<p>[accidental double-post deleted]</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Not when the girl is 13; then it’s called hebephilia. Along with rape, the word pedophilia is somewhat overused and frequently misused. Pedophilia is sexual attraction to prepubescent children; sex with a 13-year-old make Polanski a scumbag, not a pedophile. In fact, it doesn’t even make him a hebephile if he’s not *primarily *attracted to pubescent youths. Pedophilia is a word that the media and others love to use in order to shock us, but it’s usually not applied correctly. Such misuse is intended to make us react to the Polanski case in the same way we’d react to the rape of a baby. Both are despicable, but they’re not the same.</p>
<p>^^^^^</p>
<p>Apples and oranges.</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>Wrong, I opened it directly to the last page just to post “why are people discussing such a nonnewsworthy issue”. I didn’t read any of the posts other than scanning them to make sure nothing interesting was being written.</p>
<p>To agree to disagree: This is a worthy topic in that it is discussion about values, criminals, responsibility, vengence (or not), and the discussion that has haunted humankind: at what point does a criminal act become moot? And does art (or an artist) supercede moralty?</p>
<p>…and I guess we all must pay homage to cresent22 who allowed us to take a few seconds of his or her precious time so that their judgement (obviously being from on high) could benefit us all.</p>
<p>“scanning them to make sure nothing interesting was being written.”</p>
<p>Now THAT’S funny.</p>
<p>crescent22, if you’d be so kind, please start scanning every thread and sending me a PM to let me know which ones aren’t interesting, so I don’t waste my time on them. It would save me a lot of trouble. Thank you.</p>
<p>One of the reasons that Polanski gets so much support is that people had different attitudes back in the 70’s. It was very common for teenagers to drink, do drugs and have casual sex under the influence. Polanski was one of the few who ended up in court for what was relatively typical outcome of parties and private home photo shoots.<br>
I hope that he gets his sentencing according to our current standards and his sentence sends a loud and clear message to all rich and famous.</p>
<p>OK…I was in the business in the 70s, show business that is. And I was a kid then. No, that was not a product of a different attitude. Polanski et al were a wild crowd…for adults. Everyone knew what went on with them. The reason that he gets so much support is the attitude that was prevelent then as it is now: Certain people are more special than others be it because they are famous, rich or an artist. </p>
<p>But we agree that that he deserves whatever it is that he gets.</p>
<p>I read the court transcript, and learned that the mother knew Polanski because the child met him at her house. The mother never bother to drive her daughter, by the way, Polanski was the one picking her up at her house on 3 occasions. That day, Polanski phoned the mother to ask permission to take pictures of her daughter in the jacuzzi, she agreed. Helloooooooooo!!! So, I am not disputing what he did was wrong. However, the mother was negligent, and it is obvious that she was encouraging her daughter to go to these photo sessions.</p>
<p>It is all politics. Unfortunately…</p>
<p>Just think about this incident as if it had just happened in the year 2009 and Polanski had fled to Europe. Would the media reaction be any different? Would your reaction be any different?</p>
<p>Well, crescent…you even came BACK to the thread and read my response to your post and posted again. Interesting. </p>
<p>And do please let us know what threads are worthy of existing on CC or which topics are worthy of discussion in general, CC or not.</p>
<p>Pizzagirl…about the girl’s mother…
Not blaming her for the actions of Polanski at all. He is the perpetrator. </p>
<p>But I do question the mother separately from the criminal aspect of the case. It is not the same as dropping your child off at a lesson at all. Ellebud and musicamusica explained it well. There are LAWS in this industry about an adult accompanying a minor to the auditions, rehearsals, photo shoots, etc. There is no way that a parent should send off a child to an audition or photo shoot without a chaperone. Not only is that unwise, but it’s the law in that industry.</p>
<p>You are right, it is politics. What a nice distraction from all of the major issues that are happening right now.</p>
<p>For a journalist viewpoint see the Los Angeles Times, Steve Lopez’s column…front page of the first secton. And, in the end, if one questions whether Mr. Polanski should be held culpable…read the article again.</p>
<p>That would have been great if Mister Lopez had written the entire transcript instead of picking sentences here and there from the transcript. Like I said, Polansky plead guilty, and so he is. However, the media’s manipulation of the transcript is extremely dishonest. Especially, coming from someone who is trying to make a point about someone who is dishonest.</p>
<p>Back in the day people turned more of a blind eye to sexual misconduct: rape could be the girl’s fault if she was asking for it, bosses could get away with strong innuendo and even touching.</p>
<p>Times changed. I know an old ‘friend’ of the family. Every one knew he was a lecherous old coot, he owned a business and was very touchy feely, though rarely crossed what would have been ‘the line’ in the 70s. By the time the 80s rolled around he was forced out of business based on his lecherous behavior and I hear he is still the same way now, in his 90s!!</p>
<p>I don’t think perverts can change and I think they are extraordinarily manipulative people who often talk their victims into things, doesn’t mean they are not scum.</p>
<p>I do not know all the details, but I do sense the Hollywood glitterati think they are more special than others and that this guy should get a free pass. I honestly don’t think I have even seen his work and I am not impressed that he is talented. I am disgusted that he is too special for the rest of us.</p>
<p>By the same token, I am disgusted by the publicity seeking judge; it seems to me if you have a plea deal you should be able to rely on that, especially if he did the psych hospital as part of the plea bargain. It seems wrong to try to undo the plea bargain after he is complying with the terms.</p>
<p>I do not know whether at that time that was an appropriate plea, but if they agreed to it, why not bring him back, reinstate that plea bargain and then if the plea said he would be credited time served, simply charge him for fleeing etc?</p>
<p>Our jails are full of sex offenders. Our neighborhoods are full of registered sex offenders. Almost every day one hear about a parent, a teacher, a religious leader, an organization leader committing a sex act against a child. Why go to the expense to bring to the US the only sex offender who cannot hurt our children? I don’t get that.</p>