"You Have Humiliated France!"

Bernard Debré, a deputy associated with the UMP party, from the 16th arrondissement of Paris, a doctor of urology and president of Solidarité médicale, a member of one of France's best known political/medical families dating back to the 19th century, is asking Dominique Strauss-Kahn to leave the scene. Here is his open letter to the head of the IMF:

You were general secretary of the IMF. A fundamental position in the current world-wide economic crisis.

You seek the presidency of the French Republic and the polls show you as the favorite.

But for some time now, your attitude towards money has been troubling: the Ryad Hotel in Morocco, luxury cars, Parisian apartments in the most fashionable neighborhoods. This "bling-bling" attitude tarnished your image.

Many, in France, in Belgium, were aware that you had uncontrollable sexual urges. The facts were known, the participants in these "refined parties" (i.e., orgies) bragged about it, but France is tolerant, too tolerant. Apparently many of your friends had told you that you had to calm down; some thought you had heeded their words. An alert in the United States almost disqualified you even if your wife forgave you and turned it into a tear-jerker.

Note: The incident in question may be connected to a woman named Piroska Nagy, of Hungarian origin (no relation to Nicolas Sarkozy as far as I know!), who was his mistress and his subordinate at the IMF and who was receiving special considerations from him. In October 2008 he apologized for his "error in judgment" and was exonerated. Journalist Jean Quatremer wrote in 2007:

"The only real problem with Strauss-Kahn is his relationships with women. Too eager (…) he often borders on harassment. A fault known to the media, but no one talks about it (we are in France)." (Wikipedia)

Now you have been arrested in the United States for acts of sexual violence. Shame. You know that France is tolerant and, wrongly, leaves the private life outside of politics. Mitterrand and his two wives, his two lives, are an example. Even though the State paid a great deal for his illegitimate family for fourteen years - thousands of euros were spent to house and feed them.

But this is too much. You have humiliated France! You have ridiculed her!

The Socialists who had confidence in you must be red with shame and fury. Perhaps you will be sentenced to a prison term. Bravo! You may have to pay a fine, you have sufficient funds.

When you get out of prison, vanish into your Riyad, do not explain yourself, do not say anything. You have been a false value, a sex maniac, and an intellectual crook. You have sullied our country.

What I hope is that you will seek treatment. There are medications for sex criminals.

I am ashamed because your escapades may once again arouse extreme reactions.

Disappear and fast.

Note: First, if by "extreme" Professor Debré is referring to Marine Le Pen, he is wrong. She has only said what he himself has said - that everyone knew, and that France has been humiliated. And if she gains votes because of this scandal, it is because Socialist policies and principles, including sexual promiscuity and a refusal of a moral code are wrong. Debré, as a doctor, should also realize the degree to which Sarkozy's policies have created this situation. Sarkozy was instrumental in getting DSK (and countless other Socialists) appointed and has supported a not-very-ethical policy of gay rights, gay marriage and adoption, distribution of condoms to teens, propaganda in the schools against homophobia, to name a few points. In addition, Sarkozy defended Frédéric Mitterrand, the current minister of culture, when he revealed openly his preference for young boys. In a culture weakened by so much rot, Strauss-Kahn is just another symptom. But the problem is that he is an international celebrity and he has temporarily dragged France down with him. And he may have committed a crime, not merely an immoral act.

I should add to the above that the United States strongly approved Strauss-Kahn's nomination to head the IMF. This was in September 2008.

Second, I really do not think any French person should feel ashamed. This was a scandal waiting to happen. The best thing for the country now is just to get rid of the worst politicians and put in people who have some integrity. To do this, someone has to disentangle the web of errors, misunderstandings and lies created by the vectors of State propaganda, in which men like Strauss-Kahn, but also Sarkozy, are participants.

Finally, I'm just a bit surprised. The French always chided us for our puritanism in the case of Bill Clinton, but also in the case of John F. Kennedy, who was an incorrigible ladies' man. In both cases there was a national scandal, then acceptance, then forgiveness. In the case of Kennedy it all happened posthumously. Had we known about his behavior while he was in office, he would have had to resign. In a way, I'm glad to see the shock and the feelings of shame from the French, because that is how many Americans felt about Clinton. I think, though, that DSK may have gone even further, with his "partouzes", i.e. orgies by arrangement, his fabulously extravagant life style, and his ability to manipulate such huge sums of money, affecting the lives of so many people in poorer countries. I understand his wife, Anne Sinclair, receives about half a million euros a month as well as other luxuries. Wikipedia has a page in English on the IMF.

Below, Bernard Debré demonstrating for the law banning the burka.