BS: Should Polanski be extradited to the USA

Subject: RE: BS: Should Polanski be extradited to the USA
From: Rasener
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 11:49 AM

That was my mistake, I did look for another thread covering the same subject, but did not see one at the time.

I have no problem with it being merged

Subject: RE: BS: Should Polanski be extradited to the USA
From: Ebbie
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 11:11 AM

"What we are talking about is the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl, one of the most serious crimes there is." The Villan

"IMHO "statutory rape" (or, as less aggressive codes would put it "unlawful sexual intercourse") is considerably less serious than actual rape" Richard Bridge

"Why has another been started? How confusing. Anyhow, can I cross-ref to a post I put on that one just this morning, about the artificiality of the concept of 'age-of-consent', a man-made, not a natural or god-given, construct." MtheGM

I agree more with the responses above than I do with your statement, The Villan. I can think of a hundred - a thousand?- offenses more serious than this one. Would you like to rethink it? Keep in mind that a boy who is 18 and in a sexual relationship with his 16-year-old girlfriend is committing statutory rape.

Polanski's real offense, to my mind, was in applying his own standards to a young girl.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Polanski be extradited to the USA
From: SharonA
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 10:25 AM

MtheGM: Joe or a JoeClone will probably insert the posts from this thread into the other one eventually. You're right, though, that there was no real need to start this thread, even if it asks a specific question about the subject matter of the other one.

To answer that question: Yes, he should be.

John says: "No doubt he should be extradited, but I am curious, and suspicious, as to why they are only doing it now. From what one reads, he was in places where they could have done this, many times before, why wait till now?"

Because there hadn't been an international warrant for his arrest until 2005 (I don't know the reason for THAT delay), and since then Polanski has evaded authorities. I read a statement this morning from authorities saying that this was the first time since 2005 that they had prior knowledge of when and where Polanski would be, so that they could be there to make the arrest. (He had gone to Switzerland to accept a film award.)

Subject: RE: BS: Should Polanski be extradited to the USA
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 09:31 AM

There is already a thread on this subject going under name of "Polanski arrested" - at present only 5 or 6 below this one. Why has another been started? How confusing. Anyhow, can I cross-ref to a post I put on that one just this morning, about the artificiality of the concept of 'age-of-consent', a man-made, not a natural or god-given, construct. I also ref'd Wyman's difficulties in bringing his perfectly-legal-at-home wife here but being forbidden by our laws to get anywhere near her. How annoying to have to say it all twice — so I ask again, why a new thread instead of just contributing to the already-ongoing one?

Subject: RE: BS: Should Polanski be extradited to the USA
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 09:03 AM

Dear me.

There are really some people on the 'Cat who equate "Law" with "Justice" ?

Perhaps I'm getting too old for this caper.

Kindly do not interpret the foregoing as my condoning Mr Polanski's conduct.

As a former Law Tutor, I remember certain colleagues sniffing round the young women freshers, and others around the pretty boys.

But for the grace of god ?

Subject: RE: BS: Should Polanski be extradited to the USA
From: Bobert
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 08:43 AM

Like John MacK, I am also puzzled by the timing... This guy has maintained a residence in Switzerland for many years and could have been arrested at any time during those years...

Yes, he should be arrested (and extridited) and...

...so should some justcie/law enforcement folks who allowed this to go on for 30 years...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Should Polanski be extradited to the USA
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 08:41 AM

Freda, yes I doubt rape of minors is deemed acceptable, though we did have the Mandy Smith & Bill Wyman affair when I was young. She was thirteen but in an adult nightclub when they met & he did subsequently marry her - albeit briefly.

There was little negative comment on Wymans actions back then - something over two decades ago.
And I recall the newspapers at the time naming Mandy "Lolita". Though I think what was most telling regards presumptions about innocent middle age men being corrupted by seductive young girls (as earlier general attitudes of many of these situations seemed to deem it) I don't recall anyone at any point, terming Wyman "Humbert Humbert".

Subject: RE: BS: Should Polanski be extradited to the USA
From: freda underhill
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 08:15 AM

Forced rape and sodomy with a 13 year old. I doubt that's acceptable in Europe or anywhere.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Polanski be extradited to the USA
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 08:13 AM

IMHO "statutory rape" (or, as less aggressive codes would put it "unlawful sexual intercourse") is considerably less serious than actual rape.

I am in little doubt that after all the intervening furore the sentencing will not be a fair process. I am also concerned that the as far as I know arrest was carried out in Switzerland because French law would not permit Polanksi's extradition. I am not clear why that should have been so but it worries me that that has been got round.

There was, however, the aggravating feature (if my memory serves me) that passivity (rather than consent) was obtained by surreptitiously administering a fairly powerful sedative.

As I recollect the conviction was properly obtained, and Polanski should therefore not in principle avoid sentence, but I do not see how a fair sentencing process can now take place.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Polanski be extradited to the USA
From: bobad
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 07:55 AM

Flout, not flaunt.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Polanski be extradited to the USA
From: artbrooks
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 07:31 AM

What Giok said.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Polanski be extradited to the USA
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 07:28 AM

I read her entire testimony, and it sounded a rather sordid business to say the least. Polanski however was furious that his behavior had been criticised at all, as according to him, in Europe his actions would have been no big deal.

Another thing I found rather unsavoury was the fact he apparently raised her past, as some kind of defense his actions. She openly admitted in court to having had sex twice previously, but irrespective of that, she claimed to have repeatedly refused and attempted to avoid sex with HIM.

What I find offensive about Polanski's slur on her character, is that while a thirteen year old girl may experiment with peers (and they do), it doesn't necessarily mean that she is therefore automatically legitimate game for a middle aged man.

Subject: RE: BS: Should Polanski be extradited to the USA
From: Rasener
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 07:26 AM

Is it a case of money JM?

Subject: RE: BS: Should Polanski be extradited to the USA
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 07:23 AM

No doubt he should be extradited, but I am curious, and suspicious, as to why they are only doing it now. From what one reads, he was in places where they could have done this, many times before, why wait till now?

JM

Subject: RE: BS: Should Polanski be extradited to the USA
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 07:20 AM

My 2 cents:

He should be extradited because it is the rule of law, not because of emotionality about whatever crime he is accused of committing. IUPG, and all that, AND law is law.

~S~

Subject: BS: Should Polanski be extradited to the USA
From: Rasener
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 07:16 AM

This gentleman who has admitted to having unlawful sex with an underage child, and as such although not tried and proven has admitted to being a Paedophile.

Mr Polanski's skipped bail 31 years ago in the United States and fled to France rather than be sentenced in a US court.

What we are talking about is the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl, one of the most serious crimes there is.

Why should somebody in his position flaunt the law. People like him should be locked up and the key thrown away.

I think he should be extradited and if found guilty put in the clink and if not already, be put on the offenders list.

Just becuase the years have gone by, does not mean that he shouldn't face justice.

Discuss