International Impropriety Watch
The Code-of-Conduct compliant term for the act of which Dominique Strauss-Kahn stands accused is an impropriety. Just because he did it doesn't mean we need to describe it in detail here on our family-friendly Anglo-Saxon website.
Having issued this caution, I note this article in the Times of London. It was written in 2007.
In what many see as a further attempt to undermine the Socialist opposition, Sarkozy, who last week marked his first 100 days in office, has been vociferously promoting Strauss-Kahn’s IMF candidacy: it would remove him to Washington from where he could hardly play much of a role in the looming Socialist leadership contest.
However, Libération, the left-wing newspaper, said Strauss-Kahn, whom it described as a “seductive epicurean”, might be a liability in Washington. It said his flirtatious behaviour sometimes “verges on harassment” and that this would not go down well among “Anglo-Saxons”.
“They do not forgive misplaced gestures or words,” wrote Jean Quatremer, the veteran Brussels correspondent.
“It would suffice for DSK to corner a secretary behind a desk to trigger an immediate media frenzy in the United States and France would not come out of it unharmed.”
Strauss-Kahn may have more of a future in Paris, where he is considered the only figure on the left to pose a serious threat to Sarkozy.
There's really not much doubt that of the world's prominent political figures, DSK was the leading candidate for arrest on charges of impropriety:
In 2009 the radio satirist Stephane Guillon dedicated his morning comedy slot on France Inter to DSK's "obsession with females".
"Exceptional security measures have been taken here at Radio France in order not to awaken the beast ... In order to guarantee the safety of personnel, female workers must wear long, dark, unrevealing clothes that are anti-sex. High heels, leather pants and chic lingerie are banned. The head of information, who will greet DSK, will wear a burqa.
"Dark corners like the toilets, car park, some cupboards, have been momentarily closed off." He added: "But no panic. We have put bromide in his coffee ... and we have two cameras, the usual one on the table and a second under it."
He's going to have quite some trouble persuading anyone in France that this is a Sarkozy-orchestrated smear. His name has been synonymous with impropriety for years.
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Comments :
Oct '10
Re: International Impropriety Watch
Maybe Tiger dropped out of the Players Championship to counsel him.
Jan '11
Re: International Impropriety Watch
I just generally distrust anyone with a hyphenated name.
May '10
Re: International Impropriety Watch
Persecuted by American bluenoses. This could be an electoral windfall.
Jun '10
Re: International Impropriety Watch
"Synonymous with Impropriety" not as catchy as "Vlad the Impaler" but, still, quite an epitaph.
Re: International Impropriety Watch
There was, I believe, a sexual harassment complaint against Strauss-Kahn at the IMF.
May '10
Re: International Impropriety Watch
Interesting metaphor for the relationship between the American Taxpayer and the IMF.
Or President Obama and the media for that matter (although in that case duress is not involved).
Dec '10
Re: International Impropriety Watch
I rather enjoyed the disclosure that this socialist champion of the little guy was staying in a $3,000 per night suite and had an arrangement with Air France whereby he could do a first class walk-on on any of their flights. Solidarity!
May '10
Re: International Impropriety Watch
At $3000/night he evidently felt entitled to free room service.
Oct '10
Re: International Impropriety Watch
This guy should go to jail.
Aug '10
Re: International Impropriety Watch
Are all of these French politicians crooked ?
Which one of them since deGaulle hasn't been indicted ?
Edited on May 15, 2011 at 1:13pmJun '10
Re: International Impropriety Watch
yeah, we (modern) anglo-saxons -- as much as our ancestors may have taken advantage of a bar-wench or two -- tend to frown on rape of hotel maids. Not as enlightened as the french, I suppose.
Nov '10
Re: International Impropriety Watch
Gives new meaning to the initials IMF.
Dec '10
Re: International Impropriety Watch
We, too, send our socialists to Washington where, alas, they often embarrass us.