36 Comments
User's avatar
Maggie JK's avatar

The most interesting part of this specific topic, to me, is that they submitted them believing they would be under seal. It’s terrifying to me, as a previous victim/witness in a felony case, that medical records (for example) submitted under seal could just be made public if the judge feels like it.

I had no idea this could happen and it’s shocking and extremely important for people to take note of, in case they ever find themselves in a courtroom for anything.

Expand full comment
Tana Ganeva's avatar

That's a great point.

Expand full comment
Rachael A Horning's avatar

Once again, thank you for getting at the fundamental question at the heart of it: 2 things can be true at once, NOTHING is binary and humans are in fact actually capable of conceiving of a better system than continuing to expand this monstrous punishment bureaucracy.

🖤

Expand full comment
The Heart of Everything's avatar

Masterson "appears to have done" wasn't he found guilty . . . is that in doubt?

Expand full comment
LetThereBeLight's avatar

PR flub? Watch some of the out-of-Scientology YouTubers who will prove to anyone willing to see it how much the couple accepted or excused Masterson’s vile behavior and how much of a victim 14-year-old Mila was herself.

Expand full comment
Tana Ganeva's avatar

So then why are people piling onto her?

Expand full comment
LetThereBeLight's avatar

Oh, that's an easy one. Because she is a grown adult who is now hurting victims herself, by not believing women she personally knew, whose testimony held up in court and a jury believed.

Expand full comment
RMS's avatar

she's not disbelieving anyone. Read the post

Expand full comment
LetThereBeLight's avatar

I'm talking about Mila and Ashton. Did you read their letters? Let's look at some excerpts of how they described a man who drugged and raped multiple women.

Ashton:

"As a role model, Danny has consistently been an excellent one."

" He also set an extraordinary standard around how you treat other people."

"He has always treated people with decency, equality, and generosity."

"While I'm aware that the judgment has been cast as guilty on two counts of rape by force and the victims have a great desire for justice. I hope that my testament to his character is taken into consideration in sentencing. I do not believe he is an ongoing harm to society..."

Mila:

"One of the most remarkable aspects of Danny's character is his unwavering commitment to discouraging the use of drugs."

"Danny's steadfastness in promoting a drug-free lifestyle has been a guiding light..."

"His genuine concern for those around him and his commitment to leading by example make him an outstanding role model and friend."

"As a father, he leads by example, instilling in (his daughter) values that reflect integrity, compassion, and respect for others."

"Danny has consistently displayed a profound sense of responsibility and care for those around him. He demonstrates grace and empathy in every situation, be it within the entertainment industry or in our personal lives."

"In conclusion, I wholeheartedly vouch for Danny Masterson's exceptional character and the tremendous positive influence he has had on me and the people around him. His dedication to leading a drug-free life and the genuine care he extends to others makes him an outstanding role model and friend. Please feel free to reach out if you require any further information or clarification."

Honey, people are reaching out. You're experiencing the reach-out. Enjoy.

Expand full comment
Rachael A Horning's avatar

Tana: take a break for an hour and listen, you deserve some good news...the Colorado Dept of Corrections just opened a new facility in January based in the Norwegian model; there is some serious hope...https://spotify.link/RPhqTzG75Cb

Expand full comment
MHKhan7's avatar

I would pushback against the notion that SVU is unable to solve cases due to being understaffed.

https://theappeal.org/law-and-order-svu-mariska-hargitay-nypd-special-victims/

Expand full comment
Frank's avatar

So you think the sentence for drugging and raping multiple women is too long?

FYI: Rape is on par with murder.

If people don't want to get dragged online, maybe don't defend rapists.

Expand full comment
Tana Ganeva's avatar

Having been raped I can assure you, I'm glad I wasn't murdered.

Expand full comment
RMS's avatar

they weren't defending a rapist, they were advocating for a lighter sentence. And rape is not on par with murder

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment removed
Sep 11, 2023
Comment removed
Expand full comment
Tana Ganeva's avatar

This asshole got a 30-year sentence, publicly shamed, etc. How would it even be possible to be harsher than this outcome?

Expand full comment
Bill Jackson Jr's avatar

What’s “insane” about three decades in prison for a serial rapist?

Expand full comment
Monica French's avatar

Very well written and excellent points. My first conviction was for possession with intent to deliver. I was 22, never been in trouble, and my co-defendant/boyfriend was 18. We were given $1 million bail each. We were basically forced to plead guilty. My lawyer put it like this: you either plead guilty and go home this week or you fight these charges, sit in jail for two years until you have your trial, and end up with a state sentence (maximum over 23 months) for insisting to go to trial. How is that justice? They’re completely trampling over our Constitutional rights. At the time I was young, desperate to get out of prison, and ready to get my next fix so I took the deal. I ended up being on probation/parole for eight years, which set me up for the revolving door of county jail. Side note: I just got denied for a job that wanted a recovering addict (I have 13 years clean from heroin) because of that possession with intent to deliver marijuana & LSD charge from 18 years ago. Our system is shameful and Americans should be outraged, but they don’t care about this issue unless it happens to them or someone they love. Thanks for your wonderful work, Tana!

Expand full comment
Angella d'Avignon's avatar

What I want to know is why Ashton calls Danny his mentor but the former is not a scientologist while the latter is? Are scientologists allowed to be friends with non-clear people? I sound like a conspiracy theorist but it’s a real question!

Expand full comment
Don'tBlameTheDog's avatar

Being a celebrity must suck on so many levels.

Expand full comment
Tana Ganeva's avatar

I mean yeah. People are understandably like "world's smallest violin" but I briefly dated someone semi-famous and their life, was, every 5 seconds a stranger came up and said/asked the same thing as the last one. The money seems nice but real fame seems awful.

Expand full comment
Rachael A Horning's avatar

Tana: take a break for an hour and listen, you deserve some good news...the Colorado Dept of Corrections just opened a new facility in January based in the Norwegian model; there is some serious hope...https://spotify.link/RPhqTzG75Cb

Expand full comment
RMS's avatar

yet another example of the internet completely missing the point. It's a wonder these people don't choke on their toothbrush every morning

Expand full comment
LetThereBeLight's avatar

What point did We miss? I'll be playing The Internet this morning.

Expand full comment
Guy Hamilton-Smith's avatar

It's a similar kind of sentiment that saw the recall of Judge Aaron Pesky in the Brock Turner case which resulted in decades more years of incarceration for largely black and brown bodies. We want to ramp up punitively and pretend that does something other than compound entrenched societal problems.

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment removed
Sep 10, 2023
Comment removed
Expand full comment
Guy Hamilton-Smith's avatar

Name a societal problem we’ve solved through incarcerating people.

Expand full comment
Maggie JK's avatar

Well the pedos who can’t control their deviant sexual urges can’t molest kids when they are incarcerated, but otherwise, yeah.

Expand full comment
Guy Hamilton-Smith's avatar

And yet we haven’t solved the problem of child sexual abuse. Probably because most cases of CSA aren’t perpetrated by someone diagnostic for pedophilia, and nearly all cases that are reported aren’t attributable to someone with a record of offending.

Expand full comment
Judy Mernit's avatar

This. So much this. It’s often the whole point of this Substack. And for that I am grateful.

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment removed
Sep 10, 2023
Comment removed
Expand full comment
Guy Hamilton-Smith's avatar

Lady, you replied to me. If you didn’t want me to respond, I’m not sure what to tell you. That’s how this works.

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment removed
Sep 10, 2023
Comment removed
Expand full comment
Guy Hamilton-Smith's avatar

Are you actually interested in a response, or are you more interested in feeling superior?

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment removed
Sep 11, 2023
Comment removed
Expand full comment
Erik Paulson's avatar

How about police do a better job of catching these people! 30% clearance rate is abysmal and the pukes in blue still get all the glory

Expand full comment
Maggie JK's avatar

They don’t even try most of the time. That’s why there are (or used to be?) so many unprocessed rape kits.

Expand full comment