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

[Glocksf21]

Letterman make his living, poking fun at others infidelity, why shoudn't he get the same?

[ChezMJ]

Letterman made fun of HYPOCRITES. Gov. Sanford held himself out as Mr. Morality. Spitzer jailed people for exactly what he did. They were both married men. Dave just got married & has never held himself out as a paragon of morality. BIG difference.

Move along. Nothing to see here...

[jimrs6]

Baloney. He made fun of people who did not agree with him politically, and joked about sex with an underage girl. He deserves all the criticism he gets for his blatant hypocrisy.

[joycemorrison]

nice one, jamie lee! keep writing. =)

[roannamac]

Love me some JLC!

[janie@atthelake]

Agree.........good common sense!

[nbb]

I agree with everything you wrote. Polanski's celebrity is irrelevant.... and so is anyone else's who steps so wide of the mark of decency and the law. Thanks for your post!

[isaidit]

Rio, bravo! Indeed!

Keep on keeping on, JLC.

[Epiphany2b]

Do most of those born within the last 40 years even know who he is, let alone what he did? And also bear in mind that during the last 30 years there have been historic events and calamities which have drawn people's attention. This is just one case. If the girl/woman had agitated for justice, and kept the facts before the public, perhaps there would have been more awareness.

There is only so much outrage that anyone can put forth, but outrage is expected and called for from 100% of the people 95% of the time. I can't maintain that. I have to pick and chose what to be outraged about, and I chose the things that I can actually do something about. While this situation is indeed awful, perhaps the outrage of those who can do something about it will be bring results.

[rockyersocksoff]

I heart JLC

[jessicajuliette]

but we're the united states, we get everything we want!! that's the way God wants it....

[PghLori]

Well said Jamie. You have got to be the most reasonable, down-to-earth person ever to come out of Hollywood. Please keep speaking out.

[gbee]

Two thumbs, way up - great post, Jamie!

[mikep]

Excellent post. If anyone wants to read the excellent article by Steve Lopez in the LA Times that she mentions, it's here:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lopez30-2009sep30,0,4549479.column

[roshni]

Jamie - I have always admired you for the sensible and level headed person you are. I agree that Polanski's art is irrelevant to whether he should stand trial for a child rape when he fled the scene. I also think POTUS and FLOTUS represented us well, but Rio was in fact the better choice because South America deserves a shot. Also, it's a gorgeous and photogenic city.

[JFaye]

There is just one thing wrong with this post and I'd like to point it out ... It is well thought out and makes sense. (well that's two things) Thank you.

[dianhow]

Jamie You are right on target . How can anyone defend Polassky- and the rape of a 13 yr old child- what have we come to ? Yes Obama did what any leader would do - he tried to get the Olympics- now right wing gloats. Obama was NOT shunned - Rio got their turn- congrats to them .
That right wing vitriol is sickening. It says so much about them- how evil and nasty -hateful they are.