From today’s Los Angeles Times:
Roman Polanski is getting more support from the movie industry in his battle to avoid extradition to face sentencing in a sex case in Los Angeles.
Several noted directors have signed a petition in support of Polanski at the Cannes Film Festival.
Thus do Jean-Luc Godard, Mathieu Amalric and Bernard Tavernier join the rank of that “grand assembly of filmmakers, actors and producers” who last September signed a petition urging the release of Roman Polanski from the Swiss authorities who had arrested him. (Here is Harvey Weinstein’s repellent defense of Polanski. If you’re looking to not just dip but swim in scum, see Round Up of Polanski’s Hollywood Supporters.)
Those conscience-challenged Hollywooders who have rushed to the defense of the pedophile Polanski declare that the gnomish old pervert should remain unpunished for having drugged and raped a child because:
a. He had a tragic past
b. He is artistically gifted
c. He’s popular
d. He has suffered enough
e. He is repentant
f. The woman who as a child was drugged and raped by him has said that she supports letting him live free and dropping the matter altogether.
Here is what is so wrong with each of those defenses that it’s no surprise they’re championed by people who spend all of their time creating illusions and slavering over their own press releases:
a. Polanski had a tragic past. Charles Manson had a tragic past. Lots of prisoners (not to mention lots of people who didn’t become reprehensible criminals) had a tragic past. Should we release from prison Charles Manson and all the other inmates who had a tragic past?
b. He is artistically gifted. Good point. We should only imprison the artistically untalented. What are they doing to amuse and enlighten us, anyway? I say that, in order to minimize the chances of any talented people ever again being imprisoned, it’s high time judges start holding American Idol-style talent contests right inside their courtrooms.
c. He’s popular. So was Hitler. So was Ted Bundy. Remember, people in show business: popular is not a moral condition.
d. He’s suffered enough. Are people in Hollywood so phenomenally wealthy that they think living a life of luxury in France and regularly vacationing in Gstaad constitutes suffering? Because if so, I am definitely going into the film business.
e. Polanski’s repentant. Really? Then: a. Why has he never said anything to that effect?; b. Why doesn’t he want to serve his time?; and c. Why has he yet to pay his victim the half a million dollars he agreed to 15 years after he fled the U.S. to avoid sentencing? What part of guilt don’t the people declaring that Polanski is repentant understand?
f. Thirty-two years after the fact, his victim would prefer to let the whole thing drop. Since when does a victim’s kind forgiveness (or unkind vindictiveness) determine the sentencing of the perpetrator of the crime against them? Just because I forgive the man who shot my father doesn’t mean he shouldn’t go to prison for his crime.
A few other points:
A year before Polanski raped the thirteen-year-old Samantha Geimer, he had begun sleeping with Nastassja Kinski, who was then fifteen. Are we to assume he feels bad about that, too? Because he’s never said a word to that effect.
Geimer’s mother at all facilitating her daughter being drugged and raped makes the whole situation around what happened worse, not better.
That Geimer could have consented to being drugged and anally raped is beyond comment. She was thirteen. Polanski was forty-four. Even if a child does “consent” to having sex with a middle-aged man, the pertinent questions remains: why (not to mention how) was the man involved asking the girl for sex? (And to be perfectly clear: nowhere in the disturbing transcript of the grand jury proceedings in this matter is there any indication that Geimer “consented” to anything. Her testimony is that she repeatedly said “no” to the methodical and determined advances of the diminutive Polanski.)
The Hollywood Defenders of Mr. “I’d Like to Sleep With Rosemary’s Baby” have largely framed the criticisms leveled against their support of Polanski as efforts by religious conservatives to yet again impress their hopelessly outdated morality upon a manifestly compassionate and enlightened intelligentsia. Except, wait. Doesn’t Hollywood also make a big point of embracing and supporting feminists in their noble cause of ending sexual violence against women? Or do they just mean women — but not girls. Pick a lane, cretins.
In a 1979 interview, Polanski had this charming thing to say: “Judges want to fuck young girls. Juries want to fuck young girls. Everyone wants to fuck young girls!” But maybe I’m being unfair. Maybe in Polanski’s native language, “fuck” means the same thing as “protect.”
![John Shore on The Huffington Post](http://johnshore.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/huffpost.jpg?w=120 "John Shore on The Huffington Post\")
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I can’t help but wonder that the many people lining up to defend Mr. Polanski would be baying for his blood if he were Father Polanski.
Keep up the good work, encouraging intelligent discussion.
wow did you have to throw in a dig at his immigrant roots in the last part?! pretty sure this is just as abhorrent to Poles and French people as it is to us.
other than that, good article.
What article are you reading?
Sorry, when i said “article”, i meant “post”.
And i’m sure you didn’t mean to sound anti-immigrant with that joke about his native language, but where i live is not like California, and when you get so used to hearing people equate foreignness with all kinds of wrongness… well, it’s like why we get mad when people equate gay with pedophile, if that makes any sense.
That whole main part of the post where you took apart their “logic” was great, though.
Oh. So you’re thinking anyone in the world might actually think that I’m so dumb I’m genuinely wondering if the Polish slang term for sexual intercourse is also the Polish word for “protect.”
Um. Yeah. I’m not worried about that.
(Thanks for nice thing you said.)
Rape is rape, regardless of gender, age, etc.
My first S.O. was a victim of childhood molestation from elder 2 elder brothers, & his father. At first, I was in a state of disbelief. "This only happens on TV," I thought, when he told me.
But being a RN, with a scant education in psychiatric nursing, I knew enough to know that in due coarse of time, I was seeing evidence of it in almost everything he said, and did.
Ultimately, it was what let to the demise of our relationship, but worse than that, I came to understand I had seen a person on constant pain, every minute of every hour, every hour of every day, all the time; and that he was trapped, incapable of finding relief, learning to trust. He was, effectively, in a living hell.
His father was a dark, evil man. One could sense it. If any human ever embodied evil, he did. He did many thing, including rape his only daughter, father his only grandson through her, beat her trying to make her lose the baby, etc.
His eldest brother had no remorse, and carried on their "legacy," molesting his only daughter.
His next brother admitted to being sorry, and apologized. Not that it really helped.
So, you see, no matter what this poor woman says, she, and his other victims, will be scarred for life, quite literally, even though one cannot see the scars.
John, this post is BRILLIANT.
It's intellectually rigorous, and deserves a wide readership.
It may be your best work yet.
Thank you.
It is really hard for me to stomach some of the things this man has done and the way some people are taking up for him. I can not understand how anyone could justify RP's actions. I can only imagine how I would feel if a man had performed these acts on my daughters. Very sick indeed and the statute of limitations should never run out on something like this.
Thanks, Steve. And though I definitely understand and absolutely appreciate what you've said, I personally am okay with not having any sins of my own be as repulsive to me as having drugged and raped a 13-year-old girl. I'm bad, but I'm not that bad. But, again, I do understand and agree with the core of what you're saying. It's always easiest to point the finger at the wrong others do.
Lovely: Wow. That was … well, lovely. Thank you for these kind and encouraging words.
John you are the big brother I always wished I had….
Hollywood's zealous support of this despicable man is indeed frightening. Especially considering the power they exert over the unsuspecting masses.
Consider this latest phenonemen of "cougaring" from the show Cougartown. My teenage sons are already experiencing reprecussions of that. Suddenly, older women brazonly accost them in the supermarket, dropping it like it's hot. Female dogs! If we continue to allow this kind of corruption of our youth, we are no better than 3rd world countries which allow childhood prostitution!
RP is a disgusting pervert. A special place in hell is reserved for him. May he quickly behold it…
Thanks John also for the "7 Reasons Women Stay" posts. Excellent advice. It's required reading for the women in my family… be blessed!
Joe, you are absolutely right about the immorality and ineffectiveness of the CA prison system. But just because your arm is broken does not mean you should not fix your broken leg.
One of the reasons to extradite Mr. Polanski is so that all girls and women that have been victims of a sexual assault know that society is on their side and condemns the illegal act committed against them.
Another reason is so that Mr. Polanski and other pedophiles get the message that their crimes will be punished. In some cases at least this will discourage them from further crimes.
Another reason is so that everyone knows that in America you cannot buy your way out of justice. It is not fair to go after the poor criminal, who can’t afford a life in France, and to let the rich criminals go. This is not the case in many places around the world, and America needs to stand as a moral beacon.
Finally, how do you know that he is not a further menace to society?
Alright, John, I read that article about Polanski’s “everyone wants to F— little girls” comment.
Let me clarify: No, I don’t. I was making pancakes at my 13-year-old son’s middle school yesterday, and the thought of having sex with his classmates never once crossed my mind. The fact that I’m mentioning it, even in this context, makes me feel exceptionally dirty.
No, Polanski, most of us don’t have even the slightest desire to “F” little girls. That you surround yourself with people that do confirms the low opinion most of us have of you.
John,
I resonate with your comment to give Polanski a 30 second headstart and see how far he gets!!!
Concerning this whole "Polanski" issue and what he did to this 13 year old girl, I personally desire to not just "throw a stone" at him and his Hollywood types, but all of Mt. Everest!!! But then I have a problem! I hear the words of Jesus say to me, "If you are without sin, throw the first stone." OUCH!!!
I am REPULSED by what Polanski did, but my fear is that my own sin does not repulse me as much. One sin before a Holy God is worthy of eternal condemnation. So before a Holy God, Polanski and I are equally deserving of God justice, since we have both violated His law.
I know you are simply "calling a spade a spade" and not seeking to bring harm, death or eternal damnation on this man.
Please keep speaking God's message of Truth…because it is the only message that will set sinful mankind free.
God bless!
You are right Joe, anarchy is the answer. Time to rid ourselves of these pesky laws.
The best part about the criminalization of everything is that you lynch mobbers get stuck with bill. Yep, all those child molesters and rapists and murderers and gang bangers… You know who’s paying their room and board? You are. It’s like a big welfare hotel, and they’re pumping iron and bulking up, all on your dime. It never dawns on you that “lock ‘em all up and throw away the key” will bankrupt you in the long run, and in fact, it’s already gotten to that point. The prisoners in CA are already stacked up like cord wood, and the Feds have ordered a release of 40,000 to ease overcrowding. Just a couple of months ago, Chino was wrecked and burned in a full-scale gang war between black and Mexican prison gangs. Meanwhile the state is bankrupt and paying bills with IOUs.
In that context, what’s the point of adding Roman Polanski to the pile of 2,000,000 people already incarcerated in the prison-happy US? Why prosecute an 80 year old man, who is no threat to anyone? Despite the fact that his victim got over it a long time ago, and has publicly called for him to be left alone?
It’s idiotic. You can’t afford it. You’re trying to make a statement about the authority of the state, but CA has no authority because it’s bankrupt. It’s verging on a 3rd world country. In fact, it’s just a matter of time until you can’t afford to hold even the most violent criminals. You think the gulag is protecting you, but in fact, it’s a training facility for a huge army of felons who hate your guts, and couldn’t care less about your earnest notions of right and wrong.
That’s the big picture.
My life begins in my mid-kindergarten year. I do not remember anything before Mrs. Hillary's classroom. Well, I do remember feeling terrified a couple of times but no memories of birthday parties, Christmas mornings, school, or bedtime stories. I have relatives who are guilty of child abuse. I have witnessed attacks on my siblings. I remember the screaming and the crying and the bruises. I remember hiding and feeling powerless.
Despite my past I do not "want RPs head." However, I do want RP to own up to his crime. I would prefer he do so willingly, which, obviously, is nonsense. I understand we live in a broken world where there are many wrongs being committed every day. I would love to have a healthy correctional / rehabilitation system where RP could receive the help he so obviously needs to just begin to understand the magnitude of his crimes, which also, is probably nonsense. He's been running from his past for 30+ years and if the truth were known, probably 70 years. I would like his enables, masquerading as supporters, to cease encouraging RP to minimize his crimes.
I also want everyone to stop speaking the 13 year-old victim’s name (which also is nonsense…heavy sigh). She has not recovered despite any statement to the contrary.
No one ever recovers.
For those unacquainted with abuse, the best analogy I've can share is that of lossing one of your children. Except in the case of child abuse, the child you lose is yourself. Imagine what it might feel like it someone said, "Its been 30 years! The case is dead!"
Whenever I read her name or a statement she’s made to the press, I cry. For example, her comment that the media ruined her life, not RP, is very sad, because it is both incorrect and very true at the same time.
I think most victims are cautiously guarded in their comments on RP. We don’t want any more attention. Enough people hate us already. Enough relatives have chastised us already. Enough people have told us to forget the past! Just (I hate this word) give it to God! Grace is enough. Love your neighbor. We’re all sinners!
I am posting this here, rather than on my blog, to avoid yet another round of criticism and scorn from my siblings, who would see such a post as a thinly veiled attempt at pointing my finger yet again at my poor tormentors. I cannot even begin to formulate a coherent response to Woopie, Harvey, and the other Romanizers.
I wish we lived in a world where this does not exist. I will live there one day. In the meantime, I pray for a world where people would receive all the help and support necessary to live damaged. This, of course, applies to the RPs of this world and their victims but not necessarily in that order.
John,
Don’t take “talentless putz” too seriously. I don’t think you’re a putz.
Polanski and Geimer's mother being arrested and imprisoned is what should have happened 30 years ago. I don't know why the judge on the case at the time thought 6 months was a reasonable amount of imprisonment for this kind of heinous act. He should have been serving years, along with the mom. Because the justice system didn't crack down on them then, it is a mess now. The bottom line is that they should both pay for what they did or facilitated. Additionally, I really don't understand our justice system; it's sick.
Whoopi is a woman, a mother and grand mother… and I really can't understand her reaction.
There's no such thing as "rape" and "rape rape".
My wife has known sexual abuse as a child. We have a daughter together but the scars remain.
And what horrify me is how too many times the victim of the rape becomes… again… the victim of gossips, critics, etc. implying that "in one way or another she must have deserved it".
This is what is implied on talk shows here when you see Polanski's defenders ("well, have you seen the 'victim' ? She already had been drunk before and wasn't a virgin.. that says all").
It's horryfing. I can understand the victim wants this to stop as even 30 years after the incident, she's the one still suffering from this.
Even with a grown up adult, rape is RAPE. When a woman says "no", it really means "NO"
THIRTEEN, she was thirteen… When during the whole process did anyone FORCE Polanski to have sex with her exactly ?
The thing going around in Hollywood and Europe's elite that support Polanski is that the victim was an underage prostitute.
Perhaps this is what Whoopi meant when she said it was not a rape-rape. And it might also be the basis of Debra Tate's "The sex was consensual" statement.
Good Grief !
Well, John THANK YOU for you article.
I live in France and am absolutely disgusted by the overall "elite/artistic/politic" reactions here.
Even in the news or talk shows, most of the time you hear people defending Polanski… but there is NO ONE to defend the victim. At the "best" media remain neutral on the case…
Let me just say this : I see almost NO ONE around me defending that guy… and polls show that french in general have the same opinion on this as I do.
On this case, there is a HUGE gap between the "elite" of the society and "common" people.
This guy commited a crime, and should be judged… That's the law, PERIOD.
wickle: thank you, I joined the search for her today when the police started door knocking and got to my house. THey have a description of the person she was last seen with but no one is coming forward. Awesome thing about a small country like NZ is that the army has been deployed to look for her, first case like this of its kind in this area of NZ. Prayers are appreciated, it's the only thing we really have left now
struck, that is.
John, in all seriousness, you've obviously stuck a nerve and I don't think it tickles! Keep up the good work.
Jon: FUNNY! Big with the laughs!
What a couple of these comments imply is that 1) what could POTENTIALLY happen to RP in a US/Califor-nigh-ay prison is somehow worse than drugging and anally raping an underage female and 2) every moral argument has no merit when weighed against unrelated political issues and can not stand on its own.
That being said, I guess I'm movin' me to California and findin' me a teenage tramp, by golly! You know, 'long as she gives me permission to have my way with her. I just hope Carlton and JL are on my jury.
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