By , ,
Published May 19, 2015
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Dear Viewers,
Thursday night I got an e-mail from a viewer who wrote that being a celebrity does not mean one is innocent. I agree. Likewise, being a celebrity does not make you guilty. Facts should drive the opinion of guilt or innocence. To get facts, you ask questions and you seek to corroborate.
For instance, in order to tell whether Tamara Green (search) is truthful in stating that she was groped by Bill Cosby (search) 30 years ago, you should want to hear from those who she claims she told 30 years ago. I would love to have those people on the show so that I could test her statements. It is not enough for me to simply have Tamara say it happened. Likewise, I can't simply dismiss Tamara's statements because she had a Bar complaint filed against her a year ago. It is possible she lied about the incident 30 years ago and did nothing wrong in the matter giving rise to the Bar complaint. It is also possible that she told the truth about the incident 30 years ago and did everything stated in the Bar complaint. I just don't know.
As for statements that Cosby's lawyers are "smearing" Green in the media, they have a duty to protect their client. I think it would be terrible for them to sit back and not defend their client. If Green is lying, then the "smearing" is not being done by Cosby's lawyers, but by Green. If Green is not a credible person, Cosby's lawyers need to make sure that gets out. I think it would be better for the lawyers to step up to the microphone and do it in the open rather than sneaking around feeding the media information.
I do hope that as you watch our show and listen to the discussion about this matter that you do so with a critical eye. Look for facts and corroboration. This is a "developing" story, so you should be careful WHEN you reach your opinion. Don't pick sides based on your likes and dislikes, or on your personal experiences. Instead listen carefully to the facts and the analysis as the story develops. It could very well turn out that what you "think" now is simply wrong in the end.
In case you missed it, I've streamed my interview with baseball great Tommy Lasorda on today's blog. Click on the link in the video box above to watch it.
Finally, here are some of your e-mails:
E-mail No. 1
Hi Greta,
As a rape victim, I cannot remain quiet here. I was raped nearly 30 years ago, by an individual who was in upper management of a company I worked for. 30 years ago women didn't discuss these things, because it was assumed by the victims, that our reputation would be taken apart. We did not have Sex Crimes Units at that time.
I never discussed the rape with anyone, since I somehow believed that I was at fault. That was the moray of the time. 25 years later I reported the rape, and in a discussion with an individual who was trained in rape counseling, I came to the realization that the rapist had raped many victims before me.
My memory of the event still remains completely intact. One never forgets such a violent act. It will never leave. That's the nature of the crime, and few men (in general) will never be able to comprehend the damage it does. (I'm referring to Jeff in particular here, since he's too young to understand the environment 30 years ago.)
E-mail No. 2
Now Greta, you know Bill has become very outspoken these days! And due to the fiery results from NAACP and others he is on the "choppin' block" to say the least. So, it does not surprise me that someone is aiming at him right now! The man is above reproach as far as I am concerned. And if there might be a hint of such an allegation I do believe the statute of limitations has surely ran out by now. Bill,keep on keeping on for a better America!
E-mail No. 3
Greta,
Thank God for Bernie. Although I do not know whether or not Tamara Green (not sure if I have the name right) is telling the truth about being molested by Bill Cosby, I do not dismiss her allegations just because 30 years have passed. Sometimes people have knowledge of a murder or other crime and they do not come forward for decades. What causes many of these people to come forward is their conscience, even though they don't want to get involved. The same could be true for Tamara. She is willing to put herself under public scrutiny in order to support the other victim.
I am a victim of rape (by a stranger), acquaintance rape, and sexual assault. They all happened over 20 years ago. I never reported any of them, not even the rape by a stranger — even though I was strangled and he threatened to kill me — I was able to talk my way out. During that time, it really wasn't worth reporting anything, I knew nothing would happen and I would just be subjected to public humiliation. My family situation was not the best, so I never told them.
I'm not going to go into details, but if I felt coming forward would help someone, I probably would. At this point at my life, I could deal with being dragged through the mud much better than back then. At that time, I would have crumbled and might not have survived. And now I have a support system. Back then I didn't.
You ought to have a rape counselor on your show to enlighten some of your panelists. I felt so sick to my stomach hearing some of them talk I had to write this although it wasn't easy for me.
I am not providing my name as I don't want it disclosed on your Web site.
E-mail No. 4
Greta,
From what I have heard on both sides of the Cosby affair, this would be a verdict of "not proven" if tried in an English court. Strange that she waited thirty years. Strange that these allegations only surfaced after Dr. Cosby started telling the black community what they (and many other Americans of all races) should have been told long ago about self-discipline and responsibility for one's actions.
Wonder just which nerve Dr. Cosby hit to cause this reaction? Hmm.
Joe
E-mail No. 5
About 25 years ago my former sister in law and her sister had the occasion to meet Bill Cosby in Houston and have dinner with him. I remember them telling me what a warm, humorous, thoughtful gentleman he was. He was never inappropriate with either of them even though they were two gorgeous blondes (one of whom had been a Miss Texas finalist). To this day they both speak highly of him. If he didn't come on to them, he damn sure didn't come on to his current accusers. I think this is nothing but a bunch of BS. Now I'm on the record.
Richard Massey
Dallas, TX
E-mail No. 6
I happened to see your interview with Tamara Green. She stated that at the time she was a vulnerable 27-year-old person back then in the city of L.A. Am I wrong with the age because that seems fairly old to be vulnerable.
Peter
E-mail No. 7
Hi Greta,
About the Cosby accuser: I am real uncomfortable with this! Unfortunately, most females could tell a story of an unpleasant and sometimes tragic encounter with a man. You don't forget, but you move on. It usually makes you more careful. You talk with your children and grandchildren as they reach certain ages as I have and hope nothing bad happens to them.
I'm sure all guys who put a female in this kind of situation are not bad ... they just have very poor judgment!
Something probably did happen 30 years ago, but I feel for her to come foreword now is just to bring Bill Cosby down!
Jean Newman
Eagle River, AK
E-mail No. 8
Greta,
Tamara stated in your interview that Crosby gave her two Contac. Why did she take two? Back in the 70s Contac was a medicine that was to be taken 1 every 12 hours. If she was given two — maybe it was an honest mistake — and maybe it did make her unsteady.
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https://www.foxnews.com/story/withholding-judgment