Were any 'victims' getting paid for their 'stories' ?

I disengage, I turn the page.

From memory the alleged rape victim reported it to a rape crisis centre who then alerted the police. No journalist would risk publishing something like this without thorough verification. Their employer would insist on it because they risk a lot if they don’t. Claims for defamation both for slander and libel could result in huge awards. For that reason alone there must be a reasonable presumption of truth.

Evidence has to be assessed for reliability. Unsupported accusations are not evidence. Accusations with support are, but they must still be tested and either accepted or rejected. That’s what due process does.

Should Brand be prosecuted, which seems likely, and be found not guilty, then his career would benefit considerably. Books and films would be made about it. Even if he is found guilty I suspect that his fan base will keep in a style most of us can only dream about, once he has served any time given to him. He is already crying that this is a conspiracy by the MSM. The next thing will be that it’s a “witch-hunt”. Now where have we heard that before?

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

Perhaps but how many people are?.....That doesn't stop different types of treatment.

Brand's Youtube channel has over six and a half million subscribers. When it comes to putting out information he reaches a considerable number of people.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

You can think this is entirely organic if you wish, however I politely disagree.

When it comes to famous individuals willing to be anti elite with big audiences...they are few and far between....and even if it's 1/12 the UK population that's much more than tune into say Sunak's videos. So I don't agree with your contention that people like him are ignored.

I can point to the evidence of say how people like Lennon and various other public figures of the past were treated by intelligence and other services and they had no means of directly addressing the public through social media like they do today.

There is a value in them damaging Brand as it serves as a warning for anti elite content in general.....which they look for restrict anyway they can.

What exactly do they lose?

Edited by Stirlingsays (18 Sep 2023 10.28pm)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

You misread

I said it’s not 1/12 of the population. YouTube is international. His 6 million following also won’t be regular viewers, some will be bots, just like all youtubers. His actual UK based core following will be far lower than 6 million. And also a big majority of those will not be political, they’ll be people following him for advice about beating addiction etc. Overstating

Again, you are over inflating his political relevance and impact simply because of your anti-elite beliefs

And if you’re comparing brand to Lennon - or any other actually notable public political figures of the past you’ve lost the plot

Brand is small fry. Maybe not in your world, but in the big wide one, he’s no longer as relevant or as visible as he once was.

On ignored - he’s not even big enough to be ignored.

Edited by SW19 CPFC (18 Sep 2023 10.53pm)

Did you know? 98.0000001% of people are morons.

I think you are incorrect if you think Brand and his opinions aren't known by considerably more than you think. He's been a public figure for decades. Your views on his reach are purely conjecture. One minute I'm being told that Brand is making millions spreading lies and the next you're telling me he's irrelevant and makes no impact.

I also once again stress that someone like Lennon did not have access to a platform like today. If you think that nothing is going on and it's all organic you are certainly entitled to your opinion.

You think I'm over inflating his political relevance due to being anti-elite?....Well, I'm certainly anti neo liberal and low quality elites yeah....for sure....However, I'm not anti elites who are actually competent and have the best interests of those they rule over....but that's a side point.

Once again I'll make the point that well known public figures who come out as anti elite are few and far between. The regular action taken against seemingly all of them tends towards my suspicions rather than yours.

You think I've lost the plot? Perhaps or perhaps you are slightly naive and as I pointed out, the past reveals that projects against public figures have been a constant, not a fantasy.

Edited by Stirlingsays (18 Sep 2023 11.20pm)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)