Massimo LaRosa
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2018 11:11 pm
...is in the news.
Is that what they are claiming he did?Schlitz wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 4:28 am Sheriff murdered, crops burned, stores looted, people stampeded, and cattle raped.......
The Cleveland SO must have good reason to put La Rosa on “administrative leave”, right? Surely it is not just a PR move to wait till the dust settles.Schlitz wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 4:28 am Sheriff murdered, crops burned, stores looted, people stampeded, and cattle raped.......
I dimly recall that the "banned from the campus" aspect was not substantiated. I've only seen it in an anonymous comment on slippedisc. Can anyone find any on-the-record reporting about it?Davetall wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 10:37 am One victim went public last year, giving her name and details of her attack. I understand that La Rosa is permanently banned from the campus where this attack took place.
Perhaps a more general discussion rather than a specific case? Even at that, I fear it may be too volatile.Doug Elliott wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 12:24 pm Concerning whether this thread will be locked...
As a moderator, I decided to post it to allow and encourage discussion. This should not get swept under the rug.
Would that it were merely boorish.BGuttman wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 12:54 pmIf true, LaRosa should be censured, just as James Levine was. Genius is no excuse for boorish behavior.
Except that has been proven wrong time and time again. Sexual abuse accusations very rarely lead to prosecution, let alone conviction.
Sorry, but the whole "think of his reputation" argument is tattered and full of holes. When a highly visible member of our profession, and an educator, no less, is consistently the subject of rumors, accusations, and in this case a campus ban, we can and SHOULD discuss it openly and honestly. I reserve the right to "speculate" as you call it.BassBoneFL wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 1:06 pm No, this should not get swept under the rug. However I don't think this subject or anyone involved in it will benefit from hearsay or idle speculation. Most everyone here and even in the media is going off at best 3rd hand or worse information.
From a point of news, yes it's going on. But nobody benefits from a trial in the court of public opinion. Let the investigators, do their thing and let the process play out. If the charge is legitimate, he will pay. If not, all the bystanders hurling accusations could find themselves liable for a civil suit.
Even if he is exonerated, you can't "un-ring a bell", his name will be tarnished, and potential harm done to his family. No one benefits by us treating this unfortunate situation, either way, as anything other than a news item and moving on. Let the process play out and limit speculation.
Nah, just a nice line from a Richard Pryor Western adventure in cinema... Now give the Governor a HRUMPFH.....BGuttman wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 4:36 amIs that what they are claiming he did?Schlitz wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 4:28 am Sheriff murdered, crops burned, stores looted, people stampeded, and cattle raped.......I'm especially concerned about the cattle raping
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I'm waiting for the details. Innocent until at least credibly charged.
I hope that, in placing these two statements next to one another, you did not intend to imply that these two are equivalent problems.BGuttman wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 1:53 pm There are men who feel that all women are sexual objects to be exploited. There are women who feel that sex is something to be used as a form of extortion. Neither is to be admired or copied.
It's far cheaper. Put him on leave for the duration of the year, particularly if he's up for contract renewal. Who's is his sub, a previous candidate?Slideorama wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 6:43 amThe Cleveland SO must have good reason to put La Rosa on “administrative leave”, right? Surely it is not just a PR move to wait till the dust settles.Schlitz wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 4:28 am Sheriff murdered, crops burned, stores looted, people stampeded, and cattle raped.......
Exactly
So we should all "trust the process" and not have a conversation about this?
I'm not saying "don't rock the boat". I am saying that you, I, or anyone here who has any business doing it. There has been a charge, and an investigation by an outside source has been started. That is where it should be left.Redthunder wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 2:06 pmSorry, but the whole "think of his reputation" argument is tattered and full of holes. When a highly visible member of our profession, and an educator, no less, is consistently the subject of rumors, accusations, and in this case a campus ban, we can and SHOULD discuss it openly and honestly. I reserve the right to "speculate" as you call it.BassBoneFL wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 1:06 pm No, this should not get swept under the rug. However I don't think this subject or anyone involved in it will benefit from hearsay or idle speculation. Most everyone here and even in the media is going off at best 3rd hand or worse information.
From a point of news, yes it's going on. But nobody benefits from a trial in the court of public opinion. Let the investigators, do their thing and let the process play out. If the charge is legitimate, he will pay. If not, all the bystanders hurling accusations could find themselves liable for a civil suit.
Even if he is exonerated, you can't "un-ring a bell", his name will be tarnished, and potential harm done to his family. No one benefits by us treating this unfortunate situation, either way, as anything other than a news item and moving on. Let the process play out and limit speculation.
There's a reason there's so many "mandated reporter" laws on the books for educators, because of how often this "don't rock the boat" mentality prevails.
Nothing about a discussion about investigations that are ongoing and written about in papers like the Washington Post denies him due process. I hardly the see the "rumor and innuendo".BassBoneFL wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 2:37 pm I'm not saying "don't rock the boat". I am saying that you, I, or anyone here who has any business doing it. There has been a charge, and an investigation by an outside source has been started. That is where it should be left.
Yes he is highly visable, that does not mean he should be denied due process or "innocent until PROVEN guilty". Just because there has been "rumor and inuendo" does not mean it is true. Anyone can say anything about anyone. The more celebrated the individual, the more likely it is to spread and become percieved as "true" via repetition. Just because someone has "heard things" doesn't make it so.
Yes, especially an uninformed conversation when it involves and individual's life. If you want to have a general conversation about general issues of sexual harrasment or inequality in education or the workplace, fine. But as for idle speculation, rumor, or innuendo about an individual who may very well be innocent, then no. Unless any of us were in the room.....Redthunder wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 2:35 pmSo we should all "trust the process" and not have a conversation about this?
And how has that worked out for the dozens of individuals that ended up escaping any kind retribution when the "system" failed, often intentionally, for so many innocent victims of serial predators?BassBoneFL wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 2:42 pm Yes, especially an uninformed conversation when it involves and individual's life. If you want to have a general conversation about general issues of sexual harrasment or inequality in education or the workpalce, fine. But as for idle speculation, rumor, or innuendo about an individual who may very well be innocent, then no. Unless any of us were in the room.....
Except in the process, he's only going to be found not guilty, not innocent, if it's dismissed.BassBoneFL wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 2:37 pm
Yes he is highly visable, that does not mean he should be denied due process or "innocent until PROVEN guilty". Just because there has been "rumor and inuendo" does not mean it is true. Anyone can say anything about anyone. The more celebrated the individual, the more likely it is to spread and become percieved as "true" via repetition. Just because someone has "heard things" doesn't make it so.
No, but it does mean unless you know for sure, don't trash anyone based on "well I heard".Redthunder wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 2:48 pm"Innocent until proven guilty" doesn't mean bury your head in the sand and play dumb.BassBoneFL wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 2:42 pm Yes, especially an uninformed conversation when it involves and individual's life. If you want to have a general conversation about general issues of sexual harrasment or inequality in education or the workpalce, fine. But as for idle speculation, rumor, or innuendo about an individual who may very well be innocent, then no. Unless any of us were in the room.....
This isn't a water cooler story and this isn't teenage gossip. This is a serious issue that has affected many people, and this isn't new either. La Rosa has popped up time and time again.BassBoneFL wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 2:55 pm
No, but it does mean unless you know for sure, don't trash anyone based on "well I heard".
Well, a bunch of ill informed tromboninsts posting half-baked opinions on a forum about a colleage won't solve the problems of the world. Just will make us look like a bunch of people reveling in the chance to pull someone down in an attempt to somehow elevate ourselves.Redthunder wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 3:04 pmThis isn't a water cooler story and this isn't teenage gossip. This is a serious issue that has affected many people, and this isn't new either. La Rosa has popped up time and time again.BassBoneFL wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 2:55 pm
No, but it does mean unless you know for sure, don't trash anyone based on "well I heard".
You say "don't spread rumor". I'm saying this isn't "rumor". We're discussing something that's happening in the world. No body here has said anything that has "harmed his reputation" or affected his livelihood.
You say "trust the process and don't form judgements until the verdict is delivered". I'm saying that every process, just like every public official or organization we trust for something this country, is run by individuals who may or may not be impartial, may or may not have the integrity of the investigation in their best interests, or have their own agendas. Do you trust every politician? Do you trust the "process" when it comes to congress? I hope not. My point is that collectively we share a responsibility to follow these investigations actively and discuss it, to keep pressure on "the process" and those who administrate it to do their job responsibly. I'm not talking about rumor and gossip. I'm talking about transparency and how we as individuals can help maintain it, by being informed. Part of being informed is open discussion.
You want us to abstain from discussing the specifics of this to avoid drawing premature conclusions, but it's obvious you've already drawn your own by throwing all of the members of this community, full of respected and and highly accomplished musicians, not to mention thoughtful and intelligent people, into one basket by calling them "ill-informed" and their opinions "half-baked".BassBoneFL wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 3:11 pm Well, a bunch of ill informed tromboninsts posting half-baked opinions on a forum about a colleage won't solve the problems of the world. Just will make us look like a bunch of people reveling in the chance to pull someone down in an attempt to somehow elevate ourselves.
As for "high school gossip", we're skirting the line. And lets not kid ourselves that this will somehow enlighten us on the larger issue.
Thank you but my world view is fine. I just don't think it is healthy for our profession to engage in ill informed speculation based on hearsay to judge a colleage in a public forum. TCO has opened an investigation. All we will do here is potentially harm an individual if in fact they are innocent, as we should percieve them to be until proved otherwise.Redthunder wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 3:19 pmYou want us to abstain from discussing the specifics of this to avoid drawing premature conclusions, but it's obvious you've already drawn your own by throwing all of the members of this community, full of respected and and highly accomplished musicians, not to mention thoughtful and intelligent people, into one basket by calling them "ill-informed" and their opinions "half-baked".BassBoneFL wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 3:11 pm Well, a bunch of ill informed tromboninsts posting half-baked opinions on a forum about a colleage won't solve the problems of the world. Just will make us look like a bunch of people reveling in the chance to pull someone down in an attempt to somehow elevate ourselves.
As for "high school gossip", we're skirting the line. And lets not kid ourselves that this will somehow enlighten us on the larger issue.
Maybe you should do some self-reflection and see if those same descriptors could possibly apply to your own thinking.
Do you really think the people interested in this are just trying to "pull down" someone? You should examine your worldview.
Can you back up this ascertain with stats, because I don't think you're correct.LeTromboniste wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 1:45 pmExcept that has been proven wrong time and time again. Sexual abuse accusations very rarely lead to prosecution, let alone conviction.
Epidemic? Based on what facts? What criminal stats can you site that back up your statement? What studies show there are few false accusers? What historical record shows courts don't convict sexual crimes?JasonDonnelly wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 2:24 pmI hope that, in placing these two statements next to one another, you did not intend to imply that these two are equivalent problems.BGuttman wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 1:53 pm There are men who feel that all women are sexual objects to be exploited. There are women who feel that sex is something to be used as a form of extortion. Neither is to be admired or copied.
Sexual assault in this country is an epidemic, especially within academic institutions. False claims of sexual assault are rare - numerous studies have proven this. However, the courts are also historically bad at convicting people of sexual assault.
For this reason, if something comes out into the public eye and accuses someone of sexual assault, I, with few exceptions, believe them wholeheartedly.
I'm a little surprised that you're this aggressively questioning the existence of a widely acknowledged problem.norbie2018 wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 3:46 pm Epidemic? Based on what facts? What criminal stats can you site that back up your statement? What studies show there are few false accusers? What historical record shows courts don't convict sexual crimes?
Again, what criminal stats back up this view?Redthunder wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 4:00 pmI'm a little surprised that you're this aggressively questioning the existence of a widely acknowledged problem.norbie2018 wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 3:46 pm Epidemic? Based on what facts? What criminal stats can you site that back up your statement? What studies show there are few false accusers? What historical record shows courts don't convict sexual crimes?
Statistics on sexual assault:
https://www.nsvrc.org/statistics
False reporting:
https://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/fil ... orting.pdf
Perpetrator stats:
https://www.rainn.org/statistics/crimin ... ice-system
I don't know stats from pan-american studies, but I'm sure there are some. There are certainly state or county level studies, and there are countless studies from countries all around the globe - the shortcomings of the criminal justice system in dealing with sexual assault cases are not an American phenomenon, but rather a global one.norbie2018 wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 3:39 pmCan you back up this ascertain with stats, because I don't think you're correct.LeTromboniste wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 1:45 pm Except that has been proven wrong time and time again. Sexual abuse accusations very rarely lead to prosecution, let alone conviction.
Sorry, did you even bother to examine the citations? Are you going to bother to define what research is acceptable enough, or are you going to keep moving goalposts?
Yes, that is one of the traditional ways of looking at cases of sexual harassment, rape, and the like. However, the “fault” argument in thses kinds of cases usually becomes a “he said, she said” situation, which all too often becomes pointless. In the past, the burden of proof was often placed on the victim, often a female, who usually fared poorly in a male dominated, mysogynistic culture (law and society).BGuttman wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 1:53 pm One of the thorny issues of sexual misconduct is that it becomes difficult to determine who is really "at fault". Was it the man imposing himself of the woman who did not want the attention? Or was there a consensual act that woman decided was not consensual after the fact (or even worse as a form of revenge).
There are men who feel that all women are sexual objects to be exploited. There are women who feel that sex is something to be used as a form of extortion. Neither is to be admired or copied.
The very first citation for your first reference is for the assertion that one in five women experience rape in their lifetime. The study is based on a survey not on crime statistics. The goalposts have not been moved I ask again what crime statistics can you cite to prove your assertions?Redthunder wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 4:31 pmSorry, did you even bother to examine the citations? Are you going to bother to define what research is acceptable enough, or are you going to keep moving goalposts?
Much of the information cited in those links comes from the DOJ, CDC, and other public institutions.
Okay, well to start, none of these assertions are mine, nor was I the person that made the original post that you challenged. I have not conducted or authored any of these.norbie2018 wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 4:45 pm The very first citation for your first reference is for the assertion that one in five women experience rape in their lifetime. The study is based on a survey not on crime statistics. The goalposts have not been moved I ask again what crime statistics can you cite to prove your assertions?