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

[darleneoconnor]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13402845

Can these sroties ever be reported without a discussion of whether the woman is lying or provoked the man?

It's like Julian Assange all over again.

There was a french man being interviewed about it on News 24 and you could sense a different attitude between him and the British newsreader, Nicholas Owen. The french man was emphasising how bad a crime it was, whereas the newsreader seemed to be fishing for some 'rape myths'.

We'll see how this one pans out.

They are probably like normal people in that respect, people cheat doesn't really matter about their position in society.

Although the sense of entitlement might be what went on with Strauss-Kahn, I have read that he had a bad reputation with women.

It's really weird the way she's smiling as she describes her assault :(

It is shocking to watch really.... Everybody is smiling and normalizing it in the video. Imagine if, instead of describing in detail an attempt of rape, she was describing any other crime (e.g. stealing money). Nobody would nod their heads and say....well, we all know he has a problem with money. French, in particular, socialist French should be very happy to get rid of this guy instead of moaning about conspiracy theories and keeping Sarkozy for longer (and I have seen quite a few doing this in the last 24 hours)

Yes, it's appalling. And the degree of pre-meditation (asking her to a completely empty apartment to interview him, rather than his office or his home) is absolutely chilling. He's a fucking monster

What were the other people there saying in response? (My french is pretty crap but I could work out most of what she said, not the men as they were mumbling).

VERY weird to hear an account of a sexual assault alternated with pictures of pleasant dinner party things.

I also live in France and everybody I know has been making 'well, surprise, surprise' type comments or 'maybe he'll finally get his comeuppance'.

Strauss-Kahn has a reputation for his sexual predation in France. Journalists carefully put it across without actually saying it clearly IYSWIM (although some female journalists have been pretty direct).

I haven't heard anybody spout Sarkozy/Presidential conspiracy theories .

No bail. Wow.

Yes, I live in France as well and I haven't heard anyone say that it was a conspiracy yet

or Polanski, more like

I wish all the media would stop referring to her as a "maid". She is a woman. Or victim, or alleged victim if you like.

Also. even good old Emily Maitlis asked French journalist earlier, "do you think he'll survive this sex scandal". Erm, not just a scandal, Emily, a RAPE.

Bloody hell indeed, proles

I am watching this on US TV.

The Arraignment trial has taken place and he has been refused bail and remanded in custody until 20 May 2011.

Earlier stories crossing the news wires suggesting he was at lunch with his daughter when the alleged events took place. This quote from the [[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d76eaaf2-7f6a-11e0-b239-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz1MXFpVyAX
Financial Times:]]

"French media, citing Mr Strauss-Kahn?s lawyers, on Monday said the IMF chief had checked out of the hotel at around 12.28, an hour before the alleged assault and had lunch with his daughter in a New York restaurant."

Criminal complaint says "around 12:00"

Interesting MoreBeta. Other reports suggest he left the hotel in a hurry, not taking some of his possessions with him. I'm sure it will all come out in the trial though. Well I bloody hope it does.

Like all great political animals, he has trouble controlling himself
Fascinating metaphorical language (the BBC story also describes DSK as a 'big beast', not a term ever used of female politicians). The implication is that the leader of the pride naturally takes any lioness he likes the look of

On World at One the phrase used was chaud lapin , which is not quite so powerful... They had \link{http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stephen-Clarke/e/B001JPC9MW/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1\Stephen Clarke} on - he was very interesting about the French attitude to this sort of man...D S-K certainly looked to be doing his best to get safely back to his home burrow where his behaviour appears to be admired

\link{http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1387621/Tristane-Banon-says-raped-IMF-chief-Dominique-Strauss-Kahn.html\excellent photos in the DM}

(incidentally I think it's reasonable for the woman to be referred to as a maid, purely to explain why she was in his room.)

Yes, clearly the exacting timing of events are absolutely critical here.

Flight AF23 normally departs at 16.40. Do important politicians not to have to check in 2 hours ahead like the rest of the plebs? Even if they don't he didn't leave himself a lot of time for this alleged lunch with his daughter, did he?

Well, the NYPD are certainly getting a chance to brush up on the crime of rape. One of their officers is on trial. Will do a thread about it when the verdict is announced.

First class and club passengers do not normally need to check in as early as economy passengers. I don't know but, given his position, he may have a special status as a pre-screened passenger. I know there has been a lot of talk of regular business travellers to the USA being given this status as a low risk group.

As I say, there will have to be very thorough examination of precise timings of events to ensure scrupulous fairness to all parties.