IMF head Strauss-Khan charged with sexual assault, attempted rape and imprisonment of hotel maid in New York

AFAIA the press is legally entitled to name the victim but is not under obligation to do so.

The excuse given so far is that it is in order to quell the rumours of a set up.

I think in reality it is that the press don't see this woman as a victim in need of protection. They see France, DSK, Socialism, the Euro and the right for a French man to be 'un séducteur' as the victims in this affair.

Yes the unwillingness to accept responsibility for N. Africa and the consequences is phenomenal. Why do people like my PIL think that there are so many arabes (actually they are almost certainly French you idiots) in France?

I hate the way it is considered ok to air these Alf Garnett type views. I'm not saying that racism does not exist in the UK, but at least most people would accept that 'pakis go home' is not acceptable dinner party chit chat.

I'm finding it hard to be around quite a few of my French acquaintances at the moment. And it is not just our parents' generation. I know quite of few well educated people in their mid-thirties who complain about les arabes.

Most of the time I just want to shout at them to open a fucking history book and engage their brains. (Actually probably wouldn't help because the reality of the atrocities of N. African colonisation has mostly been written out of French history.)

Sorry folks, hijack over. Do start that thread flyingcloud - let me know if you do. Cheers.

On the question of why the French media is reporting the victim's name and not the American press...it may be the same as with UK law. The press in the UK risks contempt of court (which can mean an instant prison sentence for transgressors) if they break laws like not naming a rape victim in a case that is active in the UK. But the UK press is not, I believe, bound by such laws in other countries, so can be far more "relaxed" in reporting the details of cases that are active abroad. This may also be the case in France.

Mind you, it was a while ago that I did my Journalism Law module and the law may have changed since to have more international ramifications - especially now we're very much in the age of global communications.

But I don't imagine the US courts have jurisdiction over the French media, so they can name with impunity.

It's morally corrupt, though.

It's the comments about the colour of the members of the French football team that really get me and the complete unwillingness to accept responsibility for the colonisation of North Africa.

Anyway, thread hijack over, will maybe go start a thread and try and get people over to it.

Very true about racism and the FN.

Another sore point with my PIL, who when they aren't defending 'socialist' sex predators, are complaining about les arabes.

It does make it difficult to live here sometimes, as one either has to keep one's gob firmly closed, or be considered a raving man-hater and French hater.

No you idiots - I hate misogyny and racism.

I suspect a discussion group would be a series of rants - could be therapeutic to share however!

Beachcomber, I am feeling your anger.

France is so 'behind' in so many ways. Misogyny and racism abound here. I have made a big difference in DH already (He is a nice person, so willing to be 'educated' :) ) Tlhe rise of FN is truly frightening.

Here is another blight on the French political scene

I would like to become more 'active' here in France - any suggestions? We could start a discussion group, although it would be a series of angry rants I think.

Interesting articles, especially the Times one about DSK's past as a sexual predator.

I don't know why the French are so tolerant of this sort of behaviour. It is very much part of the culture and it is disgusting. I have been sexually harassed in every job I have had in France, except the one I have now. There is a lot of feminist work to be done in this country.

I had a good old rant with a French feminist friend last night - she said that it was great to speak to me about this because so many people she knows are coming out with rape apology. It seems there are a lot of people who agree that he has 'a reputation' but they insist on implying that he was 'a ladies man'. Don't know about anyone else but the phrase 'ladies man' just screams sex predator at me.

I absolutely fucking hate it when men say 'I love women'. What they really mean is 'I love sticking my cock in women' and 'it doesn't matter much who the woman is as long as I stick my cock in her and she doesn't complain about being a cum receptacle and an ego boost'.

Men who say they love women really mean they fucking love themselves and their penis.

And that he would like to be released from Riker's Island and live in Manhattan wearing an electronic security tag. I'm sure most of the island's inmates would like that too

He has now officially resigned as Head of the IMF and is saying he wanted to devote "all his energy" to battle the sexual assault charges.

Strauss-Khan is apowerful man and has many friends both in France and the rest of the world so its not surprising at the reaction.

"What I find peculiar is that the Ftench legal system, unlike the UK/US, assumes guilt until proven innocent and not innocent until proven guilty.

So why are they who whining about handcuffs making him look guilty?"

No they don't the French use innocent until proven guilty

Ponders
Oh, i do agree re The Post
Not reliable

The HIV / AIDs story is all over the US blogs, too. Again, doesn't mean much as they could all be taking their info from The Post.

Interesting that the French press is complaining that Dominique Strauss-Kahn was shown on American TV in handcuffs, whereas the American media haven't named the hotel chambermaid who was involved, and the French aren't too fussy about that.

Here's a piece that concentrates on his past record, which is pretty dismal as far as treatment of women is concerned. His tendency to become violent when thwarted seems to be well established, but he's never been called to account for it:

www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2072209,00.html

Greythorne, re her apartment - what the Post reports is akin to the rubbish that appears in the Sun (doesn't mean it isn't 100% true, but don't hold your breath )

(I'd never heard that NY has special accommodation reserved for those with HIV/AIDS?)

Tob Young has printed a typically shallow blog piece on this (on his blog and in The Telegraph) comParing DSK with Sherman from Bonfire of the Vanities. Idiot.

Also, a further sad note re the victim; The NY Post is reporting that she lives in an apartment reserved for people (adults) with HIV / AIDs. Talk about blighted life.

marking my spot - this has been the source of some interesting arguments with DH.

So angry the woman has been named. Poor, poor woman.

I would be v v surprised if her version of events isn't genuine.

I'll be even more surprised if that randy old goat receives appropriate punishment. I'll remain hopeful though.

I feel terribly sorry for that poor woman on so many levels.

She must be terrified, not only by what has happened to her, but by the wider ramifications.

I'm concerned that the pressure will lead her to drop the charges. I have no idea how the US legal system works - what would happen if she decided that she wasn't able to go through with it?

(Apart from half of France gloating that she had 'cried rape' and me having to move back to the UK to get away from it all.)

I am disgusted that the French press have named the woman.

Fantastic links Greythorne and Beachcomber.... I hope something good comes out of this terrible case

French media has now named the victim. Her lawyer said today she can't go home, she can't go to work, and is suffering trauma that extends beyond what happened to her in the hotel room. Her whole life is turned upside down.

This more than anything is what puts the kibosh on conspiracy theories for me. Whatever the outcome of the trial, how can it be claimed by otherwise intelligent people that a woman would put herself, her daughter and wider family through all this, presumably simply for money?

The French media coverage people have linked to amounts to nothing more sophisticated than special pleading for a fellow member of the elite. It is chilling to see how far these people feel their lack of accountability should go. It doesn't matter to most of them, I think, whether DKS committed a savage sexual assault or not. They seem to believe DSK ought not to be subject to law in the way ordinary people are.

I enjoyed reading this no holds barred right royal slagging off of Henri-Levy.

I want to throw things at the television every-time he comes on to show off his hair 'philosophise'.

themoderatevoice.com/110410/bernard-henri-levys-latest-campaign-saving-dominque-strauss-kahn/