3 ms·

> We can imagine many scenarios, but the most plausible scenario is that she presented herself to him as entirely willing. Assuming she was being coerced by Eps

> We can imagine many scenarios, but the most plausible scenario is that she presented herself to him as entirely willing. Assuming she was being coerced by Epstein, he would have had every reason to tell her to conceal that from most of his associates. This is a totally reasonable statement and it hardly seems like he's defending Epstein or somehow justifying what was alleged to have happened. Stallman's point is that the legal usage of the term "assault" sometimes doesn't match up with the idea of physical violence that comes with the colloquial understanding of "assault". Also it seems super weird, distasteful, and immature when, instead of discussing with or further debating this person who said something you don't like, you go tattle on them to a sympathetic reporter. Yuck.

mindslight 7y ago
This is exactly how witch hunts work - if you don't just follow the mob 100%, but rather point out some nuance or call for some restraint, even while generally agreeing with the purported goal of the mob, then you are the next target to be attacked. The true driving force is not justice, but rather power.
- krainboltgreene 7y ago
  What "power" is gained from this? Also, that was nothing like how a witch hunt works.
  - mindslight 7y ago
    The power is that of the mob itself - attacking people and feeling righteous about it. And you know, attacking RMS is much easier than trying to go after whomever had Epstein snuffed so he couldn't talk. "Witch hunt" may not be the absolute best of terms, as RMS is responsible for having poked the hornets' nest. It's still an appropriate reference to the social dynamics, but perhaps "lynch mob" would be better.
  - Udik 7y ago
    Care to explain us how a "real" witch hunt works, in your opinion? I'm genuinely curious.
- rumanator 7y ago
  > The true driving force is not justice, but rather power. You've hit the proverbial nail in the head. This virtue signaling wave sounds an awful lot like how religious people manipulate mobs to persecute their personal targets and further their ghrasp on power.

mindslight 7y ago

This is exactly how witch hunts work - if you don't just follow the mob 100%, but rather point out some nuance or call for some restraint, even while generally agreeing with the purported goal of the mob, then you are the next target to be attacked. The true driving force is not justice, but rather power.

krainboltgreene 7y ago
What "power" is gained from this? Also, that was nothing like how a witch hunt works.
- mindslight 7y ago
  The power is that of the mob itself - attacking people and feeling righteous about it. And you know, attacking RMS is much easier than trying to go after whomever had Epstein snuffed so he couldn't talk. "Witch hunt" may not be the absolute best of terms, as RMS is responsible for having poked the hornets' nest. It's still an appropriate reference to the social dynamics, but perhaps "lynch mob" would be better.
- Udik 7y ago
  Care to explain us how a "real" witch hunt works, in your opinion? I'm genuinely curious.
rumanator 7y ago
> The true driving force is not justice, but rather power. You've hit the proverbial nail in the head. This virtue signaling wave sounds an awful lot like how religious people manipulate mobs to persecute their personal targets and further their ghrasp on power.