Jeffrey Toobin masturbated in front of coworkers. That’s indefensible. Literally, everyone knew that already, but just in case the #MeToo movement put all that to bed.

So imagine a newspaper in America taking the position that it’s YOU who has the problem with masturbation. Enter the New York Daily News.

OPINION: Jeffrey Toobin’s history of bad sexual judgment is really about our unease with masturbation.

But I’m guessing you do the same, dear reader. Maybe you should stop feeling weird and guilty about that, @PennGSE's Jonathan Zimmerman writes.https://t.co/vLjlds8HWE

— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) October 21, 2020

Ok, let’s dive in.

The article starts with a tone-deaf disconnect with reality.

So let’s suppose Jeffrey Toobin had been caught on camera having sex with a partner instead of touching himself. Would he be the most mocked man in the United States right now?

Yes, of course he would have been. The author naively suggests otherwise. That really isn’t the point though, is it? Toobin masturbated in front of coworkers, during a meeting. That’s not remotely the same as accidentally getting caught having sex with a partner.

During a meeting, Toobin CHOSE to take out his penis and masturbate. He CHOSE to angle the camera to frame his penis while masturbating. Beyond that, the details are moot.

The article ends just as ludicrous as it began:

News flash: Toobin masturbates. But I’m guessing that you do the same, dear reader. Maybe you should stop feeling weird and guilty about that. Then we can all stop making fun of Jeffrey Toobin.

News flash: that isn’t the point and it’s completely irrelevant to the story.

The author also mentioned Toobin’s old affair but left some of the horrible bits out. They failed to mention that Toobin also has a laundry list of sexual harassment allegations too. In other words, there’s a history of disturbing behavior.

Here’s an example:

According to one of the women (apparently book editor and publisher Judith Regan), Toobin tried to force his way into her hotel room, telling her, “You know you want it,” and he left “several sick messages” on her voicemail.

Here’s more if you like.

I also found this article to particularly interesting because the New York Daily News wasn’t this kind to Louis C.K. during his masturbation scandal. Friendly reminder, Louis C.K. had permission from the women to masturbate in front of them. Toobin did not.

The NY Daily News said Louis C.K. was “creepy” and committed “sexual misconduct.”

I’d assume a paper that took that position just two years ago would have the same values today. Especially after the #MeToo movement. Apparently not.

https://twitter.com/RealCaseyH/status/1318962256789622787

An editor of a major paper allowing a published piece excusing and defending undeniable sexual misconduct in this day and age is inexcusable and a firable offense.