Roman Polanski is in a Swiss jail, arrested for a brutal and heinous crime he committed 32 years ago. The woman he raped and brutalized when she was a child has forgiven him and says she does not wish to see him remain in jail. His friends in Hollywood are speaking out on his behalf. What’s to be done?
First, let me say that I consider Polanski’s film The Pianist one of the finest films ever made. And, while it is well known that I will take nearly any opportunity to post a photo of Adrien Brody on my blog, I cannot say often enough what a masterpiece I consider this movie to be. Polanski has made other excellent films but from my view The Pianist is his master work. Now, what’s to be done with its maker?
Last night I was invited to dinner at the home of some new friends (and I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce my readers to Everyman’s Blog) who are involved in a very ambitious and soon to be revealed online community. While we were talking the subject of movies came up and we got talking about a few Hollywoodites who are quite outspoken about their opinions on various subjects from politics to fashion. My personal perspective on this is that everyone has the right to have and to express an opinion and if other people want to listen to them that is also their right but I have little interest in the personal lives of these people and prefer to just focus on them doing their jobs. I expect actors to do a good job of acting. I expect directors to do a good job of directing, etc. etc. etc. In other words, don’t confuse the magic with the magician. I recently watched Cadillac Records and thought that Jeffrey Wright’s acting always leaves me breathless — but that doesn’t mean I’d take his advice on politics.
Which brings me to the question of genius versus atrocity. No matter how brilliant Polanski is he did an evil thing. And no matter how forgiving his victim is, he needs to make amends. The question is, what does that mean?
In a recent post about Senator Edward Kennedy I wrote, I believe the graces of atonement, forgiveness, and reparation are the most important values in any situation. No matter what the sin, no matter what the crime, no matter what the situation to atone, ask for forgiveness, and make reparation is the most decent and moral of human choices.
I still believe that. If Polanski’s victim and the public don’t want him jailed that is one thing but Polanski himself needs to atone. He needs to say that he is sorry and he needs to make reparation — what form that would take, I can’t say. But I’d far rather see him use his genius, and the millions of dollars it is capable of generating, to help girls who are sexually abused by grown men than see him wasting away in jail.
It remains to be seen how this will unfold but I am hopeful that Polanski will be as remorseful and dedicated to making amends as Senator Kennedy was. Bad things happen and people do really shameful, horrible things but atonement and reparation are, as always, the most moral of behaviors. I will keep a good thought that Polanski is brilliant enough to know that.
Thanks for reading.
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Sep 30th, 2009 by Joey posted in Good Morning Gloucester
What Up Homie?, originally uploaded by captjoe06.
Posted in What Up Homie? Tagged: Seagull, What Up Homie? 
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Sep 30th, 2009 by Joey posted in Good Morning Gloucester
Do you see the cage around the Janel Leigh’s propeller? That is put on many lobster boats so that the propeller doesn’t suck in the lobster pot lines that might get wound around and either snap the shaft which drives the propeller or or bring the boat to a halt.
Gloucester At Dawn- The Janel Leigh [...]
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Sep 30th, 2009 by Joey posted in Good Morning Gloucester
Frank hauled her out to do some work on the propeller cage. She should be back in the water today and out lobstering tomorrow. Just like that.
Gloucester At Dawn- The Janel Leigh Up In The Straps, originally uploaded by captjoe06.
Posted in Beautiful Industry, gloucester, Gloucester Dawn Pictures Tagged: Frank Davis, Janel Leigh, Lobster Boat, Rose’s [...]
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Sep 30th, 2009 by Jay Albert posted in Cape Ann Images
Worst head cold I ever had! I finally was able to sleep last night so I guess the worse is over. No body aches which tells me it wasn’t the flu but boy did it zap me. Still I can’t taste anything and I’m getting tired of soup but boy am I hungry! The best thing to do is to keep busy some way and that’s what I’m doing. I scoured my photo data base to find more images to post. Some are re-touched
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Sep 30th, 2009 by Joey posted in Good Morning Gloucester
I decided to mess around with some editing software to give the original picture shown below a couple of different treatments. Which do you like the best?
Beautiful Industry- Forktruck Wheel, originally uploaded by captjoe06.
Posted in Art, Beautiful Industry Tagged: Beautiful Industry, Forktruck Wheel 
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Sep 30th, 2009 by Tatiana posted in The Legal Satyricon
By Tatiana von Tauber
Today is Blasphemy Day and its objective is to “open up all religious beliefs to the same level of free inquiry, discussion and criticism to which all other areas of academic interest are subjective” according to Center for Inquiry, the host of the Blasphemy Day Artist Showcase exhibition. Meet Dana Ellyn. She’s [...]
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Now you know!
But first you have to read this very descriptive, funny (but very wrong) answer from paultmorrison-
“A granite pier with a high tide line then3 feet of freshly laid granite block above granite bricbrack with a nice colorful mural with a tail fin of a humpback or is it Thatcher Island and light streaming [...]
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Sep 30th, 2009 by Joey posted in Good Morning Gloucester
thanks to Councilor Jason Grow for forwarding this to me. Makes alot of sense.
Posted in Good eggs Tagged: 3/50 poject, Good eggs, jason grow 
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Sep 30th, 2009 by Joey posted in Good Morning Gloucester
Remember to send in your burger pics to be included on these pages
Great Gloucester Burger War- Culina Cafe $6.38 Including Tax, originally uploaded by captjoe06.
Posted in Eats Tagged: Culina Cafe, Eats, Gloucester Burgers, Great Gloucester Burger War 
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Sep 30th, 2009 by Sharon posted in Good Morning Gloucester
Remember you can subscribe to GMG Local Music by clicking on the link on the sidebar.There’s lots of good music in Gloucester this week. This post will be updated as info comes in.
Elliott’s
Latitude 43
Dog Bar
Rhumb Line
Capt. Carlo’s
WEDNESDAY SEPT.30th
Latitude 43
Wednesday 8:30 pm – THE DAN KING [...]
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Sep 30th, 2009 by Joey posted in Good Morning Gloucester
Dean is the man behind the fantastic George’s Coffee Shop. Gloucester’s most iconic breakfast joint. In a town with the best breakfast offerings anywhere, that’s saying alot.
Good Morning Gloucester Questionnaire
Local Website everyone should know about (excluding GMG)
U Dine 4 Less
How long have you lived in Gloucester?
forever (46 years)
What is your favorite season In Gloucester?
spring
Do you [...]
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Sep 30th, 2009 by Joey posted in Good Morning Gloucester
Please let us know of any free wifi hotspots on Cape Ann and I’ll add them to the map.
click the map for an interactive live google map with directions.
we are up to 16 locations
Posted in Chickity check it!, gloucester Tagged: Cape Ann free WiFi, Gloucester Free Wi-Fi, GMG Wifi map, Rockport wifi [...]
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Sep 30th, 2009 by Joey posted in Good Morning Gloucester
Beautiful Industry- Forktruck Wheel, originally uploaded by captjoe06.
Click the picture to see the full sized version
Posted in Beautiful Industry Tagged: Beautiful Industry, Forkruck Wheel 
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First, let me say that I consider Polanski’s film The Pianist one of the finest films ever made. And, while it is well known that I will take nearly any opportunity to post a photo of Adrien Brody on my blog, I cannot say often enough what a masterpiece I consider this movie to be. Polanski has made other excellent films but from my view The Pianist is his master work. Now, what’s to be done with its maker?
