I don't get it.

[oceanchild]

I think there's a legitimate issue with Letterman because he is these women's BOSS. That power imbalance most certainly has an impact on the consensual nature of the sex.

That said, I don't care that much what happens to him. Polanski I want in jail.

[JaneDoe]

I saw a clip where Whoopi Goldberg said the girl wasn't "RAPED, raped", where I assume she meant the girl was in to it. While I've never been a big fan of WG -- that made me lose whatever remote interest / respect I may have had for her. Absolutely sick.

I happened to be watching the View the morning that they discussed Polanski. I normally love Whoopi, but I was shocked that she seemed to be defending Polanski. However, I think what she meant when she said "wasn't raped" was that the View co-hosts accurately discuss the charge the Polanski actually pled guilty to, which I think was something like sexual abuse of a minor. I don't remember exactly.

Nonetheless, how Whoopi or anyone can defend drugging a 14 year old to have oral, anal and vaginal sex doesn't make any sense to me, whatsoever. Polanski is disgusting. I don't care what he has accomplished in his life.

How he has been on the run for so long -- was it a mis-step to be in Sweden or did someone decide not to look the other way? Is it the countries he stayed in? He made movies during this time that had wide release in the US (The Piano), right? How does this work?

I read that he had spent 42 days in jail and that was going to count as his jail time () but that he fled because the judge was going to add more jail time at the sentencing. Anyone know how much? I'm curious.

[scrub-jay]

I saw a clip where Whoopi Goldberg said the girl wasn't "RAPED, raped", where I assume she meant the girl was in to it. While I've never been a big fan of WG -- that made me lose whatever remote interest / respect I may have had for her. Absolutely sick.

I saw that clip too! It made me livid. I'm sorry, I wasn't aware there was a definition for rape that includes "Rape-rape" A) Girl was 13!!!!! B) She was not consenting C) He admitted to the crime.

WTH people?!

[McPants]

How he has been on the run for so long -- was it a mis-step to be in Sweden or did someone decide not to look the other way? Is it the countries he stayed in? He made movies during this time that had wide release in the US (The Piano), right? How does this work?

I read that he had spent 42 days in jail and that was going to count as his jail time () but that he fled because the judge was going to add more jail time at the sentencing. Anyone know how much? I'm curious.

It was Switzerland, not Sweden.

He's been able to stay on the run because many countries don't have mutual extradition treaties (in particular regarding their own citizens) with the U.S., in which the crime was committed. Since Polanski has Polish and French citizenship, he has been able to stay in those countries without fear of extradition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extradition

Oops, sorry. For some reason I thought he was in Sweden and taken to Switzerland.

Thanks for the explanation.

[Thirteen]

The whole thing Re: Polanski just makes me cringe.
I would love to see the pro side explain its argument to victims in a rape crisis center...

[McPants]

The whole thing Re: Polanski just makes me cringe.
I would love to see the pro side explain its argument to victims in a rape crisis center...

"But he makes really good movies!"

[Sheherezade]

Ehhh... ever see The Ninth Gate?

I love J. Depp, but he was the only reason I watched that.

[McPants]

Ehhh... ever see The Ninth Gate?

I love J. Depp, but he was the only reason I watched that.

I liked Chinatown, but felt that it was more of a "compensate for tax evation" or perhaps a "compensate for operating a farm vehicle without a license"-kind of a movie.

[Rapunzel]

Good analysis on the current public relations situation:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/...-case-backlash

"Who knew being disgusted with Roman Polanski would turn out to be the ever-elusive common ground between rightwing dudes and liberal feminists?"

[oceanchild]

Wow, Jenn, I never thought I'd see you quote the Guardian!

[McPants]

Wow, Jenn, I never thought I'd see you quote the Guardian!

I was just thinking the same thing; that's the newspaper I read.

[ladymoreta]

The only explanation I can think of is that these nutcases trying to justify him are just wanting to get into one of his movies. Not that it makes it any less disgusting to me.

As for Letterman, it could probably be considered harassment, and most likely against their HR policies. But... If anyone was inappropriately promoted or denied a deserved promotion because of it, surely that would have become a lawsuit, right? I mean, it's CBS. If there was a legitimate case, I'm sure anyone could find a lawyer who would take it. I think the people calling for his resignation are just wanting publicity. To me, it's a non-issue.