Arnold: No one confronted me

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

Arnold's defense of himself is that no one confronted him. I ask the MEN of DU. If in fact Arnold Schwarzenegger a BODYBUILDER whose persona has been BUILT on his tough guy TERMINATOR act assaulted you and your JOB and livelihood were dependent on whether or NOT to coonfront one of the physically largest and economically most powerful me in Hollywood...would you confront him?

"No one confronted me," Schwarzenegger said Friday. "If someone comes to me and says, `How dare you do this, how dare you say this,' I can apologize right then and there."

[LiberalVoice]

1. maybe from the back with a shotgun and a few drinks in me...

and alot in him!!!

[Socialist Worker]

42. If you are Muslim, why would you drink?

That's forbidden.

[Booberdawg]

44. Looks like you missed the point

Do you have any comments on the topic of this thread?

[Socialist Worker]

47. No. I just want to know how a Muslim can drink?

[Booberdawg]

51. That is not the topic of this thread

and it seems curious that your very first post would be to single out someone to ask a question that is completely unrelated to the topic, and a personal question that is none of your business anyway.


You are new to DU - perhaps it's just bad manners.

[Booberdawg]

58. Looks like your manners didn't get any better

[LiberalVoice]

2. oh and a mask...

[Cheswick2.0]

3. gag

Someone had to confront him before he knew it was wrong?

[realFedUp]

4. Maybe now some lawyers will.

.

[GOPBasher]

5. Oh yeah, I'd confront him,

if I were in an SUV heading right towards him.

[Cha]

6. "Apologize" my ass! How about Not doing it because it is

against the Law and has all the markings of a Pervert?

[blondeatlast]

32. Didn't you get the memo?

It was just one of the guys having a little fun; and no Repug can be a perv.

They are the party of, ahem, Family Values!

[Woodstock]

53. Groping is not a family value

Bumper sticker, anyone? :)

[SammyWinstonJack]

57. Groping --------A republican family value

:evilgrin:

[soupkitchen]

7. They wouldn't let me do it if they didn't love it defense

Very statemenlike argument

[JohnyCanuck]

8. Arni's nothing but a bully that picks on women.

He is beneath contempt. I can see how freeper type men might be willing to overlook his slimy behaviour (in private they probably applaud it), but I have a hard time seeing how a female with an ounce of self worth and 2 working synapses left firing in her brain would vote for such a pile of shit.

[LiberalVoice]

11. wish i wrote that.

i feel EXACTLY the same way.

But i still like my mask idea:)

[Spazito]

9. I'd say that is exactly what the women are doing now...

and, far from apologizing, he is saying it is all a democratic smear. Another example of republican liars.

[mitchtv]

10. He's a Republican

only Democrats have problems with morality. ask Dan Burton and Henry Hyde

[Loyal]

36. Lmao

:P

[nostamj]

12. Palast on Arnold and Ken Lay and BushCo !!!!!

THIS is the MOST important article about the CA recall circus.

stunning! read it, spread it!

http://www.gregpalast.com/detail.cfm?artid=283&row=0

[LittleApple81]

15. I have been going to all the threads on Arnold and saying exactly

what you are saying. THIS IS IMPORTANT. THIS HURT ALL CALIFORNIANS IN THEIR POCKETBOOKS.
Arnold is a repug (I mean both republican and repugnant) being, who violated women's bodies by groping without consent.

BUT THE ENRON CONNECTION AND THE POSSIBLE LOSS TO CALIFORNIA OF 9 BILLION DOLLARS IS VITAL INFORMATION TO BE COMMUNICATED AT ALL COSTS!

[nostamj]

16. me too!

and I think I'll call in to Guy James. MALLOY needs to hammer this along with Randi, Tom Hartman, Krugman....

EXPONENTIALLY more important than groping

[Zhade]

39. Did you all see the memos?

I downloaded them - proof that Lay was to meet with Arnold.

Bastards.

[LiberalVoice]

18. wow...

if he gets elected those dumb fuck repugs deserve EVERYTHING they get.

[Emillereid]

19. Kicking

THE story is the enron connection -- we have to get this out to all the other media --

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

38. Was this behind the scenes power-brokering entered into the "debate"

which I put in quotes since it really wasn't a debate but a coffee klatch fashion show.

Or did Palast's information on the Schwartzie/Lay trist come after?

[NicoleM]

13. Oh?

Okay, then, never mind. How could you have known what you were doing was wrong if nobody told you?

:eyes:

[UnAmericanJoe]

14. Wow

He is truly a despicable human being

[jiacinto]

17. I agree with you

It is often very hard to cope in situations like that. And many of these women couldn't afford to be blacklisted from Hollywood.

[opihimoimoi]

22. Trying to pass this stuff off as dirty polotics/smear campaign is

a ploy. What they don't mention,

THIS TIME, THE CHARGES ARE TRUE and while it looks like a smear, its the TRUTH.

Women who vote for this Fraud have no idea they are condoning sexual assualt. Someday, they will come to realize their mistake as some pervy gropes them.

Wake up Ladies, this guy is a Puppet Fraud put up there by the Pub Masters.

[Jen72]

55. I agree Carlos.

Once a woman in that business makes a complaint against someone, especially that powerful, her entire career with be defined by that.
She will never escape it. And if they don't have his money or his lawyers they could go broke.

Incidently arent the words "get your hands of me or you're scaring me," telling him he is doing something is wrong?
He is stronger the the average man too, how many of these women's boyfriend's are going to "confront him?" If "don't touch me you bastard," isn't strong enough.

[Susang]

20. It's also untrue

I believe the British tv host whose breast he grabbed did confront him and he laughed it off. As did the waitress whom he told to go to the bathroom, stick her finger in her vagina and come back and let him smell it. She threatened him with a pot of hot coffee and he laughed at her since he knew she wouldn't do anything with her manager standing right behind her.

[lumpy]

21. Twice in my life I didn't report sexual groping

because back then women didn't have a legal leg to stand on and my menfolk would have been in a lot of trouble for assaulting the slime if they had known. I have known plenty of women in the past who put up with this sort of downgrading assault. Thank goodness men can't get away with it these days. Arnold has no excuse, whether the women decided to pursue it or not. Elevating him to a higher position of power would be a dangerous move, there are other ways of expressing power-hunger.

[Snellius]

23. There is so much crap like this that comes out of him

I read this too and couldn't believe it. He just doesn't get it at all. He still thinks there's nothing wrong with what he did. He's only concerned that he may have upset someone, but he seems to have no way of putting himself in his victim's place and understanding that what he is doing is not just "rowdy" or "playful" but demeaning and vulgar and sick. So much crude crap like this comes out of Arnold's mouth -- and it has nothing to do with his accent -- that you can't keep up with it. I thought of posting this too but there were so many other similar statements that were even worse.

[spooky3]

25. I agree. I then tried to imagine these "rowdy movie sets"

such as the ones people like Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, or Julia Roberts would work on. Seems that no matter how nice you are, geez, you find yourself in the middle of one of those "rowdy" sets and you just have to join in the groping-fest or else you feel like a goody two shoes. Especially when you are the star of the film and really don't have any say in the matter.

(sarcasm off)

[dfong63]

29. a man who couldn't clean up a "rowdy" movie set, yet

... he wants us to believe he'd be able to "clean up" sacramento.

[KayLaw]

24. Not a man

I'm a rather tall, weight-lifting woman who stands up for herself, I feel there's no way I could defend myself against someone as big as Arnold. He must know that. He reminds of a boy who likes to pick wings off flies. I don't see the fun myself, and I doubt most people who post here do either. Where is the fun in picking on someone much weaker or smaller than one's self, I wonder? I do see the fun in picking on a clay-heeled hypocrite larger than myself, though.

[spooky3]

26. LOL to your last line!

[GoldenOldie]

27. Confrontation with Arnold????

Visualize a woman (not an acting star) working within a male dominated profession, and a sexual predator such as Arnold and his male co-horts/hanger-ons, get their highs on molesting any woman that happens to get within their view. They are no better than the school yard bully. If anger or embarassment is shown by the woman, this only seems to highten the glee and sexual appetite of Arnold and friends. Many woman keep their silence so they will not lose their jobs. For those that say no job is worth it - this maybe the only job that keeps food on their table!!!

Arnold is a pig and no matter how many hummers,tuxedo's or houses he has, he will always be a pig. He is a pig as an actor, he will be a pig as Governor.

[dfong63]

28. i would

i might get my ass kicked, but i'd tell him to keep his cotton pickin hands off me. if he wouldn't, then i'd go to the police. they might not be able to convict, but at least there would be a paper trail. just knowing there might be an investigation and bad publicity might prove somewhat of a deterrent to him.

that's me. i wouldn't blame others for acting differently.

[dfong63]

30. earth to arnold: grow up

... and do it before trying to run for the highest office in the state.

[rasputin1952]

31. I am trying desperately to avoid any recall threads...

however, since you asked NSMA, I will answer.

As a straight male, I can tell you that I think his behavior was/is disgusting.

Now, I need to elaborate.

I enjoy the company of women, I always have; not necessarily in a sexual conotation, but as equals. However, I have had my moments when I have been a leader and participant in behavior that is as absurd as Schwarzenegger's. I was younger, had the testosterone and adrenaline, and not much else. Generally, when going out "with the guys", I was as raunchy as almost any other honest male. Sometimes, we found women that could be raunchy, but if I was told, "leave me alone", it stopped. Probably had a lot to do with a "youthful indiscretion" vs. "Choirboy" thing.

As I aged, and became more mellow, I realized that I had made a complete fool out of not just myself, but of all those I had been with as well. I started to THINK! What a concept!

I startred to go back to times I would rather have left forgotten, and realized that I had hurt a lot of people over the years, and there was no one to blame but me. So...without benefit of the national news, I tracked down a lot of the women I had known over the years, and personally appologized for previous behavior. I found quite a few, and not one of them held me to account, they had grown as well, and most, not all, said they had been grateful I had stopped when I was asked or told to stop. These were friends of mine, and a few were friends of others. Of course, I couldn't track down everyone, but if I could, I would.

Since that epiphany many years ago, I have never had to track down another woman and appologize for my behavior. I try, and occasionally fail, at being what used to be called a "genleman". It is not difficult to do once you learn that everyone deserves the same respect as anyone else, until they show me they are assholes. At that point I avoid the asshole.

In a final note. I still cannot tolerate assholes, regardless of gender, race, ethnic group, or anything else that supposedly seperates humanity into distinct forms of beings. I have learned to put people I meet into two initial catagories: Asshole/Possibly not an asshole. Time will tell.

That simple rule has kept me out of many a bind.

OK I'll shut up now!

:kick:

[noiretextatique]

33. a mature, and reasonable response

i also learned (over the years) that treating other people with respect is a reflection of my self-respect. it took a while for me to grasp that, but once i did, i became a much better person...one whose face i could actually admire in the mirror :7

clearly, the grabinator STILL has a lot of growing up to do...and at his age, that's quite a pathetic commentary.

[rasputin1952]

34. Thank you...

It is amazing how much one really learns, when he or she has the guts to open their eyes and eyes; and close their mouths.

That was my problem, I talked alot, but rarely spoke; I heard a lot, but rarely listened; I noticed a lot, but rarely saw.

I am elated at the prospect of learning more, and sorrowful that I never will learn enough.

[Booberdawg]

35. Very insightful post, and inspiring

Thank you.

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

37. It's common knowledge that most sexual assault goes unreported

for all of the reasons provided in the above posts and within the quotes of Arnold's victims.

If that's his response to his being confronted now, it's extremely weak and is a throwback to the '50s. The next thing you know, he'll say the women "asked for it."

[Booberdawg]

40. This morning I see another 4 women have come forward

Total 15 now

[rasputin1952]

41. Sad, but true...

n/t

[CMT]

43. many women will not confront this type of predator

they will just want to get away from him as soon as possible. Plus if they work in the industry they will hesitate to make waves or else they might face not being able to work again.

I think it is correct that he wasn't confronted and this just emboldened him to do it more and more thinking in some perverse way that the women actually enjoy it.

[Skittles]

45. ALL I KNOW, NSMA

IF THAT F***ER HAD ASSAULTED ME I WOULD HAVE CONFRONTED HIM WITH THE NEAREST BASEBALL BAT. But then, that's just me.

[leftofthedial]

46. it's clearly the women's fault

they should have stopped him before he broke the law.

[spooky3]

48. If only one of those bank tellers had told me "no"

when they could see I had a gun and I handed them a stickup note, I would not have robbed any banks. So don't "smear" me by calling me a bank robber unsuited to be governor--question them as to why they didn't do that.

(sarcasm off now)

[Booberdawg]

49. But it is Clinton's fault that the women didn't stop him, so

you can't blame the women either.

[Brian Sweat]

50. This is typical Republican blame the victim horseshit.

It also an example of how they try to use smoke and mirrors to distract people from the real issue. The only issue here is that Ahnuld sexually assaulted women. This is just like the Plame affair. The only issue is that someone from the White House exposed the name of a covert agent and compromised her network of assets.


As far as why the women didn't come forward earlier, they were affraid for their careers. Have you ever heard the phrase, "you'll never work in this town again?"

[Woodstock]

52. So unless someone confronts him, he doesn't know right from wrong

And when he's the most powerful man in the state of California, he expects MORE people to confront him, so he will know right from wrong?

What a blow this is to the religious right. Couldn't happen to a better bunch.

[rasputin1952]

54. Going through this thread for the "umpteenth" time...

I have learned a lot. When I look at this thread, and another dealing with sexual harassment, I am seeing a horrible pattern emerge. Far too many women, and men, are just plain to damn scared to speak up and right the wrongs that are being perpetrated against themselves, and others. Just what the hell is going on here?

Are we so afraid of job retention, social status, or any other poor excuse for allowing "bad" behavior, to allow this type of stuff to continue? Are we afraid that we'll get "beat up" for standing up for the rights of others as well as our own, that we will stay silent?

I have spent a good portion of my life fighting for the rights of ALL people to be free from harassment; has that time been spent in vain?

I've lost jobs because I refused to back down when I knew I was right.
I've lost aquaintances, because they continued to persist in behavior i thought was contemptable. I've stood my ground because someone HAD to; and here I see a pattern of fear driven co-existence with problems that need to be dealt with in the open.

Yes, I've been ostracized by people at work, because I didn't "fit in"; but if I see someone stealing from the company I work for, it is my duty to report that. If I see harassment, I am bound, by dignity, to report it. Whether that harassment is sexual, mental, physical or financial makes no difference, it is harassment, and people need to have that problem lifted. There is no alternative.

Fear can be a powerful motivator; it can be used against the harasser as well as the victim. Everyone has an opportunity to take their grievances forward through either their company, or an outside agent. It is important to understand you may lose a position in a firm, but you will not lose your dignity.

By working together, we CAN and WILL make this a better place to live and work.

[rasputin1952]

56. Damn...

I didn't mean to kill this thread off. These things are far to important to just drop away.

:kick:

[spooky3]

59. it is not simply fear of retaliation; it's the realization

that complaining will not solve the problem in many cases. You could get the reaction that you see expressed in the interviews with Arnold supporters--you're lying, it's the woman's fault, "boys will be boys", etc.

[WoodrowFan]

60. It just shows he picks on the powerless.

what a CREEP>

[bearfartinthewoods]

61. NSMA kick this thread or start a new one in a couple days

there is no way we can actually discuss this right now.

[rocktivity]

62. Maybe he's having another one of his memory laspes

You know, like the blanks he draws when it comes to groping, admiring Hitler and meeting with Enron officials.


rocknation