Polanski update.

As part of our link rollout last week, we noted the unsettling developments in the arrest of acclaimed director Roman Polanski. If you remember, Polanski has been arrested for a rape/sexual assault committed 31 years ago, when he reportedly gave a 13-year-old model a significant amount of champagne and half of a Quaalude pill before raping her. What was the most ridiculous part, however, was that the then-13-year-old model is now grown and is protesting the arrest and possible trial of Polanski, saying that the media has done more harm than Polanski ever did. Also, various organizations, political figures, and celebrity personalities have backed Polanski (check out this commentary), arguing that he has paid his time for his crimes (um, 42 days is in no way a significant punishment for the drugging and rape of a 13-year-old girl, period) and that he has since produced such a significant, unbelievable amount of work of such high quality that he should be granted amnesty.

Thankfully, however, the tide may seem to be turning. According to this New York Times article, Polanski's legal team has acquired a powerful player in Reid Weingarten, but various French political figures have now spoken out about Polanski's arrest. One was quoted as saying that the rape charge "is not something trivial, whoever the suspect is."

Let's hope the rest of the political community, as well as the Hollywood personalities that unfortunately influence much of public opinion, comes to their senses and sets a good example by condemning Polanski's crimes, no matter how long ago they were committed. To reduce such a strategic, planned rape to nothing more than a "youthful error" is absolutely appalling and an obvious contributor to the rape culture in today's society.

And, let's be serious. He was 45 years old at the time. Since when is that "youthful?" And, since when is being a good cinematic director an excuse to commit rape?