Outside the Law

The Roman Polanski flap. If it were any other person who was a fugitive for over 30 years, flaunting his disregard for the guilty plea he made over, not only having sex with a 13 year old girl, but drugging her in the process, this world would be cheering the arrest. But because it's a "cultural" icon, someone who has made some pretty good movies ("Chinatown" is one of the best movies about battles over natural resources), many people seem to think Polanski's apprehension by the Swiss border guards is wrong.

What?

Let's be clear here. He has committed two crimes. The rape and then becoming a fugitive.

His defense? Well, he apparently believes the judge in the case was prejudiced against him (remember, Polanski pled guilty) because the judge also had a kinky sex life. So, apparently Polanski's reasoning was he would actually get sent to prison rather than probation or something. Hmmmm.

Yes it was 30 years ago. Yes the victim has apparently "forgiven" him. Yes the timing of his detention, after so many years and living so boldly in the public eye, seems odd. But, it is what it is. He evaded his sentence.

In this day and age of harsh penalties for sex crimes, Polanski should consider his 30 years of freedom a gift, be a man, and come home to face the music.

Everyone else? Look at the double standard. Cultural elites have to follow the law, too.