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To Dave, of Devon, re 19/05/2011 01:45, and previous:

You said:

"I dread to think what would happen if I made a silly mistake whilst driving a hired car or absent-mindedly walked out of a store with something I hadn't paid for. I'd be facing guns and leg irons and years of litigation."

***

Dave, these are no more just speculations. The sentence above can only be labeled as uninformed and paranoid. Guns and leg irons for a traffic infraction or shopping absent-mindedness? Are you serious? You've visited the US several times and you should be able to come to an informed opinion. There are real differences between the US, the UK, Europe in general, and last but not least the rest of the world. It is helpful to stay real in our thinking.

On the other hand, your contribution will be quite useful to those Americans who've had no exposure to what otherwise reasonable people believe about their country. I've traveled extensively so it doesn't come as a surprise to me but I also know that many of my countrymen have no clue. In this respect your comments have provided some important and factual data points---about UK public opinion, not life in the US, of course---and through such lense also a great deal of understanding of the European response to the DSK affair that is incomprehensible to many Americans.

- Wellington, Colorado, USA, 19/05/2011 15:19
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Strange that the Americans are not happy that the head of the IMF is a European and Sarkozy is worried about a potential opponent and lo and behold he throws himself on his sword for them.
It's a stitch up which, now that he has resigned, will fade away into the distance.
Just one other thing - why do our dear friends from across the Atlantic think that anybody who does not agree with them is a Socialist? They wouldn't know a Socialist if it came down and bit them on the bum. This is a sad and backward nation that has somehow managed to achieve super power status - I blame Mad King George.

- Barry, Welwyn England, 19/05/2011 14:36
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To say the french believe it is a conspiracy is to ignore that the polls are taken in Paris which does not reflect france however there are aspesct people find hard to understand.Why the White House, the Elysée, and the IMF let him be charged?Many options were available such as declaring the hotel room a french territory or letting him get to another french territory in New York or allowing diplomatic immunity ( is it usually lost when you take a few days off?)Where were his bodyguards and secret service agents? People find it hard to believe that he had none.Delays in the hotel's action seem to imply that contacts were made elsewhere to decide what to do ? The hotel certainly knew who he was and the importance.

- Terry, Hennebont France, 19/05/2011 12:41
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this man is a victim of his own schemes and plots as are many... the only rule such as these have (and their name is "Legion") is the 11th commandment "Thou shall not get found out"...

- pig, london uk, 19/05/2011 07:48
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- positiveguy, Little Rock, AR, 19/05/2011 06:13
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So, if he was worried about being 'set-up' by his political foes, why
did he agree (?) to have rough sex with some unknown woman who suddenly
appears in his room? If he's that unwise, then he doesn't deserve to
be president of anything, much less France.

This is not a very favorable narrative for DSK: A wealthy, older, powerful, well-educated, white, married male has violent quickie sex in luxury hotel suite with a poor, young, black, widowed, immigrated, devout Muslim chambermaid. Good luck getting a sympathetic jury, DSK.

- Chris Carter, Bristol, 19/05/2011 04:11
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Hi Wellington in Colorado.
Thanks for acknowledging the misunderstanding.
Just one point I'd like to make and that is I think the way DSK is presented to court is quite brutal. In the UK we do not chain up people's legs or put people in handcuffs before an appearance in court.
Innocence is assumed, and therefore an innocent man is not treated like a convicted criminal.
I have been to America several times and found everyone to be very pleasant and charming, but I dread to think what would happen if I made a silly mistake whilst driving a hired car or absent-mindedly walked out of a store with something I hadn't paid for. I'd be facing guns and leg irons and years of litigation. In Britain the police would probably caution me and tell me to be more careful in future. That's why we love and admire our policemen, and trust them to use their discretion.

- Dave, Devon, 19/05/2011 01:45
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"This looks like a set up honey-trap of this zionist puke."

Agreed, these people do this and far worse every day of the week. When one gets caught, it's a set up.

If a maid had really complained in this way about a man like this, she'd take a dive from the roof.

This take down was sanctioned at the highest level by godfather Rothschild otherwise Geithner/Bernancke/Rockefeller who done would soon be "sleeping with the fishes".

- Mouser, Sweden, 19/05/2011 01:04
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In the current culture truth is smoke and mirrors. Powerful people seem to think they are above the law...but, powerful people have powerful enemies! Whichever, DSK's career has taken a large downturn.

- G-Jean, US, 19/05/2011 00:42
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To Dave, of Devon:

I was relieved to read in your follow up post that you personally would not concoct a story and frame an innocent man for hundred grand. I found it quite disturbing that in your original comment you suggested such a possibility.

It's strangely gratifying to be assured that you are an honest man and that you were simply entertaining yourself by adding you own speculations to the chorus.

- Wellington, Colorado, USA, 19/05/2011 00:33
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I have spent a lot of time in France and have studied the French language and culture for several years. All cultural relativism aside, I believe the French collectively possess three major character flaws that often put them at loggerheads with the Anglo-Saxon world. One, they have a nasty proclivity for believing in conspiracy theories, especially political ones, which makes them more akin to the Russians than the West. Two, they tend to possess a reflexive sense of indignity when accused of being wrong. Discuss a polemical issue with a Frenchman, contradict him, and then see what happens. Three, they do not have any instinctive regard for the social equality of the sexes, even if they do share the modernist sense of political equality. The Brits and Americans, conversely, are much more empirical, self-reflective, and socially egalitarian. Personal integrity and accountability are virtues we cherish greatly in our Anglo-Saxon value system. The French are much more interested in living according to bonne foi, however libertine or disgusting such good faith may allow them to be. We don't believe in conspiracies as often or as viscerally as les Francais. We let women play football and be the monarch, among other things. Here, in l'affaire DSK, we have the three great Francophonical failings apparent in one event. The French chauvinist epitomized, victime d'un complot, accused of being wrong... and by the pernicious Americans, no less. La Patrie est en danger!

- Bill, Dallas, Texas, USA, 18/05/2011 23:57
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To Stephen C from London. The US was close to becoming a German speaking country? And where are you from again? Dummkopf!

- dam, tampa, 18/05/2011 23:40
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We may recall that 60% of Frenchmen also felt that president Clinton should be free to pursue women however he pleased. Curiously, the French press never asks French women what they think.

- Joseph Grcar, Castro Valley, California, USA, 18/05/2011 23:19
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After witnessing firsthand how NYPD caters to Sarkozy and the personal relationship between the too powerful NYPD Commissioner Kelly and Sarkozy, something is amiss.

- SBernard, New York City, 18/05/2011 22:59
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To: Shinea, San Jose, CA, 18/05/2011 19:50 re: allegations against Bill Clinton.

You might want to Google "Anita Broderick".

- D Young, new york, ny, 18/05/2011 22:08
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Couldn't care less about DSK. Always been a self-promoting blowhard whose his behavior during the financial crisis of 08/09 was grossly irresponsible -- fanning the flames of panic in order to promote the influence of the IMF and his own prominence while offering nothing of a constructive or stabilizing nature. But, why, exactly, does the complainant hotel cleaning lady have a lawyer -- instantaneously at hand? Jeffrey Shapiro, a "close family friend" of a woman in charitable housing? Sure.

- DYoung, new york, ny, 18/05/2011 22:01
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If he WAS suckered then he's dumb - too dumb to be I/C the IMF (hang on I hear Gordon Brown wants the job - perhaps being dumb is a requirement)

- Anglo, The Heart of England, 18/05/2011 21:00
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I would like to say I am shocked by the cruelty of Europeans regarding this women's ALLEGED rape but I am not. Because this monster is wealthy and self-important, he gets a pass on abusing a poor woman going about her business doing her job trying to support her and her daughter. Unbelievable! It's one thing if you don't like our great country but to take that out on a defenseless victim is truly disgusting. Oh, and to Andrew in London, please, please take your world organinizations (IMF, UN) out of this country; we are sick of footing the bill for these transnationalist, socialist, USELESS organizations anyway.

- Sherry S, Marietta, GA, USA, 18/05/2011 18:28

Again another American who doesn't believe in innocent until proven guilty.

And the US is the country with a Socialist President, most of our presidents or prime ministers are right of centre.

And we cruel Europeans don't have the death penalty or tolerate torture.

In spite of these comments I love your country but you are immature and need to grow up and understand the rule of law. But then you are only just over 200 years old.

- Stephen C, LONDON, 18/05/2011 20:56
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It's a shame we have to wait for a Marxist, Communist, Leftist, Fascist, and/or Socialist to commit a crime first before we can hang them.

- Greycoat, Tampa, FL USA, 18/05/2011 20:51
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It's a shame we have to wait for a Marxist, Communist, Leftist, Fascist, and/or Socialist to commit a crime first before we can hang them.

- Greycoat, Tampa, FL USA, 18/05/2011 20:46
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Spidey senses tell me this guy is being taken down. I am not saying he is a class guy or anything. Just saying the powers-that-be want him out of the way.

- Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Cheshire, CT, 18/05/2011 20:29
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60%? What do you expect? They're French. Emotions rule logic.

- Damocles, Greece, 18/05/2011 20:25
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Comparing this to Clinton's peccadilloes is way off base. Clinton may have been a dog, but I never heard anyone say he was a rapist.

- Shinea, San Jose, CA, 18/05/2011 19:50
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Where is all the compassion for this woman and her family/husband/children....etc. There doesn't seem to be much compassion coming from France for her? What if it were your daughter/wife?

- Tom, gr, usa, 18/05/2011 19:50
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Wow. Typical. Blame the victim. Nice!! I suppose the 60% of French citizens who believe he was framed, also believe that the victim wanted it, and that "no" actually means "yes". God forbid a tourist ever be raped in France.. oh wait.. it's not rape.. it's consensual sex.

- Kaycee, California, USA, 18/05/2011 19:49
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So tell me again - why is this DSK guy at the IMF doing deals to bail out the Euro? I thought IMF bailout loans were for 3rd-tier countries like Argentina and Indonesia. Isn't the Euro touted as the powerhouse alternative to the dollar these days? You made your mess, so now fix it yourself.

- 99Monica, California, USA, 18/05/2011 19:44
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Denial: he's innocent; he was lunching with his daughter and wasn't there, the sex was consensual, the whole thing was a set-up cooked up by his political enemies in France

Anger: he is being publicly humiliated and lynched by a vengeful American justice system

Bargaining: do you think his people might somehow negotiate a way out of this with President Obama, allowing him to continue bailing out failed European nations and run against Sarkozy?

Resignation: no, I guess he won't be able to pull that off and he might have to do some serious jail time. Merde, he might even be guilty!

Acceptance: OK, DSK is finished and he did what was alleged. It's old news. Let's move on. Socialism lives on. The IMF lives on. Both are much bigger projects than the fate of one man.

- Nelson H., Reston, VA, 18/05/2011 19:31
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What a load of ..... " DSK is on suicide watch" who makes up these idiotic statements?
This type of journalism is too patronizing, like its refering to children.

- Cath, Europestan, 18/05/2011 19:06
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You people are so soft, especially in the head. I couldn't care less if the socialist DSK is innocent, he deserves all he gets. He wished to be president of France, works as head of the IMF (our tax money again), has been prominent,instrumental in many governments anti-indigenous policies & actions, with his support, plus he, as far as I'm concerned (in my opinion) is as corrupt as the EU commissioners, Establishments of many European, western governments governments. Let's adopt the Elites policy, Which they do to us taxpaying subjects,if you can't get them for the real reason, get them for anything, including a stitch up. Get real people, this has done you all a favour, as he would have,as French President & substantial influence in the EU, created many new laws suppressing, taxing, restricting the population.

- David Stewart, London, 18/05/2011 18:59
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It's a plot. And O.J. Simpson is innocent. Please, enough with the fairy tales.

- Jim M, Pawleys Island SC USA, 18/05/2011 18:57
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60% of the citizens of France think this is a conspiracy. Now show us a poll about the percentage of Americans that could care less what the French think. I bet the second poll has a higher percentage. We take sex scandals seriously here in the US. Ask Bill Clinton.

- Craig, Seattle USA, 18/05/2011 17:14

Well as I recall Clinton toughed it out and served two full terms. And I don't recall you did anything about Ike's, JFK's or LBJ's sexual encounters.

- Stephen C, LONDON, 18/05/2011 18:36
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I would like to say I am shocked by the cruelty of Europeans regarding this women's ALLEGED rape but I am not. Because this monster is wealthy and self-important, he gets a pass on abusing a poor woman going about her business doing her job trying to support her and her daughter. Unbelievable! It's one thing if you don't like our great country but to take that out on a defenseless victim is truly disgusting. Oh, and to Andrew in London, please, please take your world organinizations (IMF, UN) out of this country; we are sick of footing the bill for these transnationalist, socialist, USELESS organizations anyway.

- Sherry S, Marietta, GA, USA, 18/05/2011 18:28
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I'll stop making unintelligent comments here but someone will have to sleep with me first

- DOM, Hampstead, 18/05/2011 18:19
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I'll make an intelligent comment here but someone will have to sleep with me first

- DOM, Hampstead, 18/05/2011 18:18
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This guy must be bonkers : pays 3 000 USD for a night and 15 500 USD on Air Chance for a seat First class JFK-CDG.....could have called the Concierge for a call girl...or maybe that would be too expensive...!

- Edouardo, TLSE, France, 18/05/2011 16:16

I think you have eloquently proved he is innocent.

- Stephen C, LONDON, 18/05/2011 17:57
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Chances are the African was put up to the stunt for a large payment. Anyway, French politics always turn up dirt on their own.

- Michael, Kensington, UK, 18/05/2011 17:56
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Tina you make the point so well. DSK is not guilty until proven guilty in a fair court of law. But the way the USA authorities are going about this is presenting him as guilty before he is able to present is case. The USA media coverage, failure to grant bail (could have taken his passport and reporting requirements) and images of an non shaved man between two policemen. The USA Government lawyer talks of the crime rather than the alleged crime etc.

America it would seem has made up its mind, but please just lets sit back and let the facts determine the truth. The important thing is JUSTICE (regardless of which way it goes)

- Andrew, London, 18/05/2011 17:52
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This shows how different the USA is to the UK.

I have no idea if the man is guilty or not but it is clear that the US no longer believes in innocent until proven guilty.

The man is presented handcuffed, unshaven, in prison uniform and the judge tells him he may be getting 25 year in jail, how disgraceful. We are also told he
has had a cavity search, nice people. But it is the nation of Guantanamo, Abu Graib, waterboarding et al.

The American people are great unless they are at batallion strength, a bit like the Germans but then their heritage is 40% German and German almost became their official language many years ago.

- Stephen C, LONDON, 18/05/2011 17:46
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I'm suprised that it is only 60%. I thought the idiot rate in France was much higher.

- Bob Moore, Canton, USA, 18/05/2011 17:41
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To Wellington, of Colorado.

No, I wouldn't do that at all. But I can imagine a plot like that can happen. I was just reflecting on human nature. Here in the UK we are told that Dr. David Kelly committed suicide after being named as the man in the WMD scandal. A likely story! All these things come out in the end. What about Marilyn Monroe's convenient death? If there were no plots there would be no fiction and no Hollywood. There's nothing wrong in speculating. Regards.

- Dave, Devon, 18/05/2011 17:36
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With his reputation there is certainly scope for this to be staged. If I was a hotel cleaner living in a crummy flat on a minimum wage, and someone offered me a hundred grand to conconct a story about a major figure who a powerful organiation want out of the way, what would I do? What would most people do? Be all principled? Or start a new life and let the millionaries look after their own problems, however created?

- Dave, Devon,

Only one problem with that theory.... His lawyer has already stated that sexual acts happened... the only question he brings up is whether they were consensual.

So now ask yourself this question... how much credibility does a 60 year old married guy have once he admits he was screwing around on his wife....

And then ask yourself this... if you were going to set the guy up, you wouldn't ask a maid to do it. You would have gotten some woman to be picked up by him in the hotel bar or something like that... the expectation that you would try to use a muslim maid is beyond belief. Clearly the old guy has some serious mental problems.

- Yirmin Snipe, Boston, USA, 18/05/2011 17:23
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I would recommend that any Straus-Kahn supporter be prepared for him to serve time. I'm not saying he is guilty, that's for a jury to decide but be prepared nonetheless.

- Tina Ferrer, Los Angeles, USA, 18/05/2011 17:19
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60% of the citizens of France think this is a conspiracy. Now show us a poll about the percentage of Americans that could care less what the French think. I bet the second poll has a higher percentage. We take sex scandals seriously here in the US. Ask Bill Clinton.

- Craig, Seattle USA, 18/05/2011 17:14
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Seems to me the character and history of the chamber-maid (no doubt unimpeachable) will play a big part in the outcome, just like in that Jimmy Stewart film.

- Nick, London, 18/05/2011 16:52
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I'm shocked at the cynicism of the French people. Here in the USA, most Americans believe we assassinated bin Laden and promptly dumped his body into the sea. Though we have seen not a single shred of evidence, nearly everyone in the USA believes what their government tells them. Why are the French people such skeptics?

- Nolan, Anniston, Alabama, 18/05/2011 16:46
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I'm shocked at the cynicism of the French people. Here in the USA, most Americans believe we assassinated bin Laden and promptly dumped his body into the sea. Though we have seen not a single shred of evidence, nearly everyone in the USA believes what their government tells them. Why are the French people such skeptics?

- Nolan, Anniston, Alabama, 18/05/2011 16:45
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Perhaps the 60% that believe it's a conspiracy are the 60% that believe rape is ok, and that "no" really means "yes".

- Kaycee, California, USA, 18/05/2011 16:30
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Socialist sexual habits are just as entitlement-oriented as their economic habits. Let others pay the price or feel the pain---I'm a socialist dirty old man and entitled to run amok every few days or so.

- daveinboca, boca raton, FL, USA, 18/05/2011 16:24
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This guy must be bonkers : pays 3 000 USD for a night and 15 500 USD on Air Chance for a seat First class JFK-CDG.....could have called the Concierge for a call girl...or maybe that would be too expensive...!

- Edouardo, TLSE, France, 18/05/2011 16:16
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It warms my heart to hear that a French communist rapist picks on an African woman with AIDS then gets caught. I'm sure he deserves everything he gets including that incurable disease.

What? Wait? Why is the USA allowing AIDS infected Africans into our country???? Oh, that' right our own Communists have gone out of their way to let them in no questions asked. Hopefully a few of our Democrats have made her aquaintance as well.

- I-RIGHT-I, Houston, Texas, 18/05/2011 16:16
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Oh, I'm shocked. The French believe it's a conspiracy. The French are indignant at being accused of wrongdoing. Why, it's utterly shocking.

- Bill, Dallas, Texas, USA, 18/05/2011 16:05
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When was the Poll carried out in France? For the first 24 hours I believed he'd been set up but I've changed my mind now. There's an awful lot of evidence against him. He sounds like a monstrous ****.

- Eleanor, London, UK, 18/05/2011 15:58
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The sad demise of a Master Swordsman of France

- JPS, South Kensington, 18/05/2011 15:47
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DSK cannot stand for the French Presidency? Oh well there's always Italy.

- COYS Switz, Switzerland, 18/05/2011 15:46
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As a Brit, I believe in the British justice system, ie; innocent until proven guilty. However, unfortunately France & french men live in a culture where it is deemed by all including the gendarmerie & the judicary that women are there to be abused, assaulted, & illtreated in anyway or form the french pigs wish. My french teacher wife afew months ago was seriously physically assaulted in class, & despite medical reports supporting her claim, everyone, 1st choice lawyer, police, her headmaster & deputy all colluded to cover up the assault. Education nationale (M. Chatel) even did the russian trick & tried to have her declared mentally ill. Knowing all this, I must have serious doubts about DSKs' innocence. I just hope that the US president does not lean on the judge at the unofficial request of the disgusting & repugnant french, & I hope that DSK gets a fair trial & then spends many years in jail being homosexually abused. That is justice!

- Etienne, Guingamp France, 18/05/2011 15:42
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The thinking now is that apparently at $3000,00 per night he must have thought the maid came with the room.

- Howard Ruark, NY, 18/05/2011 15:38
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A plot? So her floor manager (a male) tells her the suite is empty (past check out time) and go in and clean it and you really believe she consented to sucking an old Man's rod and then is on a hotel video surveillance running scared out of the same suite 20 minutes later? If it was a plot, razor thin timing seeing as how he should have already been checked out of the suite. Consensual sex? Yeah, most 30 year olds are DYING to suck an old strangers rod twice at noon while cleaning beds and heads. You socialists sure know how to protect your own.

- Betty, USA, 18/05/2011 15:33
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There is a whiff in the air!!! And NO! it's not garlic?

- Mark, Central London, 18/05/2011 15:33
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To Dave from Devon:

Sir:

I am glad that you told us what you would do if you had an opportunity to frame an innocent man in exchange for money.

I know there are people like you out there and it's helpful you removed any doubts.

- Wellington, Colorado, USA, 18/05/2011 15:26
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To Dave from Devon:

Sir:

I am glad that you told us what you would do if you had an opportunity to frame an innocent man in exchange for money.

I know there are people like you out there and it's helpful that you removed any doubts.

- Wellington, Colorado, USA, 18/05/2011 15:19
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While I can believe 100% of the self proclained French intellectual believe DSK is victim of a plot, I very doubt 60% of French people think he is innocent . The news was certainly welcomed by many in France with a glee of satisfaction to know that this arrogant individual actions have finally caught with him... In France sadly he would have once again got away with it.
By the way I am a French national

- yves, london,, 18/05/2011 14:52
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The Sofitel is not in Times Square

- Anthony, London, 18/05/2011 14:42
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A plot? He doesn't deny that sex acts occurred, but claimed that the sex was consensual. So this hotel maid was going about her business and decided that she would have a quickie with a 60-some year old Frenchman?

I understand that many of you in Europe may not be favorably inclined towards America, but you have to face facts as they are, not how you would like them to be. Yes, the justice system officially presumes that he is innocent until proven guilty. But that doesn't prevent private citizens from forming their own opinions based on the facts and circumstances. And my opinion at this time (which, I admit, could conceivably be wrong) is that he is a rapist. However, if different facts come out, then I will change my opinion.

- LongIslander, New York, USA, 18/05/2011 14:41
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How come a hot shot New York lawyer is a close family friend?

- Sue R, London, 18/05/2011 14:40
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Where in the plot does Straus-Kahn allegedly running out of the bathroom naked fit, how did they manage to arrange that? Presumably these loony lefties who normally have rape and abuse of woman at the top of the oppression agenda would agree that it was impossible for Straus-Kahn to ever commit an offence and that anything he might ever be accused of could be no more than a plot. Just because he too is a $1,800 a night suite socialist?

Presumably Jack Lang wants the chamber maid arrested and tried?

- j, London, 18/05/2011 14:32
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A plot? You're all socialist morons.

- JDL, NH, USA, 18/05/2011 14:15
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What sickens me to my stomach is how many people can't believe "a man of his position" would be capable of this alleged crime. No one yet knows the truth, I find it deplorable that so many will happily side with the 'powerful, rich, influencial man who must've been framed by the poor, black immigrant'. Let the police & the courts do their job, this is a heinous crime and one certainly is not exempt from being a sexual devient just because they hold a position of authority (if anything it is that very type of person that gets away with it for so much longer than the norm).

- Kerry, London, 18/05/2011 14:14
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Nah, this privileged socialist slug is guilty of no crime. He's not like us; he's entitled to do anything he wants.

Read the bleatings of his apologists. It's a plot! The woman is not to be believed -- the man is much too important. Sounds familiar on these shores, as presidents and global redistributors of other people's money aren't held to the same legal and moral standards as the rest of us when their media enablers choose to protect them.

- jnsesq, Parrish, Florida, USA, 18/05/2011 14:11
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It seems he might have problems keeping the old trouser snake under control but does that make him a rapist? With his money he could have the hooker of choice. As for the journalist waiting 10 years or so before blowing the whistle on him, come on. I would think he has been set up good and proper. However with the guy who got Michael Jackson off working for him he is in with a chance. Either way it's gonna be a great media event.

- Joe Blow, Wales, 18/05/2011 13:45
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It's a big leap from being a womaniser to being a rapist. Two completely different things.

And yes, of course it was a set-up by Sarkozy and/or the Americans.

- EuroLND, London, 18/05/2011 13:36
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Can hardly believe some of the comments here. Yes he is innocent until proven guilty, but this man has a track record of at best sexual harrassment and/or worse. I am surprised that some one hasn't said "I bet she was asking for it". Whilst I realise that French politics as a reflection of their society is quite sexist, this incident if true is a very real crime

- COYS Switz, Switzerland, 18/05/2011 13:23
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I cannot believe that a man as prominent and as rich as him could not find some other way to relieve his sexual tensions, -without totally losing the plot and behaving incredibly stupidly.

Surely if he is as recklessly impulsive as he is accused of, he would have shown signs before now?
Chasing and raping someone goes a million miles beyond being 'a bit of a would-be-gigolo.

On the other hand, if all the stories coming out of the woodwork are true, - how has he not been reported long before now? Massive cover up?

Wouldn't be the first time a 'irreproachable' reputation was shattered.

- Huggy, Cumbernauld Scotland, 18/05/2011 13:12
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The French as a people are 200% pro French and take any criticism of their nation customs way of life or indigenous nationals as a personal insult.

As a confirmed Francophile I find their attitude admirable and fully understand this result. If only OUR leaders were as patriotic as French citizens we might be banning covering your face in public as well!

- Fed Up, East Londonistan, 18/05/2011 12:54
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Whether he is guilty or innocent, whether the allegations are true or false, one thing is for sure...he is finished. Mud sticks and he will be forever condemned. If, of course, he IS guilty then he deserves what's coming to him. Time will tell. Let's wait until we know all the facts.

- jb, sussex, 18/05/2011 12:32
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I agree with the French and with Dave from Devon, and the American judicial/legal system is too paranoid & OTT!!

- Cath, Europestan, 18/05/2011 12:23
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With his reputation there is certainly scope for this to be staged. If I was a hotel cleaner living in a crummy flat on a minimum wage, and someone offered me a hundred grand to conconct a story about a major figure who a powerful organiation want out of the way, what would I do? What would most people do? Be all principled? Or start a new life and let the millionaries look after their own problems, however created?

- Dave, Devon, 18/05/2011 12:06
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