Sunday, July 27, 2008

Obama in Paris


If you're American and if you're looking for one of your candidates to the next elections, stop searching! Obama is currently in Europe, preparing his international connections, just in case... He was Friday in France where he met President Sarkozy, who, called him "his pal" (son copain) in an interview by French newspaper Le Figaro ! No doubt that if Obama gets elected, the Freedom fries episode will definitely be history! BTW, between Mc Cain and Obama isn't there a 3rd choice? PS: Following you advice (and nice get better wishes!) I'm off to Trouville for the day (Sunday), it'll do me some good to leave the city for a day ;)
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66 comments:

  1. Obama seems to be everywhere these days.

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  2. Traveling, like Obama, is a great way to clear the cobwebs in the head. Have a great time and let the sunshine in.

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  3. Sorry Eric, but even the current governor of Cal-e-fornia, Arnold Schwarzenegger, can't run for president - not a natural born citizen. Nice try though.

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  4. Typically, US presidents have waited until well into their term to develop their world view. Obama even lived some of his childhood in Indonesia, so that expanded his mind, I'm sure, and he's probably trying to demonstrate that he doesn't need the usual latency period. On the other hand, there are plenty of left wing folks around who suspect he isn't liberal enough, so go figure.

    There used to be an American military recruitment billboard, saying something like 'join the navy, see the world'. That quickly led to parodies saying 'join the navy, meet interesting people, then shoot them.'

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  5. It seems that there are no other major candidates in the field. But, I bet Schwarzenneger would jump at the chance to run in the future if he could do it. I've heard a rumor that his people are trying to a write a constitutional amendment that would allow for non-natural born citizens to run. I really don't know, though, if its true or not. It does bring up interesting issues in this multi-cultural, evaporating borders world though, doesn't it? Does France have a similar rule?


    In the meantime, I'm having a lovely day planning my trip to Paris this fall. :)


    In other news, that's so awesome Eric - I'm so happy you're unplugging a wee bit. :) I wish you a lovely restorative day and hope you let yourself take even more time if you can. I don't think I'm alone when I say it feels like there's always room for a little more peace in our way too hectic lives. All the best to you.

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  6. What a hoot! I just watched your video link! Have a great Sunday away.

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  7. OMG Eric -- I feel like a complete idiot (LOOOOOOL)-- never again will I fail to click on the links in your blurbs before I write!!!!! :)))))

    I just saw the incredible effect that the new third option is having on middle aged women (Yes -the group that McCain and Obama are fighting over that were former Hillary supporters) and its clear that there is a viable third candidate in the field! What a history-making moment! What an awesome video!! :)))))) And the best part is, we all knew how great you were before the world woke up and found out. :}
    Peace out Mr. Pres!

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  8. Freedom fried, McCain french fries... Non merci. More seriously, does any one of our dear American friends afficionados of this PDP forum believe one second that Obama will go through ?
    Eric, very nice "headlines" photo. Enjoy the sun in Normandy ! Loic http://brohardphotography.blogspot.com

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  9. Two of my very favorite things together, Obama and Paris.... Not all us Americans agreed with that stupid Freedom Fries deal...

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  10. Oh, Eric, you are a hoot! That is a great Channel 3 clip! Frankly, considering the 2 candidates I have to choose between this time, I'd be willing to strongly consider you :) But ... I don't think you're legal :(

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  11. Loic - I personally don't think Obama will be elected, because he lacks experience. He's only a first term senator. He's flashy, looks nice in his suit, and reads a teleprompter really well. He needs years of experience. McCain's no favorite of mine either though.

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  12. This is great, thank you Eric.
    Only I just left my comment for today on your post from yesterday. Maybe I should spend Sunday in the country as well. I hope you are doing whatever it is you would like to do on Sunday, whatever your heart desires.

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  13. PS
    I always called my fries french, I wouldn't have it any other way.
    ; )

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  14. How very funny, Eric! LOVE the video! I wish there were more than 2 serious candidates, but I don't really consider Ralph Nader a serious candidate. I won't vote for Obama most likely and I don't like McCain all that much either. It just depends on who they choose as running mates as well.

    Glad Obama had a good visit to Europe, must be nice to visit Paris, London, and Berlin, among other places!

    Eric, my warmest wishes for a wonderful day off! Have a great time!

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  15. I can't wait for the election; I've had enough of w. already!

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  16. Eric

    The video was great fun. I sent it on to a friend in Utah. Thanks.

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  17. LOL, I am ready to vote for what's behind door(I mean) candidate number #3. I swear I thought I saw that ad on a New York taxi!!!Welllll, maybe not.
    M.K., JFK was a first term Senator and got elected. Same telegenetic look.

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  18. I always vote for the candidate that has the best jazz collection. Hmm, McCain?[Guy Lombardo, The Best of Lawrence Welk, Edison phonograph rolls]. Obama? [Miles, Charlie Parker, Coltrane,Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire]. But you all probably knew that's how I'd swing my vote.

    Now, for the important news...Eric, I am glad to read you are getting out of the city and going for a breather in the country. You deserve a break Camera-man. Might I suggest listening to some Stan Getz on your journey. Love you man! :-)

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  19. I'll vote for Obama. But it will take at least a generation of presidents to repair the damage of the past eight years, especially to the judicial system. When he's elected, just watch the entertainers on Fox blame Obama for everything W set in motion. Nobody can be what we (and the world) actually need, because no human can do it. But Obama is an inspiration to start the healing, and smart, creative, and wise people will gladly serve in his administration.

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  20. Demosthenes and I believe Obama will win by a large margin... Just our own reading of what's going on in the US. Can't vote anyway!

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  21. LOL I*ve been sent that Channel 3 clip before through an email.That's pretty funny. Hi,my name is Cristy:) I am just really beg.to become a regulare of your paris daily photo site.
    I have to say it's lovely <3.
    I've been to Paris + I must say I adored every minute.

    anyway-- in response to your photo for today.BIG thumbs down for me on Obama.I can say confidently I won't be voting for him.but I do wish their were better candidates running:(

    have fun tomorrow:)

    Sincerly,
    a daily admirer of paris

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  22. Loic Brohard: Most of the people around me (San Francisco Bay Area) are *convinced* Obama will make it. Not only that, but it seems like the great majority of the people have him confused with a Deity (especially the people who write for the San Francisco Chronicle) but I guess that's a different story, and I probably should stop right where I am before I ruffle someone's feathers, uh ;)

    I sincerely wish them both a lot of luck because whoever gets the job of running this country is going to have a fine mess to clean up. As to being pal with Sarkozy, ahem... I guess Sarkozy didn't say "casse-toi pauvre con" this time?

    Great link, Eric! :)

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  24. What the heck, the cat is out of the bag... I don't like either candidate, and I don't buy the messiah vibe everybody seem to be getting from obama. But I will say this, he has given hope to young people and has managed to get them to drag their rear end to the voting polls so for that reason [getting people to vote that wouldn't ordinary bother], I think he has a very good chance (well, that is if you count popular vote). Ahem.

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  26. Hee, Tomate! I don't buy the messiah thing, either. What I see in Obama is an incredibly shrewd candidate. I also think we need an incredibly shrewd president. I agree with Elaine, he can't be everything we need. He'll disappoint some people. All presidents do.

    However, though the latest polls show him leading McCain, the margins aren't of landslide proportions and it ain't over 'til it's over. And although McCain is not my pick, either of these gentlemen would be an improvement over the current occupant. But the same would be true if you elected me.

    I'd suggest we elect Eric, but then he'd never get a weekend in the country!

    French fries forever!

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  27. Eric Tenin all the way! Liberty, Fraternity, and PDP!

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  28. First of all, Eric, hope your day in Trouville is just what you need to feel refreshed and renewed.
    And since we're all being frank here . . . most of the people where I work see Obama as the Great White Hope. Personally, I'm a big Hillary fan, but I'll vote for Obama and trust that because he's so smart, he'll surround himself with the right advisors—and then listen to them. Uselaine is right—it'll take a looong time to repair the damage that's been done, but wouldn't it be nice to get started??

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  29. Hey, let's all say it together:

    French fries!
    French fries!!
    FRENCH fries!!!

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  30. Pommes de terre frites français!
    Pommes de terre frites français!
    Pommes de terre frites français!

    Hmm. A mouthful.

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  31. Honestly Eric, I think the freedom fries thing was in the papers for about 2 days! maybe some idiots held onto that phrase, but nobody I ever met.
    Enjoy your rest.
    John McCain's favorite author is Ernest Hemingway - he can't be all bad :)

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  32. Yeah, well, I was in the Heartland of America last autumn and was offered Freedom Fries to go with my cheeseburger, without a side of irony. Mmmm, I love my freedom when it's fried!

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  33. Yep he had lunch with you Eric, then he popped over to me in the UK for tea! We didn't display the crazy Obama Adoration that had been seen in Germany here in London, just some friendly handshakes but i suppose it was good to have him here. He took a stroll in central London with Gordon Brown, looking for all the world like they were alone, much to the surprise of tourists, but when the camera panned out, a small army of Secret Service were seen behind...

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  34. It would do me some good to visit your city!

    I like choice #3. Long live PDP!

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  35. I am surprised !
    No one has anything to say about the 8 billons of oysters killed by a strange plague in France ?
    M.

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  36. Obama vs. McCain

    I really don't like either candidate. I wish there was a
    good third choice. I just want Bush out of office. I will support who every is elected since he (unfortuantely not she) will be the peoples choice. That whole Freedom Fry thing was blown out of proportion as most things are. I am tired of all the fighting. We are one World and we need to start thinking that way. Blogging is a good start because we can communicate as one planet. This OUR world. - Aloha

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  38. Obama had my vote before he went to Europe.

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  39. I think that we need a change and I believe that Obama offers the chance for that change in direction.

    In our past the candidates with the most experience turned out to be such failures (Nixon comes to mind). On the other had, the candidates with the least amount of experience were equal failures (Bush). Kennedy wasn't much of a president until he proved his metal during the Cuban missile crisis. Americans thought that Truman was a loser but he's become highly regarded. I think my point is that ya never know until they're in office.

    Paris Photo Art!

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  40. I used to think that Obama would win big. Now, after having read a good number of comments here and there in the blogosphere, I am getting a bit worried that McCain might win. America is way less progressive and liberal than some of us may think.

    I think that it hinges upon both candidates' choices as their running mate. I really hope that Obama doesn't screw up on that front. I was a huge Hillary supporter so, yes, I am a little bit upset, but I'll still vote for Obama. I am very afraid of John McCain.

    But, in the end, if this could happen, my top choice would, of course, be Eric Tenin for President! We'd be eating FRENCH fries everyday without any fear of ever getting fat.

    p.s.- Yes, I am going to go and read about that oyster thing right now.

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  41. I loved the Eric for President campaign. Great idea. But, you do one more Obama supporter on your comment list. Like Abraham Lincoln, he had my vote before the trip.

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  42. Not only will we get rid of Freedom Fries, also Freedom Bread and (most importantly) Freedom Kissing. The perfect vice-president for Obama...Eric Tenin!

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  43. I forgot that McCain is also a Beach Boys fan. Last year, he sang to the BBs "Barbara Ann" melody in a South Carolina VFW Hall, "Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran." I'll give him the benefit of his years, and say he just probably forgot the lyrics. But come on, do we need someone in charge of our country who would make (and worse perhaps truly believe) such a stupid statement.

    Nevertheless, McCain and I do agree that Bush's 2003 "Mission Accomplished" speech in which "W" said, "In the Battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed", was definitely not the smartest thing for him to say. Of course, we have come to expect no less from our Sheriff of Nottingham who also said, "The folks who conducted to act on our country on September 11th made a big mistake. They underestimated America. They underestimated our resolve, our determination, our love for freedom. They MISunderestimated the fact that we love a neighbor in need. They MISunderestimated the compassion of our country. I think they MISunderestimated the will and determination of the Commander-in-Chief, too."(Sept 2001).

    Now please, don't MISunderestimate my words. I do think Obama should have met with the US soldiers on his European vacation (I think he realizes that now, too); his camp says that he didn't want to be seen as using the soldiers to promote his campaign efforts. [I question that response, but I suppose there is some logic to that.] However, I'm with Mr. O when he talks about a military pull-out.

    It's time to let the Iraqi military (that our military has helped train) do their job. Last count of US dead was 4,124; US casualties 30,435. Iraqi deaths est.85,000-95,000. Is the US safer than it was 8 years ago? Maybe. But how do we fit in with the REST OF THE WORLD? This present administration has left us and our kids and probably their kids to clean more than just a BIGGY-SIZE mess of hot grease from our freedom fries. Meanwhile the rest of the world watches and wonders what the new menu will taste like.

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  44. I would love to see Obama elected, but I don't think it will happen. The average American is incredibly dumb, but votes. A candidate has to therefore "dumb down" quite a bit to become electable, something at which McCain is much more of a natural at than Obama.

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  45. Luggi...I agree that it is unfortunate in the USA that "intellectuals" are seen by the average Joe and Jane as "disconnected." Americans would much prefer "pathos" to "logos" from their candidates. Could we expect anything less from a country who's big news of the day is about Miley Cyrus and how "Batman's struggles with his family." Aristotle sighs from his grave.

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  46. A quote from 19th century philosopher, John Stuart Mill:

    "Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives."

    Hey, I'm just quoting...

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  48. Eric is our president. He´s got our vote, for anything he wants!

    Talking about Obama, I was impressed when I heard he attracted about 200 thousand people at a speech in Berlin. Amazing!

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  49. I think the greatest concern about Obama is: is he tough enough for the nasty attacks that will be coming any time now from the Republicans? They won the last election by lying about the opponent's war record. Unfortunately, many Americans easily believe lies these days. Obama needs to let the attacks roll off of him without sounding hurt. I hope he can do it. It will be close, I think, because he scares many Americans. A black man? Oh my god! Quite a shift from very conservative Texas-style government.

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  50. No matter who wins, we will at least have a President who can pronounce "nuclear." I agree that the VP choices will be important. I'm a big Obama fan. He's smart, openminded, and had the guts to say that Americans need to learn other languages. Being old and cynical, I almost don't dare to hope that November will bring an Obamarama. but I know several Republicans who say they will vote for him. My staunchy Republican boss has even sent money to his campaign.

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  51. Oops, make that "staunchly."

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  52. USElaine and Tomate, You ladies are great with political commentaire. I've noticed that -- not only now -- also, in the past whenever Eric posts a political photo. You could write for Eric when he goes on the campaign trail.

    My daughter is voting for Obama. My daughter is young and has always voted since the day she became of age. I was surprised when she told me (about two years ago) that she was voting for Obama, and all the reasons why.

    My personal feelings and thoughts about politics are that I am an artist; and looking throughout history, artists don't really do well in politics. The two just don't seem to mix. For instance, I wrote McCain an email when my daughter was stationed in his state. And I told him of the deplorable living conditions the soldiers were experiencing. He never responded to my email -- just ignored me. I felt powerless. All through my life I have been told how free we are here in America. These last several years -- I have felt anything but free. So McCain is definitely not getting my vote. See how personal artists get when it comes to politics. ME AND MY MCCAIN EMAIL. That's what it is all about.

    Coltrane, I'm always impressed with your comments, well written and thought provoking.

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  53. Lois, thank you. I'm an artist, too, and I just can't seem to be cool and calm when it comes to politics. I try and try, but I take it so personally. Now I understand myself a little better.

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  54. Lois, a certain orotund New Englander had it that "All politics is local." All art, as you know, is autobiographic.

    What could be more local than autobiography? That's what Shelley meant when he called poets "the unacknowledged legislators of the world."

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  55. Wow, Petrea, you too. I know exactly what you mean -- I try to stay cool and calm too.

    Hey, is that the oyster story underneath the Sarkozy and Obama article. Look at what Eric did for use -- he gave us two for the price of one. Now that's a journalist! And even when he was feeling overwhelmed, he's still an ace.

    Bernie K, that was really beautiful -- sounds like you have given this subject a lot of thought.

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  56. Petrea and Lois -- I hope I'm not too forward saying this, but I just wanted to say thank you -- your last posts are really helpful and interesting to me -- I've never realized that people tried to stay calm about politics but didn't cause they were taking it personnally. Over all these years, I always thought the opposite, that they just wanted to push their views on others. Now I see that's not always it.

    I've always stayed away from politics because it seems inevitably someone either gets offended or offensive. Now I won't jump to the same conclusion about people's motives. I probably still won't be talking about politics too much, though -- life is too short! I figure my vote still has the same power whether or not I talk about what it will be or why -- and this way I keep more friends! : )

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  57. Obama '08!!!

    I do not understand for the life of me how anyone could choose McSame over an intelligent and thoughtful man like Obama. Maybe the people that still think Iraq and 9/11 are synonymous?

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  58. Lois, you are too kind. But, I immodestly add, you should see me wrap my text around a series of French doorknobs. Woah, Nelly! If that ain't art, ain't nuthin art.

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  59. Lois...you get the sweetheart of the day award! :-)

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  60. Carrie, I don't know if everyone who acts that way is taking it personally. I think some people really do think they can change the minds of others just by talking loudly. :)

    But I thanked Lois for the same reason you did--because I never understood it before, either. I didn't understand why I got so upset. I feel personally wronged when a politician lies, for example. I feel he or she has lied to ME. (The irrational artist in me, I guess.) Lois has helped me understand myself.

    Lois, you are the sweetheart of the day for sure!

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  61. Lois, thanks for the compliment! But you know, all I do is just express my opinion, right or wrong. Just throwing in my 2 cents in the commenting section ;)

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  62. Yeah, the Freedom Fries thing is pretty much a joke, even to Americans. That happened about 2 days after it started, thank goodness! So ridiculous. And I can say that because I'm an American!

    At any rate, wow. Good for Obama. Let's just hope he keeps those good relations and doesn't screw up like another president we all know.

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  63. Very cute...you are too funny ! I love the creativity and the realism !!

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