I’m not sure where folks are getting the idea that this incident will seriously harm O’Reilly. To the faithful, this will simply be one more example of a (gold digging) woman who couldn’t take a joke. Look at the OP and his subsequent posts; he’s willing to ignore O’Reilly’s actions while attempting to get the Dopers to admit that we have all done stuff just as stupid; he has attempted to drag the Democratic ticket into the discussion (when only O’Reilly pretends that this has anything to do with the election); he’s willing to ignore the reported testimony both of O’Reilly and of the victim in order to claim that we are pre-judging O’Reilly.
If Clinton can keep his popularity through his scandals, why should O’Reilly falter in his?
The only thing that will harm O’Reilly will be taking this to court and having Ms. Mackris win $20 or $30 million dollars ('cause her original $60M was clearly a “shoot for the moon” number) and having Fox drop him as too expensive to have around. (Alternatively, if these cases encourage several more women to file similar suits, Fox might drop him as a lawsuit liability, but that would require more effort than has currently been invested in pulling him down.)
Don’t forget the fact that he would be subject to a deposition. That would be an absolute minefield for him since Mackris’ lawyers will be able to get him to answer questions under oath about his sexual history, and they can fish for whatever they want. O’Reilly may have to confess some pretty embarrasing things or open himself to perjury charges.
I think O’Reilly will settle before he will subject himself to a deposition and trial where the tapes will surely become public. I expect his “extortion” suit will be summarily dismissed and that part of Mackris’ settlement will include an agreement that she keep quiet and not publicize the tapes.
But if the public ever actually hears those tapes, O’Reilly may keep his career but his reputation will never be the same.
All the above kind of pale in comparison. And had either Kerry or Edwards been stupid enough to participate in anything close to what O’Reilly is alleged to have done, then I doubt they would have gotteb this far without someone going public.
Least o’ my problems. Never married. Any truthful interviewee will be able to report that ever since, oh, my early college days, I have been discreet, heck, even reserved, in that realm. And further questions about THAT would be replied to with “none of your business”.
Huh??? Why the fuck-all would it trouble me in any possible way to have assumed a position on a policy? Not only would I not lose sleep over that, I would not lose sleep over it if I could be quoted changing my mind several times over about several different wars. Assuming positions on issues for the record, right or wrong, is my prerogative as a free citizen, never mind a public figure.
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or swore using 4 letter words at someone where the incident could have been recorded?
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Interestingly enough, no, never in a professional setting or at a place of public business where decorum is expected, such as the floor of the Senate (Cheney), or while being interviewed by my hometown newspaper (Teresa H). OTOH if I am slamming down the third round of drinks mith my peeps at a party and call someone a fucking jackass, well, all that means I think he’s a fucking jackass and also think eavesdropers are fucking jackass-dick blowers.
Would not cause me to lose sleep at all. I’d say: “Yeap. That’s right. I inhaled. Those were the days, dude! Last time was March 1983. What about it?”
I’ll ignore the final question because quite frankly, I have not advocated any viciousness against Bill O’ in any of the threads about the issue. In these sorts of cases I say let’s hear the evidence.
So yeah, I could sleep well. What could there be that people could use to blackmail me? One of my former employers is in the Federal pen for influence-peddling, but that’s him, not me. I am, as I said, a never-married 43-year old male, but not even the biggest “alternative scene” muckracker in this city can dig up anything scandalous on me. I have a history of anxiety disorders, but it would be pretty damn low to pick on a medical condition. I dropped out of my first college in a fit of mental confusion and substance use, but cleaned up and eventually finished my degree. The most “embarassing” thing I can honestly think of anyone digging up is that I have created some dirty internet-cartoons under a pen name.
I may not be a saint, but no, I won’t lose sleep. As mentioned, it’s a matter of telling myself: there are things you just do not do.
But then again, I am not casting myself before a national audience as someone whose opinions should be listened to nor even less someone they should entrust with great power.
Well, I once called a New York Times reporter a “major league asshole.” But maybe – just maybe – it might not stop me from being elected to office.
I’ve certainly never done anything even remotely near to what O’Reilly did. Perhaps in your moral system, smoking pot is as bad as continually sexually harassing someone.