Does Q Stand for Questionable?

When Jian Ghomeshi took over the morning spot on CBC radio once held by the marvelous, irascible Peter Gzowski I was not impressed. I felt that Sheila Rogers was Gzowski's obvious replacement. But Ghomeshi forged a new identity for that slot with the program called Q, and he has proved to be an excellent interviewer with an international audience. He has also done well in creating a strong fan-base of younger listeners. Maybe too well.

Over the weekend Ghomeshi was fired by the CBC, despite being such a big success. The picture is emerging of a dismissal based on Ghomeshi's exotic sexual proclivities. He admits on Facebook that he is adventurous in pursuing sexual relationships which include bondage and role-playing and other activities which once fell into the category of kinky.

I still think they are kinky, but I was a little surprised by the firing. After all, this was Ghomeshi's private life. Since then we have heard allegations made by several women that this sex was not consensual and that it involved physical violence that was not expected. Ghomeshi's response has been that he did nothing wrong because it was consensual, and that it wasn't illegal. He has launched a $55 million lawsuit against the CBC. Curiously, the lawsuit alleges that the CBC made a moral judgment, apparently a serious mistake in our society. But aren't "right and wrong" moral judgments about behaviour and activity? So if you haven't done anything wrong...?"

One legal expert has offered his opinion that the lawsuit isn't likely to stand up because their is a grievance process at the CBC which hasn't been explored first. Another expert points out that there is no such thing as consensual violence in Canada. Doing physical harm to another is against the law, regardless of the willingness of parties to be involved.

Then there is the creepy factor. If the allegations are true, this situation resonates with what we often hear in domestic violence situations, where one partner insists that the other was an active and willing participant in what transpires. Lawyers sometimes argue this when cases come to court. And in domestic assault situations the victim is often reluctant to come forward because of the shame, the damage to personal reputation, and fear of repercussions as the allegations are discredited. Add to this that the women in this instance seem to be young enough to be Jian's daughters, at least biologically.

Dare I add that even though we live in a society where traditional boundaries are blurred, there is nothing about this that sounds like love In our Judeo-Christian tradition our sexual expression, even when it is playful and adventurous, is grounded in love and mutual respect and tenderness. I don't hear much about that in this situation.

Well, I'm curious to know how you have responded to this unfolding story. Thoughts?