Was it right for Tom Leykis to reveal Kobe Bryant's accuser's name?

[SyracuseDemocrat]

Tom Leykis revealed the name of Kobe Bryant's accuser's name on his show earlier in the week. I found out what it was and discovered that her name, address, phone number, and pictures from american idol were posted on a website that i found using google. In revealing the name, Tom used the argument that everybody knew who the accused rapist was and Kobe's reputation was being damaged, so it is only fair for people to know who the accuser's name is too? I tend to agree with that I think. Do you folks think that Tom was right to reveal her name?

[SyracuseDemocrat]

1. Yes

I think that he was right to do so.

[ScreamingMeemie]

2. Would it be alright if it were your daughter?

Of course not. It's never alright. I don't care whether she is to be believed or not, this is an assault case, so far based on heresay by both sides. No special treatment for Kobe.

[CMT]

3. it is not right

It will be proved in court if he is guilty or innocent. If he is proven guilty then this woman's privacy has been invaded.There shouldn't be special rules for celebrities. I don't know if he is guilty or innocent. I have questions as to why this woman even went to his room. I have questions as to why this man who puts on the show of being such a family man to help win endorsements admitted that at the least he cheated on his wife. The Trial will tell if he did more than that.

[THUNDER HANDS]

4. No

He makes me fucking sick.

Rat bastard.

I hope Lykus gets ----- and then has his personal information published.

[yowzayowzayowza]

5. None of the above...

DO NOT FREAKEN CARE.

[Sophree]

6. I don't think it's right

I have mixed feelings about Tom Leykis because I feel that he does have a point about men being given the short end of the judicial stick when it comes to divorce, child custody, etc.

But in rape cases, the woman's identity should be protected. He crossed the line.

[midnitemoleman]

7. NO, has the world forgoten the word INTEGRITY

Why? Because it was wrong. Has the world forgoten the word
INTEGRITY. He did it to bost raiting nothing more, unless Kobe
is giving him a free autograph.

[SyracuseDemocrat]

8. It is Not unfair for her to be outed..

I will tell you what is unfair. WHat is unfair is that a rape accuser is allowed to stay in the dark and accuse a high profile star of rape. I've been following this case quite closely, and look what we have seen.

We read about the visible evidence and feel twangs of sympathy and heartfelt pity. Then we read about the American Idol audition, the supposed overdose, and the bragging at the party after the alleged assault and we all think 'I know that girl.' We all knew the girl in high school that wanted to be the center of attention, wanted everyone to love her and want to be her, no matter what. We know the kinds of girls that were celebrity chasers and would willingly drop everything at the chance to sleep with a celebrity and gain the adoration of her friends. This is one of those girls I believe.

It is inconceivable to me that a concierge at a hotel resort could make such a huge claim against a guest and not face public scrutiny. Meanwhile, a lot of women's groups are lobbying for a conviction for Kobe right now without due process. I just find it incredibly wrong for a woman to accuse someone of rape, and then run and request anonymity. Kobe is a very famous dude, and identity protection should ONLY be used for minors. This girl is 19, so it doesn't apply. Kobe has been pushed far into the public's eye with this accusation, so it's only fair that this girl join him there and face public scrutiny, just like Kobe.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

15. The only right Kobe has is to a fair trial and to face his accuser in a

in a court of law. The defendent is not on trial. Women's groups have no control to deny Kobe his right to a fair trial but witnesses are protected from intimidation all the time.
Lykis and the site which published her address are no more in the right than anti-abortion sites that target abortion providers for retribution.

This is nothing more than an attempt by sports fans to harass and intimidate a witness.

Statements made to the press to tarnish her are also intended to color the case in the press and poison the jury pool, much the same way statements made about KOBE accomplish the same.

I understand that you believe what you believe about girls and other women. I suggest that you may very well be the kind of guy those girls had no interest in and now you choose to expresss your resentment of wmen in these terms.

See there, stereotypes work both ways.

Identity protection should be used to protect ANYONE who may be intimdated from testifying and usurping justice.

[goddess40]

16. There is a stigma attached to being a rape victim

by outing her she will always have to carry that burden. Even if Kobe found not guilty it doesn't mean he didn't do it. It might mean that the jury decided he was too big a celeb to do time or that there wasn't enough evidence. Does anyone remember O.J.?
If you or your wife were raped would you want it to be on the front page?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

17. Even absent the stigma, they are attempting to intimidate a witness

[molly]

9. Nope - not at all

the guy is the lowest of low - he cheated on his wife. And, she stands by him because she knows that her lifestyle will change a whole lot if he is proven guilty. If she waits until it is over to divorce the schmuck, she will get one helluva settlement.

[SyracuseDemocrat]

10. His morals have nothing to do with

this post question at all.

[SyracuseDemocrat]

11. please read my post above.

it explains why this is perfectly fair.

[SyracuseDemocrat]

12. I am GLAD that she has been outed.

I will tell you what is unfair. WHat is unfair is that a rape accuser is allowed to stay in the dark and accuse a high profile star of rape. I've been following this case quite closely, and look what we have seen.

We read about the visible evidence and feel twangs of sympathy and heartfelt pity. Then we read about the American Idol audition, the supposed overdose, and the bragging at the party after the alleged assault and we all think 'I know that girl.' We all knew the girl in high school that wanted to be the center of attention, wanted everyone to love her and want to be her, no matter what. We know the kinds of girls that were celebrity chasers and would willingly drop everything at the chance to sleep with a celebrity and gain the adoration of her friends. This is one of those girls I believe.

It is inconceivable to me that a concierge at a hotel resort could make such a huge claim against a guest and not face public scrutiny. Meanwhile, a lot of women's groups are lobbying for a conviction for Kobe right now without due process. I just find it incredibly wrong for a woman to accuse someone of rape, and then run and request anonymity. Kobe is a very famous dude, and identity protection should ONLY be used for minors. This girl is 19, so it doesn't apply. Kobe has been pushed far into the public's eye with this accusation, so it's only fair that this girl join him there and face public scrutiny, just like Kobe.

[Skittles]

19. PLEASE

SICK PERVERTS WILL BE HARRASSING THIS GIRL. What woman in her right mind will come forward if she knows this will happen? Releasing her identity PROTECTS RAPISTS.

[maxanne]

21. yes, their situations are so equal

he's got millions of dollars, and connections behind him - not to mention armed security guards.

She's got nothing to arm herself against his legion of angry testosterone laden fans harassing her and making death threats.

Yep - plenty of equality there. :eyes:

You seem very comfortable in believing what you've read about her, and vilifying her. You probably don't trust Fox News stories about the Bush admin - but you're willing to find the same press perfectly credible when they're attacking a woman who accused a sports hero of a violent crime.

If it were your mother or grandmother who'd been raped, you wouldn't want their identity splashed all over the press, I feel certain.

I am amazed by the pack mentality of sports fans. I am amazed at the misogyny shown by allegedly liberal men.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

23. But why feed into that machismo and misogyny by invoking

images of their mother and sister. On the one hand, it might be good to personalize the situation but frankly even when I do it I cringe at the thought that I only invoke therr mother, sister, or wife because these are women men feel some PROPRIETARY interest in...not because they love them and it will help them to relate (although some do and in some cases it does.)

[oldcoot]

25. Why do you need to know her identity?

It sounds like you have already made up your mind about her.

[DemLikr]

13. He didn't REVEAL anything; it was already a matter of public record

Anyone who wanted to go to that courthouse and do the footwork could find out.

Your question might be better posed as "was he right to broadcast her name as far into the public arena as possible?"

I think it's not a matter of right or wrong...I think it's a matter of fact in today's world of instant communication. PLUS, she has nothing to be ashamed of; to be a victim of rape is no more shameful than to be a victim of any other crime.

Withholding a victim's name is an anachronistic hold-over from old sexist attitudes which hold that the female victim of such a crime is somehow "soiled" or disgraced.

PLUS PLUS: The more I learn about the case, the less I believe the alleged victim's story at face value. I think she's full of shit.

[slackmaster]

14. It was TACKY

EOM

[Chilly_Willy]

18. Name or no name

Kobe Bryant should feel ashamed as well anyone should that cheat on their spouse. It's a case, she knew once it (rough sex or rape, still to be determined) happened she'd be headlines. It's not the fairness involved, but I believe that T.Leykis likes the gossip more than the story, so shame on him too!

[Az]

20. Frankly this idea of trial by public has to stop

Press needs to cover trials but it should be illegal to release any names until after the trial. Innocent until proven guilty doesn't work if the press has already hung the accused.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

22. nor the accuser

[KamaAina]

24. Leykis is not a pig. That base canard is an insult to pigs everywhere.

If you're feeling puckish, head on over to Tom's website at:

http://www.blowmeuptom.com/host.html

and feast your eyes on nuggets of wisdom like these:

Equally provocative is his "Leykis 101." An unapologetic primer to help men get laid with minimum effort, its "rules" - a retort to the women's self-help guide - include Never spend a lot of money impressing her on the first date, Stop seeing her if you don't get laid by the third date, and Never date single mothers....

"The audience was in the age group of 55 to death - but I didn't know that," he recalls. "I went on with the afternoon host to promote my first show, and when he asked what it would be like, I said, 'Let me put it this way. My show won't appeal to the hemorrhoid-and-laxative crowd that are usually attracted to these shows.

Basically, the guy is Jerry Springer without the metal chairs (or the political background). I'd say, Just ignore him -- except that he, and especially that Binary Report website (Leykis' home page links to it) have ptentially exposed the young woman to a barrage of stalkers, heavy breathers and the like by putting her personal information online.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

26. Yeah, he did a show out here once on the medical benefits of

drinking your own piss.