Roman Polanski, 2009

Bruce Crumley/ Paris
Time

Although the cultural divide between Europe and the U.S. has narrowed over the years, the legal fate of director Roman Polanski shows there are still major differences. Polanski's arrest in Switzerland on Sept. 26 was greeted with satisfaction in the U.S., where authorities hope he will face sentencing for having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977. Europeans, meanwhile, are shocked and dismayed that an internationally acclaimed artist could be jailed for such an old offense.

"To see him thrown to the lions and put in prison because of ancient history — and as he was traveling to an event honoring him — is absolutely horrifying," French Culture Minister Frédéric Mitterrand said after Polanski was arrested upon arrival in Switzerland to attend the Zurich Film Festival, where he was to receive a lifetime achievement award. "There's an America we love and an America that scares us, and it's that latter America that has just shown us its face." In comments that appeared to be directed at Swiss and American authorities to free Polanski, Mitterrand added that both he and French President Nicolas Sarkozy hoped for a "rapid resolution to the situation which would allow Roman Polanski to rejoin his family as quickly as possible."

(Read "Redeeming Roman Polanski.")

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Editor's Note: After last night's AC360°, many of you wrote in to say that you were excited about the prospect of change with this new administration. Some of you think that former President Bush’s trickle-down economy did not work and hope that President Obama tries out a trickle-up economic approach. Many of you wrote to say that you enjoyed the sneak peek of the Air Force One National Geographic special. We also heard from those of you who appreciated Erica Hill and David Gergen's postings on the AC360° blog – making it a truly interactive show. What's your take?
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Love the Air Force One sneak peek. Will DVR it most likely. Great contemplative pictures of President Obama by the photographer..........

The Republicans have tried the 'top down' method for the last 8 years and look where it has gotten us? The more the top got, the greedier they got. The people have spoken – it's time to give Obama's plan a chance by approving the proposed economic recovery plan that combines bottom up and top down! Go, Obama!

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Editor's Note: Following Wednesday night’s AC360°, our viewers wrote to us about the “re-do” of the Presidential swearing in. Many felt that having it occur without media presence was the right choice. Some of you also emailed us their opinions about Carolyn Kennedy dropping out of the senate race. And of course, Anderson’s statement that people would not see him dancing opened the door to many requests that he dance on the show. Here’s some of what we saw, and we’d love your thoughts as well:
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Your own commentators are correct. The talk about retaking the oath is ridiculous. A “circus"; leave it alone. No wrongdoing has occurred. Just because the media wasn't invited to the redo is not a reason to create news.

I think the press wasn't invited to witness the oath out of President Obama's respect for Chief Justice Roberts and his desire to spare the Chief Justice any further embarrassment.

In the picture from Obama's second swearing in, his hand is not on the Bible. Is that not another mistake?

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Program Note: Tune in to CNN where we'll be broadcasting live all weekend and Monday and Tuesday.

Kay Jones
AC360° Coordinating Editorial Producer

It’s cold here. There’s not any other way to describe DC right now. Any walking around the area must be accompanied by heavy outerwear, and trust me, even that isn’t enough. For the 360 faithful, it’s not as bad as New Year’s Eve in Times Square, but it’s pretty close.

If you are watching our air today, you’ll see Anderson, Wolf, Soledad, David Gergen, John King & Roland Martin on the set. The area they are sitting is covered, but it’s open. They are bundled up and during commercial breaks, they head to the closest heaters to try and get some warmth. The crew, however, is covered from head to toe, and I don’t even know who is behind the camera because I can only see their eyes through their hats, scarves, etc. Even though I haven’t heard any complaints, I can see on their faces that this isn’t the most pleasant experience ever.

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The inaugural committee will set up 28,000 chairs for ticket holders to watch Barack Obama's swearing-in.

Jackie Puskas
AC360° Editorial Producer

Hi all, we here at AC360° are looking forward to bringing you all the momentous and moving moments of the inauguration events over the next 5 days!

I am an editorial producer for AC360° heading to DC on Monday to make sure our contributors and guests are where they should be when they should be next week. It should be quite a challenge given what we’re hearing about the crowds, security and locations!

I have the added bonus of getting to see my sister, Beth Puskas, who is an equestrian instructor and jumping coach with Culver Academies, ride with her students in her second parade. They have quite an interesting story! This is the FIFTEENTH time they have participated in an Inaugural Parade – the first was in 1913 honoring Woodrow Wilson.

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Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer

Just moments ago, a plane crashed into the middle of the Hudson River between midtown Manhattan and Weehawken, N.J.

The FAA confirms it was US Airways Flight 1549. The Airbus A320 took off from LaGuardia Airport just after 3pm E.T. and was headed to Charlotte, North Carolina.

155 people were on board the plane, including 5 crew members.  Everyone on board was rescued. Let me repeat that: Everyone on board was rescued.

Just seconds after the plane hit  the water ferry boats were on the scene to help passengers escape the plane. Keep in mind the water temperature in the Hudson River is 41° F. The rescued passengers are bundled in blankets now on dry land.

Alberto Panero, a passenger who escaped the plane, tells CNN the pilot told everyone on board to "brace for impact" just seconds before they hit the water.

Another passenger tells us it was a smooth landing, as smooth as you can get on water.

According to the N.J. State Police , the pilot declared an emergency in flight and a "bird strike".

My fellow writer, Cate Vojdik, did a web search and discovered that bird strikes in flight are more common than you might think.

Check out these web sites she found:

Bird Hazards to Aircraft

Bird Strike Information

Editor's Note: Following Wednesday night’s AC360°, viewers wrote in commenting on the continuing news of the bailouts as well as President-Elect Obama’s choices for cabinet members. Many also commented on the redecorating of the White House and the “big party” (the inauguration) seeing both as expenses that the American people should not have to support with tax dollars given the state of the economy. Outside of the economy and politics, many of you had much to say about odds names for children, having no sympathy for the parents who named their son Adolf Hitler - but still feel that they have the right to do it. Lastly, there were comments on the Gaza conflict. Here's some of what many had to say - what do YOU think?

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The lack of organization surrounding the bailouts and some of the new appointments for the upcoming new administration proves the old saying, "Haste Makes Waste." To quote an old song I want to tell President-Elect Obama to “slow down, you move too fast".

Obama seems to be paying for the current administration's haphazard handling of the first TARP. Can Obama and team go back to the beneficiaries of the first installment and demand accounting, and perhaps redistribution of what the banks, AIG etc. were given? That still rankles with many of us.

Why is everyone calling Geithner's tax evasion a mishap? If Obama's camp was aware of this issue prior to the nomination, why did they not communicate it for transparency sake? Is Geithner the best man for the job? If he is acknowledge that he evaded taxes, then paid the taxes and penalties and let's go forward. If he is too stupid to pay the appropriate taxes he is not the best man for the job.

Parents have a right to name their children whatever they chose. However, parents of all persuasions should be mindful not to give their children names that could attract adverse opinion or action. This sounds like another case of parents using their children to advance their own philosophy without regard for future consequences.

The Nazi or offensive names are obviously disturbing, but seem to fall within our constitutional rights. I don’t think we should go there.

Who is paying for the big party the government is having on January 20? Haven't the taxpayer given enough? When do we see the "Change"?

Let's leave aside that past Presidents traveled down the redecorating road. The point is: where is the "change we can believe in" here? How is Obama showing that he will be conservative and judicious with money at a time when many Americans are struggling to get adequate medical care or put food on the table? Where is he getting the money from to redecorate? Is the taxpayer picking up the tab? Did you maybe want to address where the money comes from and who pays? Why don't you suggest that Obama consider some financial stimulus package for other Americans out there who might want to redecorate their homes but don't have a cushy $100K allowance to fall back on! For those who might say Obama has a challenging road ahead and he deserves a comfortable home to work/live in, let me point out that we are not sending the man to a shack. This is the White House not a hovel in some red light district. How many times does the White House need to be redecorated to be "comfortable"?

I had high "hope" that you would "keep them honest" How can you report on the Obamas' choosing a decorator and building a basketball court when the Obamas are asking the tax payers to sacrifice and to fund another bailout to all the dysfunctional companies–a bailout that will harm our children's future.

Year after year and seemingly century after century this conflict seems to resurface….is it really that hard to find a way to peace when it would mean sparing the lives of so many innocent people?

Following Tuesday night’s AC360°, viewers were passionate on many of the topics discussed on the show. Take a look below at examples of what they had to say about continued media coverage of Governor Palin, Bill Clinton’s charity accepting contributions from foreign interests, why Tim Geithner seems to be going unpunished for not paying his taxes, and the story on the Indiana pilot who tried to fake his death. Then tell us what YOU think:

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I totally agree with James and Bill regarding Sarah Palin. She definitely wants to keep her name out there. She's been running off at the mouth for some time now. Right now she is using the press as her friend when she talks nothing but bad against them. The press should just leave her alone. Quit giving her all this publicity. This is her way of staying in the picture. Remember she has big plans for 2012.

Palin has a point. Thanks to 'non-journalism', very few voting Americans knew of Palin's many accomplishments in Alaska, her strength of character in standing against Republican abuse of power, no matter the personal cost to herself….

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Following Monday night’s AC360°, viewers responded primarily to President Bush’s news conference, particularly his comments on the handling of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. Many people also felt compelled to voice their opinion on the remarks made by Prince Harry with most believing they were not made with malicious intent, and questioned why they even matter when they are three-years-old. A few viewers offered their general comments about the conflict in Gaza, and a new dog for President-Elect Obama.

Here are a few of the comments:
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I think your guests tonight are outrageous. Don't you remember that the Gov of Louisiana didn't want any help and the mayor said they could handle it?? How quickly we forget and how easy to blame President Bush?

Obviously President Bush made some mistakes, as all presidents do, but I think history will judge him much better than everyone does now. I do not want the talking heads speaking for me. I feel a great sense of sadness to see him go, and wish him a sincere farewell and best wishes.

I voted for this guy twice and have ended up feeling like an idiot. I voted "my pocketbook" and my pocket got picked. “Just go away” is my feedback.

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Alyssa Caplan
AC360° Staffer

If this week has taught me anything, it's that it should become mandatory that elections fall on Thursdays. That way, historically questionable days like Monday through Wednesday would be more palpable as the excitement builds toward the day when the fate of our nation finally gets revealed.

Then, with only one more work day to get through after an emotionally and physically draining week/two years, the media and country could throw on their favorite track suits and gather for the world's biggest virtual post-mortem "brunch" before waving goodbye for a quiet weekend of reflective and restorative processing time.

But mostly, the fact that the day after the election would then fall on a Friday would help promote bi-partisan healing because if your candidate wasn't chosen, you could say comforting things to yourself like, "Well, the country may officially just bought itself a one way ticket to hell in a hand bag, but at least its Friday!!" And if the candidate you were pulling for was chosen, you could tap in to the energy of everyone's favorite day of the week and ride an even bigger wave of excitement, hope and wonder in to the blissful weekend sunset.

Instead, this has seemingly been the longest week in the history of the world.

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