How the Media's Getting the Strauss-Kahn, Ensign Scandals Wrong

Not to put too fine a point on it but, while a French municipality is conducting a preliminary investigation, Dominique Strauss-Kahn has NOT been charged with anything whatsoever (although he has been arrested, imprisoned, fined and had his rights severely curtailed several times in the past months). Before everyone nods, winks and snorts up their sleeves, it might be worth remembering that until one year ago he was a pivotal independent in the volatile , highly politicized world of international economics. There were many who wished to see him removed from that position and the IMF severely hobbled. What has taken place in the European economy since his oversight was removed must surely be evident to everyone. More importantly, he wanted to see the world move to a single, global currency - a move which, if effected could undermine US hegemony around the world - and he had already commenced to set the foundations for such a total overhaul in the way the world does business. These are only two of the powerful forces opposing him. I've not even mentioned the particularly vicious French presedential campaign and concurrent chicanery that seems to have surrounded Sarkozy and his arch rival, DSK.

So, until DSK IS charged and found guilty of actual crime, isn't it a bit early to be casting him in the role of iconic sex abuser? In fact, if the "media has it wrong" regarding DSK, I'd say the muddled insistence that he MUST be guilty because, well, because a woman said so is either recklessly playing to the gallery or naive in the ultra extreme. As a woman myself, I'd truly prefer to believe that no woman ever lies about sex for personal advantage (i.e. cash, job advancement, husband entrapment etc.) but every woman knows at least one other of our fairer sex who has done exactly that. "Yes, but no woman would ever, ever lie about rape." Really? What is it about a play for millions of dollars that you fail to understand? Spill over celebrity is a plus for these women who usually run first to the press and later the police.

"But wait," you say, "of course he's guilty because..... because he's rich and powerful and his accusers are just poor prostitutes and an innocent immigration fraudster"- a mantra quickly taken up by the general public . (I hear you. Just because they're prostitutes doesn't mean they can't be raped. Just because she lied about rape before doesn't mean she wasn't raped this time, etc. Puh...leeze!) The whole non-case is bizarre. A French Revolutionary redux? You can almost here the old crone's knitting needles clicking. Like so many others before him DSK has been and is being subjected to a relentless "trial by media". When he is eventually cleared (assuming anyone ever gets around to laying any actual charges), the media will simply supply lots of stories and opinion pieces about how the rich and powerful get away with everything while reciting the whole history of alleged events all over and over again.

Carlita of WA 8:06AM June 02, 2012