Agreed. However, just saw this comment by someone else: “The AP states that because the wife didn’t testify the husband got a lesser charge and 16 days in jail. That is the big consequence. Everybody wants the abusers to be kept away but the surest route to that end had now been closed off.”

No. Unless you’re one of those simple people who think understanding is the same as excusing. I think the judge’s actions are inexcusable. Could I see how she might have done this pit of frustration at people repeatedly not showing up to court when the court is trying to help by trying her abuser? Yes. Does that…

I KNOW! which is why I said: “I’m not defending the judge at all and I find it heartbreaking that she treated the poor woman this way.”

No, I said the judge was an ass and shouldn’t had done this, and in another comment I said it was heartbreaking that she did this and that I wasn't defending the judge at all, or did you reply to me without even bothering to read my comments?

Ah! You’re probably right. In that case, I read it completely wrong.

but just because her frustration is understandable that doesn’t mean her actions are correct or excusable.

This is the comments section of a Gawker blog. Speculating is what we do. Get a grip.

I agree. However, the judge can’t get justice for this woman if she’s asking to have the charges dropped and won’t show up to his trial. I agree the judge was an add and she shouldn’t have done this however it’s also pretty fucking likely that this woman will keep going back to her abuser, call the police when it gets…

Oh look, it’s my other stalker. I know I’m irresistible but you really should stop being so obsessed with me, it's creepy.

I’m not disagreeing with you. That’s why I said, I’m not defending the judge. I just meant that I could also see how years of frustration from seeing victims drop charges against their abusers and take them back must get to you.

Hence why I said “im not defending the judge”.

The point is, the asshole got away and is free to victimise more women and children.

Agree. At the same time, just letting her go and letting her drop the charges against her abuser wouldn’t change anything. She’d probably take him back and her poor child would get to grow up in a home where his father routinely beats up his poor traumatised, PTSD-riddled mother. Don’t get me wrong - the judge is an…

This.

Don’t be ashamed. It's a great novel. Most famous writers are assholes, why should that stop you from enjoying their books?

He’s a fantastic writer, if you ignore his memoir (The Discomfort Zone). Jonathan Franzen is without a doubt a massive asshole but I love his books. But I’m one of those weirdos (at least compared to the average jezebel staffer and commenter) who can separate the art from the artist and I don’t need to like a writer…

At this point I just find jezebel and other feminist writers’ all consuming hatred of Franzen more amusing than anything else. He also revels in it, and is just trolling at this point. But you guys don’t see that and keep falling for it and continue to earnestly hate. It’s actually kind of cute.

Christopher Hitchens wrote quite a bit about the real Mother Teresa and the fanatic and hypocrite behind the saintly image.

Oh look, my very own psycho stalker. Taking a page from the MRA troll handbook..

OH.MY.GOD