The issue for Choudhry is whether is unwelcomed hugging can be described as ‘groping’, with the stated implication that he is a predator who should be banned from campus. I hope you understand that I would never in a million years question whether ass-patting is sexual harassment.

I haven’t denied that what he did is wrong and constitutes sexual harassment in the law’s broad definitions. And of course course context is important.

Yes, I do think that someone trying to shove their tongue down your throat is harassment. Worse, it’s assault. What Choudhry did meets the definition of sexual harassment (unwanted touching) but there are degrees within that definition. His point is that his actions fell at the milder end of the spectrum (hugging) and…

I’m not denying that her experience was humiliating. I agree that the power imbalance makes his hugging etc. completely inappropriate. I take the point that his behaviour was ‘objectively sexual’ in the way that all hugging, kissing may be. I’ve suggested that he should have faced a more severe sanction (dismissal).

You are saying he denies all wrongdoing, and can’t be trusted on that basis. That is false - he has admitted to wrongdoing, but denies any sexual intent— i.e., that he was found to be a predator who might need to be banned from campus.

You make several good points - I acknowledge particularly that his recounting of the evidence is bound to be self-serving and selective, but wasn’t aware of the ‘objectively sexual’ finding...not sure what that means, or how it modifies the point about it being ‘unconscious’ etc. Also take your point that the accuser…

I haven’t said a word about whether he knew, or should have known, it was inappropriate. The issue has to do with the level of inappropriateness. Hugging and kissing your co-workers out of excessive familiarity is inappropriate. Groping your co-workers in a sexual manner is more inappropriate. Choudhry was accused of,…

There you go again: acting morally and intellectually superior without having read let alone understood the viewpoints under consideration.

You are absolutely right— it should be a ‘no tolerance’ issue and I wouldn’t have objected if he was dismissed. But given how things have unfolded, he has a legitimate gripe about being tarred in the press, by the President, as a sexual predator, and subject to a second disciplinary proceeding.

The article or my reply? No evidence you followed either.

According to his accuser, he was an ‘unaware boss’ with ‘pure intentions.’ She writes that “I know you do not mean anything by [your actions] other than, perhaps, a warm and friendly greeting.” The disciplinary report concluded that his misbehaviour was ‘unconscious’. On the basis of this misconduct being aimed solely…

No, he has admitted to wrongdoing, in writing. What he’s denied is that his wrongdoing was sexual in nature— that he is a‘groping’ predator who had to be banned from campus (as Napolitano has said in the press). For that matter, neither his accuser, nor the disciplinary panel, has suggested that his misconduct was…

Sorry, what you have in italics here is a complete mischaracterization of what he’s argued. He never called anyone a feminazi. And no one with a knowledge of the facts— not his accuser, not the disciplinary panel— claims that his misconduct was directed towards ‘sexual release’.

Of course she has a TED talk.

When I’m staying a hotel the first thing I do is shatter the glassware and sprinkle the shards around outside the door to my room. Haven’t had a break-in since I started doing that (or even before I started doing that).

It’s actually unclear the extent of Choudhry’s admission; his statement reads “...I disagree with the plaintiff’s claims and allegations, and will defend against them...”

I agree that the dark, gritty portrayals have reached a point of cliché. Seems like every new production goes after that angle, as if it’s a fresh idea. Rather a zany, fun Batman what I’d like to see is them park this franchise for 10-15 years.

Does Allen have other accusers?

It’s the Air Bud detail that makes this.

I realize that’s the spin she’s putting on this, but it makes no sense. Advocating for racial diversity in award shows is not at all the same as advocating for ideological diversity among the award show’s executive. It is perfectly rational to want more diversity in film, and, in the appointment of Minority Outreach…