this post was submitted on 15 Sep 2023
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[–] Nougat@kbin.social 49 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Someone in a comment a few days ago, who was themselves asked to write such a letter for someone they knew who was charged and ultimately convicted, made an excellent observation:

Defense attorneys are very likely to have requested those character reference letters way before the case even made it to trial. So it's entirely possible that Kutcher and Kunis wrote those letters long ago, based on information they had at the time, probably thinking the charges were unfounded.

Now, obviously, the easy solution to that would be if they were to come out now and tell whether that happened or not, and make clear what they think now. Which is what I would do, but I'm also not a Hollywoo celebrity with publicists and handlers and lawyers.

[–] Philolurker@lemm.ee 95 points 1 year ago (4 children)

If I'm not mistaken, Kutcher's letter actually referenced the verdict.

[–] Nougat@kbin.social 49 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] lolrightythen@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Right?! There has to be missing info.

Why would someone take a stand against abuse, but defend an old friend found guilty of that offense.

Also- why should Ashton resign? If anything, he should redouble his efforts. Smells of cowardice.

I'm gonna rely on my tried and true method of "take the good and leave the bad". Rich/famous folk live in a different world that I'd rather not spend too much time thinking about. I will continue to appreciate power being used to benefit the entirety of this world, though. Greedy people like rewards as much as or probably more than peasants like me.

[–] ChaoticEntropy@feddit.uk 22 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

"Also- why should Ashton resign? If anything, he should redouble his efforts. Smells of cowardice."

A spokesperson who is now the lightning rod for an issue that will detract from the message the organisation is trying to espouse, is a bad spokesperson.

[–] eestileib@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Bristol Palin the national spokesperson for teen abstinence. 🙄

[–] themajesticdodo@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

She's actually not at all. But you might in fact be the spokesperson for misguided pregnancies.

[–] eestileib@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/06/bristol-palin-pregnant

Since her first pregnancy, Palin has made a career out of campaigning for abstinence. In 2011, it was widely reported that she was paid $262,500 from the Candie’s Foundation, a non-profit organization that fights teen pregnancy by supporting abstinence work. Palin is also listed as an expert on abstinence on the Web site of Single Source Speakers, a booking agency.

[–] themajesticdodo@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago

Was that supposed to prove she's a national spokesperson?

The thing you don't want to admit is that Kutcher doesn't actually consider being a serial rapist a deal breaker for his friends.

[–] Nepenthe@kbin.social 6 points 1 year ago

As to why he would defend that, it's just simple relationship bias. We'll hesitate a hell of a lot more if it's someone we like or think we know.

You should have seen the irrational tenacity with which one of my parents stuck by a pedophile, right up until their first few nights in prison, simply because they were dating. Even if it meant losing everyone around her. She was the only person under god who couldn't see this a mile away. His own kid was his first accuser, but surely not, right?

What kind of thing could your best friends do that you wouldn't initially defend them over?

These two have known each other for literal decades. I'm not too surprised he would refuse to accept it from someone he's been friends with for that long.

I am shocked that he would choose to step down entirely over it. I could see the question presenting itself to him, since it's...not wonderful PR...but I would have thought the cause itself would have been more important to him. He's between a rock and a hard place.

[–] RaincoatsGeorge@lemmy.zip 42 points 1 year ago

Yeah my understanding was that these were post conviction. And if that were the case why weren’t there a bunch more letters from all the other cast members. Unless they knew. I bet Topher knew..

[–] m0darn@lemmy.ca 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yes.

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[–] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago

I mean...

If he wasn't found guilty, who would see the letter?

[–] ArtieShaw@kbin.social 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I saw that comment too. It shed a lot of light on a topic that I personally don't know much about.

On the other hand, sometimes people can get weird about sticking up for their friends under any circumstances. My parents and brother are weird that way. One example - they know a rich white kid who killed an entire family by driving drunk. The kid's own family disowned him. They didn't help with his legal support, his twin brother cut ties with anyone who supported him, and he did time in the state prison. I don't know the details about the crime, but he had graduated from a flagship state university and was from a very wealthy family. Not "paid for a wing at the local hospital wealthy" but definitely, "has a regulation size basketball court in their basement" wealthy. He absolutely fit the profile of Brock Allen Turner (the rapist).

He still got 5-10 years in state. It must have been bad. My family stepped up to support this asshole.

My brother routinely visited him in prison and gave him a job when he got out. I don't really fault my brother for that. (OK - I judge him a bit. The kid was always an asshole and he killed people. But he did his time.)

On the other hand, my parents have nothing but good things to say about this guy and generally act like he was the victim of a huge conspiracy by the state. They were also offended that their own personal friend "Stanley" was sent to old people prison (nursing home) for "no reason" after he threatened to shoot his nephew. It was a credible threat, too. Stan is very well armed and had been going off his rocker for more than a few years.

tl/dr - my family are assholes but if they decide you're a ride or die friend it doesn't matter what you've done

I don't think that's weird. Your family are just assholes sticking together with another asshole.

[–] themajesticdodo@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Not commenting is also an option for you, just for future reference.

[–] Dark_Arc@social.packetloss.gg 1 points 1 year ago

Because God forbid we try and understand?

[–] Saraphim@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

This makes sense and it’s kind of what I thought has happened. No one could really be that unaware as to write a character reference for someone convicted and not expect backlash. But why wouldn’t they just say that then ? Why not make a statement saying the reference was old, and they’re shocked and disappointed someone they trusted could do such a thing.

That’s what I don’t understand

[–] themajesticdodo@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago

You're lying or spreading incorrect information.

If you're doing it maliciously: stop it.

If you're just an idiot, stop it.