Thursday, November 03, 2011

How It Is Done: Right-Wing Defences of Herman Cain



There's always a deep lesson in these kinds of news. This time it's the sexual harassment accusations against Herman Cain. Because of the lack of detailed information (so far), people commenting on the case can say whatever they wish.

And what the conservatives tend to say are things like this:
National Review: "Is There Anyone Who Thinks Sexual Harassment Is A Real Thing?" From a November 2 post by John Derbyshire on National Review Online:

Is there anyone who thinks sexual harassment is a real thing? Is there anyone who doesn't know it's all a lawyers' ramp, like "racial discrimination"? You pay a girl a compliment nowadays, she runs off and gets lawyered up. Is this any way to live? [National Review, 11/2/11] 

That's how it is done. Note how Derbyshire implies that sexual harassment is nothing but giving "a girl" a compliment!

Like "nice rack?" A used condom in her lunch sandwich?

Derbyshire also redefines sexual harassment suits as something which makes his life a pure hell. They are unnecessary, baseless and invented to stop him from living his life to the fullest.

It's an interesting interpretation of who the real victims are.