[...] and assisting in overall management.” That second one may be necessary after Brownstein burned some bridges; rumor has it that he’s no longer as welcome at some conventions as he had been, so having [...]

I do know that I will continue to support the CBLDF, as it is too important an organization.

Which leads me to Anonymous, whose comments make me uncomfortable. I don’t know Soma, but I do know that I’ve heard someone say “used her looks and flirtation in an attempt to advance her career” about almost every woman in comics. Does that make it wrong in this case? Dunno. Is it a sexist accusation? Quite often. As Scott pointed out earlier, it can come close to “she was asking for it”.

I’ve heard blogging proclaimed as the next big step in journalism, and I agree that it’s an important development in the profession. But snarky comments and snappy (but inaccurate) headlines do not constitute journalism.

Don, thanks too for your perspective. I disagree with theories of blogging being the new journalism. However, a few months back Jane Hamschler had a great post a few months ago at the Huffington Post where she said that the best use for bloggers was as news analysts… that journalists spend time pursuing and verifying their stories and the opportunity for blogs is in looking at multiple reports, along with archives, to put the news into perspective.

Just wanted to thank you for your reasonable and level headed look at the facts through all of this.

There is a lot of rhetoric and bile getting tossed around, and your reports have been a straightforward breath of fresh air.

Scott-

You keep talking about “unacceptable harrassment”. No court of law has convicted him of anything, and the only thing everyone agrees on at this point is that his hand came close to her breast while they were both drinking.

Let’s keep this stuff in perspective.

I’d be happy to hear if you have any comments on my coverage or needed improvements, either here or in email.

Others, please keep it civil.

[...] Matt Brady at Newsarama posts an analysis piece on the Soma/Brownstein story. Of all those involved, the most blame is placed at the feet of the columnist who made inaccurate statements that cast suspicion at innocent, uninvolved men. (The Newsarama vultures promptly lay into Brady for writing the piece at all, since he’s friends with Brownstein, a connection he revealed.) [...]

The build up in all of this has created a very hostile environment for anyone who isn’t rallying behind Taki. There has been some dissent after Charles was named, from people who know his character, but very little is heard from people who know Taki’s character.

She has been held up through this as a symbol of female bravery in a male dominated comic book industry. There is a patriotism to it and those who think this blind faith is misguided are being ridiculed.

I hope that Taki gets legal justice as this publicity is not just what-so-ever.

This seems to imply that women do not posess the ability to be manipulative. Often times this POV coming from a man is actually demeaning toward women…protectionist…assertive. Rape IS rape but accusations of rape is not rape. Spot the difference?

“i must say though, i find hiding your identity and slinging mud like you are to be lame as lame can get….i have made some statements ”

I absolutely agree with you that it’s incredibly lame, but let’s not compare each other as you don’t really seem to have anything to lose.

It’s unfortunate that this story came to light the way it did. I think it will discourage people from reporting serious incidents of sexual harassment or assault in the industry (and it happens, just as it does in every other facet of society).

I think the discussion to which this situation gives rise is ethical standards of online journalists. I’ve heard blogging proclaimed as the next big step in journalism, and I agree that it’s an important development in the profession. But snarky comments and snappy (but inaccurate) headlines do not constitute journalism.

For example, one article posted in regard to the Brownstein matter was entitled “The Tit Grab Heard ‘Round the World” (if memory serves). There’s a problem with that headline: it assumes a tit was grabbed. It’s an assumption based on one side of a complex and fragile story.

The ethics of online journalism is an overwhelming issue that’s obviously massively larger than the online comics community, and I doubt that any kind of real accreditation process or standards committee will ever arise, given the global nature of the Internet.

But at the very least, it’s something we should all consider when gleaning our information of new sources.

Don

Employment laws dictate otherwise, and the Fund is legally obligated to maintain the confidentiality of any disciplinary actions taken against Brownstein.

to the anon, assuming you are being truthful, which i have no idea if you are or not, it makes no difference. there are men doing hard time in prison for “having sex” with scantily clad drunk flirtatious women. rape is rape, assault is assault, harassment is harrassment.

i must say though, i find hiding your identity and slinging mud like you are to be lame as lame can get. if you want the world to know what a hussy taki is, have the balls to sign your name.

i have made some statements on this board that i know some people havent been comfy with, but i sign my real name along with a link to my blog where i can be contacted personally. every statement ive made here and elsewhere comes with my personal accountability behind it.

“Is lifting up someone’s shirt without their [*] permission a bad thing? Sure. Is it a hanging offense? Not at all. This whole thing should have ended with “Hey, I am sorry I grabbed your shirt, can you please forgive me?”/”Apology accepted,”

—apparently the victim disagrees with you as no apology has been accepted.

Taki has used her looks and flirtation in an attempt to advance her career for years. Many people in Minneapolis have thought she’s a tad crazy, and wants a career very badly.

Find pictures of her with pros, if she’s not sitting on their laps, they’re sitting on hers…by invitation.

Does this mean that she deserves to be fondled or touched? Absolutely NOT. She deserves legal recourse. However, when she gets legal recourse, the real truth of Taki’s character will come out and it will not be the outcome that many people expect. She should NOT be touched, but if anyone is going to find themselves in a drunken hot tub situation and among confusing flirtatious advances…it would be Taki Soma.

The jokes we’ve been making about Taki Soma’s character for years have all of a sudden become poor taste…a bit like talking about plane crashes post 9-11.

We’ve always known that Taki would have a comics career, but that it would have nothing to do with her drawing skills.

Minneapolis