On June 30th, multiple reports indicate Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the embattled former Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), will be released on his own recognizance and the charges against him will likely go unsustained.
After being accused of sexual assault against a hotel chambermaid, the disgraced Strauss-Kahn was extradited to the United States for charges, apparently one of the most grievous offences by a public official in recent years. It has now come to light that the maid in question has ties to criminal activity, lied multiple times in various government documents and testimonies, and had discussed the possibility of extorting Strauss-Kahn for money.
Cases like this detract attention from legitimate sexual assault, which is a real and all-too-pervasive tragedy within our society. I should make it clear that I in no way endorse sexual assault and strongly encourage persecution for actual offenders to the full extent of the law.
However, one source that deserves some of the blame for the false allegations is the public and media’s continued obsession with sex scandals. As politicians continually become measured more by their private affairs, rather than their public actions, ideas, and stance on political issues, there is a stronger and stronger incentive for blackmail and extortion.
A good example is the relentless assault on Representative Weiner, fuelled by an orgy of humorous puns. While the American government teeters on the brink of default, all eyes are instead focused on a man’s personal affairs. While I’m not condoning “sexting” various women while married, this transgression pales in comparison to the dire consequences facing the American government and people. To give you an idea of what a default means, think of what would happen if you simply decided not to pay off your student loans. What if you just said, that’s it, I’m not paying anymore. I assure, you, the consequences would not be pleasant. Now translate that to a $14 trillion debt (just higher than the American Gross Domestic Product). Translate that to a crushing blow to a government serving 300 million citizens and serving as the lynchpin for the entire global economy.
Kind of puts the sexting scandal into perspective does it not? Similarly, consider leaders like Arnold Schwarzenegger, who managed one of the largest budget shortfalls in history by trying to balance various referenda mandates, the needs of the public services and the state coffers, while concurrently presiding over attempts to enact some of the most progressive legislation in the United States such as renewable energy minimums, same-sex marriages and the most advanced emissions and alternative fuel regulations for cars in the United States. Yet we judge him on his sexual relations with a maid many years ago, rather than his policies and actions on such pressing concerns.
These issues have real impacts on the lives and livelihoods of millions of people, as well as reverberating effects on global challenges like climate change. While I wish all the best for the unfortunate families of those politicians who choose to engage in deviant sexual activity, this can and should be dealt with by the family. There is nothing to be gained from media and public attention, which only detracts from attention that should be focused on the crises facing our economy, society and environment.