Write a Comment
5 Comments
Addendum: Minutes ago, Jay Leno asked comedienne Wanda Sykes, whose mind and musings I absolutely adore, what she thought about the Polanski case. After stating she felt he should be accountable, and he fled, she said, " His films weren't even that good!" She went on to joke further," Can you imagine Spielberg on some rampage, then sayin', "But your honor, have you seen ET?"
It's A) that matters at this point and mattered when the victim was 13 and, at that time, (1) probably mattered much more significantly.
Em, viewing this as a matter of justice without regard to its high profile, I'm reminded of the sentencing factors applicable to federal crimes as set forth in Title 18 U.S.C 3553. That section of federal law states: (a) Factors To Be Considered in Imposing a Sentence.— The court shall impose a sentence sufficient, but not greater than necessary, to comply with the purposes set forth in paragraph (2) of this subsection. The court, in determining the particular sentence to be imposed, shall consider— (1) the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant; (2) the need for the sentence imposed; (A) to reflect the seriousness of the offense, to promote respect for the law, and to provide just punishment for the offense; (B) to afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct; (C) to protect the public from further crimes of the defendant; and (D) to provide the defendant with needed educational or vocational training, medical care, or other correctional treatment in the most effective manner. Right or wrong, Roman Polanski pled guilty to a misdemeanor pursuant to a plea bargain negotiated by the state court prosecutor who handled the case. I doubt that the public needs to be protected from further crimes committed by Roman Polanski, and he certainly doesn't need educational or vocational training. It's a close call. but given the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant, along with the victim's wishes, my view is that this one should be put to rest.
David, Quite often, my views are aligned with yours, but in this instance, despite the unusual nature of this case because of its time span or suspended animation, I don't agree. I've looked as best I can at both sides and keep coming back to the beginning. He raped a thirteen-year-old girl. Of course the victim, now a married mother of three doesn't want to be victimized again. But what does this do for the thirteen-year-olds being raped today? And doesn't this suggest to anyone of means and/or another home country to go ahead, rape and flee? Oh yes, and if you're talented enough and contribute to a big money-making film industry you'll be viewed differently by your peers and a gullible host of others because of your profession, because the victim wasn't given justice in a timely fashion and is expressing herself decades later with an adult's perspective. How fucked up is all of this? He committed a crime and did not stick around for the time. I like what Chris Rock noted the other night, that Michael Vick did more time for participating in dog fights than Polanski has done (thus far) for raping (drugging and raping) a thirteen-year-old girl who protested and was raped anyway. I hope you're okay with picking up German officers who've hidden in plain sight in the US and South America for crimes against Jews (which by the way included the complete endorsement of countless rapes of women of all ages - some fucked right before they were shot in the head and dumped in a trench!) When in Rome you would not do as Roman did, nor would you have done that anywhere else in the world. What makes it okay that HE did it? The passage of time? His talent? He's 72, he's no less culpable now than he ever was. Rape, and in particular this rape, is offensive, David, to women, women who defend girls, and thankfully, to many men and the Chris Rock's and Jay Leno's of the world who find it inexcusable, digusting and worthy of Roman's extradition. I'm sorry it will require the reliving of the crime for the victim, her exposure and her family's exposure to the media onslaught guaranteed to occur, but that never should have been set in motion to occur. If Polanski's so talented, then after he did his time, his talent would have helped him rise up again. Or, would it? I think he knew then if he stayed he would rape his future as a filmmaker so he fled. Finis
Tuliza
Sometimes too much wondering can get you wandering off your normal life's schedules.
October 12, 2009