OMG does BJ have an opinion on this Polanski affair?

[gemfyre]

I was just listening to Triple J on the way home and they were discussing it.

There is no way he should be forgiven for his crime just because he's made some critically acclaimed movies and is a "brilliant man". A brilliant man would have been smarter than to rape a 13 year old.

His victim however would not like it to be dragged through the mud again, which is fair enough. Unfortunately for her the dragging is already happening. I really have no idea why they even need to take it back to court. He pleaded guilty! Just sentence him already!

In all honesty, putting him in jail is not going to prevent future crimes, which is essentially what I believe jail is for - getting dangerous people out of society so they can't commit further crimes. I have no doubt that he IS rehabilitated.

I'm really fond of the suggestion that he should be made to donate to rape crisis centres. I'm sure he's no poor boy so I'd be expecting bloody big donations, maybe big enough that he's not millionare moviemaker anymore.

That to me seems the most just and best solution for everybody.

Comments

[softpaw.livejournal.com]

That is EXACTLY what Jail is for, and your right. I think he has done so, but yeah...BIG FREAKING HUGE DONATION. we're talking millions here..

[stawberi.livejournal.com]

What about the function of prison as a deterrent? It sends the wrong sort of message if somebody who has committed rape goes free, regardless of the length of time between crime and apprehension.

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

Jail isn't the only punishment available.

[japester.livejournal.com]

jail doesn't actually work as a deterrent to others. What is does work really well at is getting miscreants to meet each other and develop social networks.

Hit them where it hurts. Public shaming and financial punishment. Hence, the call for millions worth of donations.

[zaboo.livejournal.com]

I don't know. This is no longer about HER. The man is, pretty much, an escaped felon. He plead guilty to a crime and left the country before sentencing.

He has lived in other countries and has lived the sweet life, even owning his own Swiss Chalet in which he vacations often. This does not make me think that he has in any fashion 'rehabilitated'. He's faced no punishment for the crimes he admitted to doing.

The man needs to serve out his time, in America (where the crime was committed) according to our laws (which he broke).

[jakie-em.livejournal.com]

actually it doesnt matter where he does the time, time done is time done and if you think american prison is harsher than any other prison in the world then I have to ask you then, is it abiding by the treatment of prisoners as agreed internationally...

anyways thats neither here nor there

the big issue that I have is everyone sitting herre debating it and talking about it. the victim came out briefly earlier this week saying she just wants it over with and she didnt really want him brought back to the US

what about the victim, what about her.

yes you are right, it is no longer about her, an that is obvious due to the fact it has been pursued to this point. when is she gong to get her life back. she is she going to be able to live like a normal woman. not now. she will have to go through masses of media to get to court and there is likely to be some sick people in the media camped outside her door right now... RIGHT NOW!

before they continued to pursue this, the victim should have been consulted.

yes he should/could be punished. yes, having money and influence should not make you immune to the laws, but with every criminal act there are victims and the end result should be up to them and not up to vigilantly fbi/cia/police

[zaboo.livejournal.com]

But.. that's the thing.. he DID NOT do any time ANYWHERE. He was not imprisoned in some foreign country. He was living his life free and unfettered, coming and going as he pleased, knowing fully that were he to return to the United States charges would be pressed (as the warrant has never been closed) and he'd go directly to jail.

I hate to say this because I've got a lot of friends who have been abused... What about the victim? That's right! What about her? This has (again) nothing to do with her. She does not press the charges, the state presses the charges. The victim (again) is the State at this point.

He fled justice. He's an escaped felon now. Molested/raped girl or not he's an escaped felon.

This is not a crime against a person anymore - it's a crime against the State. He broke the law, he plead guilty and then he ran before he was sentenced to jail time.

She forgives him - she's moved on and that's great. This, NOW, really has nothing to do with her except all the media buzz. He broke the law and he needs to be held accountable for it. The LAW.

He is no different than any other person who has broken the law, plead guilty and then fled the police. He's a criminal. He's escaped justice and has lived his life freely for years, now it's time to face the facts that he's still a wanted felon.

[jakie-em.livejournal.com]

yes, bu this whole affair is making her relive it, It is putting her through alot of pain.

sometimes you have to as if Justice is really Just

I was discussing this with my dad today and he raised the point, the man has not offended again, anywhere... and you think that this whole affair hasnt affected him? he has been effectively imprisioned by not being able to go to the us, barely being able to leave france and that is something that has affected him and his career. i bet there hasnt been a day in his life that he hasnt looked back and regretted the horrible mistake he made, and isnt that what jail is for? it is not for punishment, if it to teach people right from wrong.

for some people, the offenders admittance of guilt is enough. maybe it is the catholic coming out in me (what little is left) but I cant judge the man. that is not my place. I can forgive, like the victim did. maybe the victim is a good christian, i dont know, but i know she is a better person than he is.

maybe he has paid his debt to her in other ways, i dont know.

i am not sure about the law, but what is he says he had bad legal advice and changes his plea. the victim is not wanting to go to trial again. he can still get off.

in the end though, it still feel like vigilante justice to me.