Mr. "Domichick" Strauss-Kahn

A friend of mine who is a university professor and has lived many years in the United States called me two days ago, the moment when Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s “accomplishments” became known, and said: “We can say a lot of things against the Americans. They have given us that right. But their judicial system is indeed an authority, and it does not joke around. The fact that the boss of the International Monetary Fund was arrested on the airplane moments before it took off says it all.”

Another friend who has been working for three years in Washington noted, bantering: “If this story had taken place in Greece, the police would have arrested the … maid and not the elder French lover whose prestige is great internationally and connections even greater!”

Yes, it is true. The American Protestants do not “look away,” especially when it comes to morality issues.

In Greece, we may be behind in many things, but when it comes to joking, we are first. As soon as the “sexual harassment” went public — not just harassment but a rape attempt, according to the victim’s accusations — jokers from all over Greece changed the name Dominique to “Domichick.” This nickname circulated widely and instantly! On Monday, Dimitris Mitropoulos, in his column “Agiografies [Icons]” of the publication Ta Nea, noted: “All that occurred or did not occur at the Sofitel in New York City goes something like the joke from the city of Larisa: ‘She tried to Strauss [make the bed], and he tried to Kahn [do her].’”

Let us leave the jokes aside and go to some questions that need answering: Firstly, Domichick is wealthy and he is a personality with a vital role in the global economy. Therefore, how could a man like that not have a bodyguard outside his door for personal security, but also to keep watch just in case of flirtations that occur often? Secondly, how could the Americans themselves, who are experts in surveillance and protection measures, not make sure to keep close so that nothing unpleasant happens to him — like a Molotov cocktail, a slap or a gunshot? After all, his name has been mentioned when talking about the presidency of the French Republic. Thirdly, how could a maid who was sexually harassed or attacked with sexual motivation not yell when coming out of the room of her rapist and keep her cool as she runs down to the hotel manager to report the fact? And with what evidence did she prove to her supervisor that she was telling the truth?

There are more questions. In my opinion, we are dealing with a case that is blurry to a degree, if not pitch black. From the other side, his past Domichick’s sexual history with staff is no secret. We will see what will happen in the end.

P.S.: As I was submitting my article, I was told another joke:

“Which plan would Strauss-Kahn prefer? Probably a bailout plan … ”