LA Times’ Patrick Goldstein Just Can’t Get His Facts Straight
by Jeffrey JenaMy most recent piece on child rapist Roman Polanski and the Hollywood toadies who adore him has been taken to task in a recent blog by L.A. Times writer Patrick Goldstein.
Count Mr. Goldstein as one of the Polanski toadies. Let me begin by giving you a little insight into Mr. Goldstein’s personal morality. He’s views the drugging and rape of a 13 year old as a “personal transgression.” As my regular readers know, I am a self proclaimed “rube” who lives out in the culturally barren wasteland know as the Midwest. Out here where we lack the gravitas of those Hollywood newspaper types, a “personal transgression” is when you bump into some coming out of church on Sunday. You say “excuse me” and go home and not to the south of France for thirty years to avoid the consequences of your actions.
Here, the drugging and raping of a child is the kind of thing that gets you shot by an angry father and gets him exonerated for justifiable homicide whether the rapist made great films or worked at the feed and grain.
Goldstein also criticizes me when he says I “barely bother[ed] to take umbrage with Polanski.” He could be right on that. I only directly called him a pedophile and a cockroach by inference. Maybe in Hollywood those are seen as accolades, but again where I live that kind of talk might get you an ashtray in the eye at the local bar.
Just to show us how sophisticated he is Mr. Goldstein takes an out of left field snide swipe at two commercially successful film directors, Michael Bay and Dennis Dugan. Apparently in Mr. Goldstein’s mind making an Adam Sandler film is much worse than raping a child. Those guys he mocks may also be guilty of a crime worse than child rape in Hollywood, they may be conservatives!
Unknowingly, I may have committed another Hollywood transgression in my piece on Polanski and his supporters; I called one of them a “limousine liberal.” I only cited only one example of Pierce Brosnan’s liberalism in the piece and Mr. Goldstein seems to think that is the only example that exists. However, due to a marvelous system we in the hinterlands call “the internet” I found many examples of Mr. Brosnan’s liberalism.
It’s too bad that Mr. Goldstein doesn’t have access to the Internet or he wouldn’t have had to guess about a comment I made on Mr. Brosnan’s statement that in order to work with Polanski an actor needs to “know his onions.”
Perhaps my sense of humor isn’t quite broad enough for him to catch when I am being flippant about something, so I’ll try to go slower this time so he understands my point. The etymology of the phrase “knowing one’s onions” is a little foggy but is most definitely not “presumably obscure Scottish slang.” Why Mr. Goldstein would presume Mr. Brosnan would use Scottish slang is also beyond me, Mr. Brosnan being Irish and all. You’d think a guy who writes about Hollywood for a living would know something that. He really ought to get this internet thing; it’s great for checking one’s facts!
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67 Comments
Goldstein is one of the reasons I stopped subscribing to the Los Angeles Times. That, and well, the Los Angeles Times.
Starve the beast folks.
The royalty of hollywood feel the discretion to have these small matters of rape ignored since Roman had such sadness and tragedy in his life, now that is the norm lets forgive Hitler in that he had a hard life and had his paintings ridicled, Baby Doc and his supporters for the reign of terror and oppression since they were exploited.
Your original article must have stung Goldstein badly, for him to feel the need to respond to you.
Keep up the great work, J.J.
Mr. Jena,
" I am a self proclaimed “rube” who lives out in the culturally barren wasteland know as the Midwest."
From one rube to another, thank you for having the ballz to stand up and be counted. Only in Hollywood do they glamorize child rapists and other criminals for crimes against humanity. In other parts of the country, here in the hinterlands, we have other methods of dealing with them……..
I am actually impressed a majority of the comments i saw for his article ridiculed him for his pro-Polanski stance, even the ones that identifed themselves as liberals. So even they are not drinking the Kool-aid on that scum
yeah giving a 'lude (a muscle relaxant) and alcohol was just a "mistake"
when can we stop with this nonsense?
You don't accidentally rape a girl, you don't accidentally cheat on your wife or get a girl pregnant. You can't just say whoops how did that happen like you knocked over a display in a store.
responsibility man, take some
Just a little info: http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/know-your-onio... – it's American in origin,so in other words, not obscure Scottish slang. First entry on the list when I typed it into a google search. Mr. Goldstein sure knows how to research his articles, doesn't he?
" Only in Hollywood do they glamorize child rapists and other criminals for crimes against humanity."
NO ONE is, has or will be glamorizing this guy "for" his crimes, they're glamorizing him "IN SPITE OF" his crimes. No one is giving Polanski an "attaboy" on what he did, and saying that the fact of his crimes don't make his work any less worthwhile (and for the record: "The Ghostwriter" IS an absolutely magnificient film, a conspiracy/mystery piece is the best possible tradition) is NOT the same thing.
Bullshit!
In the immortal words of Whoopi Goldberg, several months ago: "It wasn't really rape, rape."
Roman is just a poor, misunderstood ubermensch.
From living here in Hwood, I can tell you about the Lefties who support any outrage du jour, or de l'année, they think they know the end all of the argument. They think they know know the morally superior position. And they think *anyone* who does not think the same way is brain dead and not to be trifled with. They will be on this support campaign until the story just goes away and they see, and maybe understand, the actual outrage that the common person has for this pedophile.
I would rather take a more direct approach and kick the beast square in the nutsack.
Whoopi Goldberg appears to be a dolt, at least in this case.
But what she said is still not "glamorizing." "Mitigating," maybe. "Brushing-aside," most definately. "Rationalizing" perhaps. But not "glamorizing."
This is America, we speak English, words mean things
Bob,
I'll meet you half way. This is America, most of US speak English.
I'' second your opinion.
As a father and uncle, I can say without a doubt that you are correct. There aren't many things that would enrage me to the point of taking actions that result in a long-term prison stay, but that is one of them.
This man, and I use the term loosely, deserves to fry for what he did. If they could kill him and bring him back to life just to kill him again, I'd be pleased.
I thought Progressives were the lowest form of life on Earth, but child rapists are waaay beyond them.
Yes.
They are an infomnia.
What does it say about a journalist when he has to be TOLD it's a bad thing when a man drugs and sodomizes a 13 year old? Oh, forget it – to ask the question is to answer it.
I'm sorry for my bluntness but that is total crap. Whether "The Ghostwriter" is good or not is irrelevant.
IT'S JUST A FREAKIN' MOVIE!
I can just see you trying to justify your position to the mother of the raped child, " Oh but look at the marvelous film he made! Surely you can forgive him now!"
The etymology seems to be spotty at best. Depends on what site you look at, but nonetheless, Polanski is still a pedophile.
Surprised you didn't troll for the more obvious error that Brosnan was born in Ireland, not Scottland.
Even with that error, Polanski is still a pedophile.
As someone who was molested from the age of 5 to 12 and let it happen because I figured if it was happening to me, I was keeping it from happening to my younger brother and sister. I wasn't, but at 8 years old that's how my mind processed it.
I'm of the belief that if you molest a child your balls should be cut off with a rusty knife and no anesthesia. I also believe you should be put through an express lane for execution. My own personal beliefs. I have absolutely no qualms saying it.
I've pretty much moved past it and not let it define me as a person, however, as a mom now, I'm probably a little more paranoid about protecting my son.
I don't care a whit about how great of a director Roman Polanski is or was. He is a despicable humon being.
I may just have to stop seeing any movies, as my boycott list of Hollywood scum is growing too large. These Hollywood elite must not have kids, or at least they never raised their own–who else could support Polanski.
Mr. Jenna already pointed that out in his article, so I didn't see the point in doing it again.
Put him in with the general population – justice WILL be dispensed (even scum have their limits)
How old is Polanski? 75? He'll be dead by the time they figure out what to do about him. He might have a lot of Hollywood admirers, but he'll die in disgrace to 99% of the rest of the world.
I really don't give a crap about his early accomplishments, they are negated by his horrific acts. I'm sure you would feel differently if it had been your daughter. I recently researched the history of a historical home in a small community. In the 1800's they discovered a pedofile who was the school principal. He was found guilty in the court and sentenced to be exciled to the next state. Folklore has it the men from the community escorted him to the state line….. surprise, surprise, guy never made it to the state line! Gotta love the old time justice of dads, grandfathers, uncles, etc.
My heart goes out to you, but glad it doesn't define your life. Now that it is more out in the open than it was years ago, I've heard so many similar experiences from friends. You are right to be protective. The pedofiles are bolder than ever. I don't care what crappy small sentences they are given if they would just put them in general population at the worst prisons, let's just say they would get the justice they deserve. (But I did like your idea as well!)
I used to be a liberal. Then, I quit.
How hypocritical is it to be all about "for the children" or to repeat all the womens' lib blah-blah–protect the women from the evil and unnecessary men– then to promote and protect this man and defend his horrible act? Extraordinary
Eh, Goldstein, like most LA Times writers is completely out of it. But did you read the comments to his piece? Not even LA Times readers are buying his "personal transgression" crap. Goldstein I ignore. Most of the commenters give me hope.
So good to know you're in Hollywood. Another sane mind in my neck of the woods. Thank you!
"I can just see you trying to justify your position to the mother of the raped child, " Oh but look at the marvelous film he made! Surely you can forgive him now!""
I'm not sure what I'd be "justifying," to her or to anyone else. I never said, and would never say, that the quality of the film has or ought to have any bearing on his guilt or any other aspect of the case at hand. That his crime was heinous doesn't make the movie any less great, and conversely the greatness of the film doesn't make his crime any less heinous. They are, as far as I'm concerned, seperate issues.
And I say this, incidentally, as someone who thinks Polanski SHOULD be extradited and face whatever is due him.
Nice story.
Sure hope the fella was actually guilty… oh, but why worry about that? Since, after all, the state of forensic crimesolving in small communities circa-1800 is so well known for it's thoroughness and reliability
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I have been obsesing about this case since his arrest. I think for me, AND I WISH HOLLYWOOD WOULD FIGURE THIS OUT, it comes down to If we don't protect children, ANYBODY'S CHILDREN, what the hell are we?
WELL HOLLYWOOD? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU!?!
The title of your article was right on target,"LA Times ' Patrick Goldstein Just Can't Get His Facts Straight." I don't know if Goldstein suffers from memory loss or what , but some articles I've read were short on specifcs. Those pieces were take downs of an A-list actor or two, or perhaps a director. His stuff can be snarky and tabloid like. Goldstein's defense of Polanski is pretty empty headed and typical.
The Polanski issue is a lost cause. About 90% of Hollywood solidly backs Polanski, and so do most of the journalists, reporters, editors, and publishers. Patrick Goldstein is not any different than about 90% of the people working at the LA Times. Hell, Sam Zell, who bought the paper, probably agrees with him.
After all, Whoopi Goldberg on a show viewed almost exclusively by women opined it was not "rape-rape" because Polanski was … a big shot. A Big Man. Important. And liked by the Left.
THAT is what this is all about. There is one rule for ordinary, average joes. Ordinary people don't count (and by most of the elites, should never complain about it). What matters most is the Big Man, and his ability to mostly do what he pleases.
Understand, most of the LAT remaining readers are generally in agreement. The readers of the Entertainment section are mostly women. As are the watchers of the View. Goldberg faced no firing for airing her views. Most women watchers of the View, and women likely as a majority, agree with Goldberg.
The important thing to remember is … Polanski is IMPORTANT. That means, like Charlie Sheen, or Chris Brown, he operates by Big Man rules. He's a Big Man. Women in particular (but not exclusively as Patrick Goldstein shows) love the Big Man. They love the different rules for Big Men (which is why they are Big Men) and for average people. Princes and Princessess and all that stuff. From Disney to the View, that's hard-wired for women in general (not always, but most).
Women form the basis of the Entertainment Industry. They watch the most TV, see the most movies, form the profits for the LA Times. If views like Goldstein's or Goldbergs were anathema to most women, both would be fired by now.
That both continue to work employed without even a censure tells you how their largely female readership/audience feels. In support of Polanski. Because it was not, as Whoopi said, "Rape-Rape." When a Big Man does something, it's always OK.
Couldn't agree more. Keep speaking up. I think plain speaking the truth is one of the best, if not the best, way to fight the excusers and minimizers and ignorers.
Charles Delacroix
IntenseDebate Notification <DIV>Yep…. it's called being BUSTED and justice served. But I will reply to your arguement: Roman Polanski was prosecuted in current times with all of the fancy science and fancy lawyers (I'm sure the besthecould buy at the time) and found GUILTY andFLED the country. I'm not sure what your point is or why you would defend a pedofile. He needs to be returned to the U.S., sent to jail and put into general population at the worst prison in CA. I won't ever apologize for how I feel about pedofiles or rapists! They should never, ever be honored, period! They aredisgusting and need to be locked away.</DIV> <DIV style=\”FONT: 10pt arial\”>
Except it's not. As you and I both know perfectly well. I see what you mean, whiskey, but Dude, that should call for outrage, not despair. American domestic reaction, as well as French, Polish, and Swiss reaction, to Polanski's arrest was, and is, strongly in favor of justice. Don't get me wrong: Polanski's power and bucks may yet help him get away … but all in all, Polanski's got a lot less going for him than when he first fled L.A. Let's keep battling the forces that excuse child rape, whether done by a Big Man or anyone else.
Hey, Jeffrey Jena, a big big thumbs up, Man. You're right on target … keep up the great work!
I agree with FamousDrScanlon. The fact that he directly responded to you is technically good news.
Of course, it's overshadowed by the sad fact that people are publicly declaring support of Polanski.
Amen.
I'm sorry he had a crappy life. I really am, but that doesn't give him (or ANYone) license to rape, harm, kill, or commit any other crimes.
There was a flick in the 80s that made the same point you did in a very powerful monologue near the end. It was called "Manhunter" (coincidentally, it was the first Hannibal Lecter movie ever made). It was written and directed by Michael Mann, who ended up being one of the signers of the Polanski petition. Based on this, I can only assume that he simply is not thinking, if he did, surely he'd realize his own inconsistency. The only question remains: are the Polanski supporters so caught up in the drama that they're not thinking…or are they playing denial and CHOOSING not to think.
I love the "personal transgression" line. The guy is a child molester, plain and simple. I mean, look at his relationship with Natassia Kinski, she was what, 15 when he got his hands on her? Polanski had his day, made some great movies, but I am not willing to give him a pass. He should come back and do his time.
So according to the sickos who run the LA Times, punishing a man for raping a child is now a "right-wing" position. Say what you will about Michael Savage but he was right, this is nothing short of a mental disorder.
We all know those with the $$$ have power, however there are many of us that don't agree with their lack of pricipals. I cancelled my subcription to the LA Times many years ago; I refuse to watch The View and most of the shows on "old big 3" networks as my silent voice. I rarely see a movie at a theater or rent DVD's as I don't agree with most in Hollywood. Not all women are stupid….. but I will continue to enlighten my women friends that don't seem to have a clue. I cannot imagine any person, (male, female, rich or poor) that would support a pedofile pig! They are the scum of the earth, but that's just my opinion.
We all know those with the $$$ have power, however there are many of us that don't agree with their lack of pricipals. I cancelled my subcription to the LA Times many years ago; I refuse to watch The View and most of the shows on "old big 3" networks as my silent voice. I rarely see a movie at a theater or rent DVD's as I don't agree with most in Hollywood. Not all women are stupid….. but I will continue to enlighten my women friends that don't seem to have a clue. I cannot imagine any person, (male, female, rich or poor) that would support a pedofile pig! They are the scum of the earth, but that's just my opinion.
You are so right. Back to the worst prison here and put into general population. That will be justice served!
Anyone that supports Polanski must be a scumbag as well! The people that support him have no morals, values or a soul, so at some point they can meet up with Polanski in hell and have a reunion.
I have another problem. (By the way, great post whiskey).
Why is ALEC BALDWIN starring on Sunday night at the Oscars. ANYONE want to write an article for Big Hollywood about that (alleged) child abuser…..evidence and the truth are a DEFENSE to his objection to that claim. You can look it up…………
Precisely. The conviction was due to a plea bargain. If the victim wants this thing dropped so she doesn't have to go through a trial, I can understand and sympathize. The thing is, he WAS convicted and he skipped town before sentencing. THAT is something he needs to answer for.
"Roman Polanski was prosecuted in current times with all of the fancy science and fancy lawyers (I'm sure the best he could buy at the time) and found GUILTY and FLED the country."
Technically, no he wasn't. He confessed and PLEAD guilty, then fled when the judge and prosecution were poised to renege on the plea agreement. But that's neither here nor there. TECHNICALLY, we agree: I think that he ought to return (or be extradited) to the U.S. to face whatever sentencing is due him.
The difference between us, I suspect, is that WHEN he comes back and they either slap him on the wrist or hand him "time served" encompassing the prior imprisonment and the post-arrest imprisonment and house arrest in Zurich (which, make no mistake, is probably how it's gonna go down); I'M going to be fine with that and move on, while I suspect that you'll still be seething and conjuring Charles Bronson "justice" fantasies over it.
Look Bob, he does not deserve the air he is currently fouling. He raped a 13-year-old, and in my book (and every other fathers I would assume) that means he deserves 10 minutes outside with a few buddies and then a shotgun in the mouth. SOrry to offend you child rapists out there, but that is one mans opinion.
IntenseDebate Notification <DIV>Oh, please let's not play a word game here. If he plead guilty, then he is guilty in the case. I'm sure he had the best legal beagals on his sidewho thought that was his best outcome.And you are OK with a slap on the wrist if he is forced to return to the U.S. from his mansion in Europe after what he did? I guess we will have to agree to disagree on our opinions as to how pedofiles should be treated. As far as I'm concerned they should be locked up forever for violating children who will have to somehow find a way to get past the horrible experience(s)and still have to deal with it the rest of their lives. (I'm not sure about the Charles Bronson reference, must have missed that movie years ago). I just can't wrap my mind around the thinking of anyone who is sympathetic toward a pedofile or a rapist. It's as simple as that! No, we can't just move on, as you suggest as long as there are monstersare doing this!</DIV> <DIV style=\”FONT: 10pt arial\”>
IntenseDebate Notification <DIV>Oh, please let's not play a word game here. If he plead guilty, then he is guilty in the case. I'm sure he had the best legal beagals on his sidewho thought that was his best outcome.And you are OK with a slap on the wrist if he is forced to return to the U.S. from his mansion in Europe after what he did? I guess we will have to agree to disagree on our opinions as to how pedofiles should be treated. As far as I'm concerned they should be locked up forever for violating children who will have to somehow find a way to get past the horrible experience(s)and still have to deal with it the rest of their lives. (I'm not sure about the Charles Bronson reference, must have missed that movie years ago). I just can't wrap my mind around the thinking of anyone who is sympathetic toward a pedofile or a rapist. It's as simple as that! No, we can't just move on, as you suggest as long as there are monstersare doing this!</DIV> <DIV style=\”FONT: 10pt arial\”>
There's a lot of us here. A lot of the lot of us sense a need to keep it under the radar. But there are some people here that think with common sense. And some of us even work in the biz. I'm glad to hear your typing and are part of the \”movement\”.
The Polanski issue is a lost cause. About 90% of Hollywood solidly backs Polanski, and so do most of the journalists, reporters, editors, and publishers. Patrick Goldstein is not any different than about 90% of the people working at the LA Times. Hell, Sam Zell, who bought the paper, probably agrees with him.
After all, Whoopi Goldberg on a show viewed almost exclusively by women opined it was not "rape-rape" because Polanski was … a big shot. A Big Man. Important. And liked by the Left.
THAT is what this is all about. There is one rule for ordinary, average joes. Ordinary people don't count (and by most of the elites, should never complain about it). What matters most is the Big Man, and his ability to mostly do what he pleases.
Understand, most of the LAT remaining readers are generally in agreement. The readers of the Entertainment section are mostly women. As are the watchers of the View. Goldberg faced no firing for airing her views. Most women watchers of the View, and women likely as a majority, agree with Goldberg.
The important thing to remember is … Polanski is IMPORTANT. That means, like Charlie Sheen, or Chris Brown, he operates by Big Man rules. He's a Big Man. Women in particular (but not exclusively as Patrick Goldstein shows) love the Big Man. They love the different rules for Big Men (which is why they are Big Men) and for average people. Princes and Princessess and all that stuff. From Disney to the View, that's hard-wired for women in general (not always, but most).
Women form the basis of the Entertainment Industry. They watch the most TV, see the most movies, form the profits for the LA Times. If views like Goldstein's or Goldbergs were anathema to most women, both would be fired by now.
That both continue to work employed without even a censure tells you how their largely female readership/audience feels. In support of Polanski. Because it was not, as Whoopi said, "Rape-Rape." When a Big Man does something, it's always OK.
[...] LA Times’ Patrick Goldstein Just Can’t Get His Facts Straight [...]
I can't remember the last flick I saw in the theater. The more I read of Hollywoodistas commie bs and lefty mindspeak, the fewer and fewer movies I want to pay to see.
As I've said before, thank god for turner classic movies.
God bless you. I wish you well. As for that wish of yours requiring a rusty knife and no anesthesia, I am available to assist in such a procedure 24/7.
Allow me to suggest that we make a practice run on Goldstein. The man who excuses and covers up such behavior deserves the same treament.
like bomber pilots say, "When you're taking flak, you know you're over the target."
Lets do an examination of what we are dealing with. First, and most important we are dealing with LALA land. They live in an altenative universe. Second, the gliteratzi are trained performers. They didn't write the script, they didn't make the sets, they don't run the camera all they do is keep doing re-takes until they get it right. One of the more enlightening things to happen in LALA land was when someone got the brainstorm to show some of the out takes from the cutting floor, it shows that these Actors can't even remember their lines. Why they are given credibility in anything remotely resembling real life is a joke. They take themselves so seriously, we however see them for what they are…….mindless entertainers.
Indeed, so much for his "onions".
Also, if Jena is in Goldstien's range, that means Goldstien is in Jena's range.
Agreed, the hypocrisy was too much for me also. Every time I pointed it out, was pushed further and further away, till one day, I found myself entirely on the outside.
Which was quite strange, because it turns out 99% of what I had drilled into my head about the opposition was completely wrong.
I'm convinced that's where the hatred and violence comes from. A need to keep modern liberals as insulated as possible, so they can't even fathom the concept of actually sitting down and having a reasonable, polite debate.
FYI, I knew Patrick Goldstein while he was in college. He was a horse's ass then and he's a horse's ass now, even though I was liberal as he was at that time. However, I, like Mr. Brietbart, grew out of my youthful infatuation with liberalism, while if anything, Mr. Goldstein has fallen farther down the rabbit hole.
I believe I did mention that fact!
Just because Dennis Dugan and Michael Bay might (and that's a big "might") be conservatives doesn't mean we should go out and support their movies. Dennis Dugan is a comedy hack (sorry, but I'd rather see liberal ol' Adam McKay's comedies any day) and Bay's work lately has been mind-numbing, racist, and leery towards women in the sleaziest way. Polanski is a child-rapist, yes, but one will get far more out of the experience of watching on of his films than in anything Dugan or Bay have produced. Fact.
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