In Re Roman Polanski, or, Doing the Right Thing Unless You Don’t Wanna

Roman Polanski.  I have so much to say on this subject it will be a long, rambling mess.

In re: his tragic life

What a tragic life he’s led.  Losing his wife and unborn child to Charles Manson and his merry maniacs is enough to send anyone over the edge.  I get it, I really do.

In re: his crime

I also understand that the rape happened in a more permissive time.  Pedophilia was not a common word in the  American vernacular.  The general public (and, tragically, many churches) did not talk about it in good company.  Arrests and jail time were rare, and though perhaps the behavior that led to such consequences was not exactly accepted, it was certainly most often swept under the rug, or best ignored.

But not by this girl’s mother (though how she could be surprised in the face of her utter neglect in sending her unaccompanied child to hang with the guy is beyond me).

Perhaps Roman Polanski was used as an example, a deterrent.  Perhaps someone was taking a moral – or a political – stand.  But so what?  A forty-four year-old man should not be having sex with a thirteen year-old girl.  Period.

But let’s forget that for a moment, too.

In re: the arrest and plea

The thing is, he WAS arrested. For RAPE.  He DID plead guilty to unlawful sex with a minor.  No matter how he or anyone else felt about it, he plead guilty.

In re: fleeing like the coward he is

And then he ran.   Far.  Because he feared the judge was going to put him in jail, instead of a wink and a wrist-tap sentence of “time served.”

And has evaded taking responsibility for HIS, HIS, HIS actions – the crime he has admitted – for the past thirty-two years.

That’s not what a real man would do.  A real man would have taken responsibility.  At least sometime in the last thirty years.

Now, I know you’re going to tell me that the case against him is wrought with problems.  There are charges of misconduct.  And the victim doesn’t want the case to go forward.  That should change everything.

But to me it changes nothing.  He ran.  He didn’t stand up.  Appeal!  Please!  Get the case thrown out if it won’t stand.

And then stand trial for your thirty-two year flight from responsibility.

You know, be a MAN.

If he had stood up like a man and served his sentence, then lived his life admirably since, fine.  I’m all for second chances.  But I’d sure never leave him alone with my kid – or any other.

But that isn’t what he did, is it?  He fled.  And he expected to hide behind the more permissive cultures in Europe for the rest of his life.  And he was correct in those expectations for thirty-two years.

In re: Switzerland grows some kahunas

And then Switzerland started growing a conscience.  We all know they started opening up their legendary secret banking records, forcing the world’s cheats into accountability.  Amen, my Swiss friends.

And now they decided to honor a thirty-two year-old warrant for Polanski’s arrest.

Because, Mr. Polanski, it doesn’t matter how angelic, how philanthropic, how upstanding you’ve been for the last thirty years, you don’t get to avoid this responsibility.

You just don’t get to.

In re: Roman Polanski, entertainment industry god

It has always boggled my mind that Polanski has enjoyed great popularity and support since he fled.  Actors, directors, filmmakers, entertainers can’t line up fast enough to support him.  His movies – only one of which (Rosemary’s Baby) I have ever seen – are widely applauded.  He is considered a cinematic genius.

I’m sure he is.

But he raped a child. Even if she gave a 13 year-old’s version of consent.  It is legally rape, folks.  No matter what plea he copped.  And I could never help wondering how these actors and actresses justified working for him.

“Sure, he raped a kid, but he’s really a super dee-duper terrific guy!  And a genius!”

What do they say to their kids?    “He plead guilty to having sex with someone your age?  Honey, don’t worry about that old sex with a kid, thing.  It was waaaaaaaaaaaay before you were born.  Well, yes, he did flee to avoid jail.  But he had a really good reason!  That mean old judge was going to put him in jail!  And I want you to watch and learn how he and all of the rest of the people that support him are justifying not only his original crime, but the wonderful way he has been canonized by us so that we make it all not his fault!  After all, it was kinda consensual!  I want you to learn from him how not to take responsibility for your actions.  And if you ever commit a crime, I’m sure he’ll tell you how to flee and live abroad  – well, for thirty-two years, anyway!  And, if you’re lucky, and if you kiss his ass enough, perhaps one day YOU can be in one of his films!  Oh, joy!”

In re: the petition

And they startle me even more, now, with this infamous petition.

Yes, theses idiots started a petition demanding his release, accusing Swiss authorities of a failure to appreciate  the genius that is Roman Polanski,  and the hereto before unknown fact that international film festivals share the same sanctuary status as churches.

Um, huh?  Sanctuary?!?!?!!!!

The SACD petition that Martin Scorcese, David Lynch and  over 100 other industry insiders signed says, in part:

By their extraterritorial nature, film festivals the world over have always permitted works to be shown and for filmmakers to present them freely and safely, even when certain States opposed this.

The arrest of Roman Polanski in a neutral country, where he assumed (and we all know what happens when we assume, don’t we?) he could travel without hindrance, undermines this tradition: it opens the way for actions of which no one can know the effects.

Um, so????????????????????  By that logic all murderers and rapists should be able to travel unencumbered, for the good of the arts.

These superstars of intellect and morality go on to say:

It seems inadmissible to them (filmmakers) that an international cultural event, paying homage to one of the greatest contemporary filmmakers, is used by the police to apprehend him.

It doesn’t seem inadmissible to me at all.  It seems poetic.

In re: the idiots supporting Polanski

His supporters include the not-so-surprising, like Woody Allen (um, didn’t he screw, then marry his adopted  stepdaughter?).  Then there are the ones that do surprise me, like Martin Scorsese, Jonathan Demme and Michael Mann – all terrific filmmakers with apparently extraordinarily bad judgment. I can only hope that they are sorry they sign that ridiculous piece of drivel.

Debra Winger issued a separate  statement:

This fledgling festival has been unfairly exploited and whenever this happens the whole art world suffers…

Yes, but it was perfectly okay for Polanski to unfairly exploit that thirteen year-old, Debra. Seriously, folks, my eyes are starting to bleed.

In re: “it isn’t rape-rape”

Whoopi.  Whoopi Goldberg.  She actually defends Polanski on “The View”, first saying that he wasn’t charged with rape (Wrong!  He WAS, but he plead to the lesser charge) and that nonetheless, she’s sure it wasn’t “rape- rape.”

Whoopi.  It will take a looooooong time to live that down.  Sure, it wasn’t stranger-rape.  The girl was not kidnapped, beaten and left for dead after her rapist put his penis inside her.

That doesn’t mean it wasn’t rape.  This guy was in fact much smoother, more insidious.  He made this 13 year-old, who wanted nothing as much as she wanted a career,  feel like the adult she wasn’t by giving her alcohol, and drugs, and made her feel pretty and  special.

Before he put his penis inside her.

That’s rape in the eyes of the law.  And in my eyes, too.  It’s rape-rape, Whoopi.

In re: do the right thing

It’s always easier to pay now instead of later, Mr. Polanski.  When you pay later there are always penalties.  And interest.

Do the right thing.

Do the right thing.

Do the right thing.

1400 words, give or take.  That is, thankfully, all I have to say on this subject.

Deal of the Day September 28, 2009 – Free Uncrustables!

Get a free package of Smucker’s Uncrustables with coupon by mail when you submit an after-school organizational tip. The free product coupon is available to the first 20,000 who register for it and you should get it in your mailbox within six weeks of registering.

Deal of the Day September 25, 2009 – Victoria’s Secret Undies Sale!

If you are a member of Pink Nation, you may want to login to your account and access a printable coupon for use in-stores to get 10 panties for $25 only!!  This coupon is valid 9/25-9/28 ONLY.  You can also enjoy this offer online.  Just add any 10 panties from the Victoria’s Secret Pink® “5/$25 Panties” collection to your shopping bag. Enter offer code 10PANTIES at checkout.  Online code valid through 11:59pm EST on September 28, 2009. Maximum of 10 panties per order, while supplies last.

Try to g et in on this great deal!

Tylenol Recalls Children’s and Infants’ Tylenol!

I hardly ever give Dan Tylenol, but I always have it on hand.  I  replaced some long-expired product not too long ago, just in case.

Today I wake up to news that the makers of Children’s Tylenol have announced a voluntary recall of more than 20 children’s and infants’ liquid products.

Apparently,  “select lots” of the products  are being recalled due to a bacteria that was found in medicine manufactured between April and June 2008.

The recall was done on a warehouse and retail level. Products already packaged and on store shelves have been deemed safe.  They say that no bacteria has not been found in any of the finished products – which really makes no sense to me.  Does that mean that it takes nearly a year and a half after production for it to reach us?

The full list of affected products can be found at Tylenol.com. Consumers can find the lot numbers on the bottom of the box containing the product and also on the sticker that surrounds the product bottle.

Please check your stash, and call your pediatrician if you have any questions.

Deal of the Day – Free Ice Cream!

Today is Son’s first half-day.  Perhaps we’ll celebrate by getting some free ice cream!

Carvel Ice Cream stores are offering a free Oreo Lil’ Rounder to all customers today, September 24, 2009.  Call first to make sure your local franchise is participating, then stop between 3-7 p.m.  There’s also a coupon for $3 off a package, so enjoy!

Pay Cut Number 2 Stinks Like Number 2

Do we know how to party, or what?!!!!

Yes, folks.  The recession is ending!  Recovery is beginning!!!  At least it is if you listen to the pundits.

But here in this household, the recession ain’t over.  Not by a long shot.

Husband started getting nervous last week, when the powers at be suddenly had a flurry of closed-door meetings.   Layoffs are out of the question – his company is already down to the bare bones after last year’s layoffs.  It had to be a pay cut coming.  ANOTHER pay cut.

You may remember – he aready got one at the beginning of the year- about 7.5%.  We made some adjustments, and we’ve been okay.  I’m still doing a little bit of work for a friend – enough so that we can have a few luxuries.

Now we all know that Husband is a bit reactionary.  Some might say over-reactionary.  But not in this case.  The boss scheduled meetings with all of the account executives for today – and the writing was on the wall. More pay cuts were definitely coming.  The only question now – how much?

So today I’ve waited as patiently as I could for the call.  He did finally call, completely irate, to tell me that one of the account executives got a 15% cut.  He vowed to quit before working for that little, and I can understand how he feels.

But with a family and a case of diabetes, Husband doesn’t have the luxury of telling them exactly what he thinks and walking out the door.  He just doesn’t.    He wants to look for a new job, fine.  But he cannot quit before he finds another one.  And those are nearly impossible to find in our lovely little recession recovery.

That, of course, was not what he wanted to hear from me.  But honestly, what else could I say?  If he gets that big of a pay cut then we’ll start a full court press for a new job, wherever it may be – Florida, Georgia, North Carolina…  And I’ll look for a job, too.  I’d have to.  The end of being a stay-at-home Mom, a job I cherish.

But Husband needs to keep that job until he gets another, or they close their doors.  Lousy pay is better than no pay.  No matter how good it would feel to give them a piece of his mind, he can’t…

For us it wasn’t as bad as we feared – “only” another 5% cut.  And reassurance that his job is not in jeopardy.  He will be there as long as he wants to be –  or until they close the doors (which despite the pay cuts does not seem likely).

So, we will tighten our belts a little further.  Looks like the end of my pedicures, and the new printer I need will have to wait.  I am going to see about picking up some work, and perhaps monetize one of my other blogs.

And we’ll wait for things to get better.  Just like you.

Life is Too Short to Have an Affair

Today is my 7th wedding anniversary.  I love him even more today than the day we married.  My respect for him as a husband and a father have grown exponentially.  He is a good man.

He  would never cheat on me.  This I know.  He has way too much integrity for that, and his rock-solid integrity is one of the things that attracted me the most.

And I’d never cheat on him.  This I know, too.  I’ve never been unfaithful in any committed relationship.  Ever.

Because fidelity isn’t about the other person in the relationship.  Ever.  Fidelity is a personal issue, between me and me. My feelings on fidelity were formed at the age of six, seeing and living with the aftermath when my father left my mother for another woman. Over the years, seeing the unnecessary pain and hurt caused by those who cheat cemented those beliefs.  Unshakably.

Even if  Husband wasn’t a good husband, or  a good  man, I would not cheat.  Bad behavior on someone else’s part does not excuse self-destructive, dishonest behavior on my part. There’s just no room for it in my reality.

I could never understand why unmarried people don’t just break off one relationship before starting another.  Are they that insecure that they can’t spend a moment alone?  Do they have so little respect for their partners and themselves?  Or is it just the thrill of doing something dark and dirty?  “John, I don’t want to see you anymore.”  It’s really  not that hard, folks.

Married  people, especially those with children, deserve a great deal of censure for infidelity, in my opinion.  Is an orgasm worth ruining your life?  Your child’s life????  Are you really going to justify your behavior by saying that what they don’t know won’t hurt them, or your spouse doesn’t understand you, or they cheated  first?   Do you really buy the lie that children are resilient?  Are you that selfish to think that your needs should come first?  Do you not understand what a VOW is?

What is so alarming to me is that having an affair is no longer a sweaty secret, forcing participants to put themselves out  there and risk rejection of their spurious advances.  There are people now that capitalize on this market, previously untapped by all but street prostitutes, escort services and pitiful personal ads.  It’s now in the bright light of day, given an aura of, dare I say it, faux respectability.

Because now there are dating services that cater to those looking for a little on the  side.  The tag line of one such agency says  it all:  “Life is short.  Have an affair.”

Really?

Despicable.

Homemade, Natural Hand Sanitizer Recipe

There must be lots of people who want a hand sanitizer that doesn’t  include alcohol.  I’d never really thought about it before  my local news did a story about an alternative.  Apparently essential oils have the same antibacterial qualities as alcohol, and they smell better, too!

This is not an endorsement for the safety, efficacy or frugality of the recipe or it’s contents.  Always check with your doctor and lawyer before doing anything, especially anything I talk about.  Use at your own risk.  Don’t  sue me.

According to my local news, this is how you make “natural” hand sanitizer:

Fill a small spray bottle halfway with sterile (I’m assuming distilled) water.

Add to it:

1 tsp Aloe Vera gel

1-2 drops of cinnamon oil

1 drop of eucalyptus oil

1 drop of clove bud oil

1 drop of rosemary oil

5 drops of lemon oil (for scent_

Top it off with more sterile water.

Shake well and… voila!

Not frugal, certainly.  You can get a ten gallon tub of off-brand sanitizer for thirty-seven cents (okay, not really).   The essential oils aren’t cheap.  Still, it’s kind of a neat idea.  Put it in pretty spray bottles and it might make a nice stocking stuffer idea, too.  Especially for all you crunchy people!

Whatever type you decide on, please wash often.  I don’t want to catch H1N1, Swine, or any other Flu or virus, thankyouverymuch.

Deal of the Day September 10, 2009 – Free Ice Cream!

Carvel is offering free Lil Rounders on September 24th (soft serve ice cream sandwiched between Oreo cookies). As usual, no purchase necessary.

If you’re at Carvel and decide that you want to purchase an entire pack of Lil Rounders, here’s a $3 off coupon.

Coldstone Creamery’s 8th Annual World’s Largest Ice Cream Social is that same day,  September 24, 2009. The event is held each year and free ice cream is given out to patrons. The purpose of the ice cream social is to raise funds by means of donations to the Make a Wish Foundation in order to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Go ahead and enjoy the free ice cream, but be sure to donate to Make a Wish if you can to this worthy cause.

Deal of the Day September 6, 2009 – Free Chikin!

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

If you wear a sports team logo of any kind to Chick-fil-A from 10:30 a.m. until close of business on Monday, September 7, 2009, you’ll get a free chicken sandwich!

More details are here.   Pretty much anything with a logo will do, even if you do it yourself.

Also, if you haven’t done so, be sure to sign up here for a free chicken sandwich coupon. They still have several thousand left to give out!!!

Check back tomorrow for another great deal!

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