https://www.salon.com/2018/08/20/asia-a ... the-other/
But where there has been a furor over other alleged sex offenders, Argento has found ample voices defending her. Per the article;
In her defense of Argento, Arquette ocilates between suggesting the accusations are a set up and apparently justifying Argento's behavior as "acting out".Another Weinstein accuser, Rosanna Arquette, went further, saying, "Stop until you hear all the facts this a set up. I know many many rape and trauma survivors who act out sexually The wounds they carry run deep. I pray for them. the timing of this story is suspect. Asia was still raped by Harvey Weinstein." [sic]
Furthermore, Argento has turned the tables on her accuser, alleging that he, in fact, sexually assaulted her. https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/cu ... nt-719405/
In another, less criminal case, Louis C.K. has been castigated for daring to....go back to work before the mob deemed it acceptable. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/28/arts ... ction.html
For those unfamiliar, Louis C.K. admitted last year to allegations that he masturbated in front of consenting fellow comedians at various times in his hotel room. Admission of guilt and 9 months of stalling his career, it seems, isn't enough punishment. The need for him to work is, apparently, not as great as the need of the mob to tell him when he should return. This leads me to....
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/mo ... story.html
Steven Wilder Striegel, a convicted sex offender, has had his scene removed from the upcoming film The Predator based not on his behavior on set but instead on the charges for which he was convicted and served time years before the scene was shot. Olivia Munn, the lead actress, was the person responsible for his firing. While Striegler hasn't been targeted by MeToo per se, the deletion of his scene occurred as a direct consequence of the Post MeToo climate.
So, to the questions. First, has MeToo devolved (or has it always been) into hypocritical mob justice? Second, is it appropriate for people to be shamed out of their livelihood, even if they only engaged in quasi-inappropriate behavior with consenting adults? Should the mob dictate under what conditions they may return? Third, should a person's previous crimes (for which they have been punished) bar them from pursuing their art and livelihood?
My thoughts: I believe MeToo is now and has always been a dangerous vessel of shaming and hypocrisy and that those who participate in it assume a degree of power over the lives and careers of others that is, frankly, unconscionable. I do not think Louis C.K. needs permission from anyone to go back to work and I find it ridiculous that anyone would assert that he does. Lastly, I don't agree with removing an already shot scene because of someone's criminal history when no allegations of impropriety came from on set. People have a right to continue their lives without the shadow of their past haunting them eternally.