Believing or accepting the possibility of proof of accusations without evidence beyond reasonable doubt can be tricky morally. While your beliefs as an individual are not likely to impact the accuser or the accused, the effect of that ‘cloud’ over someone’s life can be devastating.

I can equally believe and disbelieve both the accuser and Patrick Kane

I don’t think the capability of the counsel that someone can afford should be a factor in deciding whether or not to prosecute someone. That introduces two (or more) tiers of proof. Lower burdens of proof for the poor and higher burdens for the rich.

I’m not sure there’s a better alternative. “Does not wish to proceed with prosecution” or “Recants her accusation” aren’t much better. I can imagine a lot worse.

but I can’t just presume he didn’t unless there’s concrete proof

Name is apt.

Equally, you can’t prove beyond a reasonable doubt she didn’t maliciously invent these claims.

Could be worse, she could be ‘Helping police with their enquiries’ this is police code for ‘is guilty’.

Unfortunately, even if he bit and scratched her it does not prove rape. Even if his semen were inside her it does not prove rape.

For the author’s misogyny, yeah it’s pretty blatant but he was old and died a long time ago, back then I imagine pretty much everyone from every walk of life (except lesbians) probably figured ‘they just hadn’t had the right fuck yet’.

But you’ve missed the wider point that he never claimed to write Shakespeare’s work and that no Shakespearean scholar believes this theory.

The Guardian readership is too right-wing...

Of course she shares her page with Babbage, the two are very closely linked. It’d be like complaining one Wright brother had to share a page with the other...

While I’m on her side in broad terms, in that people shouldn’t really offer unsolicited criticism of people (though there are exceptions; if she were chugging a bottle of vodka, I think we’d all agree people would be right to voice concerns/condemnation) if you let everybody see your instagram pics you are inviting…

Hadn’t heard that theory, quick google search brings this gem though:

Well, if that’s the way you feel...

I would love them to be put in front of Jeremy Paxton. Just once. The results would be hilarious.

Wow, really? My tiny hometown has a 60k population and has a newspaper. Same for all the towns I’ve been to. Then again, this is the UK, I don’t know about America.

Well, how did people make informed decisions before the internet? Read local papers, attend local meetings and listen to local radio. Stars for whoever recognises the following, slightly relevant quote:

If you’re only drinking something for the caffeine, go take a caffeine pill. If you’re drinking it for the flavour, this shouldn't make a difference to you surely?