You are innocent until proven guilty. Really? That’s what I heard my junior high social studies teacher say. But ask Bill Cosby if this time honored statement is true. I’m pretty sure he might laugh in your face.
Reports of Bill’s sexual philandering are making regular appearances in the news. The floodgates are open and ladies from his past are lining up to report their version of past intimate events. And, make no mistake, if the stories now circulating are true then let’s prosecute Mr. Cosby and let Lady Justice speak with genuine authority. And if she utters the word “guilty” then let appropriate justice be delivered swiftly.
But unless and until she speaks, vigilante justice rides the range. NBC, Netflix, and even TV Land are effectively declaring Mr. Cosby guilty as charged by canceling his TV shows and appearances. Even decades old TV reruns of his show are disappearing. When you think about it, these three media entities, could be considered Cosby’s friends. Why? Because he has made lots of money for them. And now, when he needs friends the most, they throw him under the bus.
Did you see the interview Cosby did with the Associated Press? He was asked about the charges of sexual impropriety. He simply responded with silence, finally adding “We don’t answer that.” Silence. Refusing to answer. Is that a crime? Apparently NBC, Netflix, and TV Land might think so.
Interestingly the Huffington Post reports that he has never been formally charged with any of the crimes being circulated. Regarding one of the charges, the former Montgomery County prosecutor Bruce L. Castor Jr. felt he did not have enough evidence to prosecute even though he felt Cosby was guilty. He went on to say that if Cosby had not cooperated with the investigation he would have arrested Cosby. (For the full article see Huffington Post Nov. 19 article.)
So, as accusations fly and vigilante justice reigns, let’s recap. Yes, the charges are horrendous and troubling. If he is proven guilty in a legitimate court of law then throw the book at him. But no charges have been filed. Cosby appears to be cooperating with authorities. Perhaps his real crime is that of not answering the questions put forth by the pundits. He is guilty of silence regarding his charges.
And all of us can hear the chants, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
What do you think about NBC, Netflix, and TX Land canceling Cosby’s shows and appearances?
I think those networks canceling his shows is outrageous. Perhaps those networks are more righteous then Bill Cosby. Maybe we should ask them questions regarding “their” sins. John 8:7 comes to mind, “But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’”
The whole thing seems garbage to me. Publicity trying to claim truth about something that is probably not close to what actually happened.