In which CNN's Dana Bash marvels at the deafening silence from Barack and Michelle Obama regarding the sordid and worsening allegations leveled against their political benefactor, Harvey Weinstein. We're approaching day six of this story, yet we've seen nary a Facebook post from a figure who's happily spouted off on any number of political and cultural controversies since leaving office. Seriously, what gives? Might they still be privately seething that nobody warned them about Weinstein before they sent their daughter to go work for him? Or are they simply trying to figure out exactly how to play this because of the...delicate political relationships at play? Either way, their continued MIA status is so unavoidable at this point that segments like this are airing:
Allahpundit is equally mystified: "It is genuinely strange that The One hasn’t fired off a check-the-box 'shocked and appalled' statement of his own yet, though," he writes. "John [Sexton] noted that observers were already grumbling last night about his and Hillary’s radio silence. Now there’s an explosive New Yorker article alleging rape, which forced Hillary’s hand at least. Still no word from O, though. Why not? Obviously he’ll have to denounce Weinstein eventually and maybe field some questions about whether Big Harv ever entertained him during his Oval Office visits with stories about masturbating into a plant in front of an unwilling woman he’d cornered. How hard can it be to address this subject in standard Obama-ese?" By the way, if you want a genuine jolt on just how slimy the cesspool of Hollywood's sexual entitlement and power-based exploitation can be, read this tweet storm from victim...Terry Crews? Yes, this guy. Whoa:
This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME. (1/Cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
My wife n I were at a Hollywood function last year n a high level Hollywood executive came over 2 me and groped my privates. (2/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Jumping back I said What are you doing?! My wife saw everything n we looked at him like he was crazy. He just grinned like a jerk. (3/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I decided not 2 take it further becuz I didn’t want 2b ostracized— par 4 the course when the predator has power n influence. (9/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Who’s going 2 believe you? ( few) What r the repercussions?(many) Do u want 2 work again? (Yes) R you prepared 2b ostracized?(No)(11/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Think about the sort of perverse and distorted culture in which an influential power player would feel comfortable openly groping a giant former NFL player's genitals, with smug impunity. It's as if Hollywood really is a "f*cking lawless piece-of-sh*t town," to quote, um, Harvey Weinstein. Click this link. If a guy like that was unwilling to say or do anything to stand up to sexual misconduct, imagine the untold stories of the many children who've allegedly been victimized over the years. Will this persistent whisper campaign get any louder or more concrete now that more of these problems are out in the open?
Corey Feldman on Elijah Wood Hollywood pedophilia controversy: "I would love to name names" https://t.co/o4XjGiZ5PV pic.twitter.com/VsNJwyr4QU
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 25, 2016
UPDATE - Finally. Even Hillary beat him to it, but better late than never:
Obama: "Any man who demeans and degrades women in such fashion needs to be condemned & held accountable, regardless of wealth or status" pic.twitter.com/Htw4WXlBZO
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) October 10, 2017