LARRY O’CONNOR: Weinstein Proves In Hollywood, Being Liberal Means Never Having To Say You’re Sorry.
Ashley Judd, the most famous victim of Weinstein’s predatory behavior, is an ardent pro-choice feminist activist who led the rally of the “resistance” pink hat march on Washington in January by proclaiming she was a “Naaaaaaaaaasty woman” and went on to speculate about the president’s nocturnal emissions while fantasizing about his own daughter. It was some sick stuff that left many wondering to themselves “Wow, what happened to Ashley Judd?”
Now we know what happened to her. Harvey Weinstein happened to her. And at the time, according to the Times report, as she was being preyed upon by a bathrobe-clad Weinstein begging for a massage or for her to watch him shower (talk about Sophie’s Choice) Judd’s over-riding concern was not “alienating Harvey Weinstein” while escaping his Cosby-esque advances.
Has she channeled that anger and humiliation and fear at the industry that allowed it? Or at the man and his multi-million dollar corporation that enabled it? No. Her real enemies are Republicans. Don’t you get it?
So the not-so-hidden message in Weinstein’s non-apology statement was “Hey, remember, I supported Hillary and Obama and I raise millions for Democrats and I’ll help destroy the NRA and Trump. I may treat you like shit, but my heart is in the right place. Now get your knee pads on.”
In Hollywood, being liberal means never having to say you’re sorry.
Will anyone ask Matthew Weiner if his 1960s-era anti-GOP Mad Men series was inspired by what goes on in 21st century Democrat-controlled Hollywood, especially when his upcoming series for Amazon is being produced by — wait for it — The Weinstein Company? “I am truly excited to have this opportunity to work with risk takers like [Amazon] and Harvey and The Weinstein Company who have a proven, longstanding commitment to creative voices and innovation.”
Keep that quote in mind when you come across a Mad Men rerun on cable. (Though to be fair, don’t knock the show’s later seasons — they’re excellent remedies for even the worst insomniacs.)