Posted on 01/27/2020 3:15:13 AM PST by SkyPilot
Washington Post journalist has been suspended by the newspaper after she tweeted a link on Sunday to a years-old story about the Kobe Bryant rape case just hours after the basketball legend and his daughter were killed in a helicopter crash.
Felicia Sonmez, who covers national politics for the Post, took to Twitter shortly after the world learned of Bryant’s death along with eight others aboard his private helicopter which crashed outside of Los Angeles.
She posted a link to an April 2016 story from the news site The Daily Beast which carried the headline: ‘Kobe Bryant’s Disturbing Rape Case: The DNA Evidence, the Accuser’s Story, and the Half-Confession.’
The tweet generated hundreds of shares and thousands of likes as well as many comments.
Sonmez says she has received death threats after posting the tweets.
In follow-up tweets, Sonmez wrote: ‘Well, THAT was eye-opening.
Bryant was arrested and charged with sexual assault and false imprisonment after a 19-year-old woman alleged he raped her in a local hotel room
‘To the 10,000 people (literally) who have commented and emailed me with abuse and death threats, please take a moment and read the story - which was written 3+ years ago, and not by me.
‘Any public figure is worth remembering in their totality even if that public figure is beloved and that totality unsettling.’
Sonmez continued: ‘That folks are responding with rage and threats toward me (someone who didn’t even write the piece but found it well-reported) speaks volumes about the pressure people come under to stay silent in these cases.’
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
I can see where some might think it inappropriate to bring up the rape accusation right after he died. But if (God forbid) the President passed away, do you think for one minute the media would not be splashing "Impeached!" and "Accused of infidelity!" all over the news? These people are massive hypocrites.
Crooked Pedo Joe Biden was one of the first to jump into the pool, sending out press releases and social media posts about he and Jill Biden praying for Kobe (whom I doubt he knew or even met).
![](https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/gettyimages-2203507.jpg?quality=80&strip=all&w=1200")
In the article are details about the alleged rape. Pretty disgusting.
Kobe called it "consensual sex" with the 19 year old woman, and he did a press conference with his Daggers in the Eyes wife by his side to smooth over the public relations disaster.
We are all measured by our life - good and bad. It will be that way before the Bema Seat of Christ or the Great White Throne.
What I really think the 10,000 Twitter mob was angry about with this reporter was that she is spoiling the week long, very public grief session they are all planning.
It is a tragedy. His 13 year old daughter died, as did others. Their lives were just as precious as his was.
Ironic.
Isn’t the comPost the rag with the “Democracy Dies in Darkness” motto?
If so, they should practice what they preach.
Kobe was anti-Trump, so humanizing him was probably not permitted.
It is a sad situation regardless of who died.
Nothing but venom, calling for violence.
Celebrity deaths are a weird phenomenon.
People don't grieve for a family relative that they didn't visit for 20 years, but will put on sack cloth and ashes on social media for a famous multi-millionaire athlete or actor that they never knew.
And even so the President sent condolences (which I believe appropriate as he is the leader of the nation).
Bro there’s no sense in posting the article about the rape.
Many of us here are mourning for the child.
Its the lowest form of journalism.
Wasn’t that “innocent” 19 year old in a hotel room alone with him?
Anyway, shame on them and anybody that spreads this story while a wife’s life lays in ruins and a child’s life has ended.
Does ANYBODY here read the new testament or just the old, spiteful, vengeful one?
So, can we take a knee at any Kobe memorials?
To “raise awareness” - of course.
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20923646/kobe-bryant-kneel-national-anthem-playing
A 19 year old girl goes to his hotel bedroom at night for what? I do not know, only she knows.
What I do know is Kobe was a Christian, married with a family and had flaws as any mortal does. I also know Christ died for all of our sins, Kobes included and Kobe believed that from what I have read here.
What Social Media was used in 2003-2004 to bully her? We’re FB and Twitter even around?
I found this item interesting. There was a lot more to him than basketball.
https://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3811233/posts
Enjoy your new “cancel culture” rules, garbage mainstream media.
Furthermore, Kobe Bryant probably died because he did not have enough training/knowledge to fly IFR in the fog. Or, probably shouldn’t have been flying in those weather conditions period. Because of a person’s popularity, that person is not allowed to be criticized. Only the poor and unknown can have any blame attributed to them.
He must not be a Republican
Wow.
I hope that is all true and he is with his daughter.
The New Testament is for us Christians and anyone who wants to learn about Christ.
“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”
Brother, that leaves me out by a long shot.
When the wife mentioned the crash, I knew I didn’t like the guy, but couldn’t remember why. This thread, and your post, reminded me. Thanks
Right there with you. I won’t be picking up any stones either.
Notice they never mention the other folks that died. Just saying. ...some lives are forgettable. ..
Boy you’ve been around for a while.
I don’t remember exchanging posts before the past few weeks.
But then my memory stinks :)
Nice to meet you FRiend.
Have a great week.
It won’t grieve me for a week because i’m not a fan of basketball or Kobe.
But it is very sad.
If it was a favorite football player of mine, the grief would last longer. We are only human and it’s how we react.
I wouldn’t take off work and be on suicide watch! I’d be sad.
It was good to post this and leave it out there as a discussion piece.
YES, I thought about the rape when I first saw the headlines. Alleged rape. I guess that’s how we humans are.
But he has tried in the years following to be a better Christian and I hope he was successful.
This isn’t a guy with a criminal rap sheet.
Anyway, I always enjoy your threads and admire your posts.
Have a Great one FRiend.
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