Comments on: Defending Polanski; or, How the Hollywood Left Has Completely Lost Its Marbles

By: Alafair Burke: Sex, Lies, And Band-Aids: Why Ensign And Polanski Should Have Pulled A… | Headline News

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 03:50:05 +0000

[...] Defending Polanski; or, How the Hollywood Left Has Completely Lost Its Marbles [...]

By: Bozell Column: Hollywood’s Favorite Rapist | linkthe.com

Bozell Column: Hollywood’s Favorite Rapist | linkthe.com — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:19:29 +0000

[...] Defending Polanski; or, How the Hollywood Left Has Completely Lost Its Marbles (themoderatevoice.com) [...]

By: thegameiam

thegameiam — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:20:33 +0000

Actually, running IS the most important difference (although neither of those two were convicted child-rapists). Running from justice is an affront against the entire criminal justice system. There is a difference between complaining that a conviction is unjust and arguing that evading the punishment is an acceptable response.

The hypocrisy was where, precisely?

By: HemmD

HemmD — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:56:41 +0000

thegameiam
"
2) Please provide an example of conservatives rushing to defend someone who pled guilty to a crime and lived as a fugitive. The implication of the sentence "just because the right would do something doesn’t mean the left should" is that the right would, in fact, so the thing at hand. I do not believe that this is correct, and I think an accusation of that nature should have something backing it up."

two examples took about 12 seconds, pled guilty and were defended by the right as unjust convictions.

scooter libby
Larry Craig

if you wish to make the whole difference running, you're being hypocritical.

By: archangel

archangel — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 03:42:05 +0000

Dear Casual, the topic is about Polanski and Hollywood and “free polanski” project and several other points. Please stay with the topic across the site as per TMV commenters' rules. It's appreciated.

thanks.
dr.e

By: casualobserver

casualobserver — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:52:22 +0000

There is no room for logic or finesse, such as your point, in the pursuit of the besmerchment of political foes.

The crude logic stream of Polanski…..Hollywood…..left….Democrat………will work well enough with mainstream America to be nonetheless effective.

The invitation to burden the Dems with this pseudo-fitting albatross is too inviting to pass up.

By: roro80

roro80 — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:11:37 +0000

Hey casual — Just for the record, I do think that so-called progressives who are defending this dude are being extremely hypocritical. I think you know that I consider myself a progressive. This whole thing is disappointing to the point of heart-breaking. I don't know that Polanski would consider himself a “Democrat” particularly, considering he's a foreign national, but that's besides the point.

By: casualobserver

casualobserver — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:14:49 +0000

@@Nice way to ignore what rudi said, casualobserver, and stick in your own opinion about Democratic hypocrisy.

I devoted my first paragraph to a specific, substantive rebuttal to his point. The victim cannot control the decision to prosecute the flee from justice.

However, as you apparently have no issue with him making gratuitous and defamatory remarks against law enforcement personnel, I thought you should allow me similar latitude in making gratuitous and defamatory remarks about political preferences.

By: Zzzzz

Zzzzz — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:05:51 +0000

This isn't a party thing. It is a privilege thing. Hollywood types defending one of their own is no different than politicians defending their corrupt brethren or executives defending the extreme bonuses of the financial industry. I think Polanski should burn, but then again, I am one of the little people who actually is expected to follow the law.

By: pacatrue

pacatrue — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:04:23 +0000

Nice way to ignore what rudi said, casualobserver, and stick in your own opinion about Democratic hypocrisy. Rudi made a point that he thinks if the victim doesn't want the extradition, then perhaps the court system should spend their time elsewhere. Of course, you can disagree with that point. I disagree with it myself, but at least engage his actual statements instead of just using it as one more place to display the moral superiority of your political team. This constant need to turn everything into a my team / your team thing is one of the greatest problems we face in getting decent governance today.

By: ElZagna

ElZagna — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:55:44 +0000

People of all ideologies abandon the party line when a case becomes personal. Right, left, center, libertarian, socialist, fascist... you name it. When it gets personal, ideological purity is the first thing tossed overboard.

It's silly trying to make a right-left issue out of this. Everybody does it. Let's just acknowledge that and get on with the substance of the story which is essentially what should be done about a 30 year old case of statutory rape in which the perpetrator fled the country to avoid sentencing.

By: roro80

roro80 — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:25:32 +0000

So, F_T, you know how everyone's all like, “hey, rape is bad” and stuff? Maybe this isn't a particularly good place for you to be making rape jokes. Ya think?

By: casualobserver

casualobserver — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:17:17 +0000

With all due respect for the victim, the extradition does not seem to pertain to the crime against her per se. It is that of being a fugitive from the justice system.

One would surmise a hero of the working man, the unmoneyed, the unprivileged, such as yourself, would rail against one of the privileged bourgoise walking away from justice, but apparently if he is a Democrat, you make an exception.

By: ChrisWWW

ChrisWWW — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:26:31 +0000

AR,
Since there are ~25 conservatives in all of Hollywood, I don't think you're being fair. Rather the burden is on you to explain why this is ideological.

By: AustinRoth

AustinRoth — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:21:35 +0000

Chris – as soon as you can find one known Conservative Hollywood type signing on to the 'save Polanski' movement, I will grant your point. But not until then.

By: Father_Time

Father_Time — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:21:11 +0000

Polanski needs to go to prison and get his well deserved size 11 anus. See how he likes it. Hollywood has been largely talent-less for the past twenty years anyway, (except for Spike Lee). With their wild assertions they have done the Democrats more harm than good IMO.

By: Rudi

Rudi — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:16:08 +0000

I'm not defending Polanski, but the victim has no interest in seeing Polanski extradited to the US.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/roman-p...
He's pleaded guilty and made a civil settlement with his victim. The criminal justice system has more pressing needs. Like tasering a grandmother or a quadriplegic...
Or the endless search for blond missing coeds...

By: ChrisWWW

ChrisWWW — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:03:54 +0000

I don't think this issue comes down on the Left or Right. It just so happens Hollywood is mostly liberal, but this seems like a matter of entertainment types closing ranks rather than ideology.

By: thegameiam

thegameiam — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:55:07 +0000

Good post, but I have two nitpicks:

1) Polanski pleaded guilty - he HAD his day in court before, and he admitted the crime.

2) Please provide an example of conservatives rushing to defend someone who pled guilty to a crime and lived as a fugitive. The implication of the sentence "just because the right would do something doesn’t mean the left should" is that the right would, in fact, so the thing at hand. I do not believe that this is correct, and I think an accusation of that nature should have something backing it up.

Other than those, I'm in complete agreement.

By: AustinRoth

AustinRoth — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:48:11 +0000

Michael – I have been probably one of your most consistent and vocal critics.

But I must commend you on a well crafted, clear-sighted post, and the moral clarity you are bringing to this disgusting display apologism towards Polanski.

Bravo.