Harvey Weinstein, Progressive Decadence, and Societal Relativism

THE PROGRESSIVE LEFT IS IN REAL TROUBLE. Until now, we have been bombarded with ProgDem confusion over marriage, sex and the sexes -- their “transgender” agenda; mainstreaming perversion; decadent entertainment; rampant vulgarity; racial demagoguery; profligate spending; and, leftist propaganda against everything American. But, as American Thinker wrote today, at "the heart of it all [is] moral relativism." • • • A COFFEE SHOP ENCOUNTER. If moral relativism seems a strange way to describe what we are learning about Harvey Weinstein, consider this story out of Seattle, published by Breitbart and just about every other online media outlet in the US. A gay coffee shop owner in Seattle kicked a Christian pro-life group out of his coffee shop because he felt offended by their presence, according to video that has gone viral on You Tube. The Washington Times reported that the group, called Abolish Human Abortion, decided to order drinks at Seattle’s Bedlam Coffee after passing out pro-life pamphlets in the area when the owner angrily asked the group to leave. “I’m gay. You have to leave,” owner Ben Borgman said in the Facebook video. “Are you denying us service?” activist Caytie Davis asked. “I am. Yeah,” Borgman replied. • We should agree that the owner of a private shop has the right to refuse service to anyone -- despite all the recent nonsense about who has to bake wedding cakes for which customers and why. • But, this Seattle encounter went further -- and I apologize for the vulgarity in this report -- skip it, if you want to. One of the baristas told Borgman that the group had been handing out pamphlets about the Bible, sin, and abortion. Borgman confronted them. “This is offensive to me. I own the place. I have the right to be offended,” he said. The group tried to explain to him that they did not leave any pamphlets in the cafe, but Borgman continued to berate them. “There’s nothing you can say. This is you and I don’t want these people in this place,” he said. Borgman then asked activist Jonathan Sutherland whether he would “tolerate” a sex act between two men. “Can you tolerate my presence? Really?” the owner asked. “If I go get my boyfriend and f**k him in the a** right here you’re going to tolerate that? Are you going to tolerate it?” “That would be your choice,” Sutherland replied. “Answer my f***ing question!” Borgman yelled back. "Leave, all of you! Tell all your f**king friends don’t come here!” As the group were leaving, one of the women in the group told Borgman, “Just know that Christ can save you from that lifestyle.” “Yeah, I like a**,” the owner spat. “I’m not going to be saved by anything. I’d f**k Christ in the a**. Okay? He’s hot.” Another woman told him that she would pray for him. • That is moral relativism at its worst. And it goes beyond that into blasphemy. • • • HARVEY WEINSTEIN -- SOME FACTS. According to the New Yorker, three women, including Asia Argento and a former aspiring actress named Lucia Evans, allege that Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein raped them. The three women allege that Weinstein forcibly performed or received oral sex and forced vaginal sex, that is, rape. Four other women said that they experienced unwanted touching that could be classified as an assault. In an audio recording captured during a New York Police Department sting operation in 2015 and made public by the New Yorker, Weinstein admits to groping a Filipina-Italian model named Ambra Battilana Gutierrez, describing it as behavior he is “used to.” Four of the women interviewed by the New Yorker cited encounters in which Weinstein exposed himself or masturbated in front of them. • Breitbart reported that despite the eight sexual harassment settlements reported by the New York Times last week, the four allege that Weinstein exposed and/or masturbated in front of them and apparently admitted on tape that he groped a woman, and while three women claim they were flat-out raped by Weinstein, the New York district attorney did not bring criminal charges. • And, as Breitbart stated, there were denials from various people in Hollywood and in the media that they knew anything about this. Breitbart says the specific details of the allegations are almost too horrific to detail. But, in the case of Argento "we get a preview of Weinstein’s alleged modus operandi when it came to his now infamous requests for a massage." Again, sorry for the following explicit content -- skip it if you want. Here is Breitbart's account of Asia Argento's experience : "When the producer led her upstairs that evening, she said, there was no party -- only a hotel room, empty but for Weinstein : 'I’m, like, ‘Where is the fucking party?’ She recalled the producer telling her, 'Oh, we got here too early,' before he left her alone with Weinstein. (The producer denies bringing Argento to the room that night.) At first, Weinstein was solicitous, praising her work. Then he left the room. When he returned, he was wearing a bathrobe and holding a bottle of lotion. 'He asks me to give a massage. I was, like, ‘Look man, I am no fucking fool,’ Argento said. 'But, looking back, I am a fucking fool. And I am still trying to come to grips with what happened.' Argento said that, after she reluctantly agreed to give Weinstein a massage, he pulled her skirt up, forced her legs apart, and performed oral sex on her as she repeatedly told him to stop. Weinstein 'terrified me, and he was so big,' she said. 'It wouldn’t stop. It was a nightmare.' At some point, Argento said, she stopped saying no and feigned enjoyment, because she thought it was the only way the assault would end. 'I was not willing,'...'I said, ‘No, no, no.’...It’s twisted...It's a scary fairy tale.' Argento, who insisted that she wanted to tell her story in all its complexity, said that she didn’t physically fight him off, something that has prompted years of guilt. Argento describes this as a rape and claims it happened in 1997, just when her career was taking off. She was just 22 years old. She also says that she did not come forward out of the fear no one would believe her, primarily because she later had a consensual relationship with Weinstein." • Oscar-winner Mira Sorvino claims Weinstein harassed her but reveals that the mogul’s alleged sexual misconduct was not a secret. Sorvino said that she struggled for years with whether to come forward with her story, partly because she was aware that it was mild compared to the experiences of other women, including another actress she spoke to at the time, who told Sorvino that she locked herself in a hotel bathroom to escape Weinstein, and that he masturbated in front of her. • • • HOLLYWOOD COMPANIES AND DEALS IN DANGER. Breitbart's John Nolte reported on Wednesday that Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg, who ran the Walt Disney Company during the Harvey Weinstein years (1993-2005), "have both denied any knowledge of Weinstein’s alleged sexual misconduct during those years. This would include any sexual harassment settlements made during that time. The Weinstein Company also denies any knowledge. These denials could be tested in a court of law if those alleging harassment and abuse choose to press the issue of corporate liability." In 1979, reports Nolte, two brothers from New York suburbs, Bob and Harvey Weinstein, founded Miramax. The company specialized in distributing smaller films, independent products the studios were not interested in : "The bigtime arrived in 1989 with the distribution of director Steven Soderbergh’s Sex, Lies and Videotape, a smash that changed independent film forever. What followed was more success than failure, and even some Oscar gold. To capitalize on their good fortune, rather than take the company public, the brothers decided to sell, and in June of 1993, the Walt Disney Co. purchased Miramax for $60 million. With almost total independence, Harvey and Bob stayed on. The rocky relationship between the volatile but successful brothers and the stuffy parent company lasted 12 years. In March of 2005, the brothers left Disney and their beloved company behind, and founded The Weinstein Company." • During those 30 years, according to those who have now come forward, Harvey allegedly harassed, groped, and even raped numerous young women, many of them employed by his company in various capacities, including as actresses. Other alleged victims claim he used the promise/threat of employment to lure them into compromising situations. Moreover, during this time, according to the New York Times, Weinstein settled no fewer than eight sexual harassment claims. One goes back to 1997, when Miramax was owned by the Walt Disney Company." • It is becoming obvious that Weinstein's alleged behavior was not a secret to everyone in Hollywood. Many, including actress Jessica Chastain, say outright that Weinstein’s predatory ways were openly discussed, that she was warned about working for him. Chastain admits she knew about Weinstein’s behavior and she says everyone knew and they are not being honest if they say different. And, Fox News reported on Tuesday that former "Superman" Dean Cain said the breaking allegations against Weinstein were entirely predictable. Cain called sexual harassment claims against Weinstein the "worst kept secret in Hollywood." Fox Interviewer Tucker Carlson said it was unbelievable that Hollywood, which routinely voices its support for women's rights, could turn a blind eye to Weinstein for 30 years. Cain said : "Hollywood loves to wave the self-righteous finger....Harvey Weinstein is an extremely powerful man and an absolute bully." • If "everyone knew," Disney could be caught in the explosive scandal. If, sometime between the years 1993 and 2005, when it owned Miramax, Disney was aware of Weinstein’s behavior, Disney was obligated to protect its employees, including young actresses like Gwyneth Paltrow and Rose McGowan, who claim to have been harassed, and including Asia Argento. In addition to the “open secret,” another issue that raises questions about Disney’s moral, ethical, and legal liability is the settlements. Unless Weinstein settled using his own money, which is unlikely, how could Disney not know about corporate money spent for sexual harassment settlements? Joel Pollak, an attorney, told Breitbart he sees potential liability : "By failing to intervene early, those in a position to hold Weinstein accountable arguably allowed him to continue his abusive behavior and could now conceivably face legal liability from victims -- at least from those who did not sign the settlement agreements that have been revealed." Pollak told Breitbart the same can be said of The Weinstein Company, the corporation formed by Harvey and Bob in 2005 : "The Weinstein Company may have fired Harvey, but brother Bob remains. Did he not know about his own business partner’s -- his own brother’s -- settlements? The women who have already accepted settlements from Weinstein probably cannot sue as a term of accepting that settlement. But all those women who claim to have been harassed by Weinstein, those who have not sued, could very well have a case against both Disney and The Weinstein Company. If one or both of those corporations knew what Harvey was allegedly up to, and did nothing to protect its employees, this scandal, which is already the biggest in Hollywood history, is only getting started." • • • THE VICTIMS. Meryl Streep, Rose McGowan, Ashley Judd and Mark Ruffalo are but a few celebrities speaking out against Harvey Weinstein in the wake of his firing due to allegations of sexual assault. Actresses Angelina Jolie, Ashley Judd and Gwyneth Paltrow are also among the women who have spoken publicly about alleged incidents involving Weinstein. Here are some of the details : “Scream” actress Rose McGowan was paid a $100,000 settlement from Weinstein in 1997 following a hotel room incident, the New York Times reported in an October 5 exposé. The settlement wasn't an admission of guilt, according to the NYT description of a legal document. In 1998, Zelda Perkins, a former production assistant with Miramax, confronted Weinstein, and told him to stop his “inappropriate requests or comments in hotel rooms,” according to the New York Times. Perkins, now working as a theatre producer in London, was reportedly concerned for other women working in the office, and threatened Weinstein’s behavior with legal action, according to former coworkers. The NYT reported that Miramax negotiated a settlement with Perkins, who declined to discuss what happened with the newspaper. The NYT aslo reported on Emily Nestor, a temporary employee of Weinstein’s, who said he’d made sexual advances to her, promising he’d help with her career, according to the report. Additionally, the Times reported an incident with Weinstein and an unnamed assistant, who he reportedly tried to convince to give him a massage while he stood naked in front of her at a hotel, which left her “crying and very distraught,” according to a memo by Lauren O’Connor. In O’Connor’s 2015 memo, in which she wrote several accounts of women in the company and the atmosphere Weinstein’s advances created, she recalled how Weinstein would ask her to meet with aspiring actresses after they’d have meetings with him in his hotel room. She wrote how she felt that she was being used to build relationships with “vulnerable women who hope he will get them work.” The report alleges that various employees were asked to perform "turndown duty" for Weinstein, which included getting him ready for bed at night and also waking him up in the morning. • Fox 11’s Lauren Sivan on Friday detailed an alleged 2007 encounter with Weinstein in a HuffPost report. Sivan said that while working for local station News 12 Long Island, Weinstein cornered her in the hallway of a Manhattan restaurant closed to the public and masturbated in front of her. Sivan said she had rejected an attempt by Weinstein to kiss her and told him she had a boyfriend. “Well, can you just stand there and shut up,” she claims he responded prior to allegedly masturbating. “Luckily I didn't need a job or favor from him + didn't have to be polite,” Sivan tweeted Friday. “Others did. Keep that in mind.” In another tweet, she said, “For those asking why I waited? YOU try telling that story 10 yrs ago. Only possible now because of women with bigger names far braver than me.” • The Wrap founder Sharon Waxman claimed in an article that while working for the New York Times in 2004, she “got the green light to look into oft-repeated allegations of sexual misconduct by Weinstein.” Waxman said she was able to find the man in charge of Miramax Italy. Citing “multiple accounts,” she alleged that “his real job was to take care of Weinstein’s women needs, among other things.” Waxman claimed she was able to find “a woman in London who had been paid off after an unwanted sexual encounter with Weinstein.” Waxman said the article was eventually "gutted" after "intense pressure" from the movie mogul, according to Reuters. “The story was stripped of any reference to sexual favors or coercion and buried on the inside of the Culture section, an obscure story about Miramax firing an Italian executive,” An NYT spokesman told Fox News : "Our former colleague Sharon Waxman wrote about a story that was published in The Times in 2004. No one currently at The Times has knowledge of editorial decisions made on that story. But in general the only reason a story or specific information would be held is if it did not meet our standards for publication.” A HuffPost report also described how French actress Emma de Caunes had a lunch meeting with Weinstein at a Paris hotel, and that he mentioned he had a movie adaptation of a book in the works. Weinstein, according to the report, allegedly asked her to go with him to his room to get the book, and de Caunes answered her phone while Weinstein went into the bathroom. De Caunes recalled Weinstein later allegedly emerging from the bathroom nude with an erection. The producer, she claims, told her to lay down on the bed. De Caunes ultimately fled the room. • The accounts go on -- actresses Rosanna Arquette, Jessica Barth, Romola Garai, Louisette Geiss, Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie. • • • WEINSTEIN DENIAL. “Any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr. Weinstein," his attorney told the Times in a statement. "Mr. Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances. He will not be available for further comments, as he is taking the time to focus on his family, on getting counseling and rebuilding his life.” • Actually, on Wednesday, media reports said Weinstein had left the US for Europe for rehabilitation. Let's hope he won't try to hide out in France, as Roman Polanski has done, because France has no extradition treaty with the US. • • • WEINSTEIN'S WIFE HAS LEFT HIM. Page Six of New York Post reported on Tuesday that Harvey Weinstein’s wife Georgina Chapman is leaving him. Designer Georgina Chapman told People magazine that she needs time away from her husband to care for her two kids. “My heart breaks for all the women who have suffered tremendous pain because of these unforgivable actions,” she told the celebrity magazine on Tuesday. “I have chosen to leave my husband. Caring for my young children is my first priority and I ask the media for privacy at this time.” Weinstein, 65, and Chapman, 41, wed in 2007. • Page Six of the New York Post also reported on Tuesday that fashion designer Donna Karan defended her friend Harvey Weinstein -- saying sexually harassed women may be “asking for it” by dressing seductively, according to the Daily Mail. “You look at everything all over the world today and how women are dressing and what they are asking by just presenting themselves the way they do. What are they asking for? Trouble,” she told the British tabloid in a red-carpet interview at the CinéFashion Film Awards in LA. Karan, who is friends with Weinstein’s wife, Georgina Chapman, described the couple as “wonderful people,” adding : “Harvey has done some amazing things.” But, Breitbart reported on Wednesday that Donna Karan is apologizing after praising Weinstein following his firing from his film company amid allegations of sexual harassment lasting decades. In a statement, Karan said her remarks were taken out of context and don’t represent her feelings. She says she believes “sexual harassment is NOT acceptable and this is an issue that MUST be addressed once and for all regardless of the individual.” • • • THE PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT POLITICAL FALLOUT. Fox News' Tucker Carlson debated former Clinton campaign adviser Richard Goodstein on Hillary's delayed response to the Weinstein scandal. He played tapes of Clinton repeatedly railing against President Trump's alleged "demeaning of women" and the general issues of sexism and misogyny. It took Hillary 5 days after the reports surfaced to say she was "shocked and appalled" by her donor and friend. Carlson said Clinton has been prominently visible in the lives of three figures alleged to have committed sexual assault or misconduct : her husband Bill Clinton, former Represnetative Anthony Weiner, and Weinstein. "In fact, she may be the enabler," he said, referencing allegations of misconduct against Clinton's husband by people like Juanita Broaddrick, Paula Corbin Jones and Kathleen Willey. Carlson said President Obama was also delayed in his response. Carlson said that, since Weinstein was a huge player in left-wing political circles when it comes to donations, his alleged abuses were likely ignored. "Reactions from self-described defenders of women have been so muted," Carlson said, adding that the same actors who lecture about virtue from the Oscars podium were strangely silent on Weinstein. "It seems clear that hundreds of people knew or suspected what Weinstein was doing," Carlson said, noting that Weinstein is not alone -- Woody Allen has been dogged by similar claims and director Roman Polanski was even given an award after he skipped the country to avoid prosecution for rape of a child. • WHY has nobody -- nobody -- mentioned Bill Cosby?? • And, we learned on Tuesday that Weinstein attended Planned Parenthood’s gala fundraising event in May and donated $100,000 to the abortion chain, purchasing a Cecily Brown painting, for $100,000 in an art auction -- Brown’s work is characterized by overt sexual imagery. The gala fundraiser, held in New York City, featured the presentation of the organization’s “Champion of the Century” award to failed Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Hollywood Reporter said Weinstein was joined by female celebrities Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Scarlett Johansson, and Chelsea Handler in giving Clinton a standing ovation. In her acceptance speech, Clinton criticized the Trump administration for wanting to defund Planned Parenthood because it continues to perform abortions. Hillary has said unborn babies have no constitutional rights. • Five days after the allegations were made against Weinstein, Clinton finally released a statement that she was “shocked and appalled” by the revelations; Streep has now condemned Weinstein’s “abuse of power,” calling the claims against him “inexcusable”; and Moore has praised actresses Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan for exposing Weinstein’s behavior. Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards said : “We’re proud to celebrate Planned Parenthood’s 100 years of strength and resilience at this moment in our history, as well as the tremendous outpouring of support for Planned Parenthood and our patients. This Gala is a powerful reminder that Planned Parenthood has been around for 100 years and will continue to be here for the people who rely on us, no matter what." Last week, Richards reiterated her attack of one year ago against President Donald Trump on Twitter, accusing him of “objectifying and degrading women” as she did before his election victory. Richards’ only mention of the Weinstein scandal on Twitter was a “brilliant must-read” promotion of and link to Lena Dunham’s opinion piece at the New York Times, with a quote from the piece : “Men of Hollywood, what are you sorry for?” • • • HILLARY. And, of course, we know why Hillary hesitated as long as possible to say anything about the Weinstein scandal -- letting her spokesman Nick Merrill release a prepared statement only after CNN's Dana Bash had asked on air where Hillary was. The full statement read : “I was shocked and appalled by the revelations about Harvey Weinstein. The behavior described by women coming forward cannot be tolerated. Their courage and the support of others is critical in helping to stop this kind of behavior.” Bill Clinton rape accuser Juanita Broaddrick slammed Hillary Clinton for her response to sexual abuse allegations against Weinstein. Broaddrick, who alleges she was raped by Bill in 1978, stated on social media that Hillary has kept quiet about her husband’s own behavior for decades : “Hillary, you weren’t shocked or appalled,” Broaddrick tweeted. “You have lived with that same behavior from your husband for decades.” • • • WEINSTEIN MONEY WENT TO PROGDEM POLITICIANS. Weinstein contributed $46,350 to Clinton during her presidential candidacy, as well as to HILLPAC, a committee Clinton used to support other Democrats while she was a senator, according to The Associated Press. Weinstein also has made massive donations to the Clinton Foundation. The foundation says on its official website that Weinstein gave in the range of $100,001 to $250,000 through June 2017. Weinstein and his family have given more than $1.4 million in political contributions since the 1992 election cycle, virtually all of it to Democratic lawmakers, candidates and their allies, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, according to the AP. Democrat Senators receiving money from Weinstein include Chuck Schumer -- $14,200; Cory Booker -- $7,800; Kirsten Gillibrand -- $11,800; Patrick Leahy -- $5,600; Richard Blumenthal -- $5,400; Al Franken -- $10,000; Elizabeth Warren -- $5,000 ; Dick Durbin -- $1,000; Sheldon Whitehouse -- $1,000; and Martin Heinrich -- $5,400. • • • HOLLYWOOD STARS. • Ben Affleck, who has worked with Weinstein on award-winning films like Good Will Hunting, released a statement Tuesday about the sexual assault scandal, saying he was "saddened and angry" over the "sickening" claims, but denying that he had known about them. In a sign that the controversy over the producer Harvey Weinstein could engulf other people in the film industry, actress Rose McGowan immediately accused Ben Affleck of lying about his knowledge of Weinstein’s alleged sexual harassment and assaults of women. In a tweet and an email exchange with the NYT Tuesday night, McGowan said she had told Affleck that Weinstein had behaved inappropriately with her. She quotes him telling her that Weinstein had mistreated other women. McGowan tweeted : “ ‘GODDAMNIT! I TOLD HIM TO STOP DOING THAT’ you said that to my face...You lie." The UK Daily Mail says Hollywood’s greatest fear is now coming true as Weinstein protégé Ben Affleck faces the accusation that he groped actress Hilarie Burton in 2003 when she was just 21 years-old. Hollywood fears the floodgates against others will open up and every alleged harasser will be dragged kicking and screaming into the sunlight. Affleck is a major player, an Oscar-winning director and Warner Brothers’ Batman, a hugely expensive franchise. He is also a high-profile Democrat, like Weinstein. Hilarie Burton claims she was groped by Ben Affleck during his appearance on TRL in 2003. Affleck apologized to Burton for groping her : "I acted inappropriately toward Ms. Burton and I sincerely apologize," Affleck tweeted Wednesday. • Affleck had been one of many Hollywood allies of Weinstein who remained silent following the New York Times report last Thursday. Others, like Meryl Streep and Judi Dench, said they were unaware of the accusations, and Glenn Close said she had heard “vague rumors.” In 1997, Weinstein reached a $100,000 settlement with McGowan after an episode in a hotel room during the Sundance Film Festival, according to the Times report. • Matt Damon, Ben Affleck’s longtime friend and film collaborator, said in an interview with Deadline on Tuesday that he “never saw” Weinstein harass or abuse women and that he would have put an end to it if he had. Damon’s and Affleck’s film careers were kicked off by “Good Will Hunting,” which Weinstein backed. Damon said : “This type of predation happens behind closed doors and out of public view. If there was ever an event that I was at, and Harvey was doing this kind of thing and I didn’t see it, then I am so deeply sorry, because I would have stopped it.” But, McGowan also lit into Damon. Her tweet appears to accuse him of being aware of Weinstein’s behavior and covering it up : "Hey @mattdamon what’s it like to be a spineless profiteer who stays silent?" • McGowan also called out Affleck's brother, actor Casey Affleck who has been accused of sexual assault, on Twitter Monday, writing, "Ben Affleck Casey Affleck, how’s your morning boys?" • Directors with close ties to Weinstein, such as Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, have not commented. • And, after nearly a week and no comment, actor George Clooney joined the chorus of condemnation against Weinstein. Clooney -- who admittedly received his “first big break” in Hollywood from Weinstein -- told The Daily Beast Monday : “It’s indefensible. That’s the only word you can start with. Harvey’s admitted to it, and it’s indefensible.” Clooney said that sexual harassment is a societal issue : “This is a moral issue. We’re all going to have to be more diligent about it and look for any warning signs. Before, people weren’t paying enough attention to it. Now we have to. This is the moment to start scaring people like this into not acting this way anymore.” If there is any good that can come out of the scandal, Clooney said, it may be “that not just in Hollywood, although Hollywood is now the focus, but in all of these cases the victims will feel that they will be listened to, and that they don’t need to be afraid.” • • • THE OBAMAS. It was CNN's Dana Bash who also apparently forced Barack and Michelle Obama to comment on the einstein scandal on Tuesday, asking : "Where Are The Obamas?" That got a comment from the Obamas, who said on Tuesday that they are "disgusted" by the alleged behavior of Weinstein : "Michelle and I have been disgusted by the recent reports about Harvey Weinstein. Any man who demeans and degrades women in such fashion needs to be condemned and held accountable, regardless of wealth or status. We should celebrate the courage of women who have come forward to tell these painful stories. And we all need to build a culture -- including by empowering our girls and teaching our boys decency and respect - so we can make such behavior less prevalent in the future.” Both the former President and first lady faced growing criticism for remaining silent despite mounting accusations against Weinstein, who is a major Democratic donor and contributed to Obama's 2012 presidential campaign. In 2012 cycle, Weinstein donated more than $5,000 to Obama for America and more than $66,000 to the Obama Victory Fund, according to the FEC. Obama's statement did not address what, if anything, would happen to Weinstein's donations, which also included being a bundler for Obama, including teaming up with Vogue editor Anna Wintour for at least two fundraisers for Obama in 2012, where a top-flight roster of liberal donors paid $35,800 to co-host and individuals paid $10,000 each to get in. Former first lady Michelle praised Weinstein in 2013 as a “wonderful human being, a good friend and just a powerhouse.” Breitbart reported that the Obamas and Weinstein developed a close relationship through the years with the former President benefiting from the numerous star-studded fundraisers the disgraced producer hosted on his behalf during the 2008 and 2012 elections. “I have to thank Harvey and Georgina for once again extending incredible hospitality to us,” Obama said during a Weinstein-backed fundraiser in 2013 in Manhattan. “We are so grateful for their friendship and support, and for the amazing movies that they’ve made.” Weinstein also visited the Obama White House at least 13 times, according to visitor records. And Obama daughter Malia recently finished an internship at the New York City offices of The Weinstein Co. • • • DEAR READERS, that is a lot of sordid news to deal with, and I'm sorry to have to report it. But, knowing who our opponents are makes us better conservatives, better Republicans, and better Trump supporters. The Weinstein scandal makes it a badge of honor to be a Deplorable. • Finally, American Thinker reminded us on Wednesday of another Hollywood scandal as yet not exposed : "Sadly, Harvey Weinstein's act isn't the darkest in Hollywood's repertoire – at least that we know of. As has been reported, the women Harvey sexually abused were adults. But did Harvey rape or sexually abuse any minors? Corey Feldman? Corey Haim? Drew Barrymore? The Olsen twins? In a 2011 interview with ABC News, Corey Feldman stated : 'I can tell you that the No. 1 problem in Hollywood was and is and always will be pedophilia. That's the biggest problem for children in this industry....It's the big secret....I was surrounded by [pedophiles] when I was 14 years old....Didn't even know it. It wasn't until I was old enough to realize what they were and what they wanted...till I went, Oh, my God. They were everywhere.' Feldman credits pedophilia as a contributing factor in the death of his best friend, Corey Haim, his co-star in the movie The Lost Boys : 'There's one person to blame in the death of Corey Haim. And that person happens to be a Hollywood mogul. And that person needs to be exposed, but, unfortunately, I can't be the one to do it....I too had been sexually abused by men in show business.' " Feldman added : "There's a lot of good people in this industry, but there's also a lot of really, really sick, corrupt people. And there are people ..who have gotten away with it for so long that they feel they're above the law, and that's got to change." • Societal Cultural Sickness. The truth is that the Progressive Left has taught moral relativism to America and its children in schools, at the cinema, and in pop and rap music for 50 years. Moral relativism has become so prevalent in American society that thinking and conversation have given way to the F word, and pre-teens are being taught how to have 'safe' sex. • So, are we at all surprised that the Harvey Weinstein scandal has exploded in our faces? The fact is that what we call society today is a' padded cell' where every sort of phobia, hatred, lewdness, racist taunts, sexual predation, and animosity against every moral axiom and ethic held by Christianity is the norm. Harvey Weinstein is the mirror being held up to our laxity as citizens, to our belief that personal freedom of speech and action has no boundaries, and to our now-obvious dilemma in trying to drain a Swamp that encompasses not only Washington but also Hollywood, TV, educational institutions and churches. The vulgar societal cultural sickness that has inundated America is now in control, and the Progressive Left and subservient Progressive Democrats who benefit from the denizons of the societal Swamp are the protectors of this cultural sickness. It is our job to root them out and put America back into cultural and moral working order.