The Bishop and the Butterfly: Murder, Politics, and the End of the Jazz Age
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    Dominique Strauss-Kahn: Simple Libertine, or Aggravated Procurer? (#can't catch a break...)

    By jollyroger on Tue, 03/27/2012 - 2:14am |

    Just as the Democrats dodged a bullet when John Edwards' primary fortunes went south, soon followed by his reputation for probity, so too did the French Socialist Party, (hopefully to be the party of the new president after Francois Hollande opens a can of run-off whup-fesses on Nicolas Sarkozy), when Strauss-Kahn availed himself of something from the in-room hospitality bar at Sofitel.

    Had his career not cratered here in New York, he would have been just about to enter the lists against Sarkozy (who may have outsmarted himself, if indeed, he was the author of DSK's ensnarement in the attempted rape contretemps) when his frolic at a bunch of run-of-the-mill orgies in Lille resulted in the current charges that he did more than wave his flagpole, but actually flew the pimp flag itself.

    I'm not sure if it's been a really, really bad decade for the high-testosterone crowd, but between S.C. Governor Sanford (the Appalachian Hootchi-Koo), Edwards, Strauss Kahn and Nevada (ex) Senator Ensign, we have had a deluge of potential presidents laid low by virtue of questionable virtue.

    In the case of DSK, lest we wonder how he could so soon "re-offend" after barely escaping the clutches of New York justice and Riker's Island, it should be noted that the parties at issue pre-dated the episode at the Sofitel.

    That said, and pausing to wonder how it can be that "Consorting with prostitutes is legal in France but supplying prostitutes to others is illegal"(I thought they were so soigne...), we look on in amazement at the hi-jinks of the high and mighty.

    And we all thought that "Ma, ma, where's my pa, gone to the White House, ha, ha, ha" was so out of date as a political slogan.  Anyway, it turned out better for Grover Cleveland than DSK.

    Considering Grover Cleveland, maybe John Edwards could have survived the love-child brouhaha, if only he hadn't been cheating on the sainted Elizabeth. 

    Personally, I think back fondly on JFK, whose hand I shook as a boy.  If I had known then where that hand had been, I might never have washed mine again.  (Marilyn Monroe, ya feel me?.)

    Comments

    It think there should be a twitter hashtag along the lines of

    French culture has a misogyny problem

    It's clearly time, after many centuries, for Frenchmen of power to stop hiding behind some incredibly twisted skirts of chevalerie.

    Donal had a perfect anecdote in his "Losing Our Marbles" post, ending in: I told that story to my French African colleague, and he laughed and said, "Only a Frenchman would say that." \

    Libertine, my ass.....

    ("Arrogant twits" is really what I want to say.  Sometime it seems as if some need to bashed on the head with a bust of Marianne)


    by artappraiser on Tue, 03/27/2012 - 4:31pm

    I'm no twitterati, but perhaps #frenchmisogny would be a succinct enough hashtag?


    by Verified Atheist on Tue, 03/27/2012 - 4:31pm

    But...but.. Jeanne D'Arc! Simone de Beauvoir!

    by jollyroger on Tue, 03/27/2012 - 6:43pm

    Every orgy I've ever attended you can always tell who the professionals are; girls way too cute for the old guys they're with. Only in France, by the way, is " libertine" the exculpatory fallback. What exactly is the aggravation rendering ordinary procurement an enhanced offense?


    by jollyroger on Tue, 03/27/2012 - 6:52pm

    As President of The American Mentors for Politicians Engaging in Nooky (TAMPEN.COM), I can speak for thousands who believe politicians need to let off some steam following a tough day counting bribes and speaking on behalf of their fundraisers.

    I mean, picture it. You are away from home, away from your spouse and your mistresses and you have to take money from folks you really cannot stand!

    What the hell are you supposed to do whilst waiting in your hotel room for a clean shirt and underthings (along with shined shoes)? You cannot buy porn because the purchase will appear on your credit card.

    Video games can only take you so far.

    And your computer is being raided constantly by officials pursuant to our Patriot Acts.

    If we do not support giving a little aid and comfort to our politicians we will be left with angry mean and mentally deranged radicals like Sanctorum who will eventually lead us into nuclear war.

     

    TAMPEN.COM would appreciate your contributions. (Minimal gift: $150.00. I mean I (we) have to make a living!)

     


    by Richard Day on Wed, 03/28/2012 - 4:07pm

    Right there with you DoubleD I can see the marketing campaign now: We get Prince Charles as the spokesman. He is dialing on the phone and turns to the camera and says:"It's good to be the king...but it's better to be a tampon"... we get in the Mel Brooks homage. It'll kill.

    by jollyroger on Wed, 03/28/2012 - 6:22pm

    EGGSACTLY! HAHAHAHAH


    by Richard Day on Wed, 03/28/2012 - 6:34pm

    btw, this is one tough room I thought the dropping of "every orgy I ever attended" would at least draw a giggle..

    by jollyroger on Wed, 03/28/2012 - 6:52pm

    Yeah that's a good line. I laughed.

    But remember, you ended up on the front page--which I predicted would never happen. hahahahahhahahahahah

    Take your victory and have a bong on me. hahahahahahahaha

    Hypocrisy is everywhere and you always remind me of such!

    Good for you!


    by Richard Day on Wed, 03/28/2012 - 7:05pm

    That server's startin' to wheeze again

    by jollyroger on Wed, 03/28/2012 - 6:29pm