Candice Bergen | 10/05/2009 12:00 am

Candice Bergen: An Alternative Punishment for Roman Polanski

In response to: Should Roman Polanski go to prison?

The Roman thing is complicated as we all know. It brings out the dark, avenging side of America, yet it is a crime. It was absolutely a criminal, indecent, amoral act and should be acknowledged and in some way paid for. But he is a brilliant, gifted artist. He is a father. And he is 75. How much time should he serve? And why is he not allowed to be home in Switzerland under house arrest? With his kids? Why in prison? What should not happen is his being made an example of with a harsh sentence. There should be a resolution that factors in his contributions and his age. Prolonged house arrest?

277 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Frances England,

I would be glad to answer your post if you can point out how I insulted Kathy Lee and what my contradictions are. I believe I disagreed with her, but I don’t believe I insulted her. And, btw, I’m entitled to my opinion too, whether you like it or not!

By Murphy Mac on 10/07/2009 12:21 pm

e-mail alert

Kathy Lee, I thank you for that response to this thread. I had decided that I would not reply again on this subject, as it was far beyond anything that I thought I would hear someone express out loud in America.

I feel the same way, about the women that you mentioned. What in the world was Whoopi trying to say or defend? "Not rape, rape"? She can not believe that. 13, the child was 13. And Candice? No excuse, she starts out saying that it is a crime then adds the word "BUT", which of course negated all that came before it.

I have begun to think that this site is either very negative, or a bastion for the far left leaning Hollywood fanatics. I am heartened to see that a few Hollywood types have retained their integrity any way. Too bad that the Whoopi decided to make such a pitiful showing on the view. It is embarrassing that she is part of wow.

Anyway, I guess that there is no accounting for self-interest when it comes to the Hollywood types. I had personal interaction with Miss Winger years ago, and it was not a pleasant experience. It makes me wonder about the women that deny this act is a crime and deserving of justice. What are they hiding? What purpose does this denial serve for them?

People do thing because there is a payoff in some manner. I wonder, what is the real issue with these women?

By True Grit on 10/07/2009 10:45 am

e-mail alert

True Grit, so what was you personal interaction with Debra Winger like? I’m dying to know!

By darcus g on 10/07/2009 12:50 pm

e-mail alert

would we even be having this debate is Roman Polanski wasn’t Roman Polanski?
How would we react to this story if RP was just a man, no talent, no fame? What if RP was a 75 year old no one who happened to run away?

What if RP was an unknown 75 year old black man living in an inner city?

What if RP was an unknown 75 year old hispanic man living in an inner city?

What if RP was an unknown 75 year old white man living in the middle of the bible belt?

how would we be reacting? What should his sentance be?

What do I believe? rape doesn’t kill the body. It murders the spirit. It murders the mind. I do believe some instances of rape should warrant a death sentence.

In this case, the fact is a 44 year old male drugged and raped someone. It doesn’t make it a difference how old she is because some 13 year olds are very aware and developed and some 18 year olds are still developing emotionally and are as nieve and childlike as a 13 year old.

Drug and rape. thats the focus. The man needs to be punished. He destroyed a life. The man needs to pay for his crime. The man needs to honor his restitution. So, the question is, what is an appropriate punishement for a famous wealthy 75 year old? Well, castration is out - the man is 75. We need to take away his fame and fortune… but the courts can’t do that. WE need to. HOLLYWOOD needs to. He needs to be BANISHED from the entertainment industry. No one should even speak his name or watch any of his films. We need to take away his power. Take away his talent - labotimize the bastard. He should forfiet his vast wealth to, not only his victim, but shelters and programs that help victims of sexual abuse and crime. Things need to be done where RP ends up being a penniless, nobody on the street living in a cardboard box and at the mercy of the elements. After a sevear caining and the joy of watching his genitalia being cut off and fed to a dog of course….

By aud b on 10/07/2009 10:39 am

e-mail alert

Aud B - if this was not Roman P - all those others would be back in the US serviing out their original jail time and then some for fleeing the Country….its that simple. I have never ever heard of this guy before and I wish I never had heard of him. I am glad he wont be coming near my daughter or that is one less body on this earth anyone would have to worry about….

By C Hardy on 10/07/2009 12:33 pm

e-mail alert

aub b, you make some really curious assumptions about young girls, age, and sexuality. Her age makes no difference?

By darcus g on 10/07/2009 12:43 pm

e-mail alert

I can not even begin to wrap my head around what Candice just said! He has a family, he is a gifted film director, and he has children! OMG! What is this world coming to? So what if he is gifted, he Raped a 13 year old little girl and there is not Any Way around that, at least I pray to God that there isn’t. So I guess is what she is saying is if you are gifted, have children, and are over the age of whatever, then you can get away with anything??? This is just absolutely crazy and so sick! Has she ever heard of cold cases and what about the rest of you who think it is okay for him not to pay for what he did? Cold cases are unsolved crimes and many are solved many years later because of the technology we have today. Do you think they let these people go or do they bring them to justice? The answer is: They bring them to justice and put them in prison exactly where Polansky should be! Like others have already said, can you imagine if this was a carpenter, plumber, or any other ordinary person? We All know exactly where we would be and it would have occured years ago. My only question is, Why have they waited so long to go get this slime bag and that should be the Only topic of controversy regarding him.

By Frances England on 10/07/2009 11:55 am

e-mail alert

Candice, Seriously? So because he is "talented", he shouldn’t suffer the consequences of his actions? Would you still have the same mindset if it was YOUR 13 year old daughter? Would it have been ok with you if your daughter was molested/raped, just as long as the person who did it was famous and talented? He’s lived the high life all this time, now it’s time to pay for his crime, which he plead GUILTY to, by the way.

By Brenda Slosek on 10/07/2009 12:17 pm

e-mail alert

Because of Candice Bergen’s unfortunate connection to Roman Polanski, I find her opinion on the matter very interesting. She shows a bit of bravery going against the current prevailing opinions.

By darcus g on 10/07/2009 12:37 pm

e-mail alert

I don’t believe that the Roman Polanski issue is complicated. He drugged and raped a thirteen year old girl. That is a crime. He fled. That is also a crime. Would the issue be any different if Phillip Garrido fled and lived somewhere for years in order to avoid prosecution? Would society excuse his behavior becauase of his age or art? Would society let any other man walk away from charges like this because of age or talent. I have no doubt whatsoever that if the perpetrator of this crime did not have the last name of Polanski this would not even be an issue. People would be outraged. They should be!

By Michelle R on 10/07/2009 1:05 pm

e-mail alert

He raped a 13-year old girl, then fled when he was afraid of what his sentence might be. So he’s now committed two crimes and has been free as a bird for the past thrity-something years. He needs to serve his time, just as anyone else should, and he should be prosecuted for fleeing and serve whatever time he is given for that crime as well. Because he’s a wealthy and artistic person with children should never even be discussed as it has absolutely nothing to do with the crimes he committed or the sentence he was given.

By Kathrine Weaver on 10/07/2009 4:48 pm

e-mail alert

Why are people even questioning this? Would we be asking it if it was John Doe who fled the country after he PLEAD guilty to this crime? The victim was 13! Just because he is a talented artist and a father and 75… does that mean that people who are those things should not be held accountable for such horrible acts? I feel it’s tragic that it’s even a question.

By Elyssa Berger on 10/07/2009 5:09 pm

e-mail alert

So what if he is a brilliant, gifted artist, a father and 75." What if he were average intelligence, not creative, and unknown? Would you give him a harsh sentence? What if he was only 50 or 60? What if she was your 13 year old daughter? What is worse than child rape? I agree that Americans are avenging but he raped a child.

By taffy mcdonough on 10/07/2009 8:10 pm

e-mail alert

This thread has adequately provided more than ample evidence of the "dark, avenging" underside of America. It is embarrassing to see how totally unable to listen to what Ms. Bergen actually said and what she actually asked and respond to that. What kind of a nitwit could possibly believe Candice Bergen (or me, for that matter) is in favor of child rape? How blind, self-aborbed, and simply nuts do you have to be to miss her point?

By Mugsy Peabody on 10/07/2009 9:26 pm