Dominic Strauss-Kahn released

[aliceliddell]

There is no case to answer because Ms Diallo is an 'unreliable witness'. No medical or forensic evidence is relevant. When raped women are 'witnesses' in the legal system, their credibility is the topic of contention, not the evidence. The issue of consent is largely ignored. Criminal law requires 'presumption of innocence' and 'beyond reasonable doubt'. Is it this combination that results in an inadequate legal response to sexual violence or other factors? Can this be changed?

No, I need to redefine what I wrote.

The President of France needs to be a leader, who will take decisions in the best interest of the country, command respect from other world leaders and the people of France.

I think where Sarko has failed is precisely that he doesn't command respect from the people in France.

The President of any country doesn't need a good grasp of economics. Look at Obama, Bush, Blair, Cameron (not saying any of these were any good, just saying economics is or wasn't their top skill). The President can't be an expert in everything Sarko I think is a lawyer. Cameron is specialised in PR (I'm counting British PMs as president as HM doesn't get involved).

The President therefore needs good backup, excellent advisers and ministers, and the conviction to put ideas across to the nation and get things done; Does that make more sense?

Chirac was a lot more than a womaniser, yes, but I don't think his womanising has ever been described in the terms DSK's has. I also agree that he had many many other failings, but that would be going very much off topic.

Josie this is my opinion so others may disagree.

I think that Segolene represents every stereotype that people, some women included, hate about women. If she were elected president she would set the opinion of women in France back 50 years as all the negative stereotypes would be reinforced. I'm not saying I agree with this, but she would never ever command the respect necessary. (Please don't flame me).

Plus, she literally has no clue about national or international politics. If you listen to her talk she avoids questions like no other politician I have ever seen.

Her strong point is in her role as President of the Poitou Charente region where she has done a lot of good and has done her best to regenerate business and tourism. She is very well respected there, as far as I know. She is passionate about her local politics, and I think it would be best for everyone if she remained there.

That's interesting Cheria, thanks. Which negative stereotypes do you think she reinforces?

'If you listen to her talk she avoids questions like no other politician I have ever seen'

What, worse than Sarah Palin???

I think it's telling that the French have more confidence in Merkel than in Sarkozy when it comes to the economy.

Can we not elect Merkel president of France as well? Pretty please? :)

I think Segolene Royal is given the treatment that she is, in part, because she is a woman.

I watched the debates, etc when she was running against Sarkozy and thought she did very well and came across as a solid and passionate politician.

I wouldn't say she so much avoids questions, as states that she is not in a position to answer certain things. I prefer the sort of politician who says - "that is a question that cannot be answered with a soundbite or with crowd pleasing placation" than the type who makes promises they know they won't keep once they get elected. I think she is an old fashioned sort of politician and in the days of media and political marketing, she isn't appreciated.

France isn't ready for a female president - the country is far too backward.

Oooh Theala can you imagine the scandalous headlines in the Daily Mail. "Germany merges with France - it's the beginning fo the EUSSR Superpower"

Yes, Josie, as bad as if not worse than Sarah Palin, who is another woman who, if elected, would set us back 50 years. In fact I find Sarah Palin reinforces a lot of negative stereotypes too.

I am not against women in politics please no-one think that (I am a massive fan of Hilary Clinton, and of Martine Aubry until recently, and of Christine Lagarde and Rachida Dati).

But Ségolène comes across as very hypocritical, all things to all people, weak, inconsistent and sometimes a little hysterical. If she were a man she wouldn't have got as far as she has done, in fact. I'm not saying that these are female characteristics, but they are our stereotypes, like it or not.

She also pretends to be a socialist when she is anything but. Martine Aubry may come from a rich background (I can't remmeber) but you do get the impression that when she talks to us plebs she doesn't flinch as if we are the great unwashed, and she genuinely seems to try and understand the problems we face. Ségo just doesn't cut it as someone who cares.

Beachcomber I watched the debates and thought the opposite.

And I'd agree, France is in no way ready for a female president. Look at what happened when we had a female PM with Cresson.

'as bad as if not worse than Sarah Palin, who is another woman who, if elected, would set us back 50 years'

Couldn't agree more! Thanks for your very detailed replies, I appreciate it

You're welcome.

Hmm, I'm not as down on Ségo as you are, Cheria. I think Beachcomber is right in some respects, that she is unfairly criticized for many things because she is a woman. However, I do think that she lacks the wherewithal to be president. I just don't think she's solid enough, on a personal level, and not "as a woman".

Flicking through the news headlines just now, Aubry is getting more and more support. I'd like to see her get it, despite the pollution from the DSK affair.

Yeah I think she is the best of the socialists. Hollande kind of reminds me of Dave Cameron and not at all in a good way. Just don't quite trust him. I'm not sure how competent Aubry is, but I trust her, and she does command respect.

Beachcomber - among Ségolène's many failings is that she cannot do basic arithmetic. She makes all sorts of promises to people but has absolutely no way of paying for the delivery of those promises.

France, like all other Western economies, desperately needs a president with a firm grasp of economics. Look where years and years of leaders without a firm grasp of economics have got us.

And, yes, Cameron does have a firm grasp of economics. Unlike his predecessor, who overspent cash he didn't have and it is now (a) painful for those from who that cash is being removed (b) going to way on future generations who will have to repay what has been borrowed.

"France isn't ready for a female president - the country is far too backward."

Is it really more backward than India in 1966 or Turkey in 1993?

Segolene is the wrong person to lead the country and that is why she is unelectable. Not because she is a woman.

cheria is there a good way to be reminded of David Cameron? And theala - you sure you'd want Merkel? Never forget, Thatcher was a woman, but of absolutely no benefit to women in general. Same with Palin - look at their policies on eg childcare. Not good.

No alice. Though I do at being told by bonsoir that he has a good grasp of economics. I have seen no evidence of this at all, anywhere.

But this.. is... not.. the... thread... to rant about Cameron. Except to say that whenever I see him on TV I praise the skies I don't live in the UK and wasn't responsible for voting in the revolting little man.

Sorry for the hijack!

Good point Cheria. But let's be aware that there are plenty of women politicians out there whose only good point is they're unlikely to rape anybody.

Nah, I was actually just being facetious alice. I don't think I could ever actually bring myself to vote for a conservative.

YY, Cameron/Osborne/Clegg - economic policy GB growth is around 0% now. Going well, then. Good luck with that, Dave.

Ségolène has never held a serious ministerial post in any gvmt. She has no high-level political experience outwith her local region - where, I agree, she seems to be appreciated.

DH went to one of her rallies prior to the previous election, as his mother was going, and he said she seemed to think she was some kind of strange Messiah, acting in an oddly evangelistic way.

I do agree that she is often criticised for stereotypically 'female' failings (being shrill, hysterical, etc.), but there is a bit of an image problem there that she could address, frankly. Her answers to questions are often a tad vague, too...

Aubry is sadly too dour. Hollande seems clever but boring. DSK did seem to be a potential candidate with economic sense, until he showed his true colours.

but anyway - back to the plot : DSK. What can we do in the French 'Socialist' party to halt the rehab of this alleged rapist?

Can't do anything and as the weeks go by it will get worse and worse

In The Guardian they were saying that a lot of Socialist Party members see him as a liability, though not necessarily believing the accusations. So - mixed result. Good luck to Osez la feminisme at the conference!

Good Lord.

Toby Young reaches new low. Here.

I feel sickened by this man's smug, MRA attitudes in a mainstream broadsheet.

Oh good, a new reason to hate Toby Young! Hope the middle classes recognise his value in their daughters' lives.