As a devotee of Sphinctera the Vengeful Bladder Goddess here in very rural SE France, I am often up in the wee-wee hours. Thus I can lay claim to being one of the very first people in France to see the story as it broke about Dominique Strauss-Kahn's arrest for attempted rape in New York City. Who is he? More about DSK (as he is commonly referred to on this side of The Pond) below the fold.
Who is DSK?
Dominique Strauss-Kahn is the head of the International Monetary Fund, to which he was appointed in no small measure due to the efforts of France's least-popular president ever, Nicolas ("5% approval rating not long ago, no place to go but up") Sarkozy. Sarkozy, head of the center-right party as well as head of state, saw DSK, a prominent member of the Parti Socialiste, as a dangerous rival in the upcoming presidential election. Indeed, very recent polls showed DSK beating Sarkozy by several points in 2012. People were expecting DSK to announce his candidacy any day now.
(Aside: OMG, I get to vote in two presidential elections next year! Oh beautiful for spacious skies! Aux armes, citoyens!... but I digress.)
Anyway, this is the start of a great day for Sarkozy. If any of this story is true, it's au revoir, cher ami for the presumed frontrunner, and he is toast at the IMF. To say that this is a huge bombshell to drop on the French political landscape is an understatement.
What is DSK accused of?
(Note: I no longer link to NYTimes stories.) Per the Washington Post's account (referenced above) and that of the UK's Guardian, a maid came in to clean DKS's hotel room. He came out of the bathroom totally naked and allegedly threw her down and either tried to rape her outright or forced her to perform oral sex. When she escaped, so did he—leaving behind his cellphone and other personal effects. NY police caught up to him on the tarmac at JFK and took him out of his first-class seat on what would have been his flight back to Paris.
France's Le Figaro had the story up about 30 minutes after it broke—at least an hour ahead of Le Monde. Of course, this sordid tale is now the headline of the day. DSK won't be meeting with Germany's Angela Merkel today, that much seems clear. (Thus perhaps briefly postponing even more painful austerity measures to be imposed upon the backs of Irish, Greek, and Portuguese workers rather than punishing the truly deserving corporate and political robber barons... but again I digress.)
What is a "zizi"?
If you hadn't already guessed, it's French slang for "penis."
...And again, I have to ask, what the hell is it with these powerful guys and their zizis? Do they somehow think that women are receptive to forced copulation with an alpha male (as they clearly think of themselves)? Are these mecs incapable of thinking about consequences? (These are, by the way, rhetorical questions.)
How art the mighty fallen.Updated by mofembot at Sun May 15, 2011 at 01:02 AM PDT
DSK has been charged and has entered a plea of not guilty. Remains to be seen if he will be released on bail and allowed to leave the USA pending trial.
Updated by mofembot at Sun May 15, 2011 at 04:43 AM PDT
Gee, the rec list? Clearly, timing is everything. Merci beaucoup.
Updated by mofembot at Sun May 15, 2011 at 12:43 PM PDT
From the French press (Le Monde live feed; warning, may take a little time to load): Jorge Tito, le directeur de l'hôtel où séjournait Dominique Strauss-Kahn: "...Nous tenons a préciser que notre employée travaille au Sofitel NY depuis 3 ans et donne entière satisfaction tant en ce qui concerne la qualité de son travail que de son comportement."
Quick translation: Jorge Tito, manager of the hotel where DSK lodged: "We wish to state that our employee [the chambermaid] has worked at Sofitel NY for three years and has given complete satisfaction in terms of the quality of her work as well as of her comportment."
Doesn't sound like a nutcase or publicity hound or paid operative to me.