Michael Moore, Keith Olbermann, and Julian Assange: three men who are known for being confrontational. They pride themselves on presenting the truth in defense of the defenseless and, in Moore's and Olbermann's cases, out of the love of the United States.
Now, they are also known for something else: for hiding out when they themselves are criticized and confronted, crossing their fingers that if they just click their heels three times and don't tweet for a few days, all the mean people will go away. Worst of all, they are showing that they really do have a penchant for the good-ole-boy system - something they previously claimed to fight.
If you haven't caught wind of the #MooreandMe campaign on Twitter, you might be surprised to hear about the ruckus. After Moore's declaration of Assange's innocence in the Swedish rape charges (cuz you know, he's like so cool and all about the truth & shit) a lot of women couldn't believe their ears. The real shock came when Moore refused (and thus far, still refuses) to retract his statement and refuses to even acknowledge the criticism coming from his female fans. He's behaving a little too much like the officials that he's taken on in film after film. Olbermann, in his typical flying-off-the-handle-style, went so far as to block Tweeters who dared to question his almighty super-knowledge. He threw a tantrum and threatened to quit Tweeting as a result.
So what's the big deal? The big deal is that two major progressive activists, while defending another man's right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, deny the women who may be victims of rape the same respect. Instead of looking at their statements or lack thereof (as in Olbermann not questioning Moore's avid defense of Assange, even with no evidence), both Moore and Olbermann refuse to admit they were wrong, behave as if anyone who has a problem with them is an idiot, and just can't seem to bear parting with their Assange Fanboy ways. Getting into his good graces seems to trump defending not only the women who have helped pave their way to success by supporting their movies/television shows, but the women who raised them or otherwise contributed to their lives.
I wonder how they feel, being at the other side of a controversy. I wonder if they really think that women are just going to back down and say, "oh okay, just don't do it again." I especially wonder if they are going to exhibit the character that they demand of their own targets, and not only admit that they are wrong but maybe even try to make up for it by acknowledging the problems that victims of rape face every day. Like being accused of lying or "wanting it."
I've always been a fan of both men, but their response to being called out on gender insensitivity is a big red flag. As we'd say in a political race, if they want their success to continue, they might want to try relating to their female constituents a little better.
No, a lot better. Presumed innocent is a two way street, gents - even if one of those streets is a woman who may have been raped. She deserves the same respect that your beloved Julian does.
In case you missed it, the interview is below. Moore's comments in question begin at minute 13:
Good article and point. I think Assange is a creepy in a spy-like, world domination by techno means kind of way; not to forget the obvious love he displays for himself and his intellect. But, my opinion of him does not make him a rapist any more than Michael Moore's opinion makes him innocent. I very much dislike the hateful condescension that Olbermann and Moore display toward anyone of differing opinion. They seem to have a selective world view that isn't very tolerant, nor sensitive. Did they forget what happened to Nancy Grace in the Duke rape case? Oh yeah, that was different, right? I don't think so. Blanket unsupported statements that are publicly pushed are very insensitive and hurtful to the victim(s), regardless of their gender. Big jerks!
Yeah Shelli, you're right - they need to look back at Nancy's experience with trial by media pundit. They need to respect that a lot of people out there take their opinions as fact, and think before they open their fat mouths. There is too much blame automatically put on rape victims as it is, thanks to people like the woman in the Duke case. We don't need so called truth-fighters piling it on even more. If it ends up being a conspiracy against Assange, I hope that whoever is responsible - whether it's the women or the government, as Moore suggests - is prosecuted to the full extent. Looking at the police reports though, it looks like a case that needs to be taken seriously on both sides.