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Darkness behind the silver screen

Entertainers are eager to point out the alleged moral failings of others, but they inhabit a pretty sordid culture, the likes of which would not be tolerated in other businesses.

Revelations about entertainment mogul Harvey Weinstein continue to tumble out in a steady stream. Among those accusing him of raping them or attempting to use his position to gain sexual favors are names any movie-goer recognizes. Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow offered their own accusations last week.

Weinstein might have been allowed to go his merry way had it not been for press reports that 13 women have accused him of wrongdoing. It dates back to 1990.

Yes, 1990. The obvious question is how he got away with it for that long.

One could ask similar questions about any number of other denizens of Hollywood, ranging from Bill Cosby to Roman Polanski.

Stardom or power to make or break would-be stars appears to have been a stay-out-of-jail card for many in the entertainment industry. Why so many victims remain silent for so long is clear. Why the Hollywood culture encourages such intimidation is, to say the least, troubling.

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