“Rape Rape” isn’t in my Black’s Law Dictionary
I’ve been listening to the news about Roman Polanski all week and…I’m baffled a bit.
This guy gave drugs and alcohol to a 13 year old and then had sex with her. Part of the basis for statutory rape laws is the general belief that underage individuals lack the capacity to make the decision to have sex. 13 qualifies.
Age alone would be a factor but add on to it drugs and alcohol? At 13, she probably had a limited understanding of those two things. Whoopi Goldberg says it wasn’t “rape rape.” Is that like, when she really means no? Like, she says it twice - not just that first fake no? My Black’s Law Dictionary didn’t have a definition for “rape rape” but it appears she means that the sex was consensual. So Whoopi Goldberg thinks a 13 year old is capable of making that decision – even with drugs and alcohol involved. What world am I living in?
Apparently, the Grand Jury testimony of the victim states she was scared and asked him to stop. (I have not seen this – only heard this via the Today Show.)
Then…this argument: The victim has forgiven him.
Sorry to be crass – but who the fuck cares? We want people to experience the healing power of forgiveness – but then to use it as leverage as why someone shouldn’t be punished? What the hell, people? Don’t get me wrong – I fully appreciate her desire to want this put to rest. I’m sure many victims would just like to move on – but there is business to be done, like it or not. The thing is…between Polanski and the victim, forgiveness is great. Wonderful.
But this is a matter between the State and Polanski. This is a crime against the people of the state who wish to live in a society where 40-something year old men don’t get to have sex with 13 year olds. We wouldn’t dream of a case like that today in which we say, “Well, in 30 years or so, she’ll have forgive him – why don’t we just wait until then?”
For those people who say, “Come on…it’s not like he’ll do it again…” Well, I don’t really think O. J. Simpson will murder someone again but I see some value in him being behind bars.
I also do not understand the arguments against his arrest which mention his body of work. If this guy had been a deadbeat, then we would believe his crime to be worse? And it isn’t like he turned his life around once he realized what a dangerous path he was on – the guy was already a famous producer and leading a productive life.
Sure, I can appreciate his work – who said assholes don’t have talent?
Imagine saying this to a 13 year old: “What’s gonna happen is that you’re gonna have sex with this 40 year old man – but don’t worry, you’ll be under the influence of drugs and alcohol and 30 years later, when you’ve forgiven this man, we’re going to say it is all okay because he’s going to make some awesome movies in the meantime. So, you know…go on into that room and let him do what he’s going to do.”
WTF?
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Just a random attorney writing about daily life with Little Filthy, my rotten dog.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:09 am
“this is a matter between the State and Polanski.” That statement just turned on a light bulb for me regarding criminal law. Good post.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:20 am
I read a biography on Polanski many years ago and remember reading about this. I also remember thinking that it was very dishonest for him to leave the country and not face it.
Yes, I heard Whoopi say “rape rape”. I think she is just not clear on the laws defining statutory rape. I’m assuming she meant that he didn’t hurt the girl by forcing himself on her. I’m also assuming that when girls or college students or women who are slipped “roofies” and raped, they probably don’t get hurt either. Just like when a drunk crashes a car… their body is relaxed so they don’t get too beat up.
But that doesn’t make it ok.
I am happy that this girl has grown up and found a place for forgiveness. But I agree with you. Despite what the man does for a living, there are consequences to every action.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:36 am
Couldn’t agree more. Great post!
October 1st, 2009 at 9:50 am
No means no…. Great post RE!
October 1st, 2009 at 9:55 am
Kind of a little off the path, but I love that Polanskis sister in law has had a bad couple of weeks because Susan Atkins died and now Polanski has been jailed. WTF!! Did she want the murdering bitch to keep living and a rapist to go on being protected by France with NO justice.
Who are these people and what kind of cave do they live in?
October 1st, 2009 at 10:15 am
Excellent argument, I felt the same way while reading about Polanski in the news. WTF is rape rape ??? To me rape is rape in the eyes of the law.
Glad the victim put this behind her. But, I still think Polanksi should be punished. Otherwise the offenders would be trying to force their victims to “forgive” them so charges would be dropped.
Many people actually agree that charges against this cocknozzle should be dropped because look how talented he is, this happened sooooooo long ago, and he had such a hard childhood surviving the Holocaust.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:20 am
I have been an avid reader of your blog for a long time, but never felt compelled to comment…..I think your post is fantastic and yes, it doesn’t matter at all what profession this person has, or whether or not he’s committed the act again…what matters is justice for the then 13 year old child whose life will forever be altered by this rapist’s actions. And to top it off, his cowardice for hiding all these years to avoid prosecution, that alone shows his guilt. I applaud you for your words, and understand now why I like you so much.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:54 am
Well said!
October 1st, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Thanks for speaking out on this.
October 1st, 2009 at 2:48 pm
shame on Whoopi. and SHAME on Polanski – i hope that f*cker goes to prison and becomes someone’s backdoor girlfriend.
is it bad i want to clock him upside the head w/ a crowbar?
October 1st, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Dude… 13… drugs… alcohol: enough said. Seriously I don’t care what kind of rape you wanna call it, but thats some scummy shit. He’s gotten away with it for this long which is more reason for him to pay for the crime now.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:01 pm
RE for President!
(Well, you know, everyone else said all the cool stuff.)
October 1st, 2009 at 7:31 pm
@Anon – I’m glad! I think a lot of law school didn’t click for me until studying for the bar.
@T – You’re right; Whoopi Goldberg thinks it was consensual. However…these court documents prove otherwise.
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/polanskicover1.html
If you read it… my god, it’s so clear that he raped her. Flat out raped her. It’s sickening.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:42 pm
@mindy & Linda – Thank you, both!
@Danielle – Did you see her on the Today Show?
@Sandra – Yeah, like…ask that 13 year old girl if she cared who he was when he raped her or if it made any less painful because he survived the Holocaust or that his wife was murdered. What’s the saying?
May God have mercy on you…this court have none.
Bastard.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Well said! I’ll say it again . . . keep writing!
October 1st, 2009 at 7:46 pm
@Sharon – I’m so glad you’ve commented. I really like hearing new voices and opinions. Thank you so much for your kind words.
@juggle jane & Debra – Thank you!
@Lily – Man, if Whoopi read that grand jury testimony and STILL says it isn’t flat out RAPE, she should go to hell along with Polanski.
@MissMegs – Agreed!
@Phoe – Thank you.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:49 pm
@nldavison – Thanks!
October 1st, 2009 at 8:51 pm
I’m with you on this one.
It’s like when there’s a football sex scandal in Australia (and probably in most other Western countries). The player rarely gets sacked or cut from the team because … they’re a “good player”.
Same damn principle.
There is no get out of jail free card attached to talent. Or at least there shouldn’t be.
Where is the justice?!
At the end of the day your character and how you conducted yourself morally is what matters. Or at least I believe that.
October 2nd, 2009 at 9:38 am
I read your blog frequently and laugh every time. As a sex crimes prosecutor (for more years that I’d like to claim) I am happy to see that normal people feel this way. 13 year old girls can’t consent. period. this is why it is against the law. Morons like Whoopi Goldberg (and who the f gave her a platform) have their heads up their asses, but are the first ones to come out railing against the state when lo and behold the pedophile is a repeat offender. Once a pedophile, always a pedophile. Kudos to you and your blog is hilarious.
October 2nd, 2009 at 9:49 am
@Kez – You’re spot on with the Get Out of Jail card comment. Bravo!
@Kristin – Thank you for your comment; I sat here for a bit and contemplated if I could do the job you do and man, hearing this Polanski thing made me want to yell so I can only imagine the emotions involved in doing the work that you do. Thank you for doing it; it is appreciated and I am grateful for it.
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:02 am
RE, my wonderful friend, if I didn’t like you before, I sure do like you that much more right now.
Honest, wonderful ON SPOT post. XOXOX
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Hollywood’s reaction- completely mindboggling.