# Can we talk about Bill Cosby? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 19, 2014, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075 "2014-11-19T15:24:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Clarisse\_McClellan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Clarisse\_McClellan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clarisse_McClellan)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/321 "2014-11-22T20:32:23Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > If anything it does make us think about the legacy of the sixties. Drugs, Sex and Rock N Roll. We don’t feel comfortable thinking rape is part of that too. It is. You do realize that the allegation which brought the only legal action against Bill Cosby, at which time he DECLINED to have his day in court, happened in 2004, right? This isnt about something that just happened thirty years and forty years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/322 "2014-11-22T20:32:38Z")
> [@Club\_33](#): > > When it is given under oath, not to a reporter. > [@Peremensoe](#): > > So you never believe anything anyone says, except under oath? Right. If your spouse tells you that you have to change your evening plans because the babysitter cancelled, so you expect to see a sworn statement from the babysitter? We don’t need court-admissible levels of evidence unless we are trying to prove something in court. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/323 "2014-11-22T20:45:50Z")
> [@Clarisse\_McClellan](#): > > You do realize that the allegation which brought the only legal action against Bill Cosby, at which time he DECLINED to have his day in court, happened in 2004, right? This isnt about something that just happened thirty years and forty years ago. Yes, a case that was privately settled out of court. Just like many other charges against celebrities. What’s destroying Cosby today is the avalanche of old and unprovable accusations all in a short time. None of his famous peers are standing up for him like they did Woody Allen last year. He survived but his artistic reputation will never be the same. ---
**Author:** ![KaylaLynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@KaylaLynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KaylaLynn)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2014, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/324 "2014-11-22T23:57:02Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I feel awful for Norm Crosby. ☹ Lol. I always got a creepy feeling watching Bill Cosby, now I know why. I believe the women, or at least most of them. It’s a pity.☹ ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/325 "2014-11-23T00:05:14Z")
> [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](#): > > Whoopi Goldberg has also [expressed her doubts](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2838255/Whoopi-Goldberg-sides-Bill-Cosby-expresses-skepticism-sexual-assault-claims-didn-t-accuser-rape-kit.html). Yeah, well Whoopi Goldberg was the one who said “well, it wasn’t _rape_ rape,” in regards to Roman Polanski, so I don’t really respect her opinion on this subject. Personally, if I were a cute young actress, I wouldn’t be alone with him for 5 seconds, but YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/326 "2014-11-23T00:12:44Z")
> [@Clarisse\_McClellan](#): > > You do realize that the allegation which brought the only legal action against Bill Cosby, at which time he DECLINED to have his day in court, happened in 2004, right? This isnt about something that just happened thirty years and forty years ago. Wow, you wrote a word in all caps. Does this signal your belief that it is especially probative? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/327 "2014-11-23T01:12:54Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Then the jury is a bunch of morons. With nothing but _unsubstantiated_ (I trust you’re familiar with that word) accusations, all you have is air. The world comes with an abundant supply of morons, as you have convincingly proven. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/328 "2014-11-23T02:45:01Z")
Add [Michelle Hurd](https://tv.yahoo.com/news/law-order-svu-actress-michelle-hurd-accuses-bill-232500878.html), from Law and Order SVU, to the list. She says when she worked on the Cosby Show, he touched her inappropriately. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/329 "2014-11-23T03:47:57Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Just stop. It’s painfully obvious that you don’t know anything about what kind of money a legal team can burn through. On top of that you clearly don’t know much about the situation if you think that’s where this is heading. Your opinion on this is worthless. Cosby is super wealthy, and will remain so. Back down from the “sounding like a jerk” stance just a bit. You come dangerously close to it quite often and you will start getting warned for it if you continue. > [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > The world comes with an abundant supply of morons, as you have convincingly proven. Warning issued for you, you know better by now not to insult others outside of the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/330 "2014-11-23T04:17:34Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > Back down from the “sounding like a jerk” stance just a bit. You come dangerously close to it quite often and you will start getting warned for it if you continue. She’s spreading an enormous amount of ignorance. I will not back down from pointing that out. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/331 "2014-11-23T04:27:33Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I feel awful for Norm Crosby. ☹ Sidney Crosby hockey jersey sales have plummeted.☹ ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/332 "2014-11-23T04:37:00Z")
> [@Sarahfeena](#): > > Yeah, well Whoopi Goldberg was the one who said “well, it wasn’t _rape_ rape,” in regards to Roman Polanski, so I don’t really respect her opinion on this subject. Earlier in the thread, people were asking why no one was supporting Bill Cosby, as though the lack of support meant something. You just gave a reason. Anyone who shows any skepticism or even puts their voice in the fray will get dragged into the mud right along with him. There’s no upside to that. If somehow Bill Cosby gets miraculously cleared, the people who stood up for him don’t get shining stars on their reputation for standing up for him. Even in this thread, people who show any skepticism or would like to see a few more questions answered before rushing to judgment are getting labeled with all kinds of negative remarks. > [@Sarahfeena](#): > > Personally, if I were a cute young actress, I wouldn’t be alone with him for 5 seconds, but YMMV. Personally, I don’t take pills from other people or drink alcohol or ingest things that other people force on me, but YMMV. But I’m also not one of those young women. I can’t transport myself back in time and know what I would do in the climate of that time. I’m also not a Bill Cosby fan, so I probably wouldn’t be in that situation. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/333 "2014-11-23T04:39:19Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Wow, you wrote a word in all caps. Does this signal your belief that it is especially probative? Outside of a court of law? Sure, that’s how it works when discussing scandals. In court? How hard is it for you to convince a jury to NOT (note the emphasis) see “taking the Fifth” as an admission of guilt? ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/334 "2014-11-23T04:44:19Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > She’s spreading an enormous amount of ignorance. I will not back down from pointing that out. Well, then you will get a warning if you continue to put it as harshly as you did there. There are ways of pointing out someone is wrong without breaking the “Do not be a jerk” rule. If you want to discuss this any further, make an ATMB thread, please…so this one isn’t hijacked by any continued conversation about it. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/335 "2014-11-23T04:45:52Z")
You’re the one who brought it up 3 pages and over a day later. You don’t seem to be too worried about what may or may not hijack the thread. PM works just fine, last I checked. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/336 "2014-11-23T04:49:10Z")
If the allegations by all these women are without merit, why are they targeting Cosby, of all celebs? Is he considered an easy touch or something? ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/337 "2014-11-23T04:49:56Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > You’re the one who brought it up 3 pages and over a day later. You don’t seem to be too worried about what may or may not hijack the thread. PM works just fine, last I checked. I already said to make a topic in ATMB if you want to discuss anything having to do with rules or mod instruction or actions. If you reply in this thread still arguing or debating it, you will get a warning. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/338 "2014-11-23T04:52:17Z")
I don’t want to discuss or debate it. Not sure why you think I do. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/339 "2014-11-23T04:53:40Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > I don’t want to discuss or debate it. Not sure why you think I do. I’m giving you a warning for ignoring mod instruction. If you keep posting to this thread continuing to argue about mod rules/actions/decision, you will get another. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2014, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/340 "2014-11-23T05:43:07Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > Live witness testimony from a prosecuting witness is evidence. Your notion that the statements of 16 women (we are up to 16 now, aren’t we) is evidence. A jury can and does convict on sexual assault charges on the basis of one and only one. > . But can it convict on the basis of testimonies about other alleged crimes? For instance, let’s assume that a prosecution is possible in one of these 16 cases (no statute of limitation in the state or whatever). Could the 15 others testify about their experience? I would have thought the American system wouldn’t allow that, considering it irrelevant. Am I wrong? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075.md?page=18)