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

[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.