Today’s Washington Post has an Op-Ed piece by Eugene Robinson today on the subject of what to do with Roman Polanski.  Without going into gory details, the question is what do you do with a 76-year old man who raped a thirteen year old when he was in his 50’s. 

Mr. Polanski fled the United States after his trial (where he pled guilty) and settled in France.  The extradition treaty we have with France evidently did not cover his particular crime.  So he has lived there peacefully for the past thirty years.  He was arrested Sunday in Switzerland where he had traveled to accept an award.  Evidently our extradition treaty with Switzerland covers child molestation.

I don’t like to see a 76-year old man go to prison, but I don’t like to see a person who raped a thirteen year old girl escape the consequences of his actions.  If his name was John Smith instead of Roman Polanski, what would his fate be?  Do we need to take another look at the concept of equal justice under the law regardless of money or status?