ZURICH - Director Roman Polanski was taken into custody, Swiss police confirmed Sunday, on a 1978 U.S. arrest warrant for having sex with a 13-year-old girl.

Polanski was flying in to receive an honorary award at the Zurich Film Festival when he was detained late Saturday at the airport, festival organizers said in a statement.

Zurich police spokesman Stefan Oberlin confirmed Polanski's arrest, but refused to provide more details because he said it was a matter for the Swiss Justice Ministry.

Ministry spokesman Guido Balmer declined to comment. Rudolf Wyss, the Justice Ministry deputy director, also declined to comment on the case. But he told The Associated Press that Switzerland and the United States have an extradition treaty dating back to the 1950s that is still in force.

Polanski fled the U.S. in 1978, a year after pleading guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl.

The 76-year-old director of such classic films as "Chinatown" and "Rosemary's Baby" has asked a U.S. appeals court in California to overturn a judges' refusal to throw out his case. He claims misconduct by the now-deceased judge who had arranged a plea bargain and then reneged on it.

Polanski has lived for the past three decades in France, where his career has continued to flourish. He received a directing Oscar in absentia for the 2002 movie "The Pianist."

Festival organizers said Polanski's detention had caused "shock and dismay," but that they would go ahead with Sunday's planned retrospective of the director's work.

The Swiss Directors Association sharply criticized authorities for what it deemed "not only a grotesque farce of justice, but also an immense cultural scandal."

A native of France who was taken to Poland by his parents, Polanski escaped Krakow's Jewish ghetto as a child and lived off the charity of strangers. His mother died at the Auschwitz Nazi death camp.

He worked his way into filmmaking in Poland, gaining an Oscar nomination for best foreign-language film in 1964 for his "Knife in the Water." Offered entry to Hollywood, he directed the classic "Rosemary's Baby" in 1968.

But his life was shattered again in 1969 when his wife, actress Sharon Tate, and four other people were gruesomely murdered by followers of Charles Manson. She was eight months pregnant.

He went on to make another American classic, "Chinatown," released in 1974.

In 1977, he was accused of raping a teenager while photographing her during a modeling session. The girl said Polanski plied her with champagne and part of a Quaalude pill at Jack Nicholson's house while the actor was away. She said that, despite her protests, he performed oral sex, intercourse and sodomy on her.

Polanski was allowed to plead guilty to one of six charges, unlawful sexual intercourse, and was sent to prison for 42 days of evaluation.

Lawyers agreed that would be his full sentence, but the judge tried to renege on the plea bargain. Aware the judge would sentence him to more prison time and require his voluntary deportation, Polanski fled to France.

The victim, Samantha Geimer, who long ago identified herself publicly, has joined in Polanski's bid for dismissal, saying she wants the case to be over. She sued Polanski and reached an undisclosed settlement.



Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/09/27/2009-09-27_festival_says_director_roman_polanski_in_swiss_custody.html#ixzz0SJgNAhQB

It's about time. This is long overdo.

It's about time. This is long overdo.


I agree, it made me so angry to see him get away with this for over 30 years. It was also sickening to see Hollywood's "elite" give him a standing ovation at the Oscars a couple of years ago when for winning an award.

He hasn't "gotten away" with anything. First of all, he followed the terms of his original plea agreement, then after the time specified was served the judge changed his mind and was going to make him serve longer. That's when he fled to France, where he's had to live as a branded criminal for decades. Samantha Geimer who was the girl in question has publically forgiven him and attempted to have the case dismissed. The court said the only reason they wouldn't was because Polanski failed to appear in court. I can't blame him for being afraid to appear in court when the last time he did he was totally taken advantage of.

I hope his finally being in custody means there's going to be an end to this fiasco. This case should have been dismissed long ago, when Samantha first asked them to. No one's winning here.

It was also sickening to see Hollywood's "elite" give him a standing ovation at the Oscars a couple of years ago when for winning an award.

They also gave Spielberg a standing ovation. He and John Landis were responsible for the death of Vic Morrow and two children.

They also gave Spielberg a standing ovation. He and John Landis were responsible for the death of Vic Morrow and two children.


Sorry, but there is a difference here and I think you know the difference between a horrific accident and intentionally having sex with a mnor.

I think the case should get dismissed. I'm not condoning what Polanski did but I can understand where the victim wants to put the past behind her. I have also found it weird that people in the film industry still continued to work with Polanski after he fled to France. I think maybe in the film industry when it comes to awards people just see people as collegues or filmmakers and not as the people they are.

Sorry, but there is a difference here and I think you know the difference between a horrific accident and intentionally having sex with a mnor.

Granted. Just pointing out that there are plenty of skeletons in Hollywood closets.

Granted. Just pointing out that there are plenty of skeletons in Hollywood closets.


Oh, I agree with that, Woody Allen is a perfect example of that.

I think the case should get dismissed. I'm not condoning what Polanski did but I can understand where the victim wants to put the past behind her. I have also found it weird that people in the film industry still continued to work with Polanski after he fled to France. I think maybe in the film industry when it comes to awards people just see people as collegues or filmmakers and not as the people they are.


I respectfully disagree. He still broke the law.

I respectfully disagree. He still broke the law.

What good is really being served when the victim wants the case dismissed? Where is the benefit? I don't see any winners here.

They also gave Spielberg a standing ovation. He and John Landis were responsible for the death of Vic Morrow and two children.

That's the first I've heard about anything like that - what happened?

I think Steven Spielberg is a nice guy.

Sorry, but there is a difference here and I think you know the difference between a horrific accident and intentionally having sex with a mnor.
Amen. Hopefully now this whole thing can be put to bed (not literally!).

He has managed to live his life as he wishes. Its time for him to face his music. My guess is he probably wont get any jail time over this because its been so long, and the girl seems to want to forget this.

He has managed to live his life as he wishes. Its time for him to face his music. My guess is he probably wont get any jail time over this because its been so long, and the girl seems to want to forget this.
Yeah, I think the statute of limitations may have run out in this case.

Have any of you seen the documentary, "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired?" I saw it earlier this year and it really disgusted me. The makers were obviously pro-Polanski and they gave him several excuses for his having sex with a minor - the stress and sadness of the death of his parents and Sharon Tate, his cultural background, his not understanding U.S. laws, etc.,. They even blamed the girl and her mother. :mad:

Have any of you seen the documentary, "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired?" I saw it earlier this year and it really disgusted me. The makers were obviously pro-Polanski and they gave him several excuses for his having sex with a minor - the stress and sadness of the death of his parents and Sharon Tate, his cultural background, his not understanding U.S. laws, etc.,. They even blamed the girl and her mother. :mad:
The guy is scum. I don't care if the woman forgave him 30 years later. He commited a crime and then fled to avoid his punishment,

That's the first I've heard about anything like that - what happened?

I think Steven Spielberg is a nice guy.

Spielberg and Landis were indirectly responsible for the deaths of three people on the set of Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983). No one was ever criminally charged for this incident.

Spielberg and Landis were both producers and directors of this movie with Landis directing Segment One (the segment of the incident).

There was a low flying helicopter hovering around the set and pyrotech explosions made the chopper fly out of control. Actor Vic Morrow and two illegally hired child actors were killed from the chopper.

What good is really being served when the victim wants the case dismissed? Where is the benefit? I don't see any winners here.

I think you are missing the point, he broke the law. I understand she wants the case dismissd, but she also got a payday from Mr. Polanski. Money speaks volumes. Say I raped your 13 year old daughter and I fled the country for over 30 years. Your daughter is now an adult and says forget about it, as a parent, are you satisfied with that?

Also, if you commit a crime and the victim forgives you, does that mean he gets off scot free???

Spielberg and Landis were indirectly responsible for the deaths of three people on the set of Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983). No one was ever criminally charged for this incident.

Spielberg and Landis were both producers and directors of this movie with Landis directing Segment One (the segment of the incident).

There was a low flying helicopter hovering around the set and pyrotech explosions made the chopper fly out of control. Actor Vic Morrow and two illegally hired child actors were killed from the chopper.



I never knew about that, what a horrible accident :(

I agree, it made me so angry to see him get away with this for over 30 years. It was also sickening to see Hollywood's "elite" give him a standing ovation at the Oscars a couple of years ago when for winning an award.


You'd be shocked and sickened to see how many people on Yahoo and The Daily Beast are saying it's no big deal, after 30 years, should forget about it, there's more important things in this world, etc..

Those people have obviously never been exposed to rape, molestation, child molestation, etc.. I'm glad they have him and hope he is brought to trial no matter what the now 45 yr old female has to say about it - it's not her call.

It's always creeped me out that he was with someone like Sharon Tate, but of course, all this happened post-Manson and maybe some of it as a result of the murders, but then he should be a man and face his trial anyway.

You'd be shocked and sickened to see how many people on Yahoo and The Daily Beast are saying it's no big deal, after 30 years, should forget about it, there's more important things in this world, etc..

Those people have obviously never been exposed to rape, molestation, child molestation, etc.. I'm glad they have him and hope he is brought to trial no matter what the now 45 yr old female has to say about it - it's not her call.

It's always creeped me out that he was with someone like Sharon Tate, but of course, all this happened post-Manson and maybe some of it as a result of the murders, but then he should be a man and face his trial anyway.


:yeahthat: Also Cathie, people are blurring him between an Oscar winning director and a human being. If it was someone like me or another Joe Schmo off the streets, would they be defended as much as he has?

:yeahthat: Also Cathie, people are blurring him between an Oscar winning director and a human being. If it was someone like me or another Joe Schmo off the streets, would they be defended as much as he has?



EGG-ZACKLY!!!!!

Have any of you seen the documentary, "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired?" I saw it earlier this year and it really disgusted me. The makers were obviously pro-Polanski and they gave him several excuses for his having sex with a minor - the stress and sadness of the death of his parents and Sharon Tate, his cultural background, his not understanding U.S. laws, etc.,. They even blamed the girl and her mother. :mad:

I have seen that film, and I thought it was quite interesting. I wouldn't say it was necessarily "Pro-Polanski" but what it did do was show the other side of the story. The prosecutors and judge agreed on a plea-bargin and then backed out of it. That's the reason he left the country, after serving out his original sentance (a detail that's commonly forgotten).

It never blamed the girl, no one in their right mind would, but to an extent, I think the mother was responsible. She knew she was sending her daughter out for topless shots with a troubled director who simply wasn't right in the head. Twice.

I think you are missing the point, he broke the law. I understand she wants the case dismissd, but she also got a payday from Mr. Polanski. Money speaks volumes. Say I raped your 13 year old daughter and I fled the country for over 30 years. Your daughter is now an adult and says forget about it, as a parent, are you satisfied with that?

As a parent, I never would have subjected my child to that situation in the first place.

Also, if you commit a crime and the victim forgives you, does that mean he gets off scot free???

Depends on the crime. In this case, I think it should be strongly considered. This guy's no menace to society, he's married and has two children and has moved on with his life. I repeat: what good is going to come from this? I think it'll be a waste of tax-payers money to prosecute a guy this many years later when even the victim wants it to go away.

:yeahthat: Also Cathie, people are blurring him between an Oscar winning director and a human being. If it was someone like me or another Joe Schmo off the streets, would they be defended as much as he has?

If I knew the whole story, and there was a valid argument, I might. Polanski's argument isn't that statuatory rape is forgivable, it's that he was totally taken advantage of by the DA and judge in charge of his trial. That's what I and most of his supporters find infuriating. He did not get a fair trial, plain and simple.

Spielberg and Landis were indirectly responsible for the deaths of three people on the set of Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983). No one was ever criminally charged for this incident.

Spielberg and Landis were both producers and directors of this movie with Landis directing Segment One (the segment of the incident).

There was a low flying helicopter hovering around the set and pyrotech explosions made the chopper fly out of control. Actor Vic Morrow and two illegally hired child actors were killed from the chopper.

Thanks for the quick explanation, JamesG. I would have given it, but didn't see the question until now. :)

It was indeed a terrible accident. Spielberg and Landis never meant for it to happen, of course, but to an extent they were indeed responsible.

One of the first E! True Hollywood Stories that was made was a reenactment of the Twilight Zone trial. It was very interesting to watch and gave a lot of info. I once a saw video of the crash and it's very haunting to see.

I have seen that film, and I thought it was quite interesting. I wouldn't say it was necessarily "Pro-Polanski" but what it did do was show the other side of the story. The prosecutors and judge agreed on a plea-bargin and then backed out of it. That's the reason he left the country, after serving out his original sentance (a detail that's commonly forgotten).

It never blamed the girl, no one in their right mind would, but to an extent, I think the mother was responsible. She knew she was sending her daughter out for topless shots with a troubled director who simply wasn't right in the head. Twice.



As a parent, I never would have subjected my child to that situation in the first place.



Depends on the crime. In this case, I think it should be strongly considered. This guy's no menace to society, he's married and has two children and has moved on with his life. I repeat: what good is going to come from this? I think it'll be a waste of tax-payers money to prosecute a guy this many years later when even the victim wants it to go away.


So in theory, if you commit a crime no matter how big or small and you go into hiding, the crime should be thrown out.....as long as the victim forgives you. Is that correct?

So in theory, if you commit a crime no matter how big or small and you go into hiding, the crime should be thrown out.....as long as the victim forgives you. Is that correct?

That is not at all what I said. I said in this case there are other circumstances that should be considered.

That is not at all what I said. I said in this case there are other circumstances that should be considered.


Like?

Like?

Okay, I'll say it again: Like the fact that he was never given a fair trial, he did already serve the time originally agreed upon, and the victim has requested to have the charges dismissed.

Okay, I'll say it again: Like the fact that he was never given a fair trial, he did already serve the time originally agreed upon, and the victim has requested to have the charges dismissed.


He broke the law.....he fled the country....Justice was never served

The prosecutors and judge agreed on a plea-bargin and then backed out of it. That's the reason he left the country, after serving out his original sentance (a detail that's commonly forgotten).

I think the prosecutors were very reasonable in allowing him to go out of the country and make a film while all of this going on. And what does he do? He gets caught with his arm around a young woman while he's suppose to be working.

She knew she was sending her daughter out for topless shots with a troubled director who simply wasn't right in the head. Twice.

I don't condone what her mother did, but let's blame the rapist not the victim or the victim's mother. I think calling attention to the girl's promiscuous background and drug use and also the star aspirations of both her and her mother is placing blame. Also, the documentary showed the victim speaking about what happened to her as an adult for what..maybe 5 minutes.

He broke the law.....he fled the country....Justice was never served

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

I never knew about that, what a horrible accident :(
I don't know if you know this or not, but Vic Morrow was the father of Jennifer Jason Leigh.

I don't know if you know this or not, but Vic Morrow was the father of Jennifer Jason Leigh.


I did not know that

I did not know that
Yes, she was born Jennifer Leigh Morrow and took "Jason" to honor family friend Jason Robards.

http://www.tribute.ca/people/Jennifer+Jason+Leigh/2666

That's the first I've heard about anything like that - what happened?

I think Steven Spielberg is a nice guy.

I was surprised to hear about this myself!:eek:

I was reading the transcript of the trial with the girl on the stand. I couldn't even read the whole thing. It made me physically ill. Polanski is just as bad as other convicted pedophiles. He fled the country like a coward.

I know this is going off topic but I'm surprised there are people out there who haven't heard about the Twilight Zone incident.

I thought it was one of those things that "everyone knows about"; as popular as Brandon Lee's Crow incident.

I know this is going off topic but I'm surprised there are people out there who haven't heard about the Twilight Zone incident.

I thought it was one of those things that "everyone knows about"; as popular as Brandon Lee's Crow incident.

That's what I thought too. And it's the kind of incident that shouldn't be forgotten.

I know this is going off topic but I'm surprised there are people out there who haven't heard about the Twilight Zone incident.

I thought it was one of those things that "everyone knows about"; as popular as Brandon Lee's Crow incident.
Oh yes - I remember hearing about those accidents years ago. I was just 3 years old in 1982, but my grandma told me about the Twilight Zone incident years later.

Polanski's arrest could be his path to freedom
By LINDA DEUTSCH and ERNST E. ABEGG, Associated Press Writers
Sun Sep 27, 7:33 pm ET

LOS ANGELES – A surprise arrest at the Zurich airport, detention at the hands of Swiss authorities, and a high-profile extradition process that could take weeks or months. The irony is that for Roman Polanski, the acclaimed director accused of child rape three decades ago, this latest ordeal could lead to the one thing he's lacked since: his freedom.



Polanski's arrest as he arrived Saturday in Switzerland for a film festival honor could potentially spur on his legal team's recent motion to dismiss charges that have dogged him since he fled the U.S. for France in 1978, a year after pleading guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl.

But it could also elevate his case into an international ordeal — involving the governments of Switzerland, France, Poland and the United States — and potentially complicate his possible extradition.

"The big issue is whether it would have been better for him to negotiate a surrender when he had the chance," Loyola University law professor Laurie Levenson said. "Now it has become an international incident and the district attorney may be under pressure not to negotiate a sweetheart deal. They've gone to all this trouble of getting Switzerland involved. It could make it harder on him."



Nevertheless, some believe the arrest of the 76-year-old Academy Award winner could lead to a resolution that will allow him to once again travel freely.

"I think he will finally get his day in court," criminal defense attorney Steve Cron said, "and there's a good chance his case will be dismissed or the sentence will be commuted to time served."

Meanwhile, Poland and France intend to make a joint appeal to Switzerland and the United States to have Polanski released from his detention, Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski told the Polish news agency PAP. Sikorski said he and French counterpart Bernard Kouchner also plan to ask Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to offer Polanski clemency.

"The good news for him is he's been living under a cloud all these years wondering who would swoop in and arrest him," Cron said. "Now he can get this thing finally worked out."




Polanski, the director of such classic films as "Chinatown" and "Rosemary's Baby," reached a plea deal in 1978, but was threatened with more prison time than previously agreed upon and fled to France before he was formally sentenced.

France has no extradition treaty with the U.S., and while he traveled throughout Europe, he avoided arrest in part because of lax policies on apprehending foreign fugitives. But in recent years, many countries have gradually tightened their efforts to find suspects abroad and extradite them.

It's also not clear how hard authorities was searching for him. The Swiss Justice Ministry said in a statement that U.S. authorities have sought Polanski's arrest around the world since 2005, although he has been a fugitive much longer.



"There was a valid arrest request and we knew when he was coming," Swiss Justice Ministry spokesman Guido Balmer told The Associated Press. He rejected the idea that politics may have played a part in the action.

Previous attempts to nab Polanski when he left France were thwarted because authorities didn't learn of his travel soon enough — or Polanski didn't make the trip, said William Sorukas, chief of the U.S. Marshals Service's domestic investigations branch.

"This is not the first time we have done this over the years," said Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office. She said warrants had been sent out whenever rumors circulated that he would be traveling to a country outside France.

In this case, the honor for Polanski's work proved to be his downfall, Gibbons said.

"It was publicized on the Internet that he was going to be at the Zurich Film Festival," Gibbons said. "They were selling tickets online."




Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said the director will remain in Zurich until the conclusion of the extradition proceedings. The United States now has 60 days to file a formal request for Polanski's transfer, she said.

A U.S. Justice Department spokeswoman in Washington declined to comment on the case Sunday.

Polanski's French lawyer, Georges Kiejman, told France-Inter radio that it was "too early to know" if Polanski would be extradited. "For now we are trying to have the arrest warrant lifted in Zurich," he said.




Polanski's long-running legal saga gained new momentum late last year with the release of an HBO documentary, "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired," which claimed misconduct by the now-deceased judge who handled 1977 case and reneged on a plea deal. With the new evidence presented in the film, Polanski sent a team of lawyers to court in Los Angeles seeking dismissal of the charges.

But despite acknowledging "substantial misconduct," a judge ruled that Polanski would have to appear in person to pursue his motion. Polanski's lawyers said he decided not to risk arrest on a fugitive warrant, and planned instead never to set foot in the United States.



His victim, Samantha Geimer, who long ago identified herself publicly, sued Polanski and reached an undisclosed settlement. But she has since joined in Polanski's bid for dismissal, saying she wants the case to be over and at one point offering to come to court in Polanski's place to argue for dismissal.

Geimer's whereabouts could not be immediately determined on Sunday.

In Paris, Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand said that he was in contact with French President Nicolas Sarkozy "who is following the case with great attention and shares the minister's hope that the situation can be quickly resolved."

Mitterrand added that he was "dumbfounded" by Polanski's arrest, adding that he "strongly regrets that a new ordeal is being inflicted on someone who has already experienced so many of them."




Those comments referred, in part, to the fact that Polanski, a native of France who was taken to Poland by his parents, escaped Krakow's Jewish ghetto as a child during World War II and lived off the charity of strangers. His mother died at the Nazis' Auschwitz death camp.

Polanski worked his way into filmmaking in Poland, gaining an Oscar nomination for best foreign-language film in 1964 for his "Knife in the Water." Offered entry to Hollywood, he directed the classic "Rosemary's Baby" in 1968.

His life was shattered again in 1969 when his wife, actress Sharon Tate, and four other people were gruesomely murdered in Los Angeles by followers of cult figure Charles Manson. Tate was eight months pregnant at the time.




Eight years later, the Polanski rape case was a sensation when it broke: He was arrested for having sex with the girl, whom he had hired as a model for a photo shoot at Jack Nicholson's house while the actor was away. He was accused of giving her part of a Quaalude pill and champagne, taking her into a hot tub and having sex with her.

Polanski was initially indicted on six felony counts and faced up to life in prison. Instead, he pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and the other counts were dismissed.

The maximum sentence he could have faced was 50 years, although prosecutors had said at the time that the typical sentence was 16 months to three years in prison.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090927/ap_on_en_mo/eu_switzerland_polanski

I never knew about that, what a horrible accident :(
I remember when it happened. Vic was decapitated. :eek:

I love how they have been refering to Polanski's time in Europe the last three decades as an "exile."

Exile according to Wikipedia, "means to be away from one's home (i.e. city, state or country) while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened by prison or death upon return."

Polanski wasn't left to die on some island. He returned (oops, sorry FLED) to Europe - where he was from - and resumed his career and has lived a rather comfortable life.

Don't make it look like this guy has been suffering.

I remember when it happened. Vic was decapitated. :eek:

So was the little boy he was carrying. The little girl was crushed by the helicopter cab :(

Polanski wasn't left to die on some island. He returned (oops, sorry FLED) to Europe - where he was from - and resumed his career and has lived a rather comfortable life.

Don't make it look like this guy has been suffering.

Or that he was "in hiding." How can a guy be in hiding when he's making million dollar movies and winning academy awards? It's not like no one knew where he was :rolleyes:

Or that he was "in hiding." How can a guy be in hiding when he's making million dollar movies and winning academy awards? It's not like no one knew where he was :rolleyes:


Thing is he only traveled to countries where he couldn't be extradited to the United States. That's why he never went to England. He either stayed in France, or went to Poland and Russia. He made the mistake of traveling to a country where he could be extradited, and ultimately was.

Thing is he only traveled to countries where he couldn't be extradited to the United States. That's why he never went to England. He either stayed in France, or went to Poland and Russia. He made the mistake of traveling to a country where he could be extradited, and ultimately was.
Bingo - he took a big risk and lost. :nod:

Spielberg and Landis were indirectly responsible for the deaths of three people on the set of Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983). No one was ever criminally charged for this incident.

Spielberg and Landis were both producers and directors of this movie with Landis directing Segment One (the segment of the incident).

There was a low flying helicopter hovering around the set and pyrotech explosions made the chopper fly out of control. Actor Vic Morrow and two illegally hired child actors were killed from the chopper.
Off the topic again, but an accident similar to this ended the life of director Boris Sagal (yes, the father of Katey, Jean and Liz). He also directed Elizabeth Montgomery in the 1978 frontier miniseries The Awakening Land.

http://www.hollywood.com/celebrity/192355/Boris_Sagal

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0755963/bio

http://www.nytimes.com/1981/05/24/obituaries/boris-sagal-58-movie-director-dies-after-a-helicopter-accident.html

The TPTB in the Twilight Zone illegally hired the child actors who were killed along with Vic Morrow -

http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/not_guilty/twilight_zone/1.html

I hate it when people try to excuse what he did by saying he's had a tough life because his wife was murdered by the Manson Family and his experience in the Holocaust. Does that same logic apply to the students who shot up their schools and killed their peers because they were bullied? The guy has talent and he had a very rough life but that doesn't excuse him from having sex with a 13 year old girl at the age of 43. The guy is a coward and there is nothing that anybody can say or do to change my mind and I look forward to the day when I will be able to watch his post 1980 movies.

Sorry, but there is a difference here and I think you know the difference between a horrific accident and intentionally having sex with a mnor.


Sorry, Brian. I have to respectfully challenge you on that. First of all, the victim got over it and is now living a "normal" life (at least the life society expects her to live) - I commend Samantha for "getting over it" and putting everything behind her and wish more victims would do the same.

Secondly, IMO, being 13, 14 and even 15 - all the way up to 18, should no longer being considered a "minor". There are children these ages that are being charge and prosecuted as adults for serious crimes; there are children who are already super-smart college students at those ages; kids these days are far more 'street smart' than their parents. Don't get me wrong - being raped is an abomination by any definition of the word, but kids at these ages are starting to learn about life - and if they want to try sex with someone else, no matter what the age, why not? It's part of life.

First of all, the victim got over it and is now living a "normal" life (at least the life society expects her to live)


Completely irrelevant. He's still a pedophile and fled the country like a coward. Just because the victim "got over it" doesn't lessen the damage that was done.

Secondly, IMO, being 13, 14 and even 15 - all the way up to 18, should no longer being considered a "minor". There are children these ages that are being charge and prosecuted as adults for serious crimes; there are children who are already super-smart college students at those ages; kids these days are far more 'street smart' than their parents. Don't get me wrong - being raped is an abomination by any definition of the word, but kids at these ages are starting to learn about life - and if they want to try sex with someone else, no matter what the age, why not? It's part of life.


Please tell me you're joking?

Secondly, IMO, being 13, 14 and even 15 - all the way up to 18, should no longer being considered a "minor". There are children these ages that are being charge and prosecuted as adults for serious crimes; there are children who are already super-smart college students at those ages; kids these days are far more 'street smart' than their parents. Don't get me wrong - being raped is an abomination by any definition of the word, but kids at these ages are starting to learn about life - and if they want to try sex with someone else, no matter what the age, why not? It's part of life.
You may think it's okay for 13 year olds to have sex (which is disgusting), but it's against the law. That's why not.

Secondly, IMO, being 13, 14 and even 15 - all the way up to 18, should no longer being considered a "minor". There are children these ages that are being charge and prosecuted as adults for serious crimes; there are children who are already super-smart college students at those ages; kids these days are far more 'street smart' than their parents. Don't get me wrong - being raped is an abomination by any definition of the word, but kids at these ages are starting to learn about life - and if they want to try sex with someone else, no matter what the age, why not? It's part of life.

Stop it, you're scaring me. First, children are not as sophiscated as you think. Thanks to the TV shows and other media they consume (and for some lax parenting) many children can pretend to be adults, but when faced with adult decisions they don't know what to do. Being physically able/ready to have sex doesn't mean you are emotionally able/ready to have sex. There are educated, employed adults who can't distinguish between love and sex. How do you expect a child with an elementary/middle school education who plays video games and text messages all day to do any better? If children are so prepared for sex, why are there still teen pregnancies and teens with AIDS. Why are some girls selling themselves for cell phones and Prada bags? Why are there broken hearts?

Also, there is a HUGE difference between teenagers having sex with each other and teenagers having sex with adults. The first is mostly about experimentation, the second is more about exploitation and deviancy. The adult can't connect mentally with another adult, so he or she seeks out a pseudo-adult. I know some people don't think children having sex (especially if the child is a boy) with adults isn't a big deal - but it is. It can be emotionally devasting and even led to suicide.

Lastly, I don't think rape is something you "get over" like a cold. I imagine an experience like that leaves a hole in your soul forever. The victim may learn to cope and move forward in their life, but something was taken away from them that they can't get back. I think the woman in this case was forced to move on, due to the media harassing (blaming) her and Polanski fleeing justice. I can understand her wanting the case to rest, but if Polankski were a real man, he would have dealt with the consequences of his actions a long time ago.

Thing is he only traveled to countries where he couldn't be extradited to the United States. That's why he never went to England. He either stayed in France, or went to Poland and Russia. He made the mistake of traveling to a country where he could be extradited, and ultimately was.

That's a common misconception. He was arrested in Switzerland - this is not the first time he'd gone there... the guy owns a house there! He's traveled openly across the boarders for decades. It wasn't a secret.

You may think it's okay for 13 year olds to have sex (which is disgusting), but it's against the law. That's why not.


Exactly! That's a very important fact that many of his apologists ignore (conveniently or otherwise). Even if the victim was willing it was still ILLEGAL. A minor cannot legally consent to sex with an adult even if he or she is OK with it. Not even if it's 1 day before his or her 18th birthday. Polanski committed statutory rape. Any person who has sex with someone that age is sick.

As for how long I think he should be in prison, I don't care how long he serves time as long as he's behind bars for a period of time and is punished. He's a great director and artist (I liked Rosemary's Baby, which is among a select few movies that gave me the creeps) but he needs to face the consequences of his actions.

Lastly, I don't think rape is something you "get over" like a cold. I imagine an experience like that leaves a hole in your soul forever. The victim may learn to cope and move forward in their life, but something was taken away from them that they can't get back.

You guys do know that we're talking about statuatory rape, right? I think there's a big difference between rape where a man forces himself on a woman and statuatory, where the only thing that makes it "rape" is the fact that one of the participants was under 16.

A minor cannot legally consent to sex with an adult even if he or she is OK with it. Not even if it's 1 day before his or her 18th birthday. Polanski committed statutory rape. Any person who has sex with someone that age is sick.

In my homestate the age of consent was 16. Does anyone know what it is in California?

In my homestate the age of consent was 16. Does anyone know what it is in California?


In California, it's 18.

In California, it's 18.

Thanks. I started to read up on it and I found some interesting things. In Polanski's home countries of France and Poland the age is 15. In Spain the age is 13. I'm not saying this is a defense of any means, but there may be a real cultural difference here.

I think there's a big difference between rape where a man forces himself on a woman and statuatory, where the only thing that makes it "rape" is the fact that one of the participants was under 16.

He was initially charged with rape, but plea bargained for a lesser charge. I consider this rape, not only because of her age and her refusal, but because Polanski filled her with alcohol and drugs. It's not like they had a deep, meaningful relationship and said, "Hey, let's have sex." They were acquaintances.

He was initially charged with rape, but plea bargained for a lesser charge. I consider this rape, not only because of her age and her refusal, but because Polanski filled her with alcohol and drugs.

I do know that he was originally charged that way, but statuatory was all he pled guilty to. That's what his warrent is for.

This is where I'm getting into my personal opinions. I don't believe he raped her; she was a teenager, posing for topless photographs in a hottub. She was a model who wanted to make it big. I don't buy that she was drugged into submission. But as I said, that's just my own impression of the situation.

I do know that he was originally charged that way, but statuatory was all he pled guilty to. That's what his warrent is for.

This is where I'm getting into my personal opinions. I don't believe he raped her; she was a teenager, posing for topless photographs in a hottub. She was a model who wanted to make it big. I don't buy that she was drugged into submission. But as I said, that's just my own impression of the situation.
Wasn't she 13 at the time? I don't care if she wanted it or came on to him or whatever. As far as I''m concerned, he raped her. She was a child. They should have thrown the book at him instead of trying to make a deal with him. He is a great director and I have liked some of his movies but that doesn't change the fact that the guy is scum. I don't feel sorry for him one bit. He'll probably get out of this. He has all of Hollywood behind him. It doesn't change a thing. If anybody else had had consensual sex with a 13 year old girl, nobody would be coming to their defense.

Gee, Woody Allen is pleading Roman Polanski's case? There's a shock. :rolleyes:

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b146499_woody_allen_martin_scorsese_free_roman.html

Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese: Free Roman Polanski!
Tue., Sep. 29, 2009 3:50 PM PDT by Josh Grossberg

Martin Scorsese and Woody Allen want Roman Polanski back on the streets. Jewel, not so much...

The two Oscar winners, along with Pedro Almodóvar, John Landis, Jonathan Demme, David Lynch and more than 100 filmmakers, actors and industry types, have signed a petition objecting to the fugitive director's arrest and demanding his release from a Swiss jail.

Authorities in Zurich took the 76-year-old Polanski into custody Saturday at the behest of Los Angeles prosecutors, who want him brought to justice for a 1978 statutory rape conviction.

The fact Polanski's been on the lam for drugging and then having sex with a 13-year-old girl didn't seem to faze his fellow filmmakers, who are peeved that the Academy Award winner behind Chinatown, Rosemary's Baby and The Pianist was picked up while he was on his way to accept a lifetime achievement award from the Zurich International Film Festival.

"It seems inadmissible to them that an international cultural event, paying homage to one of the greatest contemporary filmmakers, is used by the police to apprehend him," proclaims the petition, which has the support of France's Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers.

Other notable signatories include directors Wim Wenders, Terry Gilliam, Wong Kar-Wai, Darren Aronofsky, Alfonso Cuarón and Alejandro González Iñárritu, as well as actresses Monica Bellucci, Tilda Swinton and Asia Argento.

"The arrest of Roman Polanski in a neutral country, where he assumed he could travel without hindrance...opens the way for actions of which no one can know the effects," the group added in their appeal.

But not every celebrity is on the "Free Roman" bandwagon.

"Polanski-admitted raping a 13 yr old-whys every1 in the arts upset hes facing jail? cause hes a gifted director? what am i missing?" asked bewildered singer-songwriter Jewel via Twitter.

Also chiming in was The View's Sherri Shepherd.

"Whew...long day at The View...two shows today...hot debate over the Statutory Rapist Polanski. 45 year old man plies a 13yr old w/drugs & Liquor and anally & orally penetrates her w/o her consent is a RAPIST," she tweeted. "We hunt down 75 year old Nazis. We must protect our children."

The outcry comes as Polanski's lawyers filed a potentially more binding petition of their own—asking the Swiss Criminal Court to release him from custody and block his extradition to the United States.

His legal team wants Polanski to be allowed to post bail or be remanded to house arrest at the Swiss chalet he owns in Gstaad.

The filmmaker holds dual citizenship in Poland and France and has remained in Paris since fleeing California authorities three decades ago.

(Originally published Sept. 29, 2009, at 1:25 p.m. PT)

Gee, Woody Allen is pleading Roman Polanski's case? There's a shock. :rolleyes:

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b146499_woody_allen_martin_scorsese_free_roman.html

Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese: Free Roman Polanski!
Tue., Sep. 29, 2009 3:50 PM PDT by Josh Grossberg

Martin Scorsese and Woody Allen want Roman Polanski back on the streets. Jewel, not so much...

The two Oscar winners, along with Pedro Almodóvar, John Landis, Jonathan Demme, David Lynch and more than 100 filmmakers, actors and industry types, have signed a petition objecting to the fugitive director's arrest and demanding his release from a Swiss jail.

Authorities in Zurich took the 76-year-old Polanski into custody Saturday at the behest of Los Angeles prosecutors, who want him brought to justice for a 1978 statutory rape conviction.

The fact Polanski's been on the lam for drugging and then having sex with a 13-year-old girl didn't seem to faze his fellow filmmakers, who are peeved that the Academy Award winner behind Chinatown, Rosemary's Baby and The Pianist was picked up while he was on his way to accept a lifetime achievement award from the Zurich International Film Festival.

"It seems inadmissible to them that an international cultural event, paying homage to one of the greatest contemporary filmmakers, is used by the police to apprehend him," proclaims the petition, which has the support of France's Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers.

Other notable signatories include directors Wim Wenders, Terry Gilliam, Wong Kar-Wai, Darren Aronofsky, Alfonso Cuarón and Alejandro González Iñárritu, as well as actresses Monica Bellucci, Tilda Swinton and Asia Argento.

"The arrest of Roman Polanski in a neutral country, where he assumed he could travel without hindrance...opens the way for actions of which no one can know the effects," the group added in their appeal.

But not every celebrity is on the "Free Roman" bandwagon.

"Polanski-admitted raping a 13 yr old-whys every1 in the arts upset hes facing jail? cause hes a gifted director? what am i missing?" asked bewildered singer-songwriter Jewel via Twitter.

Also chiming in was The View's Sherri Shepherd.

"Whew...long day at The View...two shows today...hot debate over the Statutory Rapist Polanski. 45 year old man plies a 13yr old w/drugs & Liquor and anally & orally penetrates her w/o her consent is a RAPIST," she tweeted. "We hunt down 75 year old Nazis. We must protect our children."

The outcry comes as Polanski's lawyers filed a potentially more binding petition of their own—asking the Swiss Criminal Court to release him from custody and block his extradition to the United States.

His legal team wants Polanski to be allowed to post bail or be remanded to house arrest at the Swiss chalet he owns in Gstaad.

The filmmaker holds dual citizenship in Poland and France and has remained in Paris since fleeing California authorities three decades ago.

(Originally published Sept. 29, 2009, at 1:25 p.m. PT)
Not surprising. There are no morals in Hollywood. They're probably make a movie of this someday. :rolleyes:

OK, fine. Then why are 13, 14, 15 year olds charged as adults in criminal courts? I agree, the premise of a 13 year old having sex with anyone who isn't 13 themselves is an abhorration, but THIS is also every bit as wrong too!

Wasn't she 13 at the time? I don't care if she wanted it or came on to him or whatever. As far as I''m concerned, he raped her. She was a child. They should have thrown the book at him instead of trying to make a deal with him. He is a great director and I have liked some of his movies but that doesn't change the fact that the guy is scum. I don't feel sorry for him one bit. He'll probably get out of this. He has all of Hollywood behind him. It doesn't change a thing. If anybody else had had consensual sex with a 13 year old girl, nobody would be coming to their defense.

I still say there's a big difference between rape and statuatory rape. I (personally) believe Roman is only guilty of the latter.

OK, fine. Then why are 13, 14, 15 year olds charged as adults in criminal courts? I agree, the premise of a 13 year old having sex with anyone who isn't 13 themselves is an abhorration, but THIS is also every bit as wrong too!

You bring up a very interesting point. Why are 13 year olds tried as adults, but not considered old enough for the "age of consent" ?

They're old enough to determine the difference between right and wrong, but not old enough to know who to make love to.

That's food for thought.

OK, fine. Then why are 13, 14, 15 year olds charged as adults in criminal courts? I agree, the premise of a 13 year old having sex with anyone who isn't 13 themselves is an abhorration, but THIS is also every bit as wrong too!

If 13-15 year olds are mature enough to be held criminally responsible for their actions...then they should be allowed to vote, to drive, to give consent to sexual relationships, to enter into legal contracts (including marriage), to join the military etc.

So...where is the support for lowering the drinking age to 13? To lowering the voting age to 14? The age of consent...?

If 13-15 year olds know enough to understand the consequences (for themselves and others) of their actions, surely they can make decisions about having sex with whomever.


We, as a society, would have to re-evaluate the dividing line between childhood and adulthood on a number of levels. Let's face it, that's something few people want to do.

If 13-15 year olds are mature enough to be held criminally responsible for their actions...then they should be allowed to vote, to drive, to give consent to sexual relationships, to enter into legal contracts (including marriage), to join the military etc.

So...where is the support for lowering the drinking age to 13? To lowering the voting age to 14? The age of consent...?

If 13-15 year olds know enough to understand the consequences (for themselves and others) of their actions, surely they can make decisions about having sex with whomever.


We, as a society, would have to re-evaluate the dividing line between childhood and adulthood on a number of levels. Let's face it, that's something few people want to do.

:clap

You bring up a very interesting point. Why are 13 year olds tried as adults, but not considered old enough for the "age of consent" ?

They're old enough to determine the difference between right and wrong, but not old enough to know who to make love to.

That's food for thought.
It's rotten food for thought. Rarely are 13 year olds tried as adults, and there's no comparison anyway. Sex with children is in a league of its own, to decent minded people.

I still say there's a big difference between rape and statuatory rape. I (personally) believe Roman is only guilty of the latter.
Everyone says there's a difference between rape and statuatory rape. She didn't consent. She told him no, and he wouldn't listen, even gave her a Qualude.

What is wrong with you guys?!! A 13 year old can be tried as an adult, so having sex with an adult male is totally acceptable?! ohno: 13 year olds are rarely tried as adults and even if they were they would get much more sympathy than an adult would, but that has nothing to do with this, it's apple and oranges.

Bottom line, Roman ****ed up. He had sex with a 13 year old and I don't care if she ripped his clothes off, it's morally wrong for an adult to do that to a 13 year old. Personally, I don't give a **** that he's a good director, we have plenty of others, let him rot in jail.

We, as a society, would have to re-evaluate the dividing line between childhood and adulthood on a number of levels. Let's face it, that's something few people want to do.
Reason being that we protect our children. Only filthy pedophile pigs, like Polanski, think it's okay to have sex with a child.

He was initially charged with rape, but plea bargained for a lesser charge. I consider this rape, not only because of her age and her refusal, but because Polanski filled her with alcohol and drugs. It's not like they had a deep, meaningful relationship and said, "Hey, let's have sex." They were acquaintances.
That's right, and even if she did agree, which she didn't, Polanski would still be wrong. A 44 year old man having sex with a 13 year old is not only disgusting; thankfully, it's against the law. Whoopi Goldberg said it's not "rape rape". Another Hollywood moron. They're always fighting for some cop killer, child rapist or whatever. The Tookie Williams crowd.

What is wrong with you guys?!! A 13 year old can be tried as an adult, so having sex with an adult male is totally acceptable?! ohno: 13 year olds are rarely tried as adults and even if they were they would get much more sympathy than an adult would, but that has nothing to do with this, it's apple and oranges.

Bottom line, Roman ****ed up. He had sex with a 13 year old and I don't care if she ripped his clothes off, it's morally wrong for an adult to do that to a 13 year old. Personally, I don't give a **** that he's a good director, we have plenty of others, let him rot in jail.
I know. That argument comparing 13 year olds being tried as adults is as strong as a screen door on a submarine. Totally laughable. Lame, weak, and shows just how desperate they are that they have to use that as justification. Good Lord. :rolleyes:

I still say there's a big difference between rape and statuatory rape. I (personally) believe Roman is only guilty of the latter.

This is something I have to disagree with. What makes you say this when it is known that she refused numerous times what he was doing with her?

That's right, and even if she did agree, which she didn't, Polanski would still be wrong. A 44 year old man having sex with a 13 year old is not only disgusting; thankfully, it's against the law. Whoopi Goldberg said it's not "rape rape". Another Hollywood moron. They're always fighting for some cop killer, child rapist or whatever. The Tookie Williams crowd.
AMEN. He was the adult, she was the child. No matter if it was consensual or not, in this situation, rape is rape.

This is something I have to disagree with. What makes you say this when it is known that she refused numerous times what he was doing with her?

That's simply her word against his. Personally, I don't believe her on this one. She claimed she said no because it would make a better case.

Everyone says there's a difference between rape and statuatory rape. She didn't consent. She told him no, and he wouldn't listen, even gave her a Qualude.

As I said, it's just my opinion, but I don't believe that she didn't consent.

What is wrong with you guys?!! A 13 year old can be tried as an adult, so having sex with an adult male is totally acceptable?! ohno: 13 year olds are rarely tried as adults and even if they were they would get much more sympathy than an adult would, but that has nothing to do with this, it's apple and oranges.

Excuse me, there's nothing wrong with me, I just thought it was an interesting argument. I'm not saying it's an excuse, of course not, but I think it's an interesting thought: we consider some 13 year olds "adults" in some cases and not in others. That's all I'm saying.

AMEN. He was the adult, she was the child. No matter if it was consensual or not, in this situation, rape is rape.
Yep, he plied her with booze and drugs and sodomized her, as she begged him to stop. Yes Whoppi, it was RAPE, RAPE.

Yep, he plied her with booze and drugs and sodomized her, as she begged him to stop. Yes Whoppi, it was RAPE, RAPE.
Just as soon as Whoopi says something smart (regarding Suzanne Somers' comments on how Patrick Swayze chose to treat his cancer) - she takes ten steps back. Way to go. ohno: :rolleyes:

That's simply her word against his. Personally, I don't believe her on this one. She claimed she said no because it would make a better case.

If this was in case true then wouldn't now be a good time to come forward with this? Do you think she will say she consented to it back then?

Having sex with a 13 year old is sick in itself even if by some chance it had been consensual. I mean do teenage girls get his juices flowing?

Sick F*ck

Excuse me, there's nothing wrong with me, I just thought it was an interesting argument. I'm not saying it's an excuse, of course not, but I think it's an interesting thought: we consider some 13 year olds "adults" in some cases and not in others. That's all I'm saying.


Don't get so defensive, you don't know that I was referring to you specifically.

Yep, he plied her with booze and drugs and sodomized her, as she begged him to stop. Yes Whoppi, it was RAPE, RAPE.

She was funny in Sister Act, though. It's ages since I've seen the film, but she pretends to be a nun to get away from some people who I think are trying to kill her. I remember it being funny.

As for this rape situation - the thought of anyone under 16 (in the UK the age of consent is 16) having sex with an adult is something that I completely object to.

IF she did consent to have sex with him (I'm not saying she did, but IF she did) - then I don't think statutory rape is as bad as raping someone without consent, but it's still wrong and he should have known better.

However, if she didn't consent at all, then it was even worse.

I actually watched that ep of The View (which I don't normally) and couldn't believe my ears at Whoopie. Obviously when she got pregnant quite young nobody plied her with hard drugs.

Qualudes are one step off that date rape drug that knocks them right out or paralyzes them. To give a 13 yr old a drug like that, in itself is a crime in my opinion. Then to take advantage of her whether she "wanted" it or not. As Dr. Phil would say, he was the adult and even if the kid thought she wanted it, should have known better.

Polanski is scum imo. Always has been - always will be.

A 13 yr old might THINK they're grown up enough (I sure did) but they AREN'T no matter how smart or who they are. And even if they were, the LAW says they're not here in North America and the law is the law - bottom line. And again, there's no excuse for his behavior. Come on, events like that in your life don't make you become a child molestor - he always had it in him and it probably would have happened whether Sharon Tate was murdered or not.

He has all of Hollywood behind him.
Does this include Clint Eastwood?

Whoopi Goldberg is an idiot.

Does this include Clint Eastwood?

Whoopi Goldberg is an idiot.
I have no idea. I'm not blind to Hollywood though. I'm a big fan of Clint Eastwood but I have not always approved of his personal life. If he supports Polanski than he's wrong.

I have no idea. I'm not blind to Hollywood though. I'm a big fan of Clint Eastwood but I have not always approved of his personal life. If he supports Polanski than he's wrong.

Although there have been actors/actresses that have spoken in support of RP, I'm sure there are also many that don't support him. So it's entirely possible that he doesn't.

I think some of you may have misunderstood my opinions here, so let me try and explain: I for one, am happy that he's in custody. I think he was wrong to have fled all those years ago (despite the injustices of his trial) and it's good that he's going to have to face the music finally.

With that said, it's my belief that this case will not/should not have that strict of a sentance, given the fact that the man is no threat to society and the victim has forgiven him. (Personally I think they should have dismissed it when the victim requested them to earlier this year.) I don't really think it's worth it financially to pursue it, but if the people of California don't mind paying for it, so be it.

Although there have been actors/actresses that have spoken in support of RP, I'm sure there are also many that don't support him. So it's entirely possible that he doesn't.

i know that lisa kudrow who plays phoebe in friends and kirstie alley don't support roman's actions. kirstie even made her feelings known on twitter. when i get hold of what she posted, i'll post it on this thread.

Gee, Woody Allen is pleading Roman Polanski's case? There's a shock. :rolleyes:


Add Debra Winger, film critic Kim Morgan, and Miramax fatcat Harvey Weinstein to the Polanski bandwagon! :mad: http://townhall.com/columnists/BrentBozell/2009/10/02/hollywoods_favorite_rapist

No wonder I loved the writers' strike two years ago!

With that said, it's my belief that this case will not/should not have that strict of a sentance, given the fact that the man is no threat to society and the victim has forgiven him. (Personally I think they should have dismissed it when the victim requested them to earlier this year.) I don't really think it's worth it financially to pursue it, but if the people of California don't mind paying for it, so be it.

Although Liza, you say that he isn't a threat to society. How do any of us really know that for a fact? Especially with him being over in Europe, who knows if he continued to do this sort of thing with young girls over the years and just hasn't gotten caught, or was able to keep them/their parents quiet with a payout.

I have forgiven my molestor, but that doesn't mean that over the years I haven't been afraid that he's done it again because he was never prosecuted for his actions with me. There's not a thing I can do about it now, but had things been different at the time (and I was older), I would have made sure he was prosecuted and got help. Time doesn't heal ALL things.

Add Debra Winger, film critic Kim Morgan, and Miramax fatcat Harvey Weinstein to the Polanski bandwagon! :mad: http://townhall.com/columnists/BrentBozell/2009/10/02/hollywoods_favorite_rapist

No wonder I loved the writers' strike two years ago!
Gee, and I used to have respect for Debra Winger, too (especially after Shadowlands). ohno: :mad:

The National - Rex Murphy (CBC) (http://www.cbc.ca/national/blog/video/rex_murphy/hollywoods_strange_morals.html)

God thats so ****ing SICK. Arrrgh theres just no ****ing excuse for that no excuse.

Any regular old Joe who sleeps with a young girl is a creep but the dude who directed Romeo and Juliet! Well HE's another story.


I hate this ****ing world.

from kirstie alley's twitter

LISA KUDROW spoke out against Polanski...so KUDOS TO KUDROW..(i'm sure she's never heard that one) .lol.I will bet MOST celebs are AGAINST

THESE POLANSKI supporters are sending OUR DAUGHTERS the message that RAPE PERPS are different from one another. THEY ARE NOT

Just wanted to add. I don't seek PUNISHMENT for people, including Polanski. I seek accountability, justice and rehabilitation.In that order

http://twitter.com/kirstiealley

Any regular old Joe who sleeps with a young girl is a creep but the dude who directed Romeo and Juliet! Well HE's another story.

Um... that was Franco Zeffirelli. :rolleyes:

Although Liza, you say that he isn't a threat to society. How do any of us really know that for a fact? Especially with him being over in Europe, who knows if he continued to do this sort of thing with young girls over the years and just hasn't gotten caught, or was able to keep them/their parents quiet with a payout.

He has not kept his private life a secret. He was involved with Nastassja Kinski before and during the filming of Tess - she was also a teenager, but old enough for it not to be an issue. She later married and remains on good terms with Polanski. Polanski then married a truly beautiful woman with whom he has two children. He's also in his 70s. I don't believe he's any threat to society. But yes, that is just my belief.

I have forgiven my molestor, but that doesn't mean that over the years I haven't been afraid that he's done it again because he was never prosecuted for his actions with me. There's not a thing I can do about it now, but had things been different at the time (and I was older), I would have made sure he was prosecuted and got help. Time doesn't heal ALL things.

I am very sorry to hear that you had to go through something like that. I admire you for having the courage to admit it, and the grace to forgive. You're certainly right, time doesn't heal all things.

Um... that was Franco Zeffirelli. :rolleyes:
Wasn't he the same guy who directed Endless Love with Brooke Shields?

Here's another anti-Polanski celebrity, Paul Petersen (The Donna Reed Show):

Killing Childhood, Hollywood Style

October 1, 2009

The Industry's reflexive reaction protesting the arrest of Roman Polanski (who, if you’ve forgotten, drugged, raped and sodomized a thirteen year-old actress) makes my blood boil.

In the New Hollywood there is no equivalent term for what prisoners call “short eyes.” That label will get you killed in prison. Hardened criminals have families of their own and don’t take kindly to the rape of a child. What do prisoners know that Hollywood has forgotten?

It’s very simple, actually. Children are not born to be props or sexual objects.

They are not Meerkats on an African savannah, available for exploitation by any “Documentarian” who passes by. A child’s naiveté’ is not the proper target for cunning marketing schemes or sexual predation. Children can be gravely injured by a thoughtless remark, let alone anal penetration.

Dark forces are after our children. In Hollywood, unable to distinguish the difference between Child and Adult, bad conduct is actually rewarded. Children in the Media, given Hollywood's lamentable product-line, are at terrible risk... as if we didn't already know this thanks to Jon & Kate and Nadya Suleman (Octo-Mom). Kids are routinely hired to act out the fantasies of anti-social, agenda-driven writers and directors in pursuit of their so-called ‘art.’ Hollywood will tell you that we’re not smart enough to judge them, which would be fine but for the fact that Hollywood doesn’t even judge itself.

I don’t care that Mr. Polanski has an intimate, life-long acquaintance with tragedy. I certainly don’t care that amoral Hollywood has showered him with awards and encouraged his artistic efforts for more than thirty years despite behavior that in any other walk of life would demolish any thought of a public career.

Remember this; Roman Polanski deliberately, consciously, lured an ambitious 13 year-old into his lair, plied her with champagne and ‘Ludes,’ then proceeded to have his way with her in multiple assaults before taking her home to her mother…who had dropped her daughter off in his care in the first place. He expected a thirteen year-old actress to honor a little Hollywood secret.

In Polanski's case it's time for both the Message and the Messenger to be brought to account by our legal system. We can do our part by carefully noting who has signed the Polanski Petition and then evaluating our choices as consumers.

Sincerely,
Paul Petersen

http://www.minorcon.org/killing_childhood.html