Thanks to a report in the Aug 21 edition of the Bangkok Post, those of us who did not already know, are now aware that, five years ago, a 37-year-old actress named Asia Argento carried out what is described as sexual assault on a 17-year-old boy Jimmy Bennett in a hotel room in California.
. What makes this titillating tale more intriguing is that Argento was one of the first women to publicly accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual abuse, and she has been a prominent member of the #MeToo movement which has been demanding justice for her and other women allegedly subjected to unpleasant attentions by men in positions of power.
However, had the genders, and ages, of those involved in this incident been reversed, one can just imagine the howls of outrage from the international sisterhood, and the 24-hour, non-stop, obsessive media coverage. The hypothetical male attacker would never have worked in Hollywood again. However, as far as I can establish, the revelations actually seem to have been met with what amounts to an embarrassed silence. In a further twist, Bennett's lawyer claims that the lad was so emotionally traumatised and distressed by the incident that his acting and music career was badly disrupted. The poor thing, one's heart goes out to him.
However, it's not all bad news for this young man. As an out-of-court settlement for undergoing an experience which would be the ultimate fantasy for any red-blooded teenage boy, Jimmy will receive US$380,000 (12.5 million baht) from the frisky Argento, which seems like a pretty good deal to me, although he was looking for an improbable $3.5 million.
Hollywood provides us with endless hours of entertainment, of which films are but a part.
Robin Grant
Cohen's swansong?
With Paul Manafort convicted on eight counts, and Trump lawyer Michael Cohen pleading guilty, isn't it just great how Donald Trump cleaned up the swamp? When Cohen starts singing like a canary it'll prove the old saying: "There is no honour among thieves".
Eric Bahrt
Keeping a watch
Re: "Conduct code flawed", (BP, Aug 2). I totally agree with Khun Burin Kantabutra that public figures must be accountable and obey the law. He cited Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin who said in London that Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon should have resigned over the "watchgate" saga.
I would like to add that Mr Teerakiat himself should have also resigned from his post on account of his backtracking and apologising, upon his return to Bangkok, on what he said in London. How can Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha allow Mr Teerakiat to continue and lead education reform?
Mr Teerakiat is a man who has no integrity, credibility and accountability. He is just a very bad example for the younger Thai generation.
CK
Electric dreams
State operated Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and state-owned PTT Plc have apparently colluded to make Thailand dependent upon natural gas for decades to come (until at least 2056, according to one reported agreement).
Apparently, none of a plethora of alternative energy generating options, both those immediately available such as solar and those proposed for the future such as thorium-based nuclear power, fusion reactors, and advanced bio-fuel sources, has been able to awaken the authorities from their ancestral worship of petroleum and coal.
Perhaps the powerful wind generated by the old farts could be harnessed for our common good?
Michael Setter
Bang Saray
Flights of fancy
The Ministry of Transport must provide an explanation as to why it, as reported in local media, it designates the old Chiang Mai airport for international flight use and will build a new domestic airport out of the city. I believe this is nonsense and against global standards and practice.
RH Suga
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