Dominique Strauss-Kahn Gets 'No Sympathy' From Bloomberg, Digs Smiley Face Emoticons
The French are concerned about images of the jailed IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, accused of rape, in NYPD handcuffs, because pictures that depict a suspect detained work counter to justice, according to French law. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has little worry about that -- or concern for justice, seemingly -- telling reporters that being photographed in custody "is humiliating, but if you don't want to do the perp walk, don't do the crime." He added, "I don't have a lot of sympathy for that." Now, sure, that's how a New Yorker is supposed to respond to whining, but Bloomberg seems to be forgetting that in America, too, we let a judge and jury decide if someone did or did not "do the crime."
Bloomberg also said Rikers Island without bail was a good choice for Strauss-Kahn, who was deemed a flight risk. "He would be the kind of person who has a good chance of fleeing and France does not have an extradition treaty with the United States," said the mayor, implying that the IMF boss is really rich and politically powerful, which he is.
Strauss-Kahn faces allegations that he tried to rape a maid at Manhattan's Sotifel hotel near Times Square last weekend, and it's that sort of supposed seediness that gets him a profile in today's New York Times. "Yes, I like women," Strauss-Kahn is quoted as saying. "So what?"
He's called "flamboyant," with "an impressive intellect, great charm and restless energy," and like any powerful man internationally, "his flaws have been accepted because of his accomplishments." At the age of 62, he's also technologically savvy and the Times slips in this humanizing gem (emphasis ours):
Traveling constantly, Mr. Strauss-Kahn is known to carry two BlackBerrys with him -- one encrypted and the other not -- to stay in constant touch. Those on the receiving end say his messages often come adorned with two smiley faces.
If he indeed forced a woman to perform oral sex on him, as is charged, this instantly becomes less cute and totally creepy.
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