Author Topic: Roman Polanski is a free man. You got a problem with that? (Read 2827 times)

ms · « **on:** July 12, 2010, 11:51:12 AM »

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Roman Polanski is a free man. You got a problem with that?
July 12, 2010 | 11:51 am
I'm sure that Glenn Beck will somehow find a way to blame this on some Obamaian socialist conspiracy, but the news Monday morning that a Swiss judge has set Roman Polanski free is probably just the latest example of how different European attitudes about sexual abuse are from the views we hold here in America.

It may well be that the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office has bungled the Polanski case again, especially since Swiss Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf made it clear that the district attorney's request to extradite the 76-year-old filmmaker was undermined by "persisting doubts concerning the presentation of the facts of the case." But it seems clear that the Swiss -- and the French and the Italians, who keep electing as their presidents guys who seem more infatuated with young women than even Hugh Hefner -- just aren't that worked up about the fact that Polanski forced himself on an underage girl more than 30 years ago.

In America, having sex with a 13-year-girl is a crime worthy of punishment, no matter how talented Polanski is as a filmmaker. In Europe, it's hardly worthy of a raised eyebrow, which is why Polanski is still lionized in most European countries, receiving countless awards and happily accepted in polite society. This drives a lot of Americans crazy, since we're at heart a Puritan nation. But in Europe, attitudes are different. Not better. I'm not sure even worse. Just different.

I still believe that if Polanski wants to return to America, he should have to submit himself to the American judicial system and pay whatever price has to be paid. But I suspect this rejection of the district attorney's case marks the end of any persistent efforts to persuade the Europeans to go along with our mores. Hearing that the Swiss had rejected any extradition efforts, France's Minister of Culture, Frederic Mitterrand, said, "The time has now come for calm," as if he were speaking to the crazed Spaniards celebrating their World Cup victory. But what he was really saying, with a supreme Gallic shrug, is that it's time for us to move on. When it comes to Polanski, history will be the only judge.

powderman · « **Reply #1 on:** July 12, 2010, 12:12:08 PM »

Money talks, criminals walk. An atty told me years ago that if a man had enough money he could get a charge of sodomy reduced to following too close. POWDERMAN.

WylieKy · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2010, 12:19:38 PM »

If a man were to do that to my daughter, best thing he could do is run right to the cops, admit to what he had done, and to swear that he was and will always be a danger to himself, his cell mates, and society in general. IF he got life in prison, and was in solitary confinement for the rest of his life, then MAYBE I wouldn't be able to get to him eventually. Maybe...

If he were to be walking as a free man in the spot light for over 30 years, I guarandamntee that I would have got to him by now.

torpedoman · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2010, 01:15:34 PM »

It was the U.S. Government that allowed him to travel to Europe while awaiting sentencing, just knowing he would come back in another 20-30 years like he did the last time. His sorry a-- should have been locked up while awaiting sentencing like any other bail jumper would have been.

wreckhog · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2010, 03:39:09 PM »

I hate to tell you guys this, but Polanski has been free for a really long time. The girl settled a civil suit with him a long time ago and has not pursued this in decades. Yes, money talks, and life sucks. In any case, the forces that are going after this guy baffle me.

Spanky · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2010, 05:06:15 PM »

Who cares? I don't give a damn about him or what he did 30 years ago.

Spanky

Swampman · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2010, 05:08:49 PM »

Ditto

Spirithawk · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2010, 07:03:37 PM »

Seems like a lot of hoopla about what could have been solved very simply. Were it my daughter I have a very sharp scalping knife. Of course I'm old and get confused so my sense of direction, North vrs. South, might cause him to lose something more than hair. But he'd never do it again....ever!

Spanky · « **Reply #8 on:** July 12, 2010, 07:55:53 PM »

Talk's cheap and ain't nothin' been done about it in 30 years. Tough guy internet talk ain't gonna do a damn thing.

Spanky

Casull · « **Reply #9 on:** July 12, 2010, 08:19:47 PM »

Quote

Talk's cheap and ain't nothin' been done about it in 30 years. Tough guy internet talk ain't gonna do a damn thing.

Well, that could be said of half the posts on here (myself included, lol).

Spanky · « **Reply #10 on:** July 12, 2010, 09:07:41 PM »

I agree with everyone that thinks he's a scumbag... I think he's a scumbag too but there's nothing we can do about it. Gettin' all worked up here on the web ain't gonna fix things. He'll be judged one day by the Lord and he'll be held accountable.

Spanky

GatCat · « **Reply #11 on:** July 12, 2010, 09:56:42 PM »

The girls mother "pimped" her out, I think that makes her about a sorry a piece of garbage as he is. I think he has escaped justice, but at least he hasn't stepped foot on U.S. soil, and probably never will again. There is some justice in that, at least. And... we will not have to see his face as he walks down the red carpet at the Oscars, etc., being given the Hollywood ( Hollywierd ) "star" treatment.
Mark

beerbelly · « **Reply #12 on:** July 13, 2010, 02:33:49 AM »

The fix was in from the get go! Dose anyone think that they didn't know that when they let him go to Europe that he was gone for good!
Beerbelly

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #13 on:** July 13, 2010, 10:19:09 AM »

And in other news, O J Simpson killed his wife and her beau and walked after a trial. Money talks, and always has. I'm over trying to get all worked up over this sort of thing.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #14 on:** July 13, 2010, 04:38:46 PM »

I think that what bothers me is that money and fame buys people a differant code of justice than the rest of us. But even worse is that anyone convicted of a serious crime often gets off with a slap on the wrist or a short sentence and are set free to do things over and over again as well. I certainly don't condone drugs but then doesn't it seem rather ridiculous that a person gets 30 years for drug possesion and a murderer gets twelve and is out in 5 or less? Often to kill again. Our justice systom needs a serious make over and we need judges that consider victoms rights over those of the criminal for a change.

ironglow · « **Reply #15 on:** July 13, 2010, 05:04:53 PM »

Quote from: TM7 on July 13, 2010, 11:42:02 AM

Seems like if everybody 'gets over it', forgets and moves on, money trumps justice, etc. etc.....with all that in mind that's what your going to give consent to and get.

..TM7
.
.

Remain seated guys;

TM7 is absolutely correct on this subject ! He is a scumbag and the child's mother may have been, but no civilized society should allow one who rapes a 13 yr old to go free. Yes, she may have consented, but a 13 yr old cannot knowingly consent and it is up to all adults to prevent little kids from making such a mistake.
...But who are we to point fingers at the Swiss judge ? Judges & juries here are often turning loose female teachers who rape middle school boys as a regular occurance.
Still, the Swiss should pay a price for their slovenly values and their disrespect for our justice system. frankly, I am getting a bit weary with other nations refusing to extradite rapists and murderers simply because they have not the same sense of justice as we do.

Same should be said for THE Scottish judge who sprung the Lockerbie bomber free...out of "compassion".
Just how much "compassion" did that murderous bomber show to the 200+ Americans and others he blew out of the sky ?

billy_56081 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 13, 2010, 05:41:10 PM »

Where was the father of this girl? I'm sorry if someone drugged and raped my daughter at any age much less 13 I would hunt them down and kill them very painfully. Actually if I could do it I would paralize, blind and deafen them and let them live like that until they naturally died.

WylieKy · « **Reply #17 on:** July 13, 2010, 08:05:25 PM »

One of the favorite Lakota and Shawnee's treatment of captives was to make a small slit above the pelvic line and reach in and cut out the colon, then pull it out of the slit and attach it to a tree. They would then make the captive walk around the tree until his or her insides were outsides. Think that's probably where I'd start. And for those of you who think that is "Big Bad Internet Talk"...well...whatever help you to sleep well. I have seen my baby girl go through with a smile and an occasional quiet tear what has made many a grown man eat his own gun. Don't think I'd be able to take her going through a rape and not take my pound of flesh.

teamnelson · « **Reply #18 on:** July 13, 2010, 11:23:47 PM »

As we say in the Corps, you get what you inspect. We have the justice we settled for; we're not powerless, just unwilling. Hey look, Rosemarys Baby is on!

ironglow · « **Reply #19 on:** July 14, 2010, 01:22:45 AM »

Billy;
Not to hijack the thread, but the Lakota and Shawnee were not alone in that little trick. the Iroquois confederacy were capable of it also.
In this case during the Revolutionary War, Lt Boyd & Pvt Parker were taken prisoner in an ambush of troops of the Sullivan campaign and taken to "Little beard's town" on the banks of the Genesee river. The whole village (about 125 longhouses & cabins) turned out and watched hours of torture, culminated by the "trick".
Little Beard's Town was just about the lartgest of all the Seneca villages, but didn't last long since Gen Sullivan's force was at that moment..sweeping up the Genesee, destroying all villages, crops ..everything.
The Boyd-Parker shrine a very pleasant little park of 3-4 acres (despite it's history) is about 50 miles from my house and a refreshing roadside rest stop on a hot summer day.
http://www.thecabinet.com/darkdestinations/location.php?sub_id=dark_destinations&letter=b&location_id=boyd_and_parker_memorial_park

Now back to the thread;
A decision like the one handed down by the Swiss court has just "rebooted' my view of the Swiss justice system. We appear to be a far cry from the Swiss of the likes of William tell !

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #20 on:** July 14, 2010, 03:10:46 AM »

Roman Polanski will one day stand before God . I will not judge him for that is God's domain . I would vote to hurry the meeting along though.
Also the Swiss will stand there also !

gypsyman · « **Reply #21 on:** July 14, 2010, 03:11:39 AM »

This is just another example of how low civilization is going. Been going down for decade's, when it hits rock bottom, things will change. gypsyman

WylieKy · « **Reply #22 on:** July 14, 2010, 05:36:09 AM »

Quote from: ironglow on July 14, 2010, 01:22:45 AM

Billy;
Not to hijack the thread,

I'm going to have to change my wayward ways if people are mistaking me for...Billy.

SDS-GEN · « **Reply #23 on:** July 14, 2010, 08:31:07 AM »

We do not have a "Justice System" in this country, we have a "Legal System". There is a difference. Apparently the Swiss have a legal system too.

powderman · « **Reply #24 on:** July 14, 2010, 08:44:33 AM »

Quote from: SDS-GEN on July 14, 2010, 08:31:07 AM

We do not have a "Justice System" in this country, we have a "Legal System". There is a difference. Apparently the Swiss have a legal system too.

YEP. Right and wrong have nothing to do with justice anymore. POWDERMAN.

billy_56081 · « **Reply #25 on:** July 14, 2010, 09:12:28 AM »

Wylie you are in good company.

ironglow · « **Reply #26 on:** July 14, 2010, 01:40:31 PM »

Sory wylie;
The post still counts though..click on that pic of THE TREE at least thats the ones veterans of the Sullivan campaign pointed out not long after trhe episode.

Hooker · « **Reply #27 on:** July 14, 2010, 03:58:42 PM »

Quote from: Spanky on July 12, 2010, 05:06:15 PM

Who cares? I don't give a damn about him or what he did 30 years ago.

Spanky

I could care less about him as a person also.
But what he did 30 years ago was molest a child. So tell me, do you really not give a damn?

Pat

Spanky · « **Reply #28 on:** July 14, 2010, 05:21:22 PM »

Quote from: Hooker on July 14, 2010, 03:58:42 PM

Quote from: Spanky on July 12, 2010, 05:06:15 PM
Who cares? I don't give a damn about him or what he did 30 years ago.

Spanky

I could care less about him as a person also.
But what he did 30 years ago was molest a child. So tell me, do you really not give a damn?

Pat

Would it change anything if I did?

Spanky

Casull · « **Reply #29 on:** July 14, 2010, 08:36:06 PM »

Quote

Would it change anything if I did?

Spanky

Do you truly only give a damn about things that you personally can change?