Where do you stand on Roman Polanski?

She didn't consider it real rape because the girl was young and didn't actively fight and consented to go to Polanski's house.  If it was her daughter at 13 that this happened to I wonder if she would say the same thing.

(My blogs are http://flightkeeper.blogspot.com and http://cutefuncool.blogspot.com)

I read this article with great interest because I am old enough to remember when this event happened (though I was young enough not to understand the whys and hows).

The fact that his victim thinks he has served enough time... whatever that means... she will serve time for life remembering that day, that time.  I have a feeling she wants her anonymity back and not to be under public scrutiny nor to have her kids' lives disrupted by this renewed media storm.  It must be really hard for her to keep having to deal with these issues and to keep reliving those moments when she watches TV, picks up a magazine or listens to the radio because it is a huge topic, even on Satellite radio.  So you can't get away from it, no matter how you try.

At the time, and even today, the "casting couch" was prevalent and in the entertainment business (I worked for many years on the music side of things part time as a production coordinator) it is anything goes.  Open drug use.  Open just about anything goes on backstage and in the privacy of people's homes.  These people (just look at the Michael Jackson story or the Anna Nicole Smith story) have paid staff to tell them everything bad they do to themselves, or to others, is ok. 

Basically they think because of that and because they give up their rights to privacy when they become public figures, they get a pass.  For most everything.  And to be honest, they do.  I mean, when you read the headlines, People magazine, whatever, the stories are so similiar.  Fame really tortures and damages many people.  It also creates a false sense of self-worth (and self-loathing at the same time because of "the system") so therefore, there is a huge dichotomy and that's how people bring themselves down.

Polanski raped (ugh, when I read what he did, I had no clue he did those horrible things,,, ) a 13 year old girl.  Was she a virgin?  Who knows.  Who cares?  All I know is this.  At 47... I know a lot about life.  And I know a 13 year old might be filled with the power and pride of her girlish beauty, and her blooming body.  But most 13 year olds (especially back in those days, believe me, we were still playing with Barbie at 12 and 13...) back then had no idea what sex was.  We didn't get it taught in Health class the way kids are taught today.  Parents were closed about sex.... didn't talk much about it.

So I am sure that this poor girl, while wanting to forgive and forget... will most likely never forget..  She might forgive, but you can't forget a life altering moment like that - especially one that affects your family and is relived chronically as the saga continues.

She was underage and irregardless of whether "Europeans have sex with kids" like Whoopi said... that is a total LIE..  I am married to a Southern European man.  I have spent a LOT of time in Europe, we have a home there on a Greek island, I was 18 when I first went to Greece and I NEVER had older men hitting on me.  I've never seen anything like that, and I've basically been all over Europe, at a young age, and traveling alone.  I don't know where she gets that mindset from.  It's not the reality.  Maybe back in 1200AD Roman times... but not today.

Half of a Duo, Raising a Duo

http://micrimas.blogspot.com

I just wrote about this in regards to rape in general. I've had several friends and family members who were raped at one point in their lives (some as adults, some as young teens): Not one took the rape to authorities to press charges or to make her attacker known -- even if she knew him herself. This discussion of "rape" and "rape rape" is just instilling this ongoing stigma against rape victims even further into the consciousness of our society. It doesn't matter who rapes you or if you know them or if they are brilliant or just some random guy on the street -- it is still rape, and women shouldn't have to choose between justice for their attacks or staying out of the negative media spotlight on themselves.

The people defending this man are reprehensible to me.

_ _

~ jess @ ( http://twitter.com/ ) Bumblebee Dreams ( http://takeflightwithinconsideratewings.wordpress.... ).

That's an entirely different can of worms... According to http://www.times-standard.com/ci_8668539?source=mo...,

"Spousal rape laws, or even the concept of raping a spouse, are pretty new developments. In fact, until the late 1970s, spouses were typically excluded from sexual assault laws.

Until 1993, North Carolina's rape law stated that “a person may not be prosecuted under this article if the victim is the person's legal spouse at the time of the commission of the alleged rape or sexual offense, unless the parties are living separate and apart.”

Currently, spousal rape is a crime in all 50 states but the degrees vary greatly.

In California, the penal code currently considers rape and spousal rape separate offenses and, while they come with similar sentences, there are some nuanced differences that illustrate how they are still considered to be very different crimes."

~ Bill ( http://billcammack.com/ )
I blog at billcammack.com ( http://billcammack.com/ )

( http://billcammack.com )

That does make more sense.

On a side note - according to the sections you quoted, you cannot be accused of rape by your spouse?  That's pretty medieval.

I just watched the actual video clip of them talking about this on "The View".

I don't know Whoopi Goldberg and have no idea what was in her mind, but it's clear from the video that she's talking about the actual charge, not the action.  She inarticulately called it "rape-rape" instead of saying that Polanski actually pled to a much lesser charge, which was one count of "having unlawful sex with a minor".

Californa Penal Code Section 261-269 is located @ ( http://twitter.com/ ) http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?sect... and has several different sections, including

261.  (a) Rape is an act of sexual intercourse accomplished with a person not the spouse of the perpetrator, under any of the following circumstances:

and

261.5.  (a) Unlawful sexual intercourse is an act of sexual intercourse accomplished with a person who is not the spouse of the perpetrator, if the person is a minor.  For the purposes of this section, a "minor" is a person under the age of 18 years and an "adult" is a person who is at least 18 years of age.

As you can see, even though the facts of the situation remain the same, that the girl was not 18 years old at the time, those are two different sections, with two different descriptions.

As I said, I don't know her at all, but it's my impression that all she was saying was let's call it what it really is.. he skipped town on a conviction of having unlawful sex with a minor (which is still statutory rape) and not on a conviction on Rape 1, for instance.

If you're actually interested in the legal ramifications, here's the California Statutory Rape FAQ => http://www.sexlaws.org/node/2367/print

~ Bill ( http://billcammack.com/ )
I blog at billcammack.com ( http://billcammack.com/ )

( http://billcammack.com )

I'm struggling to make sense of that "rape -rape" comment.

It would only make sense if Whoopi was somehow under the impression that it was consensual sex, but illegal because the girl was a minor.  In that case, I could understand somebody saying "its not really rape".  Not that I would agree with them though :p

But in this case, how on earth can anyone doubt it was rape?  Do you think she had the full details of the case when she said that?

Actually, a statute of limitations would apply to his being arrested and convicted... NOT whether they can get their hands on him AFTER he's already made a plea bargain.

According to http://ageofconsent.com/ageofconsent.htm , there are only two states where 14-year-old girls are legal, Missouri and South Carolina.  There are ZERO states where male-female sex is sanctioned at 13, so there's no question that according to the statutes, Roman Polanski is guilty.  Of course, he also ADMITTED his guilt by accepting a plea bargain.

According to the documentary I saw, Polanski fled to Europe because he feared that the judge wasn't going to go along with the plea arrangement.  If there are any loopholes in this situation, that's where it is.  They'll probably attempt to accuse the judge of misconduct and either get a new trial or get it thrown out entirely.

The reason why big-name-stars would be signing a petition is because they LIVE that life while the rest of us read about it in the tabloids.  They know how common these situations are and that a lot of people they know would be in jail as well for "casting couch" practices.

In general, if this actually goes back into an American court, I can see Polanski blowing trial and having to sit in Club Fed for a few years, probably working on a new script.

~ Bill ( http://billcammack.com/ )
I blog at billcammack.com ( http://billcammack.com/ )

( http://billcammack.com )

It is utterly unfathomable to me that there is ANY discussion about Roman Polanski's responsibility here.  He pled guilty and then fled the country.  So - he pled guilty - served no time, and then skipped out on his sentence.  Um - hello...  Seriously?  People know what "rape" is - and whatever RIDICULOUS definition of "rape-rape" Whoopi or anybody else wants to use - he has NOT paid for his crimes.  He has continued to produce movies in his absence.  He has continued to live in freedom, while his victim has had to learn to live with the horror of being raped.  He committed a crime, and there is a price to pay.  He fled his responsibility and should pay a higher price for running.  Period.

Debbie Taylor

aka The Queen Mommy

He raped an unconscious child. He admits it. He fled the country to avoid doing his earned jail time.

I vote he gets thrown in jail with added time for fleeing the country. Anything less and the legal system is even more of a joke.

Laurie in Sri Lanka

Chilli & Chocolate ( http://food.laurieashton.com ) | A Canadian in King Parakramabahu's Court ( http://srilanka.laurieashton.com ) | LMAshton on Twitter ( http://twitter.com/lmashton )

I stand by the comments I made on Alyssa's blog about seperating the art from the artist. It never ceases to amaze me how people can find a way to excuse deplorable acts if only the perpetrator was famous or beloved or rich enough. In my day job (law enforcement) I see what happens to victims and how they suffer from the actions of predatory acts of violence. I see how defense attorneys, in the name of protecting their client, still, in 2009, can attack a victim and damage their testimony by exploiting her vulnerability. For people to do the same thing because the defendant happens to be a member of their special club is particularly sickening.

TJ Smith

www.downturnliving.com ( http://www.working-with-women.com/ )

I was  thirteen years old when Roman Polanski came over to my house to meet with my father.  Together, my Dad and Roman went on to make Rosemary's Baby. I remember clearly when the catastrophic murders of his wife and unborn baby happened.  

I grew up in Hollywood and understood very early what pressures were placed upon young women who might want a shot at stardom.  But I was lucky to have parents who protected me and helped me discover my self worth.

Whether Roman got a bad deal in his case or not, he did have sex with a 13-year-old girl.  For this, he needs to pay for his crime.  

happilyeverafterbirth.com

Right now there are 13-year-old (and younger) girls going through sexual exploitation and molestation and rape. 

Geimer may want to move on, but we, as a society, need to send a message to *current* victims that they *will* be protected. Even 30 years later.

Elisa Camahort Page BlogHer elisa@blogher.com My BlogHer profile ( http://www.blogher.com/haystackprofile/viewprofile... ) truly shows you everything I do online...Check it out!!