual predatory behaviour is wide spread.
1
Still, the question begs an answer. Why do working women have to be put through the wringer to make a buck? Why?
7
Now, the big question. Who will take on Trump? How is the greatest abuser of women not only running free, he is even the President of the USA? The abuser-in-chief belongs in jail, not in the White House.
14
I don't disagree with your assessment of character, but whether it's Weinstein or Trump, nobody brought criminal charges against them. There is risk and responsibility with holding people accountable for their behavior. If crimes were committed and nobody presses charges, it ends there. Those who accuse others of assault need to take it to police; it's a crime. To say you've been assaulted but choose instead to sign a settlement for money in exchange for your silence is not courage and not even good. Maybe one can understand it as shrewd and calculating, but it's not courage and it's not good. The issues around Trump may prove to be more of a threat to our nation, including ALL women. The broader dangers that the likes of Weinstein, Trump, Calvin Klein, et al. bring are that they bombard America via media with deviant and abnormal imagery and ideation in which everything has hypersexualized, lascivious, salacious, lewd context. The women and men who perform are complicit, whether it's naked PETA or pornographic material that wins awards and wealth. We are all debased by it.
This is why parents need to be more explicit with their girls about sex. Sorry, but that’s the simple truth. I know everybody wants to believe their little girls will always be treated like princesses. But, just because you treat your girls like princesses doesn’t mean they are going to be treated that way in every encounter with men. Plenty of lecherous men out there, sadly.
As for these women and whether they should have spoken up sooner, I have this suggestion: how about, next time, you organize an intervention? Remember those things in the nineties? When family, friends, co-workers, or whoever would sit a person down and order them to confront their problem, usually drugs or alcohol abuse? Mr. Weinstein’s behavior was certainly an open secret problem the entire industry knew about, as evidenced by the comment at the 2013 Oscars. When it happens again, put an end to it. I know it’s too hard to go it on your own, but there’s always strength in numbers. And don't let anyone tell you that you can't talk about these things when they happen. That's nonsense.
So, my message to parents: prepare your daughters. I know it’s distasteful, but it’s necessary. Let the Weinstein story be a cautionary tale. And, while you’re at it, teach your sons how to behave. My message to women: band together. Don’t wait for the New York Times to shed light on these abuses. Take control. Be stronger, together.
6
How about besides telling your girls they won’t always be princesses telling your boys they have to be respectful gentlemen? If we only put the responsibility on women one half of the big problem will always be there. I have two daughters and one son and I will make sure he gets the message of respecting women at all times.
2
Yes, I indeed said that, Constance. Those two things go hand in hand. Good for you for educating your son.
1
Why is this such big news? This guy is a creep, was fired, and will deal with the law. He's gone now. Trump is equally creepy, is not going anywhere, AND IS OUR PRESIDENT!
8
well, all the trump haters might relieve some of their anxiety knowing that if hillary clinton had won, this weinstein dude might have been secretary of state.
5
Nah,Hillary's not Trump. She prefers to see competent, sane people in positions of power.
2
Scratch the surface of American popular culture and youll find the Hollywood and porn industry, so called, "executive producer mafia caste.......whose long standing practice is using and trading young men and women( with ambitions and hope for a "show business" career) amongst themselves, like commodities.
The same sexually disfunctional predators ( called show business "entrepeneurs")direct,produce,and flog movies reflecting their own disfunctions and shallow prurient interests.........blatant violence(against women as well) sadism,and perverse characters are passed on as art for the transfixed masses without critical faculties.
Weinstein and Trump are producer and product of this ,hidden cesspool ,culture(American as apple pie)........direct social results of a conditioned "populist" audience and uncritical and "fawning" public media.
3
So here's Hillary, who tried selling herself as the great defender/protector of women. Who did she defend and/or protect? At the very least...
a) Thomas Alfred
b) President Clinton
c) Harvey Weinstein
d) Carlos Danger, aka Anthony Weiner
Hollywood and the Left's "we-oh-so-defend-women" mantra is sunk. Destroyed. Annihilated. Gone. Disappeared.
Gonna need a bigger showboat.
13
Although I think sexual harassment is horrendous, and it seems Mr. Weinstein's behavior fits the pattern, this is a distraction from the REAL news about Congress' activities which will end up killing us all. Report the REAL news. Let the criminal courts handle Mr. Weinstein, if such is warranted. LOOK AT THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET WHICH IS CUTTING MEDICARE. Article from Politico here. http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/04/democrats-respond-senate-budget...
11
You are so correct about this. It is also evident that the reason the Congress is so tolerant of Trump is that he provides such constant media storm that it enables them to do their filthy, dirty work in the background where nobody is paying attention! Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell and their cabal that clearly hate American citizens are very busy behind the Trump Circus curtains plotting the coup that they have so lusted after for years. Apparently anything goes for them as long as they can destroy Social Security, Medicare, the EPA, public education and privatize everything, transfer American "wealth" to their own coffers, their corporate masters, Wall Street and bankers and solidify the plutocracy they seek. The Weinstein saga and we, its many followers, only give proof once again that a degraded contemporary America is mesmerized by a salacious story involving "celebrities." What is missing, so far, are Kardashians and "baby bumps", witih naked pictures of same, and "celebrities" out walking their dogs or going for coffee, half dressed and pretending there aren't any cameras taking their picture. We actually finally did get the government we deserve. The question is: are we too far gone? Are we all morons?
2
So if this has been going on so long, why did it take so much time to come to the public eye?
I understand being young and scared. What I don't understand is these same women, some now in their forties and quite successful, not speaking out about what they experienced long ago. Weinstein's power continued only because these women granted him their silence. As is, everything was reduced to a rumor. And I, for one, don't listen to rumors. I detest gossip and ignore it. And yes, more than half the time, the gossip turns out to be true. I nonetheless still think there is value to ignoring rumors.
Did any of the women at least try to warn the young actresses they knew? If not, why not? It's a news story now, and the bandwagon appears to be long. And the women are being roundly applauded for their courage. But why didn't they say something back then, when it might have been useful in all sorts of ways, rather than waiting until they're just part of a crowd? Young and scared is one thing. Middle-age and scared is quite another. If they are that timid in their forties, they'll be that timid in their eighties.
If someone chooses to call this "blaming the victims," fine. But I can't imagine simply walking away silently and allowing the same behavior that victimized me to continue on yet another generation of women. Women of all ages should be helping each other more than that.
9
Let's run that ball out, shall we? Remember a guy named Bill Cosby? Remember way back, like six months ago, when THOUSANDS of Americans insisted that more than FIFTY women, all of whom told astonishingly consistent stories of rape and sexual abuse that spanned four decades, were ALL fame-seeking liars seeking to profit from lying about one man.
Some of those women did come forward, only to be laughed out of police stations and prosecutors' offices. Barbara Bowman told the exact same story for decades -- and she took only flak for it. Many others blamed themselves (much as you are doing) and didn't think anyone would believe them. None of them knew each other, but once they came forward they were accused of conspiring together against a powerful man who, it turns out, had admitted much of what was alleged was true -- in a sealed deposition.
Until it happens to you, you CANNOT know how it will affect you, and how much more you can take. But even without that experience, you have a very recent example of damaging, slanderous nationwide victim-blaming -- and you still tell us the fault lies with the women.
1
They sold out for the all mighty dollar! Alot of women could have been spared if they just spoke out and took the consequences.
It shocks folks that women didn't "speak up?"
Speak up to whom? Being gross is not illegal. Making suggestive come-ons is gross, but not illegal.
Accuse someone rich and powerful of being gross, invite a lawsuit. Who is strong enough to pick a fight? But sometimes a straw breaks a camel's back. Delightful! Too bad it took so long.
7
Weinstein is the one who picked the fight, Tobi. And more than a few of these women are now rich and powerful in their own right. Your assumption seems to be that this is the way anyone would respond in such a situation. I don't think that's true.
1
It's great to finally see all the negative publicity and outrage against a long-time sexual predator. Hopefully he'll soon be dragged to civil and criminal court.
However, given this level of outrage, I just can't fathom how a self-confessed predator on a similar or greater scale managed to be elected president. But perhaps this explains why this behavior is so deeply embedded in our society.
3
This remained an open secret for so long, it makes me wonder: how common is this? How many other Harvey Weinsteins are there in the industry?
7
I can't even imagine! Too many!
At 15, I attained a work permit and helped in the kitchen of a retreat for priests. While I was setting up the buffet one day, a priest came up beside me and ran his hand up the inside of the back of my blouse. I backed off and hurried to the kitchen. I told the cook what happened. That evening, I was called and told I needn't come back to work; I was too young. At the time, I didn't realize the import of what had occurred, but it seems pretty obvious to me now that my being fired had little to do with being too young. Perhaps too unwilling. The retreat closed a few years afterward, possibly too expensive to maintain. This does not happen just in Hollywood. It's obviously a commonplace activity wherever it is not challenged and exposed
15
We can continue to be work toward and be hopeful that "this way of treating women stops now" for actresses and other women with more power, and we must continue to expose these men for who they are, and help the women that are their victims. I am very concerned for the women of lower socioeconomic status, like my son's girlfriend, who tells me of constant male harassment by customers at her waitress job. She feels exactly as these actresses felt, that her economic welfare is dependent upon "polite" and non confrontational behavior. Men count on their economic clout to keep these women silent. My hope is that we can use this momentum to also help these women of lesser means to escape the predation that exists all around them.
I believe all the women in this story.
It takes guts to speak out when you've been treated like this - especially when there's pressure on you to keep quiet for fear of losing a job. Thank you, NYT for reporting this, and thank you, Dawn Dunning, Judith Godreche, Katherine Kendall, Rosanna Arquette, Tomi-Ann Roberts, Angelina Jolie, and Gwyneth Paltrow for speaking out.
5
Makes me very curious about which actresses said yes to Weinstein's crude advances.
3
Those would be the actresses who were raised in such authoritarian and demeaning environments that when faced with power they felt hopeless enough to simply succumb to his advances
Well at least his behavior doesn't disqualify him from being President of the United States.
5
Forgive me if I duplicate other posts, but I have a very hard time accepting Jolie and Paltrow's too late revelations--not because I don't believe them, but because they waited until now to tell the tales. Two very powerful women who have had no hesitation revealing much more disturbing things didn't speak up about Weinstein until now. How many young women would have been saved the humiliation and trauma had these two very vocal women said something some years back? Of course, they are not the problem; Weinstein is. However, they could have put an end to all this a long time ago. In this circumstance, they and Ashley Judd and all the women who have achieved fame and the freedom to express themselves after being abused/misused by Weinstein were enablers. How many other rumors about dark deeds are based on truth, not only in Hollywood but also in the country? Do we have to wait for critical mass before truth leaks out? Those who knew and did nothing should be ashamed.
6
While I get the point about not shaming the victim, the reality is that Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie have been largely beyond Harvey Weinstein's power for quite a few years now. They are A-listers, and could, nay should, have used their voices to protect the future victims of this ogre. It took women with a lot more to lose to speak out first, and then it looks like the big guns basically jumped on the bandwagon when there was absolutely no downside.
7
Anyone who asks "why didn't they come forward sooner?" is clearly speaking from the privileged position of never having been assaulted in this way. The (too) many of us who know what it's like know why they didn't speak up "sooner."
That they're speaking up now is courageous. Thank you.
8
When I was a young psychotherapist, the psychologist who had interviewed and hired me made a pass at me during the first month or so of my employment. That was almost fifty years ago, but just thinking about it brings back the feelings of disgust! Fortunately, the context allowed me to side step without a fuss and later I learned that he had had affairs with several of our female colleagues. His wife was also employed there as a therapist. I don't know how she put up with his behavior, but they did eventually divorce. I've always wished that there had been an avenue for lodging a complaint, but it was almost fifty years ago. I am sad for anybody who is abused by a person with more power than they have, but sadly, that seems to have become more acceptable now than it was ten years ago and parallels the great angry divisions in our country.
1
So Gwynneth Paltrow was "afraid he was going to fire me" and therefore kept silent, condemning hundreds of other women to suffer the same harassment and assault that Weinstein imposed upon her.
Angelina Jolie 'warned other women' about Weinstein's harassment, and Brad Pitt - on the experience of both women - had every reason to know about it, but they did not confront Weinstein, did not formally notify the board of his company, did not use the awesome power they wield in Hollywood to expose him for the criminal that he is.
The boards of Miramax and Weinstein had to have known about his predatory behavior toward employees as they oversaw hush money payments and the awarding of 'hush jobs', but they did nothing either.
Every single day, thousands of American women are left to deal with this kind of attack from employers who are more powerful, who do not fear exposure as they are enabled by the people who work with them and who do not want the uncomfortable task of confronting a person who 'can't be blamed for trying' or who 'didn't mean anything by it.'
We know we're on our own, trying to figure out how to deflect instead of confront, to avoid instead of fight back.
Weinstein is completely responsible for his own behavior, but some of that blame also belongs to the powerful people who "kept the secret", covered for him and exposed everyone else to his attacks . Brad Pitt may have defended Paltrow, but he should have defended us all.
5
I was groped by an eighteen year old boy when I was ten. My parents were in the next room, signing a rental agreement with the boy's parents. I told my parents and showed them my torn dress. We moved in anyway. This was 1960.
2
The current media and public focus on Weinstein's serious misdeeds is coming to resemble a hounds-after-the-fox chase. Does anyone see the irony that we have someone with a similar history (which has been swept under the rug) in the White House?
2
Take all of his money and give each of the ladies he harassed a nice cut out of it, then donate the rest to women's shelters, health care, education in poverty-stricken areas, and other organizations that help and promote women's issues.
1
When the perpetrators are in the entertainment industry or politicians, it's headline news. The issue needs to be headlined much more frequently in media for average, unglorified women who daily are affected by male predators. Women need to be empowered to report and men need to understand that the consequences of harassment may be career-killers. Zero tolerance has to mean more than policy. Workplace training should be mandated everywhere as it is in California, and instead of pointing to conduct that is unacceptable, training should feature case studies of men whose careers ended abruptly when women stood up. The Betty de Vos approach to campus rape sends the wrong message and should be condemned. When accusations happen at college, every mom comes to the defense of her son saying, "Oh, he would never do that," but I haven't heard one of them say, "I brought my son up to have complete respect for women." Teaching zero tolerance needs to start earlier, in high school, and needs to be part of college orientation for males and females. When physical contact is involved, women should be going to district attorneys and filing assault and battery charges, and DAs should be prosecuting those claims. Harassment won't be minimized until the average guy faces more evidence of drastic consequences of inappropriate male behavior.
Just imagine the types of films we could see if this predatory litmus test wasn't in place?
Just imagine what types of films we could see if more studio heads were women?
2
So, the lesson learned here is that not all massages have a happy ending?
So many commenters claim these young women had only a "binary" choice, either:
1. Say "yes"
OR
2. Say "no" and go public.
There was a third choice -- say "no" and DON'T go public. Everybody agrees that HW is a bad guy, but his disgusting behavior apparently "worked" for him sometimes. I understand these women were young, naive, eager to make it in Hollywood, and on and on and on. But, frankly, I can't even imagine why someone would ever say "yes" despite all this. A young woman might well predict that she'll be disbelieved if she "goes public," but that' just a reason not to "go public," not a reason to say "yes."
Shame on us if we believe this is about Harvey Weinstein. The truth is that we don't care about women, we care that it looks like we care about women. We care about the optics that come after the fact.
People knew that these types of things happened to women in show business. Fox News, BIll Cosby, Harvey Weinstein, and we are fooling ourselves to think that's the end of the list. It happens because as a society we don't really care.
Joe Mixon can literally break a young woman's face, and what happens to him? He's not invited to the NFL combine. But is subsequently drafted, and will make over $5 million. But it isn't the NFL or the owners, the outrage should be that he didn't spend one day in jail. Nobody cares. A man can be recorded telling a TV host that he has and can violate women, because he's a star, and they'll let him do it. But as long as he apologizes, and controls the narrative, he can become President of the United States.
Meanwhile, we are the only OECD country with no law for paid maternity leave, and are shocked when women are't compensated as men are for the same work. And if another Weinstein flick comes out, will people go to the theaters? You bet they will. We treat women as second class citizens to this day, and it is deplorable. Rather than criticizing Harvey Weinstein on Twitter, we should not go to a football game if they are offended by people's actions, or not vote for a person, or see a movie. But then again, do we really care?
3
I commend the NY Times for its enterprising work on the Weinstein story, but some of the follow up reporting is now dwelling in the murky waters of innuendo and sensationalism, specifically today's piece about the Twitter comments from Ben Affleck and Rose McGowan. Their Twitter comments may be public property, but I would be careful going too far with this story and dragging other people, who may be guilty of nothing more but having a professional and personal relationship with Weinstein, through the mud of public shame and vilification.
2
These brave, famous, wealthy women are being blamed now for not speaking up 20 years ago. What do you think would have happened to them back then?
1
"What do you think would have happened to them back then?"
Standing on street corners shaking a can for dimes?
Why should a guy use tricks and manipulation?
We could get this quick with a rule:
A man says: "i am interested in you."
A woman responds: "I am not interested in you."
I feel very sorry for the women who had to endure such evil. Aside from criminal charges, these women need to sue this pervert for every penny. If his wife is complicit, she should be prosecuted criminally and civilly as well.
I hope that some of the other open secrets in Hollywood are published. Corey Feldman has made some disturbing allegations about child abuse, as have other former child actors, and yet there are no in-depth investigative reports on these stories either.
I noticed a difference in the stories, say between Patricia Arquette in this article and Asia Argento from the New Yorker article. Arquette told Weinstein, "I'm not that girl." And she didn't let it happen, even at the price of her career.
Whereas Argento let it happen and even feigned enjoyment, though it made her sick afterwards, because she was willing to go through with it to further her career. Both of them made a choice.
One of the things that heartens me is that the model, Ambra Gutierrez, who reported Weinstein to the NYPD is from the younger generation. She didn't take any of his harassment and went straight to the police. And that is how you stop guys like this - you go straight to the police.
Looks like we're doing something right with our girls these days.
1
This is a serious overstatement:
"It is disheartening to see so many comments already blaming women for not 'speaking up.'"
I certainly can understand why a woman would not "speak up." What I have a much harder time understanding is why a woman would say "yes." I understand that HW had power to award, or not, movie roles, and agree entirely that HW was a bad guy. I also understand that many of these young women desperately wanted the fame and/or money HW could confer on them. But is that reason enough to say "yes?" I sure don't think so, and I think that every woman who said "yes" simply told HW that his disgusting behavior was "working," so that he'd be more likely to try it on the next young woman who came along.
Why wouldn't these women who became powerful stars in their own right speak up years ago? It's too easy to jump on the band wagon now....
4
Interesting observation in contrasts...
This underpinning theme of this story is the vile practice of abusing positions of influence, power and authority in order to extract sexual favors. It's (justifiably) triggered strong emotional responses on the forum, led to an outpouring of stories and elicited forceful critique and condemnation, generally 98% directed at men. Writ large, the story as interpreted here is a cautionary tale about the perils of a chauvinistic, misogynist society that is desperately in need of sweeping adjustments in gender power dynamics.
In my state (CT) alone, there have been at least 2-3 high profile cases this year of female H.S. teachers sexually preying on male students. Projected nationally, I'd say I've read about 4-6 instances this year of female teachers caught in similar scandals; that's just the ones that make it into national news coverage.
My point being, of course, that it's completely stupid to assume that corruption and abuse of one's position for sexual benefit it strictly the pursuit of males. Given the nature of how sexual abuse is covered in NYT, and the attitudes of many commenters here, you'd think that only men are capable of such things. Wonder why that is...
2
It's important that older women communicate with young women about this.
And that young women listen. If they could hear "he may try to threaten you with job loss, etc, or seduce you, but don't worry, you are in control of the situation, what he's doing is not right, just stay calm and tell him no, he ought to be ashamed, be firm, and/or leave" they would not not be terrified and confused as Paltrow describes.
When I was 14 I was finagled into a motel room by two 20 year olds. It was the era of the Vietnam war. I told them they should be ashamed to be thinking of
molesting a minor and having a good time when their peers were suffering in Vietnam and the country had serious problems. And that they could take me back to my hotel (where my parents were). OK I was a weird kid, but they did so. And seemed to think about it. Times are different, but not so different. I was scared, but I was more angry. And that's the key. Of course rape can happen, but I think if a man wants to preserve his own career and not be outed as a creep and a rapist and a pig, he'll listen to reason.
1
How about all the other lecherous gropers...Wasn't James Toback a bit of a verbal predator ? Wasn't it part of the appeal of filmmaking - like being in a rock band- that it gave license to licentiousness . groupies, opportunistic women who could be blamed for using their seductive powers to gain access?
Yes-- there was a cultural atmosphere that normalized disgusting behavior by men in power...but not ALL men ! Most women have had unwanted gropings and most rebuff these without litigating.
The hope should be that naming such encounters as criminal, young women will be better able to resist 'making a deal.' Maybe the threat of lawsuit will help shift the leverage.
2
The guy will be prosecuted an condemned.
Now the NYT should move on to other topics before the whole thing turns into celebrity gossip.
1
Too late. With nothing new to talk about, we'll have to keep hearing about this guy, who lives in an artificial world with artificial people. The only winners are all the therapists who treat these actors for their anxiety-du-jour. None of this affects our lives.
1
Weinstein is the poultice that sucks up all the evil in Hollywood and brings it to the surface. Their designer clothes and sneering superiorty put on display on the red carpet. Their fake concern for various causes mouthed at their self-congratulatory awards ceremonies. The glittering surface has been ripped off and the rank corruption beneath exposed thanks to Weinstein and the NYT expose.
7
Great, NYT, you caught another sleazy male. It is a real stomach turner proving how sick our society is now. I won’t be reading anymore about it because it’s sickening.
1
It is good that the serial sexual predator has been stopped! How many other women would have not been subjected to this predatory pervert if they would have come out soon after many years ago?
2
Both of them are cowards!! Why not come forward years ago?? They are both touted to be such "power" in Hollywood
Shocking, that the NYT's will give soo much ink and space to these two; they are not the heroes in this story!
BTW: Are the Clintons giving back all the donations they received?
4
The male bashing here is telling...sorry ladies but you're not innocent either...one look at the list of female H.S. and middle school teachers accused of and convicted of sexual romps with some of their teenage students is long indeed...let's quit pretending here...there are male pigs as well as female pigs...
5
Can you imagine the history of a WWII won by Germany? Read directly on your mobil phone from Amazon.com : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074DWJYM3
A little bit we're all sick of this Weinstein stuff. We get it. He's a creepy perv.
Now let's go on to something else.
It must be a slow news day.
1
I'm sorry but Hollywood has always been Hollwood and to hear now that none of these rich and famous actresses never heard the snickers when they told their friends that they had an appointment with the great and powerful Harvey Weinstein I think is disingenuous. Do I think that men and women should have submit to casting couch abuses to get an acting job? No I don't. And, yes if you can stop men and women from being taken advantage of by rich and powerful men and women then you'll have done better than most revolutionaries in the world. And I hope Ms. Paltrow and Ms. Jolie think about the dynamic that is going on when they summon the cabana person at the resort pool to get them a towel, a drink or whatever.
5
Men should stay away from women period, like the plague. Men should never marry, never have not have a relationship, never have sexual relations, even commercial sexual relations and never ever may hell freeze over have children and get a vasectomy just in case you get drunk or get stupid. Women are not worth the trouble to involve yourself with such despicable immoral mercenary two faced people. Men are dishonored by women and should go their own way.
Wow
3
Why would any ingenue be allowed by her representatives to show up for a business meeting alone with Weinstein? Word was out. Sure, working with Miramax was a career necessity. Just make sure you're never alone. Any rep who referred a young client to Miramax or who failed to warn about the ever-present "casting couch" Hollywood mentality is complicit too. This Weinstein revelation isno more surprising than the news that people of color are systematically persecuted. Hollywood producers are notorious for being scum, whether in fact they are or are not. I wonder if Minuchin or Steve Bannon assaulted anyone when they were working in Hollywood. Can you imagine a young actress trapped alone with one of them? Yikes!
2
I have been reading some of the comments here and I feel that I have learned something. I was initially among those who was critical of the victims for not coming forward earlier. In a sense, I still feel that silence allows for others to be victimized but now I'm swayed by those who say that the real focus should be on the scum perpetuating these abuses and the culture of misogynistic sleaze that ignores or hides such crimes. I stand corrected. I knew a cop who explained that crooked cops were not tolerated in his department because they made ALL cops look bad. The powerful in the creative arts arena should police themselves in the same manner and help root out the sleaze because right now, you all look like self-serving predators to me (at least the men). Down with Hollywood!
3
I would like to invite any one of these women to take on a campaign that they would be very successful at incorporating into our elementary school curriculum.
Education regarding what is appropriate behavior, how to react verbally, how to if need be get louder and if all else fails the knowledge and practice of how to defend ourselves physically. I have been trying to do this for 2 years without much luck but I really feel that someone with "fame" would be able to champion this very simple idea to educate us at a young age successfully. Imagine the results?
5
Yes, perhaps Jolie and Paltrow weren't big enough to speak out at the time, but what about five years ago? They were both big stars with plenty of money. They enabled him with their silence. I don't see them as at all courageous for coming out after so many others who aren't as big in entertainment as they are.
8
Oh, ok. So everything Weinstein did was ok, then? Great logic. And sadly typical of many of the male responses here.
We have to assume that decades of this behavior was not always met by rejection; as thus far, we have heard only from women who seem to have been able to fend him off. Got to wonder how many succumbed to this conduct, gave massages (or more) and are struggling with that nightmare.
12
I commend all these women for coming forward. every last one of them in these accounts while violated seems to have rebuffed his advances. what I would like to know and who I have even more compassion for are the undoubtedly countless women who did not say no or were unable to compose themselves to resist. because clearly the man kept doing it the same way over and over again because it was effective.
5
It's very hard to go public with accusations of sexual harassment or assault. These women have had to give painful, personal details to the public, and dredge up their feelings of humiliation and degradation. Some people have criticized top actresses like Jolie or Paltrow from not coming forward earlier. Perhaps they could have, but I'm sure it would have put them in conflict with their own industry's leaders (powerful men who may not like to see Weinstein punished for this behavior toward women, or who do the same things themselves and see it as a perk of their status). Their careers may have suffered. Actresses often see their offers dwindle as they age. It's a cruel, youth-focused, male-centric business. I'm glad they're speaking out now.
5
The stakes are high in Hollywood, and the people involved have well-known names and faces, but unfortunately, this kind of abuse is spread across society. We need to educate our children with this in mind. We also need to recognize that when religion enshrines the privilege of men, it feeds this kind of abuse. Our religious leaders can do us all a favor by explicitly preaching gender equality.
2
This sounds a lot our president.
What is more disturbing in this case is that he was elected with so much troubling evidence. The problem is obviously much bigger than this story. It seems to be a cultural behavior that is accepted somehow by the general public.
4
Just wow... Not just the story, but some of the comments on this article. I have never been so disappointed in humankind as I have been in the last year. Please let's stop focusing on these A-list actresses finally telling their stories. They are simply trying to be supportive of some of these other women who clearly have more on the line by coming out than they do.
Also, it is remarkable how few accounts are from actresses who gave into his demands. I am going to guess that there are as many of those as there are stories of women who were strong enough to say no to him and get away. However, judging by the many of the comments on this site (which are generally more enlightened than the average comment I read on other news sites), I can't say I blame them one bit. They would be ripped to shreds and their reputations destroyed.
3
While my thoughts are late to the response section of this article, I will write anyway.
This is a game-changing moment for all women who are actors to seize this as an opportunity to demand salary parity with male actors in the entertainment industry- film, television and stage.
This is the moment all of you have been waiting for since the formation of the entertainment industry around these three disciplines.
Seize the moment women actors and all the best to you going forward. You must strike while the iron is hot!
Please speak up and out about salary parity now before the moment is lost.
4
"Even as Ms. Paltrow became known as the 'first lady of Miramax' and won an Oscar for 'Shakespeare in Love' in 1999, very few people knew about Mr. Weinstein's advances."
Just thought I'd highlight that passage. Pretty much sums up the entire story.
4
I've been seeing the phrase "forced sex" while reading about Weinstein but shouldn't it be called what it is? Rape.
11
Depends on what the meaning of "is" is.
1
This is what I stand for. I stand for women that are sexually assaulted by men because "they were asking for it". No woman is asking for rape or sexual assault. I'd just like to share with you my experiences with sexual assault.
I have never been sexually assaulted. I'm 13, I live in a safe town, I go to a safe school, I'm fine for the time being. But my concern is what girls and boys are being taught at a young age.
I go to a private school. I have a dress code. There are so many items of clothing I'm not allowed to wear. I know that part of the dress code is due to showing that the school is a proper school and we dress properly. But, I also know that a part of the dress code is due to distraction, specifically in males.
Sure, I go to school with a bunch of teenage boys. I know how stupid boys are. But currently, because I'm being told that my shoulder or the strap of my bra is distracting a boy from their school work, boys are not learning what consent is. Girls are also being told that they should be ashamed of themselves. Because boys in my grade haven't learned to respect females, or hold themselves back from girls, there is a chance that someone in my grade will sexually assault a girl. So, schools should try their best to teach boys that they need consent from a girl, and vice versa. All in all, sexual assault is not okay, and if a teenager can understand that, there is no reason why a fully grown adult can't.
72
No boy should ever, ever assault you for any reason at all and if they do, hurt that boy in that very moment. I mean that. Learn how. You'll be ok, but if the strap continues to be an "issue" at that school, then tell your parents you need to go to another school. And finally also, all boys are not "stupid" and most- most- will not hurt you. Please don't buy that straight up hate thing about boys either. You write very clearly and that comes with a clear mind worth protecting. Protect yourself, including your mind, is my humble advice.
3
Charlotte you are wise beyond your years. Some people never learn and it's never the women's fault, be it how they dress, speak, or carry themselves. Some men will use any excuse to take advantage of a women and then never accept responsibility for their actions. they are not to be forgiven ever. You've got a good head on your shoulders you will go far in life. The best of luck to you, you will probably need it.
3
I am glad these women have spoken out. I am really amazed at how HW harassed women with very prominent parents in that industry. Bruce Paltrow, Blythe Danner, Jon Voight, Paul Sorvino. I suppose it speaks to his power complex that even daughters of established actors could not escape his harassment. He obviously thought he would always get away with it. I can't imagine being the mother of a young woman myself keeping quiet if my daughter came to me with this information. I don't think these parents knew about the horrible experiences their daughters had with this man.
5
Its the fault of the women for not speaking out? There were many women who spook out about Trump and guess what, he became presdent of the great United States of America.
9
Exactly the same can and should be said about Bill Clinton, but you won't, of course.
2
“He was alternately generous and supportive and championing, and punitive and bullying,”-- Gwyneth Paltrow.
I sat in a roomful of women the other night and listened to one of Cosby's accusers talk about the gas lighting and abuse she experienced and has kept inside for 25 years. Then a young PhD student from Berkeley, her voice cracking, told us how her abusive adviser was alternately nurturing and threatening and how it nearly destroyed her academic career. Soon several women in the room were telling their own stories of men exploiting a power differential using this sort of Jekyll and Hyde method of destabilization : a psychiatrist who used his position to abuse a patient then gaslight her beyond the statute of limitations, a lecherous boss who dangled a promotion before a young executive until she was compelled to move on. We heard the story of 'Emily Doe', the young woman horribly violated by the star Stanford athlete who served a woefully light sentence for his crime. Thankfully, women and increasingly men, are starting to speak up, and powerful abusers like Cosby, Weinstein, Ailes (the abusive medical professional, academic, boss...) are exposed and removed from the pool. Thank you to those women and men who are increasingly coming forward with their stories and to the people who are listening with compassion.
9
Harvey Weinstein is a fat, grotesque, vulgar, classless, vindictive, narcissistic, ugly, greedy low life rapist
There. I said it.
12
Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow achieved financial security and substantial professional success many many years ago.
Had they come out 10 years ago with their stories they would have saved hundreds of women from similair treatment at the hands of this disgusting ogre.
11
"forced oral and vaginal sex"? can't we just call things what they are? there is no such thing as forced vaginal sex. that is not called sex. it's called rape.
17
I worked in a medical office where one of the doctors was a sexual harrasser/predator. He approached female employees from behind, giving unwanted shoulder massages while rubbing up against them. They were almost always seated at their desks while he stood over them, a power stance, if you will. There was inappropriate touching and groping on his part. He had at least one extra-marital affair with a patient, betraying a basic tenet of physician-patient trust. Eventually, I accepted another position with a different company. During my exit interview I told the HR rep what was going on. The rep (female) told me I was not the first person to report this doctor and action was being taken to address the issue. A year later I heard the doctor had received a Physician of the Year award from the health care organization that heard my complaint. Any further questions as to why women don't come forward?
66
Thanks for this account, JillianD. Yes, the only real answer is to confront the person when they first attempt this behavior. It's hard, especially for young women who are afraid of losing their job. However, WE must educate them that there will always be another job. They should quit and tell the world what they experienced. This must end NOW.
6
There are quite a few women in this article who are well-established stars. I understand that if Weinstein's advances toward them occurred when they were young, they didn't speak up. But why did they stay silent so long? Weinstein continued to victimize young, vulnerable women while stars like Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow, both women who have considerable star power, kept their mouths shut. One of the reason the people like Weinstein get away with their behavior for so long is that no one spoke up. Women need to look out for one another, heaven knows with a sex offender in the White House, no one else is going to look out for us.
9
Why did these people not come forward at the time. They may have saved countless others from the abuse of this animal. I do NOT commend them now, as they are really simply jumping on the bandwagon of the true heroes of this villain. Who had the intestinal fortitude to expose him. While these others, who are now coming forward, decades too late, simply ignored his crimes, to their shame. Thereby giving him the opportunity to continue his abuses against others. I say shame on them, NOW!!
4
Weinstein? Harvey Weinstein? Never heard of him. Is he important?
These women are the "ENABLERS" that allowed Mr. Weinstein to continue his activities. It is an album of shame.
3
The Democrats would have done women a big favor if they had voted for the impeachment and conviction of Bill Clinton in 1998-1999. Can you imagine what any man who is engaged in this activity would think if he knew his buddies would rescue him? I suggest that the Democrats look in the mirror as they throw stones.
http://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/20/us/impeachment-overview-clinton-impeac...
5
Oh, come on James. Impeach a president because of oral sex? Mr. Clinton was called "slick willy" before he was elected so people knew.
It would have been a better idea to impeach him for getting rid of the Glass Stegall Act which led to the manipulation of the mortgages of millions of Americans and caused the housing meltdown - then gave us The Con Don.
No, the sexual thing is a "radical conservative christian" thing. The men behind it tell their mistresses to have abortions - even pay for them - while they try to control women's bodies. Sick, sick, sick.
4
Clinton *was* impeached. Then the senate acquitted him.
1
Of course. To you, multiple instances of sexual harassment by the President of the United States are A-OK as long as the President is a Democrat. No surprise there.
So, just as there are spineless weenies in Hollywood who knew this was all occurring but the code of silence for their compatriots was more important, . what's more important are the spineless weenies in Washington who all agree we have an unstable man at the helm and everyone is standing around watching, and afraid. The GOPers in control are embracing the code of silence because maintaining control of the house and senate are more important than the country! Wait a minute! Aren't they supposed to be serving the people of this country? These are the morally and ethically bankrupt individuals. Let's focus on them first.
2
Let's stay on topic. How about that? Not every single thing is about this president's administration. Breathe. We all hate it. But this is about something else.
A little too late...... both Paltrow and Jolie were already known in the Hollywood community. It was their responsibility to report Weinstein to prevent more innocent women from being sexually harassed. Some of them were afraid to talk because of their career. But not Paltrow and Joli. Typical Hollywood cover-up.
4
This way of treating women unfortunately will not end now. You have a sexual predator as President.
5
Funny how when we had the last sexual predator as President, Bill Clinton, that was A-OK to the Democrats. And when Hillary Clinton, #1 enabler of her sexual predator husband, ran for President, that was just fine too, because, you know, she's a Democrat.
5
Honestly, Hollywood is truly a cesspool. While Harvey Weinstein is alone responsible for his vile behavior, those who knew what he was doing and chose to do nothing, or worse enabled him, are just as reprehensible. I'm glad these women are speaking out now, but really what took you so long?
3
It's not just Hollywood. These sorts of things happen in many industries where someone has power over someone else (see: various religions, schools, etc.). As for speaking out, I wasn't raped but was harassed by a colleague, who had a pattern of harassing female colleagues. Very few of the people (aside from other female employees) believed he was engaging in such behavior. "Oh, no, not HIM, he's so nice." There were people in positions of power who didn't believe it. They didn't take my word and the word of ALL those other women. So I understand why women don't come forward, even years after the fact.
1
why so long to come forward... if everyone knew, why didn't they all come forward together. Don't get me wrong, I think HW is a sleazy bag. But if you
get in the pig pen, expect to get dirty. If anyone thinks that HW is an abreration, you are deluding yourself.
2
did Harvey invest in Goop??
Looks like Kellyanne Conway and The Con Don's other token women are commenting today. The man's women. Poor things.
As Chris Matthews pointed out on his MSNBC show last night, does she realize the sexual predator, kiss them whether they want it or not pussy-grabber she is working for?
Boggles the mind.
5
Not to mention the other bits you mention.
I can't believe Weinstein is the only, or the worst, of Hollywood abusers. This is an auspicious time for women to come out (especially the child actors) and start pointing fingers. Let us clean the Augean stables.
8
It looks like Weinstein is on the chopping block. But we also have Trump admitting to sexually groping and kissing women against their will on tape. Why is no one going after Trump? Shouldn't he be in jail as well?
4
My heart and support are with these women, and with women who are anywhere subject to such coercion.
1
Paltrow should be ashamed of her silence...why now? Coward.....
5
Hillary is shocked?!
As if.
6
Some men have physical, financial, emotional and career-ending power over women. When they use their power to abuse, assault or seek revenge on their prey and their is silence from the offices of law and order (Cy Vance), we have no freedom. We are but slaves.
Damm silence!!
3
"Forced oral and vaginal sex"? Isn't that called rape?
8
Almost as good as "alternative facts".
1
Right-wing bad boys. Roger Ailes. Bill O'Reilly. Donald Trump. Left-wing bad boys. Jack Kennedy. Bill Clinton. Harvey Weinstein. Yeah. It all depends. Hypocrisy rules. Always follow the money.
7
My career in tech was ruined in the 1990s by a well known engineer (my supervisor) at the most famous computer manufacturer named after a fruit. This was barely months after Title 9 began to change things for women. My supervisor was an esteemed major player in design and engineering, a published Ph.D. I dismissed his consistent gawking and peering down my blouse and his condescending and humiliating remarks but when my name was left off of white papers on major research that frankly I did the majority of work on, I began to share my experience with very close friends outside of the industry. When he refused to allow me to use my education option to study programming stating “I think you’d be bored..” I cried silently at night alone. But when he topped all this off with scheduling me for 2 critical major presentations simultaneously and refused to change this, I could see the threat and what he wanted from me more clearly. I went to HR. They did nothing for months but listen and shrug shoulders. I talked to close female associates in the department who were supportive but let me know they just could not believe Dr. Such and So really could possibly be this much of a jerk. A friend and lawyer - who had just completed a book on Title 9 - advised I file a complaint with the federal gov. I did. It was a horrific experience and like most cases, I was asked to settle:given a computer and asked to sign a non-discl).My boss was ‘xferrd’to Sun.I never worked again in the valley.
11
It's illuminating that through out this article there is no a single mention that he is a prominent Democratic supporter, including having held a fund raiser for President Obama's second campaign.
I'm sure if he had been a Republican the NYT would have been all over that, including naming names claiming they supported/ignored his activities.
7
Are you kidding?? Did you not read all the coverage? The NYT has made a point that Weinstein was a major Dem supporter. The Obamas and others have made statements. There's a pic of Hillary with Weinstein in the original article that broke the news. There's talk about returning donations and refusing further ones. It is clear that this kind of predatory behavior is not limited to conservatives. This particular article focuses on the victims and the toxic work atmosphere too many women face in Hollywood, not on politics.
It's been mentioned plenty in previous articles, including a picture of Hillary Clinton yukking it up big time with him at a fund raiser he held for her.
Read further in the extensive coverage the NYT is providing on this issue, and remember, the NYT is the investigating entity that brought this issue to light. They knew the whole time they were working on this that Weinstein is a big supporter of Democrats. They knew it would not reflect well on Democrats, but they reported it anyway as part of their mission to expose issues of sexism in the workplace.
So, there.
Thanks to all the strong, courageous women who are stepping out and speaking up about this horrendous institutionalized sexism and thanks to all the brave reporters and news outlets who are reporting the TRUTH to us at last.
Rachel Maddow had Ronan Farrow who broke this story for the New Yorker Magazine. He took them a fully ready story that NBC refused to run. He said he, the women who spoke out and other news organizations have been threatened with lawsuits and some have been brutally harassed and threatened. Rachel (MSNBC 9 pm ET weeknights) will have Ms. Kantor on her show tonight to shed even more light on this travesty.
Women must step up right now and take one-half the power in every segment of society to make sure this ends NOW. Rachel asked Mr. Farrow why women were speaking up now. His answers were that it's partly because
Mr. Weinstein no longer has as much power and some of the women have little to lose because they already lost it all through his sabotage of them or they are also aging.
I have my own theory. Women are appalled at the fact that engineered media and social media and a smear campaign against Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton put The Con Don and his Robber Barons in control of OUR governments. These women are speaking up for the same reason over 5 MILLION people marched against it the day after the sham "inauguration".
Thanks to socially conscious women and men this will not stand in America. Not now. Not ever again.
13
"Strong"? "Courageous"? These are powerful celebrities who waited years to reveal their experiences to the public and who only did so after The New Yorker and the NYT broke their stories and Weinstein had become disgraced. This isn't courageous leadership, it's a case waiting for an all-clear or go-ahead signal and then piling on.
11
They did what most of us did, DLS. Shut up and dealt with it to get ahead. What have you done to stop it and the situation we find ourselves in with OUR government right now?
5
"Thanks to all the strong, courageous women who are stepping out and speaking up "
I'd be more minded to thank them had they stepped out and spoken out thirty years ago.
1
So........a few of the women HW accosted in the past are now power houses their own rights.........and basically still protected him, at least by not turning him in.
So, please tell us NYT, what straw broke this camel's back? Certainly not yours since you knew at least since 2004.
My take----forces are out to take down the Left brick by brick, hypocrite by hypocrite, media source by media source.....
Hillary was certainly silent for a long time, as were the Obama's, who sent their daughter to this renowned sex offender for an internship.
Couldn't happen at a better time.
20
In 1993, I started working in a prison. Only about 10% of the staff were female. About 6 months after I was hired, I was required to go on a training trip with the chaplain. It was a 7 hour drive.
He was an absolute pig the whole way. He insisted in talking about his sexual fantasies, and asking about mine. I repeatedly told him to change the subject. Finally, the only way I got him to shut up was to pretend to be asleep for the entire drive. (Oh, and then he picked his nose. A lot.)
I didn't learn much in the training, because all I could think about was how much I dreaded the ride home.
While we were there, he learned he was getting a transfer to another facility - a promotion. I "slept" the whole way home.
I talked to my boss about his behavior, and, while he agreed it was disgusting, he advised me to let it go because the guy was leaving. No one would have believed me anyway.
Soon after, I met a fellow psychologist from his new facility, who asked me if I thought Chaplain Skeevy would be good at working with female sexual abuse victims. Absolutely not, I said, and told him my story. His jaw dropped, and he thanked me.
Later on, I learned from the same colleague he'd been charged with molesting his own kids (yep, he was married) and was "no longer with the agency." He offered me a job.
I declined, but I'm glad I spoke up ... who knows what he could have done to a "captive audience."
19
Now we've heard from all the women that said " NO ". Where are the ones he actually raped? that's where he can potentially be prosecuted.
7
So now the two of them say this kind of behavior stops? It took them kind of a long time, and after they got what they wanted? They are hypocrites if you ask me.
8
You will notice the times has put a very flattering picture of Ms. Paltrow, obviously posed, at the top of this article. If they didn't like her, the photograph would show her looking back, hunted-style, at the cameraman with her hair askew and her mouth open. The image would also be photoshopped to emphasize her whiteness.
I wouldn't delete that photo, times. You may need it in two weeks. There is anger at Mr. Weinstein, but there is also anger at those who enabled him, taking the benefits of Harvey Weinstein to get an Oscar-winning career. The true victims are those who said "No" and went on to a career making fries at In-and-Out Burger.
1
I think what this pig is going to get what he deserves, but what I find most disturbing is a lot of right wing conservative commentators or pundits have been asking about where was Obama or Clinton with this going on.
I know Obama and Clinton will answer this issue much in the same way Meryl Streep answered it, but what I find as really disturbing is the hypocrisy in their acceptance of the denials of Donald Trump regarding his accusers of sexual assaults.
I remember Donald Trump, the man who loves to sue, said after the campaign all those woman who came out with specific details would be sued....still waiting, Donald.
4
This story isn’t about Trump. It’s about a slob named Weinstein and all the phonies who knew his reputation but looked the other way, including the politicians who took his money and are now trying to tell us they are absolutely shocked... Their magnitude of their hypocrisy is stunning...
2
Big name actresses (they had a really good chance of being HEARD) back in the 90's had a chance to stop this guy and choose silence, and it went on. Please, All women, going forward, speak up immediately. Do not wait.
7
Sexual harassment is appalling. It occurs because of the power differential between a man and a woman. It also occurs because women are conditioned to try to be conciliatory in conflict (or perhaps they are wired this way). Aggressive behavior of any kind makes most women frightened. Most bullies like Weinstein will stop their abuse if a woman is a warrior. But this is a behavior she has to be taught. Like some American parents who have to teach their young black children how to respond to a police officer so that they don’t get shot, we also have to teach our daughters how to handle abusive men. I am a older white woman but I am still bullied by some men. Just yesterday a man told me that I had “chutzpah” for suggesting we meet for drinks near my office which would be s long drive for him. I thanked him for th compliment and cancelled the date. Bullies need to be stopped the instant they show you they have no respect for the woman.
10
Funny that you suggest that women are wired this way. James Damore was fired from Google for suggesting just that. I hope your employer takes notice!
Sadly, nearly every woman in America has a similar story about a former lecherous boss or creepy professor. I had hoped things would be better for my daughter, and hopefully the outing of Weinstein as the serial sexual abuser which he is will usher in a new era.
10
"Mr. Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances."
1
This would of ended a lot sooner if people like paltrow and jolie had stepped forward. I find their long-after-the-fact confessions equally detestable...
7
Who knew? Who didn't? Who is pretending?
The Hollywood phonies are coming out of the woods. Soon they will be wearing black arm bands in solidarity with W's victims, whatever yields the maximum publicity.
Count on only one response from these folks who seem so shocked that roles were offered for sex: they will make (surprise, surprise) a MOVIE about it.
The jockeying has already begun: Who will get to play Weinstein? Who will play and be among the string of the innocent beautiful babes in the woods who journeyed to Weinstein's hotel room (not his office)?
Only time will tell. Oscar night should be quite a show.
5
So it turns out there are, and have been for years and years, casting couches in liberal Hollywood.... who'd'a thunk it?
Unfortunately, this won't dent Hollywood's sanctimoniousness with respect to the rest of us.
5
And what about all of the politicians who gladly took his money?
3
My family has been disappointed in my response to Mr Wiensteins outing as a sexual predator.
Shock at the presence of the powerful seeking to exert control over others has lost it's shock value in the Trump Administration.
Control over others is what they crave.
What he did was horrible but there are horrible things going on everywhere.
I guess that's Trumpian thinking. SAD!
1
He confessed. He got fired. Move on.
5
Hillary called half the country "irredeemable deplorables". She lost. Move on.
4
Not until he has been prosecuted
The treatment for non consensual repeated sexual contact is prison where offenders try to learn to identify their triggers for their criminal acts & control their antisocial behaviors.
Sex addict rehab is for those who are addicted to sex with willing partners. Big difference.
Harvey don't hide behind psychobabble for your behavior. The rehab that's taking your money is engaged in malpractice.
Where was the Board of Directors on this longstanding problem.
4
And going to the police instead of taking the money!
3
So how will movies and television now depict women I wonder?
1
weinstein deserves a chance at rehabilitation as he's not a monster beyond redemption. his moral depravity is actually not as great as a sizeable percentage of calif drivers who routinely put others' lives at risk by reckless driving and speeding not to mention drunk driving. get some context here.
2
Rehab? Take a look at this guy. We’re not talking about a handsome and charismatic figure. Without money? A nobody... So here’s the rehab: Take away his money, keep him working in the entertainment industry... That will “rehab” him....It will be a complete and final cure....
Ms Paltrow, it will only end when the women report right away, when their support systems back them, and when society wakes up. Oh, and when we don't elect men to the highest office who are serial abusers.
4
Its funny how such celebrated and supposedly tough women such as Paltrow and especially Jolie are coming out now with all this. Where was the courage when it was needed. How many others suffered at the hands of this fat ugly pig while they stayed silent and thus complicit so they can continue to get roles. Lost a lot of respect for Jolie now; no longer see her in the same light. Sorry but I am not sympathetic, should have sounded the alarm way earlier and louder. Yes I am a man and of course will be shouted down as not knowing what it is like. Twist yourselves into knots explaining all this but many other people feel the same way. I guess this is what happens in an industry that hold awards nights (Oscars) awarding the same people the same trophies over and over in an oddly incestuous kind of way. Kind of like a circular firing squad.
8
Under the grips of a powerhouse, physically and economically, is a sorry place to place a young person. To endure such an event must leave one angered, and at the same time, humiliated - and from many accounts, confused.
A woman recently came forth regarding Roman Polanski's crime against her - a rape that took place 45 years ago. The reason she waited to relay the experience she endured - she wanted to shield her mother from that truth. She wanted to protect her mother and waited until her mother had passed.
Many commenters are blaming the victims - asking courage of them - who better could you demand courage from?
2
Is anyone asking why this took so long for the to be made public, meaning why didn't the NY Times or any other publication, news outlet bring Weinstein's behavior to light?
And for anyone wo associated with him not claiming to know is cowardly condoning his behavior.
4
I worked in the film business in LA for six years. I believe Weinstein was allowed to go on terrorising women because abhorrent behaviour is somewhat the norm: throwing phones, screaming at subordinates, setting up bogus "general meetings" (a man in power wants to meet an attractive aspiring actress), making assistants take their dogs to doggie day care, screaming at their assistant to get them a flight back to LA on 9-11 (when all flights were grounded), setting up 'drinks' with waitress/models/taking acting classes, vindictive volleys of mean greedy emails. I could go on and on
In that environment Weinstein's behaviour does not stand out so much. These incidents are not crimes; they're amusing anecdotes told between assistants over drinks.
17
I know I sound jaundiced and mean spirited (at best), but just between her mother and father, Paltrow has always had powerful connections in Hollywood. That she had her boyfriend confront Weinstein instead of choosing a more public, and effective, route to shut him down seems expedient, and her current high dudgeon is disingenuous. Everyone in Hollywood knew about Weinstein, but it was in their best interests, apparently, to keep it quiet. Now these enablers are outraged? Hard to swallow.
10
What put the NY Times on the warpath to take down this ugly man? Whom did he insult that finally opened the gates to what most people knew or thought or suspected....Hollywood is an ugly place where predators like Mr. Weinstein are glorified and idolized by mass media and the entertainment crazy US.
Tell us the really interesting story....what happened that allowed you to tell the truth?
I hope it isn't something so tardy as his being a target of the Chinese takeover of the entertainment industry...I hope it is not that the Democrats turned on him because he didn't donate enough....I hope no young girl was a target of his lust.... But tell us...what caused you to reveal what most people already knew.
4
They are scoundrels, enablers, liars. And I'm not just talking about Harvey.
6
People should also remember that specific members of the legal profession are willingly used as attack dogs and powerful enablers of predatory sexual behavior by rich, entitled men. Women are victimized a second time if they come forward. If it's immediately after an incident, they face unemployment, smeared reputations, and massive legal fees. If it's much later, they are blamed for valuing their careers instead of resisting (what? till death?), and they still face all the same repercussions.
I'm not saying lawyers always know the truth about their clients, but these are smart people who can piece together clues over time. Shouldn't the legal profession have some minimal standards for ethical behavior? Some basic level that doesn't dissolve if enough money and power are thrown their way? Some threshold where they'll no longer participate in re-victimization? I'm just wondering...
3
Oh, gosh, I feel so terrible for these Hollywood actresses that have no other options and felt that they must stay silent for decades.
3
I think it is incredibly brave that so many women are now speaking out. I see that many men from Hollywood have spoken out as well. Unfortunately, it seems that quite a few men knew about Weinsteins behavior and yet did nothing to stop him. Worse yet, they--men and women who knew of his character--continued working with him. Brad Pitt announced that he threatened Weinstein if he ever harassed Gwyneth Paltrow again and Gwyneth herself said that she was afraid of Weinstein. Yet, both worked with Weinstein again and again. What does that say about them and the culture that Hollywood promotes? That as long as someone has money and is powerful, and as long as you are not a victim personally, then you should not speak out so he can continue to prey upon other vulnerable women?
1
We must find a way for victims to come forward immediately after these incidents without fear of retaliation. These pigs cannot be allowed to go on terrorising women for decades without any consequences.
3
The Emperor Miramaximus https://shar.es/1VMGvN
Quote by Gwyneth Paltrow & others about two decades ago . . . and Talk Magazine's S&M photos of Gwyneth Paltrow paid for by Harvey Weinstein. (her father , Bruce Paltrow had a fit & had Gwyneth confront Harvey Weinstein about manipulating her. She did it, despite the years before affront from HW in a hotel room. THAT is how manipulative HW remains to this day. Those photos shocked me at the time because I wondered: WHY?
Now, I know.
4
Like many who have listened to the recording on the New Yorker this evening I am disgusted. A vile coercion of a woman who was clearly saying "No".
I live in the UK, the BBC described some of the allegations as rape, why does this article describe the "forced oral and vaginal sex"? The BBC Newsnight program also interviewed a former journalist of the New York Times who had been denied publication apparently following a visit from Weinstein to her superiors. This requires investigation. This story has been bubbling for years, why couldn't the New York Times and others in the media done more to bring this story forward sooner?
The women who are all coming together now are doing so at great personal risk, many fear breaking non-disclosure agreements etc. This needs further investigation also. How can non-disclosure agreements ever include terms which prevent reporting rape?
I am greatly concerned at the reporting process on this.
5
Sorry but I’ve experienced crap like this in my life and I, with absolutely no clout in any way, spoke out and WOULD NOT PUT UP WITH IT. women must learn to speak up. Now. Not in some future. Call it out and don’t let it be “normal”. It’s not.
9
When Bill Clinton was the alleged rapist it was "just sex" and victim shaming was was perfectly acceptable. Did all of Hollywood and the media stand up for Paula Jones? Excuse me if I doubt their new found convictions.
14
You know what is frightenin? Approaching a women for a conversation without seeming like a scoundrel.
2
the brave women are the ones who said NO to Harvey and had their careers ruined..these women won Oscars with him
11
A young lady entering the work force has no idea what to do in this situation, which is by no means limited to show biz. There's fear and confusion, guilt and shame. All that prevents women from coming forward, but there's also a feeling of helplessness in finding out that you're fair game to males.
Also, there are so many older women who would say things like "that's just the way it is, we've all been there, don't talk about it, don't make trouble for yourself."
Could we finally be coming to the end of this sexual bullying?
5
This has the makings of a class action law suit (Rosanna Arquette and all those similarly situated vs. Harvey "the octopus" Weinstein). How many women did this creep go after? His mparents must be rolling over in their graves.
Statute of limitations will have run out on most of them.
1
I'm just curious who the assistant in charge of arranging all these meetings was/is.
4
Dear G-d. I am really stunned. I am a single, white, 55-year-old male, also Jewish. I have no idea how this man could live his life like that. I feel terrible for all the women he abused, physical, emotionally. I feel bad that he took advantage of their beauty so he could further their careers. What a creep! It gives Jewish men a very bad name. I suffer too, but I don't attack women.
ps what about his wife?? I have never even heard her name mentioned in all this???
2
An anecdote comes to mind. During Golda Meir's term as Prime Minister there was a spate of night time street attacks on women in Israel. It was suggested that women be advised to stay home in the evening. "Why should the women stay home, they haven't done anything." Meir said. "Let the men stay home."
14
Finally, he is caught!!! But sadly it took more than 20 years to bring him before justice.
1
So Gwyneth Paltrow, born to wealth, privilege and an immensely rich Hollywood dad -- this is the same woman who, a few months ago, was promoting magical "wellness stickers", a mere $120 for 24 of these life-savings devices -- kept silent for years, even after her acting career was over and she was devoting to nothing but marketing her fame.
And yet she blames others for not speaking up, for lacking moral fiber.....
10
Better late than never.
It takes a village to satisfy a predator.
During the Catholic Church's sexual abuse scandal, we saw not only the abuse of children by predatory pedophiles, but also the mass psychology of complicity present and among church, community, civil, legal, governmental leaders and followers. We saw it among friends and families who turned a "blind eye" and pretended it never happened, or wasn't happening to their Johnny or Sally.
In the Catholic Church's sexual abuse scandal the only innocent ones were the victims. Contrary to opinion, it was never one victim against one abuser; it was one victim against one abuser and many villages.
Victims not only have to confront the horror of the act itself but they must also be confronted by the village. Many are never believed, even more are shamed, condemned a second time for being a victim.
If blame must be placed put it where it belongs: #HarveyWeinstein and those who protected him and fed him victims. This list includes but is certainly not limited to agents, directors, producers, casting directors, managers, partners...there are villages of people who fed him victims year after year.
It's easy for the village to blame the victim rather than face the unusually cruel reality of victims: the village doesn't want to know the parts they played.
5
Please remember how much Anita Hill sacrificed to get us this far and also that Title 9 came about BECAUSE of her sacrifice. It is because of Title 9, which FYI has not been in place that long - that a woman can even consider filing a complaint of harrassment.
3
Reminder: Title IX went in under Nixon. Anita Hill's lies were decades later.
3
I blame all men who are coming out condemning this guy. Men always know what other men are doing, it could never be an open secret. When society takes position of convenience, such predators will continue to flourish and hold highest positions. Now that is an open secret .
AK: Thus, with a sweeping statement based on a stereotype, you absolve all women of responsibility. I bet I know which side you're on in the culture wars.
Maybe I'm old fashioned, but my view is that women who do not report such advances are responsible for any victims thereafter. The private pain must be horrifying, but everyone has a responsibility to society.
These minimally talented women don't seriously think they landed their jobs because of their acting abilities, do they? Then again, if they do, it goes a long way in explaining a lot of things Hollywood, doesn't it? And almost all of their wrath has been directed against the President, but not their abusers. Ya gotta love it!
5
Yes, how many plain or ugly movie stars are there? But plenty of good actresses who aren't beautiful.
it really comes down to supply and demand there is a huge supply of women who want to become actresses but a very small demand this gives those who control the jobs immense power and we see the result Perhaps some better career counseling for young woman is in order?
1
Like Bernie Madoff, not exposed until after a full career and life of plenty.
6
does harvey make donald appear "not so bad"? hmmm. they do have a lot in common.
1
Weinstein's behavior began decades ago. How many women would have been spared from his unwanted attentions if ONE man or woman who had knowledge of his actions had spoken out publicly AT THE TIME? Speak truth to power; that is a definition of moral courage. None of these wealthy and successful actresses should get any credit for "joining the crowd" and revealing his abuse so long after the fact. They are all self serving hypocrites and cowards who thought more of their own careers than they did of the fates of other women who would be subjected to the same aggressions.
3
How many daughters does this animal have? What is most remarkable is how this could go on for so many years and never come to light. That he had to be surrounded by people who helped him treat these young women in a way they would never allow a sister or daughter be treated. That no one attached to these women he intimidated punched him in the face. I hope his wife dumps him and he never works another day in his life. True justice would be accusations like the one's Bill Cosby is dealing with.
What has happened to the women who stepped forward during the presidential race to say trump made unwanted sexual advances to them? He's even more powerful now and threatened to sue - has he?
3
Shame on the stars for not coming forward earlier. Could have saved dozens of women from being abused.
2
Aren't there very likely scores of women that his moves worked on? His stuff seems more adolescent bullying than anything else except if the rape stories are true. I think it is ugly for a big male to make physical moves on any unwilling women. Nevertheless, the story of the women who felt disturbed and hurt should be seen in the context of Weinstein's certain longer list of successes. To focus only on the disgust and make this a story of pure depravity is not good journalism. Let's go over his victims stories again in the context of stories of women giving in to Weinstein. Let's really do some journalism and do a big sociological story with all the facts about all of Weinstein's egotistical, rude, imposing, yet successful as well as unsuccessful sexual overture conduct. The story is not journalism yet, just a moral spectacle. Where are Weinstein's tolerant and even satisfied women?
1
And what about our correct POTUS? By all accounts, he engaged in the same despicable crimes, but no one talks about it anymore, I assume owing to fear of his immense power.
2
As long as men hold most of the power positions in Hollywood--and anywhere else--these kinds of things will continue to happen. Weinstein is one of a long, long list of men who pulled these kinds of stunts. Read any biographies of female actors, watch films like "The Player" and others. Women had to play the game or else. It is horrifying and enraging, but it won't stop until women begin to replace these troglodytes as producers, directors and production company executives.
2
This way of treating women does NOT end now. As long as being a leader confers the power to exploit others, some male leaders will use that power to exploit women.
Not only does this damage the women who are exploited, it damages the organization. It's bad for morale, and it encourages the wrong sort of people to become leaders.
This problem will persist until we change the nature of leadership itself, and the incentives that drive people to become leaders.
14
The executive and assistants are culpable and should be prosecuted for their shameful behavior in this.
1
I have no sympathy at all for Weinstein but a few questions.
Why did his first attorney back out? Was she intimidated? Even mass murderers are entitled to the services of an attorney. I am happy to say I have never had to defend myself in a criminal or civil case but I believe I am right in saying that in the UK defence attorneys work on the "cab rank" rule. A defendant can insist on a particular attorney who is obliged to act on his behalf. The attorney may advise a defendant that someone else is better suited, but cannot refuse, and certainly cannot back out having taken on the case.
The second point is that if a woman has taken Weinstein's money to keep quiet, then presumably if she tells a male friend in confidence he is obliged to respect that confidence. It is a bit rich if some men are being condemned for not speaking out before the woman in question has done so.
Finally I am not sure if he is guilty of criminal behaviour. Obviously if the rape allegations are true then he is. The other stuff, unless I have missed something reported elsewhere, amounts to being a creep. Of course creeps should be called out, but if he is accused of criminal behaviour and never convicted for it, then some will doubt the lesser accusations.
"Why did his first attorney back out?"
"Legal ethics" may bar this but I believe Lisa Bloom and her mother, Gloria Allred, are probably lining up HW victims to file a civil suit against him. He is a deeper pocket after all.
The Weinstein story is eye-opening, and I'll never picture Hollywood the same way again. I think many of us wished it was like 'La La Land', but the sordid stories coming out have a 'Handmaid's Tale' feel to them. The real question is, what are the names of the others in Hollywood doing the same thing themselves, right now? Now that Weinstein has been outed and fired, everyone is coming out with their stories, from a position of relative career safety. In yet another industry of powerful men and desperate women and men trying to start careers, it's hard to imagine there aren't at least dozens of other producers and directors preying on young actresses right now. Their names will eventually come out, but will it take decades? Hollywood seems at high risk to become the next Catholic Church, or NFL, where covering things up or looking the other way threatens institutional collapse, or at least mass defection. My 9 year old daughter has a starry-eyed dream of an acting career, and I'll I know is that we'll all be watching to see how Hollywood collectively handles this moral test: sunshine transparency vs. pretending there's only one monster in town.
Read some histories of Hollywood and you'll see how this has been going on since the beginning of the industry. The infamous "casting couch." Let's hope this truly is the era when things start to change. Good luck to your daughter.
Times have changed. Thirty or twenty years ago and before a young Hollywood actress accusing a male producer/director etc. for 'coming on" to her would never have been taken seriously if believed at all. At any rate that type of behavior was not only accepted but expected. The potential rewards being so great sexual favors were seen as a small price to pay and certainly many took advantage of the opportunity. Respect is due to all those who resisted. Coming on the heels of the painful Cosby scandal I feel the paradigm might be shifting. It would be a seismic change and have global ramifications. In Saudi Arabia women have now won the right to drive. So I'm hopefully optimistic.
2
And these are the women who said no. I promise you there are 10 times as many if not more who felt pressured into saying yes and are too embarrassed to come forward! They are the ones we need to hold in our hearts right now. We need to tell them, even if they never come forward, that we are with them and we support them. For every Harvey, Roger and Bill and Bill and Bill, there are many, many more not so famous or powerful acting like this to many, many women who work for them in towns all over the country. The New York Times is not there to help them tell their stories and their "prison" based on geography and fear of retaliation is much greater. Everyone needs to reach out to another sister, mother, daughter, friend if even to just hold a hand and let them know it's okay to speak up -- and then when they do, we must stand by them -- and when it "blows" over with the news cycle, we need to still be there to help support them in all ways. This IS the longest revolution in history -- the one for women's equality. More than half the population. I'm never too tired for the fight.
1
Gwyneth and Angelina have been successful and powerful for years. Now they're speaking out? The horse has left the barn, ladies. The opportunity for heroism is long, long gone. Your silence aided and abetted Mr. Weinstein. May his gratitude rest uneasily on your conscience.
2
Anyone remember Clarence Thomas? The treatment of Anita Hill surely emboldened powerful, well-connected men in their "way of treating women." The lesson was that sexual predators would pay no price, but the women who spoke out would.
4
That's also demonstrated by some of the responses (not yours) to this article.
I find it sad and disturbing the number of people who will tank their moral code for their career.
He continued this behavior for twenty years because he got away with it so often. Many of the actresses who are coming out with accusations against him greatly benefited from knowing him in the early days of their career. After achieving fame and financial success NOW is when they come out and turn on him. This does nothing to help the women they could've saved from this years ago.
2
"Hegemonic discourse" is the concept to apply -- a mandatory, "ruling," control of what is said, and of what is not said.
There are two hegemonic discourses we appear to be on the way to shattering: The hegemonic discourse that covered up police murders, and the hegemonic discourse that allowed the powerful to sexually abuse the weak.
This progress must be continued on both fronts. These two forms of dramatic oppression must be broken.
Life in libertine Hollywood not looking so great these days.
Maybe Bob will cash out by doing a film on his lecherous brother, Harvey.
Coveting wealth compromises even the sanctimonious Left who have always asserted human kindness and an openness to all things.
The Right may be hypocritical scolds, but I see little daylight between the two.
Weinstein’s abusive lechery is congruent with the business of Hollywood: objectifying and commodifying an entertainer’s sexuality for mass consumption. All of us who participate – audience, entertainer, producer – are complicit in normalizing and perpetuating a culture of abuse of various forms.
You have to wonder if we do not merely tolerate or turn a blind eye to abuses of power. You would think we as a society expect and even welcome these displays: we reward them with even greater power and authority, awarding them the highest office in the world.
1
A lot of these comments are judging these women. Why didn't they come out sooner? Why didn't they say something sooner? If any of them are asked these questions, if I were them I would respond by quoting Tom Petty - "You don't know how it feels to be me."
5
Yep, exactly right. Someone in their position worries about retaliation, escalation and jeopardizing their livelihood. Not to mention not being believed. Those of us who have suffered harassment completely understand where they're coming from.
1
At the Academy Awards in 1999, Gwyneth Paltrow, having just won the award for Best Actress, was the most powerful woman in Hollywood. She had a live audience of millions. She chose to thank Harvey Weinstein. She could have been a hero and protected many women from future harassment by calling out this sleaze ball on live TV. Instead she chose to thank him. Harvey Weinstein should absolutely be condemned but so should his enablers over the years both men and women who stood by and only continued to praise him publicly.
4
That kind of stuff happens only in the movies. She would never have said anything and hadn't for nearly 20 years.
What is so striking about this account of decades-long harassment, aside from Weinstein's despicable behavior, is the army of enablers -- his executives and assistants, along with others in an industry that looked the other way -- who set up these meetings, booked the hotels, herded women into his lair, tried to appease them later, and covered up his behavior for years.
This is emblematic of the toxic social environment that allows sexual harassment, abuse, and bullying to permeate every walk of life and that condones blaming the women for being intimidated into silence.
2
Beyond the ever-growing accounts coming out about Weinstein, the sad fact is that this is an endemic part of our society on so many levels. For those who would say "why didn't you do more about it at the time it happened?", these people do not understand the mental abuse of power over women. It happens in the home, the workplace, and all levels of society. Don't further victimize the victims. I endured 10 years of physical and emotional abuse from my husband, and only found the courage and fortitude to leave when my children were endangered. Men have used sex and power against women for an eternity. Perhaps it is a carryover from a more primal time when procreation was an important element in preserving our species. But it is time they get over it, and it is time that women are recognized as people instead of pretty little sex toys to gratify male egos, as well as punching bags for blame.
1
Want to know why they didn't report him earlier? They were 22, with no money and no power. He had the power to destroy them before they could even get started, and told them he would. This happens everywhere, not just Hollywood -- the Stanford surgeon who complained about male colleagues groping her; Tailhook; Wall Street; the military; Silicon Valley; Wm. Kennedy Smith; Bill Cosby; Bill O'Reilly; Roger Ailes; Arnold Schwarzenegger before he became governor; the current occupant of the White House -- every time the credibility of the women is attacked. Just before Schwarzenegger was elected, the LA Times reported his "serial groping" - he still got elected, and the LAT was vilified for "trying to influence the election." Some of you need to go back and watch the hearings on Clarence Thomas' confirmation to learn what it's like to speak out against someone in power when you are unknown, and young, and without power. As long as I live I will never forget Congressman Simpson attacking Ms. Hill by saying "All kinds of notes are coming over the transom about her saying 'You better watch out for this woman!' " The clear threat was that they were going to drag her through the mud for speaking out, and crush her. And that's what happens to any woman who does. So if you're young, and want to have a job and keep eating, you don's say anything, take what you can get, and hope that some day you will be in a position to change things or get even.
5
It doesn't seem to matter Republican or Democrat, men still are disrespecting women. There is a larger problem here. Sorry, but all roads seem to lead to powerful men.
Why would a society allow a man to get away with this? And the man now sitting in the White House is no better.
3
Every one of the women who step up now has on her conscience several or more others.
3
Where are the police? Surely many, many, many charges should have been laid by now.
1
Ms. Paltrow comes from a powerful family of movie people. And was dating Brad Pitt at the time the incident took place. Moreover, she now describes herself as an entrepreneur. Why come forward now, when the hard work’s already been done?
1
What about Trump? Where are his accusers? They are out there. Help enable these women to come forward. Trump's women are just as scared as these actresses were because Trump is in power. How can the women Trump abused be encouraged to speak???? That is the question.
2
Weinstein's predatory behavior was one of Hollywood's worst kept secrets. But why did so many politicians continue to accept his campaign contributions? Now these same pols are distancing themselves from him.
This is right out of Casablanca:
Renault: I am shocked- shocked- to find that gambling is going on in here!
Croupier: [hands Renault money] Your winnings, sir.
Renault: Oh, thank you very much. Everybody out at once!
These comments about "piling on" are so disturbing. What is the point? Poor Harvey? Does anyone really believe a woman wants to claim she was assaulted? But even if you assume the worst and that for some this is merely publicity, who cares? There is no moral equivalency. I agree it is perplexing why extremely successful Hollywood stars kept silent for decades as other women were assaulted. It certainly isn't commendable behavior but two wrongs don't make a right and when you attack the accusers whose worst sin was keeping quiet, you are linking the two crimes, a victim and the assaulter and that is a moral outrage.
The daughter of actress Blythe Danner producer Bruce Paltrow, and Gwyneth Paltrow grew up in "the business. " So did Angelina Jolie as the daughter of actor John Voight, estranged or not. Roseanna Arquette is the granddaughter of actor Charlie Arquette. No babes in the woods when it comes to the sleazy workings of show business. These women had a leg up, almost Hollywood royalty. By not saying anything long ago, are they as sleazy as Weinstein? Sorry, not blaming the victim but stories about Weinstein were known for years. If anyone was in a position to speak up, it was these women. Each and everyone of these women were victimized, and with their silence, they gave Weinstein their permission to remain that way and paved the path for Weinstein to victimize others.
4
Too little, too late. They were willing to remain silent for years - shame on them.
1
I'm glad women are speaking up, and glad the Times is reporting this.
Weinstein sounds like a pig--a talented pig, but a pig nonetheless.
But I don't like Paltrow taking some kind of front and center on this. "This ends now"--why, because you decide to join in?
This must end because it's terrible and wrong, not because she spoke up.
2
Take this out of Hollywood. Those of us in the real world understand the approach Gwyneth and Angelina took. We didn't have Brad Pitt's help so most of the women I've know in this situation rebuffed, standardized a very professional approach that included making sure to never be alone with the harasser again and moved on with their careers. If the rebuff impacted their careers, they found new jobs. Raising the issue with HR for middle managers never turned out well. And in discussing with my mother, who weathered much worse, during her career in the 40's and 50's, this has been the approach for women for decades.
4
How is it that the police have a recording of Weinstein harassing a young actress and decided never to prosecute or at minimum, bring him in for questioning.
The questioning alone would have signaled to Weinstein that the police are on to his pattern of behavior and that would have acted as a deterrent.
The fact the police did nothing with the information they had shows that they don't take sexual harassment seriously and it certainly explains why some women didn't come forward.
While I am very much against the blame the victim crowd, I have to ask why well establish actresses like Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow waited until now to speak. I think as women as the industry who have "made it" they have a certain obligation to speak up. It is a little incredulous that people who worked with him closely never heard of this behavior before and are saying they are "shocked" at the allegations. The sheer number of allegations and the pattern of allegations, forcing young women to go to a hotel room where they are alone with Weinstein should have been enough for people to say there is something wrong here. There are certainly some self serving statements here.
14
Instead of making public statements that they knew nothing (perhaps in an attempt to protect their own reputations and careers), actors and celebrities should be telling the public what they, as actors, celebrities and entertainers, are going to do to make sure this man, and no other person, gets away with this illegal, unethical and immoral behavior in the future.
Surely George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Brad Pitt, and others must have enough financial and political power to make positive change in this regard, yes?
2
These situations are preventable by a published code of conduct with an anonymous whistleblower line to a third party that prepares a report to the Company's Board - not their Executives. This is not rocket science. Why has it not been done? For most of its long history, the entertainment business was considered an unseemly profession. Recall the controversy over who really authored Shakespeare's works. By not installing now obvious internal controls, the "Business" does not help its reputation.
1
I can't help but notice that the stars are now coming out AFTER the heavy, risky work was done by the relatively unknown women who presumably had more to lose. Where were Jolie, Paltrow, and Judd when the off-screen professionals with so little clout were coming out?
1
Sometimes the characters depicted in movies do become real. Scriptwriters and producers need to be careful with what they are doing.
This is basically a case of 'abuse of power' and it happens in lots of settings where young adults are beholden to older people who can help them with their careers. And unfortunately, many of those older people's colleagues just look the other way and make excuses for bad behavior. When I was a graduate student my dissertation advisor lied to me about funding and when I complained to Deans and other administrators many of them just said, "Oh, Professor X has done that many other times. He just wants people to like him." It wasn't until I sued the university I was at, a prominent public institution, that something was done about Professor X's manner of 'making friends." Unfortunate but powerful experiences.
1
Rabbi ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHEL " In a free society, some are guilty, all are responsible ". That, is a rallying cry from the man who walked side by side with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A call to humans everywhere in this most dangerous moment in the history of the world. A call for the restoration and preservation and the sanctification of our humanity.
So brave...stepping out so many years later, when the risk of reprisal is at its lowest and the potential for reputational enhancement at its greatest.
There's no excuse for what happened to these women. But I'm struggling to understand why it is that so few came forward in the past, yet are all eager to jump out now. Countless women might have been able to avoid the predations of Mr. Weinstein had Ms. Jolie and Ms. Paltrow said something years ago.
1
Thanks to the New York Times reporters for breaking this story. It shines a light on an experience that too many women have had and the shame, confusion, and fear, as well as the silence and collusion by bystanders that allows something like this to go on for so long.
I admire the women who are finally breaking the silence about their experience. It takes a lot of courage to tell the truth and make themselves vulnerable to the inevitable criticism and scrutiny they will receive.
I hope this will lead to a national conversation about how victims can protect themselves and how everyone can be a part of preventing this kind of coercion and abuse.
1
There is a lot of criticism going around about those in-the-know on ol' Harv the sexual predator's behaviour, and I agree with all of it. But, it is leveled only at men, it seems. Understanding that victims are not in a position and are not empowered/supported to point blame after sexual assault, and understanding that in any profession the position of subjugation leaves women less able to call out unacceptable behaviour, attitudes etc., I marvel at how many actresses suddenly want to speak out who would seem to buck that trend. Surely Ms. Paltrow and Ms. Jolie are powerful enough in their own right, and have been for some time, to have been able to spare Harvey's next victims by bringing this up on their own at some point? Ms. Paltrow says it ends now -- let's hope -- but might it have ended earlier if she had used her star power in later years to put an end to him, rather than trying to sell solid gold sex toys and bad health advice? The next reckoning will be and ought to be outing anyone who knew about what Harvey did, but I think that reckoning should be owned by anyone who could have spoken out.
1
If you bothered to read the article, Jolie did speak out. After being harassed by Weinstein she refused to work with him again, and warned other young actresses not to have anything to do with him.
As for going public, that would have been an extremely risky route. Jolie back in her young days was known as a very wild child. Weinstein almost certainly knew that and took advantage of her reputation to proposition her, knowing that if she did go public on him, a respected producer, nobody would take her word against his and she would be effectively ostracized in Hollywood. She did what she could.
1
About 20 years ago out of the blue a man from the State of Minnesota walked into my Architectural Office and offered me work. After about a year of steady government work he requested that I drop-off a set of plans to his house. Arriving at his secluded house he greeted me wearing only the briefest of cut-off jeans. He demanded that I stay. As I left he barked "I'll never get another State job". He was right about that.
Power can corrupt and the most notorious example of this is the Hollywood path to Stardom. But Power can also illuminate and reform.
These actors give me hope by the light and vision they bring to this stage.
Yet all in Hollywood knew. Reminds one of the line in Casablanca:
Capt. Louis Renault: I'm shocked that there is gambling in this establishment.
It's easy to be part of the mob as Paltrow and Jolie are today. Where were they 10 years ago. They were rich, powerful women who could have made a difference in the lives of other women who were not rich and powerful. Women who would have had a different experience if Paltrow and Jolie had stepped up.
I don't applaud them. They are part of the problem. Silence is the problem
2
This behavior will only stop when women organize and stand together, outing sexual predators, achieving equal pay and equal rights for all, establishing standards for consent and professional conduct, and infiltrating the power structure in enough numbers to hold men accountable. Once we've achieved 25% of board seats, the dynamic will shift. The road there is full of challenges but I believe it can happen. And every young woman entering college and the work force should be taught how to handle harassment and boundary violations both in the moment and after the fact.
I recall visiting TEN CHIMNEYS in Wisconsin, home of legendary stage actors - Lunt and Fontaine where among the home's furniture and decorations, the tour guide pointed to a sofa which she said was the casting couch of a world famous Broadway / Hollywood producer. This sofa once belonged to prominent producer ____who often visited this summer home...it's where ingenues were "auditioned" for roles, the docent said with a wink. It seems the acceptance of this kind of behavior was the norm in those days, and only now, thirty years after the feminist movement, are we attuned to the depravity of the entertainment /media world.
can we please move on now, the focus on this story has begun to illustrate the lack of focus on pressing matters. in today's world we don't have the luxury to spend this much attention in this direction anymore.
there are better ways to discuss any of the contents of this narrative by looking somewhere else.
I believe there are salient issues that are represented, but there is a self inditement buried in looking here for them.
1
This guy belongs in jail. He is clearly a predator. What a pathetic person to use his business power to attempt to manipulate young people just starting out in the business. I hope he loses everything near and dear to him.
22
Weinstein is a disgusting man and should be prosecuted to the full extend of the law...
16
He gives extraordinary new meaning to the word "lowlife".
11
Mr. Weinstein should be labeled a sexual predator and his neighbors should be notified with a postcard that a dangerous individual lives near by. He should face charges for these crimes, as they are criminal acts if you read the New Yorker piece which is more graphic.
Good to see two major publications take on this powerful pervert.
16
Weinstein's punishment must include jailtime for this abusive pig and any of the other men (it's almost ALWAYS men) like him. How many careers/lives were destroyed, sidelined as a result of Harvey Weinstein. Can rape allegations be far off?
10
Enough of this story already. Weinstein is a creep. Why belabour the point?
5
A lot of men are born with a blood supply handicap...and sexual harassment in the 'real' world is as child molestation is in the priesthood, pervasive, enabled and covered-up.
4
Dear Times, Sexual harassment in Hollywood is a worthy topic, but we are now going on five days of this and the stories are disintegrating into celebrity gossip of the TMZ variety. I am worried that you are promoting click bait instead of serious journalism. Keep covering these stories, but use some moderation and good sense in journalistic decisions about what goes on the front page day after day. I come here for serious journalism, not celebrity gossip.
9
The story is important because it exposes the rich and the powerful--what they do and how they cover it up.
2
Weinstein v Trump? Who's worse?
8
Bill Clinton
2
I always have assumed this is how Hollywood works, and I assume the same thing happens to many male stars by gay versions of Weinstein, and the same goes for DC--heck, I bet some fine looking young gal is being grabbed in the White House right now.
5
So pleased women are breaking the chains of silence. This happens in all kinds of work places and industries. Thank goodness it is coming out of the closet! Young career women are frequently preyed upon as we try to perform and carefully but terrifyingly navigate our way around these lascivious powerful men. It happened to me in my twenties and was a rude startling wake up call after college where I thought the runway was clear for safe take off. And I am not anything close to a model or movie star. We need the ERA amendment to pass to institutionalize women's rights and equality before our current lascivious POTUS (and there have been many others) wipe more of our legal rights away so that some unscrupulous hedonistic entitled men can keep being idiots when drunk with power and surrounded by youth. This is the beginning of the end of this abusive institutionalize behavior. Keep fighting the fight and coming out of the closet women.
10
All women victimized by Weinstein need to file criminal complaints against Weinstein and his company. Then file civil complaints for money damages against Weinstein and his company. Be careful where you file your criminal complaints. Do not file criminal complaints in New York County, NY. DA Cyrus Vance is on Weinstein's and Trump's payroll. Vance accepts money from Trump's attorneys (Mark Kasowitz, Esq. $25,000;Elkan Abramowitz, Esq. $10,000) and Weinstein's attorney paid a bribe of $182,000) to ignore & dismiss cases. Vance's chief assistant, a female attorney, is the wife of a criminal defense attorney employed by Benjamin Brafman & Associates, who will also work to have your cases against Weinstein dismissed, just like they did to the poor woman employed by the Plaza Hotel, raped by the International Monetary Fund head, a Frenchman, who returned to France, only to be arrested and convicted for rape of women in France.
10
Matt Damon saying he "never saw" Harvey Weinstein sexually abuse anyone is what in Nixon's day was called a 'non denial denial.'
7
I'm surprised other males (boyfriends, fathers) besides Brad Pitt, when told about these incidents, did not confront this sleazebag.
12
Weinstein needs to go to jail, not rehab.
8
Why is everyone so excited about a Hollywood mogul being a sexual predator. We have one as President.
23
What. A Bunch. Of hypocrites.
Some of the women with the biggest platforms available to anyone on Earth, are just now coming out and saying this stuff. A lot of good that does, Gwyenie - you could have prevented all of the abuse he did for several more decades. Born wealthy, privileged, with a father who was nearly as powerful in Hollywood as Weinstein (and far better liked), but your part in the next movie was more important. (And Emma was terrible, btw...)
And to STILL have said nothing for two decades is just unconscionable. I understand this when it's a waitress who is trying to keep a roof over her kids heads, but to hear someone like this crow about future movies with that company - it's absolutely horrible.
He is a terrible, awful person - but so is anyone with wealth and privilege and body guards who keeps their mouth shut while people who DON'T have those things were further exposed to his abuse. Especially for decades, just so you wouldn't risk a movie role.
27
This has happened for a century in the show business. There were even joks about the "couch audition." And only now they all come out? Give me a break.
Banish the jerk and move on.
3
At what point do you move on from this story? We get it. A movie mogul was trying to get a lot of actresses to have sex with him. Is it newsworthy that in one case he masturbated in from of one of the actresses (and that it was into a potted plant), in another case he appears in a robe with the front open, in another case he touched one actresses breast, etc.? Is it worth having it on the front page, much less having it features for days on end?
8
What were these women doing- especially A-List stars- before the Times' story broke last week? Nothing, nada. Silently...informing no one. Were they complicit in allowing Weinstein's assaults to continue decades longer out of fear for "their career(s)"- unaware of or unwilling to embrace laws which protect them against assault and coercion, a plethora of legal organizations and attorneys at hand to take on a man worth $200 million, courts of law to remedy their grievances and aggressive allies in the entertainment and investigative media. Yet silence reigned. Silence informed no one, protected no one. Until along came two journalists- both women- from the Times. They busted through the cowardice, denial and self-obsession that predators like Weinstein rely on to keep preying on their targets. Those speaking out since the Times' article are grown women- adults- many of them powerful in their own right. They bought into Hollywood myths that gave them cover for their cowardice, aside from an Ashley Judd who showed courage and grit in speaking up before the walls began collapsing around Weinstein. There is a profound difference between the whistleblower and the counter-puncher who back down a predator, and others who follow suit after the cat is out of the bag. And aside from Brad Pitt cornering Weinstein over his behavior, where the hell was the support from Male Hollywood? Silent. Hollywood is now as ever home to actors playing their parts. Not heroes.
20
Weinstein is a lout, deserves having his reputation and career destroyed and whatever else happens
Interestingly Trump admitted to some of the same or worse and was elected President - with 53% of the white female vote
Huh?
47
Good comment. So I asked some of our southern women relatives why they voted for Trump after that video came out where Trump bragged about groping women. Here is some of what they said:
Most laughed it off and said "boys will be boys."
They also said: "it is no big deal--happens all the time."
They blamed the women who had been grouped, saying either
"She didn't know how to take care of herself." or
"She let her ambition get in her way."
Although I have not talked with them recently, my guess is they would be disgusted by Harry Weinstein because (1) he is one of those liberal Hollywood types who supported Hillary; (2) he is a disgusting liberal, no surprise--claiming to be a big humanitarian while taking advantage of and hurting people at every opportunity.
4
Andrew, Trump admitted that when you are a star beautiful attractive women let you kiss and grope them. The keyword is "THEY LET YOU".
He can't be an aberration. How much did LAPD know?
5
Your children's role models ladies and gentlemen,
2
The name Harvey Weinstein is definitely not on the tip of every child's tongue. And children's role models are mainly their parents.
it's a hearty stretch of the imagination to say that Harvey Weinstein is a chidlren's role model, most adults never even heard of him before this. There is a much worse role model as president, I'm more concerned about that because the policies he advances will affect my children's lives, and he's also models terrible behavior has no respect for women, and is a mean petty dictator.
Donald Trump - yuck! Anthony Weiner - double yuck! Harvey Weinstein - triple yuck! No one will ever mistake either of these three for James Bond.
6
For men who scoff, or minimize, or say this sort of insidious, painful harassment doesn't happen in every field, from entertainment to medicine to retail:
I cannot figure you out.
Are you in such profound denial? -- meaning, you know in your heart that sexual harassment and bullying and assault exist, but your brain simply cannot acknowledge them?
Or do you truly believe in la-la-land, where everyone is treated equally well and no one is sexually bullied? Which would make you both ignorant and naive.
So which is it? In denial . . . or naive/ignorant?
There are no other choices.
3
We all enable men who sexually harass women when we elect as President a goon who openly brags about grabbing women by the genitals, walks into the dressing room of a teen beauty contest, and publicly demeans women, including the wives of his rivals, for their physical appearance.
15
Add Weinstein to the long long list of men who think women were created for their pleasure. Public figures: And less visible people. Time for women to kick 'em in the you-know-what.
4
he's a sociopath plain and simple
please make some consequences for this predator
10
Let's see some jail time!
8
Wow, so there really is such a thing as a casting couch. I'm sure this is only one that exists in Hollywood. It seems that Mr. Weinstein has just been accused of rape by three women according to the New Yorker article today and there is even tape. Bill Clinton had similar charges but still gets standing ovations anytime he walks into a room. Mr. Clinton gets a pass like Sharia Law gets a pass with modern day American feminists.
2
Thank you, Ms. Kantor and Ms. Abrams, for your piece on the Casting Couch Pig. Sexual harassment such as Harvey Weinstein slobbered upon so many young and frightened actresses in his decades-long Miramax thrall deserves a long time in the slammer. The only remedy to cure such demented male chauvinists is the time-honored solution of castration. Shame on Weinstein and all those who`ve facilitated male sexual harrassment on the young and innocent down through the ages of man.
2
I have read this twice and I still dont' get it. Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie are both pretty good looking and actresses who already had great boyfriends who were also nice looking.
Harvey Wienstein is not very nice looking, although he has got a lot of money. And I bet he knows a lot of people also, too. I still dont' understand why they kept dating him after they were big stars. All you got to say now is Gwyneth or Angeloina, and everone knows who your talking about, am I right? He sounds like a total jerk if you ask me.
I dated guys I didnt' think were very hot but, I needed to do it at the time. After that, I dumped them but, I sure didnt' talk about it after.
Yours with an ever enquiring mind,
David Terry
Hillsborough, North Carolina
Um. Who said they were dating him???
6
Power. The power to ruin your career.
1
P.S. this next morning?...it occurs to me that I need to emphasize that I was grimly "joking". I did, however, have a conversation yesterday with a sorta-friend (female) who quite literally said "But you've got to ask yourself, why did they keep dating him if he was so gross?". I took the time to stress that none of these women were "dating" Harvey Weinstein.....and then I gave up trying to re-educate (so to speak) a woman in her early sixties. sincerely, david terry
These celebrity women are hypocrites to accept and allow this evil behavior to continue. They did what was best and most beneficial to themselves without a thought to the many young girls who would be harmed by their silence.
I am truly ashamed of them.
6
They are speaking out, aren't they?
This is not the Fatty Arbucke 1921 story!
2
Weinstein's conduct towards women is appalling, disgusting, despicable and utterly inexcusable. It' amazing that it wasn't stopped decades ago, but that speaks to how powerful the forces of misogyny are. And said to say that we have an idiot in the White House who was "elected" notwithstanding that he too is a sexual predator. How could that have happened, how could anyone have voted for him? Anyone?
2
Trump leaves no doubt that too many Americans don't even know what character is. Trump is a distillation of everything piggish in this hopelessly juvenile nation.
What a disgusting sleaze ball you are, Harvey Weinstein. Thank you NYT and all the brave women who have come forward. The general silence from Hollywood is shocking and shameful. Hopefully there's a case somewhere in this that charges that might be brought for sexual assault against this serial sexual predator.
5
I wonder how many rapes Gwyneth Paltrow could have prevented in the last 20 years by saying something sooner.
10
Um... none. If she had spoken out at the age of 22 as an actress just starting out in the business, she would have been completely ignored. The response would have been, "He came on to you and you said no, so what's the problem?" But her career would have been majorly impacted.
And if she spoke out 10 years later as an established actor but a lone voice, she would have been viewed with suspicion, and again, her career would have been majorly impacted.
It's only with the strength of a NY Times investigation and many others speaking out at the same time that the accusers are treated as credible.
It is not Gwyneth Paltrow's fault that Harvey Weinstein is a sexual predator. What about Harvey's brother? What was he doing?
What's stunning are the crickets of the "Elites" who idolized this pig for years and years. Streep's disdain is laughable; she didn't know? If McFarlane can make an open joke about it, then they all KNOW. The fact this Paper lets Lorne Michaels call this a "New York Thing" is the ultimate hypocrisy!
Now the question we should be asking - did Hillary know? Did Barack know? Of course they did, and all they cared about was the money this cretin was bringing them. This is why Hollywood and the Media are collapsing. People recognizing them for the horrible people they truly are!
11
Oh PLEASE! You waited all these years to say something while you took the money and fame. You're a bunch of traitorous turncoats who were ok with it at the time but now you're like a pack of jackals, jumping on it like such. All washed up and not relevant any longer but when you were young and 'aspiring' you had no issue with it. I have no repsect for any of these so called 'stars'
5
I'm sure Mr. Weinstein isn't the only one to have harassed women.
So when are Hollywood actresses (actors) going to start bringing up the other producers, directors, and actors to account for their actions? And I know I'll be chastised for saying this, but how come so many of these actresses who had these terrible things happen to them never spoke up sooner?
After all, several of them were megastars in the last 10 years, and could easily have spoken out, without retribution from Mr. Weinstein or the movie industry. The same would also go for their close friends, directors, and producers as well!
4
NO ONE should be shocked. Everyone knows this is how life in LA is for those who are pretty enough to catch the eye of predatory entertainment executives. I lived as an attorney in LA for several years and dated a very pretty comedian/actress at that time. She was the tall, skinny very pretty blond who caught everyone's eye wherever she went in town. She told me dozens of times of unwanted sexual advances on her or her girlfriends by movie executives or people pretending to be connected in the industry. The entertainment industry is populated with a large number of predatory people for whom pretending to be somebody else is their life's work. Only a relatively small number of actresses get regular TV or movie work at a livable salary, and only a tiny percentage of them become well-known, never mind famous and wealthy. The breakout role is every actresses' dream and many struggle s=for years in the hope of that coming their way. Many young actresses also engage in prostitution to make ends meet until they give up on fame or get very lucky and marry a wealthy guy. That's why so many pretty women are willing to give in to unwanted sexual advances and then stay silent. Sex to advance their goals is a regular part of their lives. I cannot tell you the number of times my old girlfriend would point to some very pretty actress she personally knew with a minor role in a film and tell me how she got that role because she slept with so-and-so listed in the credits.
9
Just because she said a woman slept with someone in the credits to get the minor role doesn't mean it's true. It could be true or it might be gossip. It might even just be mean ...
1
"Ms. Paltrow, 45, is now an entrepreneur, no longer dependent on securing her next acting role. But she emphasized how much more vulnerable she felt at 22, when Mr. Weinstein had just signed her up..." what was she doing in the intervening 23 years? Letting others suffer the same fate... Horrible situation for sure, but someone has to step up. With all these powerful Hollywood women someone should have had the strength.
19
Let's see there are probably many photos of her hob knobbing with HW at the Vanity Fair after Party for the Oscars, smiling laughing and keeping a disgusting secret to herself. I have a problem that she kept silent after all of these years, she's famous enough and who knows had she spoken up earlier how many more women could have been spared unwanted sexual advances?
2
Someone here asked "why just this one man" ?
You have to start somewhere, and this is a good start. Keep it going please !
Because we just elected one of these Creeps to be our president . Hard to believe isn't it ? But it's true.
These jerks make it tough for ALL men & women everywhere. 1st they bully, harass & abuse women whenever & wherever they can. Then they go out into the world feeling like the big man and destroy everyone they meet - from their coworkers to their children to every women they meet if they can. In many instances they gain positions of power. And yes, they even start wars when they can.
10
To anyone (mostly men) who are question, "why now?"
I ask:
"How did you react when a man in a position of power inappropriately touched you?"
Right. That may never have happened to you, so you don't know.
Asking "why now" is the reason for why now. No one believes women when they make these accusations, society still gives deference to the powerful man, and bystanders pass judgement and blame the victim. It takes an undeniable ground swell of voices spurred by the most powerful newspaper in the country again one of the richest men in the country. Weinstein the man's behavior wasn't the only "open secret." This is an open secret in our society for all women. That's "why now."
14
I'll tell you why I question "why now"? Because I was the victim of unwanted advances by a co-worker. Called him out that very day. Not to HR but through other channels. Never bothered me again. We still had to work in the same office but I made damned sure I never had to be near him. Paltrow took too damned long to say anything, chose her career instead. Nothing heroic about that.
6
A co-worker is not a boss or an industry titan. Two different things in terms of potential repercussions.
Both Jolie and Paltrow come from wealthy and well-connected Hollywood families so I don't buy the argument that they were helpless and unable to speak out at the time. Both women have had their own wealth and connections for some time now and should have spoken up sooner. The same is true for Ashley Judd with wealth and connections through music.
And let's not forget about Trump, also a predator, who now sits in the oval office and is the most powerful person in the world.
12
I can't remember was that because of something he said or something he did? Multiple rape accusations? Let's say like Bill Clinton?
I agree with you. Words are more important than actions.
Worthy of Hollywood Babylon.
2
It seems as if, with employees and executives acting as pimps, "honeypots", lures and enablers for Weinstein's assaults, over a period of years, Miramax may have been operating as an ongoing criminal enterprise. I hope some prosecutor with more integrity than Vance takes this up; and I hope some of the women find lawyers with expertise in civil RICO.
9
Why didn't Roger Ailes or Bill O'Reilly, who were far more powerful in shaping public opinion and policy, get this much attention ?
While mythologists paint Hollywood as liberal, at the top levels, it has become very conservative, and it's becoming clear that someone is keeping this story in the headlines a little longer than usual.
It's time to reassess the Access Hollywood tapes and find out who let him do it, because he's a star.
Are there non-discloure agreements in place to hush up the pageant contestants ?
Have there been payouts ?
My guess is someone who will threaten Congress would have no problem threatening a model at his agency.
If we want to air out the laundry, fine. But don't pretend that Harvey Weinstein is the only lech in corporate America or the real estate business.
5
The fact is, this sort of behavior occurs in virtually every work place in America. It is time that parents and teachers and others start training boys and young men as to what is acceptable and for there to be serious legal consequences for those who perpetuate this behavior.
9
Leave it to Paltrow and Jole to turn a serious issue into publicity for themselves. (pictures included)
Never mind that they could have spoken WHEN it mattered, not after everyone else.
This behavior is as bad as Weinstein's, yet they will be perversely applauded for it.
13
It is my opinion that a lot of these women, who are now coming forth and said that they resisted his advances, have the ability to lie just like he did. I would bet you many of them engaged in casual sex at the time, but now deny it jumping on the publicity train acting like they had a conscience back then.
1
Spoken like a true Victim Blamer. Because of course being a victim of and not reporting sexual assault is "just as bad" as perpetrating it. Give me a break.
1
Just as these women have courageously stepped forward to bring to light decades of abuse, why cannot the avalanche happen for Donald Trump and decades of his playboy behavior? Did he also hush up and pay off his accusers? Is there no justice? If he has conducted demeaning behavior towards women why is he above the law? Why can’t the accusers bravely come forward without fear?
6
This pattern of behavior continued for decades? He must have had quite a bit of success doing that, or otherwise, he would not have continued with it. Many men in the business must have been envious, and many must have acted on that envy.
That's why he got away with it - other men would also have had some success behaving like that, while many would have been hoping to some day get so lucky. Not just some men. Many men. What's the risk, that some women would pass along word that this guy or that guy are "creeps?" Don't you hear that said every day about someone?
Wear a hidden camera to stop it. Otherwise, someone more desperate will continue to accept that "bad boy" behavior... maybe even marry it.
4
I never cared for the Hollywood industry, now I know why.
1
I never cared for blanket assertions condemning everyone.
That way you don't have to think. By the way, what movie did you watch last night on TV?
Ever since the Times broke this story wide open, there has been an avalanche of condemnation for Mr. Weinstein's behavior. Deservedly so. But among the comments are many that ask why the women did not come forward with their accusations before now.
That's not the question. The question is why did it take so long for the people who knew exactly what was going on to come forward? It's all so easy now. Everyone is outraged. It takes no courage whatsoever.
When you are a young woman faced in a hotel room with a man who makes it very clear what he wants from you and very clear that there will be consequences if you do not comply, you are all alone. Even if you tell someone, you are all alone. You are one person against a machine of complicity and silence. The ranks close, everything is left unsaid because the man hold sway, not only over you, but over the lives and careers of those who want you to simply shut up and get over it.
So many people knew exactly what Weinstein was up to and said nothing until now. But its a day late and a dollar short for the women who had to bear the brunt of Weinstein's brutish abuses of his power all alone.
That sticks in my craw!
11
Many years ago, I picked up a two volume book called "Hollywood Babylon" at a CMU student flea market in Pittsburgh. What an eye opener! From the early days (Fatty Arbuckle raping and eventually killing a starlet with a coke bottle ) to Alfred Hitchcock's, let's say "special relationship" with Grace Kelly (stalking, voyeurism etc etc.), there was and appearantly is a very dark side to this industry. Like with many complex issues, cheap talk and window dressing will not solve it. The only solution would be to abolish an industry structure where males have the power to promote or hinder (actual and aspiring) female actors' careers. Otherwise, little is likely to change.
PS (Cheeky question from this side of the Atlantic) How come the (by all means) justified ) shaming and scandalizing machine works so well in Mr. Weinstein's case but more than 50% of women with a college degree voted for the current occupant of the White House?
5
Arbuckle was found innocent after the jury deliberated for six minutes, spending five of those minutes writing an apology to the actor for the "great injustice done to him" and declaring that "The happening at the hotel was an unfortunate affair for which Arbuckle, so the evidence shows, was in no way responsible. Roscoe Arbuckle is entirely innocent and free from all blame."
This kind of pervasive and perverted abuse of power has a deeper root that is obvious but never mentioned: Porn.
Let's see if any progressive journalist will stake his/her reputation in order to investigate and expose the other long-ignored secret in our society that e-porn is gasoline to those tempted to sexual violence, just as unregulated guns are instruments of death in the hands of those inclined to kill. Guns and porn both have vocal cheerleaders only marginally motivated by constitutional issues, but mostly motivated by BIG business - billions of dollars annually. Who will dare to expose this truth that the public needs to know? Who will shame the purveyors of porn who are creating a zombie nation of sex addicts? And when the "responsible" porn users argue that they are being unfairly lumped in with the mad rapists, will they get a pass that the "responsible" gun owners do not get when a mass shooting occurs? I can't be the only one who notices that all of those "appalled" by Weinstein's living out his fantasies, never look further into their own hearts to see how the "liberties" they champion are actually creating enduring bondage and destruction in our culture. If we can argue that racism is dangerous and systemic because it is an accepted blind spot in our institutions that harms millions, why can't we see that the systemic promotion and acceptance of pornography has created a dangerous pipeline for millions of sexual crimes?
9
The failure of women to speak up at the time of the harassment is NOT complicity. It comes from a basic instinct for SURVIVAL when a physically and professionally vulnerable woman is faced with a threat from a much more powerful adversary - and often one that she trusted as a mentor before the unwanted advance. I’ll wager the majority of professional women (I’m in the sciences) have either been the victim of similar advances or have supported a close friend or colleague who has. The perpetrators often threaten total career annihilation (“You’ll never work in this town again...”) - and they have the power to follow through - make no mistake. It can be difficult to impossible to slip out of these situations with your work prospects intact. I’m in my sixties now, and it happened to me over and over. He Said trumps She Said - and the more powerful the He, the more dangerous it can be to extricate yourself without making it worse.
11
I commented yesterday before reading the thread, which surprised me in its support of NOT telling for women whose careers needed the support of this vile man. As someone who did tell and suffered for it in the court of family opinion, I disagree strongly. I protected many, many young girls by telling them individually about a well respected family member and only regret that social media did not exist then where I could reach more. The parents in our family who chose not to tell their daughters, or allow me to, both had life searing incidents with daughters who were scarred by their own grandfather. Even after these awful events, the family put on a happy face in public and refused to mention anything in private. The women, have all been silent - especially those who call themselves feminists. I have been shunned and 'punished'. However, my daughters, nieces and friends daughters,babysitters, etc were all forewarned and able to avoid our evil man. My mother in laws only comment was "This is a man's disease and my father and grandfather were the same" As if that means it was ok for her to encourage behavior that hurt her own daughters and granddaughters - not to mention the scores of others. I remain disgusted and my own sacrifice was well worth it. I accept no excuses from these Hollywood 'stars.
10
So this has been going on for years and years. And these two women who are in the limelight so often as proponents of equality, mindfulness, fairness, rights and other causes -- and who are in the public eye as advocates for women -- managed to stay silent on this nastiness until someone else spilled the beans? My esteem for both has been diminished.
10
Once the dragon has been slayed by braver souls, two apprentice knights run out from the safety of the deep forest and slash away at the beast with fond hopes and plans to be invited to the valor awards ceremony.
6
I can't help thinking of Rosa Parks who didn't wait for a bandwagon before speaking out.
9
(Speaking of Rosa Parks, look out for the new documentary "The Rape of Recy Taylor" just shown at the New York Film Festival.) That said, comparing a 22-year-old aspiring actress to Rosa Parks, is a bit unfair. Rosa Parks was a giant. She was also a trained political organizer and came from a similarly inclined family.
3
Actually teenaged Claudette Colvin was the first to refuse to give up her bus seat but the civil rights organizations felt she didn't have the "right image" to be a civil rights pioneer so they used Rosa Parks in a staged event. Anyway, Ms. Colvin acted as she did of her own volition, she didn't need a bandwagon, and she had a lot more to lose than privileged actresses in Hollywood.
2
THANK YOU LYNN for your comment I though I was the only one who was aware of that fact.
i am pretty impressed with brad pitt,.so young.himself too.
10
I have more respect for Pitt than I do Jolie and Paltrow. They were enablers by staying silent then being photographed with him in later years.
It is not conceivable that Clooney, the Clinton’s and Obama’s did not know about his history.
The Manhattan District Attorney, Vance Jr., dismissed the case.
The story saddens me, because I it is a reflection of how corrupt the justice system in US actually is.
10
Raj the fact remains that people like Clooney have raised insane amounts of funds for the democratic party. It is a well known fact that instead of campaigning in battleground states PA, WI, MI, Hillary chose to go to Hollywood celebrities for obscene amounts of money. To what end? The optics were all wrong, just look at that image of Hillary's hands on Harvey's chests during a fundraiser in Manhattan last year. Since when did democrats become the party of celebrities for celebrities by celebrities? Obama is as much to blame, yes he deserved some good times, so after his presidency he goes to Richard Branson's island for rest and recreation. Poor Branson his entire island was devastated in a recent hurricane, decimated, wiped flat.
1
Vance received and kept a campaign donation made by Weinstein's attorney. Vance's ethics are sorely lacking and he should step down. The man was bought and paid for when he quashed the investigation. Shame on Cy.
When you talk about powerful men taking advantage and abusing women that wish to make it in showbiz, the name of Silvio Berlusconi always comes up; and their horrible doings have such a traumatizing effect that these women so terrorized to reveal potential details such that might endanger political careers build up on hypocrisy and conspiracy of silence, are reduced to silence by the moguls' very powerful and influential lawyers. These tycoons plan their foul acts in advance. Such is the case of Ambra Battilana. From the New Yorker link to the article: "In 2010, as a young contestant in a beauty pageant associated with the former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Ambra Battilana had attended one of his infamous Bunga Bunga parties. She claimed that she had been unaware of the nature of the party before arriving, and eventually became a witness in a bribery case against Berlusconi, which is still ongoing." Fast forward to present time and instead of complying Ambra went to the police and reported Weinstein's assault, but Weinstein knew enough about her to blackmail and silence her. Berlusconi was so horrible and aggressive using women to wield his power so publicized in circus-like journalistic reports for years, that his greed crashed on him eventually. So it is with Weinstein. No matter how powerful you are you can't always control reality. Berlusconi and Weinstein have had their comeuppance from courageous women that have been having enough.
2
if one says "no" before the drama begins, there will be no tauma, some fury, but none of the scars borne by women who have been pressured, harassed or actually assaulted, and humiliated into silence...
that some of those who escaped the the wolf's den kept silent however, is, if not a mystery (career calculations no doubt) a sad commentary on the integrity they pour over their hypocrisy...the harm they do, being so after-the-fact, is to all women who refrain from complaint because of their awareness of the corruption of the system that claims to support them, ask any woman in college anywhere.
if the voices of powerful women were backed by persistent action it may be that a kind of electric fence can be put around the casting couch.
that way even the unreported (that there are so many in the entertainment industry is one reason why harvey was hushed up...out him and who's next?) will think at least once.
Who was paying for all these "settlements?" Miramax stockholders? How could the rest of the Board and his fellow executives not know when settlements were paid? And if they knew why they were paying settlements they were acknowledging that paying for rape was just a cost of doing business.
11
Isn't this the kind of behavior that a union like the Screen Actors' Guild should help actors address? It is clear that each of these women felt completely alone and isolated, unable to stand up against this mogul. If SAG isn't able or willing to help actors confront these work conditions, then women in Hollywood need to form their own union to take on this issue. If these very powerful women like Jolie, Paltrow, Streep and Dunham,others like Oprah Winfrey, Ava Duvernay, and women directors, executives and agents with integrity form such a union, it will have a lot of clout and will go a long way to reducing this behavior and the incentives to cover it up. Weinstein should be in prison.
3
What price fame? By not coming forward when these events occurred these women allowed other women to become victims. And for what- to ensure their careers in movies instead of accomplishing something important in reality.
7
Remember Anita Hill? How she was called a liar, belittled, and blamed for trying to "destroy" a man's career? Do you believe her now? What will it take? Men like H.W. are a dime a dozen, but even more profligate are the men who are a.) just a tad less forceful but still want the same thing, or b.) see it all and say nothing. The psychic damage this causes is beyond measure. Whole lives are changed; careers are stalled, emotions shut down, fear replaces trust. Its not just the women who lose either - men who need the trust of women to be whole themselves find it mysteriously unattainable.
11
Every woman I have encountered in my 61 years has a story about being sexually harassed, molested or raped...We are hearing about this story because they are all "famous".
This is not a story about famous people...it is a story about all of us.
13
Weinstein denies any of this happened yet at the same time says he's going to get counseling. For what? For denying any of this ever happened? He certainly had his accomplices e.g., those who knew about all of this and never made it public so Weinstein isn't the only one with dirt on his hands.
Just as Bill Cosby was prosecuted and will be tried again in a court of law, Weinstein needs to face a jury too.
3
Can I say it again? I said it two days ago...the President of our country has so degraded the office he inhabits because Trump voters disregarded all of the despicable, sexually harassing behavior of their candidate. Now we see in the man Harvey Weinstein a life which is literally being ruined before our eyes while the top executive of our country demeans, bullies, belittles, harasses, lies and obliterates any decency left in the presidency. Now let's talk about a double standard....
10
Yeah it’s really terrible. I’m am intelligent person in the entertainment biz. I’m not the “too cool for school” type. This story is an additional reason why I can’t watch news along with the daily descent into the abyss led by our President.
I have to resort to old tv and movies and hope when I wake up the next day this story, Harvey Weinstein, the world crisis and Donald Trump would not be real. Life is on an elevator going down. I’m calling my ex to hang out and forget the past. Omg and Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie to add to the madness!
3
I'm just going to come out and say it. The "casting couch" is a common power fantasy. I can see the temptation, especially when you've gotten away with it before. But promising someone work for sex is soliciting prostitution and scaring someone into have sex with you is rape even if you don't use physical force.
If people who enjoy the judicious use of pins and sandpaper in the bedroom can find each--other, you'd think someone that rich and powerful would be able to find a way to exercise that fantasy WITHOUT all the harm he's caused over the years. And so many of his staff are complicit in this, you'd think at least ONE person had to be keeping records of all this.
1
Send your thoughts to the Weinstein Company: [email protected]
Shame on all of the enablers and complicit assistants, agents, and others in positions of power within the company who remained silent.
I am boycotting TWC.
Harvey Weinstein is a criminal and many were his accomplices.
2
I'm almost as angered by the comments here accusing Weinstein's victims as I am by Weinstein's behavior. He is one sick freak. But apparently thousands of men and women are perfectly comfortable blaming his victims because of what they wore, blaming his victims for not sacrificing their careers by speaking out sooner, blaming his victims for "playing the victim", blaming his victims for other women's false accusations against other men, blaming his victims for their timing in speaking up. Victim-blaming is so rampant in these comments that it should be immediately clear to any observer why a career-ending scandal for Weinstein wasn't printed in these pages decades ago. Society, even intelligent liberal society, is so busy blaming women for their behavior before, during and after sexual assault that they don't have words left to condemn the perpetrator.
3
Hurricane Harvey, rightly named.
1
Whilst I understand that Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow did indeed suffer humiliation, angst, anger and fear after Harvey Weinstein’s unsolicited advances, one has to honestly wonder why, after 20 years they now finally find their voices and the courage to come forward. Gwyneth Paltrow in particular, has really no excuse for keeping quiet for 20 years while other young women fell into the same trap as she did. At least Angelina Jolie spoke out and cautioned others against getting overly involved with Weinstein. Is it enough to say they were frightened of never finding work? They’ve gone on to be hugely successful and immensely wealthy and not once have they thought to step in to expose Weinstein for the sexual predator that he is and thus save many other young women from the same fate. I think it is disgraceful and cowardly to the enth degree to have not had the courage to come forward sooner. It’s on their shoulders and all the others who were complicit in not coming forward sooner, that Weinstein has been enabled to predate upon young women for so long and with such arrogant confidence. Let this be a salutary lesson for the future.
5
What? no sex no job? I'm shocked that so many are shocked at this revelation. Even presidents are not above this.
1
Now that they have enough cover, perhaps SNL will do a skit or make a joke about good old Harvey.
The hypocrisy is almost too much to bear.
2
As long as Lorne Michaels is at the helm that will never happen. He's a little man with big problems with hypocrisy being front and center. Only he'd never admit to it.
Hypocrisy in the extreme. There is hardly a movie made in Hollywood that does not have the "Bed Scene." As an industry it is the very epitome of casual sex and broken marriages.
Harvey Weinstein is probably the fall guy in an industry where casting couch sex has been a standard for many many years.
The general public would be starved of movies if we insisted that wholesome, virtuous movies were the standard. Unfortunately Hollywood has always been the example and others have followed, creating a society without substance.
1
Harvey Weinstein's life is rapidly turning into a Woody Allen movie. Maybe there's a script here?
1
We know that Weinstein isn't the only one. Corey Feldman has repeatedly claimed that Corey Haim's OD/death/addiction was triggered by sexual abuse by a Hollywood titan whose identity remains unknown because of libel and slander concerns. Similarly, a lesser-known actress, Amanda Peterson, (Can't Buy Me Love) also OD'ed and became an addict after a sexual assault at age 15 -- it was implied the unnamed perpetrator was in the movie business.
Let this be a turning point for survivors of sexual abuse to come forward.
Out the perpetrators. Out them all.
7
Anyone else in this situation would be in jail. And, ‘Harvey Weinstein’ gets to instead go for ‘counseling’ and other elite privileges?
3
I've met men like this, not big deals like Weinstein, nevertheless these encounters are very upsetting and you don't want to talk about them. They haunt you and you feel angry and abused. You know that the person cares nothing for you or your well-being while they act the innocent. They are intimidating and scary. I applaud the famous actresses who have come out and told their stories because this is what it takes to stop it. WE are all so sick of this.
3
And Little Miss Goop stayed silent all this time allowing a predator to take advantage of countless other women.
She had plenty of time after being established to say something. And she didn't.
This is why men continue to win. Women like her. Disgusted.
10
Oh, come on. We all know how easy it is to claim rape/lack of consent. These beautiful young women were clearly driven to mad passion by Weinstein's neck beard. And that bod!
Thing is, these women are all interchangeable. If Weinstein had picked someone else for the film role, Paltrow might have wound up a waitress. It wasn't rape. It was 20 years ago. The lesson to be learned is that women will punish you for anything if given the platform to do so. The best thing a man can do is to utterly reject all women. It's the safest play. In short, the Pence plan - never to meet with a woman without a chaperone, is the correct plan. A better plan is - never meet with a woman.
3
Hey a shout out to movie star Matt Damon for working so diligently to ensure that his female colleagues took as much demeaning cruelty as Weinstein could dish out. If this act of bravery by Damon turns out to prove a wise use of his Hollywood clout, we'll know what we already suspect, that this behavior isn't going anywhere.
3
Kudos though to Brad Pitt.
Harvey W. for Secretary of State! Harvey for cabinet member! He is right up Trump's alley. All the prerequisite skills! I can already see him chasing Kim J U's wife around a desk- "I'll make you a star."
1
Must be a lot of repressed memories in Hollywood.
1
This guy sounds like he might be suited for the white house, a cabinet spot. He and the trumper could share stories.
1
None of these women came forth beforehand. No one spoke to each other; I don't believe it. What the NY Times is not reporting is how both Matt Damon and Russel Crowe tried to squash this story and not let it surface. And HRC is the only person who did not donate Weinstein's money to a cause; interesting? You bet.
5
Cyrus Vance Manhattan DA apparently is keeping his $50,000 donation made by Weinstein's lawyer. Gee could that be why no charges were brought and that he decided there wasn't enough evidence from the tape?
2
And this is what offends you???
1
Stunning that the NYT would consider this front page headline news. With all the challenges facing the U.S. and the World, surely the sexual forays of a movie producer in the Hollywood environment of self-interest, indulgence, family dysfunction, and diminution of values is less important.
1
Sure, you rat him out now that you've gotten rich off the misery of all the women that followed you. I've got some skin in this game, I suffered greatly because those that came before me did not have the courage to stand up in court.
2
Why is the phrase "forced vaginal sex" used in this article, while the word "rape" is not? Are they not the same? Why is this still being referred to as "sexual assault" instead of "rape"?
5
Hey, I'm an actor, and as a child actor, I was coerced many a time by producers and in one case a director, who actually assaulted me. Being a polite little English boy, I didn't have the guts to kick him in the you-know -whats, but I did say, "excuse me", and ran in the opposite direction.
Our industry is full of the aggressive gay tribe some of whom are not averse to coming on to attractive young boys and men. Let's not forget to include them into this lively discussion.
5
The sudden pile-on of condemnation for Weinstein from the Washington and Hollywood elite is laughably shallow and self-serving. These are people who knew, or had reason to know, of his predatory behavior, yet have allowed these abuses to pass for years without comment. Their silence not only reveals their gutless cowardice, but stains them forever as co-conspitrators. How tightly must the Obamas and Clintons have closed their eyes and held their noses to allow this to pass without comment or intervention? Such is the grip of of power, money, and influence.
23
And just look at what was elected President; a man who bragged openly about his exploits. Save some of your umbrage for him. He is now the leader of this country and represents all of us, like it or not. Frankly I prefer the dignity and class of the Obamas.
3
Harvey Weinstein must regret using his money to support liberal political causes. If he had chosen to support conservative causes instead, he would be serving in Trump's cabinet right now.
2
I'm sure their eyes were wide open. It's more like "Sorry Harvey, we had a good run but you understand. Just politics. Nothing personal."
2
The vortex of sexual allegations enmeshed Mr. Weinstein’s life in recent days. Perhaps, the major conundrum prompting me, as I tend to be judicious is “Why Now?” Why, the victims abstained for several decades to come forward with sexual allegations against the entertainment mogul? Their heart felt stories is drawing remarkable publicity now, however, if they came forward one by one decades ago, they could have impeded Weinstein’s perversion from metastasizing, it would have saved others being victimized and mired his life into the deserving fate. Today, I view the merit of this development with legitimate reservations as why these wonderful actors hiatus to reveal the perpetrator in Hollywood until they reached the apotheosis of their career i.e. Rosanna Arquette, Gwyneth Paltrow and so on. One fair question to ask without pointing fingers at anyone, especially the alleged victims, could this be a collusion by other big shots in Hollywood trying to debacle the giant producer. I guess ONLY time will tell.
4
This is a horrible thing, for certain, and Mr. Weinstein has a lot to answer to. But the term "Casting Couch" has been around for decades and where there's smoke, there's fire. He is most likely not the only Hollywood executive that has participated in this type of harassment. Where's the rest of the story ?
7
Women have been exploited as objects for times immemorial. The very fact we are women condemns us to second class status shut up, grin and bear. we are told ladies should behave like ladies the world is going to the dogs but ladies should continue to stand two steps behind their masters, husbands brothers fathers.
Not kidding I just heard this last week from an 85 year old relative who is convinced the world is a mess because women want to dominate their men!!!
My daughter in her mid 20s is freaking out.
1
Terrible situation. My heart goes out to all those women
affected.
12
Thank you for being the one person in the comment section to express sympathy for the victims.
3
What brave stand-up women! They're speaking out now and getting their faces in the papers. Where were they two weeks ago?
8
There are no secrets in Hollywood! Every P.R company in the entertainment community which are financially hired and controlled by all the powers in the entertainment business. The rumor vines in the valley of Hollywood’s belly are known, controlled by all the powerful cartel of insiders; within the entertainment business; studio executives, powerful agents and managers in the industry. Wielding devastating power over the careers of studio executives, producers, directors and actors. Those facts or rumors are only exposed and released to the public depending who is the rumor is about. That’s the History of Hollywood since the days of the Hedy Hopper’s, the Louella Parsons’s the Joyce Haber’s and Liz Smith; who were instructed to protect the rumors to the public only release the name or names of those who the insider cartel of Hollywood’s elite of executives, agents, mangers in the industry, wanted to expose. The rumors would be released or controlled, depending who is the rumor was and is about. Harvey Weinstein’s rumors have been protected for decades as long as he was bringing the brown paper bag with money to the special interest of the Hollywood political cartel.
5
We wonder why there's been so little press about Tim Murphy, the anti-abortion congressman who seems to have told his mistress to get an abortion, yet so much press about Harvey Weinstein. True, Harvey in his long career had annoyed lots of people with both his personality and his successes. And true, he appears to done unforgivable things. But the congressman in question and his stated views, belonged to a group responsible for regulating the entire course American life. So while Harvey may have been a poster boy for unruly, repugnant, and even invasive appetite, Murphy was a poster boy for hypocrisy. No one wants to let Harvey off the hook. But it is interesting that so little ink has been spilled putting Murphy on it.
12
Fear of not being believed is what kept me from reporting my rape. It wasn't going to hurt my career, or my close relationships; it was going to end my primary relationship with a man I felt I loved, and it did, though I never confronted him. Please, believe the reporter of attempted or actual sexual abuse/accuser of rape/groping...crude remarks (in my case, twice, by co-workers) in an otherwise empty room. Few women are at such a low point in terms of self-esteem that they'd say they were abused when they were not, merely to get attention; it can bring a lot of deep, disbelieving scrutiny, and that's a huge assault as well. I know SOME things, but most of all, I know THIS for sure: my own family never believed me. I stopped ever 'confessing' the event, and I applaud those who do now.
14
We'll likely hear volumes from many more victims, pretty predictable as accusers only tend to come forward to tell about their lurid encounters with a sexual predator after-the-fact, sometimes even years later. In Bill Cosby's case, it was evident that wannabe young starlets were willing to do anything if he could further their careers, reminiscent of Hollywood's scandalous casting couch in a bygone era. In Weinstein's case, a lot of people around him knew his dark side, but didn't speak out; maybe he knows a few things about them?
1
Most poignant quote, from Gwyneth Paltrow, sums up the awful betrayal at the heart of abuse: ""I thought you were my Uncle Harvey,” she recalled thinking."
24
Welcome to the world of Hollywood. Sexual favors are demanded even if it is a waitress job. Why everyone is shocked is beyond me. When I was young we were expected to lighten up, be a doll and appreciate the attention.
4
Rose McGowan's accusation - and confirmation to the NYT - that Ben Affleck can't say he didn't knew about Harvey Weinstein's behavior years ago BECAUSE SHE TOLD AFFLECK THAT WEINSTEIN ASSAULTED HER - is bracing.
Is it likely we are going to learn many big stars knew about this scandal and are now going to deny it because at the time it benefited them to ignore this enormous scandal - and possibly crimes?
7
gwyneth & angie are doing no favors. They're just glomming onto the PR. Paltrow & Jolie are part of the problem, not the solution. Had either a conscience, Weinstein would've be gone long ago.
14
That is unfair. Try being a young person who wants a career bullied by a powerful older man.
Why did three men on the all-male board of directors finally decide to leave the board after the NYTs article? Personally, I'm sick of watching movies all about men. These men bring us our movies and enable this garbage along with movies where women are ridiculously unrepresented. Watch movies and television about women and directed by women.
9
This pretty much lays to waste his chances of ever getting the Academy's Irving Thalberg Humanitarian Award, but he still has a shot at the presidency.
16
Are nude photos required of actresses for their portfolios? I keep hearing about nude photos, that were supposed to be 'private' being hacked, so I assume these photos are pretty much mandatory. If they are - this is part of the problem and culture the film business has created - nude photos to be passed around by executives like Weinstein.
How could a photo help determine one's acting ability, anyway? I imagine young actresses saying, 'Well, my agent says everyone has to pose, so I will, too'.
The problem is bigger than Weinstein and extends to the television and music industries as well.
3
Now, the pile on starts. Where were these famous women when other women were being harassed? It is so popular to play the victim nowadays. But when it landed them the role or part they wanted, it was convenient for them to remain silent and carry on as usual. Something about speaking out now seems opportunistic and self-aggrandizing. If they truly care about the damage that Weinstein was allegedly causing, they would have spoken out long ago.
14
Since you have no idea what you're talking about, you really shouldn't judge a woman's reaction to sexual assault and find her guilty. Unless you want to add a story about how you spoke up in a similar situation?
2
Reality Check? I think you need one. Is your claim that one should not dare challenge the timeliness of an alleged victim because the alleged victim is a woman? Or are you saying that the intentions of an alleged victim cannot be challenged? Quit applying gender cliches to women and assuming that alleged "victims" do not bare any responsibility to untold others.
1
Gwyneth Paltrow was 22 years old at the time when . . . she refused Harvey Weinstein’s advances. She confided in Brad Pitt, her boyfriend at the time. Mr. Pitt confronted Mr. Weinstein, and soon after, the producer warned her not to tell anyone else about his come-on. “I thought he was going to fire me,” she said.
I wonder what Gwyneth Paltrow would have done if her boyfriend Brad Pitt had been falsely accused of sexual harassment, or worse, by another young woman. I think that the answer is “probably, nothing.”
It’s the old double standard. Men are supposed to defend their women. And, men are also left alone to defend themselves. It’s what I call “hypocrisy.”
2
Uncertain what you're going for here. Are you implying that Weinstein was falsely accused?
reply to Reality Check
I am not at all implying that Weinstein was falsely accused.
I am implying some women do make false accusations of sexual harassment and worse. The examples that do come to public attention are indeed rare, such as the three Duke University lacrosse players that were charged with rape by a stripper and falsely prosecuted by the local district attorney who withheld key exoneration evidence. Lucky for them, these young men had wealthy parents who were able to pay for competent legal representation. And, more recently, there was the grossly unsubstantiated Rolling Stone article. And, even more recently, was the female university student that hauled a mattress around campus to prove that her sexual rape charges by a male student had not been false.
My point is that men can suffer long-lasting (sometimes a lifetime) adverse consequences as a result of false accusations by a female sociopath.
Not all sociopaths, like Harvey Weinstein, are men. I do not want anyone to lose sight of this fact. I've been there and done that.
1
In Israel there is an organization that monitors inappropriate behavior by Rabbis, takes testimony, investigates, and goes public when there are multiple complaints. Hollywood needs something like this.
5
Dear Harvey: You were so proud of the company you named after your mother and your father. Bet they’d be really proud of you now.
5
Sure enough! His wife is divorcing him!
I was wondering how long it would take. Did she never know? Is she simply embarrassed it’s become public? She did express concern for the women. And disgust for her husband.
How dreadful for these young children!
2
While these women were Weinstein's victims, by way of their continued silence, they were also his enablers.
9
Let us know when you're ready to sacrifice your dream job by mouthing off against the most powerful person in your industry just so everyone can ignore you. Then you can talk about enabling.
2
An observation based on the NYT news coverage of this whole sordid saga:
it is reported that actress Rose McGowan had one of these assaultive or threatening encounters with Weinstein in 1997. It is reported that a financial settlement was issued. In another Weinstein article, The NYT has a photo of Rose McGowan with the caption that it was taken in 2007. She is wearing a red dress that barely covers her chest; she is very openly smiling and has her arm around Mr. Weinstein, who is also smiling, and she is leaning into him very closely with that much-exposed "chestal region" against him. Today Rose McGown is publicly chastising Ben Affleck, trying to shame him about his failure or his role in this whole sordid saga. Weinstein is apparently and reportedly a serial sexual molester of women. What of the women who apparently have an unusual definition of self-respect and dignity? Why would Rose McGowan be anywhere near him in 2007, let alone in that sexualized garb and position. Adult women must stop seeing themselves and portraying themselves as victims! That whole perspective does no good for anybody. Rose McGowan should not be in that picture as a willing, smiling, "leaning into" Weinstein participant in what must have been, to her, another career advancing photo. That is not courage and it is not integrity. That is enabling.
5
I'm not certain what you're trying to say here. Is it that because a woman wears a revealing dress and puts her arm around a powerful man, he has a right to force his genitalia into hers? I wonder why this makes sense to you.
1
Now they complain?
7
Power Corrupts.
It corrupts producers, actors, senators, congressmen, city councilmen, mayors, employers, employees, Democrats, Republicans, environmentalists, socialists, capitalists, preachers, teachers, professors, men, women, children, plumbers and physicists.
I heard a preacher say;
"God sent us one perfect man and we crucified Him. He hasn't sent another one so far."
That is the reason the Framers of the Constitution created no office that the holder of could not be removed by some process or another.
ALL human beings are subject to the same failings no matter pure and noble they may seem.
6
This is the culture and it's not up to women to change it. Only men can. We now have heard about some high profile cases - maybe there will be more - and all are outraged and struggle to understand why women fear to report sexual harassment. We women know that it happens to all of us all the time. Instead of asking why women fear, ask your mother, aunt, sister, daughter, or wife about their experiences. They have all had them. Be outraged that it happens to all women just because they are women. Yes this ends now. But men must be the ones to change the culture that perpetuates this unequal power balance. It's not just "locker room".
7
But men will not change. And it is not ending now. Look at the legions of men who could not bear the idea of having a woman as president. Too much of a threat to their masculinity. It's ingrained in our culture and to think of it all changing merely because of Weinstein's being exposed after thirty years of radio silence by many of his victims is wishful thinking.
No answers from this gay man. Only viewing the whole thing with continued horrified amazement.
I have no idea what happened betweenGwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie but the one thing I do know is that they have been in positions of power and wealth for a very long time and could have and should have raised their accusations a long time ago. Instead they waited until now. Standing up earlier could have protected women whose positions were less secure and they were more vulnerable. That doesn't mean that they are lying. It's really a lament that they kept silent.
14
Thank you.
1
In another NYTimes article, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/10/movies/rose-mcgowan-ben-affleck-matt-..., the article authors wrote,
"George Clooney has also weighed in on the controversy, telling The Daily Beast in an interview that was published Monday night that while he was aware of rumors that young actresses had slept with Mr. Weinstein to get roles, he had been unaware of any misconduct or the settlements Mr. Weinstein had reached with women."
The above (whether the authors quoted Clooney correctly or he structured his statement this way), is part of the problem we see with the culture allowing Weinstein to succeed in his predatory behavior. Saying the actresses slept with Weinstein 'to get roles' implies it was the women who were the aggressors...as if women are lining up to 'sleep' with these sleazeballs.
9
Almost all women I know have been caught in a situation where they are the victim of unwanted sexual advances and the natural reaction is to feel guilty, ashamed and complicit. In some instances, this shame can lead us to agree to situations we do not want.
I think women are still caught in a double-bind both personally and professionally. As girls we are taught we should be warm and nice and not cold and aloof. I have been in situations with men, both bosses and acquaintances, where a natural tendency towards being open and agreeable is interpreted as a come on. When confronted by men who accused me of leading them on I felt humiliated and complicit somehow. A general open curiosity and friendliness became sexualized without my intention. I felt shocked and vulnerable. I know in this state as a young woman I was more easily manipulated. I listen to the tape of Weinstein bullying that model and it gives me painful flashbacks to similar situations. A man who behaves this way is a disgrace.
10
Beautifully and insightfully said.
It is shocking that all of the negative attention is focused only on Mr. Weinstein. The hundreds of "Hollywood" enablers over the years that knew first hand of his predatory behavior are guilty as well. Mr. Weinstein is nothing more than a morally bankrupt man operating in a morally bankrupt industry with impunity.
9
It is a horrible story, but harassment and abuse of women was standard fare in the '80s and 90's. Remember how scary it felt to ride the subway or even take an elevator? We have progressed, in that this behavior is now regarded as a sick, compulsive addiction, part of a serious, destructive, even tragic personality disorder. Harvey Weinstein was enabled by sycophants and dependents who collaborated with his abuse of power, but the environment that allowed such depredations is slowly transforming through the energies of feminism and simple decency. Weinstein's career is over, and he will not be able to harm anyone any longer. What a sad waste, though, of a talent that could have done so much good to create art that will serve as a legacy or inspiration to future artists. We still have the films, which will remain a boon to our culture.
1
Paltrow and Jolie seem a little late to the party. Not buying they didn't know.
6
Trump said he knew all about it.
What did he know and when did he know it, and how long was he protecting him ?
Birds of a feather flock together, and Trump's public comments were far, far worse than Harvey's.
3
Gwyneth Paltrow was seemingly well connected. Her father was a director. It was reported her godfather was Steven Spielberg. Did he know? Didn't he have the power to stop this?
5
Why now ? Where were their voices before?
An all too uncomfortable truth is that they cared more about a career than what happened to them.
10
You write like someone whose every expense has been paid for by a benefactor. How willing are you to give up your career to say that the most powerful person in your industry is a criminal? Who would even care what you said?
The power of intimidation is great. Most of our lives in this nation are intimidating to one extent or another.
We have had these situations with Aisles and Fox and Bill Clinton and so many others.
Somewhere along the line the Women's Movement of the 1960s did not or was not able to cope with this particular aspect of what used to be called the "battle of the sexes."
Just as individual States have to take back their sovereignty, Women have to grab and grasp and take the power. This is not even a matter of taking back the power; they may never have had it to begin with. It is a matter of taking the power period.
If it is a matter of political justice than the elections of 2018 must make this happen. If it is a matter of social and civilization justice and change, that must as quickly as possible over the years ahead of us.
Hollywood is in severe need of total urban demolition and a complete overhaul and reform and removal of the toxic soil and subsoil on which it is built. Something this contaminated must be totally removed.
1
I am a very low man on the LA film totem pole-a crew member on movies and television-and even I had heard about Weinstein.
9
It is amazing that this went on so long obviously the fear of losing an acting career in Hollywood is pretty strong.
1
It’s perfectly understandable that those struggling to make it in the business were afraid to go public. But people like Paltrow have been financially secure for years. And she of all people came from a show business family and had security that others lacked. There is something off-putting about her late in the game “this stoops now” proclamations when she could have lent support to the victims like Rose McGowan a long time ago.
9
The script is already being written for this. The working title is "The Real Hollywood Story". The line is forming for the Executive Producers who will be funding the production. Casting the parts will come later but it can be expected that some of the characters will be playing themselves. The President can be expected to have a cameo (which President? the only one who wouldn't qualify is Carter who just lusted in his thoughts).
1
I'm not in the industry (thank Jesus!) but I attend industry events. And I love actors, writers, directors and all those who put the incredible amount of hard work and effort in the telling of stories through the art of moviemaking. On one industry event--a film festival I attended years ago celebrating what was then a gala premiere for a Weinstein Company film--I walked up to Harvey Weinstein, commented on how great the film was, shook his hand, and walked away.
Tonight, I'm looking at my hand and can't help but look back on that "peculiar" connection. Let's just say I'm getting a visual, as the song "Creep" by Radiohead is providing me a soundtrack, and has also taken on an entirely different meaning.
1
The women who came forward first and took great risks were brave and heroic and deserve our deepest respect.
The women who come forward now, after the man has lost all power and status, are jumping on the bandwagon. Slightly less courageous....
7
Actually they are incredibly brave -- because they still have to put up with attitudes like yours. You sir, are part of the problem which extends far beyond Weinstein and his ilk.
1
Men in Hollywood (Terry Crews, Rob Schneider) have also come forward with their own experiences of sexual harassment and assault by powerful directors and producers - and yet they did not disclose the names of their abusers. For those who cannot fathom why women have such difficulty coming forward, perhaps these men's stories will help with broadening one's worldview?
12
It's amazing how long it's taken liberals who claim to dislike sexual harassment to be honest about Weinstein.
9
Our President Obama’s daughter Malia Obama was an intern st the Weinstein Company without any problems.
1
What about Donald Trump? He gets off Scott-free?
3
Weinstein was smart enough to know it would have gotten out if he'd tried anything with Ms. Obama.
Your point is?
Harvey Weinstein's behavior, as it has been described, was awful, but I'm wondering why people are piling up to accuse him and only him? Do we believe he was the only such person in Hollywood (just Hollywood, only to keep the question limited)? I don't, so when suddenly people like Jolie and Paltrow feel free to accuse him but no one else, then I think nothing has changed except that the herd mentality turned against Weinstein. Meaningful improvement means victims of all abusers can speak up. Frankly, I"m disappointed.
16
Disappointed? Blaming the victim?
1
Easy why they are piling on--payoffs. Follow the money.
1
Daniel Rosen: Blaming the victim? No, just the opposite. I'm hoping people victimized by other than H.W. will start to come forward. Are you with me?
No matter how disturbing the events clearly were, Weinstein wasn't/isn't Boco Haram. A little trauma context is called for.
6
This type of sexual misconduct is not about sex. And it is not about liberals or conservatives, pagans or Christians.
It is the act of the quintessential bully, the coward trying to compensate for his own feelings of inadequacy by exerting his power over those in weaker positions.
And, usually, the bully needs cheering supporters. Or, at least, those who know but look away.
38
No. It's about power and money trying to divide people.
Donald Trump and the Trump family!
Another rich and powerful alpha male that thinks the rules don't apply to him.
46
They should have spoke up when it happened. Instead they kept quiet and allowed other women to be abused. In this day and age, our society does not tolerate this behavior. They should have come forward right away. And why would they continue to work with the abuser? To gain fame, and Oscar? Why?
41
Easy for you to say. He was in charge of a lot of great projects and people wanted to be in them. They studied acting. They trained. And they wanted to work in the field for which they had prepared themselves. So just like in many less-examined fields, they tried to avoid or escape the man's bad behavior and somehow work around it. It's sad to read that one young woman gave up on her career hopes altogether and changed fields. I would say this, however; there's a common theme to all of these encounters: HOTEL. One-on-one business meetings and hotels are a bad combination. Coffee shops and Starbucks are way safer.
3
Exactly!!! First they want into the scene at all costs and then 20 years later want to be praised for speaking now however time and telling their story has distorted the truth never told at the start. Self interest and publicity is what they want! There’s zero spirituality in these characters.
1
My doctor sexually abused me when I was a teen. A boss at a restaurant sexually abused me when I was a teen. My husband does not understand why I didn’t take the bull by the horns at the time. No one would’ve believed me about the doctor. It was a small town & he was a virtual god. And the restaurant job was the only job in town & I didn’t own a car. I would’ve been on welfare. So, yeah, I get it. It’s easy to look in from the outside & judge. In Hollywood there’s even more at risk. I was just a kid in southern Indiana. I get it. I believe women. I believe.
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I'm dying to hear what the POTUS has to say about this, considering the accusations against him.
11
What did Trump allegedly do that was comparable to Weinstein?
3
POTUS has already commented on this. He said he knew Harvey Weinstein and was not surprised.
2
One gets fired, the other becomes president.
8
The best thing about the HW business is that the casting couch mentality that has held women captive since Hollywood began is finally getting the public denunciation and interrogation it has always deserved.
14
I doubt anything has really changed. They're just more discreet about it.
lets hope the flood gates are open.
lots of directors producers and casting agents must be quaking in their slippers...
let justice and bravery be heard!
1
His spokesperson is a woman. That is an example of the depth of this problem in a nutshell.
16
Everything about this has been said.
I’m done reading this coverage.
Meryl Streep calls him “God” so obviously harassment was unknown.
6
Right. It couldn't *possibly* be the case that the sainted Meryl Streep would defend a bad person who was good for her career.
1
She clearly said that not everyone knew.
I find it hard to believe she hadn't heard things. She may not have believed what she heard perhaps but it is hard to believe that her ears never got a whisper.
Wow gosh how surprising! But at least there's a pattern:
Feign support for women; use them and abuse them privately.
Demand the world live give up electricity, oil, gas; fly privately and sport a carbon footprint larger than 1000 middle class Americans put together.
Feign support for the poor; snuff any chance for their kids to go to schools of the same quality as the elite.
No wonder Trump was elected.
18
Thank the Lord Trump was elected.
1
Is there no one, woman or man, who will place Harvey Weinstein's terrible behavior in the context of a nation that saw fit to elect another sexual predator in the nation's highest political office? If that isn't a sign of the kind of endemic, cultural problem that Ms. Streep and Ms. Close and Ms. Winslet are rightful decrying, then what in heaven's name is? Is there no one who will hold Donald Trump's feet to the fire, too? Isn't this EXACTLY the right time to be reminding the rest of the nation, as it zones in on Mr. Weinstein's transgressions, of the similar sins of our man-child President? In this orgy of righteousness that we are witnessing in the media, why isn't Trump being thrown to the wolves along with Weinstein?
69
Trump never abused women. List the allegations if you know something we don't
2
That is exactly right. Tens of millions of people, including almost all of our Republican senators and congressmen voted for a sexual predator for President. I love the movies and admire the talented people who contribute to them, but Hollywood is a sideshow compared to that.
Utter nonsense. First, there is no evidence that Trump is a sexual predator. Second, the overwhelming majority of the people who make such accusations voted for Bill Clinton.
1
This is a serious question: a couple years ago I asked out a coworker. She said no and I didn't ask her again. Could she have reported me for harassment just because I asked her to dinner? It's hard to know what's considered inappropriate. I didn't think I was out of line but now I'm wondering if even that was improper.
18
No. You asked, she answered, and as far as you've portrayed it here, you were respectful of her wishes then and afterwards. That isn't harassment. You didn't lure your co-worker to a "work" meeting only to show up naked in a bathrobe, like Mr. Weinstein.
The only way that asking her out on a date could have been a little sticky is if you were her superior at work. Because then you have to worry about how she perceives the asking - does she think that if she says no, there might be consequences for her at work? And then you have to be extra careful that your treatment of her doesn't change. That's why asking someone out when you are their supervisor/ boss is usually a big no-no. Of course there have been bosses who have taken that risk and it has paid off and the two have ended up together/married, but it could also turn out badly so you have to tread very, very carefully in that scenario.
I have been married for 43 years to a secretary from my office (in a different department) who I asked out to dinner and a show.. We kept it a secret that we were going together since we worked for a pretty conservative firm and it was a big supprise to those in the office when we announced our engagement. Like John I wonder if under today's rules if I would have taken that chance and asked her out.
1
A co-worker or colleague is different from a boss. A boss or supervisor holds power over an employee. Also, you asked once and when you were refused, you accepted your co-worker's preference. You're in the clear. If you had asked her over and over and popped up unannounced at her car in the parking lot, that would be a different story. (In the case of Weinstein, he was not only a boss, but a power in the industry. If you wanted to work in the industry you wouldn't want to cross him. On the other hand, one way or the other, the women cited here mainly managed to slip out of his grasp and moved forward in their careers on the basis of their talent.)
1
Well he’s toast regardless of facts. Gloria Allred, who I adore, is on it seems board and this will keep coming up possible for years. However the facts of each accuser seem to be different. Again no drugging and no rape so a buffoon in a robe begging for contact in the one tape was evidently to weak for prosecutors. It’s becoming old news fast. New women are likely to be sitting next to her on the news every week. What a mess.
3
Sexual harrasment and abuse aren't Democratic or Republican issues. They are American issues. Ailes is no different than Weinstein. Except for the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon between them. It makes me sick to think that Secretary DeVos is retooling Title 9. Victims need help. Perpetrators need prison.
32
No, they are not "American" issues. Why do I read "in this culture" ... "in this country" over and over when this matter comes up?
These issues exist wherever human males exist, and in many (most?) countries the problem is far worse than here.
2
We have a long, long way to go before woman can truly feel safe in the workplace. Sad and disappointing.
21
Talk only goes so far. This a fantastic opportunity for Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and other famous actors and industry people (they have the money, the power and the platform), to set up an organization that mentors young actors. An organization that affords a safe place to report abuse, discuss options and strategy, lend support. An organization that has the clout to put pressure on directors, producers, studios etc. into taking this seriously. I'll even offer a name, 'The Open Secret Foundation'. It could be started in all walks of life, a kind of independent HR that has no allegiance to the boss.
249
What you're describing is what many people would call a trade union. At least in continental Europe, many trade unions provide exactly what you describe and are not only a great support to individuals in difficult situations but draw attention to more systemic violations of human rights. I hope someone takes up your excellent proposal.
4
Sounds like it would do the same for a Hollywood actor's career as would belonging to the Salvation Army.
2
What an absolutely terrific idea! You're a gem, angel98.
It's business as usual. Why should they speak out till now, because why? everyone else is. Sound familiar? Catholic priests, how long did that take? Like Harvey Weinstein is a lone wolf? I'll bet every casting director, agent, director, producer, etc... is shaking in there boots, or not.
14
It has been widely reported that Mr. Weinstein's activities were widely known, to the point of, for example, being joked about at the Oscars. Why is this suddenly a huge story? The recent NYT report was like the child in The Emperor's New Clothes. The Bill Cosby story had a similar arc. Apparently, it did not become "news" until comedian Hannibal Buress riffed on it but was also an "open secret". I wish I understood what societal mechanism shifts such stories over the tipping point.
25
I would be willing to believe that actors might not know stuff like this, except they have agents whose business it is to know this stuff, and anyway, they gossip as much as we do.
Excellent point. I have wondered that, too.
What is the perfect way for a woman to handle sexual assault?
Reading the judgmental comments, many are more preoccupied with how the woman comport themselves rather than the man who causes the problem in the first place.
61
Exactly. Quite revolting to read.
The treatment of women as objects to poked at, ridiculed, and abused, is exactly what 52% of white women voted for with Trump with gusto. There is no possible glossing over this.
How do liberal women address conservative women on this issue? Not at all? There is a huge void here in the discussion and I would be interested in an in depth article on this issue. For some reason it is avoided.
27
Liberal men see women as public property. Conservative men see women as private property. Either way, men see us as property.
Radical feminists see women as full human beings.
/r/gendercritical
It is terrible to consider, but probable that Mr. Weinstein would not have persisted in his behavior had he not succeeded in his objectives a fair amount of the time. We don't hear as much about the young women who were not able to fend him off and simply took the path of least resistance. It probably pains many of them and they deserve our thoughts as well, since they were also victims of a predator. This guy cut a wide swath and should be prosecuted. He supported great artists and great movies were made, but the cost was high.
35
LeGee: Public figures in the entertainment industry get laid when they want to. This has been true forever. This is probably the first time in thirty years that Mr. Weinstein is having trouble finding a willing partner for free.