Abuse

Thursday, Oct. 01, 2009 - 12:33 a.m.

First off, Happy October 1st. Today is my friend Scott Hysmith's birthday.

Scott, many happy returns. You share your birthday with Mark McGwire and Yosemite National Park, both of whom are big in their own way.

Have a good one, my friend.

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Something happened yesterday that shook me to my foundations.

As most of you are aware, this diary was founded with the principal goal of trying to prevent abuse via the Internet.

Throughout the process, I've also become an advocate against any kind of abuse in general.

Yesterday, I saw one of my best friends capitulate to an abuser. This is one of the friends that helped me get over my own abuse, which is why it alarmed me so much.

Metaphorically speaking, I suppose you could say I grabbed my friend and gave them a shoulder shake and point out a few things that didn't make sense.

Hindsight being 20 / 20, I recalled that during my troubles with my own abuser, I heard from a half a dozen people after I'd finally been able to deal with the problem myself.

Every one of those wonderful friends Thought There Was Something Wrong, But Didn't Know What. One of them even apologized, which wasn't neccessary, but I will say that the general realization of the fact that nobody felt comfortable speaking up to find out what was the matter spurred me to change my way of thinking forever.

Two things came of my attitude change:

1. I began writing about my abuse and recovery in what is now my daily blog here on Diaryland. and

2. I now speak up when I see a loved one being abused.

So, yeah, I opened my mouth without being asked and made one of my best friends on the planet face the fact that there was still an abusive situation.

But I won't ever regret doing it.

If that friend is mad at me, but with a better perception of the fact that they were being abused?

I'll take that trade in a fucking white hot second.

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In 1977, at the age of forty-three, Roman Polanski fucked a thirteen-year-old girl in the vagina and anus after giving her champagne and a quaalude.

I am therefore quite interested in finding a canonical list of the big puffed up Hollywood types who want him released.

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That's it. Have a good Thursday.

UPDATE: Old Buddy Dave gave me this link, which contains a mostly up to date list of people who think drugging and raping a child is a forgiveable offense.

If you disagree with how I've labeled the list, please feel free to remove me from your daily rounds, and kindly fuck the hell off.

Thank you! :-)

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2 of my readers commented on this entry

Shadowgm
It may be difficult to prosecute Polanski if his victim won't press charges, but not impossible. Ultimately, the fact remains: what he did is against the law. Thirty years ago? Okay, so we shouldn't be concerned with Charles Manson anymore, let him go and let's see how Polanski likes them apples.
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OmahaDave
Indeed, the victim even believes he's paid for his mistake and harbors no ill will, according to the Honolulu Star interview in 2003. I suspect prosecution would be based upon him fleeing, not the original crime. Look, what Polanski did was intensely wrong and revolting. Living 30+ years looking over your shoulder is likely more punishment than he would have received had he not fled and I'm fine with his stupid ass being arrested for getting caught in the wrong place. Slamming him behind bars would be the topping on his punishment sundae. Any such crime should be punished, but with the victim seemingly at peace in her life over the crime, for who's benefit do we purse this scumbag? And THAT petition is distasteful. What?!? Support the criminal's release just because he's a talented film maker? By signing, each and everyone is saying the crime was insignificant because of his talent. Thank you Brin, for calling it like it is.
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