Why is Anyone Rushing to Defend Roman Polanski?

Am I missing something here or what? I've watched with amazement at how the popular media has covered Roman Polanski's arrest in Switzerland. Hardly anyone conducting an interview on this topic -- at least that I've seen (and no, I don't go searching for this stuff... it's just difficult to avoid) -- has asked any relevant questions or brought forward anyone with an opinion other than to say that what is happening to Mr. Polanski is an abuse of justice.

Not to go on a rant here, but I agree with CNN's Jack Cafferty when he said that when it comes to Polanski, many in Hollywood are out-of-touch. Polanski did, if I'm not mistaken, plead guilty to having unlawful intercourse with a minor and then promptly fled the United States before he could be sentenced.

But Polanski's lawyers, according to everything I hear and see in the news, are fighting his extradition to the U.S. -- as are more than 100 actors and directors who've signed a petition against the arrest; people like Tilda Swinton, Martin Scorsese, David Lynch, John Landis, and Woody Allen have all signed on to defend Polanski. (By the way, Woody Allen... [said like Woody would say it] the last person on Earth I'd want coming to my defense in a case such as this, but that's besides the point).

From Cafferty:

Actress Debra Winger says it's "a three-decades-old case that is dead but for minor technicalities." Yeah, one technicality being he fled the country to avoid sentencing after officials said he drugged and raped a 13-year-old girl.

Whoopi Goldberg says Polanski didn't commit "rape-rape," whatever the hell that means. And Harvey Weinstein says Polanski was the victim of a "miscarriage of justice." Hey, Harvey: He pled guilty.

California officials have kept the pressure on for all this time and insist they won't bow to pressure from Hollywood.

How would you feel if it had been your 13-year-old daughter?

Here's my question to you: What message does it send when some in Hollywood don't think director Roman Polanski should be punished for a 1977 child sex charge?blockquote>

Posted by Mikal at September 30, 2009 2:20 PM | TrackBack

The message sadly seems that, "Its okay, go ahead and rape, plead guilty, you will never have to spend any time in jail/ or pay for the hurt caused {which might last a lifetime}". I have been a victim of this criminal act and went to the jury trial: we won! I feel if this person is not punished, it will be sending the opposite message as to what should be brought forth. Very sad situation.

Posted by: Sallie at October 1, 2009 4:48 AM

I asked my wife, "Did you hear they arrested Roman Polanski?" She said she heard, but didn't know why. She was a little out of the loop. So I told her, "It's for drugging and raping a 13 year old girl."

She says, "Oh, right. Why are so many people protesting?"

"Because they like his movies."

"Stupids."

Throughout the years, each time Polanski would win an award or receive some kind of praise, it just amazed me... mostly that people are still willing to work with him.

Man, you have different personal opinions about politics, the arts, or what private jet is the coolest and you might get blacklisted. You rape a little girl, and you get their unquestioning loyalty. Hollywood is like the Superman Bizarro World.

Also, it should be pointed out that Polanski's sentence was reduced to time served in remand (which was given in exchange for pleading guilty). But he still fled. Just as well, because now maybe he'll get regular-person justice. I'll be surprised if he does though.

Posted by: Stu the Wise at October 1, 2009 9:12 AM

From what I've heard there were some irregularities with the prosecution and a plea agreement but he DID plead guilty and should face the music. The things I wonder about are

1) why has it taken this long to arrest him? It's not as if he's been lying low, which makes me wonder about the reasons it's become a priority at this time.

2) I've not once seen anyone on any side mention anything about prosecuting him for fleeing justice. Maybe it's just me but even if the case is vacated as has been floated around, he should at least be prosecuted for that.

Posted by: mike at October 2, 2009 8:16 AM

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