Back in 1977 film director Roman Polanski was charged with raping a 13 year old girl who he plied with champagne and Quaaludes. He admitted his full guilt in court, and certain other charges like sodomy were dropped as part of a plea deal. Before everything was finalized he became concerned that the Judge would go back on the deal, and Polanski fled the country. Since then he has been living a life of luxury while “on the lam.” He has chic houses in Switzerland, France, and Poland.
He has many high powered supporters, especially artists, who say that he is no longer a threat to society, and that all this old baggage should just be forgotten and swept under the carpet. They seem to be saying that successful artistic types don’t need to obey the same laws as everyone else. There is some logic to what his supporters are saying, but they are ignoring an important issue.
In a society which operates under the rule-of-law the laws and justice must be applied equally whether you are some destitute out of work black guy, or a member of the super-rich elite. Polanski admitted to being completely guilty of raping the 13 year old girl after having drugged her and gotten her drunk. He fled the country before the judicial system made a final decision on the appropriate punishment for his crime. He has been a fugitive from justice all these years.
Most people would agree that it is not acceptable for wealthy and powerful men to be able to get away with raping 13 year old girls with impunity anytime that they get the urge. So Polanski needs to be treated like any other fugitive. He is currently in jail in Switzerland awaiting extradition proceedings to bring him back to America. To people who don’t know them, the Swiss seem like simple folks who yodel and make cheese up in the Alps. A gentle, but maybe not too bright group of people.
I have been to Switzerland many times, and I have to say that this television and movie generated stereotype of them is completely incorrect. Don’t forget about the Swiss banks. These people remained neutral during WWII, and they acted as the bankers for everyone - from the Jews who were slaughtered to the Nazis and the American and Russian top military brass who helped themselves to a little of the Nazi plunder.
If I remember the story correctly, every adult male in Switzerland is a member of the Swiss military. They keep their military guns and ammunition at each of their own houses. The Swiss are indeed a very nice people, but they are tough as nails too. Unlike what might happen here in America, you won’t walk all over these people or make fools of them.
I’m glad that Polanski is in jail in Switzerland rather than in one of the countries which have a much more corrupt judicial system. Like the USA.
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