BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: Deadspin: Legendary Columnist Bill Conlin Resigns Over Forthcoming Philly Inquirer Bombshell

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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Deadspin: Legendary Columnist Bill Conlin Resigns Over Forthcoming Philly Inquirer Bombshell

The Philadelphia Inquirer’s top investigative reporter, Nancy Phillips, has written a story containing what we’re told are allegations of child molestation against sportswriter Bill Conlin, a longtime columnist at the rival Daily News. Conlin resigned just moments ago, according to a source at the Daily News.

Conlin, who turns 78 this May, won the Ford C. Frick Award last May. The story supposedly will drop soon (the newspapers publish under a joint-operating agreement, sharing some resources and a website but otherwise competing for the same readers). Conlin has hired an attorney to defend himself against the piece. We’ll have more details on this. For now, we can tell you that Conlin is at his condo in Largo, Fla.

And Bill Conlin’s articles on BTF...

Tripon Posted: December 20, 2011 at 06:47 PM | 283 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: hall of fame, media, obituaries, phillies, rumors, special topics

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1. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:00 PM (#4020309)

Could be an honest mistake. Conlin doesn't look particular about what he eats.

2. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:00 PM (#4020310)

:-O

3. Bourbon Samurai stays in the fight Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:02 PM (#4020313)

what....what the hell.

4. Gold Star - just Gold Star Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:04 PM (#4020316)

Well, now.

Whole bunch of men who thought they got away with it... they didn't. I wonder how many victims have decided to track down their abusers.

5. Mr. Hotfoot Jackson (gef, talking mongoose) Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:05 PM (#4020320)

Good lord.

6. Shock has moved on Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:06 PM (#4020323)

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/baseball_hof_longtime_philadelphia_writer_bill_conlin_honored/

See posts 5 and 7

7. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:07 PM (#4020325)

Maybe it's just an old eyewitness coming forward about an illicit act on the set of "ESPN's The Sports Reporters." From a distance, Mike Lupica could easily be mistaken for a small boy.

8. Rough Carrigan

Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:07 PM (#4020326)

ballfan indeed.

9. Lassus Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:08 PM (#4020328)

Holy Jebus.

10. Anonymous Observer Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:08 PM (#4020330)

So he's really a Catholic priest, and not a sportswriter?

11. Mr. Hotfoot Jackson (gef, talking mongoose) Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:10 PM (#4020332)

Did he attend Penn State, by any chance?

12. aberg Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:12 PM (#4020334)

Conlin's take on Sandusky.

13. Joey B. is counting the days to Trea Turner Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:14 PM (#4020336)

Whole bunch of men who thought they got away with it... they didn't. I wonder how many victims have decided to track down their abusers.

Are we now presuming that every guy who gets accused of molestation is guilty, even if he never gets charged with anything?

I think I'll wait for much more information to come out on this before I go ahead and jump to a conclusion.

14. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:18 PM (#4020343)

Are we now presuming that every guy who gets accused of molestation is guilty, even if he never gets charged with anything?

I think I'll wait for much more information to come out on this before I go ahead and jump to a conclusion.

I agree with Joey B.

ballfan indeed.

Isn't Ringolsby ballfan?

15. RJ in TO Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:19 PM (#4020344)

Isn't Ringolsby ballfan?

Yes.

16. The Yankee Clapper Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:21 PM (#4020349)

I think I'll wait for much more information to come out on this before I go ahead and jump to a conclusion.

For those that don't RTFA, there's no more detail than what is in the quoted excerpt. I don't know how one could reach any conclusion about the merits of the accusation based on the information available.

17. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:21 PM (#4020350)

That's awful news, but why did they include a photo of Colonel Sanders?

18. DA Baracus Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:22 PM (#4020352)

Bill Conlin's punishment should be having to read Bill Conlin.

19. Athletic Supporter's aunt's sorry like Aziz Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:24 PM (#4020356)

Maybe it's just an old eyewitness coming forward about an illicit act on the set of "ESPN's The Sports Reporters." From a distance, Mike Lupica could easily be mistaken for a small boy.

This explains why Conlin always had nice things to say about David Samson and the Marlins.

Best Regards

20. ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:28 PM (#4020360)

Now that I see what that "bombshell" was about, I'm thinking of that Far Side cartoon where two cops are dragging a cat into a paddy wagon, and the woman in the house across the street says to her obviously delighted dog, "And I suppose you think this is a dream come true!"

21. Swedish Chef Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:31 PM (#4020366)

Bill Conlin's punishment should be having to read Bill Conlin.

That's cruel and unusual.

22. Forsch 10 From Navarone (Dayn)

Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:32 PM (#4020368)

Deadspin better hope its sources are rock-solid on this.

23. DA Baracus Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:34 PM (#4020370)

Deadspin better hope its sources are rock-solid on this.

Nobody from the Daily News is denying it. At least, none that I have seen.

24. Swedish Chef Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:36 PM (#4020372)

Deadspin better hope its sources are rock-solid on this.

It's not like they have a reputation to protect.

25. RJ in TO Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:39 PM (#4020374)

Are we now presuming that every guy who gets accused of molestation is guilty, even if he never gets charged with anything?

I think I'll wait for much more information to come out on this before I go ahead and jump to a conclusion.

This sounds suspiciously like the sort of thing an accused child molester would say. BURN HIM! BURN THE WITCH!

26. Tony H. Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:42 PM (#4020378)

Deadspin better hope its sources are rock-solid on this.

OK, link fail. Here's the Daily News confirming Conlin's retirement:

http://the20.nbcphiladelphia.com/post/14518956879/bill-conlin-retires-doesnt-resign-according-to?extpar=the20

27. bob gee Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:44 PM (#4020381)

without any snark or anything...

are the sportswriters who are so quick to jump to judgment against athletes willing to say conlin should be kicked out of the hall / have his awards taken away?

28. Dale Sams Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:53 PM (#4020389)

That's awful news, but why did they include a photo of Colonel Sanders?

Well, of course he's a ~~roider~~ child molester...just look at him!

29. DA Baracus Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:55 PM (#4020391)

Apparently he molested girls.... 40 years ago. (Not that it makes it any better.)

30. Athletic Supporter's aunt's sorry like Aziz Posted: December 20, 2011 at 07:55 PM (#4020392)

are the sportswriters who are so quick to jump to judgment against athletes willing to say conlin should be kicked out of the hall / have his awards taken away?

Oh, they will. Sportswriters know which way the wind is blowing and won't hesitate to turn against one of their own for this most heinous of crimes. Look at how Posnanski -- one of ours! -- got excoriated here for even suggesting that Paterno's life should not be reduced to a child molestation scandal he was 3 steps removed from (Sandusky diddled the kid, McQueary saw it, Paterno was told). Conlin's toast, member of the fraternity of sportswriters or not.

31. and Posted: December 20, 2011 at 08:03 PM (#4020398)

Definitely we should withhold judgement.

But, geez louise, it might be faster if we simply "outed" every public figure who wasn't a sexual deviant.

32. Dale Sams Posted: December 20, 2011 at 08:03 PM (#4020399)

Apparently he molested girls.... 40 years ago. (Not that it makes it any better.)

The PED analogies are just writing themselves these days.

33. jwb Posted: December 20, 2011 at 08:04 PM (#4020400)

Wile looking for confirmation of this story I found this story. Remember the Philadelphia woman who was willing to trade sex for Phillies' World Series tickets? Her case was overturned for a rather bizarre reason.

34. Nasty Nate Posted: December 20, 2011 at 08:07 PM (#4020403)

got excoriated here for even suggesting that Paterno's life should not be reduced to a child molestation scandal he was 3 steps removed from (Sandusky diddled the kid, McQueary saw it, Paterno was told). Conlin's toast, member of the fraternity of sportswriters or not.

A big part of the scandal was the coverup - Paterno was not 3 steps removed from that.

35. spike Posted: December 20, 2011 at 08:14 PM (#4020411)

The big part of the scandal was the coverup

And that Paterno did little at best to prevent Sandusky from continuing his association with the University and young male children for years afterward.

36. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: December 20, 2011 at 08:16 PM (#4020416)

Crisis managers will tell you they rarely get involved on the actual event but the coverup TO an event

Then they get the panicked call

37. Barnaby Jones Posted: December 20, 2011 at 08:17 PM (#4020421)

Wile looking for confirmation of this story I found this story. Remember the Philadelphia woman who was willing to trade sex for Phillies' World Series tickets? Her case was overturned for a rather bizarre reason.

This intrigued me, so...

"The crime of attempt is subsumed in prostitution," the court's finding reads, "and inasmuch as she was acquitted of prostitution, she may not be convicted of attempt."

Wha... but.. huh?

38. Bruce Markusen Posted: December 20, 2011 at 08:22 PM (#4020426)

Putting Conlin's innocence or guilt aside, this is all just the tip of the iceberg. We're going to see more and more of these stories coming out.

I went to Fordham Prep from 1979 to 1983, and I'm just now hearing about allegations of sexual abuse by some of the teachers and the former principal at the school. I didn't see any evidence of that firsthand while I was there, but I do remember hearing about a teacher who was supposedly gay (it was an all boys school). Now I'm hearing that this teacher would rub the shoulders of some of the students. I'm not sure why this wasn't questioned at the time.

39. SouthSideRyan Posted: December 20, 2011 at 08:29 PM (#4020432)

Sandusky diddled the kid, McQueary saw it, Paterno was told

Isn't that 2 steps removed?

40. Is Zonk Vermin within the Confines? Posted: December 20, 2011 at 08:32 PM (#4020436)

Putting Conlin's innocence or guilt aside, this is all just the tip of the iceberg. We're going to see more and more of these stories coming out.

Because of Sandusky?

I'd have to check the internet, but I have a vague recollection that a fairly large religious organization has been going through -- and still continues to find ways to continue to not come clean -- similar allegations.

WTF is wrong with society?

41. Sam M. Posted: December 20, 2011 at 08:32 PM (#4020437)

Wha... but.. huh?

This is true under certain circumstances. There are certain crimes that, by the nature of the crime itself, if you even attempt them, you have actually fulfilled all the elements of the completed offense as well. In certain jurisdictions, all that is necessary for the offense of prostitution is to offer to engage in sexual acts for compensation -- so the offer is, in effect, the attempt to engage in the crime as well. If that is how the offense was defined in Philadelphia (or Pennsylvania, depending on whether this was a state law or city ordinance), a defendant could argue that once the jury acquitted her of the substantive offense, it would establish that she did not even offer (i.e., attempt) to engage in prostitution. Thus, by definition she could not have engaged even in an attempt. She wins.

Of course, that is a big if -- I don't know how the law in question defines prostitution. If it is actually engaging in sex for money, then the appeals court's decision seems a bit odd.

42. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: December 20, 2011 at 08:41 PM (#4020446)

I'd have to check the internet, but I have a vague recollection that a fairly large religious organization has been going through -- and still continues to find ways to continue to not come clean -- similar allegations.

WTF is wrong with society?

We're ###### up and prone to sin by our very natures.

The big mistake is the people who thought it was a "Catholic problem" or a "celibate priest problem". It's a human being problem. There are molesters in absolutely every walk of life, and virtually every organization has tried to protect itself from liability and reputational damage through whatever means necessary.

Hell, you're not even legally allowed to sue gov't agencies, including public schools, no matter how badly they mishandle/cover-up the abuse.

That's part of the reason attorney's focused on the Catholic Church first. But now we're seeing that the same scandal exists everywhere.

43. Gold Star - just Gold Star Posted: December 20, 2011 at 08:42 PM (#4020447)

Putting Conlin's innocence or guilt aside, this is all just the tip of the iceberg. We're going to see more and more of these stories coming out.

Yep. Just happened here in Phoenix, at a big Jesuit HS. Short version:
1. Two former students, now adult, tell the school a current teacher molested them.
2. Admin approaches teacher, who says enough to get fired.
3. Admin tells police, as it is legally bound to do.
4. Former students refuse to cooperate with police.
5. Investigation is on hold, because with no victim there's no crime.

44. Bruce Markusen Posted: December 20, 2011 at 08:43 PM (#4020448)

45. Gold Star - just Gold Star Posted: December 20, 2011 at 08:44 PM (#4020451)

ADDENDUM: Column on scandal.

46. Gold Star - just Gold Star Posted: December 20, 2011 at 08:45 PM (#4020452)

I think some of the abused have been afraid to say anything, or perhaps they thought they themselves had done something wrong.

Or, if enough time has passed, a desire to move on rather than poke at old scars.

47. Joey B. is counting the days to Trea Turner Posted: December 20, 2011 at 08:47 PM (#4020457)

Putting Conlin's innocence or guilt aside, this is all just the tip of the iceberg. We're going to see more and more of these stories coming out.

Which could be a very good thing, if guilty people get exposed. It can also be a very bad thing, if it leads to a bunch of people getting falsely accused.

It wasn't all that long ago that we went through the Wenatchee child abuse hysteria. I hope we're not seeing the start of a repeat of history.

48. aleskel

Posted: December 20, 2011 at 08:57 PM (#4020469)

We're going to see more and more of these stories coming out.

Did anyone else see the HBO Real Sports piece about Bob Hewitt (70s-era South African tennis star) who's being accused of molesting multiple pre-teen girls whom he *cough* coached? Made my skin crawl. The worst part was the interview with another South African player from the period who recalled joking with other players about Hewitt's habits. Just beyond creepy.

49. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: December 20, 2011 at 09:11 PM (#4020481)

Yes, I do think more and more stories will come out, in part because of the Sandusky and Fine situations. I think some of the abused have been afraid to say anything, or perhaps they thought they themselves had done something wrong.

These situations go beyond just priests. It's coaches and teachers, regardless of their affiliation.

Concur. We saw the wave of priest accusations when it became a big story. Now we'll see teachers, and coaches, and rabbis (there's a huge investigation of the orthodox community going on in Brooklyn right now).

Institutions protect their own, and it takes a lot of courage to speak out. It's about time we stop sweeping this under the rug.

50. Repoz

Posted: December 20, 2011 at 09:15 PM (#4020489)

We're going to see more and more of these stories coming out.

While letting us poor kids use the church's gym, our cumbumbling priest used to goose us as we would take jump shots...telling us it would make us jump higher.

Damned if he wasn't right.

51. Textbook Editor Posted: December 20, 2011 at 09:25 PM (#4020500)

And...the story of the accusations goes live.

52. Tripon Posted: December 20, 2011 at 09:26 PM (#4020501)

The Inquiry story is up.

Three women and a man say they were molested as children by Bill Conlin, a Hall of Fame baseball writer and Philadelphia Daily News columnist.

In vivid accounts, the four say Conlin groped and fondled them, and touched their genitals, in assaults in the 1970s, when they were from ages 7 to 12.

"This is a tragedy," said Kelley Blanchet, a niece of Conlin's who said he molested her when she was a child. "People have kept his secret. It's not just the victims, it's the victims' families. There were so many people who knew about this and did nothing."

Conlin retired Tuesday from the Daily News, where he had worked for more than four decades.

Through his lawyer, George Bochetto, Conlin declined to comment.

"Mr. Conlin is obviously floored by these accusations, which supposedly happened 40 years ago," Bochetto said. "He has engaged me to do everything possible to bring the facts forward to vindicate his name."

53. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: December 20, 2011 at 09:31 PM (#4020509)

If the actions were true, sounds like Conlin was a true pedophile, rather than a ephebophile (preference for adolescents).

Most of the abuse cases which are termed pedophilia are actually ephebophilia (victims in the ~11-16 range, whether they be priests preying on altar boys, or school teachers preying on students.

54. Bourbon Samurai stays in the fight Posted: December 20, 2011 at 09:40 PM (#4020516)

Whoa, that's real bad.

55. Textbook Editor Posted: December 20, 2011 at 09:41 PM (#4020517)

The article is pretty detailed. This will not end well for Mr. Conlin, I think--this isn't just one person and the people in question provided videotaped testimony last year (i.e., way before the Penn State thing broke) in an attempt to bring charges where the abuse happened (in NJ), but the law providing no statute of limitations for such charges (enacted in 1996) wasn't retroactive, so ultimately no charges could not be filed.

So it would seem unless more recent things come to light that Conlin won't be charged for these specific accusations, but this could just be the tip of the iceberg.

But the guy's reputation is toast. Not that he had much of one around here to begin with, of course...

56. asinwreck Posted: December 20, 2011 at 09:44 PM (#4020520)

Nastiest 70s baseball columnist this side of Dick Young turns out to be an unfortunate play on the other guy's name. Who knew?

57. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: December 20, 2011 at 09:46 PM (#4020522)

So it would seem unless more recent things come to light that Conlin won't be charged for these specific accusations, but this could just be the tip of the iceberg.

Unless there was a cover-up. I think a cover-up extends the statute of limitations, as the crime is considered to be ongoing.

But, i could be mistaken. IANAL.

58. Bob Tufts Posted: December 20, 2011 at 09:46 PM (#4020523)

I'm really upset that "South Park" is missing this, Kim Jong Il's death and Tim Tebow.

59. bob gee Posted: December 20, 2011 at 09:46 PM (#4020524)

ugh. worse than i would have imagined. abuse is so terrible...

60. jwb Posted: December 20, 2011 at 09:57 PM (#4020529)

"Nobody called the cops," said Healey, now 44, a mother of three, and a corporate sales executive. "Everyone went back to living their lives.

Exactly the behavior Conlin described in his column on Sandusky.

61. Is Zonk Vermin within the Confines? Posted: December 20, 2011 at 09:59 PM (#4020533)

A newspaper article isn't a prosecution -- and apparently, PA law and the statute of limitations mean that Conlin can't be prosecuted anyway -- but the accusations are pretty detailed, confirmed up and down the line (i.e., parents backing up now-adult children's stories) and varied.

Since there will be no trial, I guess my court of public opinion vote is "guilty".

62. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:02 PM (#4020536)

"Nobody called the cops," said Healey, now 44, a mother of three, and a corporate sales executive. "Everyone went back to living their lives.

Exactly the behavior Conlin described in his column on Sandusky.

It's really shocking. You'd think if someone did that to your kid, you'd be outside his house with torches and pitchforks.

63. PerroX Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:05 PM (#4020540)

It's really shocking. You'd think if someone did that to your kid, you'd be outside his house with torches and pitchforks.

Burn, RCC, burn.

64. The Yankee Clapper Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:07 PM (#4020543)

There is considerable detail in the story, and contemporaneous corroboration from parents and others who were told at the time but apparently didn't realize the scope of the activity and didn't do much about it other than chastize Conlin and avoid him. There is a reason for statutes of limitations, even in cases like this, but if Conlin has a defense for the court of public opinion, he better be quick.

65. PerroX Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:08 PM (#4020544)

Yes, there are child molestors everywhere, but not every institution defends its employees to the hilt and doesn't see any problem with doing so.

66. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:11 PM (#4020547)

So it would seem unless more recent things come to light that Conlin won't be charged for these specific accusations, but this could just be the tip of the iceberg.

If it's not the tip of the iceberg, you have to view Conlin in an infinitely more favorable light than Sandusky. Imagine a guy spending 40 years with impulses to do this sort of thing, impulses as strong as most people have toward adults of the opposite sex, and not acting on them.

Back in the mid-70s Conlin wasn't any sort of powerful figure who would have had an institution backing him up, he was just a beat writer. Not yet a columnist. No TV appearances I believe. But it was still totally hushed up.

67. spike Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:13 PM (#4020552)

Pretty hard to imagine someone just quitting this kind of thing cold turkey.

68. PerroX Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:14 PM (#4020554)

Did you read the article, CA? There is no ####### favorable light.

69. Morty Causa Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:15 PM (#4020556)

Whole bunch of men who thought they got away with it... they didn't. I wonder how many victims have decided to track down their abusers.

Are we now presuming that every guy who gets accused of molestation is guilty, even if he never gets charged with anything?

Yes, let's not forget that there is a lot of lying and misremembering by accusers, too. (30, 40 years ago?) A whole lot of work in psychology has been done in this area. To begin with, your member isn't what you think it is . Let's not forget the McMartin scandal. I'm surprised at how many people here are so eager to sign up for the Insane Clown Lynch Party.

70. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:16 PM (#4020559)

It's easy to imagine. "How guilty will I feel after doing this?" "Oh god, incredibly guilty. This isn't worth it."

And obviously since these parents confronted him at the time, he realized it was harder than he'd thought to keep it a secret.

71. Is Zonk Vermin within the Confines? Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:16 PM (#4020560)

There is considerable detail in the story, and contemporaneous corroboration from parents and others who were told at the time but apparently didn't realize the scope of the activity and didn't do much about it other than chastize Conlin and avoid him. There is a reason for statutes of limitations, even in cases like this, but if Conlin has a defense for the court of public opinion, he better be quick.

The story by the father of the NJ prosecutor (one of the victims) is probably how most of it went... She came home and told the folks, the father (brother-in-law to Conlin, incidentally) went over to Conlin's ready to kick his ass. Conlin started crying and swore up-and-down he "just touched her leg". As the guy said - once Conlin started crying, "the fight went out of him" -- and he left it at "don't ever come around my home or my daughter again."

72. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:16 PM (#4020561)

HAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH!! fat idiot.

73. Gold Star - just Gold Star Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:18 PM (#4020564)

McMartin was the work of overzealous prosecutors coaching children, toddlers even, to produce the desired results. (The prosecutors can go DIAF, too.)

What's happening now are adults stepping forward with no prompting, and for an uncertain outcome.

74. Srul Itza Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:28 PM (#4020570)

To begin with, your member isn't what you think it is

This is the worst possible thread for this kind of typo.

75. PerroX Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:32 PM (#4020575)

Before you go after the victims as false memory cases, read the ####### story. It's not one kid vaguely remembering Uncle Bill giving her a shoulder rub. And you wonder why people generally don't report things like this?

76. Srul Itza Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:35 PM (#4020579)

Imagine a guy spending 40 years with impulses to do this sort of thing, impulses as strong as most people have toward adults of the opposite sex, and not acting on them.

I'll imagine it when I have reason to believe this is the scenario. I think it is far more likely that this is only the start of the revelations. Others who also suffered in silence are likely to come forward.

EDIT: If Conlin did, in fact, quit "cold turkey," either because of his own conscience or the effect of the parents telling him he needed to stop, that would be noteworthy, because it is just so uncommon.

I'm surprised at how many people here are so eager to sign up for the Insane Clown Lynch Party.

Right. All of the kids, who are now adults and came forward on their own, and all of their parents who corroborate their stories, are suffering from some false memory phenomenon.

Compared to you, Poz makes sense.

77. Morty Causa Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:37 PM (#4020586)

What's happening now are adults stepping forward with no prompting, and for an uncertain outcome.

Yeah, there's always a passionate reason to put reason to one side and just take people's assertions on faith.

It wasn't, and it isn't, just McMartin's prosecutors. It was an entire way of eliciting evidence that has been exploded as little more than a canard.

But, even if you're right, that still doesn't justify going off the deep end, as too many here are always too willing to do in these cases.

This is the worst possible thread for this kind of typo.

And vice versa.. :>/.

78. Morty Causa Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:38 PM (#4020588)

Before you go after the victims as false memory cases, read the ####### story. It's not one kid vaguely remembering Uncle Bill giving her a shoulder rub. And you wonder why people generally don't report things like this?

I read the ####### story. Why don't you wait for the ####### evidence and trial before you slap your mule on the ass and take off hellbent for leather.

Edit for typos.

79. Morty Causa Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:40 PM (#4020589)

Right. All of the kids, who are now adults and came forward on their own, and all of their parents who corroborate their stories, are suffering from some false memory phenomenon.

I'm not referring to them. I'm referring to you.

80. Johnny Sycophant-Laden Fora Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:44 PM (#4020593)

Imagine a guy spending 40 years with impulses to do this sort of thing, impulses as strong as most people have toward adults of the opposite sex, and not acting on them.

Sure, he can have his effing impulses and jack off in the shower (alone) for 40 years.

81. Morty Causa Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:45 PM (#4020594)

Your memory isn't what you think it is.

All of a sudden, now, everyone here wants to take the press at its word--as if it's Gospel. When did that conversion take place?

82. Gold Star - just Gold Star Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:46 PM (#4020595)

Upon second thought, never mind.

83. Misirlou cut his hair and moved to Rome Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:53 PM (#4020602)

To begin with, your member isn't what you think it is

This is the worst possible thread for this kind of typo.

I was going to make a similar comment about the acronym in # 57

84. PerroX Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:53 PM (#4020604)

Morty - your reason isn't what you think it is, either.

85. Morty Causa Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:57 PM (#4020607)

Is that support for a lynching, too?

86. Rafael Bellylard: The Grinch of Orlando. Posted: December 20, 2011 at 10:58 PM (#4020608)

Think I might schedule this Sunday's Sports Reporters on the DVR.

87. Fancy Pants Handle struck out swinging Posted: December 20, 2011 at 11:08 PM (#4020614)

Yes, let's not forget that there is a lot of lying and misremembering by accusers, too. (30, 40 years ago?) A whole lot of work in psychology has been done in this area. To begin with, your member isn't what you think it is .

Well, that was Freudian.

EDIT: I see, I came too late.

88. Guapo Posted: December 20, 2011 at 11:08 PM (#4020615)

Why don't you wait for the ####### evidence and trial

Because there isn't going to be one. We can wait for Conlin's side of the story, though.

But assuming he denies everything- we're left to try and figure out why all these adults would concoct an elaborate web of stories depicting Conlin as a child molester 30 years ago. It's difficult to come up with a plausible scenario.

89. Bernal Diaz has an angel on his shoulder Posted: December 20, 2011 at 11:10 PM (#4020616)

I didn't see anyone calling for lynching. What would these people have to gain by coming out now if he stories weren't true?

90. Fred Garvin is dead to Mug Posted: December 20, 2011 at 11:10 PM (#4020617)

To begin with, your member isn't what you think it is .

This is the worst possible thread for this kind of typo.

RDF

91. Morty Causa Posted: December 20, 2011 at 11:15 PM (#4020622)

88:

LOL. You're not left to do anything. In fact, who are you to be doing anything--to feel that you should decide the merits of claims from a story in the press? Are you serious? What you can do, if you really feel you need to say something about this at this time show a measured response. What a concept.

I didn't see anyone calling for lynching. What would these people have to gain by coming out now if he stories weren't true?

What?

92. a bebop a rebop Posted: December 20, 2011 at 11:17 PM (#4020623)

To begin with, your member isn't what you think it is .

This is a bad typo.

EDIT: cokes all around.

93. Captain Joe Bivens, Pointless and Wonderful Posted: December 20, 2011 at 11:18 PM (#4020624)

Well, he IS resigning. That makes you wonder, no?

94. Tom is a Doofwongle Posted: December 20, 2011 at 11:18 PM (#4020626)

Morty, whats with the defensive attitude?

Taking the press at their word? When they have multiple corroborated accounts of many different incidents I do take the press at their word. This is an award winning investigative reporter doing her job by the book. If this is made up then she just destroyed her career. There is no rumors or innuendo, this is a story with hard facts.

Nobody is talking lynching but they can discredit the guy all they want. A public figure is subject to trial by public opinion.

Your attitude is disturbing to me in that it implies you feel he should not be criticized short of a trial. Why would someone without their own secrets feel that way?

95. Captain Joe Bivens, Pointless and Wonderful Posted: December 20, 2011 at 11:19 PM (#4020628)

92...you came too late, too.

96. Is Zonk Vermin within the Confines? Posted: December 20, 2011 at 11:20 PM (#4020630)

Imagine a guy spending 40 years with impulses to do this sort of thing, impulses as strong as most people have toward adults of the opposite sex, and not acting on them.

Sure, he can have his effing impulses and jack off in the shower (alone) for 40 years.

This.

I mean - I have various impulses --- some illegal, like beating the crap out of certain co-workers, others perfectly legal but not fulfilled nearly as often as I'd like.

I expect no medals, positive comparisons to rapists/prostitution johns/etc because I've managed to suppress these impulses completely... not diddling children as often as you'd like isn't enough to get you in the door of a civilized, functioning society.

This is Homer Simpson level "Where's my Nobel Prize?" thinking.

97. SoSHially Unacceptable Posted: December 20, 2011 at 11:21 PM (#4020631)

Morty, whats with the defensive attitude?

Particularly since Conlin's never even made any good movies.

98. Fred Garvin is dead to Mug Posted: December 20, 2011 at 11:24 PM (#4020634)

In fact, who are you to be doing anything--to feel that you should decide the merits of claims from a story in the press?

Doesn't the public be do this for every story in the news of any nature?

99. Tripon Posted: December 20, 2011 at 11:27 PM (#4020636)

Imagine a guy spending 40 years with impulses to do this sort of thing, impulses as strong as most people have toward adults of the opposite sex, and not acting on them.

Sure, he can have his effing impulses and jack off in the shower (alone) for 40 years.

There's no evidence that Conlin stopped, just that he stopped abusing these particular kids. In the next couple weeks and months, we're probably going to hear about his latest escapades with the younglings.

100. ?Donde esta Dagoberto Campaneris? Posted: December 20, 2011 at 11:28 PM (#4020637)

Particularly since Conlin's never even made any good movies.

I was waiting for that one.

It does seem reasonable to at least wait until Conlin responds before assuming too much. But it's tough to see what he would say that would make this look much better. I suppose he could explain some grand conspiracy and give reasons for it, but uhh, this looks pretty bad. Short of an extraordinary back story, it looks like someone may need a genital tasing. Or 12 million of them.

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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Deadspin: Legendary Columnist Bill Conlin Resigns Over Forthcoming Philly Inquirer Bombshell

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