read today

from Kate Harding regarding the media's response to Strauss-Kahn's seduction problem (it's just how the French say hello and puritanical Americans don't understand that)

"...now is a really good time for a refresher course in the difference between consensual sex and assault. Consensual sex involves all parties agreeing that this promises to be fun, so we should go ahead. Sometimes it is not as fun as hoped, but oh well. Assault involves one party feeling entitled to take liberties with another party's body, in the absence of consent.

...whether Strauss-Kahn is "the great seducer," for instance, has very little to do with whether he might also be "the great rapist," because rape is not actually seduction gone pear-shaped. It's a whole different thing!"

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