Crimes and Misdemeanors

So Rio was awarded the games. How wonderful. How appropriate and to use a modern parlance: "It's about, like, freakin time." Obama Snubbed!, so claimed this very website. Snubbed? Come on. He went, he pitched, they chose another city. Done. Good for him for trying, the hometown son fighting for his state, for the obvious economic benefits that will come to the victor. Michelle, Oprah. Lovely. Thank you all for making the attempt but celebrate for Rio and the Brazilians who have never had a games in that region. What a wondrous place, also in need but also one who has come out of such difficult times into this light, this flame. Represent for us all Rio. Bravo.

Now on to Switzerland, usually neutral in conflict. I know the case only from the news, the documentary and recently Steve Lopez's article in the Los Angeles Times and the resulting shit-storm of opinions but just ask yourself, if you are a parent of a 13 year old boy or girl and the accused perpetrator has acknowledged what in this case, Polanski has, would you not want the full extent of the laws in this country to apply? Really? I would. If it was my daughter had been sodomized I would, and I would be shocked if any of his supporters would say that I was wrong to my face.

I don't give a damn about art here. I still think Jackson Pollack, though talented and visionary, a murderer by driving a young woman to her death and another to horrible injuries while they pleaded for their lives in the car that he drove drunk and crashed. The ease of celebrity and the veil of protection should be lifted and if that is what happens here then so be it. Elizabeth Smart so brave and SMART as she convinced her jailer/rapist to move closer to Salt Lake City to be closer to God or the Feds whomever came to her rescue first, told her truth, horrific as it was so that the full extent of the law can be applied to her case. The law. The law of the land. The law of The United States of America.

Now, in the same breath, while reading about the horrific devastation overseas from the earthquakes and tsunamis, David Letterman makes this revelation about his personal life because he was being extorted. I understand he was staying ahead of the wave and I commend him for it but really, is this any of our business? Why should this matter? Extortion is abundant. Look at the tragedy of John Travolta and Kelly Preston's son. Horrible, that they should have to discuss this in the midst of their grief and yet they are doing so to protect him even in death.

So as always, when I am feeling out of control and angry and sad I try to figure out what I can do, BE THE CHANGE, I intone. I can teach my children about right and wrong, how to protect themselves, how to prepare ourselves in case of a natural disaster. I am the proud spokesperson for this year's Red Cross: Do More Than Cross Your Fingers Campaign. Go to their website. Put together your family kits. Make a family plan. Buy water, send a check to the relief organizations, donate blood and then tonight, before you go to sleep, feeling a little more prepared for what life will throw at you...hug your people. Tell them what they mean to your life and that you love them fiercely and that you will protect them till your last breath.

 

 

Comments

[MarieNat]

Good post. I was almost afraid to read it, thinking it was yet another apologia for Roman Polanski, but I am pleasantly surprised. I shouldn't have been surprised though - I find this blogger always makes good common sense.

[swkidder]

Yeah, me too. I always enjoy what she has to say. Not only does it make good sense, but it's always kind - two very rare and special qualities that are too often absent in what I read. Bravo Jamie - I think I would like you very much.

[lentinelia]

Great post. Heartfelt.

About Letterman - he should have just paid the 2 mil and spared us and his family the details.

[ellawensmom]

Wonderful post. Common sense is good!

[Catch22isms]

This just might be the best blog I've read on Huff Post.

[hoosier96]

Why not? He's a public figure. He ridicules Palin almost every night on her personal life.

[itznotabtme]

Jamie, thank you for saying things that needed to be said. You are using your celebrity to speak out in a positive way and hopefully do some good. People need to be held accountable for their actions instead of justifying their behavior.

[ThreeCrows]

As the saying goes, "And this to shall pass". It is unfortunate that Dave had to go on the air and reveal this criminal activity against him, his family, his friends and his show. In a 24/7 news world now, it would have eventually been revealed. What is interesting is the level of hate that's been fostered on him for telling the truth about his PAST relationships BEFORE he was a married man and a father. There are those who never liked Dave for his jesters of Palin and others and see this as fuel for their hatred. I see no difference in these emotional tirades that is similar to the town hall health care squabbles, the "birther' nonsense and the "tea baggers". Dave represents the other side in their view and they feel he must be brought down. Well, he's not a politico and a man who has always held his private life close. What I also find interesting is some women's group having outrage. Well, the women involved with Dave were of legal age and Dave has never demonstrated any history of holding power over any woman. He has Barbara Gaines running the show for many years. And these women aren't some wilting flower in need of rescuing. Let's not trip down this road with hyperbole. Ina time where stress is at an all time high, let's just enjoy the comedy.

[bernusdellus]

Nicely put, on all points, Ms.Curtis.

I admire your work as an actress and your reasoned opinions.

[jwalker889]

My first post to a Hollywood star and I am a conservative. I always like to hear both sides and have right and left bookmarks. Jaime you are conservative when it comes to children. Every parent should be far right when it comes to their children. You want them to believe in the magic of Santa Claus, the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny. At what point do you sadly have to educate them on rapists? 13 years old is....... sorry Whoopie, IT IS RAPE period. +

I do not give a squat about Letterman, his consenting girlfriends because they are adults. Although, Palin must be getting a giggle out of this. I never gave a blink about Lewinski either. I thought the wrath of Hillary would be punishment enough. It was a family matter.

I still do not care about Edwards. It is all tabloid fodder and another idiot politician will get busted and I don't know or care if it will be a Republican or a Democrat. It just goes on.

Letterman is not a politician but it will be a bit hypocritical the next time he makes any joke about sex.

[Willow-the-Witch]

What exactly does "conservative when it comes to children" mean? What would be "liberal" when it comes to children? How is wanting your children to be safe and loved and cared for a question of conservative or liberal? I thought was part & parcel of being a parent.

[leeleelu]

Jamie, you are the change.

Keep it up. We need clear thinking and honest voices to continue to cut through the BS out there.

[GetAGrip007]

Thank you Jaime for being the voice of reason! You hit the nail on the head in every subject you touched upon. Please keep writing your thoughts- I admire you for it.

[kathy001]

I am so very glad that I logged on today so that I could read this. Thank you for breathing a little sanity into these topics. Sanity and humanity.

[harborfish]

Bravo Jamie! I have a 16 year old daughter and I would want the guy brought to justice. Our children are so vulnerable and we need people to speak for them. As far as Dave is concerned they are all adults, different story. Oh yes! RIO! They should be proud! The first Olympics in that part of the world. I bet they will put on a good show of it. SO OK, WE, the US and Chicago lost! We will get over it, and thanks Pres for trying. U2 Michelle and Oprah. RIO will be perfect. Back to Roman. We must uphold our laws to protect our minor children. What Mr. Polanski did was atrocious. No self restraint. I wonder if his relatives let their children stay with him.

[libertron]

I'm sorry, was there ever any allegation that Dave threatened anyone that they might get fired or they wouldn't get promoted if they didn't sleep with him? It's about time to end this taboo about getting together with someone at work. We all spend way more time at our jobs than any other place like: bars, church, clubs, or other public places where we might meet other singles we might like to date.

I'm just old enough to know where all this sexual harassment hyperbole came from. The Dems decided no way in heck they were gonna let a black conservative onto the Supreme Court, so they made a mountain out of a molehill about Clarence Thomas vs Anita Hill. And now the rest of us have to forever be worried about smiling back at that girl in Accounting.

[pittmom]

Clarence Thomas using his role as Anita Hill's boss was totally out of line in the content and intentions of his behavior toward her. Any time a boss is involved with a subordinate there is an imbalance of power in the relationship, and at times, a coercive element as well. Yes...it happens all the time and sometimes things work out perfectly, but that doesn't make it right.

Being pleasant toward someone you supervise is one thing. There is a line that should not be crossed and, frankly most of us have seen unfortunate results of such actions in retaliatory behaviors when things don't work out.

[libertron]

If we are innocent until proven guilty, the burden of proof is with the accuser. If there's a "coercive element", then show it. Anita Hill could have called his bluff and said "go *#&* yourself" and then sued for lots of money if she got fired.

This case has some personal interest for me because I was in high school at the time, and a friend of mine split with his girlfriend. A puppy-love gone bad kinda thing, they both did some retatliatory stuff to each other and he hurt her feelings worse (although what he did broke no laws or was obscene in any way).

The chick and her mom went straight to the school board and threatened them with a lawsuit for not providing a "safe environment" for the girl to study. The school, aware of the PC climate about sexual harassment just being created, forced my friend onto Riddalin at the risk of expulsion if he didn't comply.

[kathy001]

That's right, use this wonderful article to point the finger and keep fanning the flames. Good job.

[livesimply]

Thomas sexually harassed her in a degrading fashion. There is a great deal of difference. Letterman's "victims" were willing accomplices and he is a comedian; not running for supreme court justice.

[PrasadD]

As far as I remember the sexual harassment allegation against Clarence Thomas was proved to be a lie. Am I missing something here?

[GarryLad]

defying kings. What does this mean? Losing our faith in ourselves simply because letterman has suffered. I doubt this. where is the america of old?