IMF chairman arrested for sexual assault

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

I'm sure most of you have already heard the news. IMF chairman Dominique Strauss-Kahn was arrested in NYC and charged for sexual assault after a complaint from a chambermaid that he had welcomed her in his hotel room naked and made two attempts to sexually assault her, once in the bedroom and then dragging her in the bathroom and doing it again. He's been detained and will answer in court.

Several thoughts instantly spring to mind for those who are somewhat familiar with the guy.

1. Conspiracy theorists type 1: Well-done! He's part of the NWO cabal who's ruling the world with an iron fist, this is great news for freedom-loving, democracy-adoring people around the world! It shows that nobody is above the law, even if they're one of the most powerful persons in the world!

2. Conspiracy theorists type 2: How convenient! Strauss-Kahn has stated his intention to run for French president against Sarkozy on the side of the Socialist party, and now he's been set up to have his reputation destroyed. Sarko is clearing his way! Back-stage traps FTW!

3. Cautious believers: This guy has surely got a long history of being a "womanizer", and this isn't his first time, so let's assume it's just his umpteenth exploit. He's using his position of power to get away from justice. Let's remember how he embarrassed his superstar wife earlier last year when he was found in a proven act of infidelity when he "deviated" with an employee of his. He's probably guilty and should be duly charged.

4. Moderate skeptics: What about the "innocent until proven guilty" principle? Set up or not, unfaithful or not, only the court can prove it. And if it's his testimony against this woman's, they should be weighed equally. No political biases involved, no nothing. The expertise will define who's right.

5. Realpolitik cynics: Yet another victory for Realpolitik. Sarkozy removes a potentially dangerous opponent out of his way. Of course Strauss-Kahn will still get away because, hey, he's the IMF chairman. But even if/when he does, people would no longer trust him and they wouldn't vote for him any more. Even if he still runs, the Socialist party in France won't support him, so either way, Sarkozy wins. He'll get his expected showdown vs Le Pen-daughter, and people will again choose the lesser of two evils.

And so on and so forth.

Your take?

Comments

[johnny9fingers.livejournal.com]

Numbers 3 & 5 for me.

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

What, no France-bashing? C'mon, you're British, FFS. This is your chance! :p

[mahnmut.livejournal.com]

That's UNpossible. He must be in a great mood these days.

Btw congrats to Johnny for becoming a daddy!

I'd gladly do some France bashing but since I'm a bloody pinko leftie (TM) I'm not supposed to bash that Sozializt. Besides, a Frenchman being a womanizer and having "exploits" outside of his glamorous marriage? Breaking news! The Sun will set at 20:30 to-evening!

[johnny9fingers.livejournal.com]

Our mahnmut has a point about my great mood, nevertheless I've never really been one for bashing the French. IMHO for a number of years, after the decline of Spain, they were the only other civilised large country in Europe, which is why we fought war after war with them.

They have great food, great wine, and a great attitude to life: what's not to like? (Apart from the endemic problems we all face, that is: racism, sexism, petty-minded Poujadism, etc, which they have in equal amounts to the rest of the civilised world.)

[blue-mangos.livejournal.com]

My main reaction is #3 because it is my default to always believe the woman in these type of things but in this case I also have a small dose of #5.

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

Theoretically, the woman could be used to set up a trap (like in the movies). It's the classical scenario. Perhaps I'm watching too many movies, duh...

Reminds me of the case against Assange, again a Swedish woman conveniently came up to claim he did a crime (many, many years ago), at a very convenient moment when the US weren't able to get him through other means.

I'm not saying he didn't assault her, period. I'm saying something reeks here.

[underlankers.livejournal.com]

My guess is this turns into a political version of the OJ trial and that the guy will find people to say he's innocent no matter what is decided in the court and people who'll think he's guilty no matter what is decided by the court.

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

So, basically version 5. Nothing will be proven and he'll probably be acquitted (whether for lack of evidence or just thanks to his links). But meanwhile his chances to run would be in ruins.

[policraticus.livejournal.com]

At $3000 a night, you would think he'd have called on the services of any number of young ladies who are professionals in this line of work.

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

You might be on to something here.

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

Some people think they can do anything they want with no consequences.

[terminator44.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but you'd be just as likely to get arrested for that.

[mrbogey.livejournal.com]

If you like to dominate and force yourself upon women... well nothings going to beat the real thing.

[mrsilence.livejournal.com]

It also sounds a lot like this guy isn't necessarily smart enough to go for women who will always say yes for the right price.

If that is true, then he would hardly be the first guy with the means, intellect and discretion to fulfill every possible urge without causing anyone harm, but who still tries to force himself onto unwilling women.

[mikeyxw.livejournal.com]

My take is that he did, but he has an unfortunate kink for women dressed in maid uniforms. Sarkozy knew about this and set him up per option 5.

[devil-ad-vocate.livejournal.com]

At $3000 a night, I would think the room should include a "professional" lady laying on the bed pillow - covered in nothing but chocolate mints!

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

I'm for #4 but of course the case is already so loaded politically that it's nearly impossible to judge it impartially.

[lai-choi-san.livejournal.com]

#3, #3, #3 and a bit of #1

There were already "rumours" here about his private life. :



This was broadcasted in 2007. Here's a translation (sorry for my poor english) :

Tristane Banon : It’s with « beep » that it did get very bad. He is a chimpanzee in rut.
Thierry Ardisson : He has chicks on the brain. Seriously, it’s true.
TB : At the National Assembly, there are no little wenches who want to do his secretarial work anymore. He is the only one to have a secretary around sixty.
TA : What did happen ?
TB : It was when writing my first book « Confessed mistakes ». The principle was to ask what was the biggest mistake of their life. As expected, he answered me in a stonewalling manner. I said « I’m not sure I will use this. » He said « Well, I’ll call you if I have another idea. ». He suggested that we meet. He gave me an address that I didn’t know. I was a little surprised since I knew about his life more or less. I arrive. It’s an empty flat. Only a video-recorder, a TV and a bed. Beautiful, sublime, exposed beams, Monsieur has good taste. He shut the door. I put my recorder. He wanted to take my hand to answer. He said that he wouldn’t manage to answer if he didn’t take my hand. First, it was the hand, then the arm, then further. I immediately stopped. I was wearing a black pullover. Maybe guys fantasize about black pullovers. It ended very bad. We ended to fight. Very violently. Not only clouts. I booted him. He unfastened my bra, he tried to open my jeans.
Roger Hanin : This is stupidity. If he can do this, he can do anything.
TB : I managed to go. He sent me a message right away « Do I scare you ? », what was rather provocative. While we were fighting, I told him it was rape. It didn’t frighten him. Apparently, he was accustomed to this. I saw a lawyer who already had a stack of files like THIS about him. But I didn’t dare to go further, I didn’t want to become the girl who’s got a problem with a politician until the end of my life.

Extract from th second part of the video :
Thierry Ardisson : Everybody knew. Besides, fourteen of my lady friends told me that he tried to shag them.


As for #5, you must know that the majority of polls in favour of DSK were commissioned by right-wing newspapers. Sarkozy Vs DSK is six of one and half a dozen of the other. As I said elsewhere, I'm very happy and relieved that this impostor won't be the candidate of the Socialist Party ! It's politicians like him who make people vote Le Pen.

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

That was some truly valuable insights from an insider. Thanks! Seems like the guy fell into his own trap.

Will there be enough time for a real candidate to come for the SP?

[anfalicious.livejournal.com]

To me it sounds like he's a serial douchebag at the very least. There's no chance of any sort of conviction if it's just he said/she said, there's no way rich people go down in cases like that.

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

He may've been brought down already. There's no way he could be electable any more (not that he was before that, but just in case).

[mrbogey.livejournal.com]

There is a billionaire in Florida whose kink was molesting 14 year old girls. He'd offer to pay them for a massage and eventually coerce sex.

He was a huge political fundraiser. Got probation.

[peamasii.livejournal.com]

#3 and #5. I'm suspicious there was some "trapping" going on, whether it was politically motivated or financially. The "naked old guy in the 3k suite" vs. "innocent chambermaid" confrontation sounds like a scene from pulp fiction. Everyone who's ever stayed in a hotel knows that they don't walk in on you naked unless they're either looking for a quick hundred bucks or a sex assault scenario.

[mikeyxw.livejournal.com]

This would have made an outstanding poll.

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

I was thinking about that and I regret not making it a poll. :)