Posted on 02/22/2005 7:53:47 AM PST by SmithL
CLEVELAND - Entertainer Bill Cosby's message to urban youths was the same by telephone as it would have been in person: Get an education. Be responsible. Make a difference.
On Monday, Cosby made up - to some degree - for a canceled appearance at a town-hall style meeting last month after a female acquaintance accused him of inappropriately touching her a year ago at his home in suburban Philadelphia. He denied the allegations, and prosecutors in Philadelphia have said they found insufficient evidence to support the woman's claims.
Cosby, 67, spoke by telephone for about five minutes to about 250 adults and children at East Tech High School for an event billed as "A Conversation with Cleveland's Youth." About 3,600 people, including many public school students and their parents, had received free tickets for last month's appearance.
During the call, amplified for the audience, Cosby reiterated the values and focus he believes poor black communities need to embrace.
"We've got to get back our educational drive ... our respect for our elders ... that feeling that we can make a difference, that this is our empowerment," said Cosby, who was in Houston on a business trip.
A dozen speakers, including judges, activists, preachers and students, echoed Cosby's message.
I don't think Cosby did it (the harassment). That woman was probably pissed that he "dissed" her kids or something by actually saying that maybe their problems are their own fault.
What was this woman DOING in his home to begin with? Cut me a break, I'm sick and tired of females popping out of the woodwork and claiming so and so touched her inappropriately last year, five years, ten years ago : they give the rest of us a bad name. What was once an attempt to protect women from rape and severe sexual harrassment has become nothing but a tool to financially bludgeon men and ruin their careers.
Men could learn from Billy Graham - don't be alone in a room with a woman other than your spouse. Women could learn, too; if you truly wish to avoid "inappropriate touching," not providing opportunities is a start.
Agreed. The operative qualifier is "truly".
Contrary to popular belief, few real woman are so stupid as to walk blindly into a situation that sets them up as a victim for an assault.
If you can walk away from "innappropriate touching" without an attempted rape, it's nothing but an unwanted advance. If most of us WERE this victimized by an "unwanted advence", there'd be a lot fewer of us dating, marrying and having kids because obviously, we'd be too terrified of our male dominated society to function correctly in it.
I've BEEN a victim of sexual assault and have also had to fend off my share of two legged octopi. I know the difference between attempted groping and rape from experience.
philosophically that's true.
Cleveland East Technical High School
Proud alumni:
my late father
& Jesse Owens
Thanks Cos!
"Here are some practical suggestions for dealing with temptation: 1) Pray to God. Perhaps say the Jesus prayer, or some other short prayer (such as "Lord, help me"). 2) Avoid occasions of sin. If I know through personal experience that a certain situation is likely to be filled with temptations, I should avoid that situation. One of the best strategies when dealing with temptation is flight. 3) Have a "Plan B" ready. If I cannot avoid being in a situation where I may be tempted, I need to prepare ahead of time a clear idea of another activity I can engage in that will take me away from the temptation. 4) Brush temptations away like mosquitoes. If we concentrate on our temptations, beyond a proper vigilance, then they can fill our minds. Instead, patiently brush them away. "
Without question the easiest way to prevent sin is to avoid the temptation in the first place of things we know will indeed tempt us and we are weak toward. We all have our temptations and failings, but nothing works better than staying away if possible from situations where we will be tempted.
You're exactly right. Unfortunately, some women play a trick on men, "Give me a little attention, honey ..." and then later accuse the man of abuse. This is why I mentioned self-protection strategy: keep a witness in the room.
Oh, come on! Is this what 8 yrs. of Bubba Clinton hath wrought? Men and Women cannot be in the same room together for 5 minutes without sexual improprieties going on? If so civilization is DOOMED!
Cos was set-up by people in the welfare establishment who do not at all care for his current line of discourse.
"Don't touch any woman who is not your wife."
Good post. If I'm going to be "out" without my husband, I make a point of taking a child of reasoning age along. Not only is it edifying for the child to experience some adult life, such as a Swift-Vets presentation, but it sends a clear message that I'm not available.
My husband thought I was being overcautious, until he found himself in an uncomfortable situation with the single mother of one of the Cub Scouts in our pack. (Yes, she knew he was married with seven children.) He told me about it when they got home, and I just said, "Oops!" knowing that he can be naive, and then he said, "Next time I'll make sure I have some boys with me, if I have to go help one of the moms!"
In all the times that I've attended the Scout's Youth Protection Training, I always heard that we shouldn't be alone with a scout. It never occurred to me that I shouldn't be alone with another parent. Sheesh.
Obviously, it's a matter of judgment, rather than a BSA policy. However, the point is the same: that if the situation (adults alone, or adult alone with child) simply doesn't happen, then there can't be any problem. Not abuse or assault, not honest misunderstanding, not deliberate deception.
I'm not saying you're wrong, but it sure never occurred to me.
Maybe you don't have single moms throwing themselves at you. Or maybe you're not married, and you're okay with single moms throwing themselves at you :-).
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