Comments on: There Must Be Some Strange New Definition Of "Feminism" Going Around

By: tehag

tehag — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 11:54:40 +0000

None of the evils which have befallen Polanski and which are claimed as substitutes for punishment for his rape of a child, namely his suffering in WW2 (great though it was) and his oppression by communism, occurred *after* the rape. I know of no legal or moral principle which allows criminals to serve time in advance of the crime.

By: TomH

TomH — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:10:23 +0000

The more I read about those who defend him, it seems that, in addition to the rich man's OJ thing, it comes down to a "this was yesterday's crime" kind of attitude. Attention spans wane. I would not presume to generalize to every person or crime, but, say Llewellyn Scott, who is accused of murder in Troy, NY, and unknown, or even Scott Peterson, whose fame is entirely from his criminal acts, disappeared off the map for fifteen or twenty years after that incident – I would wager that the public's demand for a first class prosecution wold be low.

By: Jdog

Jdog — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:33:15 +0000

It's part of an unsavory history, although the examples that spring to mind are politicians, not directors. I think it's safe to say that if Juanita Broaddrick's accusations had been against, say, George Bush (doesn't matter which one) she would have found support from feminist groups that she didn't when she accused Bill Clinton of rape. (I'm not taking a position as to whether her accusation or recantation were true; I don't have one.)

By: Charles

Charles — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:22:04 +0000

I'm pretty sure he'd be sentenced under the law in effect at the time he drugged and raped a 13-year-old, John. Plus whatever penalty he can get for jumping bail.

By: John Kindley

John Kindley — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:15:27 +0000

Polanski faces no more than 16 months in prison for having sex with a minor?! Under USC 2422(b), just trying to have sex with a minor via the internets (even if the "minor" turns out to be an undercover cop) gets you a mandatory minimum of ten years and up to life in prison.

By: Chris Berez

Chris Berez — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:04:11 +0000

It was a nice run while it lasted…

By: Patrick

Patrick — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:55:31 +0000

In that event, I've demoted Berez. He shall return to his prior status as an unperson.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:54:04 +0000

I mentioned it in another comment thread, but I didn't originate the quip.

By: Chris Berez

Chris Berez — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:38:45 +0000

Chris Berez, who frequently comments here, described Polanski as an “OJ Simpson for the elites,”

Was that me? I think that may have been someone else. I don't mind taking credit for it, though.

This is one of the most insane things I've read. Polanski has "been through enough"? What exactly has he been through? Spending his time abroad having sex with other underage girls? (Matt Welch, on his Twitter, was posting excerpts where Polanski openly writes about sex with a 15 year old).

Whoopi Goldberg says it wasn't "rape-rape"; Sharon Tate's sister says it was "a consensual matter"; Now Peg Yorkin says says it's been a long time and Polanski has suffered (somehow) so he's a victim. In fact, whenever I've heard women interviewed, they're defending the guy and suggesting that he only pled guilty to sex with a minor so that means he's not a rapist and the child wanted it.

What the hell is going on in people's heads?

By: Patrick

Patrick — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:10:11 +0000

Oh I think I'm pretty clear here that this is a post about one idiot. One very rich, powerful, and influential idiot. I have added a link to the post which contains a nice cross section of opinion from poorer, hence lesser, feminists than Peg Yorkin.

By: Mark Thompson

Mark Thompson — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:59:00 +0000

Wow. That's f'ing amazing. I should point out, though, that she is the only feminist I've seen backing Polanski. Every other feminist of whom I'm aware, at least on the Internets, has been fairly tenacious in going after Polanski.

By: Rick C

Rick C — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:46:24 +0000

there is one group I would have expected, uniformly, to argue that Polanski should stand tall before the man. That group is: organized political feminists.

I was mistaken.

Well, feminists stood by Bill Clinton, to the point of creating the One Grope Rule, so it's less of a surprise than it should be.

By: Ken

Ken — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:15:16 +0000

When I saw that, I thought "this must be one of those stealth conservative organizations where they call themselves feminist but are actually against contraception and working outside the home and favor foot-binding and stuff." But then I checked. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?