Big Ben goes free... again.

[dimbee]

She basically got Raped twice. Once by him the other by his lawyer.

Based upon what exactly? That the POLICE aren't pressing charges?

[carolinanimal]

Physical evidence can prove sex, not rape. The only other physical evidence there might be is bruising, which sometimes is there and sometimes is not. Nearly all rape cases come down to "he said, she said". For that reason, rape is a very difficult crime to prosecute.

In Ben's case, he's a famous guy in a small town. And it was reported that the officers "investigating" the case asked if they could have their picture taken with him. Does that sound like objectivity to you?

My personal opinion: He's guilty in both cases. It's my opinion, and as such, just as valid as yours. You have as much proof that he didn't do it as I have that he did. We just interpret what we know differently. As to the legal side, like I said, I know a thing or two about how difficult it is to prove rape.

And yes, not only did I know a rape victim, I married one. My ex-wife was a victim prior to our meeting. She even had a witness, but chose not to pursue it because she know what would happen in a trial. It's something she'll have to live with the rest of her life, and I have the memory of her crying all night because we ran into the guy that did it one day.

i am sorry to hear that. but it does go both ways i had a family member accused of raping his girlfriend and go to jail. she had did it because she was a evil jealous harlot.

[Mr. Scot]

i am sorry to hear that. but it does go both ways i had a family member accused of raping his girlfriend and go to jail. she had did it because she was a evil jealous harlot.

And I know someone who was falsely accused as well. I agree it goes both ways.

Sadly, I also know someone who I believed was falsely accused, only to later learn he was actually guilty (and he'd been a good friend till then)

In the case of Roethlisberger, I believe he's guilty, but he'll likely get away with it. He'll probably be sued though, and this incident will make his first case tougher to win as well. In addition, he could face league discipline.

Whether ir not he's a rapist though, I think it can be established with some clarity that he's both an a$$hole and an idiot.

[carolinanimal]

And I know someone who was falsely accused as well. I agree it goes both ways.

Sadly, I also know someone who I believed was falsely accused, only to later learn he was actually guilty (and he'd been a good friend till then)

In the case of Roethlisberger, I believe he's guilty, but he'll likely get away with it. He'll probably be sued though, and this incident will make his first case tougher to win as well. In addition, he could face league discipline.

Whether ir not he's a rapist though, I think it can be established with some clarity that he's both an a$$hole and an idiot.

that is true! it is still unclear to me if they are accusing him of rape or sexual assault. fondling a woman can be sexual assault but is not rape.

[Pumpkin King]

Boo to Big Ben being at the top of the page for the Panther forum. :nonod:

[bleys]

Ben has an uphill climb with this 2nd one.. if he gets out of it and he has a problem, it will surface again.. let's hope if he's guilty, justice reigns.

The justice system is a scale and whoever piles more money up wins.. but that isn't always the case... OJ got off, Ben got off.. Race is only something racists witness..

Is he a thug yet or does that only apply to black people?

it applies to guilty parties.. white, black, yellow, blue..

Can't wait to see who he molest/rapes/sexually assaults next.

2 women, 2 cases, 2 Superbowls...

This guy is amazing. 3rd time's a charm. Let's see what happens.

not necessarily.. Michael Jackson has proven that..

----------

and on a final note,

2pac went to jail for a rape he did not commit. The woman set him up and even sodomized him that night at a club. So there are evil women out there and there are evil men...

why must we label and shove situations into a box? do we feel more comfortable with this systematic approach?

[King Taharqa]

Is he a thug yet or does that only apply to black people?

"Thug" is what white people call young black athletes that they hate. Big Ben isnt a black athlete. No dice.

[Wither]

"Thug" is what white people call young black athletes that they hate. Big Ben isnt a black athlete. No dice.

This has truth to it, but I don't think that many people on this board are like that.

[Snake]

Based upon what exactly? That the POLICE aren't pressing charges?

May have not been enough evidence but there was a reason he has had two sexual assault charger on him in 6 months. There is also a reason he hired Ray Lewis old lawyer. Still if the glove dose not fit right?

[bleys]

"Thug" is what white people call young black athletes that they hate. Big Ben isnt a black athlete. No dice.

I will give you that.. people who are racist, or judge a black person and call them thug is fairly common.

you never did get back to me on my question when you called me racist and have never met me. You read that I didn't want Vick as a QB due to his lack of skill and called me a very insulting term like you know me.

you throw around words like they mean nothing... perhaps you aren't familiar with their definitions and that people are hurt by your ignorant comments. you gather all white people up in a box and label them. You do not have to know them, to know them isn't your goal. You see a white person and label them racist automatically on this forum...

you, of all people (who claim to be up to date with racism in America today), should understand how it feels to be hated on because of the color of your skin.

I'm white and I feel I've been insulted by you on several occasions for only being white. how in the hell do you rationalize this ignorance?

[top dawg]

Basically, I believe that the DA in this conservative, mostly white, southern town, of which I am somewhat familiar as I lived in GA, and went to school up the road a piece. I know that the DA would have loved to stick it Big Ben (the now "Hollywood", northern, big city type) for assaulting one of their own, IF HE BELIEVED HE WAS GUILTY, and had the collaborating evidence. So people can believe what they want. Basically the evidence did not support the girl's story.

I sense some Steeler hatorade.

[pantherj]

"Thug, a criminal, who treats others violently and roughly, especially for hire. Often a member of a gang, as an enforcer in organized crime."

Ben is an idiot, but not a thug. If he's convicted, then I'll refer to him as a rapist.

Black athletes are sometimes called thugs by racists, but also by non-racists. Let's say a black athlete makes a rap album, and in it he says "I'm a thug for life". He buys a gold medalion that reads "THUG". His liscense plate reads "THUG4LIFE". Some of his friends are real thugs. One of his heros is the fictional thug from 'Scarface' Tony Montana. Then some non-racist white guy says "I think that guy is a thug." No sh!t? He may not actually be a thug, but is it a shock that he was refered to as one?

Real racists are frightening people. The Nazis, the KKK, Neo-Nazis ect. They don't just mutter "thug" when they see a black athlete who they don't like on tv. Racists are much worse than that, so I think we should all be careful with that word. I'm not saying that all racists are on the level of Hitler, but we should all use caution before throwing out that label.

[Mr. Scot]

"Rapist" has a lot worse connotation than "thug".

If you believe Roethlisberger is guilty, then what he's done is worse than just about anyone in recent years outside of Rae Carruth.

As despicable as Michael Vick's crimes were, you'd have to say raping one woman - let alone two - is worse. You could make an argument that what Roethlisberger did was worse than even Donte Stallworth and Leonard Little. Yes, their actions resulted in the deaths of two people, but those were accidents. While horribly irresponsible, they were not intentional. It's impossible to describe rape as anything but intentional.

So again, if Ben is guilty, he's way worse than a "thug".

[capfolly]

I just want a fair playing field for all. Roger Godell having a 2 time accussed sexual deviant, as well as a bad cyclist, hurts the image of the league last time I checked. He deserves to be suspended at least 1 game for this. I don't think that Roger Goodell is a racist( from someone who's black and Puerto Rican) but the longer this situation lasts the more favoritism seems to be projected towards white, high profile players from high profile teams( see how quickly Jake Delhomme would hav been suspended had he done it here). And if he thinks the players don't see this and talk amongst themselves about it he's being foolish.