Do Democrats and conservatives ever join forces? Rarely.

How often do Democrats and conservatives and feminists join forces?

Let’s just say, very rarely.

But regarding the issue of Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski, who drugged, raped and sodomized a 13-year-old girl back in 1977, all three very different ideologies have joined together in a unified voice against the pardoning of Polanski.

But what brought them together? Enter, Hollywood.

In 1978, when Polanski pled guilty and was convicted for his perverted acts against young Samantha Geimer (who had been at actor Jack Nicholson’s house when the rape took place), he escaped sentencing by hopping onto a plane headed for France.

He was recently arrested at the Zurich airport by Swiss officials when he arrived in Switzerland to receive a film festival honor. For the last thirty-two years, Polanski has been living a luxurious life in Europe, with multiple homes, working as a director and even marrying and fathering two children.

After his arrest, various Hollywood elite are coming to Polanski’s defense.

Whoopi Goldberg stated on the talk show “The View,” “I don’t believe it was ‘rape-rape.’”

Other members of the Hollywood elite have expressed their support for Polanski, as well, some even signing a petition that calls for his release from the Swiss authorities. The signatures of Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese, producer Harvey Weinstein (who referred to Polanski’s acts as “so-called crime”), David Lynch and other well-known Hollywood figures fill this petition.

But instead of sparking public support and echoing the sentiments of the average American, Hollywood has unwittingly united Democrats, conservatives and feminists in a backlash of criticism against Polanski and the Hollyweirdos who clamor to defend him.

Already low on the scale of morality, it seems Hollywood has reached a new low.

Right-wing talk radio shows have featured feminists such as Kate Harding, who stated, “Polanski raped a child ... that’s the detail that tends to get neglected.” Other media outlets, from The New York Times giant to small newspapers like our very own State Press have expressed similar opinions: Polanski’s crime deserves time.

It is outrageous that Hollywood clamors to coddle and support Polanski.

Their outright denial and dismissal of his crime speaks volumes about how the Hollywood elite possess both a sense of entitlement to a get-out-of-jail-free card and a superiority that places them above the law.

A crime is a crime. To pardon Polanski undercuts the American judicial system and reduces its authority to a skeleton — if a conviction does not equal sentencing (condemnation), there is no justice.

As students and members of society, we cannot excuse the crime of rape.

Belittling the crime is a slap in the face of rape victims and sends the message to sexual predators that the crime will not be taken seriously.

Polanski and his Hollywood status are not above the law, no case is too old to readdress, no victim is undeserving of retribution and the gravity of a crime should not fade due to the passage of time.

Jennifer advocates for justice. If you disagree, write her at jmbollig@asu.edu.