OT - in support of NY State

[Mohoender]

You might all know what has been in the news front since yesterday in France, the arrest of the FMI Head in New York.

Over the past 24 hours, I have heard everything about it in France including the idea of trap set up for the man (who had been favorite in the run for our presidency). I have also heard several personalities expressing their chock in front of the NY states attitude and in front of the images shown.

For my part, I have not seen anything chocking but some crappy newspapers titles (always crappy anyway).

I have heard plenty (if not all) of our politicians/journalists declare that this is catastrophic for the image of France. I find what is happening much less damaging than ther own declaration.

More, important, I have heard only one french personality having some thoughts for the victim. If the man remains innocent until found guilty, it is not for them to imply that the victim is lying.

Indeed, I might think that the state of New York is slightly overreacting but, objectively, this is not the case in the face of France attitude over the past four years. We have publicly challenged judicial decision by several countries including one by the USA (california vs Polanski) basically declaring that american general attorneys and judges are corrupt politicians concerned only with their elections. Moreover, France is well known not to be collaborating in similar cases.

As a result, I find the NY states perfectly right in his attitude and just wanted to say if. Might not be the right place for it but it might be very frustrating sometimes to live in France.

[Panther Al]

Indeed. What I found interesting about it, and not to knock France since I work for a French company, is that the prior head of the IMF, Paul Wolfowitz, was fired for all intents at the instigation of France, with the fellow in question being one of the chief agitators, for giving his girlfriend a reasonably small raise.

Yet, not that long ago, the same mentioned fellow, while the head of the IMF, got a slap on the hand for having a extramarital affair, on the company dime. Nothing but a "Bad boy, no cookies for you.". Doesn't really give the Euro side of the IMF a very good image since a lot of talk is now about how they got rid of Wolfowitz, not for the raise, but because he was an American that was Bush's right hand man for a while.

[Targan]

At least one more alleged victim of Strauss-Kahn's libido has come forward. I guess it all could be a setup but I guess now we allow the legal process to run its course.

[Mohoender]

Originally Posted by Targan

At least one more alleged victim of Strauss-Kahn's libido has come forward. I guess it all could be a setup but I guess now we allow the legal process to run its course.

One has come up in France. She is a journalist, a writer and the daughter of a french socialist representative. Acutally, she had come up with her claim for some times but until now she has been silenced. From the beginning she wanted to reveal everything but her mother convinced her not to do it (another good point for the greatness of France).

[Legbreaker]

I heard the man has a bit of a reputation as a woman chaser, so is it any surprise somebody finally made a complaint which was acted upon? Seems it was just a matter of time until he got himself in hot water.

[Mohoender]

Originally Posted by Legbreaker

I heard the man has a bit of a reputation as a woman chaser, so is it any surprise somebody finally made a complaint which was acted upon? Seems it was just a matter of time until he got himself in hot water.

Indeed he has that reputation and it wouldn't be hot water if he had just been pressing. In France, this could even be a positive point. However, sexual assault is an entirely different matter and that might have serious consequences even if he is proven not guilty.

He could be in serious trouble due to the French way of thinking. For the French, when a man is handcuffed, he is guilty. However, that same situation might become a political advantage because we, French, perfectly know that you, American, are a bunch of barbaric savages addept at torture and death penalty.

Of course, I'm being sarcastic but I'm equally convinced that many french people might think in such a way.

[Legbreaker]

It's possible that in France his behaviour was quite normal but elsewhere in the world, not so much.
It's also possible that the maid has overreacted to his "normal" French behaviour (which was completely out of place in the US).
Mind you, for a man who's apparently so well travelled, you'd have thought he'd know better...

[Targan]

Originally Posted by Legbreaker

It's also possible that the maid has overreacted to his "normal" French behaviour (which was completely out of place in the US).

Even in France I doubt it is considered 'normal' for a naked stranger to try to force you to give him oral sex.

Allegedly of course...

[Legbreaker]

Alledgedly.....
Of course we've only heard the maid's side so far. It's possible (although I tend to doubt it) that he wandered out of the shower blissfully unaware she was there, and she screamed and ran out. Knowing that he was somebody important, she then made up a story to get her 15 minutes of fame.
All complete supposition of course...

[Mohoender]

She might have entered the room by mistake and he might have gone out of the shower unaware of her presence (It happened to me already). In that case, French regular behavior would be for both sides to appologies with embarrassment (sorry to break your romantic ideas about France).

Anyway, in US, my first move would have been to call room service right away to complain about that maid. Just covering as I consider a good part of american women to be nuts.

As I was in college, one of my friend asked a cop who had come to make a lecture how he could prevent himself from being charged with rape if he had occasional sex with an american woman. The cop simply answered him that his best option was to tape it (my friend married a Japanese). For my part, I chose to date Japanese, eastern europeans, south americans, Thai... Anyway, in each party as soon as you were known to be french, you would see a full line of football quarterback being formed around each american girl (damn has it been a pain to be french in an american college).

Overeaction could be an option but, so far, I have no reason to doubt her more than I doubt him.