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Emma Thompson To Remove Name From Polanski Petition?
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ArtfulSlinger
11/04/09

In reply to Emma Thompson To Remove Name From Polanski Petition?
I thought this was interesting that Emma said she was supporting a friend. I think, since we can only look at it as a strange celebrity who has yet to pay his debt to society for his crime, its quite easy for us to look at it in one way, but for Emma and her community it is her friend.

Before I was laid off, a co-worker of mine had asked me to sign a petition for one of the men accused of the Central Park Jogger rape years ago. Apparently, DNA was pointing to him not doing it and yada yada. This was a friend of his and he apparently felt comfortable asking me to do this, but I was shocked and appalled. Whatever the situation is, I would not put myself on the line for rapist or an onlooker to a rape, but this was his friend and he wanted help for him. Sadly, most rapists have friends. #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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samethingwedoeverynightpinky
11/04/09

@ArtfulSlinger: In that case, didn't it turn out that the boys who were convicted of the crime were in fact innocent, and the real rapist was leter caught and charged? There have (unfortunately) been multiple central park jogger rapes, but if you're thinking of the one that got the most publicity, your co-worker was right about the DNA evidence. #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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Alessar
11/04/09

@ArtfulSlinger: Agreed. It was good to hear her side of things. And better that she's probably changed her mind now. #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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the.wayward.tapper
11/04/09

In reply to Emma Thompson To Remove Name From Polanski Petition?
Hi all - just to say this is Caitlin :) I'm really hopeful that she follows through, we just have to make her decision to remove her name as public as possible - I don't think Emma is one to go back on her word, especially if everyone knows what she said! Thanks for all the compliments guys, really I was just doing what any of you would have done if given the opportunity. I was just lucky enough to have a messed-up university that Emma wants to fix!
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phantom lady promoted this comment clevernamehere approved this comment the.wayward.tapper was starred

phantom lady
11/04/09

@the.wayward.tapper: well done, m'lady. well done. #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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sybann
11/04/09

@the.wayward.tapper: Standing ovation for guts AND glory Caitlin. #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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LucilleMcGillicuddy
11/04/09

@the.wayward.tapper: I ♥ you. If only I could ♥ you twice! #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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tinydundie42
11/04/09

@the.wayward.tapper: Thank you so much for talking to her Caitlin! She's always been one of my favorite actresses and it makes me feel so much better that she changed her mind when confronted with what he really did to that child, especially knowing that she knows him well and cares about him. It must have been hard for her to think about someone she cares about doing something that horrible to a kid. I can only imagine how horrible it would be to admit you care about someone that raped a child. #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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Tara Incognita
11/04/09

@the.wayward.tapper: You fucking rock, and make it possible for me to watch all my favorite Emma Thompson movies without that little voice in the back of my head going, "Et tu, Brute?" #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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Island of Misfit Toys
11/04/09

In reply to Emma Thompson To Remove Name From Polanski Petition?
I hate how jaded I am that I immediately suspect that the terrible publicity she received had something to do with her sudden about-face. #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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formergr
11/04/09

@Island of Misfit Toys: To be honest, I heard very little (if any) bad publicity about the petition and specifically her signing in the mainstream media.

Heard plenty here, and from other blogs I read, but for the average joe movie watcher there was none. I'm sure they weren't even aware a petition existed, much less who signed it... #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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kookla
11/04/09

In reply to Emma Thompson To Remove Name From Polanski Petition?
Awesome. Well done, Caitlin. #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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OneBigPear
11/04/09

In reply to Emma Thompson To Remove Name From Polanski Petition?
This made my day. Hats off to Caitlin and Emma!

(Might I also say I really love the Jezebel community? Because I do...) #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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sybann
11/04/09

@OneBigPear: I KNOW - almost everyday someone in here moves me to tears or teaches me something. And that's not easy - I am a stubborn knowitall. #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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BeRy51
11/04/09

In reply to Emma Thompson To Remove Name From Polanski Petition?
I appreciated everything about this story. I love that Caitlin respectfully confronted Emma about the petition and I love that Emma was then able to have a conversation about it without turning defensive and digging in her heals.

I also started to understand the side of some of the other sympathizers based on Thomson's very honest explanation (please don't kick me off, Jezebel!) They are wrong, and likely misinformed, but some of them may just also be compassionate. It must be hard to know and love a friend, and try to reconcile the fact that they did such a terrible thing. Some of them, of course, are just assjacks arguing for the untouchableness of artistic genious. I keep thinking of a student of mine (when I was teaching high school) who had so many tough breaks, and I was constantly pulling for him. . .and I totally loved this student. And then he did something awful, and was arrested, and went to jail. I was so mad at him, but also sad for him and the consequences. And if there were a petition going around to suspend his sentence, I might just have signed it (despite better judgement) and talked to the press about what a shit situation he grew up in. Obviously, different situations, but, can't help seeing the parallels, especially when Emma Thomson explains it. #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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taranwanderer
11/04/09

@BeRy51: I have to admit that when you put it in these terms, I can also understand a possible motivation of some signers. I also know of someone similar to your student, and while she hasn't passed the Point of No Return yet, I can't help but excuse a lot of what she has done on account of what she's gone through and how she seems to be trying.

This said, having compassion doesn't always mean you do the right thing with it.

And I hate that I feel you and I are giving the signers (an undeserved) benefit of the doubt in this... Anyway, I really hope Emma's choice leads others to remove their names as well. #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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PilgrimSoul
11/04/09

In reply to Emma Thompson To Remove Name From Polanski Petition?
PLEASE GOD LET THIS BE TRUE #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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sweetbeans
11/04/09

In reply to Emma Thompson To Remove Name From Polanski Petition?
Every time I hear someone use the excuse, "the victim forgave him and wants to move on", all I can think of is how horrible it is that his actions have, in some ways, defined her life. Because of his celebrity her rape and the aftermath was much different than most victim's. Even women who's rapists weren't celebrities often don't want to go to trial because of the dehumanizing treatment they can receive. Is it so hard for these petition signers to understand this concept? I can easily imagine not wanting to be subject to the immense publicity that Polanski's trial would generate. I can imagine not wanting everyone from the local grocer, to my kids friends not wanting to know intimate details of an assault I experienced. And then I think, of course she doesn't support his extradition. She has her own family, and her own life, and why would she want to go back to being "Polanski's Victim" for a whole new generation of people? #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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Sarah Dove
11/04/09

@sweetbeans: Every time I hear about her forgiveness I wonder how much of it is genuinely because she's over it, and how much is because she realised she would never get justice and should try to cut her emotional losses. #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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sweetbeans
11/06/09

@Sarah Dove: Exactly. Maybe it's because rape is a topic I'm too familiar with, but I don't think you have to be a victim to understand this concept. #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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FroderickFronkensteen
11/04/09

In reply to Emma Thompson To Remove Name From Polanski Petition?
Finally, someone knocked some sense into her. Or was it sensibility...? #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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Benevolent_Dictatrix (patently absurd)
11/04/09

In reply to Emma Thompson To Remove Name From Polanski Petition?
It takes a really big person to admit she was wrong. My hat's off to Emma. (And to Caitlin for being so proactive and persuasive.) #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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Maritsa
11/04/09

In reply to Emma Thompson To Remove Name From Polanski Petition?
Oh God I hope this happens.

Emma was on NPR the other day talking about her work with an anti-human-trafficking organization and specifically about a woman from Moldova who she had worked with. They have put together an art installation telling her story, which is going to be in Washington Square Park. Emma said she will be sitting there to talk to people. I thought "man it would be great if someone went there and asked her why she signed that awful petition," I am so happy to know that Caitlin did that and more! Way to go! #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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taranwanderer
11/04/09

@Maritsa: I'm so glad you mentioned the installation because I didn't know about it. Now I'm definitely going and telling everyone I know.
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EkaterinaBallerina
11/04/09

In reply to Emma Thompson To Remove Name From Polanski Petition?
Every blog, news outlet, website from here to kingdom come passed around the victim's testimony after the petition and its signatories were made public. But what wasn't widely seen was Polanski testimony at his allocution hearing. The asshat knew exactly what he was getting. He knew exactly what power the judge had. And he knew without a doubt that a witch hunt was the last thing his trial could have been called.

For every Polanski supporter. Read the victim's testimony first. Then read his. Then get back to me and see if you can live with yourself.

And many, many thanks to Caitlin for doing what we all wish we could do. I really hope Emma follows through. #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny.
11/04/09

In reply to Emma Thompson To Remove Name From Polanski Petition?
Fan-fucking-tastic!! Emma Thompson you have a fan for life. #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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Sweet Machine
11/04/09

@Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny.: Caitlin has a fan for life! #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny. promoted this comment Sweet Machine was starred Sweet Machine was unstarred

Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny.
11/04/09

@Sweet Machine: SWEET MACHINE!!!! I love it when my two favorite blogs intersect. Yes, Caitlin is awesome, unfortunately she isn't currently making any films that I can patronize, or I would . #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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SomeAuthorGirl
11/04/09

In reply to Emma Thompson To Remove Name From Polanski Petition?
I love this story.

Between @LovelyRitaMetermaid and Caitlin, it is turning out to be a decent day for brave women speaking up.

Three cheers for calling bullshit. #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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Dodgergirl
11/04/09

In reply to Emma Thompson To Remove Name From Polanski Petition?
Oh man, this makes me so happy. Emma was the one that really broke my heart the most, and though her original thought process still makes me very sad, that she would publicly reconsider and admit her mistake is a small ray of sunshine in a terrible situation.

In conclusion, Caitlin fucking rocks. #emmathompsonwithdrawspolanskis...
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