SMILEY FIGHTS BACK – AT 11:46 A.M. ET:   I'm not a fan of Tavis Smiley, who was suspended yesterday by PBS after sexual harassment charges.  He's kind of a mainstream African-American standard-issue liberal.  But I'm glad he's fighting back.  In a just society, and I think most women agree, you don't just destroy a man over charges unless and until he has his day in court, or unless there is a thorough, transparent probe.    From The Wrap: 

Tavis Smiley has responded to the sexual misconduct allegations that prompted PBS to “indefinitely” suspend broadcasting his show on Wednesday, saying he was “shocked” to find out, and that Variety, which first reported the story, knew before he did.

“I have the utmost respect for women and celebrate the courage of those who have come forth to tell their truth.  To be clear, I have never groped, coerced, or exposed myself inappropriately to any workplace colleague in my entire broadcast career, covering 6 networks over 30 years,” he said in a statement on Wednesday. “Never. Ever. Never.”

He said that PBS began its investigation without informing him, and only realized what was happening after “former staffers started contacting me to share the uncomfortable experience of receiving a phone call from a stranger asking whether I had ever done anything to make them uncomfortable, and if they could provide other names of persons to call.”

He said eventually PBS interviewed him, but did not take into account his “personal documentation,” “and refused to provide me any semblance of due process to defend myself against allegations from unknown sources. Their mind was made up.”

Smiley maintains that he did have a “consensual relationship with a colleague years ago,” but what was described in the Variety article was not true.

And...

Smiley concluded his statement by saying “This has gone too far.  And, I, for one, intend to fight back.”

“It’s time for a real conversation in America, so men and women know how to engage in the workplace. I look forward to actively participating in that conversation,” he said.

COMMENT:  For all I know, Smiley is as guilty as can be.  But I don't know that.  I haven't seen proof.  But I have seen him publicly humiliated based on anonymous sources.  Even if he is cleared, his name will forever be associated with the charges.

It's like the Duke University lacrosse case, where three lacrosse players were charged with rape.  They were all cleared, but, for the rest of their lives, if someone Googles their names, that case will come up first.

Sexual harassment is real.  Sexual assault is very real, and much more important.  But a decent society demands proof, and is careful with reputations. 

Clearly, the ultimate target of the current craze is President Trump.  There is something sordid about the whole affair.

December 14,  2017