Not the Least Bit Surprised By the Hypocrisy

Tweet

By now everyone has heard about the firestorm in Hollywood. No, I'm not talking about the annual wildfires that are fueled by the Santa Ana winds. I'm not even talking about the Dodgers' woeful bullpen during the last four games of the World Series (after not giving up a run in the first 27 innings of their postseason work). No, this is the Harvey Weinstein fiasco, where it seems that every female in Hollywood is now accusing him of something inappropriate. My curiosity got the better of me today, and I did a little research. Sure enough, I found a hypocrite. It doesn't surprise me, yet in a way it does. One of Weinstein's accusers is Asia Argento. She said she was sexually assaulted by him in the 1990s, then continued to have "consensual sex" with him afterwards. That's not what bothers me. This is what bothers me. In 2009 over 100 people from all walks of movie life -- actors, directors, writers, even movie score creators -- signed a petition in favor of the release of Roman Polanski. The petition said in part: "Roman Polanski is a French citizen, a renown and international artist now facing extradition. This extradition, if it takes place, will be heavy in consequences and will take away his freedom. Filmmakers, actors, producers and technicians — everyone involved in international filmmaking — want him to know that he has their support and friendship." A quick backstory for those who don't know: In 1978 Polanski was charged with raping a 13-year-old girl. He pleaded guilty to "lesser charges." The day before he was to be sentenced he fled the United States. In the nearly 40 years since he has lived in Europe, traveling only to nations that do not have extradition agreements with the US. And Hollywood has clamored to no end for him to be "forgiven" for this "sin" (that's actually a crime). He was arrested while going to a film festival in 2009, sparking the aforementioned petition. One of the actors who signed the petition calling for Roman Polanski's freedom..... Was Asia Argento. No, I'm really not surprised by the hypocrisy. Steely Dan, talking about the "illegal fun under the sun" in Hollywood: