Today hasn’t been such a great day for feminism. Now that Rolling Stone’s heavily touted article purportedly exposing a gang rape at UVA has been shot full of holes, Our Ladies of the Perpetually Outraged are beside themselves looking for ways to keep the dubious rape narrative alive.
Feminists are making impressive Kamikaze attacks on intellectual honesty right now: https://t.co/Yi9sQywffO
— ¡El Sooopèrr! ن c137 (@SooperMexican) December 5, 2014
One of these angry gals is the charming Melissa McEwan, who, according to her Twitter bio, is “proprietor of Shakesville, a progressive feminist blog and a community of teaspoon-wielding badasses who expect more.” Apparently one of the things she doesn’t expect is for rape accusers to be completely honest:
https://twitter.com/shakestweetz/status/540939911256637440
Oof.
https://twitter.com/Shakestweetz/status/540960524323000320
https://twitter.com/Shakestweetz/status/540961272939175938
Actually, the point is that when it comes to accusing someone else of rape — of any crime — facts are pretty darn important. Needless to say, McEwan’s logic didn’t go over terribly well with people who aren’t complete idiots:
We've reached peak https://t.co/rT7aWjCiLx
— Thankful Muppet Energy (Sunny) (@sunnyright) December 5, 2014
I cannot force my mind into a state where this could be seen as a coherent statement: https://t.co/sjlOQR8t3s #YeGods
— Dodd (@Amuk3) December 5, 2014
Wait!!! This wasn't parody!?! Holy crap… Thanks for my initial guffaw anyways@Shakestweetz
— PissedOffPeasant (@mikepfingston2) December 5, 2014
https://twitter.com/jfgroves/status/540973710296223744
You've gotta be shitting me? RT @hboulware Ho. Lee. Shit. RT @sarahrstevenson: Wat? https://t.co/GyOuBycOT7 …
— Princess Consuela Banana-Hammock aka Kimberly (@conkc2) December 5, 2014
There's just one thing to say, really @Shakestweetz : pic.twitter.com/FKupz3aI1I
— Allan Bourdius (@UnrealAllan) December 5, 2014
https://twitter.com/sheeeittt/status/540980853422428160
https://twitter.com/hboulware/status/540970560294240256
Trust, but verify. Wait, why are you verifying? Don't you trust me?https://t.co/vdvAEbiC7j
— PoliMath (@politicalmath) December 5, 2014
incredible. @Shakestweetz
— Ursus, Director of Weather and Banana Programming (@AceofSpadesHQ) December 5, 2014
.@Shakestweetz: I can't state this more emphatically: You are 2014's idiot of the year.
— Covey Wan Kenobi (@MattinBoise) December 5, 2014
https://twitter.com/gaving01/status/540992903863341056
Shorter @Shakestweetz If something is untrue but it fits with your narrative, you should believe it…. emphatically. pic.twitter.com/OmSBVuA3nq
— It’s Just Jenn (@JennJacques) December 5, 2014
https://twitter.com/DeLoachJW/status/540986518979227648
https://twitter.com/GOPMommy/status/540978087253389312
@SouthernKeeks @Shakestweetz out of curiosity, what WOULD be a reason for disbelieving her?
— LORD SCREWTAPE (@screwtape1a12) December 5, 2014
@Shakestweetz So, if she's a liar – then disbelieving her for being a liar is… wrong?
— Madoc Pope (@MadocPope) December 5, 2014
https://twitter.com/FilmLadd/status/540969288065363970
I wish I could self-bullshit like that. @Shakestweetz
— Underdog (@rdbrewer4) December 5, 2014
It’s truly an art.
@Shakestweetz You're dumber than a flat rock, and, frankly, it's scary.
— Underdog (@rdbrewer4) December 5, 2014
Dan Rather and Walter Duranty would be so proud. https://t.co/iYTxaN0H49
— Jack in the East (@talkradio200) December 5, 2014
Shorter @Shakestweetz: Who cares if the brutal rape story actually occurred? Do they have a penis? Lock 'em up. #BanThePenis #DownWithMen
— Cheryl (@MuddleVanHeck) December 5, 2014
@Shakestweetz pic.twitter.com/JjP6EREHsy
— Kevin Schurig (@AginKs) December 5, 2014
Anti-empiricism MT @Shakestweetz: If Jackie's story is partially or wholly untrue, it doesn't validate the reasons for disbelieving her.
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) December 5, 2014
1) How to respond for getting something wrong based on subsequent facts: http://t.co/Jb0kDfl4le
2) How not to: https://t.co/QZAvRnHgfw— Rob GobbleGobble (@RobGeorge) December 5, 2014
@Shakestweetz @GOPMommy Not a good effort on your part. Quick, think of another reason to justify lying.
— willamina (@witchitawilly) December 5, 2014
@Shakestweetz YES, it fucking DOES.
— Tyler Hood (@Durdenhood01) December 5, 2014
https://twitter.com/savguy2307/status/540988339718217728
Melissa’s so busy dismissing skeptics of a shady story, does she realize the actual harm she’s causing?
Hmm. I wonder if you realize you're contributing to "rape culture" more than anyone else by justifying LYING about rape. @Shakestweetz
— RBe (@RBPundit) December 5, 2014
@shakestweetz Defense of rape fabrication does far more harm to rape survivors than those who question a dubious fabrication.
— Can of Spam (@iDoLikeSpam) December 5, 2014
Absolutely. But McEwan’s far more upset about being confronted with her own flaming stupidity:
https://twitter.com/Shakestweetz/status/540969734951669760
Because everyone who disagrees with her is a “rape apologist.” Please.
https://twitter.com/hboulware/status/540975894249349120
https://twitter.com/redsteeze/status/540981390117195778
Sure seems that way, doesn’t it?
https://twitter.com/Shakestweetz/status/540971236323778560
Yeah, well …
https://twitter.com/Matthops82/status/540976862126555136
Exactly.
Like your refusal to condemn a hoax. RT @Shakestweetz Just look at my mentions. I've stopped blocking people. It's out of control.
— Anthony Bialy (@AnthonyBialy) December 5, 2014
Oh, snap.
Maybe when McEwan’s finished sputtering, she can take some time to ponder this:
.@Shakestweetz Now just imagine you're one of the unjustly accused fraternity members. Still feel the same way?
— CatsPolitics (@CatsPolitics) December 5, 2014
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with additional tweets.
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Update: It appears that McEwan has deleted her entire Twitter account. DLTDHYOTWO, Melissa.
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Related:
‘Journalism dysfunction’: Rolling Stone under fire for UVA gang rape story
Rolling Stone updates its UVA-rape story: ‘Our trust in her was misplaced’
Jessica Valenti: ‘Well f*** you very much, @RollingStone’
‘Off the deep end’ again: Amanda Marcotte slams ‘rape apologists’ after UVA story update
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