Don't let Harvey Weinstein buy his way out of trouble with pricey rehab - By Ruth Marcus

[DonViejo]

By Ruth Marcus Columnist October 13 at 8:09 PM

One of the most repulsive aspects of the Harvey Weinstein scandal — and oh, so many to choose from — is the attempted medicalization of evil.

In this convenient, entitled telling, Weinstein’s alleged use of his industry power and physical force to coerce women into sexual activity is not to be understood as inappropriate and very likely illegal workplace behavior. It is not to be prosecuted and punished as criminal sexual attacks. It is to be therapized and counseled away.

-snip-

Look, I believe in therapy as much as the next neurotic columnist. And grant Weinstein this — he is a troubled man. But let’s be clear: This is not about journeys or community or demons or rebuilding.

It is about a man who was happy, over the course of decades, to use his power to solicit and, allegedly, coerce sex. I initially typed “sexual favors” instead of “sex,” but that prissy formulation whitewashes the ugly reported reality; it feeds into Weinstein’s efforts to diminish the seriousness of his behavior.

Ronan Farrow, writing in the New Yorker, did not hold back. “Three of the women .?.?. told me that Weinstein had raped them, forcibly performing or receiving oral sex or forcing vaginal sex,” Farrow wrote. “Four women said that they had experienced unwanted touching that could be classified as an assault.”

A pattern of assaulting and harassing women — the latest count is 34 — is not something you recover from, like battling cancer, or struggle to get under control, like alcoholism. It is something that you are, or should be, punished for in civil lawsuits or criminal charges.

Except, apparently, if you are the ultimate entertainment industry power broker, or network president, or Silicon Valley tycoon. Weinstein’s behavior was widely known and, it seems, studiously ignored; the New York Times reported that Weinstein reached at least eight settlements with women alleging harassment and misconduct.

more
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dont-let-harvey-weinstein-buy-his-way-out-of-trouble-with-pricey-rehab/2017/10/13/47ef284e-b04a-11e7-be94-fabb0f1e9ffb_story.html

[democratisphere]

1. It is over for both Weinstein and his company.

There are no second chances for what Weinstein has done. He is a monster in real life with a reputation for being difficult to work for. He is no longer relevant and will not be missed.

[Boomerproud]

2. I couldn't care less what happens to Weinstein.

If justice isn't served I will throw up my hands.