Justice and Mercy...

The recent capture of Roman Polanski, a convicted and admitted rapist, in Europe, and the subsequent debate over whether or not he should be extradited to the United States in order to serve the remainder of his life in prison, has me disturbed.



The most disturbing thing is that there is any debate at all. The second most disturbing thing is that those opposing his incarceration argue for forgiveness.



Mr. Polanski lured his victim under false pretenses and used drugs and alcohol to incapacitate a 13-year old girl in the home of one of his friends. He then proceeded to sexually assault and rape her.



He was arrested for his crime and confessed to it. He was sentenced to prison and, before he served a day of his time he fled to Europe.



That was 30 years ago.



His victim, now in her 40s, has said publicly and repeatedly that she forgives Mr. Polanski and wishes him no malice. That is an exceptional example for all of us to strive to follow. The world would be a much more peaceful place if we could.



So, why am I so upset about the debate?



Mercy and forgiveness are things extended by INDIVIDUALS to individuals. They may only come legitimately from a PERSON of his own volition.



Governments and courts may NOT dispense mercy or forgiveness. They MUST dispense justice in the protection of the innocent and the punishing of the guilty. Society must NEVER forgive a person who violates another, who murders another, who abuses another.

When we allow our personal feelings to interfere with the order of the civil society we are setting the civil society up for failure.