The Bill Cosby sex allegations.

[Hibernia&Alba]

I don't think I've ever seen an episode of The Cosby Show, but everybody knows who Bill Cosby is: comedian, wholesome all American sitcom star, role model for black America - and serial rapist? We've had our celebrity scandals in recent years in the UK, and now this. Cosby is accused of numerous (exact figure to be established) rapes and sexual assaults, including drugging victims. He settled out of court in 2006 with a dozen or so women, but it seems he won't face a trial, as the ten year statute of limitations has passed on the incidents so far cited. Cosby is now 77 and his planned comeback on an America network has now been cancelled, but he's currently doing a live set in Las Vegas which is scheduled to continue. This is going to be a media frenzy for sure.

[--------]

I don't think I've ever seen an episode of The Cosby Show, but everybody knows who Bill Cosby is: comedian, wholesome all American sitcom star, role model for black America - and serial rapist? We've had our celebrity scandals in recent years in the UK, and now this. Cosby is accused of numerous (exact figure to be established) rapes and sexual assaults, including drugging victims. He settled out of court in 2006 with a dozen or so women, but it seems he won't face a trial, as the ten year statute of limitations has passed on the incidents so far cited. Cosby is now 77 and his planned comeback on an America network has now been cancelled, but he's currently doing a live set in Las Vegas which is scheduled to continue. This is going to be a media frenzy for sure.


http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/nov/21/bill-cosby-rape-accusers-women-stories?CMP=share_btn_tw

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/nov/18/bill-cosby-sexual-assault-allegations-listening-women

We watched the show for a while back when it was really popular, but I have to say I didn't really feel comfortable with it, for the same reasons as I didn't really like "Fresh Prince" - these were shows reassuring white folks that there was really no reason why black folks shouldn't have professional careers like the Huxtables had, or big shiny houses in Bel-Air like the Bankses - and suggesting very strongly that black folks who weren't doctors or lawyers living in mansions in top-of-the-market suburbs had only themselves to blame.

Not so much a role-model for black Americans as a conscience-quieter of the whites. The expression "Uncle Tom" springs to my mind.

And I'm always a wee bit suspicious of entertainers who cultivate a squeaky-clean image like the one The Cosby Show presented. Call me cynical, but all-round good guys in front of camera aren't necessarily all-round good guys once they're off-stage and off-screen.

Someone who creates a dominating image of "good-guy" may be setting up a smokescreen to cover up "bad guy" behaviour. Millions of doting worshippers can't be wrong, huh? Except we all know they can.

Years ago, when Jimi Hendrix died and a lot of stuff about drugs and violence was being re-hashed in the media, my father expressed the opinion that it was ridiculous that popular musicians of the 1960's couldn't live decent sensible lives like the singers of HIS generation.

Like BING CROSBY and FRANK SINATRA, he said. :faf:

The first was a guy who regularly got drunk and laid into his wife and children with a belt until the blood flowed, and the second was Sam Giancana's poodle and (on occasion) JFK's pimp. No questions about their talent - loads about their moral character and behaviour. But they got away with it because no one would have believed the truth - even now one of Crosby's four children insists his father was an OK guy. His brothers beg to differ.

These guys got away with it because no one dared to blow the gaff - who would believe them? Just like Savile. Just like a whole barrow-load of BBC 'personalities' now having to face the music for their crimes - years too late.

Check out the routine on the audio clip on this - and the audience reaction .....

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2014/11/heres_the_1969_bill_cosby_routine_about_wanting_to _drug_womens_drinks.php

[judas]

I don't think I've ever seen an episode of The Cosby Show, but everybody knows who Bill Cosby is: comedian, wholesome all American sitcom star, role model for black America - and serial rapist? We've had our celebrity scandals in recent years in the UK, and now this. Cosby is accused of numerous (exact figure to be established) rapes and sexual assaults, including drugging victims. He settled out of court in 2006 with a dozen or so women, but it seems he won't face a trial, as the ten year statute of limitations has passed on the incidents so far cited. Cosby is now 77 and his planned comeback on an America network has now been cancelled, but he's currently doing a live set in Las Vegas which is scheduled to continue. This is going to be a media frenzy for sure.

Thought Cosby was outstanding in Different Strokes. But he was just a boy back then. God only knows what happened.

[Hibernia&Alba]

Thanks for the links, Doddie. It will be interesting to see how this pans out.

[R'Albin]

That Guardian article is really poor, IMO. The author seems to be suggesting that these girls' stories should automatically be accepted even if there's no evidence.

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That Guardian article is really poor, IMO. The author seems to be suggesting that these girls' stories should automatically be accepted even if there's no evidence.


First, they're not "girls", they're WOMEN. The accusations are of RAPE, not child abuse.

Second, the testimony of multiple accusers is itself "evidence" - that's what been nailing a lot of the men charged in the wake of the Savile revelations. It appears that the American police authorities weren't prepared to investigate the allegations even when they were made in good time and withing the statute of limitations.

And when someone is accused of rape or sexual assault and comes to a financial arrangement to buy the accuser's silence (which Cosby has done, just like that other 'innocent', Michael Jackson) one is entitled to deduce that in such cases there is indeed a real fire behind the smoke.

Another link or two ...

http://gawker.com/who-wants-to-remember-bill-cosbys-multiple-sex-assaul-1515923178

http://gawker.com/hannibal-buress-called-bill-cosby-a-rapist-during-a-sta-1648541091

Has Cosby sued Hannibal Buress? Not yet. Perhaps because if he did, all 13 of his accusers could be called into court as witnesses for Buress, and maybe 13 WOMEN all making similar accusations might actually be believed. If Cosby lost, he'd be as totally screwed as he left his victims.

[R'Albin]

First, they're not "girls", they're WOMEN. The accusations are of RAPE, not child abuse.

Second, the testimony of multiple accusers is itself "evidence" - that's what been nailing a lot of the men charged in the wake of the Savile revelations. It appears that the American police authorities weren't prepared to investigate the allegations even when they were made in good time and withing the statute of limitations.

And when someone is accused of rape or sexual assault and comes to a financial arrangement to buy the accuser's silence (which Cosby has done, just like that other 'innocent', Michael Jackson) one is entitled to deduce that in such cases there is indeed a real fire behind the smoke.

Another link or two ...

http://gawker.com/who-wants-to-remember-bill-cosbys-multiple-sex-assaul-1515923178

http://gawker.com/hannibal-buress-called-bill-cosby-a-rapist-during-a-sta-1648541091

Has Cosby sued Hannibal Buress? Not yet. Perhaps because if he did, all 13 of his accusers could be called into court as witnesses for Buress, and maybe 13 WOMEN all making similar accusations might actually be believed. If Cosby lost, he'd be as totally screwed as he left his victims.


I wasn't accusing him of child abuse there, just used the wrong word - something I should be careful of given how sensitive the subject is.

I'm not claiming the women are lying, but surely we can't label somebody a 'rapist' without it going through the criminal justice system? I appreciate that it in this case it can't, which is absolutely ridiculous, however it's entirely possible that one woman could have told her story and then the others chose to jump on the bandwagon. Again I'm not saying that's the case but it's a possibility. While it may not be anything close to what rape victims suffer, it can still ruin a man's life being falsely accused. Until there is proof either way neither the accused nor the victim should be judged, IMO.

Don't feel obliged to reply to this, I'll post again once I have time to read those links tomorrow. I need to read up on this case more before commenting on it, really.

[steakbake]

Kind of agree with R'albin but not entirely. Personally, I think that with 13 people coming forward and stating their claim, I'm inclined to think they are talking the truth. However, if we start convicting people in the court of public opinion, then what's the point of the law? Problem here though is the US statute of limitations means that they wouldn't pick this up as the offences took place more than 10 years ago.

The law is an ass sometimes but if civilisation isn't to totally unravel, it needs to be respected.

[lord bunberry]

What a strange legal system the Americans have, a man can be accused of a crime but if he's got money he can pay off his accusers! And what difference does it make if the crime took place more than 10 years ago? If a child is abused but doesn't report it until he's an adult does that mean the abuser doesn't face justice?

[Phil D. Rolls]

What a strange legal system the Americans have, a man can be accused of a crime but if he's got money he can pay off his accusers! And what difference does it make if the crime took place more than 10 years ago? If a child is abused but doesn't report it until he's an adult does that mean the abuser doesn't face justice?

Ask Cyril Smith. :coffee:

[lord bunberry]

Ask Cyril Smith. :coffee:

He could've been prosecuted if he was still alive. He and his mates would probably have managed to destroy all the evidence though.

[Peevemor]

In both show business and politics, public image is everything. The reality is often very different to the facade presented and unfortunately many of those who choose life in the public eye (and you have to question their motivations for doing so) hide very sinister personalities.

[Hibbyradge]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/06/two-more-women-join-bill-cosby-defamation-lawsuit