Ren has yet another anonymous commenter (a.k.a. troll) on her blog. He exhibits many of the characteristics on the Anti-Feminist BINGO card, as well as the follow-up version 2 of said card.
I don’t bother to engage w/ such people, and I recommend against anyone else doing so. But if you want a synopsis, here’s shorter (longer?) Anony:
“Yeah, I mean it sucks that a woman’s sexual history will be put on trial in a rape case and could determine whether or not the rapist is convicted, and if she has ever dared to admit to liking sex that must mean she likes it all the time, with anyone, anywhere, under any circumstances, so how could she be raped; and never mind if she’s a sex worker, and yeah it sucks that sex workers are often abused by law enforcement. I mean sure it sucks that men are congratulated for sexual ‘conquests’ while women are called sluts and their emotional wellbeing, physical health, mental health, competence as parents, competence in their jobs, etc. are called into question all because they dare to have sex on their terms; yeah it’s pretty crappy that women have had their children taken away from them and deemed to be unfit parents, or lost their jobs over sexual activity between consenting adults; yeah I guess it’s a pain in the butt that a woman’s entire self-worth is judged based on the state of her hymen; and it must be kinda annoying dealing with sexual harassment and having it written off as ‘just a joke’ or her being ‘too sensitive,’ and anyway didn’t she ask for it if she’s dressed that way, why doesn’t she want a little attention? Yeah it could suck not being able to walk around by yourself without people yelling comments, not to mention groped and having your physical space disrespected and having no recourse, that must be a minor inconvenience sometimes. ….
But men get made fun of if they can’t find sexual partners! So stop being sexist and talk about THAT! Why can’t you be rational and logical, just like ME!”
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9 Responses to "Oh, anonymous commenters!"
Oh GODDESS! I frakin’ hate comments like that! So, a man getting made fun of for not getting laid is JUST LIKE a woman being shamed for 1. being raped and 2. having her sexual past displayed for public consumption after being raped. Oh yeah. Same thing. Oy. Vey.
Idea.
Maybe feminist bloggers (or really any activist) can push for changes in states that allow for such irrelevant evidence in rape trials.
See O.C.G.A. § 24-2-3(a):
I’ve taken out some parts, but what’s left is in the code. Of course, in your version you can take out “contrary to community standards.”
Yes! And Jill just blogged about NY’s law yesterday. Basically, they have a “rape shield” law, but it has a pretty nasty caveat wrt past prostitution convictions.
This is a good idea for something practical to organize around. Hmm, the ol’ brain wheels are turning…
Just checked. There’s a case which states the Rape Shield Law trumps any past conviction laws (i.e., can impeach a witness with any felony / moral turpitude convictions). Never thought Georgia would so progressive (though as a defense attorney, I say Boo!).
I have a friend who recently tried a Rape case (as a prosecutor) and the defense attorney kept mentioning the fact that she was some sort of salsa dancer. The mind boggles. My judge would have kicked my ass if I had pulled a stunt like that.
The defense attorney tried to insinuate that salsa dancers deserve to be raped? Are you frakin’ serious? So what about ballerinas? Skipping about in tutus that leave NOTHING to the imagination? And always showing how flexible they are with their arabesques and such? They are always being lifted into the air by men so {sarcasm alert} obviously they like to be manhandled. Or gymnasts? Tangueras? Belly dancers? *calms down* Where does the insanity end?
The god-emperor of Rome is amused by these “logical men”…
On rape shield laws, this from the UK probably takes the biscuit, but not in a good way:
Judges admit they get round law designed to protect women in rape trials
In short, yes, we have a rape shield law, but the judges don’t respect it.
That commenter didn’t really ping my troll-dar, but rather it sounded like a failed attempt at sarcasm, i.e. the litany of genuine complaints that women have vs. his inability to get laid as an object of derision.
As to the rape shield law, it is just about ironclad in PA, with the only exception being the issue of consent and prior relations of the two people in particular- she must have wanted it because she used to want it before. But that is limited and specific, and even then judges are very cautious even then about letting it get too far from the specific circumstances. The complainant’s sexual history with other persons is COMPLETELY out of bounds.
Aspasia,
I think the argument was more like, “She’s a dancer and bartender; therefore, it is consensual.. because, those women always give it up?” Still as offensive.
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