A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics
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A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics | |
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September 29, 2009Roman PolanskiI used to respect Anne Applebaum's opinion. Not any more. Polanski is a pedophile who drugged and raped a 13 year old girl, pled guilty to the crime, and then fled the country before sentencing and has been living the very good life in France ever since. "We should just let bygones be bygones" is a pathetic argument in his defense. And to call his arrest "outrageous" is, well, outrageous. And then there is this. Link. "To see him thrown to the lions and put in prison because of ancient history — and as he was traveling to an event honoring him — is absolutely horrifying," French Culture Minister Frédéric Mitterrand said after Polanski was arrested upon arrival in Switzerland to attend the Zurich Film Festival, where he was to receive a lifetime achievement award. "There's an America we love and an America that scares us, and it's that latter America that has just shown us its face."There is a France that we love and a France that disgusts us, and it's that latter France that has just shown its face. And Whoopi Goldberg says that it wasn't "rape-rape." He gave a 13 year old a qualude and alcohol, and then forcibly sodomized her. I don't know if that is "rape-rape", but it is rape. What is wrong with these people? UPDATE: Woody Allen wants Polanski released. That changes everything. Posted by Todd Pearson at September 29, 2009 02:19 PMComments
Yeah, I think you're right. If you're gonna do a crime, like rape, serious enough that it has no statute of limitations, IMHO you should do the time. It's true that there are questions on why the plea bargain didn't stand, but I think Polanski's got enough money and representation to effectively raise those questions in court. I'm glad they got him. In fairness to the French, though, didn't we elect a President whom was even worse that way? His easiness on buddies and businessmen seem to've led to deaths in Iraq from Blackwater on crusade and so many financial losses from Madoff. Wow, you mean justice for criminal actions doesn't come with a sell-by date??? Who knew? In some ways, I am more outraged at the people who claim that an adult forcing himself on a child is not rape than at the fools who want to pretend that it was "so long ago...." And, in spite of the drugs and alcohol, the girl was apparently still saying NO -- and being forced. That would be rape a) regardless of the age of the victim, and b) regardless of the use of drugs and/or alcohol. Either of which would be sufficient to make it rape. So it's not just rape, it's rape-rape, and even rape-rape-rape. It may also be worth noting that a statute of limitations, as I understand it, only applies to prosecuting the crime initially. Once you are found (or plead) guilty, it is irrelevant. You are liable for the punishment that comes with the crime whenever it can be meted out. Posted by: wj at September 30, 2009 01:44 AMThis has really gotten under my skin in a "Mussolini made the trains run on time so he wasn't that bad" kind of way. From an invited contributer on NY Times editorial page today we find this: "Of course what happened cannot be excused, either legally or ethically."But he objects to - "[t]he almost pornographic relish with which his critics are retelling the lurid details of the assault ."Meaning, he objects to anyone actually reminding people of the reprehensible nature of Polanksi's actions. And then there is this: "His past did not bother me . . . " I guess that he was not bothered like Frank Sinatra was not bothered by the bad acts of the Mafia guys with whom he associated. And as I mentioned in an update, Woody Allen has now spoken. A film producer who married his daughter defending a child rapist. I wonder if they have some sort of secret society. He is a convicted rapist and fugitive who gave the finger to the justice system. How can there be two sides to this story? Posted by: Todd Pearson at September 30, 2009 12:26 PM |
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