# Harvey Weinstein accused of multiple cases of sexual harassment **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 5, 2017, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073 "2017-10-05T23:31:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073/241 "2017-10-13T16:06:55Z")
> [@Evan\_Drake](#): > > Frank Sinatra had a valet ? He needed one for his penis. As Ava Gardner said, ’ He was a 120 lbs and 100 lbs was penis.’ ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073/242 "2017-10-13T16:33:26Z")
Is it wrong for an exec to explicitly tell an aspiring actor “Have sex with me and I’ll put you in a movie.” Assume that this hopeful person has never acted and is working as a server in a restaurant and the exec is the CEO of the company and doesn’t have anyone to answer to. One of Weinstein’s victims was a waitress who went up to his suite to read some scripts, only to find him naked in the tub asking her to take her top off. That is clearly morally wrong since he was deceptive and put her in a very uncomfortable and scary position. But what if when he saw her in the restaurant he said “Have sex with me and I’ll put you in the movie.” instead of “Come up to my suite to read some scripts.”. He’s a creep either way, but is it wrong in both cases? I would say yes, it is morally wrong in both cases. Even if he’s up front with his intentions, he’s contributing to the culture of sexual harassment and making this hopeful actress think that the only way to get ahead is through these kinds of sexual deals. It demeans the profession and all people in the decision making process. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073/243 "2017-10-13T18:42:26Z")
Apparently, [Weinstein’s contract](http://www.tmz.com/2017/10/12/weinstein-contract-the-weinstein-company-sexual-harassment-firing-illegal/) allowed him to reimburse the company (plus a fine) for any sexual harassment suits. TMZ, so take it with a grain of salt. But if this is true, doesn’t it mean the company profited anytime they had to settle a lawsuit? I need a shower. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073/244 "2017-10-13T19:13:02Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > TMZ, so take it with a grain of salt. TMZ is more accurate than wikipedia. And yeah that is basically what it means, and that is majorly screwed up. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073/245 "2017-10-13T19:17:22Z")
Oh, like a swear jar. A “rape jar”, if you will. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073/246 "2017-10-13T19:29:52Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > Oh, like a swear jar. A “rape jar”, if you will. Oh, man, that’s clever. Sick and twisted, but I think you nailed it. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073/247 "2017-10-13T19:36:58Z")
It’s a tad absurd that this is now becoming about, “You haven’t said anything about Weinstein on Twitter or Facebook so you must be a horrible person and approve of his actions”. Some people don’t use social media and some that do aren’t in the habit of commenting on everything bad that happens. Many stars and producers have been castigated for their ‘silence’ when in fact they may have been very vocal and condemnatory about Weinstein in private to their friends. But in this age if you don’t instantly rush online to share your thoughts you’re presumed to have dark and sinister reasons for not doing so. I for instance have stated my contempt for his actions in this thread but because my Twitter account is silent I must be a sleazebag and probably a rapist myself.We live in strange and disturbing times. ---
**Author:** ![Corry\_El](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@Corry\_El](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corry_El)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073/248 "2017-10-13T19:54:49Z")
> [@Poysyn](#): > > It may depend on where you are. I know up here in Canada, the definition of sexual assault/harassment includes any relationship that is seen as “exploitative”. So, by that definition, yes, Lewinsky could not have consented because of the nature of their professional relationship. It would still be unlikely to be prosecuted, but that is the law as per the Criminal Code of Canada, as least as it reads to this layperson (and several SMEs in the area of sexual assault counselling). > > I am not as familiar with the laws in the US. It’s not a US v Canada thing but general legal principle, based on a general moral principal. There are adults who can not consent to sex with other adults. Female inmates at prisons for example have been raped if they have sex with a guard unless they physically forced or coerced the guard. A female prisoner ‘coming on’ to a male guard and sex results: guard raped the prisoner. In Lewinsky’s case and under any idea of legal common sense so I’m sure applies to Canada too, the constraints on her wouldn’t have put Clinton and her in that position _legally_. However the fact that (again US or Canada or most western countries) a boss could and often would be fired for such an affair is based on the same principle, just a lower level violation of it. Anyway the gambit of ‘let’s _just_ talk about Lewinsky when it comes to Bill Clinton’ is a dodge. He was reasonably credibly accused of far worse, and his impeachment wasn’t based on the act itself of the Lewinsky affair but lying about it in a court proceeding (ie Paula Jones’ sexual harassment suit). People are entitled to their opinions how this stacks up against ‘all the great things Bill Clinton did’ but it’s a political talking point to keep steering it to just the Lewinsky affair itself. That’s not the main point about Clinton sexual harassment/assault. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2017, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073/249 "2017-10-14T00:15:17Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > Those who are defending Weinstein (this was ‘unwanted advances,’ really?) - Rose McGowan is alleging flat-out actual rape. And then she took his money rather than press charges. So that’s great for women and justice. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2017, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073/250 "2017-10-14T00:30:07Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > And then she took his money rather than press charges. > > So that’s great for women and justice. …what is actually not great for women and justice is blaming women for sexual harassment, sexual assault, and for getting raped. Unless you happen to have some sort of special insight into what happened with Rose McGowan (and I very much doubt that you do) then Rose protecting herself \*\*is \*\*great for women and justice. Few have been more outspoken in Hollywood than Rose has been in defense of women. She has been calling this shit out for years. And she’s been attacked and disbelieved consistently for her stance, and now that you know that what she was talking about was true we should be standing behind her, not shaming her. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2017, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073/251 "2017-10-14T00:45:28Z")
She took his money. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2017, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073/252 "2017-10-14T00:49:32Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > She took his money. …and you are posting on a message board. ---
**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:** [October 14, 2017, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073/253 "2017-10-14T01:23:53Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > She took his money. If she believed there was no chance of success in reporting it to the cops, then she behaved reasonably. Put it this way - if a rich white businessman raped a black woman in 1920 Birmingham, Alabama, would you blame her or criticize her if she took money to keep quiet rather than report it to the police? ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2017, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073/254 "2017-10-14T14:35:21Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > If she believed there was no chance of success in reporting it to the cops, then she behaved reasonably. Ridiculous. She has a lawyer. She protects all women in the future. Instead, what did she buy herself - a new car, a big shopping spree? You go girl! ---
**Author:** ![Corry\_El](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@Corry\_El](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corry_El)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2017, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073/255 "2017-10-14T15:24:57Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > If she believed there was no chance of success in reporting it to the cops, then she behaved reasonably. > > Put it this way - if a rich white businessman raped a black woman in 1920 Birmingham, Alabama, would you blame her or criticize her if she took money to keep quiet rather than report it to the police? How about any time in human history prior to ca. 19th century when slavery was pretty universally accepted and the women was a slave? How about if now but the woman was before and after the attack literally imprisoned illegally in the attacker’s basement? IOW at some extreme the question answers itself (why she didn’t go to the police?? because she was held legally as a slave or illegally in his basement). But these actresses etc sexually attacked or harassed by Weinstein were not slaves, illegal captives, or even Southern black women in 1920. I think the problem is the common one of false logic, zero sum accounting of blame. If we know for a fact Weinstein committed particular acts of sexual assault or harassment, then he’s guilty of those, period. If the accusers undermined their moral position by taking hush money or having subsequent consensual relations with Weinstein (as at least one admits to, not McGowan AFAIK) that doesn’t make him less guilty. But it’s still reasonable to take that into account in our view of them, and perhaps by extension the (sub)culture they belong too, one which makes a big point of lecturing others from an assumed position of moral superiority based on post-modern secular morality it tends to make up as it goes along. The only way the two things interact directly is if we don’t actually know the exact circumstances of the accused assaulter/harasser’s alleged offenses. Then the subsequent behavior of the alleged victims might be used to infer nuances in the actual circumstances. That’s often true, although here I’m satisfied Weinstein is a complete pig. The fact that accusers took hush money or had sex with him voluntarily later or in general tried to remain in his good graces doesn’t serve as any mitigating factor in his favor IMO. But it’s not entirely irrelevant to my view of the various accusers. The world is full of harsh realities and this is one of them. It’s tough to risk a lucrative career standing up for what one views as right, but it can’t be put in the same category as literally sacrificing one’s life, and it’s not fair to victims who did disassociate themselves with this guy (as some apparently did) at possible cost to career (that’s hard to nail down but not incredible) to view them exactly the same way as ones who played along. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2017, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073/256 "2017-10-14T17:07:29Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > Ridiculous. She has a lawyer. She protects all women in the future. > > Instead, what did she buy herself - a new car, a big shopping spree? You go girl! No. Instead, she pays her bills, keeps a roof over her head and food in the fridge because you can be damn sure she didn’t have people beating down her door to hire her once she told people what happened. A young actress starting it doesn’t take on someone like Weinstein and come out ahead. At some point, the realization that outing yourself as a victim is not the sexy, money-loaded cachet people seem to think it is. It’s ugly, and changes the way people look at you and treat you, whether they are aware of it or not. I refer to it as similar to clearing a mine field by walking across it. It will hurt, a lot, and it will suck, a lot, but hopefully if you clear a few, the person that follows you and reports won’t have to clear those same mines. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_lining](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aca169/32.png) [@Silver\_lining](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_lining)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2017, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073/257 "2017-10-14T19:31:53Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > [Story here.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/10/05/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-sexual-harassment-in-explosive-story-takes-leave-of-absence/) > > What a creep. But no surprises, this is what Hollywood producers have done since the dawn of the movies. High time it stopped. > > Had to add that I love the movies he’s backed but he doesn’t get a pass because of that. I wonder who he gave political money to? ---
**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:** [October 14, 2017, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073/258 "2017-10-14T20:17:55Z")
> [@Silver\_lining](#): > > I wonder who he gave political money to? You do? Luckily, there’s a readily available source of information for this kind of thing. You might have heard of the Internet - it can be a great way to answer such questions. If you need more help, please let us know. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2017, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073/259 "2017-10-14T20:29:24Z")
> [@Poysyn](#): > > No. > > Instead, she pays her bills, keeps a roof over her head and food in the fridge because you can be damn sure she didn’t have people beating down her door to hire her once she told people what happened. A young actress starting it doesn’t take on someone like Weinstein and come out ahead. > > At some point, the realization that outing yourself as a victim is not the sexy, money-loaded cachet people seem to think it is. It’s ugly, and changes the way people look at you and treat you, whether they are aware of it or not. > > I refer to it as similar to clearing a mine field by walking across it. It will hurt, a lot, and it will suck, a lot, but hopefully if you clear a few, the person that follows you and reports won’t have to clear those same mines. I’m sorry but this is fucking pathetic. You don’t ‘out yourself as a victim’ _you go to the police and report a crime._ Even the terminology of ‘out yourself as a victim’ is utter lunacy. WTF is going on in the USA? ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2017, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073/260 "2017-10-14T20:54:09Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > I’m sorry but this is fucking pathetic. > You don’t ‘out yourself as a victim’ _you go to the police and report a crime._ Even the terminology of ‘out yourself as a victim’ is utter lunacy. > WTF is going on in the USA? Why don’t women living where “honor killing” is practiced simply go to the authorities, or even to their family members, and report that they’ve been assaulted? Oh, yeah: because _they will be blamed,_ (and, not incidentally, killed). Isn’t it nice that you live in a world in which women aren’t shamed, or worse, when they report being sexually harassed or assaulted? Very, very nice. _So_ nice. Too bad it’s not the _real_ world. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-weinstein-accused-of-multiple-cases-of-sexual-harassment/798073.md?page=14)