Media Frenzy

Dominique Strauss-Kahn of France was the head of the International Monetary Fund. He was thought to be a leading candidate to run for President of France. That all changed rapidly. He was accused of the attempted rape of a New York City hotel maid and arrested as he was preparing to fly back to France. He spent some time in jail, resigned his position with the IMF and is now out on a million dollar bail. He is on house arrest, armed guards, leg bracelet AND he is living in our building in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan. He and his attorney state he is innocent. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 6^th.

Now it is a media event, or better said a media circus right outside the front door of our building. According to the press our building is the newest tourist attraction in New York City. “Tourists and the media have been flocking to 71 Broadway. Tour bus drivers point out our building, school groups pose in front of our now famous building.” It has been mind-boggling to see the media folks and their staying power just waiting for something to happen. All of the network’s trucks, the freelancers, photographers, reporters etc. have taken up residence on our sidewalk. This is their fourth day. Strauss-Kahn wanted to be on the Upper Eastside where the well-to-do folks live but they rejected him. Nobody even asked me if it was okay to have this circus move in to our neighborhood. Oh well, it’s an interesting experience.

This guy hasn’t been found guilty of the accusation but it still brings the question to my mind: “What is it with the rich and famous? Why do they keep getting themselves into these messes?” Most recently, there was Arnold Schwarzenegger before that there was Tiger Woods, John Edwards and of course Bill Clinton as well as others I won’t mention right now. Is it their money, power or popularity that makes them think they are immune to this stuff ruining their lives as well as those of their families? Maybe we just know about these guys because of their high public profile….perhaps everyone is out doing this stuff. That would be mind-boggling and hard for me to believe or at least accept. 

Stan the Man