Et tu, Whoopi Goldberg? Goldberg is now among the latest celebrities to come to their senses when it comes to defending Bill Cosby. Goldberg, who has made a habit of defending abusers, is finally realizing that she may have jumped to Cosby’s defense too fast.
During Tuesday’s episode of The View, Goldberg sat down with legal expert Dan Abrams and discussed the allegations against Cosby because she’s been catching a lot of flak for her support of the comedian. Abrams explained to Goldberg about statute of limitations and seemingly helped change the talk show host’s mind. Goldberg, who ironically hosts a “news” talk show, wasn’t educated on the fact that because of the statute of limitations, none of Cosby’s accusers could actually take him to court.
“I always thought that rape cases were open-ended,” said Goldberg. “You’re saying that all that is left to these women is the court of public opinion.”
You’d think someone who has the job of staying up-to-date on current events and news would actually know these things already. But then again, I realize Goldberg is similar to a lot of people who have caped for Cosby—they’re just not that well-informed.
“What we have learned is there’s no recourse for these women except what they’re doing,” Goldberg finally stated.
Goldberg then admitted that in the court of public opinion, the only one that’s left when it comes to Cosby is that the man is guilty: “If this is to be tried in the court of public opinion, I got to say all of the information that’s out there kind of points to guilt.
“I always thought they would have the opportunity to take him to court,” she said.
“You’ve got a serial rapist, he’s been on the streets for 30 years,” said Goldberg. “I have to say I thought that, ‘Yeah, here’s all the information, take his ass to jail.’ I find out from you that that’s not possible. So I can’t say anymore ‘innocent until proven guilty.’ I can’t say that anymore because there’s no way to prove it.”
The approximately 40 women who have accused Cosby of rape and drugging only have the court of opinion. But when 40 women are making accusations, with similar stories, it’s a shame they’re the ones being victimized all over again by someone’s defenders.