Strauss-Kahn New York Case May Curb Libertine Ways of Powerful French Men

[stevedeshazer]

The sexual escapades of powerful men in France have always been met with Gallic shrugs. Not anymore.

The arrest in New York of former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn on charges of attempted rape is forcing men to watch what they say and emboldening women to challenge the modern-day version of France’s “droit de cuissage,” a feudal practice giving masters the right to have sex with female servants. It’s prompting introspection in the media over whether its laissez-faire attitude toward private lives of those in power helps them act with impunity.

“Since power is often thought of as an aphrodisiac, there was a sort of acceptance of men’s excesses toward women,” said Rachel Mulot, a member of a feminist group called “La Barbe,” or The Beard, which on May 22 joined protests in Paris against the “dominant male.” The Strauss-Kahn case may serve as a trigger to help victims of sexual assaults to break the “taboo of rape” in France, she said.

Strauss-Kahn, 62, was indicted May 19 on charges of criminal sex, attempted rape, sexual abuse, unlawful imprisonment and forcible touching of a 32-year-old maid at the Sofitel hotel in Manhattan. The former French finance minister, who had been a leading contender for next year’s presidential elections, denies the allegations and will plead not guilty, his lawyers say. DSK, as he’s known in France, is under house arrest in Manhattan.

Okay, I guess I am a prude. I didn't know rape was cool in France.

Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-23/strauss-kahn-new-york-case-may-curb-libertine-ways-of-powerful-french-men.html

[sabrina 1]

1. It wasn't.

Maybe the case will curb the libertine ways of powerful American men??

I doubt it ~

As for powerful men everywhere, nothing will change because there will always be women who like being around them. And if you believe in freedom of choice, I guess if women choose to do so, that is their choice.

The 'libertine' ways of powerful men in DC continued unabated, after the Clinton/Monica affair despite the fact that the same issues were discussed endlessly in the very same way this case is being discussed now.

This time next year, this case will be forgotten, powerful men will still be fooling around, and we'll be deeply analyzing something else.

[seabeyond]

3. the people in this country themselves are standing up and taking notice of an issue that has been

abusive to woman. the people themselves are doing it.

what the hell could be your motivation to ignore or dismiss something we should be applauding? it makes no sense what so ever

[sufrommich]

4. The Clinton/Monica affair was an affair. Are you comparing it

to a rape ?

[seabeyond]

2. 10% of rape reported leaving 90% rape unreported. the women in country seems to think a problem

exists regardless of what the diehard defenders on du say.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=1149874&mesg_id=1151704

lots of good articles in this thread.