Cokie on Polanski: ‘Just Take Him Out and Shoot Him’

I say, why did she go to Nicholson's house with him alone after not liking the first photo shoot, and what kind of parents allow that? Maybe we should shoot them.

I could not agree more. He's admitted his crime tho claims consensual but children cannot consent to be the victim of a crime. He's disgusting - as are his sympathizers.

Obviously, Polanski thought he would get a free pass, and he didn't. He was living in a bubble, and it's finally popped. He should have stuck it out in France, but now he has to own up to what he did or did not do - i.e, he's the same before the bar, and it's time for the trial.

The producers would do well to remember that THIS WEEK has a long and distinguished record as a program in which issues are illuminated with informed opinion. Every time that Ms. vanden Huevel makes an appearance in the program she unfailingly diminishes this record. I have watched TW for many, many years with satisfaction undiminished except for the instances in which she appears. You can do better than to invite someone who, as is the case of Ms. vanden Huevel, obscures issues by personalizing them and who cannot stop herself from drafting other panel members into her sparring web: “I know, George, you won’t agree with me” (repeatedly), or “Matt, you’re wrong ,” or the many times in which the constitutional sky falls (today’s instance was on the subject of civilian oversight of the military). And that was just today (Oct. 4, 2009). If Ms. vanden Heuvel would apply her considerable talents to issues without the indicting asides, she would be a contributor to TW’s luster. So far, I see little evidence of this potential. In the interest of full disclosure, I’m a registered Democrat, voted for Mr. Obama, and remain supportive of his presidency, which I suspect puts me on similar sides of issues, but I would hope without self-righteousness and a demeaning tone.

I was about to express dispair over the hijacking of my favorite version of proffessional and informed debate by Katrina Vanden Heuvel and her low blow opening salvos followed by incessant rammbling until an informed panelist respnds with substance. Mark said it well enough. I would rather listen to Peggy Noonan's emotive diatribes any day.

The punditarati should always emphasize that Polanski pled guilty, and fled when he heard that the bargain was being nixed by the judge. You should infor the public that the judge does not make the deals, but can always disapprove them! And, in law, you can't appeal a judicial decision as a fugitive.
You have to appear before the judge. So even if Polanski had a basis to appeal, he still must appear in the U.S.
before a U.S., or California judge

Give him a "radical bobbittization" and then a jury can decide how to punish him appropriately..... :)

And since when has George Will ever added anything to the discussion on This Week? The problem I have with Mr. Will is that his responses are entirely predictable and always drawn from the Heritage Foundation book of talking points.

Lets talk about the compitition for the Olympics for a minute. Chicago is a place with a beautiful lakefront, but nothing to compare to the beaches of Rio. America put put forward the popularity of Barack Obama. Brazil put forward the popularity of their president, known internationally simply as "Lula".

Brazil rightly pointed out that summer Olympics have never gone to South America. Plus, the Olympic committee was well aware of how the restrictive visa policies of the U.S. would make it difficult for visitors to the games. The later was in fact probably the deciding factor.

Obama did what was expected of the American president and took a day to make the pitch for having the games in America. The theories I heard from your panel today were drival.

I see the Queen is not amused. It would have come across much more humorous if she would have said "Off with his head!".

LM,

That is really, really sad of you even to think that. You're blaming the 13-year-old girl whose expectation was that she was getting photographed by a major director for a national magazine?

Even if she did want it (she cannot consent -- a concept you seemingly cannot comprehend), Polanski would certainly deserve more than the 43 days he served. His acting like he's the victim is truly disgusting.

Since you think this is okay, please tell us when you believe child rape or even unforced (again, there is no consent) pedophilia should be okay?

I'm glad to read that I'm not alone. George, please stop inviting Katrina Vanden Heuvel to appear on the show. I'm a liberal, I cringe every time she opens her mouth and she adds nothing of substance to the conversation.

What everyone is missing is what the victim herself is saying - that matters most as she feels it should be over now because she is constantly being victimized by the DA in Los Angeles by constantly reading and re-reading the court transcript of what happened to the press. She said she is over it and wants it over for her family. She has forgiven him and her mother. This tells me the DA should just drop it and let him remain a fugitive. In these economic times why are we costing taxpayers millions of dollars to extradite and then prosecute (yet again). Polanski never wanted to return to the U.S. so just let him live and die in Europe and let this poor woman alone to live her life happily with her family in Hawaii. I'm not condoning what happened and yes think it is disgusting, but if we can let Bin Laden off for what he did to thousands of people and not make him pay by truly hunting him down and making him stand trial then quit spending our taxpayer dollars on something even the victim wants dropped. Cokie, who I normally admire, made a very stupid comment today that added no value to the conversation. It was a comment more fitting to Peggy Noonan's normal annoying drivel.

Mark's comments are the kind needed when people on opposite sides of the political fence are discussing a controversial issue.

There is no need for the kind of bitter, profane, name-calling idiocy we see far too much of on both sides.

Issues like Afghanistan and health care reform are extremely tough. They need to be discussed intelligently, based on as many facts as possible.

LM--

Seriously, you're questioning why a 13-year old girl made an iffy decision? Because she's a thirteen year old girl who has been taught that adults are trustworthy people! She wasn't an ADULT, not that you could blame an adult woman in that situation either--it's a disgusting attempt to deflect blame that you have engaged in. I heard the same tripe from Mike Tyson's lawyers--"well, she shouldn't have come up with him". Fine. But he shouldn't have raped her. One of those things is a bad decision. The other is a felony. Guess which one.

Yes, her parents also made a bad decision--I made a bad decision earlier to have pizza instead of soup for lunch. It doesn't mean that this decision should have led to this young woman's complete & utter violation. Roman Polanski is nothing but a child molester--he's admitted a liking to "very young girls" in the past, going so far as to "date" Nastasha Kijinssky (I'm sure I spelled that wrong) at age 15. If he hadn't made flippin' "Chinatown," he would be another scummy old man rotting away in prison...

Carolee Crowley- The person victimizing this woman is not the DA its Roman Polanski.

Polanski's refusal to face up to the charges and subsequent decision to flee the country, is the reason she's still having to hear the accounts.

It's disgusting to think we are expected to let Polanski go simply because time has passed. He raped a child, he should be punished.

Way to state your opinion Ms. Roberts, my sentiments exactly!

It's been clear for some time that Roberts is an elitist who doesn't believe in the American system of justice. Interesting that for her the Hollywood artiste should be subject to vigilantism while her pals, the cheney-led thugs who okay-ed torture, shouldn't even be compelled take a break from the Washington cocktail/dinner-party circuit. To apply a quote a famous felon, Leona Helmsly, the law is for the little people.

PLEASE say you're joking! In this day and age do we still blame the victims ... Even the THIRTEEN year old ones ... For the crime of rape? Shame on you!

What's even more disgusting and disturbing to me is that media LIBERALS, who are supposed to be championing the causes of women, children, and victims of injustice are rushing to Polanski's defense! Shame on you!

And then there are those who think the victim's forgiveness means we shouldn't prosecute the crime! Even Republicans know that the rule of law is not only for the benefit of the victims but for the benefit of society. Shame on you!

Carolee, it's the State of California vs. Polanski. Judges and juries hand out sentences, not victims. Rape is a heinous crime against the entire community. Polanski admitted he committed child rape,then fled, which is another crime for which he should be tried.

I've worked with thirteen year old girls who would come on to any man and have more sexual experience than most grown women. I'm not saying what he did was right but thinking these young girls are so innocent is not facing the facts. Obviously her mother was thrilled with the attention she was getting from someone who might be able to start a career for her. Her mother is culpable too.

It is not consentual if she was drugged and drunk!!!!but lets not shoot him, I mean I don't even care if he does any more than 5 days in the prison showers with the general population oh with no soap on a rope

I don't watch This Week; it's hard enough to read the transcript without having also to deal with the fatuous condescension of the commentators -- even those with whom I agree. And this week's version is more obnoxious than usual. Why ANYONE listens to these ill-informed idiots is beyond me. I seriously doubt than any of them has a clue as to what's going on outside of Washington DC, and I don't care where they actually live. Apparently, no opinion within the borders of the US matters if it is also outside the borders of the nation's capitol and/or conflicts with theirs. I think the capper was Cokie Roberts' suggesting Roman Polanski should be killed -- which is about her normal level of surface babble. Never mind the details of the case, Cokie, since they might not jibe with your childish understanding of it; it's just "Off with his head."

SMO,

The victim had to forgive him to move on with her life. Aside from the trauma, his buddies in the media (especially the European media) blamed her for the incident. Who wouldn't want to get away from that. However, the fault here isn't hers. It's Polanski's...for fleeing justice in the first place. Should he be rewarded for extending her trauma?

Are you proposing that we let every pedophile off if their victims wish to move on with their lives? In addition, Polanski was already convicted. Should we let felons know that if they avoid incarceration long enough, they'll get a pass?

What a double standard. He did what he did.........drugged her, raped her...a child and here comes the Hollywood crowd to "pity" up for him. I am going to puke. Cokie Roberts has her head on straight.....as for Whoopie, again, I could puke. Not "rape-rape"...why of course not..........he drugged her first...and that is not "rape". Good old Hollywood, always showing its true colors. If this was a child or racial minority...raped by a right wing conservative.....oh yeh. Picture it.

Cokie Roberts has crossed a line with her vicious and ridiculous comment about Roman Polanski. She should not be allowed on network TV if she can't control her anger and is incapable of being reasonable and articulate.