Dear Tell All: I am outraged by your response to "A Chauvinist Pig, Apparently," who believes Woody Allen did not sexually abuse his daughter Dylan. You said that "Allen was never charged with a crime, much less convicted, so he deserves the presumption of innocence."
Sure, you go out of your way to give Allen the benefit of the doubt, but what about Dylan Farrow? Doesn't she deserve similar consideration for her horrifying story of a father who molested her at age 7?
And what about Dylan's mother, Mia Farrow? She has been slandered in the press by Allen, who accuses her of manipulating Dylan's memories. Shouldn't she get a presumption of innocence as well?
I know Woody Allen did it. There's little doubt he's guilty of abuse, because survivors rarely lie. Everything we know about human nature suggests that Allen is lashing out at Mia and Dylan Farrow to take the heat off himself. How the public can keep going to his movies, and actors can keep appearing in them, is a mystery to me.
Sickened
Dear Sickened: I've received a lot of hate mail just for saying that, in the absence of a trial, Woody Allen "deserves the presumption of innocence." But what's the alternative -- tar-and-feathering him based on semi-informed hunches?
You have to admit that Allen brings forth substantial evidence in his defense, including the conclusion of an investigative team employed by the Connecticut police: "It is our expert opinion that Dylan was not sexually abused by Mr. Allen." Then there's the testimony of Allen's son Moses: "Of course Woody did not molest my sister…. She never hid from him until our mother succeeded in creating the atmosphere of fear and hate towards him."
Yes, it's possible that Allen did it. But can't we admit that we don't really know? And that we probably never will unless Allen is brought to trial? At this point, Sickened, you're simply taking sides in a celebrity family feud.
I stand by my original advice to Chauvinist Pig: Change the subject and get on with your life.
Do you have a question about life or love in Madison? Write Tell All, 101 King St., Madison, WI 53703. Or email tellall@isthmus.com.
