Our society has now unleashed a modern reign of terror on men. At least the French Revolution delivered injustice with a summary guillotine. The recent conviction of a 42-year-old physical therapist, a brilliant legendary doctorally trained man with an unprecedented following of devoted patients, defied logic and credibility. A fiercely devoted family man with two young daughters has now been stripped of his brilliant career. Never mind an unblemished record. Never mind the loss to dozens of patients who rely on his healing diagnostic expertise. Never mind the loss to the entire local medical community. Never mind the absolute impossibility of this alleged event occurring in the open setting, open door policy on Atwood Drive. Never mind the illogic of the accuser returning three times, and claiming attacks on all three. Why not object after the first appointment? Why return for two more?
Our happy valley women’s colleges sports banners and bumper stickers with the blanket pronouncement: We believe the woman. When did academia cease teaching critical thinking, fundamental logic and reason? A woman’s accusation is now a guarantee of conviction? No innocence anymore until proven guilty? Where is the proof in this ‘She said, He said?’ Well-intentioned liberation movements often end up spawning tragic excess. Who is the victim here? The woman who has a car accident, goes to a physical therapist and then sues all concerned: the automobile insurance, the physical therapist, and the hospital? Or are the victims the 42-year physical therapist having lost his lifelong career? Or his wife and two young daughters? Or the 72 patients and colleagues who wrote letters of support, depend on his continued care and filled the larger courtroom to overflowing? Thank God for the merciful compassion and wisdom of the sentencing judge.
One can only pray that the conviction is overturned on appeal. Ditto that the family not lose their house and life savings in the civil suit.
Absolute tyranny and injustice must be called out whether or not it runs counter to the political correctness of the woman’s movement.
Victor Weinblatt
South Hadley