Jamie Reidy comments on Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s most recent arrest.
According to CNN, the former IMF chief will be charged with “aggravated pimping” for his role in a high-class prostitution ring.
In December, Strauss-Kahn’s attorney, Henri Leclerc, acknowledged in an interview with radio station Europe1 that his client attended sex parties, but said Strauss-Kahn was unaware the women in attendance were prostitutes.
First of all, who do I hafta blow around here to get invited to sex parties?
Secondly, I am pretty psyched DSK isn’t my grandpa. That would just be weird. Plus, I’d be calling my friends to go out on Saturday night, and then they’d always be like, “Is your grand-pere going?” Then I’d be all, “Non,” and they’d be like, “Sorry, frere, mais I can’t make it.”
Third, why does DSK need hookers when he’s supposedly having all that consensual sex?
Why are we assuming he was unfaithful? Maybe he and his wife have an open marriage? This whole thing seems to be fuelled by two ideas: 1.Old white men shouldn’t be having sex because they’re ugly and I don’t want to think about that. 2.Someone accused him of raping her last year so any sex he has should be treated with suspicion. I really don’t get the direction the moral outrage is going. If he cheated on his wife? Shame on him, but its noone else’s business. If he paid someone for sex, ok, its a crime in many countries,… Read more »
Not jealous of his getting hookers. Definitely jealous of the sex parties!
I can smell somebody is jealous of others’ conquest.
Well, unless the pimps are Michael Keaton and Henry Winkler, I assume the prostitutes are in an abusive employee-manager relationship.
NIGHT SHIFT is my favorite comedy!
Okay but could that have more to do with your preconceived ideas of prostitution rather than actual stats about prostitution? I don’t think there is anything inherently abusive about prostitution or owning a brothel. I think the industry is ripe for abuse because it’s so completely unregulated, and that’s true of any industry…just look at the crap that went on in the financial industry as it became less and less regulated.
That argument works equally well against the legalisation of alcohol. “Its run by criminals therefore it should be a crime.” For that matter it works equally well against the legalisation of pizza (if pizza were illegal).
I have a major problem with infidelity.
The way they handle prostitution in France (not sure if it’s the same in all of Europe) makes sense to me: no pimps. The prostitutes can ply their trade, but pimps get charged.
I loved that DSK got hit with “aggravated pimping.” Sounds like a fake band name or something.
I have a problem with infidelity too…so like I said that aspect of it is repugnant. But it isn’t just married people who use prostitutes… The way the UK does it is a bit different; owning a brothel or being a pimp is illegal, but it’s not just that. A John can be charged with a crime if the prostitute was coerced, even if he doesn’t know the prostitute was coerced…and that’s a bit idiotic I think. I get that they’re trying to combat sex trafficking, but like come on…what the heck is the John supposed to do if the… Read more »
“The way they handle prostitution in France (not sure if it’s the same in all of Europe) makes sense to me: no pimps. The prostitutes can ply their trade, but pimps get charged.” Its not the same in the rest of europe: over 30 completely different legal systems. For instance, Irish law currently criminalises johns, but not prostitutes. As usual with any law proposed by the rescue charities that come up with this stuff the groups run by actual prostitutes heavily oppose it. How in hell are they supposed to make money when their clients are worried about being arrested?… Read more »
DSK is a married man.
But, I guess you’d say “if his wife doesn’t mind…”
I think it’s shady.
Alright yeah, but then the problem isn’t that he’s involved in prostitution…..the problem is that he’s cheating on his wife.
I’m just curious about whether you have a problem with prostitution in general, or is it just because it’s DSK? And if you do…I’m curious as to what problems you have with prostitution?
@Jamie
Reading your article again, I get the impression that your complaint is, “DSK is getting more than his fair share.” I hope I am wrong. This is a terrible way to see women.
I don’t personally like DSK. I am glad I will never meet him. Looking at him makes me think of body odor.
However, none of this means he is “not a good man.” Let him do what he wants. So what if he has more sex than most of us? Maybe he is a good lover, making lots of horny women really happy. Great for the horny women. Or maybe he is a lousy lover, making lots of horny women really frustreated. Great for the rest of us.
Who cares?
I’m with both you and Heather on this. Patronizing prostitutes doesn’t make someone a ‘bad man’ by any stretch.
The fact that it’s treated as a crime indicates a problem with our criminal-justice system, not Strauss-Kahn’s morality.
Now I am not a Srauss-Kahn fan by any stretch…but this is one of those times when I’m like…this is a crime…why? Unless the women in the prostitution ring were forced and/or abused…I don’t see why this should contribute negatively to Strauss-Kahn’s moral character.
But then, I’m someone who thinks prostitution should be legal and regulated.
I am sure DSK wishes you were his grandson
those Viagra-fuelled sex parties ain’t cheap
Um, you mean granddaughter. Don’t let the short hair in my avatar fool you…I’m a woman. 🙂
Anyway, like I said, I see no moral problem with “Viagra fuelled sex parties,” so long as everyone involved is a consenting adult. I still think Strauss-Kahn is a horrible human being…but his involvement with a prostitution ring isn’t one of the reasons for that.
I’m interested in hearing why you think prostitution is immoral?
ohgod. Though I still have to wonder whether or not the dramatic revealing of his not-a-good-guy-ness was done at a time chosen to discredit him.
Holy Mother Mary, Jamie.