Comments on: AWFJ Women On Film - The Week In Women, October 2, 2009 - MaryAnn Johanson http://awfj.org/2009/10/02/3959/ Thu, 17 May 2012 08:00:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Tyler http://awfj.org/2009/10/02/3959/#comment-7825 Tyler Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:22:47 +0000 http://awfj.org/2009/10/02/3959/#comment-7825 Okay, I guess my understanding of the way Polanski was being tried was inaccurate. Okay, I guess my understanding of the way Polanski was being tried was inaccurate.

]]> By: Anne-Kari http://awfj.org/2009/10/02/3959/#comment-7818 Anne-Kari Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:49:27 +0000 http://awfj.org/2009/10/02/3959/#comment-7818 Tyler: Prosecuting a rapist despite the victim's assertion that they now choose to 'live and let live' is NOT making their decisions for them. Criminal prosecution cases are "The State vs (defendant)", not "(victim's name) vs (defendant)". The later type of case is a civil case. If the state were required to drop cases due to a victim backing out it would open the door to victim intimidation. Also, breaking the law is not just about the victim, but the criminal's accountability. As for him posing a danger, neither you nor I can determine that. Anyone with a law degree want to step in and comment? Tyler: Prosecuting a rapist despite the victim’s assertion that they now choose to ‘live and let live’ is NOT making their decisions for them. Criminal prosecution cases are “The State vs (defendant)”, not “(victim’s name) vs (defendant)”. The later type of case is a civil case.

If the state were required to drop cases due to a victim backing out it would open the door to victim intimidation. Also, breaking the law is not just about the victim, but the criminal’s accountability.

As for him posing a danger, neither you nor I can determine that.

Anyone with a law degree want to step in and comment?

]]> By: Tyler http://awfj.org/2009/10/02/3959/#comment-7814 Tyler Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:48:54 +0000 http://awfj.org/2009/10/02/3959/#comment-7814 It's a double-edged sword. Since he has been captured, I absolutely don't think he should just be let out. That sends a bad message to criminals, and I totally agree that it's stupid that Roman Polanski should walk just because he made great movies. That said, if we go through the system and the woman wants to accept his guilty plea and agree to "time served" -- again, mind you, since he already was here, did that, and she accepted -- then that's still her choice that she's making, and it can be done with. I also just can't help but feel that there have to be better things for the police to be doing than tracking down a 30-year-old criminal that did eventually try to use the system to close the case and got entangled in politics. I certainly don't think there's any risk that Roman Polanski will rape someone else, and posing a danger is a relevant part of prioritizing investigations. If Polanski had not tried to get this solved already, then it would be a different story, but even if lots of victims choose to "live and let live", when you try to ignore that for the sake of justice then you're making their decisions for them, which is also foolish. It’s a double-edged sword.

Since he has been captured, I absolutely don’t think he should just be let out. That sends a bad message to criminals, and I totally agree that it’s stupid that Roman Polanski should walk just because he made great movies. That said, if we go through the system and the woman wants to accept his guilty plea and agree to “time served” — again, mind you, since he already was here, did that, and she accepted — then that’s still her choice that she’s making, and it can be done with.

I also just can’t help but feel that there have to be better things for the police to be doing than tracking down a 30-year-old criminal that did eventually try to use the system to close the case and got entangled in politics. I certainly don’t think there’s any risk that Roman Polanski will rape someone else, and posing a danger is a relevant part of prioritizing investigations. If Polanski had not tried to get this solved already, then it would be a different story, but even if lots of victims choose to “live and let live”, when you try to ignore that for the sake of justice then you’re making their decisions for them, which is also foolish.

]]> By: Paul http://awfj.org/2009/10/02/3959/#comment-7777 Paul Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:54:54 +0000 http://awfj.org/2009/10/02/3959/#comment-7777 People circle the wagons to protect their own. When a police officer beats someone, circle the wagons. Ford pardoned Nixon, and Obama Administration's prosecution of Bush officials is slow and dubious. Considering the amount of drugs and illicit sex these Hollywood folks engage in, its no wonder they don't want to encourage the police to snoop around for high profile busts. People circle the wagons to protect their own. When a police officer beats someone, circle the wagons. Ford pardoned Nixon, and Obama Administration’s prosecution of Bush officials is slow and dubious. Considering the amount of drugs and illicit sex these Hollywood folks engage in, its no wonder they don’t want to encourage the police to snoop around for high profile busts.

]]> By: Plastiquehomme http://awfj.org/2009/10/02/3959/#comment-7765 Plastiquehomme Sat, 03 Oct 2009 20:45:27 +0000 http://awfj.org/2009/10/02/3959/#comment-7765 It really saddens me that so many people whose work and intellects I respect have put their blinders on about this issue. Yes, he's had some hardships. Yes, there were some contentious aspects to the case. But the fact remains he drugged and raped a 13 year old, and he should receive whatever punishment for that that the law has prescribed. This isn't to diminish his past suffering, nor to deny or diminish his talent, it is simply to ensure that justice is done and he is held accountable for his actions. He probably feels bad for what he did, and probably is no danger to anyone now, but nonetheless he should still be held accountable. It really saddens me that so many people whose work and intellects I respect have put their blinders on about this issue. Yes, he’s had some hardships. Yes, there were some contentious aspects to the case. But the fact remains he drugged and raped a 13 year old, and he should receive whatever punishment for that that the law has prescribed. This isn’t to diminish his past suffering, nor to deny or diminish his talent, it is simply to ensure that justice is done and he is held accountable for his actions. He probably feels bad for what he did, and probably is no danger to anyone now, but nonetheless he should still be held accountable.

]]> By: Lisa http://awfj.org/2009/10/02/3959/#comment-7764 Lisa Sat, 03 Oct 2009 20:32:57 +0000 http://awfj.org/2009/10/02/3959/#comment-7764 I'm so disappointed in Debra Winger ... and Whoopi Goldberg ... and that stupid woman who directed that stupid documentary. This is why people think Hollywood is crazy. It's disgusting that so many of them are speaking about what he's suffered. They have no idea the devastation that he's caused. If it was their child who was raped or a priest or a plumber who was accused, it'd be a different story. I am physically sick at how they justify the drugging and rape of a child, or how they blame the mother or the child. He should take some responsibilty for his actions and I hope he goes to jail although he'll probably be let off with a slap on the wrist. I’m so disappointed in Debra Winger … and Whoopi Goldberg … and that stupid woman who directed that stupid documentary.

This is why people think Hollywood is crazy.

It’s disgusting that so many of them are speaking about what he’s suffered. They have no idea the devastation that he’s caused. If it was their child who was raped or a priest or a plumber who was accused, it’d be a different story.

I am physically sick at how they justify the drugging and rape of a child, or how they blame the mother or the child. He should take some responsibilty for his actions and I hope he goes to jail although he’ll probably be let off with a slap on the wrist.

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