I have read with amazement a stunning number of caviler responses to Franco's predatory behavior, and it has me shaking my head. If we substitute Terry Richardson for Franco in this little scenario I wonder if Jez posters would still think this his behavior was ok.

He's still gross either way.

Perfect smarmy gifs. I don't get into fights but I do want to punch him in the teeth.

For me, it's more of the morality of it. What else other than a "wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am" would a thirty-something see in a 17-year-old kid. Yes, I am calling her a kid because kids under 25 do not have a fully developed brain and seem to act a lot more immature these days. (Not all of them, most of them)

As a famous celebrity he's in a position of power and influence over her, helped by the fact that he is also a fair few years older. It might be legal but it still doesn't change the power dynamics of the relationship and he should know better.

I thought a "slap on the wrist" was a turn of phrase that means a punishment that only appears to be a punishment, but which is actually far less severe than the crime would suggest be exacted in recompense. In other words, either she isn't all that pissed or we understand the turn of phrase differently.

I feel like she literally wants to slap him on the wrist with her copy of Reader's Digest.

All he should have said was, "I'm sorry for creeping on a 17 year old. I learned my lesson." Not, social media is hard and I'm a celebrity, waaaah. Stop spinning. Just stop. It's not even a convincing argument.

Good point.

We should keep in mind that Palo Alto is a film based on a book of short stories written by Franco himself. The older man/younger woman pairing is therefore something he has thought about (most likely acted out) before.

Dude's a fucking creeper.

Hey, I live in Texas about 3 hours from where the story just below this one takes place. I don't believe awful things are unique their locales. Humanity, man. No matter where we set up shop we tend to do awful shit to each other.

But it's not true that there's nothing identifiable - his father and stepmother are named.

Yeah, put them in the machine and see how long they stand it.

He can't be identified from the picture, and I think publishing it really drives home how bad the abuse was. The stepmother says the story isn't true, but if a child in your care looks like that there's no way you aren't being abusive.

Yes! I would also accept the Pit of Despair.

I don't wish death on them, but maybe for someone to duel them to the pain.

I keep going back to what it must be like for that teenager to have to try to find the strength to speak up and fight back in that situation. He was literally fist fighting his stepfather when cops showed up.

Give that teenage so many medals!

I can see the schools reasoning with the whole "taking kids off-campus in her car" thing, but if the student account is to be believed, this teacher saved a life. Now, I don't know what other incidents have occurred with this teacher and I can't say whether or not they warrant her termination. But this teacher…