More on the Last Subject

Details of the news of the day can be very helpful. I mean in this sense that often we get the general sense of a story. This is understandable. There are a lot of stories out there. We should appreciate those who provide more information.

I talked about E.J. Carroll, an author and journalist who I'm not familiar with, winning her civil suit (be sure not to say "guilty"!) against Donald Trump.  Annie Laurie Gaylor of FFRF used it to flag old-fashioned ideals of rape found in the Bible, including the need to shout out:

Carroll was finally able to use her knee to push Trump away, fleeing the dressing room and the store in a state of shock. She described blaming herself afterward. She confided in two friends, one that night, another colleague the next day. The colleague, Carol Martin, warned her never to talk about the rape or report it because Trump would “bury” her with his legal team. She testified that “I was frightened of Donald Trump. I thought he would retaliate and I was ashamed. I thought it was my fault.”

(I forgot to note originally that it is useful to note that there is nothing inherently "religious" about many of these rules that are found in the Bible.  The Bible has a lot of stuff in it that reflects the culture of the times, including the late so-called "Pauline" letters -- written in his name -- with sexist "household codes" that reflect the Greco-Roman culture of the times. 

It's religious to deem such things binding as God's law but religion itself is not inherently the issue. Paul himself repeatedly honored the active role of women in promoting the faith.  And, even those letters assume religious officials would be married.)  

This was the 1990s and we have seen the abuse Monia Lewinsky received even when she did not allege wrongdoing. The times are somewhat different today, especially if the alleged abuser is Donald Trump. At the time, it was different.  At the time, she could be shocked at what he did. 

CNN provided a good general summary of the trial.  For instance:

Jessica Leeds and Natasha Stoynoff, who allege Trump physically forced himself on them, also testified about their alleged altercations.

At closing Carroll’s attorney argued that allegations from Carroll, Leeds and Stoynoff reveal a pattern of Trump’s aggressive behavior.

In each woman’s testimony, they described how Trump first engaged them in a semipublic place, then allegedly grabbed them suddenly, then later denied the allegations and said “she is too ugly for anyone to assault,” Kaplan said.

(Roberta Kaplan, who was also Edie Windsor's lawyer in the DOMA case that ultimately reached the Supreme Court.) 

Annie Laurie also wrote a blog about Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, including referencing a Florida bill that bans discussion of human sexuality in public schools before the sixth grade. "Sexuality" sounds mature but it is a catchall. What if a student has two mommies? What about references to gay and lesbian public officials?  What about menstruation, which might happen before the sixth grade?  

Right after the verdict, CNN went through with a town hall with Trump and a former Daily Caller reporter (and Trump White House correspondent) as a sort of sacrificial lamb of sorts. The audience was full of Trump supporters, which rubs it in how badly thought out this whole thing was.  This is all part of CNN's "We need to be more fair to conservatives" project or something.  

The result was a mess.  CNN, including Anderson Cooper (one of the good guys, right?), could not admit their mistake.  They gaslighted us that this was some "news event" and that even if it is uncomfortable to watch Trump, he's a candidate for president and all.  Can't be an ostrich!  

Trump (among other things, including to the joy of various members of the audience) defamed EJ Carroll again, including denying again he knew her and calling her crazy.  CNN (which did not get as big of an audience as they might have liked) has received more than usual criticism.  

The pushback against Trump still is not strong enough -- it should be like if Charles Manson ran for president all the time here -- but I did see an analysis of the town hall in the NYT speak about his "lies."  Being able to bluntly use that word is a significant line in the sand.  I found something from 2017 that used "lies."  It is not that the press never says it.  It is just a sort of "one foot forward, one foot back" affair on some level.  

We should not be somehow impressed that Kaitlan Collins did not just roll over dead.  CNN knew what they were up against but if anything did everything to help Trump, including reportedly telling the audience not to "boo."  Hard as it is to be believed, even that audience did not all eat up everything he said (his schtick is getting old), so that helped.  

It's hard, but a few people did push back against Trump's lies (or people like him).  Collins showed no real ability to do so, even if she could ask a few strong questions at Trump press conferences.  

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A bit more about another major news story/crime story with an update.  The killing of a man in the subway has gone to the next chapter.  The "white guy going to get away with murdering a black guy" stereotyping is a tad harmed by the fact the Marine was charged with manslaughter. 

Yes, manslaughter.  This charge is based on the idea of recklessly causing the death of another person.  The use of "murder," like Trump being found "guilty" (I saw a professor with a doctorate say it, someone who likely is aware civil defendants are found "liable") is loose colloquial talk.  The details are not all out, but it is unlikely what happened is legally murder.  The level of intent and planning there is another crime.

The article also provides a full look at the person killed. I am uncomfortable with simply showing him look totally innocent and pure as a Michael Jackson impersonator, which clouds reality:

Neely was a beloved Michael Jackson impersonator who friends and family described as a “sweet kid” with “God-gifted ability and talent.” But they said he had also struggled with mental illness after the murder of his mother when he was 14. He had reportedly been arrested dozens of times and was homeless when he died.

This person was acting in a scary fashion while a subway train was between stations.  It was likely not the act of a "vigilante" (who did not act alone and whose motivation was explained in a sympathetic way by the non-white who filmed some footage of the events) just blatantly murdering someone.  It very well might be someone who went (in a criminal sense) too far.