■ 28 September 2009 | 9:26 AM
Polanski's double standard
Why is it that when a clergyman or a teacher is accused of having sex with a 13-year-old drugged child society labels the perp a pedophile, a pervert and a sex offender?
Yet when a talented film director faces the same charges people are quick to pardon him. They blame his unhappy life, or worse, insinuate that the victim was somehow to blame.
Just wondering.
Let's be honest, Roman Polanski defied the American justice system 30 years ago. He's now been arrested. He needs to be brought back to the States and treated just like anyone else accused of the same sex charges.
His great films are beside the point.
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This clown Polanski...
proves just how devoid of decency many Hollywood denizens really are. And along those same lines, it reveals as much about France as well. Drugging and raping a 13 year old should result in a long imprisonment, and condemnation from all nations and societies. That the French will shelter such deviants as Polanski and Ira Einhorn says much about their beliefs and priorities. To do the right thing takes some modicum of courage, instead, they continue displaying that surrender mentality that they've become famous (notorious?) for!
Polanski
Can we post this in Hollywood papers and in France?
Not just accused
Polanski was not just accused, he was convicted of the charges, although to less charges because of a plea deal. He fled AFTER the conviction, but before sentencing. He has a whole lot to answer for.
I agree
Kerry,
You are right on the mark here. I don't think that the clergy or school teacher having sexual relations with a minor should get any better treatment than they do now. However, guys like this deserve the same kind of condemnation and punishment.
It's Not Over Yet
Aside from rumors that the French authorities are behind him, Polanski doesn't seem to be getting any preferential treatment. The London Times says, "Why should he be treated different from anyone else?" The Swiss prosecutor bluntly said, "There are very serious charges" and ordered him locked up.
That he was allowed to pay off the girl's parents while the case was pending is interesting. Sounds like an obstruction of justice charge in there somewhere.
This is not like a parking ticket that came back to haunt Polanski. He has been systematically avoiding arrest for thirty years.
Victim Got Paid
I'm with you, Kerry, but I think the most disgusting part is that the victim was paid off by Polanski. Of course, she has "moved on". Probably in a very nice mode of transportation, paid for by guilt money.
It's been a long time, but he still committed statutory rape. Frankly, this story makes me respect Michael Vick in comparison, since Vick did his time without running away and took a lot of heat from the media and public opinion without whining. He's at least as good a ballplayer as Polanski is a filmmaker. Can we send Vick along with the extradition team? He may have a few words of wisdom to impart.