Hollywood Hypocrisy
The New York Times EXCERPT:
Geraldine A. Ferraro, a lawyer and a former member of Congress, was the Democratic vice presidential candidate in 1984.
A male is guilty of rape in the second degree when, being eighteen years old or more, he engages in sexual intercourse with a female less than fifteen years old. Rape in the second degree is a class D felony.
That is the current law in New York. When I was prosecuting these cases in Queens in the 70s the law required that the child be less than 14. The legislature tightened it. But there is no doubt that California had the same protections for children when Polanski was prosecuted in California for having intercourse with a 13-year-old girl. It still does.
This is the definition of statutory rape. Notice, it doesnt talk about force and it doesnt talk about consent. Neither are needed. The statute is meant to protect children. A 13-year-old cant consent to intercourse with a man over 18, and certainly not with a man in his 30s.
Polanski was convicted of a serious crime in the 70s. He chose to abscond to France and because he had money and connections, has lived a charmed life, unhindered by his obligations to society. The message is, rich guys can get away with anything or wait is it only rich guys with friends in Hollywood? The statute of limitations for rape does not toll simply because 31 years has passed. And victims cannot forgive the rapist. The criminal justice system is meant to protect all of us.
END EXCERPT READ THE REST!
I would have bet money I didn't agree with Ferraro on anything, I am pleasently surprised.
The New York Times EXCERPT:
Geraldine A. Ferraro, a lawyer and a former member of Congress, was the Democratic vice presidential candidate in 1984.
A male is guilty of rape in the second degree when, being eighteen years old or more, he engages in sexual intercourse with a female less than fifteen years old. Rape in the second degree is a class D felony.
That is the current law in New York. When I was prosecuting these cases in Queens in the 70s the law required that the child be less than 14. The legislature tightened it. But there is no doubt that California had the same protections for children when Polanski was prosecuted in California for having intercourse with a 13-year-old girl. It still does.
This is the definition of statutory rape. Notice, it doesnt talk about force and it doesnt talk about consent. Neither are needed. The statute is meant to protect children. A 13-year-old cant consent to intercourse with a man over 18, and certainly not with a man in his 30s.
Polanski was convicted of a serious crime in the 70s. He chose to abscond to France and because he had money and connections, has lived a charmed life, unhindered by his obligations to society. The message is, rich guys can get away with anything or wait is it only rich guys with friends in Hollywood? The statute of limitations for rape does not toll simply because 31 years has passed. And victims cannot forgive the rapist. The criminal justice system is meant to protect all of us.
END EXCERPT READ THE REST!
I would have bet money I didn't agree with Ferraro on anything, I am pleasently surprised.
