They finally caught Roman Polanski

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the legal and ethical implications of Roman Polanski's case, particularly regarding his plea bargain for statutory rape of a minor and the subsequent extradition issues. Participants explore the handling of his case, the differences in legal definitions and practices between the US and Europe, and the societal reactions to his actions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express surprise at the leniency of Polanski's plea bargain given the severity of the crime, suggesting that his celebrity status has influenced his ability to evade justice.
  • Others question what was mishandled in his case, noting that he pled guilty and has not retracted that plea.
  • There is confusion among participants regarding the implications of a plea bargain and whether it equates to an admission of guilt for rape.
  • Some argue that statutory rape is not considered rape in Europe, raising questions about the legal definitions and cultural perceptions of consent.
  • Participants discuss the complexities of extradition laws, particularly how they differ between the US and European countries, and the implications of these differences for Polanski's case.
  • Concerns are raised about the nature of consent and coercion in Polanski's case, with some asserting that the circumstances clearly indicate a lack of consent.
  • Several participants highlight the complications introduced by the US legal system's use of plea bargains, which may not be well understood or accepted in other legal systems.
  • There is mention of the current US extradition treaty with France and its implications for Polanski's potential extradition, with some uncertainty expressed about how it applies in this case.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that Polanski's actions were wrong and that he should face consequences. However, there is significant disagreement regarding the legal interpretations of his plea, the definitions of statutory rape, and the implications of extradition laws. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the limitations of understanding due to differing legal definitions and cultural perceptions of consent, as well as the complexities surrounding plea bargains and extradition treaties.

  • #91
i would think the biggest national interest of the swiss would be their banking industry, the level of discrete service their customers have come to expect, and the sort of legal precedents and perceptions that could be set by the swiss detaining arriving customers that the US has taken an interest in.
 
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  • #92
Borg said:
And, now he's free again.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100712/ap_on_en_mo/roman_polanski"
Very disappointing.
 
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  • #93
mheslep said:
Sometimes yes, sometimes no...
None of those had the forethought to just move to a different country.

...though Polanski probably has a lot more pull overseas than they do.
 
  • #94
mheslep said:
Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

Those people are famous, not popular
 
  • #95
Office_Shredder said:
Those people are famous, not popular
NFL QB Vick? Winona Ryder? They're as popular as Polanski, I'd guess.
 
  • #96
mheslep said:
NFL QB Vick? Winona Ryder? They're as popular as Polanski, I'd guess.

I don't know much about Ryder, but after the allegations came out nobody liked Vick. That's kind of a side point though, my comment was mostly tongue-in-cheek
 
  • #97
Office_Shredder said:
I don't know much about Ryder, but after the allegations came out nobody liked Vick. That's kind of a side point though, my comment was mostly tongue-in-cheek
How could one like someone who fights dogs.

A child rapist on the other hand.:rolleyes:
 
  • #98
Well look at it this way, if Lindsay divulged her drinking habits 15 years from now instead of while actively using them we would heap sympathy on her and some would buy her book.

If Michael Vic had been accused of fighting dogs 5 years after he retired from football with 2 superbowl rings, he would make a tear filled apology for his wrongdoings toward animals and make a donation to an Animal rights group or start a foundation and then still make it in the hall of fame.

Speculating about careeer success asside we often look less harshly on things if they happened in the past to a celebrity.
(Mheslep I know what you meant :smile:)
 
  • #99
Pattonias said:
Well look at it this way, if Lindsay divulged her drinking habits 15 years from now instead of while actively using them we would heap sympathy on her and some would buy her book.

If Michael Vic had been accused of fighting dogs 5 years after he retired from football with 2 superbowl rings, he would make a tear filled apology for his wrongdoings toward animals and make a donation to an Animal rights group or start a foundation and then still make it in the hall of fame.

Speculating about careeer success asside we often look less harshly on things if they happened in the past to a celebrity.
(Mheslep I know what you meant :smile:)
These are not accusations that happened 5-15 years after the crime was committed (they happened the day after), your comparisons are completely irrelevant unless you are possibly arguing that if someone escapes before they go to jail and spend 10-15 years abroad society should forgive and forget .

people who might agree with you
James J. Bulger
Osama Bin Laden

people who have forgiven their perpetrators despite no monetary compensation
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/44321787.html
http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=105968Regardless there are crimes that are forgive and forgotten by society hence statute of limitations

murder isn't one of these
anal rape of a drugged 13 year old is not one of them
 
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  • #100
j93 said:
anal rape of a drugged 13 year old is not one of them

Are you trying to argue that Polanski is not popular, or that there is not a large portion of society that has forgiven him?
 
  • #101
j93 said:
These are not accusations that happened 5-15 years after the crime was committed (they happened the day after), your comparisons are completely irrelevant unless you are possibly arguing that if someone escapes before they go to jail and spend 10-15 years abroad society should forgive and forget .

people who might agree with you
James J. Bulger
Osama Bin Laden

people who have forgiven their perpetrators despite no monetary compensation
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/44321787.html
http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=105968


Regardless there are crimes that are forgive and forgotten by society hence statute of limitations

murder isn't one of these
anal rape of a drugged 13 year old is not one of them

Let me get this straight...
You are arguing that I am arguing that WE should forgive and forget BECAUSE he escaped for 5-15 years. I said nothing of the sort. Please reread both my posts. I do like your argument that IF I WAS arguing this that I am in the same category as James J. Bulger and Osama Bin Laden. You forgot to associate me with Adolf Hitler...

Please read all the posts. I was making a statement in regards to society as a whole. Not my personal feelings. I most certaintly was not trying to play advocate to Polanski.
 
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  • #102
Why are they protecting this guy? Does extradition cost them a lot of money or something? All they have to do is send him back. How hard is that?
 
  • #103
Pattonias said:
Let me get this straight...
You are arguing that I am arguing that WE should forgive and forget BECAUSE he escaped for 5-15 years. I said nothing of the sort. Please reread both my posts. I do like your argument that IF I WAS arguing this that I am in the same category as James J. Bulger and Osama Bin Laden. You forgot to associate me with Adolf Hitler...

Please read all the posts. I was making a statement in regards to society as a whole. Not my personal feelings. I most certaintly was not trying to play advocate to Polanski.

Well from reading your posts there is either the original interpretation or your posts just pointed out that people tend not to view crimes equally as bad if they are not discovered until years after. If this is really the right interpretation even though it is true then how is that relevant (just as relevant as the sky being blue or the atom contains protons)when in this case it was discovered the day after. Trying to compare apples to apples instead of apples to steak. It was a choice between interpreting your posts as a random generalism or a wrong generally held but relevant belief. I gave you the benefit of the doubt.
Pattonias said:
I do like your argument that IF I WAS arguing this that I am in the same category as James J. Bulger and Osama Bin Laden. You forgot to associate me with Adolf Hitler...
Adolf Hitler was killed before being convicted of anything that wouldn't be an apple to apple comparison. The two examples are the most obvious examples of criminals who have been abroad after being convicted.
 
  • #104
leroyjenkens said:
Why are they protecting this guy? Does extradition cost them a lot of money or something? All they have to do is send him back. How hard is that?

To extradite someone you have to usually prove in your courts that it would serve justice as your laws see it to send the person to the other country. Things like unjuust sentences for the crime committed or possible political influence in the trial are amongst a number of examples of how an extradition attempt can fail
 
  • #105
leroyjenkens said:
Why are they protecting this guy? Does extradition cost them a lot of money or something? All they have to do is send him back. How hard is that?

This is a case where the US bungled a critical communication and the Swiss (not known for patience in these proceedings) did as their laws require.
 
  • #106
j93 said:
How could one like someone who fights dogs.

A child rapist on the other hand.:rolleyes:

Children and dogs; both helpless, both being warped or killed by the actions of a more powerful entity. I see a lot of similarities which lead to similar hatred; I suppose it's a matter of whether you're a bigger fan of puppies or kids. I think the people involved in both enterprises are sick and heartless.
 
  • #107
Ran across this today. :-p

[PLAIN]http://imgsrv.gocomics.com/dim/?fh=01030fc1af206922f498cbeb3762a898
 
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  • #108
Borg said:
Ran across this today. :-p

[PLAIN]http://imgsrv.gocomics.com/dim/?fh=01030fc1af206922f498cbeb3762a898[/QUOTE]

Sad, but true.
 
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  • #109
I also saw a political cartoon that showed a bunch of bail-jumping rapists applying for political asylum in Switzerland.
 
  • #110
nismaratwork said:
Sad, but true.

What's ironic is that the comic was originally released on http://www.gocomics.com/tomthedancingbug/2009/10/31/" .
 
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  • #111
Borg said:
What's ironic is that the comic was originally released on http://www.gocomics.com/tomthedancingbug/2009/10/31/" .

Well, it's good to know that in our pantheon of crimes, sex with underage girls you drug is considered passe. :rolleyes: Sometimes I wonder what's wrong with us all, then other times I know and I need a cup of tea.
 
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  • #112
nismaratwork said:
Well, it's good to know that in our pantheon of crimes, sex with underage girls you drug is considered passe. :rolleyes: Sometimes I wonder what's wrong with us all, then other times I know and I need a cup of tea.

My god, what kind of tea are you drinking?
That must be one hell of a blend.
 
  • #113
Pattonias said:
My god, what kind of tea are you drinking?
That must be one hell of a blend.

Loose-leaf, Darjeeling. Alas, it does nothing! ;)
 

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