From libertarian Michael A. LaFerrara:
I believe the #MeToo movement was a healthy grassroots attempt to highlight and eradicate a serious injustice. But the movement is increasingly being taken over by collectivism, which means that the individual is subordinate to the moral supremacy of the group. Under collectivism, the innocence or guilt of any individual is to be judged not by objective facts but by his group affiliation.
#MeToo is collectivizing into a war on men–all men. Petula Dvorak of the WAPO calls for a “#MeToo March on Washington” this week in one-sided support for Ford ahead of any testimony and prior to the surfacing of relevant facts or proof. Jenna Wortham of the NYT wants “every single man put on notice, to know that they, too, were vulnerable because women were talking.”
This is pure hatred. This is racism. This is collectivism. If “every single man” should fear any woman “talking,” then any man can legitimately be accused of sexual harassment, whether he as an individual is guilty or not. Why not? He’s a man. He’s guilty no matter the actual facts of any individual case, because men as a group are guilty.
“If “every single man” should fear any woman “talking,” then any man can legitimately be accused of sexual harassment, whether he as an individual is guilty or not. Why not? He’s a man. He’s guilty no matter the actual facts of any individual case, because men as a group are guilty.”
I am a man. I have nothing to fear. Should I? Why would women “talk” in a way that I should be fearful? If I have done nothing wrong, I have nothing to fear. Has Mr. LaFarrera done something in his past that he now regrets? An errant pat on the butt he barely remembers? An unwanted kiss of a girl he barely recalls? Drunken party? If you treat everyone with respect and act with integrity, than you have nothing to fear. Push a girl into a room with pal of yours and feel her up? Than I guess you should fear. Whether it happened yesterday or 36 years ago.
“That’s the original intent of #MeToo. But the rise of collectivism within the #MeToo movement indicates that the movement has lost its moral legitimacy.”
I imagine women love it when men declare a what a women’s movement’s intent is. I also imagine that they especially love it when men decree when said movement has “lost its moral legitimacy.”
“It appears to be turning into an old fashioned witch hunt. ”
No it doesn’t.
“Ford could be a Democrat “plant” who is “talking” not to expose actual wrongdoing by Kavanaugh but to put “every single man put on notice, to know that they, too, were vulnerable,” which is exactly what collectivism says is the right thing to do.”
Oooooor she could be an alien from the Venus. Or a time traveler. Or maybe she’s a person who has lived with the shame and horror of a terrible encounter and she decided now, before a particular man was seated on the highest bench in the land, to finally tell someone other than her husband or therapist? What’s Mr. LaFarrera’s phrasing? Intellectual Cowardice? Yes. By playing this card Mr. LaFarrera is being an intellectual coward.
“You cannot have socialism and individual rights in the same place at the same time.”
I wonder where this man lives. He’s exercising one of his individual rights everytime he puts the proverbial pen to paper. The United States already has, what could be considered, “socialist programs” and has for decades. He’s still exercising those rights despite those programs. Makes you wonder why he would make sure a ridiculously flawed statement.
“Just as the Civil Rights Movement started out as a legitimate demand by an oppressed group that America live up to its creed of equal individual rights, but was hijacked by statists who turned it into a collectivist movement for totalitarian socialism, so it looks like the #MeToo movement is being hijacked by a predatory, collectivist, revenge-seeking gang that is on the hunt for innocent victims to condemn without evidence, without a hearing, and without the benefit of Innocent Until Proven Guilty.”
Oh, I’m sure those that count themselves as allies of the Civil Rights Movement also love when they’re told what they are and are not by people not interested or involved in their movement.
“Ford may be courageously telling the truth, but her credibility is being severely undercut by collectivist witch-hunting and political powerlust.”
Intellectual Cowardice. Because this man feels that several men are being unfairly treated in light of a new push to root out misogyny and sexism, Dr. Ford can not be credible. Because some men did bad things and were called out on them, Dr. Ford can not be credible. I don’t even follow the logic on this one.
“Or she may be involved in a sleazy Democrat plot to derail Kavanaugh.”
Welcome to FoilHatistan. Population: This Guy.
“The timing of her coming forward, and the way she came forward–going to Democrat Dianne Feinstein rather than Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley–indicates the latter.”
She didn’t go to Feinstein. It’s good to know Mr. LaFarrera actually understands the things he’s forming opinions about.
“As Reason’s Shikha Dalmia correctly observes, “Taking down decent men on flimsy grounds will discredit #MeToo. Movements collapse when they become more interested in collecting heads than advancing their cause.”
I fail to see the reasoning from Reason on this. Predetermining (This piece was written on 9/24)that Dr. Ford is not credible prior to her actually presenting the grounds (Yesterday) of her arguement is flimsy rationale.
“collectivism is by far the greatest killer in human history.”
I feel like Malaria has that beat by a good margin. Nice try though. Thanks for playing Mr Old Entitled Man Screams At Clouds About How They’re Not Credible.