WAR IN IRAN, SEX CRIMES & THE OLYMPICS

 

“Spike Lee would have been extradited decades ago.”

 

This week, I’m addressing three questions that people have been asking me all week:

Is it possible to avoid a military showdown with Iran?

Absolutely. Although Iranian President Ahmadinejad continues to thumb his nose at the United States and Israel by test-firing missiles and refusing weapons inspections, it is entirely possible to avoid a full-scale war. To do this, the United States and its allies must be willing to fulfill their promise of economic sanctions against Iran, which cannot function without healthy economic relationships with nations and financial institutions around the globe. More importantly, they must successfully enlist the help of Russia or China in order to make the economic pressure appropriately severe. While there’s zero chance of getting Chinese support, it appears that Russia is willing to play ball, especially now that Obama has agreed to scrap plans for building a nuclear shield in Eastern Europe. Contrary to what many have argued, Ahmadinejad is not crazy; he will stop developing nuclear weapons rather than setting himself up to be the next Saddam Hussein.

Isn’t it safe to say that Roman Polanski has only been free all these years because he’s white?

First and foremost, we live in a society that doesn’t take the protection of female bodies seriously. Part of the reason why 60 percent of sexual offenses against women go unreported is because of the indifference that many Americans, both men and women, have to rape. Another issue is class, as poor people rarely have the legal means or financial opportunity to escape in the manner that Polanksi did. Another issue is the power of celebrity, which allows many people to see Polanski as a world-class director rather than a child rapist. Is race a factor as well? Of course. After all, it’s safe to say that, in the exact same circumstances, Spike Lee would have been extradited decades ago. Still, race is not the biggest factor.

Doesn’t Obama have more pressing duties than going to Europe to get the Olympics?

At any other political moment, the idea of our president fighting to get the Olympics in our country would be a source of national pride. In the case of Obama, however, the narrative is being spun to seem as if he’s asleep at the wheel. In a world of high technology and global communication, I’m pretty sure that the president can do his job on the road. Besides, maybe this trip will stop him from making another prime-time speech!    

– Marc Lamont Hill is a professor at Columbia University and a Fox News commentator.

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