Backlash builds against support of Polanski

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Backlash builds against support of Polanski - CNN.com

CNN) -- While several high-profile actors and directors have rallied around Roman Polanski, not everyone in Hollywood believes he should be freed and forgiven.
In the face of a petition signed by notables such as Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese and John Landis calling for the immediate release of Polanski following his detainment in Switzerland, a backlash is building against such support.
"I can't believe that Hollywood has separated itself so completely from American morality," said Paul Petersen, a former child actor and president of A Minor Consideration, which advocates on behalf of young performers. "It is yet another case of Hollywood being out of sync with most of America."

This should drive the apologists nuts.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Woody Allen would be for this guy's release.

I'm still reeling over the fact that people would protest this guy's detention. He pled guilty for heaven's sake and then took off.

I really love this statement:

"Roman Polanski is a French citizen, a renown and international artist now facing extradition. This extradition, if it takes place, will be heavy in consequences and will take away his freedom."

um, well, YEAH.

France doesn't even support him these days.

 

[TemperateSeaIsland]

I really dont get the apologists' way of thinking on this.

 

[MariaRegina]

The victim was only 13, and he was an adult.

Did he ever express remorse or sorrow?

 

[Nathan45]

The victim testified that after she left the whirlpool bath, Polanski told her to go into a nearby bedroom and lie down.

A: I was going, 'No, I think I better go home,' because I was afraid. So I just went and I sat down on the couch.

Q: What were you afraid of?

A: Him.

(a few minutes later)

A: He sat down beside me and asked me if I was OK.

Q: What did you say, if anything?

<staff edit>

Roman Polanski Victim Testimony: "I Was Ready to Cry" - Crimesider - CBS News

 

[clarksided]

Glad to see the French government come to its senses.

 

[ThankGodforGod]

Like most people I am failing to see how anyone can support no putting this guy in prison for the rest of his natural life. Child rape is pretty much the only universally moral absolute (in modern times, remember it was allowed in the OT) and not only did he do that, but also used drugs and did some things that most adult women would never do. Even if nothing had gone on the simple fact that he gave a 13 year old hard drugs and alcohol should be a stiff sentence alone.

I am really just at a loss for words how any person, especially a woman or mother could advocate for his release.

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

Woody Allen would be for this guy's release.

How did he not serve time is beyond me.

 

[Chamdar]

This is good news.

And I have to commend Luc Besson, Chris Rock, Sherri Shepherd, Kirstie Alley and Kevin Smith for speaking out against this.

 

[rambot]

The victim was only 13, and he was an adult.

Did he ever express remorse or sorrow?

Yes.
And the victim no longer has interest in his prosecution

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

Yes.And the victim no longer has interest in his prosecution

How did he express remorse,I haven't seen this at all.If he should any remorse at all,He would have came back a long time ago,Deal ed with this.The victim shouldn't even be going thru this,Because he should have paid for this all ready.It's big for the victim to forgive him,But that doesn't give him the right to not to pay for his sentence in the first place.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Yes.
And the victim no longer has interest in his prosecution

I have counseled a good number of rape victims who weren't interested in prosecution, either. Does that mean we should let these guys off scot free?

Many rape victims aren't "interested" in prosecution because they know the score. They don't want to be made out like some trashy harlot who was asking for it. They don't want their personal lives on display during a trial. I don't blame them.

 

[The Lady Kate]

I have counseled a good number of rape victims who weren't interested in prosecution, either. Does that mean we should let these guys off scot free?

Many rape victims aren't "interested" in prosecution because they know the score. They don't want to be made out like some trashy harlot who was asking for it. They don't want their personal lives on display during a trial. I don't blame them.

That's not going to happen here... There's no trial, only a sentence.

And as I understand it, Polanski pled guilty as part of a plea bargain, then fled when he thought the judge was going to renege on it.

Not excusing what he did, not by a long shot... just saying...

 

[rambot]

I have counseled a good number of rape victims who weren't interested in prosecution, either. Does that mean we should let these guys off scot free?

Many rape victims aren't "interested" in prosecution because they know the score. They don't want to be made out like some trashy harlot who was asking for it. They don't want their personal lives on display during a trial. I don't blame them.

Okay. I'm not disagreeing that many rape victims may feel that way.

Now, read this:
Roman Polanski&#39;s victim Samantha Geimer, now 45, &#39;got over it long ago&#39;

This is the victim, pretty clearly stating her desires as a mother and wife. She appears very conscious of her decisions, choices and opinions and seems to have some very serious and genuine motivations behind.
Why can't those be accepted?

 

[PreachersWife2004]

That's not going to happen here... There's no trial, only a sentence.

And as I understand it, Polanski pled guilty as part of a plea bargain, then fled when he thought the judge was going to renege on it.

Not excusing what he did, not by a long shot... just saying...

Doesn't matter. The victim is still victimized again.

The judge also has a right to "renege" on such a plea bargain if he or she doesn't feel it's right. That still doesn't give a perp the right to run.

If this had been some average joe, I don't think there'd be near the "support" for him. I don't care if someone has lived the most exemplary life ever...if they ran from the law and shirked their responsibility (ESPECIALLY after pleading guilty) they deserve to be put behind bars for the original crime as well as evasion.

 

[TerranceL]

Yes.
And the victim no longer has interest in his prosecution

That's fine, I don't thing we should let child rapists get away with their crimes.

What do you think?

 

[TerranceL]

Why can't those be accepted?

So we should ignore child rape?

 

[The Lady Kate]

That's fine, I don't thing we should let child rapists get away with their crimes.

What do you think?

nor do I... but rape requires a complaining victim.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

nor do I... but rape requires a complaining victim.

and that therein is the bigger problem.

With the way defense teams routinely tear apart victims, it's perfectly obvious to see why rape victims just want the whole thing to go away. More often than not they're not actually "over" it (you never fully get over a rape) but more so they just want to hide and try to forget about it.

and so what happens, even when there is a mountain of evidence, men who do this go free.

Two Accused Of Rape Will Not Be Charged - cbs4.com

 

[The Lady Kate]

and that therein is the bigger problem.

With the way defense teams routinely tear apart victims, it's perfectly obvious to see why rape victims just want the whole thing to go away. More often than not they're not actually "over" it (you never fully get over a rape) but more so they just want to hide and try to forget about it.

and so what happens, even when there is a mountain of evidence, men who do this go free.

Which is the price that must be paid to insure that everyone gets a fair trial... which doesn't necessarily apply in the Polanski case, since there is no trial, and no need for the victim to testify about anything, and no chance for the defense to tear her apart.

Polanski's already been convicted, so the victim's desire to forget the whole thing can't be motivated by fear of the defense team.