New York City public defender Eliza Orlins explains why coverage of the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial is not "a waste of time" or "junk culture"—and how the attitude behind those comments minimizes abuse.
With what's running our country, from the felon president on down through some of his cabinet members and quite a few republicon senate and house members (including women!), what can one expect from maga clan members? They are just following their leaders. We all know nothing has changed since Anita Hill and Christine Blasey Ford, two VERY accomplished women, who were not taken seriously by male politicians, so why would things be different for everyday Jane Does?
Starting with the whole world, it is a mess of Males Behaving Badly. (Just look around.) That said, this particular case is important because the defendant is the sort of flashy asshole who is admired by a lot of men, and some women. In this case, there are witnesses who are willing to testify (admiration for them). Every case successfully prosecuted potentially drags our penis-dominated culture a few inches further toward justice.
Think of it as prosecuting lynch mob members! (Or gang rapists.)
That too many men have been so dismissive is also the culture that allowed Jeffrey Epstein, R. Kelly, AND Sean Combs to traffick in women for decades. This trial isn't about pop culture, it's about a culture of abuse. And, yes, why we have such a large, toxic manosphere at all, let alone one just fine with our current Felon in Chief.
I was so angry during the Anita Hill hearings about Thomas and he just sailed through. He's been a grafting far right garbage justice. He's wanted to leave for years and now, if he does, a worse nomination would happen. But since he votes tRump' s way...my father as Republican as he was. would not like that. A predator, when rich and famous.
Thank you. The blatant offensiveness and reinforcement of the whole culture that discourages women from coming forward is disgusting. Also, anyone who bothers clicking on a story and making the effort to write a comment claiming they don't care and the coverage is a waste of time has shown by their own actions that they do care, and thought it was very important for some reason to choose "a waste of time" in order to, as you point out, minimize abuse.
(Side note--I think sports is a waste of time. I don't click on sports articles in order to berate sports fans for holding a different opinion. That's what not caring looks like.)
When WaPo--before I dropped my subscription--covered Cassie suing Combs over this horrific abuse a few years ago, the comment section there filled with men rushing to write "who cares," dismiss Cassie as a "liar" and "gold-digger," express disbelief that any woman could take so long to come forward, etc. Some comment names I recognized from political stories as being on the left, so no, this can't be dismissed as just a MAGA thing.
Eliza, thank you so much for sharing this news and reporting on the abusive, cover-up type comments, reportedly from males who are seemingly trying to assert more control over women by mistreating and disrespecting their rights. Such examples reflect a sad state of mind and actions that must be stopped. I was unaware of the trial you described. It is up to everyone, regardless of gender, to stand up for rights of people and to be respectful.
I'm interested. It is not trivial. Please keep reporting his. it's important. I am not following because it is too hard emotionally. But I am interested. Those men who say this does not matter are free to leave, quietly. That they are compelled to comment so rudely is disappointing. Badly brought up.
This man doesn't dismiss it, or minimize it, or trivialize it, and is willing to confront guys who would or do. Not coincidentally, I didn't vote for Trump in 2016, or 2020, or 2024.
You have written something important very clearly and portraying the bigger historical perspective than mere present cultural sideshows. Across history, women have been subjected to abuse and powerful mistreatment. By this time in history, one would think we would have become civilized people, with men the first to step up as protectors of women and children. Immature and sadistic people of any sex should be considered dangerous and separated from the more vulnerable in society, not the playthings of those less able to defend themselves. The courts may be a countermeasure in a civilized society. Let's hope.
What's sad is that if the defendant wasn't famous, this trial wouldn't be getting the attention it is. I appreciate you following and updating us on what's happening. There's too much violence against women that goes unnoticed and unpunished.
It’s not just men who think this extensive, breathless coverage of the Diddy trial is misplaced. It’s sickening that a man would act this way for a decade, and it’s sickening that a woman would put up with being treated this way for a decade, and none of it has anything to do with how we ended up with Trump as president. The fact that I’m posting a comment doesn’t show that I’m interested in following the Diddy trial. I’m not following it. I just think it’s inaccurate and unfair to say that if you’re not interested in reportage and coverage about it, that must mean you’re a man, and probably a bro, and probably a MAGA.
In defense of the man who wrote the “rat’s ass” comment (me), I will respectfully make a few observations regarding the instant video. As background, I became a paid member of The Contrarian on virtually the first day Jen and Norm began their project. I greatly admire both for obvious reasons. I’m sure you feel the same, being an attorney and aspiring political commentator.
Getting to the diddy matter and my comment, you failed to mention my further comment in which I stated that the abuse of celebrity power is a major issue (which certainly includes sex trafficking); that “the diddy story is everywhere and nothing is advanced by the click-bait story here on The Contrarian. If I wanted more details on the perversion of the purveyors of junk culture, I would look elsewhere, perhaps at the grocery store checkout.”
I strongly object to your conflating my opinion that the diddy story is not worthy of The Contrarian with being a reason that the felon was elected and in the WH. You had a total of 8 comments on your original video – 2 of them from me. I’m guessing it did not get a lot of views. I’m guessing that is partially because the story is everywhere and nothing is advanced by click-bate. But Jen is the Editor, and I’ll defer to her.
I don’t understand how your comment here is “in defense.” That would suggest you wanted to clarify something you feel was misconstrued, but you haven’t done that. All you’ve done is dig in your heels, reiterating your opinion that the story isn’t worthy of coverage in The Contrarian, and getting a dig (“aspiring”) in at Ms. Orlins. Feel better?
I feel fine, Andrea. Thanks for your concern. I suggest you read my post again regarding my additional comments that Eliza omitted and the issue of conflation. But you are correct - my opinion is that the story is not worthy of The Contrarian. Your mileage may vary.
Thank you for pointing this message out. I am a woman who didn't pay attention to the trial because in this current climate thought 'I had more important things to read.' I am deeply ashamed of that thinking and stand corrected.
With what's running our country, from the felon president on down through some of his cabinet members and quite a few republicon senate and house members (including women!), what can one expect from maga clan members? They are just following their leaders. We all know nothing has changed since Anita Hill and Christine Blasey Ford, two VERY accomplished women, who were not taken seriously by male politicians, so why would things be different for everyday Jane Does?
Starting with the whole world, it is a mess of Males Behaving Badly. (Just look around.) That said, this particular case is important because the defendant is the sort of flashy asshole who is admired by a lot of men, and some women. In this case, there are witnesses who are willing to testify (admiration for them). Every case successfully prosecuted potentially drags our penis-dominated culture a few inches further toward justice.
Think of it as prosecuting lynch mob members! (Or gang rapists.)
That too many men have been so dismissive is also the culture that allowed Jeffrey Epstein, R. Kelly, AND Sean Combs to traffick in women for decades. This trial isn't about pop culture, it's about a culture of abuse. And, yes, why we have such a large, toxic manosphere at all, let alone one just fine with our current Felon in Chief.
I was so angry during the Anita Hill hearings about Thomas and he just sailed through. He's been a grafting far right garbage justice. He's wanted to leave for years and now, if he does, a worse nomination would happen. But since he votes tRump' s way...my father as Republican as he was. would not like that. A predator, when rich and famous.
Thank you. The blatant offensiveness and reinforcement of the whole culture that discourages women from coming forward is disgusting. Also, anyone who bothers clicking on a story and making the effort to write a comment claiming they don't care and the coverage is a waste of time has shown by their own actions that they do care, and thought it was very important for some reason to choose "a waste of time" in order to, as you point out, minimize abuse.
(Side note--I think sports is a waste of time. I don't click on sports articles in order to berate sports fans for holding a different opinion. That's what not caring looks like.)
When WaPo--before I dropped my subscription--covered Cassie suing Combs over this horrific abuse a few years ago, the comment section there filled with men rushing to write "who cares," dismiss Cassie as a "liar" and "gold-digger," express disbelief that any woman could take so long to come forward, etc. Some comment names I recognized from political stories as being on the left, so no, this can't be dismissed as just a MAGA thing.
Eliza, thank you so much for sharing this news and reporting on the abusive, cover-up type comments, reportedly from males who are seemingly trying to assert more control over women by mistreating and disrespecting their rights. Such examples reflect a sad state of mind and actions that must be stopped. I was unaware of the trial you described. It is up to everyone, regardless of gender, to stand up for rights of people and to be respectful.
I'm interested. It is not trivial. Please keep reporting his. it's important. I am not following because it is too hard emotionally. But I am interested. Those men who say this does not matter are free to leave, quietly. That they are compelled to comment so rudely is disappointing. Badly brought up.
This man doesn't dismiss it, or minimize it, or trivialize it, and is willing to confront guys who would or do. Not coincidentally, I didn't vote for Trump in 2016, or 2020, or 2024.
You have written something important very clearly and portraying the bigger historical perspective than mere present cultural sideshows. Across history, women have been subjected to abuse and powerful mistreatment. By this time in history, one would think we would have become civilized people, with men the first to step up as protectors of women and children. Immature and sadistic people of any sex should be considered dangerous and separated from the more vulnerable in society, not the playthings of those less able to defend themselves. The courts may be a countermeasure in a civilized society. Let's hope.
What's sad is that if the defendant wasn't famous, this trial wouldn't be getting the attention it is. I appreciate you following and updating us on what's happening. There's too much violence against women that goes unnoticed and unpunished.
It’s not just men who think this extensive, breathless coverage of the Diddy trial is misplaced. It’s sickening that a man would act this way for a decade, and it’s sickening that a woman would put up with being treated this way for a decade, and none of it has anything to do with how we ended up with Trump as president. The fact that I’m posting a comment doesn’t show that I’m interested in following the Diddy trial. I’m not following it. I just think it’s inaccurate and unfair to say that if you’re not interested in reportage and coverage about it, that must mean you’re a man, and probably a bro, and probably a MAGA.
In defense of the man who wrote the “rat’s ass” comment (me), I will respectfully make a few observations regarding the instant video. As background, I became a paid member of The Contrarian on virtually the first day Jen and Norm began their project. I greatly admire both for obvious reasons. I’m sure you feel the same, being an attorney and aspiring political commentator.
Getting to the diddy matter and my comment, you failed to mention my further comment in which I stated that the abuse of celebrity power is a major issue (which certainly includes sex trafficking); that “the diddy story is everywhere and nothing is advanced by the click-bait story here on The Contrarian. If I wanted more details on the perversion of the purveyors of junk culture, I would look elsewhere, perhaps at the grocery store checkout.”
I strongly object to your conflating my opinion that the diddy story is not worthy of The Contrarian with being a reason that the felon was elected and in the WH. You had a total of 8 comments on your original video – 2 of them from me. I’m guessing it did not get a lot of views. I’m guessing that is partially because the story is everywhere and nothing is advanced by click-bate. But Jen is the Editor, and I’ll defer to her.
I don’t understand how your comment here is “in defense.” That would suggest you wanted to clarify something you feel was misconstrued, but you haven’t done that. All you’ve done is dig in your heels, reiterating your opinion that the story isn’t worthy of coverage in The Contrarian, and getting a dig (“aspiring”) in at Ms. Orlins. Feel better?
I feel fine, Andrea. Thanks for your concern. I suggest you read my post again regarding my additional comments that Eliza omitted and the issue of conflation. But you are correct - my opinion is that the story is not worthy of The Contrarian. Your mileage may vary.
Oh Yes!
Well said!
Misogynistic men beware!
Well said!!
Thank you for pointing this message out. I am a woman who didn't pay attention to the trial because in this current climate thought 'I had more important things to read.' I am deeply ashamed of that thinking and stand corrected.