~~Zero Tolerance~~: Trump, Schwarzenegger, and Strauss-Kahn

[bobbolink]

Zero Tolerance: Trump, Schwarzenegger, and Strauss-Kahn
by Jim Wallis 05-26-2011

"It’s a constant storyline in the media involving powerful men in politics, sports, business, and even religion: Men behave with utter disregard for the dignity and humanity of women — using and abusing them at will, and somehow believing that they are entitled to do so. These men seem to think that the ordinary rules of decent behavior do not apply to them. We have a never-ending cavalcade of disgusting stories about men cheating on their wives and mothers of their children; abandoning old wives for new ones; serial philandering as a way of life; sexually harassing and assaulting women; and even committing rape. But when all is said and done, the perpetrators are still playing basketball, football, and golf; they are still running for political office, and are still at the helm of the institutions of the economy, and even the church.

"Arnold Schwarzenegger, Donald Trump, and Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the (now former) chief of the International Monetary Fund, have all been in the media lately for sins and crimes past, present, and accused. The stories have now come out about a long-time affair Schwarzenegger had with a member of his house staff, Strauss-Kahn’s alleged assault against a hotel maid, and Donald Trump’s long and blatant history of sexism.

"As the secret stories are revealed, there is great interest and perverse excitement in the media. The pain and suffering from the women involved, and the invisible hurt of the children, are brushed aside. Instead, the women are subtly, and sometimes directly, blamed. And sometimes, in all-male circles, there is a wink and a nod, and, most disgustingly, even a little envy of the powerful men who get to break all the rules when it comes to women. The primary outcry is from other women who, in the name of equality and dignity, lament this continual pattern of abuse.

"What has been missing from this too-often repeated narrative is the condemnation of these behaviors and attitudes from other men — especially men who are in positions of power, authority, and influence. While the primary blame lies with the perpetrators, we should look next at the good men who say nothing. It’s time for good men to hold accountable those who abuse women. Those who abuse, assault, and rape are not real men. They distort and destroy any sense of healthy manhood. It’s time to tell our sons that they must never act like these abusers and perpetrators, and to make sure to raise our own sons to love, respect, and be faithful to women."

http://blog.sojo.net/2011/05/26/zero-tolerance-trump-schwarzenegger-and-strauss-kahn/#disqus_thread

[robcon]

1. Bullshit article.

"What has been missing from this too-often repeated narrative is the condemnation of these behaviors and attitudes from other men "

Utter bullshit.

[bobbolink]

2. Suuuurre it is. Why, one can see right here on DU all the MEN complaining about those listed in the

article.

PLUS, all those telling women to "get a life" after Schultz's pathetic misogynistic outburst.

Thank you for underscoring the depth of the problem.

And, bullshit back to your bullshit.

[lumberjack_jeff]

9. The "let's use him to create a blanket condemnation of all men"

Is getting really old.

How much garment rending would appropriately atone on behalf of my gender for Arnold's womanizing?

Screw Jim Wallis.

[Whisp]

3. excellent read.

one of the reasons I still have such distrust and dislike for Clinton and all like him is that wink and nod shit he had going for him in the aftermath. Lewinski was pretty well ruined, and the asshole can go on talks shows and blush and laugh about it all. She's the ruiner and he's just, ya know, a red blooded horny man - what's a guy to do.

[bobbolink]

4. Good point. And what is sad is so many women who join in the blaming the victim.

While I'm not sure about Monica's role, his actions were definitely completely despicable. If nothing else, the pain he caused Chelsea was very sad.

Jim Wallis nails it in this article. The power corrupts and hurts women, and other men (and sometimes women!) either ignore it (silence is acquiescence) or snicker, as if it is sooo funny.

We just can't seem to grow up. Pathological.

[DevonRex]

5. It's a thought-provoking article.

Sometimes I feel like the condemnation is just lip service and that there's an underlying envy of men who are rich and powerful enough to do these things. Thankfully most men on du get it.

And we shouldn't leave out Clinton and Edwards.

[bobbolink]

6. I agree. Most of what Wallis writes is to get the thinking process going.

Did you read the rest of it?

He is definitely expressing strong feelings, but he does it in a way that encourages us to look deeper into ourselves, and call both us and those in power to lay our values on the line.

Yes, I also thought about Clinton and Edwards. They also caused a lot of pain, and their actions should be examined, although I certainly think that Edwards *is* getting a lot of that examination.

[bobbolink]

7. "Women are already speaking out, and now it’s time for other men to also say that this bad behavior

is no longer acceptable."
http://blog.sojo.net/2011/05/26/zero-tolerance-trump-schwarzenegger-and-strauss-kahn/#disqus_thread

[monmouth]

8. Sounds like one of those "Oathkeepers" or whatevder. How about

minding your own business. How about Mom's affair? I mean, this article is ridiculous...

[bobbolink]

10. Please, don't bother to actually read it, and certainly not with an open mind.

Built-in prejudices are sooo much more constructive.

[monmouth]

12. Oh I read it, still think it was stupid...n/t

[seabeyond]

11. "we should look next at the good men who say nothing". right on.

i have said it many times. i have said it to my boys. i was raised with men (father and two brothers) that did speak out. they were always able to and the men immediately back down. the men that behave poorly do it to show off to their peers. it isnt about the women. for men to not go along or stay quiet is the biggest hindrence for an asshole man.