Whoopi Goldberg Speaks Up for Pedophile Roman Polanski

I am disgusted that Whoopi Goldberg and 100 other Hollywood celebrities have declared their support for admitted pedophile director Roman Polanski. Hollywood is rallying around Polanski following his arrest in Switzerland on outstanding charges here in the United States. Somehow, Goldberg and others seem to think that money and talent mean you should skate scott free, even if you admit to forced anal and vaginal penetration of a drunk and drugged 13-year-old girl.

Goldberg, star of 'The Color Purple' and 'Sister Act,' said, "I know it wasn't rape-rape. I think it was something else, but I don't believe it was rape-rape."

Whoopi, there is only one kind of rape, and Polanski committed it.

Goldberg goes on to acknowledge Polanski's crime, but then appears to condone Polanski's fleeing the country in 1978 to escape sentencing:

He pled guilty to having sex with a minor, and he went to jail, and when they let him out, he said, "You know what, this guy's going to give me 100 years in jail. I'm not staying.'"And that's why he left.

So, okay, I get it. Polanski didn't like his odds, so he just opted out of the criminal justice system? Someone please explain to me what is alright about that? Whoopi and the other Polanski apologists need to read the original plea agreement. Polanski took the plea knowing that the judge would render whatever sentence he deemed appropriate. When it was time to face the music, Polanski chickened out

Right now, there's a petition circulating in Hollywood in support of Polanski that has collected more than 100 signatures. I am not surprised that Woody Allen signed it, but I am surprised to find names such as Martin Scorsese, Pedro Almodovar and David Lynch on a petition demanding Polanski's release.

I see a lot of factors informing the actions of the Polanski apologists: I see the devaluation of women and the elevation of wealth and whiteness.

How do you think Spike Lee would be treated in this same situation? Or even more harmless Tyler Perry?

Michael Jackson denied the sexual abuse charges leveled against him and won in court. Still, past the day of his death, Jackson was vilified by many despite being found not guilty. I loved 'The Pianist' as much as the next person, but Polanski admitted sexually assaulting this young girl and ran away before being sentenced. Polanski is not worthy of this support, and he shouldn't get away with it.