The other day on The View, a show I've never seen because I have a job, Whoopi Goldberg defended film director Roman Polanski, who is facing extradition to the United States for committing statutory rape in 1977, saying "It was something else but it wasn't rape-rape."
Oh, it was rape rape rape, Whoopi. Roman Polanski gave a 13-year-old girl champagne and drugs, then when she was all loopy he stuck his dick up her ass. Sorry to be so blunt but this was some seriously vile shit he did. There's no reason to sugarcoat it.
Whoopi went on to say, "We're a different kind of society. We see things differently."
Is she trying to say that child rape is a part of Roman Polanski's culture? I'm sure there are countries where a 13-year-old is considered an old maid who better get to birthin' pronto, but this wasn't an arranged marriage in a an Old World village. This was a grown man, living and prospering in the United States, purposefully incapacitating a child so he could have his way with her. That isn't culture ANYWHERE. Culture is clothing and music and food and literature, not an adult raping a child. Using Whoopi's argument, one would have to forgive the stoning of infidels on U.S. soil if it was part of the assailant's "culture".
Unfortunately, she isn't the only one defending Polanski. A group of film industry big shots signed a petition objecting to his arrest. The list of names includes noted directors Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen (no surprise there), David Lynch and Terry Gilliam. Really? The American guy from Monty Python is okay with Polanski's actions? That is very disappointing to me.
Are people willing to forgive anything because they admire someone's creative efforts? I'm beginning to think that's the case. "Sure, Polanski took some liberties with his female party guest, but have you seen Chinatown?" I believe if Joseph Stalin had a lovely singing voice or an eye for cinematography he'd be on our fucking currency by now.
So no, I don't think Roman Polanski deserves a free pass because of his talents or because it happened a long time ago or any other horseshit excuse his apologists come up with. And frankly, the effort they are putting forth to set him free makes me sick to my stomach.
9 Comments:
I'm not defending him but if the victim is all for not prosecuting him, then I have to agree with her.
He's already been prosecuted. This isn't a case where he's being extradited to go to trial, to see IF he's guilty -- he ran away to avoid receiving his punishment. Whoopi Goldberg can't change the outcome of a trial with her sage wisdom (I didn't know she was one of the original jurors. Oh, she wasn't?)
This point has been raised by many people, but it bears repeating: unless you feel pedophile priests should be let off the hook under the same circumstances, you are a hypocrite for advocating that Polanski be let off the hook now.
Excellent post. Whoopi needs to check up. Her explanation was disgusting and she was patronizing in the extreme.
Dr Monkey, we have no idea why the victim would say that now but for the children with no voice now, rape should be punished.
Consider: The murder of Medgar Evers was punished 31 years after the fact. Some that said it shouldn't be dredged up again. But the slow wheels of justice prevailed and the 74 year old murderer was sentenced to life.
I used to live in France, where Polanski's state was one of prosecution: "He's exiled here because of draconian laws over there..."
It appears that I had it all wrong during my tenure in France. Either that, or the French people were willing to look the other way.
Anyway, I hope Polanski serves time. I don't care if he's a superb filmmaker; he ought to serve time for what he did. He could make a documentary. Ba-dum-ching.
I hope they put him in a cell with a 6'9" 350 lb. sodomite named Bluto.
Dr. Monkey, it's not up to the victim to determine punishment, whether yea or nay.
I agree with those who question 1/why it took so long for the US to make this happens and 2/given that it's been more than 30 years and California can't afford to keep convicts in jail, is this really a priority.
That said, now that they have acted, I hope they string the guy up by his balls. Might make a good movie for Scorcese. And Whoopi can go to a special place in hell.
Totally agree...Polanski should serve his sentence.
That it is many years later does not lessen the crime.
That the victim has forgiven him, that's her personal business...he was prosecuted by the state.
As for Whoopi...I've always admired her...until two years ago when she defended Michael Vick...and now this.
Methinks 'her view' has some serious issues.
SERIOUSLY...WFT???
It is 2009, right? Right?
This man committed an atrocious crime! He drugged and raped a little girl. It happened decades ago. The victim is "all for not prosecuting him" because her life has been destroyed by this man and she wants it to stop.
I'm sorry she has to suffer more but this disgusting piece of shit must be punished. We cannot let this go away because the man is a decent (yes, DECENT...not at ALL brilliant)filmmaker and because he fled the country and has evaded punishment for as long as he has.
I hope Bluto gives it to him good.
And FUCK YOU, Whoopi. Just stop talking. You haven't been relevant since the early nineties.
Post a Comment
<< Home