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I wonder if perhaps Gore made a gaff about Polanski/Geimer because he was misinformed about the logistics of this actual case. Samantha Geimer, the supposed victim in this case doesn't see herself at all as a "victim" now, thinks the case is ancient history and that Roman Polanski has more than "paid a price" and should be left in peace, along with her. It's the media, the courts and the hysterical public that have painted this whole thing as some horrific crime that it's not and that Polanski is some drooling monster which he isn't. So Mr. Vidal is right about his assessment that no "terrible horrific unspeakable crime" is at hand, he just didn't realize that the so-called victim in this case is completely unwilling to be involved and thinks and further pursuit of Mr. Polanski is persecution. Ms. Geimer is a victim but unfortunately she's a victim of a vindictive legal system, mob hysteria and a complicit media. We live in an era of witch hunts and public persecutions, which are fed by a Prisons for Profit system, a nation of predominantly thoughtless hysterics, a draconian legal system and a combination of peculiar radical bedfellows that have gotten us here. Most Americans have a child-like bi-polar vision of the world, with the perfect, wonderful people on one side (themselves) and evil monsters on the other (anyone they fear, don't recognize, or, more honestly, have some of the flawed human elements they also share but vehemently deny to themselves and others via the persecution/scapegoating of others). Unfortunately this black/white simplistic view, no different than the Jihadist Muslim's, when practiced by the majority, leads to some ugly and dire consequences for society.

Ms. Geimer has stated that what happened to her was not the "most horrific thing ever" that "ruined her life" as the hysterics and sensationalizing media like to claim (though they seem hell bent on ruining her life now to "prove" their point). Regardless, being the supposed victim, who has been a thoughtful adult for quite a number of years, she just wants to live a peaceful, quiet life and does not want to be the unwilling focal point in what she now perceives as ruthless persecution of a man she thinks more than paid for whatever crime and error in judgment he made decades ago. If the victim is supposed to be the one with the rights, the blood thirsty public, judicial system and complicit others are the guilty ones violating her rights today, certainly not Mr. Polanski.

During the period the original incident took place, some three decades ago, was the notable public rise of modern feminism. The most radical elements of the feminist movement presented themselves as predominantly male hating and many within that movement went so far as to claim all sex was a form of rape and rape is somehow on par with, perhaps more horrific than, murder. The vast bulk of other Americans did not see any merit at all in any of these radical views, yet in retrospect, there must be quite a number of those surviving radical feminists who are at least partially quite pleased with Modern America's vilification of most masculine traits and the deification of anything feminine. In short, the Feminization of America has probably exceeded even some of their wildest expectations. Who knew the once scoffed at, man-hating radical feminists of yesteryear would have so many millions of unwitting, fundamentally philosophically opposed supporters today? The radical feminist's general loathing of heterosexual relations along with the fundamental religious shame of sexual relations and America's long-withstanding Puritanical guilt have lead to what you would think are staunchly opposing sides ending up with a shared victory: sex, in any form, is America's big bugaboo. Just look at the meaningless heated debate of gay marriage to see how silly and ridiculous people are in their obsession with other people's affairs. If most heterosexuals end up in so many unhappy unions, shouldn't homosexuals have the same opportunity? A bit of a joke, but you get the idea. Who should care what their gay neighbors want to do? If gay marriage somehow dilutes or impacts your heterosexual marriage then your marriage was not much of one to begin with, was it? It certainly had no real binding strength of its own if what some stranger does completely detached from you “ruins” it. Again, we see that perhaps some peoples obsessions with what others are doing/not doing speaks more volumes about themselves than it does those they point their fingers at.

The point is not to imply that what happened between Mr. Polanski and Ms. Geimer was somehow innocuous or even full consensual but that since the element of sex is involved it is viewed as a monstrous crime due to America’s hysterical preoccupation/shame/persecution of anything sexual. During that same period some thirty years ago when the Polanski/Geimer incident happened there were millions of girls and boys who were bullied and beaten, essentially terrorized by others, usually bigger and older. Thousands upon thousands of those children had lives that were and are far more traumatized, perhaps even “ruined”; more so than even the wildest claims made (unwanted) on behalf of Ms. Geimer, who discredits her “supporters” exaggerations. Why is the public, media, courts, et al not screaming for those bullies/perpetrators to pay for their crimes? Even if there were thousands who had been prosecuted and fled just prior to sentencing (with or without a lying, incompetent judge who reneged on a legal plea agreement for his own self-serving publicity seeking reasons), would the general public, media, and courts be screaming for their blood, that they be extradited from wherever? No, as a rule, they clearly would not. Perhaps it is more than just their own shame/guilt/fear of anything sexual, perhaps there is some envy element of a man who has overcome tremendous personal tragedy to make an enormous success of himself, perhaps it is the vehement, rising and raging anti-Semitism that so much of America enjoys (and a good portion of the world), as it does like so many other pre-Nazi Germany elements? It really doesn’t matter as these concealed motivations are really the personal problems of the real and wannabe persecutors of Mr. Polanski, aren’t they? Too bad they can’t keep their personal problems personal, then perhaps we could have a much kinder, gentler, non-vindictive world that doesn’t need the scapegoating and persecution of others to fill otherwise empty, unhappy lives.

Ironically, the radical feminists and shame filled fundamentalist religious prudes must be simultaneously celebrating and laughing at the commonly accepted modern American notion that sex for teenage girls under eighteen is somehow a life shattering, traumatic, horrific affair when, in blatant reality there are not thousands, tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands but millions of teenage girls who are sexually active with the same level of happiness and unhappiness their older female counterparts share. Again, it is obvious the persecution of Mr. Polanski, like all scapegoating and persecuting of others, speaks a lot more for the general psychological health (or lack of it) for those who cry for his blood than it does for Mr. Polanski.

As for Mr. Gore Vidal, a brilliant man of literature and letters who, unlike the general public, is not swayed by any mob mentality which is dogmatic religious, political and other group think; but, being a human (who all make mistakes), he spoke perhaps a little too soon, not knowing the “victim” in this case doesn’t believe the BS the general public, courts and media spout about her victimhood or “need” for bloodletting “justice”. However, his notion of the world’s oldest profession being alive and well was absolutely on target. And America, like virtually all other societies, openly allows and denies the existence of the same behaviors they routinely punish and persecute others for: as long as you use the proper degree of “socially accepted decorum” (lies) your crimes/deeds will be accepted with a nod and wink. In the case of the world’s oldest profession, if you are an honest prostitute and hustle in the streets you are jailed, if you use deception and manipulation to perform your whoring and sexual blackmail to get gifts, favors, money and long term financially and other advantageous unions with rich and/or powerful men you’re touted as smart and ambitious. This socially promoted prostitution works out wonderfully for the countless women who wish to exploit men. If their sexual favors don’t get the desired payoff they anticipated all one need do is scream rape (or some other lie) and they can at least hope for a vengeful victory. Today’s bloodthirsty public and Taliban-like legal system will happily pursue your cause. And though society’s delusions regarding prostitution, which includes an exaggerated notion of feminine “honor”, may not apply to Ms. Geimer, then or now, there is indeed a direct impact from the dangerous, convoluted accompanying falsehoods used to feed and preserve this and associated societal lies onto the Polanski/Geimer case.

So let the real final word in this case come from the victim herself, Samantha Geimer, who said: “It’s been a long time. I don’t wish for him to be held to further punishment or consequences.” Which also means, for her peace and serenity, stay out of ancient affairs that have no impact on all the real issues affecting the modern crumbling American state. Maybe if Americans spent less time going after straw dog issues and addressed their own inner motives for their hysterical reactions to every perceived shadow we could end up with a thoughtful populace that pursues intellectual growth, not a bunch of half-wits running around looking for the latest, most convenient witch they can burn in the hopes of making their personal delusions and demons magically alright.

I wonder if perhaps Gore made a gaff about Polanski/Geimer because he was misinformed about the logistics of this actual case. Samantha Geimer, the supposed victim in this case doesn't see herself at all as a "victim" now, thinks the case is ancient history and that Roman Polanski has more than "paid a price" and should be left in peace, along with her. It's the media, the courts and the hysterical public that have painted this whole thing as some horrific crime that it's not and that Polanski is some drooling monster which he isn't. So Mr. Vidal is right about his assessment that no "terrible horrific unspeakable crime" is at hand, he just didn't realize that the so-called victim in this case is completely unwilling to be involved and thinks and further pursuit of Mr. Polanski is persecution. Ms. Geimer is a victim but unfortunately she's a victim of a vindictive legal system, mob hysteria and a complicit media. We live in an era of witch hunts and public persecutions, which are fed by a Prisons for Profit system, a nation of predominantly thoughtless hysterics, a draconian legal system and a combination of peculiar radical bedfellows that have gotten us here. Most Americans have a child-like bi-polar vision of the world, with the perfect, wonderful people on one side (themselves) and evil monsters on the other (anyone they fear, don't recognize, or, more honestly, have some of the flawed human elements they also share but vehemently deny to themselves and others via the persecution/scapegoating of others). Unfortunately this black/white simplistic view, no different than the Jihadist Muslim's, when practiced by the majority, leads to some ugly and dire consequences for society.

Ms. Geimer has stated that what happened to her was not the "most horrific thing ever" that "ruined her life" as the hysterics and sensationalizing media like to claim (though they seem hell bent on ruining her life now to "prove" their point). Regardless, being the supposed victim, who has been a thoughtful adult for quite a number of years, she just wants to live a peaceful, quiet life and does not want to be the unwilling focal point in what she now perceives as ruthless persecution of a man she thinks more than paid for whatever crime and error in judgment he made decades ago. If the victim is supposed to be the one with the rights, the blood thirsty public, judicial system and complicit others are the guilty ones violating her rights today, certainly not Mr. Polanski.

During the period the original incident took place, some three decades ago, was the notable public rise of modern feminism. The most radical elements of the feminist movement presented themselves as predominantly male hating and many within that movement went so far as to claim all sex was a form of rape and rape is somehow on par with, perhaps more horrific than, murder. The vast bulk of other Americans did not see any merit at all in any of these radical views, yet in retrospect, there must be quite a number of those surviving radical feminists who are at least partially quite pleased with Modern America's vilification of most masculine traits and the deification of anything feminine. In short, the Feminization of America has probably exceeded even some of their wildest expectations. Who knew the once scoffed at, man-hating radical feminists of yesteryear would have so many millions of unwitting, fundamentally philosophically opposed supporters today? The radical feminist's general loathing of heterosexual relations along with the fundamental religious shame of sexual relations and America's long-withstanding Puritanical guilt have lead to what you would think are staunchly opposing sides ending up with a shared victory: sex, in any form, is America's big bugaboo. Just look at the meaningless heated debate of gay marriage to see how silly and ridiculous people are in their obsession with other people's affairs. If most heterosexuals end up in so many unhappy unions, shouldn't homosexuals have the same opportunity? A bit of a joke, but you get the idea. Who should care what their gay neighbors want to do? If gay marriage somehow dilutes or impacts your heterosexual marriage then your marriage was not much of one to begin with, was it? It certainly had no real binding strength of its own if what some stranger does completely detached from you “ruins” it. Again, we see that perhaps some peoples obsessions with what others are doing/not doing speaks more volumes about themselves than it does those they point their fingers at.

The point is not to imply that what happened between Mr. Polanski and Ms. Geimer was somehow innocuous or even full consensual but that since the element of sex is involved it is viewed as a monstrous crime due to America’s hysterical preoccupation/shame/persecution of anything sexual. During that same period some thirty years ago when the Polanski/Geimer incident happened there were millions of girls and boys who were bullied and beaten, essentially terrorized by others, usually bigger and older. Thousands upon thousands of those children had lives that were and are far more traumatized, perhaps even “ruined”; more so than even the wildest claims made (unwanted) on behalf of Ms. Geimer, who discredits her “supporters” exaggerations. Why is the public, media, courts, et al not screaming for those bullies/perpetrators to pay for their crimes? Even if there were thousands who had been prosecuted and fled just prior to sentencing (with or without a lying, incompetent judge who reneged on a legal plea agreement for his own self-serving publicity seeking reasons), would the general public, media, and courts be screaming for their blood, that they be extradited from wherever? No, as a rule, they clearly would not. Perhaps it is more than just their own shame/guilt/fear of anything sexual, perhaps there is some envy element of a man who has overcome tremendous personal tragedy to make an enormous success of himself, perhaps it is the vehement, rising and raging anti-Semitism that so much of America enjoys (and a good portion of the world), as it does like so many other pre-Nazi Germany elements? It really doesn’t matter as these concealed motivations are really the personal problems of the real and wannabe persecutors of Mr. Polanski, aren’t they? Too bad they can’t keep their personal problems personal, then perhaps we could have a much kinder, gentler, non-vindictive world that doesn’t need the scapegoating and persecution of others to fill otherwise empty, unhappy lives.

Ironically, the radical feminists and shame filled fundamentalist religious prudes must be simultaneously celebrating and laughing at the commonly accepted modern American notion that sex for teenage girls under eighteen is somehow a life shattering, traumatic, horrific affair when, in blatant reality there are not thousands, tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands but millions of teenage girls who are sexually active with the same level of happiness and unhappiness their older female counterparts share. Again, it is obvious the persecution of Mr. Polanski, like all scapegoating and persecuting of others, speaks a lot more for the general psychological health (or lack of it) for those who cry for his blood than it does for Mr. Polanski.

As for Mr. Gore Vidal, a brilliant man of literature and letters who, unlike the general public, is not swayed by any mob mentality which is dogmatic religious, political and other group think; but, being a human (who all make mistakes), he spoke perhaps a little too soon, not knowing the “victim” in this case doesn’t believe the BS the general public, courts and media spout about her victimhood or “need” for bloodletting “justice”. However, his notion of the world’s oldest profession being alive and well was absolutely on target. And America, like virtually all other societies, openly allows and denies the existence of the same behaviors they routinely punish and persecute others for: as long as you use the proper degree of “socially accepted decorum” (lies) your crimes/deeds will be accepted with a nod and wink. In the case of the world’s oldest profession, if you are an honest prostitute and hustle in the streets you are jailed, if you use deception and manipulation to perform your whoring and sexual blackmail to get gifts, favors, money and long term financially and other advantageous unions with rich and/or powerful men you’re touted as smart and ambitious. This socially promoted prostitution works out wonderfully for the countless women who wish to exploit men. If their sexual favors don’t get the desired payoff they anticipated all one need do is scream rape (or some other lie) and they can at least hope for a vengeful victory. Today’s bloodthirsty public and Taliban-like legal system will happily pursue your cause. And though society’s delusions regarding prostitution, which includes an exaggerated notion of feminine “honor”, may not apply to Ms. Geimer, then or now, there is indeed a direct impact from the dangerous, convoluted accompanying falsehoods used to feed and preserve this and associated societal lies onto the Polanski/Geimer case.

So let the real final word in this case come from the victim herself, Samantha Geimer, who said: “It’s been a long time. I don’t wish for him to be held to further punishment or consequences.” Which also means, for her peace and serenity, stay out of ancient affairs that have no impact on all the real issues affecting the modern crumbling American state. Maybe if Americans spent less time going after straw dog issues and addressed their own inner motives for their hysterical reactions to every perceived shadow we could end up with a thoughtful populace that pursues intellectual growth, not a bunch of half-wits running around looking for the latest, most convenient witch they can burn in the hopes of making their personal delusions and demons magically alright.

Ooops! Firefox got stuck in a java-script reboot. Sorry for the multiple posts of the same thing.