Hollywoodans might be coming out in support of film director and child molester Roman Polanski, but he shouldn't expect to get any from the New York Times.
In what many will likely view as a surprising position by one of the nation's most liberal newspapers, the Times editorial board Tuesday asked some seemingly obvious questions that are eluding those that think the passage of time along with Polanski's great filmography mitigate his transgressions:
After being indicted in 1977, didn’t Mr. Polanski, now 76, confess to having sex with a 13-year-old girl after plying her with Quaaludes and Champagne? Didn’t he flee the United States when the plea bargaining seemed to fall apart, raising the prospect of prison time? Isn’t there a warrant for his arrest?
Good questions all leading the Times to conclude:
In Europe, the prevailing mood — at least among those with access to the news media — seemed to be that Mr. Polanski has already “atoned for the sins of his young years,” as Jacek Bromski, the chief of the Polish Filmmakers Association, put it.
We disagree strongly, and we were glad to see other prominent Europeans beginning to point out that this case has nothing to do with Mr. Polanski’s work or his age. It is about an adult preying on a child. Mr. Polanski pleaded guilty to that crime and must account for it.
Here's something you don't often hear from a conservative media analyst: Bravo, NYT. Bravo.
Editor at Large
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OK, who broke into the NYT
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 09:15 ET by HockeyKidOK, who broke into the NYT building and took over the editorial offices? ;)
Seriously, Times--ya got one right.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Are you sure they're not
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 09:20 ET by mattmAre you sure they're not mistaking Polanski the movie director for Father Stan Polanski, the priest?
Gee, think their new editor
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 09:20 ET by Scuba DudeGee, think their new editor who is supposed to keep track of the blogs noticed that almost all the comments on the story were in support of his arrest?
Think the new editor said "Ya know, maybe we better skew the story this way?".
The Obama Administration: THE most fiscally irresponsible Administration EVER
confess(ed) to having sex
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 09:21 ET by vrwc13...gee I thought most countries have a legal system that works like that!
v
vrwc--
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 15:51 ET by Kat Outta the BagGranted, in some Middle Eastern countries they would've stoned the 13 year-old girl to death for the crime, but yes, in most countries that's supposed to be how it works.
they would've stoned the 13 year-old girl to death
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 16:05 ET by vrwc13...they would've stoned the 13 year-old girl to death ...
...yeah, that's one reason I said most. I know in Saudi if you as a foreigner are hit by a Saudi in an auto accident - it's your fault! Had you not been in their country, it never would have happened.
v
Well, it's not as if the
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 09:28 ET by ConservativeRexWell, it's not as if the NYT went out on a limb supporting the arrest of this loathsome creature. It was kind of a safe call to make.
They must do a helluva lot more then this to convince me that they are nothing more then the mouthpiece for a corrupt administration currently in office.
Give up all of your sources on those who compromised American lives around the world, whether military or civilian. The NYT has buckets of blood on it's hands that one little story about a creep won't erase. Come clean NYT, before the wrecking ball meets with the 'Gray Lady".
Liberal Split
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 09:38 ET by slickwillie2001Minor revolt at Puff Ho; editors support Polanski but many commenters support his arrest, too many to simply poof them away as would usually happen:
HuffPo Goes All In to Defend Polanski, Readers Revolt: http://bighollywood.breitbart.com
As well, a flicker of intelligence at Salon:
Reminder: Roman Polanski Raped a Child: http://www.salon.com
So pedophilia is an issue that splits the liberals. Interesting.
Call me cynical, but I think
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 09:45 ET by optimistCall me cynical, but I think most of that liberal split is to prevent this as being painted as a left/right issue. Can you imagine the damage if the left was on the side of a child rapist in a high profile case like this? Media would be silent, but the silent majority would not be.
But it is
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 14:24 ET by sic721I think you'd have to look very long and very hard to find even one person on the right who supports Polanski. But it's better than even money everyone supporting him is on the left.
Satan to evil
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 09:55 ET by ex buff e-dubSatan to evil minions..."Have any of you seen my down jacket? The one with the hood?"
Polanski - a number of surprising op-eds out there
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 10:27 ET by Gary Hall.. a little hope for society showing? Thanks Noel. A bit more..
The LA Times moved Steve Lopez's usual A-2 slot to the front page for this one, where Lopez sets the facts straight from the top: Polanski's defenders lose sight of the true victim.
And in a Telegraph.co.uk piece (mostly about Whoppi's sick comments) it was mentioned that:
30:1. Perhaps there is hope for America.
Indeed, perhaps there is a tiny bit of evidence here that not only is the media out of touch with itself, but that Hollywood is truly out of touch with other human beings.
(;~>
Yes, Gary, even some liberals are making sense
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 11:10 ET by Blondeon the issue of Roman Polanski.
I received this opinion piece via e-mail, by Susan Estrich (one of the more sane liberals, albiet that voice!).
The Hollywood elites who are supporting Polanski (Whoopi, Debra Winger, etc.) are making themselves look like idiots.
I hope he fails, too.
Blonde....
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 11:17 ET by Timothy HA great piece by Estrich. Although sometimes a bit wacky (aren't we all?) I do see Mrs Estrich as a reasonable voice for the left most of the time.
A fantastic piece and a case in point, to be sure!
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe. - Albert Einstein
Susan Estrich
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 11:24 ET by BlondeI like Susan, she's quite bright and actually has a sense of humor. She's no moonbat, unlike certain other talking heads I've seen on the tube.
And she is spot-on about Polanski in her piece, too. I love that she titled it "Roman the Rapist" and then in the body of her piece made a point that there is no "alleged" about any of it.
I hope he fails, too.
Great news
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 10:30 ET by sevenPolanski is in the slammer. He will be in the slammer. His jail will let him out if the court releases his conviction or transfers him to america and jail here. so he is in jail where he belongs. Take your time. If and or when he gets extradicted, he won't get bail out since he fled last time.
Wow
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 11:18 ET by SkipperMLMGreat find Noel!
Safe? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course He isn’t safe, but He’s good.
-C S Lewis (The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe)
45
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 12:07 ET by okiehawk44So the French think a man at 45 who rapes a child of 13 is in his youth? Then what was the unwilling and captive 13 year old, an infant?
And American Leftists hold up France as the beacon of sophistication? Hum?
Doth my eyes deceive me?
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 13:14 ET by moderncommentaries83** blink**
** blink**
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The New York Times is supporting Polanski's arrest? Oh, dear. It must be a sign of the apocolypse or something.
Like I said yesterday, if Polanski wore clericals, there wouldn't be a question about arresting him (as is right). But because he's famous, he's somehow above the law. The law he ADMITTED to breaking in a henious way.
Proof that liberals don't object to sex with, well, anything or anyone. Even children.
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
as the father of two young girls ...
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 14:02 ET by pmohbuck... i have absolutely no sympathy what-so-ever for polanski and i'm actually hoping some severe ill-will comes his way... the same goes for the hollywood losers that, by supporting him, support pedophilia IMHO.
i am glad to hear that the state of california is intent on setting an example of no-tolerance by picking up where they left off when polanski jetted his precious little self to france, hoping things would be forgotten over time. and although i empathize with the victim and her desire to forgive so she can move on from this horrible event, the fact that she was 13 when it happened override her current personal feelings toward the issue in my opinion.
justice for polanski could be meted out in a myriad of ways:
1. if polanski's exonerated ... california should free charles manson ... after all, time has actually been served by manson and he didn't actually kill polanski's wife ... this way, polanski will have to deal with a man who ordered his wife's murder being free to roam the streets (like polanski).
2. if a sentence is handed down and polanski actually has to pay for his crime ... make sure he gets to stay in a cozy state penitentiary where he will hopefully experience the ordeal of his victim, but more violently .... on a regular basis ... by many.
3. and since polanski has a flare for directing dark, macabre films, why not film a documentary of polanski in prison ... after all, seeing him suffer at the hands of other inmates disgusted and angered by his behavior may even garner another oscar ... leading man in a documentary. and all of his hollywood friends could watch him "in action"
the fact that the convict code-of-conduct preaches utter disdain toward rapists, pedophiles and snitches would make this pipsqueak's life a living hell ... which is what i think he deserves.
On number 3.
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 14:16 ET by MightyMouthPolanski could accept his oscar from the prison hospital ward. And of course his acceptance speech would have to include all the "little" people that got him there like Bubba, Razorback and Big Tony. (Special thanks out to the crosstown Bloods for assistance)
"The bureaucracy is growing to meet the needs of the growing bureaucracy"
NYSlimes
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 14:15 ET by hughglassIs it possible that after years of lying and distortion in their advocacy of the liberal elite marxist/socialist agenda, which has cost them their creditability, their reputation and now, finally, their financial viability, the slimes "gets it" and is going to go back to the first Ochs philosophy of truthfully reporting "all the news that's fit to print"? Way too early to tell. I'd give them an abosoltely, positively, very definitive...maybe.