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Bill O'reilly Sued For Sexual Harassment
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Spike Spiegel
Member
Sexual harassment is not exclusive to women.
Why is it again that everyone hates this man so much? I hear the insults flying with no real backing. Yeah, I've no doubt this guy is as much, if not more, of an egomaniac in real life as he is in his show, but that doesn't somehow remove him from the whole 'innocent until proven guilty' thing. If he's guilty of the allegations, let his ass burn, until it's proven, what's with all the hate? Did Bill O' Reilly walk across your room and yank out the controller while you were in the middle of some crucial FF7 leveling-up or something?
Saint Cornelius
Banned
tedtropy said:
Are you new to the planet or something?
Also, using snide videogame references to dis a crowd full of videogame enthusiasts is a poor choice, at best.
BobbyRobby
Member
The Constitution gives you the right to life. It does not give you the right to feel comfortable when someone is talking to you.
Threats are different. The report says that Bill:
He spoke about these things. I don't see any sources saying that he said he's going to rape or kill her.
You're the one who's treating this woman like a child. She has to adapt to the real world. People say a lot of wierd, sexual shit. She's has to be desensitized, and learn to deal with it.
I said girls made me uncomfortable. Never said anything after that to imply differently. Thanks for the reminder though. I've been working to improve that situation.
A gril once grabbed my ass at a concert. That's sexual harrassment. It didn't feel so bad. She was fat, so I was a little annoyed by it, but no skin off my back.
The main reason these girls feel psychological effects is everyone makes such a big deal about it. "OMG, YOU HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY HARRASSED YOU ARE A VICTIM!!! Maybe you should cry and think about how horrible that man made you feel by talking about his penis." How come you hear very little instances of men being sexually harassed. Are they stronger people? Are you suggesting that women are inferior, weaklings who's feeble ears should be protected?
No, he doesn't, but you seem to. You feel that women need protection from men who say foul things.
Thanks for the voice of reason.
It might seem like I'm making a big deal out of this, but losing freedom of speech is one thing that really ticks me off. Because, as more and more laws like this get passed, it gets harder and harder to get them back since we have less and less ability to do so.
There are better ways to deal with this problem. For instance, the plaintiff has her own right of free speech to tell the world all the fucked up things Bill said to her and severely damage his reputation. Which she is doing, and all the power to her.
BobbyRobby
Member
explodet said:
Of course.
Though I don't have any desire to exercise that freedom if it were given to me.
Well, that would be ideal. Unfortunatley this doesn't seem to be happening, as society continues to make women feel victimized by words.
JoshuaJSlone
Member
Perhaps it's because men tend to do it more? And perhaps that's in part due to the fact that men tend to have the positions of authority in our workplaces?BobbyRobby said:
Escape Goat
Member
How many cases of sexual harassment, both female and male, are reported? And how many are NOT?
Ned Flanders
Banned
*BobRobs boss catches him in the mens room*
"You're looking kinda cute their Bobby..."
*unzips pants*
"I think you need a big thick COCK plunged in your ASS!!"
*yanks pull chain on deisel-powered vibrator*
"I usually stick to a Crisco-based lube. Great viscosity, and great flavor come "afterglow rimjob" time!!"
*attaches propeller to Prince Albert*
"This isn't making you uncomfortable, is it? Cause if so, I could always FIRE YOU!! Now put on the Rod Stewart mask!!"
Come on man. Frivolous lawsuits are everywhere and can't be excused. But we need harassment legislation.
"You're looking kinda cute their Bobby..."
*unzips pants*
"I think you need a big thick COCK plunged in your ASS!!"
*yanks pull chain on deisel-powered vibrator*
"I usually stick to a Crisco-based lube. Great viscosity, and great flavor come "afterglow rimjob" time!!"
*attaches propeller to Prince Albert*
"This isn't making you uncomfortable, is it? Cause if so, I could always FIRE YOU!! Now put on the Rod Stewart mask!!"
Come on man. Frivolous lawsuits are everywhere and can't be excused. But we need harassment legislation.
BigGreenMat
Member
Teh Hamburglar said:
And how much of what can considered sexual harassment is a complete freaking crock? Honestly just because its sexual doesn't in some way make it bad. Would I get slapped with disgustual harassment if I constant talked about all the blood and guts I saw in Vietnam and the atrocities I witnessed in Somalia (note I wasn't there just using an example)? If I described in detail such incredibly disturbing and disgusting things that it hurt people. Could I be sued for that? Should I be? What makes the topic sexual? Why does it have to be sexual? A lot of the people on here are so freaking programmed you seem to not ask any such question or be able to perceive that there aren't lines in the sand, there aren't rules. There are only suggestions that are loosely based on some person's obscure notion in the past that somehow caught on and was passed down and spread to some level of popularity among moral thought. It is one thing to think that what people do in specific cases is wrong, but to defend something as idiotic and arbitrarily discriminatory as 'sexual harassment' is beyond moronic.
Sorry dude, they've got that covered. Look up "Hostile Workplace Environment".
Saying stuff like that in the office may get you sued, sure. Saying stuff like that while in the front counter of McDonalds may not get you sued by your co-workers, but it would make sure your ass got fired.
The Constitution is not the only source of law in this country, and the Supreme Court has ruled on many occasions that the right to free speech is not absolute. Also, please show me where, in the Constitution, it says that you have a "right to life."BobbyRobby said:
No, she doesn't. The fact that people are boorish in the "real world" only proves that there are some assholes who didn't get the memo that their behavior is unacceptable.
When you present your degree in psychology, I might start believing that your views on the effects of harassment somehow trump established scientific research. As for the asymmetry between men and women with respect to harassment, I don't think it's surprising in the least. Men and women DO think differently, especially with respect to power relationships -- because of that, a man is more likely to harass, and less likely to report being harassed.
Quite frankly -- you are simply one of the most misogynistic people I've ever had the displeasure of "meeting." I don't know what your issues are with women, but I sincerely hope for your sake -- and the sake of those women who are around you -- that you sort that shit out ASAP.
BobbyRobby said:
Is this some kind of joke? How old are you, seriously? Between you and BigGreen, I'm curious as to how many women you actually know. And don't bring up idiotic examples like "someone grabbed my ass at a concert," that has absolutely no bearing on the issue at hand.
-Jinx- said:
Couldn't have said it any better myself.
way more
Member
BigGreenMat said:
You seem to think this is an issue of 'comfort' and 'security,' to these women its about oppression and an infringment on their rights. Whether these allegations are true or not her complaints serve as an exellent model of sexual harrasment in the workplace. Some dick-head using his position of authority to put a women in demeaning situations and impose his unwanted advances is fucking vile.
BobbyRobby said:
Do you know what sexual harassment (as defined in the workplace) is? It's the utilization of unwanted sex advancements within the office whereby refusal to comply can result in an uncomfortable/hostile work environment . It's an abuse of power that prevents the employee from performing to the best of their ability and consequently, can be used as a grounds for their removal if the situation becomes problematic enough. I would think that something of that nature would qualify completely, if the documents released are found to be true.
The thing is, it doesn't matter if he wanted to rape her or not. Any mention of sex in a manner which is not acceptable or solicited in any fashion towards another employee is just not warranted at all. I would hate to see what kind of 'professional' company you would run, considering you wouldn't take particular care to the needs of employees hounded by coworkers who can't control their sexual perversions.
It's a litte disheartening... no, actually very disheartening to think that somehow, because you have the ability to 'tune out' whatever harassment you experience, that women should just 'suck it up' considering that's how the real world works. I suppose it's only fair that they get a dose of what it's like to be really living. If you had children that were exposed to this sort of behavior, would you allow it to happen? Afterall, it's only preparing them for the real wordl, right? Perhaps it would have been in this woman's best interest if she was sexual harassed at a young age so she could learn how to operate in the workplace, you know, so situations like this woulddn't arise and life would go on perfectly devoid of injustice.
This issue has nothing to do with her inability to cope with reality. It does, however, have everything to do with the infringement her rights as an equal.
BobbyRobby
Member
-jinx- said:
I believe the Supreme Court has wrongfully done so in some cases.
Sorry, I thought it was in there. There are laws prohibiting you from physically harming others or killing others, and I believe they are just. That is what I should have refferred to when I replied to that post.
I agree that their behavior is boorish. I just don't feel its necessary to pass legislation limiting what they can say. Let society set social customs. If someone you know is sexually harrassing someone, tell everyone you know. Tell the person he's acting boorish. Get other people to do the same. He will hopefully stop acting that way if it is negatively affecting him. He'll get the memo.
I don't believe the damage is great enough that it warrants laws limiting free speech.
I'd love to change this, and I don't think the way about it is to force people to act socially acceptable through legislation. By passing theses laws, you just polarize people.
Woah, I don't hate women. I never said that. I try to be very nice to all people I meet, including females.
Smiles and Cries
Member
Debaters STFU
what we need is to find a way to make this topic a bit hotter in the Media...
I wanna see an O'reilly roast
what we need is to find a way to make this topic a bit hotter in the Media...
I wanna see an O'reilly roast
Mega Man's Electric Sheep
Member
When the girl grabbed your ass, did she tell you she could get you a backstage pass if you slept with her, but she could have you thrown out of the concert if you didn't? If so, your example might be more relevant.
The fact is, employers are in a position of power, and there have been cases of female employers making unwanted advances against male employees. You just hear about women more because, as another poster said, men are more often in positions of power. Obviously, if the harrassing person is the boss, the company cannot deal with the matter internally. Gee, I wonder who would come out ahead?
The idea that we are babying women by not letting men talk lewdly to them in the workplace and proposition them is ridiculous. I suppose we should allow the boss to call his workers ethnic slurs and ridicule them because of their race, since under your theory, they should just get a thick skin and realize the world is racist, so they don't deserve any better.
The fact is, employers are in a position of power, and there have been cases of female employers making unwanted advances against male employees. You just hear about women more because, as another poster said, men are more often in positions of power. Obviously, if the harrassing person is the boss, the company cannot deal with the matter internally. Gee, I wonder who would come out ahead?
The idea that we are babying women by not letting men talk lewdly to them in the workplace and proposition them is ridiculous. I suppose we should allow the boss to call his workers ethnic slurs and ridicule them because of their race, since under your theory, they should just get a thick skin and realize the world is racist, so they don't deserve any better.
way more
Member
BobbyRobby said:
Yeah, that's going to work. I'll just let the bigot down the street know that he's broken a social norm and it'll work itself out by The Tonight Show.
As for your views on the law, minorities feel protected by equal rights legislation and without them even less people would speak out. These laws give minorities the rights that have been diminished by social customs, see Jim Crow Laws.
BobbyRobby
Member
Mega Man's Electric Sheep said:
Yeah, it wasn't a good example for workplace harrassment. Sexual Harrassment laws don't only apply to the workplace, so it still holds a tad of relevance.
This is a pretty shitty situation. I'll have to think further about whether or not I'd want the government to get involved or at what point they should be involved. Perhaps there are other ways to punish a company that practices this instead of by limiting free speech.
I do believe that our society treats women with kid gloves. "Have sex with me or I'm gonna fire you", aren't the only cases of workplace sexual harrassment. You may be charged with harrassment for telling a dirty joke, or saying a girl is beautiful.
I don't like that fact laws exist that have such arbitrary concepts such as welcomeness, or feeling threatened. On what standard do we decide if a comment is welcomed. What woman may find unwelcome or threatening, another may not.
It seems easier to just allow all speech, except actual, clear threats.
I'm sure the lady is perfectly fine. I don't feel sorry for her. But I still think she's doing the right thing, even though she will unfairly profit should she win. O'Reilly apparently has a history of this. And to have him threaten her if she mentions anything, I'm so glad that she's sticking it to him.
I think BobbyRobby is saying the word is full of hurtful things to be said. If we started allowing suits for everytime someone bothers us then we'd have chaos. With sexual harrassment there is just a double standard currently. Men are seen socially as dirty dogs, so it's okay to make lude comments to them as that is just "flirting" but since we see women still as this Keeper of Morality then the rules as applied to them are reverse. Sexual harrassment is following the same nonsense we begin in highschool: teenage boys got to lose their virginity and be a real man, but teenage girls who have sex are sluts. It is sad how much of the fucked up social order of highschool continues on into the adult business world in America.
To BobbyRobby, and:
Have things been taken too far on occasion? Without a doubt. I want to make that clear, because my only purpose here is to explain why the double standard is accepted.
Now, has this particular situation gone beyond reason? Well, maybe not. Men tend to be forward, sexual predators (in a good way!). Women can be made uncomfortable and even feel threatened. Conventional society has been created around these notions. We try and protect women from the problems that can stem from the general relationship between males/females, but unfortunately some women are spiteful bitches and take it too far.
I am so far from being a feminist-sympathizer. But I believe that certain norms came to exist for a reason.
You might want to go on to explain why men and women SHOULDN'T be treated differently. "All human beings should be treated equally" is not a practical statement. Women tend to be weaker, more emotional, and more considerate. Men are expected to be shameless and horny. We've congratulated each other for promiscuity for an eternity, and any sexual intention from a woman is either a tempting invitation, or simply a miscalculation on their part. Things will go as far as we determine.etiolate said:
Have things been taken too far on occasion? Without a doubt. I want to make that clear, because my only purpose here is to explain why the double standard is accepted.
Now, has this particular situation gone beyond reason? Well, maybe not. Men tend to be forward, sexual predators (in a good way!). Women can be made uncomfortable and even feel threatened. Conventional society has been created around these notions. We try and protect women from the problems that can stem from the general relationship between males/females, but unfortunately some women are spiteful bitches and take it too far.
I am so far from being a feminist-sympathizer. But I believe that certain norms came to exist for a reason.
Spectral Glider
Member
"Who lives in the east 'neath the willow tree?
Sexual Harassment Panda.
Who explains sexual harassment to you and me?
Sexual Harassment Panda.
"Don't say that! Don't touch there!
Don't be nasty!" says the silly bear.
He's come to tell you what's right and wrong.
Sexual Harassment Panda."
Sexual Harassment Panda.
Who explains sexual harassment to you and me?
Sexual Harassment Panda.
"Don't say that! Don't touch there!
Don't be nasty!" says the silly bear.
He's come to tell you what's right and wrong.
Sexual Harassment Panda."
A person's sex is not who they are. It's about time we start getting past that idea. Growing up, males around me played the part. I chose not to, because it was social bullshit that I felt was overall a harmful pattern. If we keep protecting women, keep treating it as a gender issue then it will continue to be such.
JoshuaJSlone
Member
Agreed here, but...etiolate said:
Just because sexual harassment is predominantly men harassing women doesn't make it a gender-specific issue. Whether it's a male harassing a female, a female harassing a male, a male harassing a male, or a female harassing a hermaphrodite, society imposes certain guidelines for acceptable behavior, and has ways of dealing with those being particularly awful to their fellow human.etiolate said:
I remember watching the E Hollywood true story on Jenna Jameson and she talked about how she appeared on the Factor, and after they went off air she said that O'Reilly asked her to send him some of her work. Granted this is a porn star were talking about, but the guy doesn't wear a Halo over his head because he hosts his own show. For some reason I actually think this stuff is true, and if so it's obviously the end of O'Reilly.
You don't understand. I'm not suggesting that every man is like every man. Or that every woman is like every woman. I used words like "tend to" and "expected to". Of course there are exceptions. But exceptions aren't what define social norms.etiolate said:
We treat it like a gender issue because it is a gender issue. I gave an explanation as to why, but it seems like you believe that men and women are on equal ground in relation to each other.
way more
Member
etiolate said:
Woah. If you just ignore gender and race they aren't things that will just disapear. Both are social constructs. They're hasn't been a culture on earth which hasn't seperated genders or races.
Socreges is on the right track. By saying that men and women are the same ignores and minimizes the gender discrimination that women face.
Banjo Tango
Member
I'd falafel it.
Escape Goat
Member
I saw her on TV the other day and either shes the worst liar ever or the most camera shy TV producer ever.
ConfusingJazz
Member
Just wondering, did anybody see the skit on Conan last night? He basically reenacted the phone conversation, the carribean story, and the vibrator story in one disturbingly funny sketch.
Ninja Scooter
Member
Bill O'Rielly's accuser is on CNN now talking to Anderson Cooper. Her lawyer says they have "concrete" proof of what she is accusing, though he IS a lawyer, so take it for what its worth. He brings up an interesting point, which is that O'Reilly has never really denied the allegations, just tried to make himself out to look like a victim of extortion. Which can only mean one thing: Bill O'Reilly <3 vibrators.
Outdoor Miner
Member
This whole situation -be it true or false- is going to be 4 or 5 chapters in Al Franken's next book. Hilarity must and will ensue.
I can hear the pages writing themselves out as I post this.
I can hear the pages writing themselves out as I post this.
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