Poo Poo on Putting Polanski in Prison
When you can't even afford to keep criminals who deserve to be in jail housed, the notion of wasting hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on a high-profile extradition such as the Polanski return from Zurich is ludicrous. Can you imagine wasting this money when so many of our children suffer sub-standard education, when drug and crime rehabilitation has little money, when a good portion of our country's population are living in perilously impoverished circumstances?
This poorly conceived ploy to vindicate an unsuccessful action on the part of our flawed criminal justice system misses the point.
Now, I'm certainly not advocating for any of the alleged crimes committed by Palanski. However, as Sean P. Means points out in the Culture Vulture, there are a lot of factors pertaining to this case which make it extraordinary. Thus, in claiming that enforcing a sentence upon an alleged criminal who was never brought to formal trial will somehow discourage similar crimes against young girls, we have simply missed the mark again.
Wouldn't it serve the interests of justice and the American people more to devote the monies intended to be wasted on this sensational situation to solving the real and pervasive problems of prison overpopulation, education and rehabilitation for those remanded and crime prevention?
Follow Danielle Cavallucci on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cavallucci
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Good point. Let's make Polanski bear all the court costs, and charge him for his imprisonment. He can afford it. And he earned it -- not only his money, but the consequences of his actions.
Um, the reason he sodomized her was to prevent a possible paternity suit.
Do you really want 13 year old girls reading about 'orgasmic pregnancy' because
they themselves have been impregnated by those not 'solicitous' enough (in the words
of Roman's examining psychiatrist, I kid you not) to avoid that situation by resorting to sodomy ?
Don't you see any kind of connection between what happened and its possible conceptual consequences ? In the late 1960's, I thought I was pregnant at that age by a very much older male.
(And believe me, I was not then and never have been the least bit sexually 'provocative', it's just not
my vibe, not that it matters). What would my choices have been back then ? These situations are still
all too common and you clearly have no idea of what you are saying in regards to this sexual reality.
Judging from some posters here, many men still believe it is their biological imperative to attempt to impregnate very young females. Whitewashing this mindset by excusing it will continue to deny women the right to truly enjoy 'orgasmic pregnancy' when they are of an age to do so, on their own terms, with their chosen mate. Young girls deserve better from the rest of us. Especially from authors.
Your post made me think. Maybe the LA government should seek monetary compensation from Polanski for the money and resources spent pursuing him after he fled from justice just before sentencing!
Why are Polanski supporters soooo WORRIED about money devoted and as they say 'wasted' on Polanski?
What a TWIST !
To say that the state's pursuit of a fugitive of justice detracts from solving the real and pervasive problems of prison overpopulation is a real s t r e t c h.
How are "we" missing the mark here again? This is way past 'alleged'. Polanski himself admitted to having sex with a 13 year old. He also admitted knowing the age of the victim.
Cavallucci, he is no longer in the “alleged" stage because he has already pled to reduced charges (which was a gift that he didn’t deserve IMO.) Running to Paris for 30+ years is not considered time served in the United States…or anywhere else for that matter. So tell me, since you believe going after him is a wasted endeavor, what should be his punishment for breaking this country's laws?
Was she ready for that close-up Mr. Polanski?
He harmed a child in horrible ways. Does money or time buy forgiveness? He has never shown any remorse. His life has been a charmed one for all these years. A dream come true many would say. Going about his life without a care in the world. Life is good. Unless you were that innocent thirteen year old child, to you he was the nightmare come true. The actual Bogyman in the flesh. Older flesh intent on taking her innocence evermore cried the raven. . She would find no relief from waking up, and the world being the same as her few yesterdays. Could he capture that in his work and be even greater in his mind. He took what can never be replaced or undone, then ran a world away. She stayed and lived a very different life for one so young. Her life was directed by Polanski from that moment on. Was she ready for that close-up Mr. Polanski? I think not.
One of the reasons to extradite Mr. Polanski is so that all girls and women that have been victims of a sexual assault know that society is on their side and condemns the illegal act committed against them.
Another reason is so that Mr. Polanski and other Pedophiles get the message that their crimes will be punished.
Another reason id that the criminal justice system should not just give up their job to catch criminals because some other government agency is not successful in doing their job.
Another reason is so that everyone knows that in America you cannot buy your way out of justice. It is not fair to go after the poor criminal who can’t afford a life in France, and to let the rich go.
Finally, there are no Extraordinary circumstances—For the best refutation of the Polanski defense see here:
http://joh
Child rape IS a real and pervasive problem, Ms. Cavallucci, and it saddens me that you aren't aware of that.
There's nothing alleged about his crime. He plead guilty and the fled. We apprehend fugitives when we can.
And yes, we should spend more taking care of society. Perhaps some of the millions of dollars we spend on celebrity reality shows could be redirected to that noble cause.
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