The Quality of Mercy

May 22, 2018

     An editorial in The New York Times, "The Chutzpah of These Men," groaned that Mario Batali and Charlie Rose have been calculating ways to effect a resurrection of their careers.   The Times' editors expressed astonishment that these men would have the gall to contemplate returning to their former public eminence after being fired for multiple accusations of harassing and abusing women.  There certainly seems no question that they are guilty of what they are accused.  After all, the witnesses against them comprise an extraordinary number of women.

     So, how could either man think that anyone would be interested in working with them?   Nevertheless, Batali has been "floating ideas, pondering timelines and examining whether there is a way for him to step back into his  career" (NYT, 4/2/2018).  And Tina Brown revealed "that she had been" asked to co-host a show with Rose featuring interviews with men "who had faced #MeToo allegations."  (NYT, 5/22/2018)

     Both men have expressed regret over their actions.  Batali even offered a picture of a "holiday-inspired breakfast" of "Pizza Dough Cinnamon Rolls."  Charlie Rose issued this soul searching statement: "I have learned a great deal as a result of these events and I hope others will too.  All of us, including me, are coming to a newer and deeper recognition of the pain caused by conduct in the past, and have come to a profound new respect for women and their lives."  And with his new, "profound" insight Rose would be perfect to host a talk show in which celebrities guilty of abusing women could commiserate with each other and begin to heal some of the pain THEY must being suffering in their various banishments.   https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/11/20/16682728/charlie-rose-apology-sexual-harassment

     What does one say to men like Baltali and Rose who, frankly, sound more like are sexual predators than cads?   Rose's behavior toward young women is simply unacceptable; if he were on the receiving end of what he attempted, would he argue that all should be forgiven and forgotten after such a brief and relatively mild punishment?   To acknowledge responsibility, to express contrition, regret, remorse requires a something of a conscience and a willingness to accept his "just deserts."  Contriving to use  the "behavior" that got him fired as a scheme for a new television project truly adds insult to injury.

     Rose and Batali are narcissists and lack the ability to see themselves for what and who they are.  Their single focus is to gratify their appetites and their apologies are nothing more than calculated attempts to avoid being held accountable. 

     There are men who genuinely regret the way they have treated women, though it is not easy to judge which are and which are not.  But there are cases in which the nature and number of complaints simply overwhelms.  For Rose and Batali it is clear that the quality of mercy should be considerably strained.