"The fact that Dominique Strauss-Kahn is in jail and been denied bail is tough shit!"

[Better Believe It]

Le Rapist is a Socialist? Non!
By Sherry Wolf
May 17, 2011

When the NY Daily News headline writers have to take a break from bashing Muslims to ravage your party’s key political hope as “Le Perv” on its front page, it’s time to reassess. Dominique Strauss-Kahn is accused of, let’s just call it by its proper name, RAPING a Manhattan hotel maid in his $3,000-a-night room, thus traumatizing a woman in the middle of her workday, obliterating his political career and shaking up French politics.

First of all, if I read one more fucking quote about “Anglo-moralism” regarding the Strauss-Kahn assaults, I’m going to smack the nearest smirking asshole to the portals of hell. He was a serial misogynist who raped a maid in a hotel, he’s not in jail for an affair. Assuming that every female subordinate he’s ever come in contact with is not a liar, Strauss-Kahn is an arrogant pig with enormous power who has gotten away with the sort of crimes that can get you 25 to life in most states.

The fact that he’s in jail and has been denied bail is most likely because his political opponents, who currently control the French government, have given the go-ahead to do him in.

Tant pis, as the French say; tough shit, is my rough translation.


Sherry Wolf

Read the full article at:

http://sherrytalksback.wordpress.com/

[BeyondGeography]

1. You know, I agree with her

But she should not say categorically that he did it. All you have to do, if you care about credibility, is say he is accused of raping a maid. Instead, she's grandstanding and stomping on some verey good points, especially re. the whole anglo-saxon bullshit thing.

[Odin2005]

4. That "bullshit thing" was really common a while back when DUers were defending Polanski.

[blondeatlast]

7. She didn't accuse him of the rape. The previous encounters are well-known

and whether consensual or otherwise have not been denied.

However, he DID first have an alibi (that fell apart), then it became "consensual", according to HIS lawyers. Sounds like a man who never thought he'd get caught or called on his behavior.

[BeyondGeography]

11. "He was a serial misogynist who raped a maid in a hotel..."

:eyes:

[Ghost Dog]

12. The 'alibi' did not fall apart. It was the accusers who had to change their story.

The alleged attack was on Saturday alleged to have occured at around 1 p.m. The accused would have likely commented to his lawyers that at that time he had already checked out of the hotel and was having lunch with his daughter. Somehow this was apparently picked up by the media and called an 'alibi'.

It's not difficult to imagine, then, that at some stage the defense lawyers might have had a word with the prosecution side to say something like: Look, at the time you state (1 p.m.) you really don't have a case. Maybe you guys need to go back and get some of the details of your accusation straight before we proceed.

On Monday, the accused was apparently arraigned in relation to events alleged to have occured at around 12:00 hours on that day. So, it was in fact the accuser/police/prosecution who had to change their story(1).

Edit: If and when that story checks out (as it looks like it very well might), then I will agree with this op wholeheartedly, while still deploring the trial by media circus that's going on - a process, given the quality of the media most people appear to be addicted to these days, wide open to corruption and abuse.


(1): UPDATE May 16th 17:50 GMT ... Meanwhile, French radio has reported that Mr Strauss-Kahn's lawyers plan to mount a defence based on evidence showing that their client was having lunch with his daughter when the attempted rape is alleged to have taken place. But there have also been reports that the New York police now say the incident took place earlier than was originally reported. - http://www.economist.com/blogs/newsbook/2011/05/arrest_dominique_strauss-kahn

[Recursion]

8. The presumption of innocence is legal, not social

I'm under no obligation to presume him innocent, since my presumption doesn't affect his trial.

[Ghost Dog]

13. Are members of Juries and especially Grand Juries in any way isolated

from all the 'social' media frenzy of information, misinformation and opinions that get bandied about?

Aren't US juries required to make up their minds based solely on information presented as part of official judicial proceedings and on nothing else?

[blondeatlast]

16. If they have knowledge of the case, they are usually excused but they are often asked

(in the case of really well-publicized defendants/crimes) if they can set aside their knowledge and many can.

Good attorneys can spot those who can.

[Ghost Dog]

18. Ah, the jury selection process. Hmmm.

That cuts both ways, doesn't it? The attorneys look to reject jurors they reckon not likely to be on their side?

[blondeatlast]

19. Yes, it does indeed. nt

[Ghost Dog]

20. That appears to dismiss the very concept of impartiality entirely, then.

:shrug:

[blondeatlast]

21. That's why they move trials, too. It would be super-wonderful if

the legal system and the press and political bigwigs and everybody were perfect, but sadly, none of them are.

I don't know if M. DSK raped her or not, but sometimes bigwigs get caught, even pseudo-socialist ones. I'm interested in the evidence--I haven't once declared him absolutely guilty. I just don't subscribe to the set-up theory.

[Eddie Haskell]

14. You're entitled to your opinion

however premature and misguided.

[blondeatlast]

17. It is neither. It is simply a fact that only the justice system is held to

the presumption of innocence.

The public is free to "convict" George W. Bush or Michael Jackson or OJ Simpson or M. DSK as they see fit because they can not sentence or carry out a sentence.

[Raven]

2. I agree.

[Odin2005]

3. She is 100% correct.

[blondeatlast]

5. This part is gonna shake the defenders up if they have the capacity for shame:

None of the incidents we’ve read about so far in the press took place in social settings, but at the women’s place of work, where they were earning a living and being full human beings. Not to psycho-babbleize Strauss-Kahn, but he’s a caveman—no offense to Neanderthals intended.

This "little" woman should be seen as a BIG hero (but God grant her her privacy, too).

[Shagbark Hickory]

6. Sounds like a scene from an episode of Locked Up Abroad.

[joeybee12]

9. Why is everyone who has never met this guy or ever heard of him before

now an expert?

[roguevalley]

15. because we have opinions and are expressing them. Some here

could probably tell you what he did from their own personal recollections of similar incidents. He's got a history but in France they make it tough for you to report. Go home. Nothing to see here.

[Recursion]

22. And many, many of us are at best ambivalent about the IMF

That's a charitable way to say it.

[hedgehog]

10. ABSOLUTELY!