That IMF man in New York. What the French are saying

"Latest opinion polls had put Strauss-Kahn as clear favorite to win if he were to stand in France's 2012 presidential election. Other likely contenders from the opposition Socialist Party to unseat the ruling conservative UMP party include party leader Martine Aubry and left-wing veteran Francois Hollande."

Reuters dubs it a Factbox on what the French were saying as at last Sunday about the arrest of the head of the IMF in New York. Since then things have gotten worse for the man. A sampling:

"ANNE SINCLAIR, STRAUSS-KAHN'S WIFE

"I do not believe for a single second the accusations leveled against my husband. I do not doubt his innocence will be established. I appeal for restraint and decency."

HERVE MORIN, FORMER Defense MINISTER, PRESIDENT NEW Center PARTY

"I'm not a socialist, he is not my political friend, but despite that I call for the presumption of innocence. I will not take part in the witch hunt, with the dogs that are barking and those spreading rumors and saying 'I told you so'."

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Robert Fisk's predictions for the Middle East in 2013

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#1 Prize for a bizarre story.....and lying!

No comment called for in this piece from CommonDreams: Another young black man: The strange sad case of 21-year-old Chavis Carter. Police in Jonesboro, Arkansas stopped him and two friends, found some marijuana, searched put Carter, then put him handcuffed behind his back into their patrol car, where they say he shot himself in the head with a gun they failed to find. The FBI is investigating. Police Chief Michael Yates, who stands behind his officers' story, says in an interview that the death is "definitely bizarre and defies logic at first glance." You think?

Mahler's Prodigal Son

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