November 19, 2014

Behold, a golden example of victim shaming with such a graphic reference it's hard to imagine what Don Lemon was thinking during this interview. Here's the short version:

Here's the longer version via Media Matters:

LEMON: Can I ask you this, because -- and please, I don't mean to be crude, OK?

TARSHIS: Yeah.

LEMON: Because I know some of you -- and you said this last night, that he -- you lied to him and said "I have an infection, and if you rape me, or if you do -- if you have intercourse with me, then you will probably get it and give it to your wife."

TARSHIS: Right.

LEMON: And you said he made you perform oral sex.

TARSHIS: Right.

LEMON: You -- you know, there are ways not to perform oral sex if you didn't want to do it.

TARSHIS: Oh. Um, I was kind of stoned at the time, and quite honestly, that didn't even enter my mind. Now I wish it would have.

LEMON: Right. Meaning the using of the teeth, right?

TARSHIS: Yes, that's what I'm thinking you're --

LEMON: As a weapon.

TARSHIS: Yeah, I didn't even think of it.

LEMON: Biting. So, um --

TARSHIS: Ouch.

LEMON: Yes. I had to ask. I mean, it is, yeah.

TARSHIS: Yes. No, it didn't cross my mind.

Um, really? Wow, I miss Ted Turner. This would never have happened on his watch. Never.

Note: If you're just catching up to this story, Time has a decent listing of the events leading up to last night's interview. There is certainly enough smoke to indicate fire.

Can you help us out?

For nearly 20 years we have been exposing Washington lies and untangling media deceit, but now Facebook is drowning us in an ocean of right wing lies. Please give a one-time or recurring donation, or buy a year's subscription for an ad-free experience. Thank you.

Explore more

Discussion

We welcome relevant, respectful comments. Any comments that are sexist or in any other way deemed hateful by our staff will be deleted and constitute grounds for a ban from posting on the site. Please refer to our Terms of Service for information on our posting policy.
Mastodon