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<blockquote data-quote="epithet" data-source="post: 7726864" data-attributes="member: 6796566"><p>I find it disheartening that people here are saying that Mentzer shouldn't be given the benefit of the doubt. <em>Everyone </em>should get the benefit of doubt as to their guilt. In this situation, I gave him that benefit, then looked at the evidence provided, and my doubt was negated. It certainly seems that Mentzer was obnoxious, insensitive, and even belligerent on more than one occasion.</p><p></p><p>Still, it was appropriate for me to initially doubt the accusation against him, because we all--every one of us--have been (and will be) in situations where we were misunderstood, or where someone became angry and confrontational because of a mistake, either our own or someone else's. These things happen, and if we deserve the benefit of the doubt for cutting you off in traffic or taking the last donut, then it becomes even more important to avoid premature conclusions when the accusations are of serious offenses. These accusations against Mentzer are the sort that can (and should) dramatically affect public perception of him, and so it is entirely appropriate that the evidence Ms. Price offered should be examined with an open mind, and both she and Mr. Mentzer given "the benefit of the doubt."</p><p></p><p>I get that these issues are sensitive ones, and that making legitimate accusations of harassment is a difficult thing that leaves the accuser vulnerable. Really, I do. These accusation must always be taken seriously, but <em>because </em>they are so serious in nature, it is critical that we, as a society, not jump to early conclusions. </p><p></p><p>Fortunately, in this instance, there is ample evidence from which to draw reasoned conclusions, and those initial doubts can be dismissed. In many cases, however--perhaps most--that is not the case, and that creates a difficult situation. It is tempting to embrace the principle of "always believe the accuser," but that's no more justified that a predisposition to dismiss the accusation. The only fair approach is to give both the accuser and the accused the benefit of the doubt, and to draw conclusions from the evidence available.</p><p></p><p>We humans tend to look for simple solutions, especially to upsetting circumstances. We are all too willing to make emotional judgments. That's why, for instance, a juvenile accused of a truly heinous crime is often tried as an adult; a 14 year old might be too young to have a permanent record for shoplifting, but we can't seem to apply the same logic when we think of that kid "getting away with murder," even before he or she is convicted of a crime. In this instance, some people have an emotional predisposition to dismiss accusations against an icon of their favorite pastime, while others have an emotional predisposition to condemn anyone accused of creepy and inappropriate behavior. The only fair approach, in my opinion, is to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and to keep an open mind.</p><p></p><p>I am not suggesting that everyone has to be fair, by the way. I totally get the emotional reactions to this kind of uncomfortable issue, and it is appropriate for people to channel their relevant experiences and associated feelings into their personal opinions, even on matters of public interest. I just wish it weren't taken to the point of condemning the very notion of giving an accused person--any person, accused of any misconduct--the same "benefit of the doubt" that is given to the accuser.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="epithet, post: 7726864, member: 6796566"] I find it disheartening that people here are saying that Mentzer shouldn't be given the benefit of the doubt. [I]Everyone [/I]should get the benefit of doubt as to their guilt. In this situation, I gave him that benefit, then looked at the evidence provided, and my doubt was negated. It certainly seems that Mentzer was obnoxious, insensitive, and even belligerent on more than one occasion. Still, it was appropriate for me to initially doubt the accusation against him, because we all--every one of us--have been (and will be) in situations where we were misunderstood, or where someone became angry and confrontational because of a mistake, either our own or someone else's. These things happen, and if we deserve the benefit of the doubt for cutting you off in traffic or taking the last donut, then it becomes even more important to avoid premature conclusions when the accusations are of serious offenses. These accusations against Mentzer are the sort that can (and should) dramatically affect public perception of him, and so it is entirely appropriate that the evidence Ms. Price offered should be examined with an open mind, and both she and Mr. Mentzer given "the benefit of the doubt." I get that these issues are sensitive ones, and that making legitimate accusations of harassment is a difficult thing that leaves the accuser vulnerable. Really, I do. These accusation must always be taken seriously, but [I]because [/I]they are so serious in nature, it is critical that we, as a society, not jump to early conclusions. Fortunately, in this instance, there is ample evidence from which to draw reasoned conclusions, and those initial doubts can be dismissed. In many cases, however--perhaps most--that is not the case, and that creates a difficult situation. It is tempting to embrace the principle of "always believe the accuser," but that's no more justified that a predisposition to dismiss the accusation. The only fair approach is to give both the accuser and the accused the benefit of the doubt, and to draw conclusions from the evidence available. We humans tend to look for simple solutions, especially to upsetting circumstances. We are all too willing to make emotional judgments. That's why, for instance, a juvenile accused of a truly heinous crime is often tried as an adult; a 14 year old might be too young to have a permanent record for shoplifting, but we can't seem to apply the same logic when we think of that kid "getting away with murder," even before he or she is convicted of a crime. In this instance, some people have an emotional predisposition to dismiss accusations against an icon of their favorite pastime, while others have an emotional predisposition to condemn anyone accused of creepy and inappropriate behavior. The only fair approach, in my opinion, is to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and to keep an open mind. I am not suggesting that everyone has to be fair, by the way. I totally get the emotional reactions to this kind of uncomfortable issue, and it is appropriate for people to channel their relevant experiences and associated feelings into their personal opinions, even on matters of public interest. I just wish it weren't taken to the point of condemning the very notion of giving an accused person--any person, accused of any misconduct--the same "benefit of the doubt" that is given to the accuser. [/QUOTE]
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