Let's see what is in it for Luxembourg.
In just days after Roman Polanski was arrested in Switzerland for rape charges of a 13 year old girl in the US in 1977, the world is a patchwork of different conflicting reactions. Here is the human tragicomedy.
1. Switzerland
Switzerland says the law is the law, and rape is rape, and rape is a crime, also in Switzerland. We are going to arrest the man and extradite him. The world should not confuse this with Swiss policies on tax evasion, which does not exist in Switzerland. It is called private banking, and Switzerland doesn't extradite private banking clients. Or refugees. But encourages worldwide amnesties.
I wonder if 40 years ago, when Polanski bought property in Gstaad, Switzerland, a crime was a crime?
2. USA
The US Justice Department says, "who said do nothing Justice? We want him to be arrested, and we want him now. He committed a crime and he pleaded guilty."
The victim it appears just wants to see the story go away. I hope the lady gets advice and understands that she can get even with the guilty man. There is money on the table. Even a Swiss Chalet in Gstaad. Did you watch the Swiss Franc recently?
3. France
The only balanced opinion in the whole world comes from France: half the French Government wants to see the charges dropped after 40 years. The other half thinks he should pay for the crime. That's a really balanced position.
Liberté, Fraternité etcetera. I remember, there was that third principle, right there in the middle, but I can't figure which one it was.
4. Poland
As the other Great Daughter of the Catholic Church, Poland doesn't ignore that a sin has been committed. But Polanski's Polish link is a sort of discount coupon that you can exchange for impunity. But you must confess, which he has done with the guilty plea. And you are supposed to do penitence. No! That word has no sexual connotation!
5. The Taliban
Clear case: forty whiplashes for the victim.
6. Hollywood and Luxembourg and Switzerland again.
Whoopi Goldberg always makes me laugh and she has great political capital in public opinion. She said that what Polanski pleaded guilty for, was not "rape, rape". This is the greatest creation and conceptual advance in communication. The Luxembourg Government should hire her as a consultant, if the Catholic Church in the US hasn't yet hired her.
Let's try this whoopi in real life: "Officer, I wasn't really "speeding speeding."
For Luxembourg, even for Switzerland, this can be used to get out of the moving sands of international criticism. If the Swiss can agree to quit their stubborn attitude that a crime is a crime. Just change it into a crime is not always a "crime crime." A tax haven is not a "haven haven." A crook is not a "crook crook." A bonus is not a "bonus bonus". I know, you got it.
The only remaining category of people with an interest in this story are:
7. Parents of 13 year old girls
Parents, you know best all by yourselves.
Finally for "crooks crooks" this is good news, though it is not really news in Luxembourg where it is common wisdom. The longer a case is delayed, the better the chances to get away with your "crime crime". In Luxembourg, nine out of ten bankruptcies are fraudulent. According to whom ? According to common wisdom. Not only is there impunity. The crooks turn around and restart the same business again, with a clean slate. I have once been a "victim victim" there, years ago. I'm all blue by now, holding my breath for any resolution, for 6 years already. There will be no resolution this year.
Human Justice is "relative relative" in all senses of the term.
No comments:
Post a Comment