32 / The genius of Roman Polanski
Something extraordinary happened in Europe - those leftie artistic types have lost their marbles. How on earth can anybody seriously argue that it is unjust to arrest Roman Polanski and bring him to justice …
He drugged and got drunk a thirteen year old girl, after he lured her in to photograph her, then forced himself on her (this sort of thing is giving photographers a bad name). When she said, ‘no, I’m not on the pill’ - a thirteen year old, for chrissake - he proceeded with having his way with her 'up from behind’, as he put it (presumably to ensure he won’t get her pregnant!)
He then runs away o.s. and stays under the radar for thirty years. I always had known he had sex with a thirteen year old (he’s in good company there … Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Wyman), but I never knew he had raped her. He must go back and face the music. The most important thing is not that he goes to jail … but face the charges, he must.
The story is complicated by the fact that his victim wants the case dropped; she feels the whole circus is tough on her, what with the press repeatedly going over the dreadful details. How does the fact she settled with him out of court after she sued him affect her position? (Was she paid off?)
I agree, it is important to take the victim’s perspective into account with an issue like this. But apparently that is not the concern of the defending European intelligentsia - their point is that the whole thing was sooo long ago and he’s a genius. Preposterous.