Arrest of Dominique Strauss-Kahn

[August1991]

... as reconstructed by a Chinese TV station:

Link

Edited May 17, 2011 by August1991

[kimmy]

... as reconstructed by a Chinese TV station:

-k

[August1991]

Some key quotes. The brother of the alleged victim:

'I trust the American justice system and will let it do what it has to do,' he said.

'I want him to see justice. Justice will be served'.

...

The woman was described by her brother as a "good Muslim," the mother of 9-year-old girl and "not the kind of woman to attack a man."

London Daily Mail

NY Daily News:

The victim is in hiding. Neighbors say she has a teenage daughter and that she always wears an Islamic head scarf and worked long hours. "She was very private," said neighbor Mark Gangadeen. "This is a good person."

This is much bigger news in France than it is in the US. In the US, it's the story of some European politician charged with rape. It is only noteworthy because it happened in the US and falls under New York law.

In France, it falls like a bombshell and already some (generally on the left) are calling it a set-up. There are references to American 'cowboy justice'. To put it in context, imagine if this were 2014, Harper down in the polls, the Liberals nowhere in sight and a newly moderate, electable "shiatsu Jack Layton" were charged with rape in a NY hotel.

In addition, there is an ugly undercurrent: DSK is Jewish and the alleged victim is a devout Muslim. This scandal has it all. But like any court case or any scientific experiment, let's keep an open-mind until shown convincing proof.

Edited May 18, 2011 by August1991

[bloodyminded]

Some key quotes. The brother of the alleged victim:London Daily Mail

NY Daily News:

This is much bigger news in France than it is in the US. In the US, it's the story of some European politician charged with rape. It is only noteworthy because it happened in the US and falls under New York law.

In France, it falls like a bombshell and already some (generally on the left) are calling it a set-up. There are references to American 'cowboy justice'. To put it in context, imagine if this were 2014, Harper down in the polls, the Liberals nowhere in sight and a newly moderate, electable "shiatsu Jack Layton" were charged with rape in a NY hotel.

In addition, there is an ugly undercurrent: DSK is Jewish and the alleged victim is a devout Muslim. This scandal has it all. But like any court case or any scientific experiment, let's keep an open-mind until shown convincing proof.

The Left should be happy--not at the alleged rape, of course, not that anyone seems to care about the alleged victim as much as they do about "the effect on global finance" as the capitalist hero falls--but at what is undoubtedly the end of this man's potential political success.

It's true he openly wished to reform some IMF policies and reflexes, and that the reforms were arguably more aligned with a left-leaning vision...a left-leaning vision of capitalism, not outright socialism, mind you. And that, from what I hear, this had aroused some controversy over the "austerity measures" junkies among the global financial class.

But overall, he is not much of a leftist, and is certainly no socialist. So I don't know why leftists would want him as "Socialist" party leader.

Edited May 18, 2011 by bloodyminded

[WIP]

But overall, he is not much of a leftist, and is certainly no socialist. So I don't know why leftists would want him as "Socialist" party leader.

It's what usually happens in a two party system. The British Labour Party isn't the same Party it was in the 1920's, at the end of WWI. If the Liberals have really collapsed into permanent obscurity like many believe, the NDP will keep repositioning itself to try to occupy everything left of the Conservatives.

[WIP]

It's hard to verify some of the preliminary information, but one disturbing fact that the New York Post is running with, is that the Hotel management waited 3 hours before alerting the police. It looks like that one law for the rich/one law for the poor situation, where they seemed to be trying to give him the head start he needed to get back to France and evade arrest and prosecution.

[jbg]

Well he's being held without bail (link); hardly "justice for the rich".

In any event, a Gordon Lightfoot song, actually written by a "McKeon" weighs in on this transaction (link to lyrics), albeit a few years earlier:

I was sittin' in my hotel room, strummin' my old guitar

Not much to do when you're far away, playin' some smokey bar

I was feelin' a little empty and feelin' a little blue

When the maid came in and asked me if she could do my room

I put down my old guitar and she gave me a smile

She had a crusty voice and a drinker's look, but she had a friendly style

She dusted my room and made my bed and she talked of days gone by

She spoke of when she wooed the men; a tear came to her eye

And she said

I used to be a country singer

I could sing a mean Patsy Cline

My husband he could yodel like Wilf Carter

Kitty Wells was a real good friend of mine

[Topaz]

I just read that 60 % think this guy being setup, only time will tell. Who will be the new head of the World Bank?

[bush_cheney2004]

I just read that 60 % think this guy being setup, only time will tell. Who will be the new head of the World Bank?

Russel Williams?

[guyser]

Russel Williams?

Russel Peters would be better.

If any country didnt pay up well............"Somebodies going to get a beating !"

[Smallc]

Russel Peters would be better.

If any country didnt pay up well............"Somebodies going to get a beating !"

No no, it's, "Somebody's gonna get a hurt real bad."

[guyser]

No no, it's, "Somebody's gonna get a hurt real bad."

I stand corrected, thank you big c!

[WIP]

I just read that 60 % think this guy being setup, only time will tell. Who will be the new head of the World Bank?

There is a conspiracy theory that he might have been set up because as IMF director, he was working with a group that wants to replace the US Dollar as the world's reserve currency. Even if that's true, there is such a long history of bad behaviour that was covered up and even ridiculed by comedians in France, that he may as well put a bullseye target on his head. The story is similar to Eliot Spitzer being taken down because he was investigating Goldman-Sachs and other major Wall Street firms. His penchant for high priced hookers was already inside knowledge just waiting to pop up at an inopportune time.

[Bob]

I think it's a setup, too. But of course I could be totally wrong. Time will tell.

[Moonlight Graham]

If this is true, just another foul smell coming out of the offices of IMostlyFail

Also, i had a bit of trouble paying attention to the clip, all i really heard was "ching chang chong!! Bing bang ching chang!" etc.

I kid, i kid.

[Rue]

In addition, there is an ugly undercurrent: DSK is Jewish and the alleged victim is a devout Muslim.

Actually the press here in Canada avoided the above references and so they should have. This has nothing to do with either's religious beliefs and everything to do with sexual assault.

If this man raped her, her being Muslim or his being Jewish is not the reason for the crime-his decision to use sex as a violent weapon against a woman who did not consent to it is.

To put it bluntly-whether he's Jewish, Christian, Muslim if he raped her he is a criminal. If that is the case her religious or ethnic status is not the issue, her being a victim of a crime is.

I trust the press not to miss the above point so far they haven't.

From what I gather this man has had a sexual violence problem for some time.

As a general rule a man who rapes has not just done it once when he gets caught. Its very rare he gets caught the first time.

Then again I suppose he is innocent until proven guilty. Interestingly in France he would be considered guilty until proven innocent.

[bjre]

It is said that IMF Chief Jailed For Discovering All US Gold Is Gone

http://www.eutimes.net/2011/05/russia-says-imf-chief-jailed-for-discovering-all-us-gold-is-gone/

According to this FSB secret report, Strauss-Kahn had become “increasingly concerned” earlier this month after the United States began “stalling” its pledged delivery to the IMF of 191.3 tons of gold agreed to under the Second Amendment of the Articles of Agreement signed by the Executive Board in April 1978 that were to be sold to fund what are called Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) as an alternative to what are called reserve currencies.

This FSB report further states that upon Strauss-Kahn raising his concerns with American government officials close to President Obama he was ‘contacted’ by ‘rogue elements’ within the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) who provided him ‘firm evidence’ that all of the gold reported to be held by the US ‘was gone’.

Upon Strauss-Kahn receiving the CIA evidence, this report continues, he made immediate arrangements to leave the US for Paris, but when contacted by agents working for France’s General Directorate for External Security (DGSE) that American authorities were seeking his capture he fled to New York City’s JFK airport following these agents directive not to take his cell-phone because US police could track his exact location.

Once Strauss-Kahn was safely boarded on an Air France flight to Paris, however, this FSB report says he made a ‘fatal mistake’ by calling the hotel from a phone on the plane and asking them to forwarded the cell-phone he had been told to leave behind to his French residence, after which US agents were able to track and apprehend him.

Edited June 3, 2011 by bjre

[TimG]

It is said that IMF Chief Jailed For Discovering All US Gold Is Gone

Of course the arrest of DSK did nothing to stop this "news" from coming out. This makes the claims of a link to be nothing more than the ramblings of a conspiracy theorist.

BTW - I have heard unconfirmed reports that DSK will argue that the rape was consensual. If correct it would demonstrate that these charges are based on events which did occur and the only issue is the interpretation.

[bloodyminded]

BTW - I have heard unconfirmed reports that DSK will argue that the rape was consensual. If correct it would demonstrate that these charges are based on events which did occur and the only issue is the interpretation.

???

If DSK "will argue that the rape was consensual" (a nonsensical statement) that will demonstrate no rape occurred?

Edited June 3, 2011 by bloodyminded

[TimG]

If DSK "will argue that the rape was consensual" (a nonsensical statement) that will demonstrate no rape occurred?

Obviously DSK is not arguing that he did not rape anyone because the sexual contact was consensual. However, by admitting that sexual contact occurred he excludes the possibility that the charges were a fabrication by people who wanted to silence him. Edited June 3, 2011 by TimG

[bloodyminded]

Obviously DSK is not arguing that he did not rape anyone because the sexual contact was consensual. However, by admitting that sexual contact occurred he excludes the possibility that the charges were a fabrication by people who wanted to silence him.

OK, I getcha. But the term "consensual rape" (understandably, to be fair to me) threw me off.

[Sir Bandelot]

Obviously DSK is not arguing that he did not rape anyone because the sexual contact was consensual. However, by admitting that sexual contact occurred he excludes the possibility that the charges were a fabrication by people who wanted to silence him.

It's an important distinction. But did he actually make a statement of any kind such as this, or are you just helping to promote rumours without substantiation.

[fellowtraveller]

However, by admitting that sexual contact occurred he excludes the possibility that the charges were a fabrication by people who wanted to silence him.

That makes no sense. He can easily admit to consensual sex while claiming the charges of coerced sex are a setup.

He'll have to take something like this route unless he finds a way to explain his semen on her dress.

Too bad Johnny Cochran is dead, this could have been a great trial.

[jbg]

That makes no sense. He can easily admit to consensual sex while claiming the charges of coerced sex are a setup.

He'll have to take something like this route unless he finds a way to explain his semen on her dress.

Agreed, this is the defense I'd expect.

Too bad Johnny Cochran is dead, this could have been a great trial.

Johnny did a great job defending an innocent client.

[WIP]

Since this thread is still plodding along, I just want to mention that DSK's sexual assault of this woman should be regarded as his 2nd offense....since she may have been forced to emigrate to America in search of work largely because of the ruinous IMF loans that were forced on her place of origin - the West African nation of Guinea. Send DSK over there to be put on trial!