Petition for Roman Polanski Signatories

Whatever transgressions the judge may have committed are irrelevant next to the drugging and repeated anal raping of a child. It is also irrelevant that she may have dressed “grown up” or even if she had engaged in intimacy with boys of her age. It is also irrelevant if her mother was trying to vicariously enjoy a brush with stardom.
Polanski raped a thirteen year old girl and fled justice. His comments on the subject indicate no remorse and in fact seem to indicate a perverse (of course) pride in his engaging in satisfying his twisted appetites.
I don’t know what the rationals might be for those who seek his pardoning, be it moral ambiguity, sycophancy, going along with what they see as “hip” or simply the belief that the group they belong to is somehow superior and has a right to use “common” people for their own amusement, but it would be a mistake to give the law a pass to accommodate this utterly reprehensible man.
At the end of the day Polanski fled not because of a legal transgression on the part of the California justice system but because he thinks he’s above the law and does not have to answer to a code of ethics that conflicts with his selfish and perverse tastes.
He’s an old man now and probably won’t be causing much more trouble so I don’t know how much in the way of resources we should spend trying to extradite him so that he can spend his dotage in one of our nicer minimum security prisons . We should not however allow him to ever enter this country again.
As for those listed above, their association with this ill-conceived effort will always taint my opinion of them and while I don’t necessarily agree that viewing CHINATOWN condones pedophilia there is a certain “stink” that hangs over anything associated with Roman Polanski and to a degree that “stink” will rub off on the signatures above.

Wow! It is amazing at all of the people that dont care that a 13 year old girl was raped. If he was some crack head living in harlem and raped a girl would the same supporters come to the rescue? The fact is that he raped her and pled guilty. He fled the conviction. She forgave him yes… but the law does not forgive. What kind of message are we sending to all of the other 13 year old girls out there that have been raped? You people that support this kind of act should be ashamed of yourselves. It makes me sad to know so many people who I look up to in the field of the arts are supporters of rape…

1. The case is not a case of morals. Laws - rape (statutory or otherwise) and escape from justice - have been broken.

2. International film events are not extraterritorial in nature - only diplomatic missions are extraterritorial, and even diplomats are triable and punishable for crimes in a foreign country once they are sent back to their countries. The petitioners clearly consider themselves diplomats, which they are not. The fact that filmmakers may present their work and travel freely and safely at and to film events, as every person may do at and to other unrestricted public properties, does not make them diplomats.

3. The fact that Switzerland is a neutral country does not make it a lawless country. Its neutrality applies in times of war and peace, not in the application of treaty and criminal laws. Its war neutrality does not preclude it from signing a necessary extradition treaty with another country. The fact that Polanski ‘assumed that he could travel without hindrance’ shows only his blatant disregard for the law of any country. Everyone, including he, knew that once he was outside France and Poland (due to French and Polish laws), any country may arrest and extradite him under its own laws.

4. Any notion that because a person puts up a huge bail, s/he definitely will not flee is an utter fallacy, whether or not in view of past conduct.

5. US-French relations have nothing to do with Polanski drugging and raping a child.

One would think that these filmmakers have enough money to hire a proper lawyer to draft their petition, if they were serious about it.

My level of disgust for these petitions cannot even be fully expressed. Strip polanski of his resume and he is a man. A man that raped a child. Should this even be up for discussion? He raped a child. He drugged a child. He engaged in non-consenting sex acts with a child. Argue all you want, I don’t know ANY 13 year old girls who can hold there Quaaludes & champagne AND still say yes to having sex with a sick, dirty old man. Everytime you pop in Rosemary’s baby or Chinatown think about how YOU helped commit the rape of a 13 year old girl.

First off Mr. Polanski did not rape anyone. He admitted to unlawfully having sex as part of a plea bargain the judge tried to renege on. This girl was very sexually mature for her age, even the judge said “the prosecutrix was a well-developed young girl, who looked older than her years, and regrettably not unschooled in sexual matters.” This was clearly a case of consensual sexual relations

Those of you who think this is the same as rape should watch Oleanna.

Can any of you remember what you were like at 13? I know I was thinking about sex pretty much 90% of the time. Many 13 year olds - boys and girls- have sex and very often with those older than them. Whether its 5 years or 20 years is irrelevant. The issue is ‘effective consent’ not whether you like or dislike someones sexual preference or activity.

Free Roman Polanski.

Who gives a shit? I do along with those who loves
children. Even at 13, a child does not have
the mindset to handle this cituation in a mature
fashion.
It is immaterial as to the occupation of the
offender.
Those that signed the petition, I would
like to see where they end up.

Some people on other blogs I’ve read suggested to “separate the person from his work” since many artist have personalities or values that aren’t charming. Where does the quest for boycott end? I disagree. Personally, I can live with a Hugh Grant who got a blow-job from a prostitute. None of my business. I could enjoy Sean Connery’s work, even though he apparently doesn’t have a problem with slapping a woman. I might not like it, but I can separate the man from his work. Basically, it all comes down to your threshold of pain. To me, child abuse is the where I will absolutely put my line in the sand. It is the most vicious, sickening and coward action, to attack a young child. To not feel remorse. To not face your own actions but run away when you don’t like the consequences. We have a duty to protect the innocence of children. Once again, shame on all who signed this petition and feel Polanski shouldn’t be punished!

What is the big deal about the Reverend Polanski?
Many other priests have committed this sort of crime, and they are dealt with most liberally.
Is Father Polanski any different?
Why should he be treated any differently from other members of the clergy?
Just because he made a few “hollywood” films, should he somehow be judged more severely or liberally than the others?
I mean, he IS a priest in the Catholic church is he not? Or do I have him confused with some other child-molesting priest?
I say treat them all equally!

I have copied this list so that I can keep it for all time (yes, I hold a grudge a long, long, time). I will never ever spend another cent on anything you folks are in, or have participated in or come even close to being involved in.

I will spread this list to every friend I have, and post it on Facebook and many other social sites.

The bottom line is that in this country we face justice. If this was some normal guy from the streets of Chicago you would all be calling for his head. There is no one who is so talented that deserve to walk from something like this (and he’s been walking for 30 years)

K, Uhlman, please don’t get all “circus of blood” here. Really, you are worse than the most rabid of Polanski’s detractors. This is actually a very civil process being carried out in regards to someone who did a very uncivil thing.

Linda, what you think should happen and what is mandated by law are two very different things. And please don’t take the whole “But but he’s so charming and he gives to charity!” defense. Because you know, rapists are never charming, are they? I mean, Ted Bundy… oh. never mind.

For those of you who support Mr. Polanski, have you never considered that he has likely perpretrated the same things against some other young victim as he did Ms. Gailey? The man has no remorse for what he did as evidenced by interviews he has given. I urge you to read the full transcript of Ms. Gailey’s testimony! This man should never have been allowed to go free without punishment…and 45 days of evaluation does not constitute punishment! I sympathize with Ms. Gailey’s feelings, however, this man should not be free to victimize other children. Ask any rape victim and we will tell you that we would give anything if the rapist had been prosecuted and locked up forever before we were victimized by them! What was done to that 13 year old victim should not be perpetrated on any child. It was not just statutory rape, it was rape-rape because she said no!

Polanski is a child rapist probably a serial child rapist. The above people think it’s OK to rape children if you make good films.

The criminal case should be settled without any jail time. Mr. Polanski is not a threat to anyone. He is not a sexual predator – he is a now a philanthropist. From what is known about the criminal proceedings, it seems the judge was basking in the limelight and behaved outragously thus the entire case should be tossed.

He should not have to go on trial again for a 30 year old statutory rape, but should have to answer to the flight.

California turns people loose that are highly likely to offend again due to space and budgetary issues. What purpose does it serve to lock up Mr. Polanski when the prison space could be used to protect the public from violent offenders?

What he did over 30 years ago was wrong, but the fact that the victim received a civil settlement and doe not want the matter pursued means the case should be dropped.

We worship/ed those artists just as they worship Polanski. The only difference is we’ve come to our senses while they haven’t!

I have too much to say to put it in a short comment - but I have posted on this issue on my personal blog :

But it seems to me that Hollywood must be a very dangerous place for a child these days as so many of its big names appear to endorse paedophilic activity. A shameful chapter indeed - let us hope it will soon be brought to a close.

I’m a liberal, I work at a major studio. I will never again be able to speak to, or look at, Mike Nichols, Jonathan Demme, Martin Scorsese or any of the other names I recognize here without wanting to scream obscenities at them. Polanski drugged a 13 year old girl and forced his penis in her anus - is that too ugly? Prefer the fantasy of one his films? Just as astonishing is Sharon Tate’s sister - a supposed “victim’s advocate” saying Polanski is a “lovely man” and should be free. Gee, she got so uptight about cancer-adled, bedridden Sharon Atkins potential release saying she hadn’t paid for her crime (and I agree, by the way). But like so many narcissistic and selfish Americans, a crime is only a crime when it happens to YOU, screw everyone else. I can’t wait to get out of this f**ed up town.

He never even apologized to the woman. What a sad coward.

“The man is an animal and a coward. He’s an animal because of what he did to a child; he’s a coward because he didn’t take his punishment like a man with character.

I am thoroughly disgusted by the world’s film community for supporting him just because he makes good movies. I understand that Hitler was a good painter…Maybe we shouldn’t have closed in on and bombed his bunker because good painters are a treasure.”

Wow, this is maybe the finest list of people that I’ve ever seen. I express my deepest respect to those who were brave enough to sign the petition and withstand the blood-seeking mob.
Mike Nichols, David Lynch, Ethan Coen, Bernardo Bertolucci, Martin Scorsese, Jeremy Irons, Tilda Swinton, Terry Gilliam, Emir Kusturica, Wim Wenders and many, many others, I love you even more!
FREE ROMAN POLANSKI!

thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0928091polanskiplea1.html

His plea is on page 12: Do you understand the judge has not made any decision?

“yes”

‘Do you understand the court will make no decision regarding probation and sentencing until the judge reads all of the reports’

“Yes”

‘Do you understand at the time of your sentencing, the prosecutor may argue that you should go to state prison or be incarcerated in the county jail?”

“Yes”

(to Polanski’s attorney)” Have you explained to your client all of the possible outcomes? (Page 13)

“Yes”

“On march 13, 1977, the day you had sexual intercourse… how old did you believe her to be?”

Polanski: “She was 13.”

Page 14

“Are you pleading guilty Freely and voluntarily?”

“yes”

Page 15
“Under 1192.5 of the Penal Code that the approval of the Court to the plea is not binding to the Court….. (that the court may change the terms upon further review…)”…… How do you plead to this felony?

Polanski: “Guilty”

Hey Llaslavic,

Feminist here! Also an artist and a film lover. Believe it or not, I believe that you and I agree. Anyone whose name is on this petition, is supporting an admitted (he did admit it) rapist/child molester. The girl said “no” many times.

Sari - where are you - pay attention to this part: If you support a child rapist and decide it is not important enough to enforce laws regarding such a crime, then as a society you CONDONE that crime. That’s why even though there are many other bad things in the world, this one IS important.

If you’re not going to enforce laws, then what’s the point in having any? Shall we all rape, murder, steal, defraud etc. because it’s just too banal and trivial to enforce our laws?

Don’t worry YM, I didn’t forget you. Actually, the film “Wanted and Desired” has notable inaccuracies and neglects to include the grand jury testimony which is readily available to the public. Too icky, I suppose to add the details of your purported hero’s heinous crime.

But this is the most important part YM: Accusing the judge of things and the girl of things and feminists and lactose intolerant people and etc. etc. etc. means nothing. Only one person’s behaviour is at issue here, Roman Polanski and he deserves to be in prison because he drugged, then raped, then sodomized a 13 year old girl despite her pleas for him to stop.

the uber leftist oh so talented equivocators make me want to hurl. What happened to the feminists? Hiding under the same moldy rock they hid under during the OJ trial? Now if the guy was a Duke Lacrosse player the hollywierd crowd and hordes of valueless eurotrash signing their souls…as if they have them away on these tacky petitions…now that would get them riled up

I’m so glad Roman has so many supporters that he can rape and sodomize, but are any of you 13 because that’s target age we need. Please don’t stop here, the penal system is full of people that can only get it up when they force barely pubescent kids. High recidivism can’t be an excuse to keep these people locked up, all victims will come forward if it happens again, and we don’t need to pay any heed Kinski’s real birth certificate.

“His plea bargain didn’t fall apart. The judge went back on his word because he was afriad of public opinion like yours.

Roman was charged with sex with minor, not real rape. He never admited to raping anyone.”

Not real rape? Drugging a girl, disregarding her repeated “No”, her faking an asthma attack to get him to stop is not real rape? He plead guilty to a lesser charge of unlawful sex with a minor because he knew they had enough evidence to fry his ass if it went to trial. Furthermore, plea bargains are totally up to the judge, if he felt the deal was too lenient than he was perfectly in his legal right to not honor the deal.

If Polanski had killed the girl instead of raping her, the whole matter would have been forgotten long ago…
The victim wants the case dropped, but oh no. The mob wants revenge. The whole world will be so much safer if Polanski ends his days behind bars. Can’t think of a bigger threat to our planet just now.

Woody Allen supports him-big shocker (the guy who is now married to the woman who was essentially his stepdaughter). I don’t know if you are really helping his case, Woody. Polanski is a child molester. He should be in jail.

A 13-year-old cannot give consent to have sex with an adult male. She is not an adult. She is a child. If he believed her to be old enough, why did he drug her? I admire Mr. Polanski’s work. He is a great artist, no doubt about it, but he commited a crime against a child and needs to be prosecuted.

Roman Polanski committed several horrific crimes over the course of several hours, admitted his guilt, then fled the country when his plea bargain fell apart.

How is this even up for debate? He raped a child! There is absolutely no defense to be offered.

Everyone signing this list should be ashamed of themselves.

Please! That doesn’t change the fact that mr Polanski is a scumbag and a halve who drugged and raped a child when he was 44, fled the country to live in France where he continued to make movies, live a good life etc. None of what you say changes the gravity of this case and with a lot of crimes the law also operates apart from
the victims opinion, in case of Stockholm syndrome or whatever. Polanski showed not even the slightest sign of regret, but stated in an interview that ‘everybody wants to sleep with young girls’ or whatever. He should be brought to justice. Also to send out the right signal to society.

So many people seem to be against Mr. Polanski. It’s not that people are not aware of the charges. More important than the DA, his flight from the US or his abominable behavior is the FACT that the young lady in question would like this to finished forever. She has had to hear about this, talk about this, show up for the DA, etc, and frankly, after 30 years and your entire adult life having to talk about how you were raped when you were a teenager, I would want the whole thing dropped as well. At this point, they won’t be helping to heal the situation, nor will they vindicate this woman’s suffering at his hands. She has forgiven him. I think her opinion is the ONLY one that counts.

Are you kidding me? I understand that there seems to have been a biased judge in the original case. That does not change that he committed statutory rape against a 13 year old, drugged her, and fled the country.

It’s despicable that some Hollywood stars would rather support a pedophile then uphold a serious charge such as rape of an underage girl.

Jarre, he admitted to sleeping with a 13 year old child, whose age he knew. That is automatically rape as a child cannot give informed consent. Its called “statutory RAPE” for a reason. That is even ignoring the evidence that his victim gave to the grand jury that he got her alone under the pretense of taking her photo (for Vanity Fair I think), gave her alcohol and drugs and when she said no to him even after all that he went ahead and raped her orally, vaginally and anally.

Absolutely despicable by each and every one of these people who signed this petition. I can only hope they are not aware of the full allegations.

Let him go in front of the courts in the US. He & his friends will be able to afford the best lawyers. If he gets off on some technicality or is given a non custodial age due to age or the pleas of the victim or even the terms of the original plea bargain than so be it. Justice at least will have run its course.

Sickening. He admitted to raping a child at the age of 13, fled the country and lived like a King in France, and he shouldn’t be punished because… he makes good movies??? Are you celebrity/entertainment people think you’re above the law? Do you have kids??? I hope he finally gets his punishment and for the ones who signed this list: I’m avoiding your work from now on! Hope Polanski gets his!

By trying to send Roman Polanski to the lions despite all the legal arguments, is something that unfortunately gets and will get more and more out of proportion. It will be much wiser, less obstinate and more generous to leave this exceptional man alone. Dear Roman you have my full support.