Commentary by James L. Lambert

Late Saturday authorities in Switzerland arrested film director Roman Polanski as he arrived there to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Zurich Film Festival. The arrest, made on Sept. 26^th, is an effort by Los Angeles city prosecutors to extradite the 76 year old director back to the United States for a crime he committed in 1977. In 1978 Polanski pleaded guilty to raping a 13 year old girl in the home of actor Jack Nicholson. Nicholson was not in his home at the time. A Polanski spokesman told NBC’s “Good Morning America” on Monday that the famous film director would fight any efforts to extradite him back to Los Angeles. Polanski was the director of such films as The Pianist, Rosemary’s Baby and Chinatown.

Now, it seems, the director’s Hollywood friends have come marching to his defense. Some have even signed a petition supporting Polanski while others are publicly speaking in the film maker’s behalf. Present and former Hollywood luminaries have signed a petition asking that the District Attorney drop their extradition efforts. Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese, Penelope Cruz, as well as 100 others have signed the petition. Debra Winger and Peter Fonda have publicly defended Polanski, saying authorities should drop their efforts to prosecute the renowned director. Efforts by Polanski’s friends clearly illustrate the significant cultural chasm between today’s Hollywood elite and that of the rest of America.

After hearing the testimony of the 13 year old rape victim, it is difficult to comprehend why anyone would be sympathetic to the admitted rapist.  Polanski was 44 when he committed the crime. Actress and The View commentator, Whoopi Goldberg, said last week that it “wasn’t rape-rape.”

Excuse me? How does Goldberg define forcing yourself on someone, let alone a minor? Where are the defenders children anyway?

I was glad to hear Jeffrey Kuhner, guest host for Michael Savage’s popular week-day talk show, speak out against this insanity. It was refreshing to hear the Washington Times writer criticize the Hollywood elite. He was annoyed how Polanski’s defenders could condone his actions. Meanwhile Kuhner   persuasively made the case for arresting and imprisoning the Academy award winning director on Michael Savage’s highly rated show.

Nevertheless, Polanski’ supporters continue to ignore the stark facts of the case. Polanski not only gave his victim Quaaludes, but forced her into one uncompromising situation after another on the original pretext of ‘photographing’ her.  How many times have I heard this type of rationalization before?  As the author of ‘Porn In America’ (Huntington House Publications), I have read of similar situations of young girls who first become models then get involved in the porn industry.

As Lisa Bennett, National Organization of Women communications director said, “it doesn’t matter that the (rape victim), now in her mid-40s, has found a way to forgive Polanski.” There still needs to be closure to this horrible crime. Polanski should know something about “bringing closure” to a crime. He was the husband of pregnant actress Sharon Tate who was brutally murdered by the Manson family in 1968. Manson is now serving a life sentence in a California prison.

Polanski has admitted on tape he has a predilection for young girls. After pleading guilty in 1978, “he fled the country prior to sentencing” (SD Examiner). Justice in America is supposed to be equal for all. It isn’t supposed to favor the rich, famous or an escaped criminal in Europe. I think most Americans would agree that it’s time for Roman Polanski to serve his sentence.  

James L. Lambert, a frequent contributor to ChristianMirror.net and author of Porn in America, is a licensed nationwide real-estate mortgage loan sales agent and can be contacted through his website.