The “Water Cooler” is a feature on Claycord.com where we ask you a question or provide a topic, and you talk about it.
The “Water Cooler” will be up Monday-Friday at noon.
Today’s question:
QUESTION: Do you think Will Smith should have been arrested for slapping Chris Rock at the Academy Awards on Sunday night, even if Rock said he didn’t want to file charges against Smith?
Talk about it….
67 comments
This a poorly written question.
Smith cannot be charged because Rock won’t pursue an assault charge.
.
Unless Smith violated State or Federal civil rights laws, he won’t be charged.
Regardless, Gaston would probably dismiss the case because of Smith’s skin color.
I feel like Chris Rock every time I see another negative post by the entitled woke race spreading proven lies and hate speech to suppress the people of less fortune.
“Smith cannot be charged because Rock won’t pursue an assault charge.”
That’s not how criminal law works. There was a battery witnessed by hundreds of people and recorded on video as well. Lack of a complaint by Rock does not preclude prosecution.
The DA/prosecutor would have to subpoena Rock for deposition and then have the court issue a bench warrant for Smith.
… ain’t gonna happen.
Humm….well, I don’t think so. Just think maybe Chris Rock & Will Smith were a bit immature & rude on both their parts. Just like what can happen when drunks in a bar take thing too far.
Your opinion makes a lot of sense, I can see it from both sides. Although physical violence is of course never appropriate. However, I have a temper and at times especially when I was younger had a hard time controlling it, never slapped anyone though, but threw a plant at my ex-husband when he insulted me.
No. There are lines that you just don’t cross and Chris Rock crossed one. He thinks he can say whatever he wants and no one should be offended, because he’s a comedian. He’s lucky Will Smith didn’t deck him.
Team Will Smith!
Ah yes, hate speech is bad, violence is fine. The victim becomes the criminal. Congratulations, you have just defined WOKE.
Yep to that, Fearless,
In certain circles they don’t even call Suspects, Suspects anymore….
Suspects are now called “Victimizers”….
GHEEZE
@Fearless
Absolutely right!
Since they’re both black, nothing will happen. But whoa, if a white man did that to a black man he’d be in jail and charged with a hate crime. It were the other way around, nothing would happen either.
@ Sandy, your attitude, as I perceive it, is in alignment with what I view as an absolutely disgusting take on this episode by a disturbing number of women. That is a delight in being someone that a man will commit violence over to defend some pathetic “honor”. I have experienced this a handful of times in my life. I have had women conjure some deep offense taken by what another man said, and then be expected to defend their “honor” with some gallant display of ass kickery. Fortunately, I’m someone that tends to seek corroboration before initiating drastic action. Every time, the woman was either twisting the facts, or outright lying.
That soulless wench Jada Pinkett very much falls into this category. Will Smith not only got the facts first, he laughed openly and honestly at what was a decent joke. It was not an insult. She was being compared to another exceptionally beautiful movie star that had a shaved head for movie role. But even having laughed at the joke himself was not enough to overcome some women’s desire to see men become violent for their amusement.
I have assaulted someone for a snarky joke and comment. It was the second worse thing I have done in my life. For 6 weeks I was under arrest, lawyered up, then under house arrest and waited for a trial. All of this happened in TX – of all places. Ultimately I was not vindicated but hit with a minimal punishment. I was deemed ‘salvageable’ and the judge berated me and held me accountable for my actions. Suffice it to say I am combat veteran and an actual fighter – previously, and I let me emotions get the better of me. Take it from me – 100% NOT WORTH IT.
When you are in the public as a star you are fair game for comedians. Chris did not mean it as Will and what’s her name took it. Will is lucky that it was not Don Rickles up there.
It was Assault & Battery PERIOD.
Smith should have been escorted off of the property and the DA needs to charge him.
I don’t want to hear about “their culture” or “their struggle”.
What struggle does a millionaire have???
This just creates COPYCAT crimes.
When you do something like that it’s not up to the person to press charges. The DA will charge you if they feel like it, whether or not the person presses charges. This even more proves that it’s fake.
If you watch the unedited clips; Smith was laughing heartily until he looked over at his “open marriage” phony-baloney wife! His real personality came out on display, and he’s not at all the “nice guy” he has portrayed himself to be. What a jerk! I still think it might have been a fully rehearsed and staged attempt to help both him and get the useless “OSCARS SELF-LOVE FEST higher ratings. If it had been a white guy slapping Chris Rock; LA would still be burning.(!??!)
I agree with your commentary, especially the reaction to the incident— the primary characters’ skin color could’ve resulted in another BLM. There’s no news about who actually won awards, other than Smith, which makes me go hmmm…
I agree with you 100%
Under California Penal Code Section 242: battery is defined as “any willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon the person of another.” It is important to note that an individual may be charged with battery even if there is no injury.
We give celebrities and politicians (on both sides) far too much oxygen. What a waste of time.
Good grief! Exactly who cares? People go around killing other people but a public slap is worth more time and effort than murders?
It was a publicity stunt plain and simple to try and boost dismal ratings. Another reason to dislike the Oscars.
^^^ 100% this
Anyone who believes it was not completely staged and planned ahead of time isn’t thinking properly.
After seeing several similar comments here and rewatching the incident, I am now thinking it is more likely than not it was staged. If you recall from high school days or other incidents, someone does not recover that quickly from a hit like that. He immediately was smiling and joking.
No way this was a publicity stunt unless you are looking for entertainment suicide. Look at all the negative publicity Will Smith is getting.
@ChuckStir, true Will Smith is getting some bad press but Chris Rock’s shows are now sold out for the next few weeks.
No. #1 no victim, no crime on a simple battery. This isn’t a domestic violence situation so that argument doesn’t play.
Will isn’t mad about someone else having relations with his wife, but he has a problem with a joke?
You think Gascon would charge him? Not a snowballs chance. Will is just a jerk. I never watch his movies. He has to live with what he did.
Hollywood is getting old. They’ve shot themselves in the foot by isolating 80+% of their domestic audience with their sexual perversion and holier than though attitude and now getting shut out of the Chinese market.
Hollywood is also full of pedophiles and sexual predators. I say let it die and good riddance.
Academy note to Chris Rock: “When you’re slapped, you’ll take it, and like it! “
I’d like to know whatever happened to all of our feminists? Y’know, the ones who have been preaching it (but not practicing it) since the 70’s. Where’s that fun group from the Women’s March? All we hear is “I want to empower young girls”, “Girl Dad”, “Girl Power”, “Girl Boss”, “Equality”, “Men are afraid of strong women”, bla, bla,bla…. If Smith’s wife had a problem with Chris Rock insulting her, why didn’t SHE get up and punch him? Forty years of listening to these idiot feminist talking heads spinning their catch phrases but now there are some actual issues that they should comment on but they’re silent. They haven’t said a word about defending women’s sports while trans athletes are pushing women out of the way. And I haven’t heard one say Jada Smith doesn’t need her husband to make an ass of himself on TV to defend his little lady. In fact, I’ve heard the opposite. Some celebrities are saying it was so great that Smith “defended his wife”. Just like everything else from the left, all of their talk is just more crap.
They are all in line at the Selective Service waiting to sign up for the draft.
No doubt about it……their talk is awfully cheap!
Agreed. It would have been much better if she had decked him.
YES!!… It was Assault & Battery PERIOD.
The crime of assault under California Penal Code Section 240 PC is often described as an “attempted battery” involving an attack or threatened attack on another that does not result in physical contact, injury or harm.
No
No. He should have been kicked out of the building immediately.
Will should have been shown the door.
If one of them was a different race I’m sure this whole thing would have taking a different turn.
I think Will Smith should have been escorted out of the theatre. It was a case of assault and it was not a joke. Smith was cursing and screaming and destroyed the atmosphere of the Academy. Smith and his wife are both entertainers and public personalities. Smith’s wife made it public about her hair loss. She should be happy she does not have cancer or any other major disease. Being a public person lets any comedian to make a joke. I personally did not feel it was offensive with a mere GI Jane joke. That is what comedians do. Smith is a hot head and violent person. All the money and fame cannot hide his true personality. Smith and his wife both publicly state they have an open marriage and Smith’s wife had a relationship with one of their children’s friends. Smith should be charged. Any other ordinary person would be in jail at this point.
Agree. He should be banned from all award ceremonies too. .
I saw part of the clip on TV where he slapped him, but I changed the channel because I couldn’t care less, and didn’t want to see, or hear any more about it. But since the question has to do with an arrest, it doesn’t matter, he’d be booked and released, and the fine wouldn’t even put a dent in his bank account.
This is LA, They have different rules for celebrities and regular people.
Yes! A good example for all those angry creeps out there who cannot control themselves.
Hollywood has gone to the dogs. It used to be classy back in the day and now it;s a total trash fest of losers.
Aunt Barbara, check out Ricky Gervais Golden Globes 2020 intro. He nailed it to Hollywood.
I think what Will Smith did was terrible and Chris Rock handled it very well. You could tell he was really shaken up after but did a great job finishing, I do not think Will Smith should be arrested but should have been escorted out for sure.
The only way this will ever be resolved is if Will Smith meets Chris Rock on stage for a televised “B-Slap You Back” event on pay-per-view.
Will has to put his hands behind his back & let Chris wind up and slap him back ….HARD!
Then they can Rochambeau to see who’s the better man.
Black-on-black crime doesn’t exist.
Ask any government official.
But that sissy slap was more of an embarrassment than battery.
If you decide to hit someone, make sure they can’t get up.
It the incident involved a black man and white man, then the whole situation would have blown up. Why can’t humans get alone with each other?
No , no one wanted to press charges, it was over and done with. It’s not like he punch or just stared beating the crap out of him.
Everyone is forgetting we are in California, the state that will not prosecute many crimes. Will Smith was wrong, he was laughing after the joke, saw his wife was upset and went into damage control. If Chris Rock had no idea of her medical condition, then there is completely no blame on him. By the way if you think Will Smith was right, next time you see a comedian and he/she offends you, you might as well go slap them.
Think about this, if it were Sylvester Stallone or Chuck Norris up there would he have done the same thing.
We really owe Will Smith sincere gratitude. He aptly demonstrated for all of us the enriching experience of a diverse, equitable awards show. These are things that until recently we could not experience on our own. The violence, bad language, and hatred were an enlightening sight to behold.
Thanks Will, you are truly a motivator of people setting a terrific example for young people world wide.
Why?! They both screwed up. Apologies all around, and move on.
The “why” is if nothing is done then you have just witnessed the beginning of the end of comedy and a little piece of free speech has died.
Comedians say things that some will find offensive. If every time they preform they have to be worried about someone going up on stage and hitting them without consequences then why would they preform at all?!?
In the legal field, it is called having a chilling effect.
Free speech is my right to say what you don’t want to hear and Will Smith’s immaturity was on full display. IF he was so offended by WORDS then he would have had a greater impact by simply getting up leaving.
Now you know the why.
Give it a week or so for Chris to file the lawsuit.
I am not sure slapping (like that) is a jail-able offense. If it is, then yes, he should serve the time the system has determined is appropriate (funny saying that knowing it seems you can burn down structures without much penalty). That slap did help explain why jaden likes to wear women’s’ clothes, though.
Try that on your spouse or just be accused of it and I guarantee you will be arrested.
inconceivable that I would ever do that to my wife, even at my most angry, but that said, arrested is one thing, jail is another.
This act will be the only thing remembered of the Oscar years from now. Shame.
Rediculous. But … too bad Johnny Cochran is no longer among us … I could see a great season of court TV Rock v. Smith … But Smith will prolly be advised to pay him off behind closed doors and with NDA.
“Can’t claim racism”?
Excuse me, but just because two people are of the same race does not mean they can’t racially discriminate against each other!
It’s like me, being Hispanic… hiring a Japanese Gardener because I think all Mexicans are lazy (and Japanese Gardeners do really nice work!) See how that applies?
BTW-
That was just a hypothetical situation.
Not the reason Mr. Nakamura does my yard.
And like a real man (not) he apologizes via Instagram. Sorry but a real man would face the one they slapped and apologize. He may be a real man in the movies but in real life he is a coward.
Damm, I used the word REAL four times, sounding like Kamala Harris now.
Yes, he certainly showed his class, he is a homie who is and always be a homie from the hood.
Would Will Smith have done that to a white guy on stage?
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