Parker: No, Bill Cosby, it’s not time for you to go on tour
Say it ain’t so, Mr. Bill. Days after a judge declared a mistrial for a criminal sex assault case against Bill Cosby, his camp announced the comedian will conduct a series of town hall speaking engagements to educate “married men” and others about the risks of getting accused of sexual assault, according to his spokesman, Andrew Wyatt.
Wyatt told Good Day Alabama, Cosby “wants to get back to work.”
“We’re now planning town halls and we’re going to be coming to this city [Birmingham] sometime in July … to talk to young people because this is bigger than Bill Cosby,” Wyatt said.
The Cosby entourage noted that allegations “can affect any young person, especially young athletes of today, and they need to know what they’re facing when they’re hanging out and partying, when they’re doing certain things that they shouldn’t be doing,” Wyatt said. “And it also affects married men.”
With more than 50 women queued as Cosby accusers, now, or make that never, seems like an appropriate time for the comedian to start spouting thoughts about unfair treatment.
Women have accused Cosby of drugging then sexually assaulting them. Andrea Constand, an alleged victim and former Temple University employee, said Cosby committed this against her although a jury failed to convict.
Camille Cosby, the comedian’s wife, offered this statement, via a publicist.
“How do I describe the District Attorney? Heinously and exploitively ambitious.
How do I describe the judge? Overtly and arrogantly collaborating with the District Attorney.
How do I describe the counsels for the accusers? Totally unethical.
How do I describe many, but not all, general media? Blatantly vicious entities that continually
Cosby should rethink this speaking tour. Go home and spend time in a garden or just stay out of sight for a while.
disseminated intentional omissions of truths for the primary purpose of greedily selling sensationalism at the expense of a human life.
Historically, people have challenged injustices.
I am grateful to any of the jurors who tenaciously fought to review the evidence; which is the rightful way to make a sound decision .... ultimately, that is a manifestation of justice, based on facts, not lies.
As a very special friend once stated, “truth can be subdued, but not destroyed.”
Moreover, I express humongous gratitude to counselors Brian McMonagle and Angela Agrusa for their hard work. Mr. McMonagle for his passionate and powerful articulations of truths; Ms. Agrusa for her thorough research to bolster Counsel McMonagle; to Mr. Andrew Wyatt for his unequivocal skills in public relations; to our team, who worked diligently and intelligently; to our staffs for their continuous commitment to our family and me .... and to our children, grandchildren, and other family who loves us...and to our dear friends and supporters, who never gave up on us, despite it all.”
Montgomery County prosecutors said they intend to retry Cosby.
Cosby should rethink this speaking tour. Go home and spend time in a garden or just stay out of sight for a while.
This defiant behavior plays out as an “in your face” gambit that will do more harm than good. Come on, Bill.
Stay home.
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Reach him at laparker@trentonian.com. Follow him on Twitter@ laparker6.