Surprise! Dominique Strauss-Kahn (the head of the International Monetary Fund, now sitting in a Rikers jail cell after assaulting a housekeeper at the Sofitel hotel in New York), has fallen back on the same old rapist’s excuse: “She was asking for it.”
In case you come across yet another of these dinosaurs who still have the gall to insist that they’re the innocent victims of slutty women provoke them to rape, here’s a quick checklist:
— a toddler in the Congo: provocatively dressed?
— a prisoner being tortured: provocatively dressed?
— a 90-year-old great grandmother: provocatively dressed?
— Abner Louima: provocatively dressed?
— the newest arrival in the penitentiary: provocatively dressed?
— a civilian in wartime: provocatively dressed?
— Ned Beatty in ‘Deliverance‘: provocatively dressed?
— Catholic nuns in El Salvador: provocatively dressed?
— a hotel housekeeper: provocatively dressed?
Excuse me while I go throw up. More later.
I agree with you in theory. Except you forgot one thing : This guy is presumed innocent until he’s being condemned. I’m not saying he is innocent, and that doesn’t minimized the crime that rape is. I’m just saying that that little nuance, makes the difference between civilization and barbary.
I follow your blog and am always positively amazed by your judicious comments. But, with all due respect, not by this one.
DSK is not “sitting in a Rikers jail cell after assaulting a housekeeper at the Sofitel hotel” like you write. He’s sitting in jail because he’s *accused* of that crime and is waiting a fair trail.
I have to mention that I’m french and I always found that guy repulsive, arrogant and hypocrite, that I won’t be surprised if he was found guilty. But still, I’m also convinced that he has the right to a fair trial.
And I don’t forget the victim of course.
If you defend justice, you defend it in whatever case you’re speaking about. even the worse monster has the right to a fair trial. The presumption of innocence is what makes the difference between civilization and barbary, terrorism and state of right, fascism and democracy, radicalism and intelligence. Your country has a very long list of miscarriage of justice. Because american people often reacts with their emotions and not with their reason. I understand that, and I feel the same when the crime is so revolting. But Justice is not done through emotions.
I think I read on this blog that even Ben Laden should have had a trial. Would you give that beast a trial and not to DSK ?
I don’t feel any compassion or pity with this guy (I do with the victim though). It’s just a matter of civilization.
Moes — You underestimate what happens to rape victims in trials. They get raped all over again, and DSK’s lawyer has indicated he’s going to do just that. There’s nothing remotely ‘fair’ about such a trial.
DSK has already conceded the assault, arguing only that it was ‘consensual.’ i.e. that there was no way a young, black, refugee, widowed, working-class woman could possibly have not wanted sex with a wealthy, powerful, ageing, white man such as himself.
I think disgust, albeit an emotion, is the only logical reaction.
Shall we execute him now?
A trial might spoil the fun. H.
Lesley why you think world is polarized between man and woman.
Opposite sex are partner, not enemy of each other.
Its a high profile case, so everything is possible.
His political opponent Sarkozi is criminal minded.
DSK is filthy rich, it was easy for him to invite a high class prostitute, with kind of money he has, she will even play rape fetish with him, if thats where he get his kicks.
The guy has a history of abuse, so bright chances are he is guilty again but flip side could be , a poor lady was paid handsome money to incite and excite him sexually to exploit his inner weakness.
If beneficiary is criminal Sarkozi and his political party then wait until facts are disclosed in full.
Sarkozi is the same guy who used kick back money for his presidential campaigne, on the submarines sold to Pakistan Navy…11 French submarine technicians were also killed in this regard.
Herman, AJ — I am amazed at the speed with which you turn this into men v. women. And at the ease with which you take the word of a wealthy, powerful man against the word — and injuries — of a working-class, immigrant woman. Now she’s a prostitute? Are you trying to be as sleazy as his lawyer?
More re a fair trial later today.
Lesley if I am accusing anyone then I am accusing another man(Sarkozi) against this man.
But still I am not accusing anyone…I am waiting to see facts unfold…until then everything is possible.
I think a poor vulnerable woman could be equally bought as poor vulnerable man.
Women have a history to be used in high profile sex crimes and espionage, where they are played as a tool by wicked men.
If I could agree with you anything you said in last post…that would be
World is polarized between rich and poor.