PZ accuses Shermer of rape.

[DaveDodo007]

I don't understand why PZ published a claim with so little actual... anything to it. Not only are the accusers anonymous-- we don't even know exactly what it is Shermer supposedly did, except that it was bad. Really bad. PZ admits no evidence, but is willing to seriously smear one man on the witness of a two women he takes on faith. What the hell kind of scientist is that?

I don't get this at all. But my opinion of PZ, already low, has dropped even lower on this account.

I mean, why not investigate? Why not discuss the situation with the conference organizers? Why not do something substantial to try to help this woman he thinks was raped, without simply tossing her story to the gods of blogdom and reveling in the hits and the drama?

Let's just hope that Shermer sues his ass.
Glee!!

He pretty much has to doesn't he? If he doesn't a lot of those people will assume his guilt. If he just makes a response or statement it will still be a black mark on his record.

Shermer with his own magazine, published works, etc, could see serious financial losses as well as professional damage from this accusation.

You say that but why the delay? Klauss had bloghog's and Ed Clara(who) sites down within a day. Maybe Myers is to arrogant to listen to Lawyers, we can only hope so.

[Jason]

The longer it stays up and the more attention it draws the larger the damages suit would be. Other than that..

Maybe Shermer actually cares about the skeptic community and is carefully considering how best to proceed with the advice of a counsel of lawyer-type people. Maybe one of the larger figures in the skeptic community actually is a rapist. Dunno, but I do know PZ either has solid evidence to back this or he's monumentally screwed because I'm pretty sure this isn't just going to go away.

[Robert_S]

The longer it stays up and the more attention it draws the larger the damages suit would be. Other than that..

Maybe Shermer actually cares about the skeptic community and is carefully considering how best to proceed with the advice of a counsel of lawyer-type people. Maybe one of the larger figures in the skeptic community actually is a rapist. Dunno, but I do know PZ either has solid evidence to back this or he's monumentally screwed because I'm pretty sure this isn't just going to go away.

Yep.

[Jason]

I didn't realize Ophelia Benson targeted him unsuccessfully back in December of last year for being sexist. Not that I'm suggesting those people are so evil as to construct this entirely to smear Shermer's reputation.

[Sean Hayden]

Yes, it is hard to imagine PZ would do this unless he was confident he would be validated. I have no idea if he should be confident but yeah, I also think he believes his friend.

I just don't know why he would refer to the information as a grenade and go public with their allegations like he did.

[JacksSmirkingRevenge]

I just don't know why he would refer to the information as a grenade and go public with their allegations like he did.

He's a sensationalist.

I imagine his friend is horrified. At some point, chances are he's going to have to provide evidence and this will mean naming her - if he is going to save his own hide, that is.

[Jason]

I read he's admitted there is no evidence, but the source wasn't given and it wasn't clear if he meant at the time (apparently this happened long enough ago that there cannot be charges of rape brought against Shermer) or now. Although I assume if there was no evidence at the time, there surely is none now.

It seems he's pulled the pin and shoved that grenade right up his own ass in a monstrously stupid bid to do.. something.

[Robert_S]

OK, PZ's a little quick on the judgment sometimes, (as most of us know very well) but he's not entirely stupid.

There has to be more information. There has to be something more on its way.

[Hermit]

I read he's admitted there is no evidence, but the source wasn't given and it wasn't clear if he meant at the time (apparently this happened long enough ago that there cannot be charges of rape brought against Shermer) or now. Although I assume if there was no evidence at the time, there surely is none now.

It seems he's pulled the pin and shoved that grenade right up his own ass in a monstrously stupid bid to do.. something.

That would depend on when and where the alleged rape is claimed to have taken place. Almost half of the states in the USA have no statute of limitations on rape at all, and if the alleged rape has taken place within the past ten years, the alleged offender can still be prosecuted in many of the rest.

I definitely agree that Pissy as shot himself in the arse. Naming someone a rapist while admitting not to have a single shred of evidence is extremely quixotic. Pissy is obviously aware of this. He wrote that "what’s dominating my head isn’t the consequences, but the question of what is the right thing to do." How chivalrous of him to take the word of an unidentified damsel in distress because he trusts her word and proceeding to defame someone else on the strength of that.

Starting with the first article I have ever read of his, I had a low opinion of him. Pissy appeared to me as a sensationalist tabloid-style writer who was totally up himself. His latest "accomplishment" makes it look like he has totally lost the plot now. So much so that I almost feel sorry for him.

Hopefully, Shermer will sue him for every penny he owns and the school that employs him will sack him on grounds that he has gone mad. That, or the alleged victims come forward, prove their cases in court, get Shermer gaoled and prove that Pissy is indeed the heroic white knight in shining armour. Anyone prepared to lay some odds as to which will be the outcome?

[Hermit]

OK, PZ's a little quick on the judgment sometimes, (as most of us know very well) but he's not entirely stupid.

There has to be more information. There has to be something more on its way.

That thought has occurred to me as well. Only time will tell, though.

[klr]

I just don't know why he would refer to the information as a grenade and go public with their allegations like he did.

He's a sensationalist.

I imagine his friend is horrified. At some point, chances are he's going to have to provide evidence and this will mean naming her - if he is going to save his own hide, that is.

It makes you wonder if he discussed all of this with her before going public, or if it was a a solo run.

[JacksSmirkingRevenge]

I just don't know why he would refer to the information as a grenade and go public with their allegations like he did.

He's a sensationalist.

I imagine his friend is horrified. At some point, chances are he's going to have to provide evidence and this will mean naming her - if he is going to save his own hide, that is.

It makes you wonder if he discussed all of this with her before going public, or if it was a a solo run.

This is what I'm thinking. Maybe she'll sue him, too.

[klr]

I just don't know why he would refer to the information as a grenade and go public with their allegations like he did.

He's a sensationalist.

I imagine his friend is horrified. At some point, chances are he's going to have to provide evidence and this will mean naming her - if he is going to save his own hide, that is.

It makes you wonder if he discussed all of this with her before going public, or if it was a a solo run.

This is what I'm thinking. Maybe she'll sue him, too.

Sued by both sides? That would learn him a lesson.

[pErvinalia]

Can I make a rape joke about Peezus?

[klr]

Can I make a rape joke about Peezus?

Eh? It would be ... "ill-advised"