Schwarzenegger's support baffling

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | October 7, 2003 | staff

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Arnold Schwarzenegger's groping of women he barely knew wasn't mean-spirited or degrading. Or so says the man who may end the day as California's new governor. The actor-turned-politician says he was just being playful and rowdy when he grabbed women's breasts in elevators, fondled studio secretaries at meetings and lifted up the sweatshirts of college students at restaurants.

Schwarzenegger's facile apology is not the most upsetting aspect of the sordid revelations of his sexual assaults of strangers and co-workers alike. What's more distressing is the public's acceptance of his boorish behavior and the widespread condemnation of the women for coming forward now that Schwarzenegger is seeking office.

Never mind that the women only spoke out after the Los Angeles Times spent seven weeks tracking them down and verifying their accounts with friends and witnesses. The two stories reported in the Times reveal a megalomaniac who enjoyed demeaning women in front of an audience. None of the women ever sued or pursued criminal actions against Schwarzenegger. He was a god in the movie world, and they were nobodies.

Yet, somehow, Schwarzenegger has become the victim in this saga and the women the victimizers. The exposé in the L.A. Times led 1,000 readers to cancel their subscriptions. One woman told the Times, "I'm very pro-woman. But unfortunately, because I work with women, I know how silly they can act."

Celebrity apparently trumps sisterhood. That their charges of sexual misconduct are belittled is disappointing, but at least the women now have a public forum. Forty years ago, no one, including the media, would have given any credence to women alleging they were pawed by politicians or celebrities. It was expected and accepted that men with power would exploit the powerless.

Schwarzenegger's wife's family, the Kennedy men, could frolic with naked young women in the White House pool without fear because of the tacit pact between the press and the politicians that sexual escapades were off limits. Now, the incidents make the news, but the women are pilloried as tramps (as also happened to Kobe Bryant's accuser).

The actor's followers have taken to carrying brooms to symbolize Schwarzenegger's sweeping out of the old regime in Sacramento. His female supporters might keep them handy in case they find themselves alone with Schwarzenegger in an elevator sometime.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Democrat dirty tricks: "I don't have to prove it, I just want to hear him deny it." - Lyndon Johnson

California gubernatorial hopeful Arnold Schwarzenegger greets supporters during a campaign rally on his 'Join Arnold Fly Around' of California in San Bernardino, Calif., Monday evening Oct. 6, 2003. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

[Support Free Republic]

Got a minute?

I'd really like you to rub my ears,
or help out FR.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

[dennisw]

What a pathetic editorial. No mention of how the Democrats have screwed up California so bad that a recall was aproved and Schwarzenegger will become governor due to it

[Luke21]

This is hillarious. The commies at the AJC always felt the exact opposite about Paula Jones, Linda Tripp, and the women of the Clinton era.

What hypocritical trash these people are.

[laweeks]

"None of the women ever sued or pursued criminal actions against Schwarzenegger. He was a god in the movie world, and they were nobodies."

Such nonsense. There's money, talk shows, and notoriety to be had by prosecuting celebrity gropers and rapists. Interesting how they cover up for these "victims" who are so afraid of these celebrities, but they poo-poo the ones who DO retaliate (Paula Jones, Juanita Broderick).

[Russell Scott]

Its mind boggling isn't it. These people have been so brainwashed by Republican ideologues, that everything they see must be a vast left wing conspiracy, out to get there hero. It sounds just like the Clinton supporters less than four years ago, who refused to accept any of the numerous allegations against him.

[Russell Scott]

oh, you can bet, like Clinton, that as soon as he becomes Governor, left wing talk radio will take flight, with all kinds of trash about Arnold.

[Robert_Paulson2]

get help russ.

[Ann Archy]

is this her RAP sheet? TRULY?

[dennisw]

Has it been determined this is the right Rhonda Miller? I'm sure it is but anymore on this?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

oh, you can bet, like Clinton, that as soon as he becomes Governor, left wing talk radio will take flight, with all kinds of trash about Arnold.

Well, the people love him, so as with Ronald Reagan, the hits from the Left will never connect.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

My, my.

[laredo44]

Schwarzenegger's support baffling

This has nothing to do with groping. These people find any support for any Republican baffling, period.

[hotpotato]

Ambrose, I already wrote you in another thread that ABC7 news reported Monday night that this is not the same Rhonda Miller.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

These people find any support for any Republican baffling, period.

Excellent point!

[Robert_Paulson2]

according to posters here and john and ken in la ... and I think the OTHER la paper.. (not the times...)

hannity had their editor on today and I think SHE referred to this rather long rap sheet.