What would we ever do without the Hollywood left, especially Michael Moore (and, of course, Keith Olbermann), and his special way of setting off a firestorm every time he opens his mouth. For such a tolerant leftist, he is short on sympathy for women–especially rape victims. In an interview with Olbermann, Moore calls the rape case against WikiLeak’s founder Julian Assange “a bunch of hooey” as seen here:
However, Moore’s outrageous comments completely dismissing the alleged rapes have raised the ire of many, setting off a Twitter firestorm, fueled by Tiger Beatdown blogger Sady Doyle who started the Twitter hashtag #mooreandme. Doyle doesn’t stop there, and hauls off on Moore in her piece:
So, here are some cheerful statistics for you: According to RAINN, about 60% of rapes aren’t reported. In those cases, there’s about a 51% chance that the 40% of reported rapes will have an arrest made. There’s an 80% chance of prosecution. And, given various factors including conviction and sentencing, there’s only about a 16.3% chance that someone who commits rape will serve time for that rape. Meaning: If we factor in the rapes that go unreported, only 6% of rapists ever serve time. EVER.
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He’s put $20,000 hard, cashy dollars on the line, so that Julian Assange, white male left-wing darling, will be able to get out on bail despite posing a substantial and acknowledged flight risk, and despite the fact that he evidently is working to avoid facing the charges of his accusers. And why is that? Well, as per Michael Moore’s lengthy diatribe on the subject, which contains exactly one paragraph about the rape charges, his reasoning is as follows:
“For those of you who think it’s wrong to support Julian Assange because of the sexual assault allegations he’s being held for, all I ask is that you not be naive about how the government works when it decides to go after its prey. Please — never, ever believe the “official story.” And regardless of Assange’s guilt or innocence (see the strange nature of the allegations here), this man has the right to have bail posted and to defend himself.”
In other words: Never, ever believe the women who are accusing Assange of rape. Never, ever believe the allegations that he forcibly held a woman down and raped her, never, ever believe that he raped a woman while she was unconscious.
Big Hollywood’s John Nolte has additional insight as well. Furthermore, co-founding member of the Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (RAINN), Tori Amos, and many other Hollywood rape and abuse survivors who have come out and told their painful stories only to have someone like Moore spew such offensive statements should be shaming Moore into silence, apologies, and donations to charities like RAINN. And Moore should have the humility to come forward and make it right (I know, wishful thinking).
Finally, president and co-founder, Scott Berkowitz, issued an email statement condemning Moore’s position and noting the danger in it:
This issue with Moore has nothing to do with Julian Assange–like any alleged rapist, he deserves a fair trial. The problem is that Moore doesn’t believe the charges should even be investigated or go to trial. That’s a dangerous precedent that excuses perpetrators and further harms victims.
With all of the outrage his irresponsible comment based on misinformation and $20,000 bail donation to Assange have created, will Moore and even some of his Hollywood pals buck up–literally–and donate to RAINN or another sexual abuse charity of his choosing. Probably not, but then what else would you expect? Compassion for the victims? This is Hollywood, baby.