The Vent and Rant Thread

[pdurrant]

Another author scratched off my reading/buying list. It seems that David & Leigh Eddings were convicted of physically abusing their 4-year-old adopted son in 1969, and each sentenced to a year in jail. They adopted the boy when he was two months old.

I enjoyed the Belgariad series when it came out, but I can't read any of their other books without this knowledge blighting the experience.

Damn authors for being flawed people!

[ApK]

Damn authors for being flawed people!

If one is going to judge people by their worst mistake and hold it against them forever (hi, cancel culture) then maybe the only way to be happy is to avoid information about people.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by ApK

If one is going to judge people by their worst mistake and hold it against them forever (hi, cancel culture) then maybe the only way to be happy is to avoid information about people.

There are mistakes and then there are enormities that can’t be dismissed as a mere mistake. Calling child abuse a “mistake” at a minimum betrays serious tone deafness.

[4691mls]

In case you missed it - recent long thread about "books and problematic authors":

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=331426

[ApK]

Originally Posted by issybird

There are mistakes and then there are enormities that can’t be dismissed as a mere mistake. Calling child abuse a “mistake” at a minimum betrays serious tone deafness.

I don't know the whole story, and I consider it a virtue that I have no interest in finding out, since I don't especially care about these people. I have issues far closer to me that take precedence.

Maybe pdurrant knows more, but here's what I do know based only on that one post and life experience:

1. Over 50 years ago, they were sentenced to one year. Not 20, not life. So apparently our justice system thought that was sufficient punishment for whatever happened.
2. I've seen cases of "child abuse" that amounted to once spanking or restraining a child a bit too hard for some observer's liking. An act that may indeed amount to a "mistake" on someone's part.
3. Given #2, and not knowing any details, I also allow for the possibility of a spectrum of circumstances between "One accidental overreaction 50 years ago followed by a miscarriage of justice" and "incorrigible monsters who should be locked away from decent people forever," some of which allows for change, regret, forgiveness, redemption, rehabilitation, all those things that "cancel culture" takes it upon itself to toss out.

Lastly, just consider this my rant against cancel culture. I totally get pdurrant being uncomfortable with these folks and choosing not to read them. Similarly, my wife won't watch any Tom Cruise movies, and I have a hard time watching Mel Gibson.
I did not miss the import of his "Damn authors for being flawed people!" I get it.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by ApK

I don't know the whole story, and I consider it a virtue that I have no interest in finding out, since I don't especially care about these people. I have issues far closer to me that take precedence.

Maybe pdurrant knows more, but here's what I do know based only on that one post and life experience:

1. Over 50 years ago, they were sentenced to one year. Not 20, not life. So apparently our justice system thought that was sufficient punishment for whatever happened.
2. I've seen cases of "child abuse" that amounted to once spanking or restraining a child a bit too hard for some observer's liking. An act that may indeed amount to a "mistake" on someone's part.
3. Given #2, and not knowing any details, I also allow for the possibility of a spectrum of circumstances between "One accidental overreaction 50 years ago followed by a miscarriage of justice" and "incorrigible monsters who should be locked away from decent people forever," some of which allows for change, regret, forgiveness, redemption, rehabilitation, all those things that "cancel culture" takes it upon itself to toss out.

Lastly, just consider this my rant against cancel culture. I totally get pdurrant being uncomfortable with these folks and choosing not to read them. Similarly, my wife won't watch any Tom Cruise movies, and I have a hard time watching Mel Gibson.
I did not miss the import of his "Damn authors for being flawed people!" I get it.

There’s so much to refute here that I may run out of steam, however, my single point still stands. Don’t refer to child abuse as a “mistake.” Ever.

You admit the possibility that Paul’s judgment was based on knowing more of the facts, but dismiss it as irrelevant. In fact, I think it is, but you seem not to. And turning your own arguments against you, the odds of a spanking or a slap in anger being labeled as child abuse in 1970, much less resulting in a jail sentence, would have been essentially non-existent. Moreover, the realities of the American court system meant that a first offense where there was wiggle room or murkiness would most likely have resulted in a suspended sentence. A one-year sentence, in fact, smells like a plea deal, indicating a serious matter and incontrovertible proof. Just sayin’. I think my speculations are more on the mark.

As for cancel culture, it absolutely does not “toss out” the possibility of “change, regret, forgiveness, redemption, rehabilitation.” That’s up to the person. People choose not to read books, they’re not casting the author into permanent darkness.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by issybird

Don’t refer to child abuse as a “mistake.” Ever.

I'll give that presumptuous command all the consideration it's due.

As for the rest, your refutation amounts to me saying something is possible and worth considering, you saying it's unlikely and not worth considering. Fine. In the context of Paul's one post in this thread and my reply to it, that's all it amounts to.

In the specific case of what actually happened in the case he refers to, and curse all you people for making spend time to go look it up, it appears from the news reports of the time to be a pretty egregious case of abuse, and I would bet you are very right about the circumstances of the sentence.

[mlewis78]

"Cancel culture" is an unfortunate term that is often used now by the right wing in the U.S. I thought maybe they created the term. It is used by them even more during the great unpleasantness of Covid-19.

I have seen reputations irreparably damaged, but I do not call that "cancel culture." It's more that people who have never heard of Garrison Keillor, Leonard Lopate and Al Franken jump to conclusions based on the media. Even the New York Times has perpetuated the damage in its follow-up articles that mention Lopate and Keillor. Lopate has been back on the air with an in-depth interview radio show on WBAI, and Keillor returned to doing the Writer's Almanac and writing books and a column in his website. Al Franken has a podcast (well, anyone can have that, I'll admit) and many senators regret what they did to end his political career as a senator. But this is not cancel culture. I'll repeat that cancel culture is an unfortunate term used by the right wing here in the U.S.

[pdurrant]

Members should bear in mind that political discussions are only permitted in the (opt-in) Politics & Religion forum.

[covingtoncat73]

We're getting slapped around by Laura's "tail" here in New Orleans but not too badly thus far. I feel so bad for those on the coast or west of us. I hope my friend in Lake Charles didn't lose her house. She evacuated.

I'm counting my blessings thus far but I am fully done with summer in particular and 2020 in general. There is a camphor tree in my back yard that needs to come down but the affordable tree guy was booked until October. I just hope Laura's tail doesn't take it down on my fence or patio or the neighbor's shed.

[cromag]

I went shopping Saturday evening. I got a couple of boxes of groceries at Costco, a few bags of groceries at Shop Rite, and something sharp in my left rear tire.

Triple A continues to be a good investment, even with the new car.

[Deskisamess]

Hubby got sick late Thursday night, got worse during the day on Friday, ended up with an appendectomy late Friday night. Got him home Saturday afternoon about 2:30. Amazing.

Bad news...no refund on the 4 night stay at a cabin in a southern part of the state, unless they can re-rent it.

[Rumpelteazer]

It's one of those days I'm ordering stuff. Some things I need, other things I want.

I've already ordered the things I need, but several things I want are either out of stock or the store is temporarily closed. I wanted to order the pegboard system Skadis from Ikea, but the size and colour board I want is sold out. No use in just ordering the accessories. Then I wanted to order something for my diamond painting, but the Etsy store is closed for a couple of days.

I've also planned to order some Diamond Paintings (since I don't have enough not even started ones in my stash) and the two I really want are sold out. Luckily there are others I want, so I'll order a couple of those.

For my birthday my sister gave me a gift card for a 6 month subscription to Skillshare, I'll add another 6 months to that. I'm hoping it will motivate me to start drawing and painting more when I have courses/tutorials to follow.

[Hemmi]

I don't know if I'm just a bitch or if my coworkers are just being particularly annoying lately.

I don't want to hear about your issues with you boyfriend or read his looooong texts.

I'm sick to death of your new house and the crappy pictures on your phone that are totally unimpressive for a brand new home.

I don't want to hear about your loser boyfriend that you've probably broken up with for the 85th time. I know you'll take him back again.

Get out of my way so I can get my work done because I know you're not going to finish it for me.

Yes, I like a clean work area so I can actually work. Clean off your own area. Quit coming over and spreading out your crap in my area just because it's the only space clear of clutter. I can't work when you do that! I stepped away for 5 seconds, I shouldn't have to stand there and wait for you to move your sloth-like behind so I can get back to my computer and keep working.

[tempest@de]

I can totally relate with you Hemmi, I’m not sure if it is because people are getting more annoying and more stupid or if it is that I have less patience to deal with people and get annoyed more easily. I’ve started to think that is part of the aging process, each passing year I find I have less and less patience and I just don’t want to have to deal with people.