I think what many found off-putting was the suggestion that, because of his prestige, Strauss-Kahn ought to have been treated differently from the way anyone else so charged would have been. Also, the manner in which the case was presented in the media did not reflect well on Strauss-Kahn (he was alleged to have done similar things before). It all seemed like a replay of the Roman Polanski business -- if the bien-pensants admire you, you can get away with anything.
See also: 5 Lessons of the DSK Affair.
Wow. Rush to judgment on one side has been followed by rush to judgment on the other.
ReplyDeletePundits said from the outset that DSK would walk free, and that this case would never see trial.
We were told that the first line of attack would be to destroy the credibility of the maid.
There is still strong evidence, including DSA and physical injuries on both sides, that an attack took place. Behind the scenes, the lawyers say they still believe an assault took place, but that a jury would never believe this witness.
We will likely never know the whole story.
Victory for justice? I think not.
The manner in which the case was presented in the media has little if any bearing on the truth of the charges. And brandishing epithets like 'bien-pensants' does not encourage clear thinking either.
ReplyDeleteOh, I don't know, Lee. The reaction among the French -- at least among their chattering class -- seemed pretty bien-pensant to me. You know, people who, as Yeats put it, "think what other people think ... know the man their neighbor knows."
ReplyDeleteBut you are right, the media's presentation had no bearing on whether the charges were true, but they had a lot of bearing on how they were perceived.
As much as it dismays me, I don't believe there's much difference between us and them: I find myself thinking what other people think almost all the time.
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