# 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:** 10\ **Page:** 40
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/782 "2018-05-01T14:27:10Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > There’s one more bit, where they ask whether it was consensual, and his answer is “I don’t know,” which inherently means no. If he didn’t know, then he didn’t get consent. > > I believe “it” was the sex, but it could have been the drugs, too. Anyone remember? No need for memory, because you can just look things up these days. Quote [right here](https://www.cnn.com/2015/07/23/entertainment/cosby-deposition-quotes/index.html). Based on that, I believe you’re misrepresenting the exchange (unless there was another question beyond the one I’ve linked). Cosby was asked about the woman’s claim that she “was not in the position to consent to intercourse”, which is different than asking if “it was consensual”. More importantly, he didn’t say he didn’t know at the time. He indicated that his uncertainty was at least in part because many years had elapsed since that incident. IOW he may have believed/assumed at the time that she was capable of consent, but she’s asserting otherwise now and he’s not in a position to dispute that because he doesn’t remember the incident that well. Note: none of this is to say that Bill Cosby is not scum. But I don’t think it’s correct to say that he essentially admitted to doing what he’s been accused of doing. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/783 "2018-05-01T14:46:00Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Also not being able to make money and watching as his debtors go after any of his remaining money wont be agonizing. To pay debts and bills he will probably have to start by selling any cars, artwork, antiques, or other valuables. Will that happen? Andrea Constand, the one he was convicted over already received a settlement years ago & all of the rest were too long ago for criminal charges. What’s the statute of limitations on civil suits related to the others? ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/784 "2018-05-01T18:25:50Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Will that happen? Andrea Constand, the one he was convicted over already received a settlement years ago & all of the rest were too long ago for criminal charges. What’s the statute of limitations on civil suits related to the others? Even if nobody successfully sues him he still has legal bills, tax bills, and just ordinary bills like food and utilities. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/785 "2018-05-01T18:29:20Z")
I do not feel he should go to prison. Why? He is 80 years old. The taxpayers will then be responsible for his housing (which will probably require extra security) and healthcare. House arrest with an ankle bracelet and frequent checks by officers plus a video phone (all of which he should pay for) to me is sufficient punishment. He wont be hurting anyone else plus he wont be a burden to taxpayers. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2018, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/786 "2018-05-01T18:36:07Z")
The perception of fairness is important in maintaining the social order. There are enough troubles with people believing that rich people get away with everything as it is. Letting a very visible guy like Cosby get “off the hook” would magnify that a lot. That said, Cosby was not convicted of actual rape (to my knowledge) and I don’t know what the typical sentence is for the crimes that he was convicted of. But whatever it is, that’s what he should get, and I would be very wary of cutting him slack because you feel sorry for a “lovable” old guy. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/787 "2018-05-02T13:45:36Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > The perception of fairness is important in maintaining the social order. There are enough troubles with people believing that rich people get away with everything as it is. Letting a very visible guy like Cosby get “off the hook” would magnify that a lot. > > That said, Cosby was not convicted of actual rape (to my knowledge) and I don’t know what the typical sentence is for the crimes that he was convicted of. But whatever it is, that’s what he should get, and I would be very wary of cutting him slack because you feel sorry for a “lovable” old guy. I agree. For criminal sentencing to have an effective component of example/ deterrence it needs to be seen as fairly and impartially applied per the facts of the offense. Then again, sure, if there is a consideration given under the laws of the state for elderly/infirm convicts, let him seek it, just as his lawyer will surely move for bail pending appeal. It’s the court’s call. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/788 "2018-05-02T19:08:33Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > I agree. For criminal sentencing to have an effective component of example/ deterrence it needs to be seen as fairly and impartially applied per the facts of the offense. Then again, sure, if there is a consideration given under the laws of the state for elderly/infirm convicts, let him seek it, just as his lawyer will surely move for bail pending appeal. It’s the court’s call. Thats right. If he is sent to prison he will just be an expense on the taxpayers. House arrest will do have the same effect (punishment and keeping the public safe) without the cost. The same should apply to any elderly person. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/789 "2018-06-15T12:31:07Z")
[Camilla has moved out.](http://nationalpost.com/entertainment/celebrity/bill-cosbys-wife-camille-has-reportedly-moved-out-of-their-mansion-leaving-husband-home-alone) ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/790 "2018-06-15T12:45:27Z")
Good. She is selling everything off to cover the legal bills because that could be accomplished much faster than divorcing him. She is still on the hook for all of his legal responsibility right now. Much smarter to sell everything except the house where he is locked up. I do not see her as a victim in this in any way. She has known who she was married to since she married him. Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk ---
**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:** [June 15, 2018, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075/791 "2018-06-15T13:01:50Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > [Camilla has moved out.](http://nationalpost.com/entertainment/celebrity/bill-cosbys-wife-camille-has-reportedly-moved-out-of-their-mansion-leaving-husband-home-alone) Heh. So, what broke the camel’s back, Camilla? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-bill-cosby/705075.md?page=39)