Lara Logan Assaulted--and Then Blamed

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But that is the new (old) meme these days...
Rape/sexual assault isn't really rape and, if it is, then the victim is responsible and it really wasn't that horrible.
Oh yeah, and let's put women in Afghani-style burkas for their own protection and the protection of weak males who just can't handle their hormones being aroused by physical beauty.

Gwen of WA 1:09PM February 18, 2011

Nir Rosen is wacky left as opposed to wacky right.

Gwen of WA 1:02PM February 18, 2011

why sexual assault and rape were frequent tools of Mubarak's regime?
because all those women were gorgeous?
rape is done to put a person "in their place."
Were all the other journalists who were beaten, threatened, kidnapped and detained physically gorgeous.
Your opinion is unpopular because it is tripe.

Gwen of WA 12:52PM February 18, 2011

I can't believe the mysogeny that has arose with these NAZI right wingers
in the United States since the election of Bush II. How about the house bill
that trys to classify rape in order to stop funding of abortions even if the
woman's life is at stake? This country is the evil empire these days!

Kevin Johnson of TX 10:41AM February 18, 2011

It's not often I can agree with Susan Milligan on things, because we seem to have diametrically-opposed political views, but this is an exceptional op-ed from Ms. Milligan with which I wholeheartedly agree. Since when have we AGAIN started blaming the rape victim for being raped? There is a double tragedy in this incident! It's tragic that it happened to Ms. Logan -- but it's even more tragic that some journalists are blaming her for her own rape and assault. I don't know from under which rock these journalists crawled..... Rape is rape - a crime of violence and power.
But I will partially maintain my opposition to Ms. Milligan, even on this piece -- she has quickly named the male society as "the evils of men." Perhaps Ms. Milligan meant to write: "The evils of male criminals." I think that fits MUCH better.
Regardless, thanks to Susan Milligan for posting a great op-ed. Just don't paint all men as being evil.

Bob in WA of WA 10:36AM February 18, 2011

I am amazed that there are people out there today, in this day and age, still thinking that rape has anything to do with sexual appeal. Whether a woman is beautiful or ugly has absolutely nothing to do with being raped. Whether she's scantily clad or drunk also has nothing to do with being raped. Sure, we want to have our wits about us and make smart decisions to make sure we're safe but if a man is hell bent on attacking you, wearing a suit of armour and fully sober will not deter him.
Lara wanted to be a journalist and, of course, it's a dangerous profession. But she still has the human right to not be attacked and not be raped. She has done nothing wrong by being born beautiful. Rapists have assaulted 80 year old women...it's a violent act against a woman. People seem to think that rape is purely sexual because it involves the private parts.
When a woman is raped she is beaten into submission, held down, penetrated against her will while she is pleading for this not to happen, pleading for her life, and crying and screaming. Does that sound like a man simply trying to get sex? No, it's violent and someone has to have a srew or two loose in their heads to be okay with beating a woman and raping her while she's crying and screaming. There's no care or concern for her as a person. Many women are then killed so that she cannot come forward to identify their rapist, or because he likes to murder his victims afterwards. This is not about sex, people!!
And then, to criticize her for being a journalist, doing a job she must love, because it's dangerous is further victimization. To scold her for being in a foreign country, in a crowd of people is ridiculous. She was with a crew and security. She was forcibly sequestered by a mob from her group and victimized....repeatedly. How dare anyone hold her responsible for any of that. Imagine yourself in a mob of men beating you, pulling your clothes off, and raping you. She must have been absolutely terrified. I am appalled that people are criticizing her for doing her job, which Christiane Amanpour and other female journalists do on a daily basis. No one openly criticizes Christiane for being a journalist putting herself in harm's way regularly. Maybe you all just want to wait until she gets attacked to sit back and judge her for doing something you're not willing to do yourself.
Male journalists were attacked, held for days, beaten, etc. in Egypt as well. I didn't hear anyone coming out and saying they knew what they were getting into when they went out there. Of course they know their jobs are dangerous, but they love what they do and hope for the best, I'm sure. They also make sure they have security and locals help keep them safe. I'm sure no one expects to be raped, beaten, held prisoner, or killed. When any of these things happen we should show some damn respect and express empathy rather than criticism and cynicism. Sheesh!!!

-Appalled of MO 4:57AM February 18, 2011

I do have sympathy for Lara, however, let me express what will be an unpopular thought. For starters, CBS and Lara are well aware that Lara is very attractive to men. That is what gets ratings. They used sexual appeal to sell soap. Sexual appeal has been as a power tool for Lara and CBS. That very sexual appeal contributed to the behaviors of the frenzied male crowd, who assaulted her. So sexual appeal, in my opinion, does two things, one, it gets ratings by heating up the male viewing population, two, it generates danger for a reporter who is unusually attractive. She might have been safer if she looked like one of the average American porktresses that are buying potato chips at your local discount superstore.

TellMe of CA 3:51AM February 18, 2011

http://cpj.org/2011/02/mubarak-intensifies-press-attacks-with-assaults-de.php
http://abcworldnews.tumblr.com/post/3089328425/weve-compiled-a-list-of-all-the-journalist-who
Two lists of those attacked and detained/kidnapped plus details.

Gwen of WA 11:20PM February 17, 2011

As I recall, the pro-democracy protesters WANTED the foreign media there, to be witnesses--and witnesses definitely were needed.
Nor was it just American journalists being attacked; journalists from every continent, several nations and other Arab nations/media were beaten and detained.
The only arrogance was from Mubarak, his regime, and his hired thugs.

Gwen of WA 11:06PM February 17, 2011

the u.s. goes around the world acting like it should have unlimited access to any country...are we so open to foreign media?
As for the charges, physical/sexual assault is a little vague...to what extent? what are the details?

AA of OH 10:27PM February 17, 2011