tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post6413313075839022325..comments2024-03-22T10:18:25.233+01:00Comments on ParisDailyPhoto: Election timesEric@ParisDailyPhotohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945292068472619659noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-1573170477295756522007-04-12T22:27:00.000+02:002007-04-12T22:27:00.000+02:00Hmm, frightening, Michael. Let's hope not. Bette...Hmm, frightening, Michael. Let's hope not. Better to be as prepared as poss though.Cheltenhamdailyphotohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00518073757785956012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-47187260244479543932007-04-12T21:22:00.000+02:002007-04-12T21:22:00.000+02:00Well it may get even more exciting. I just read th...Well it may get even more exciting. I just <A HREF="http://www.expatica.com/actual/article.asp?subchannel_id=102&story_id=38486" REL="nofollow">read this</A> about heightened security alert in France. Scary!Michael Salonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10294866381143537391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-52945804301124823432007-04-12T14:04:00.000+02:002007-04-12T14:04:00.000+02:00Okay i may put the cat among the pigeons again but...Okay i may put the cat among the pigeons again but i've just seen another tv interview, BBC news 24 from Dijon, and again i could not get the name of the interviewee (sorry) but he was saying the following.<BR/><BR/>That plans for immigration control were to accept people from Europe but not Asia and that rich people were very welcome but poor were not. Our reporter (same one as last time; maybe it's he who gets these weird quotes out of people! Good journalist lol) then picked him up because the interviewee, too, had said it would then be more like Britain!! The BBC reporter obviously was quite shocked as our country, more than most, accepts all, troubles and baggage coming with them (unfortunately)!Cheltenhamdailyphotohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00518073757785956012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-75304390412358021522007-04-12T08:57:00.000+02:002007-04-12T08:57:00.000+02:00A great photo Eric showing the current times. Was ...A great photo Eric showing the current times. Was watching CNN here in Poland and they commented on how big the current French elections are. Glad that you have managed to capture it on Paris DP!TORUŃ DAILY PHOTOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16059471602104124026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-10092495627325079562007-04-12T04:59:00.000+02:002007-04-12T04:59:00.000+02:00Is there a large voter turn out in France?Bill: a ...Is there a large voter turn out in France?<BR/><BR/>Bill: a really nice way to see Paris is via boat. Check out batobus.com.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-67675653960206062922007-04-12T00:25:00.000+02:002007-04-12T00:25:00.000+02:00Michael: not to mention "lutte finale GG" ;) BTW...Michael: not to mention "lutte finale GG" ;) BTW, I didn't realize Sarcozy was an expert on paedophilia. The things you learn on PDP! ;)<BR/><BR/>Jeff: good point on voting on all the issues, I never thought of it that way. The last SF ballot was pretty heavy already with numerous, numerous, numerous local propositions... sigh... I wonder who stays on top of these things, probably a very small amount of people.<BR/><BR/>KPG: Will read your article and get back to you later!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-15003187048119100702007-04-11T23:31:00.000+02:002007-04-11T23:31:00.000+02:00Sorry, it's me again. I'm not sure if people heard...Sorry, it's me again. I'm not sure if people heard outside of France, but there's now a "scandal" alleging that Sarkozy and Chirac organised a deal to protect Chirac from prosecution once his judicial immunity runs out next month. That and Sarkozy's comment about paedophilia being most probably genetic, have landed him in a lot of debates (and newspapers!) lately.Michael Salonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10294866381143537391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-15811413628295802082007-04-11T23:26:00.000+02:002007-04-11T23:26:00.000+02:00By the way, given that this is a political topic, ...By the way, given that this is a political topic, "Nasty GG", "Socialist GG" or "Anti-establishment GG" is noticeably missing! ;-)Michael Salonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10294866381143537391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-6076552353780967312007-04-11T23:25:00.000+02:002007-04-11T23:25:00.000+02:00Pont Girl...I actually thought one of the French f...Pont Girl...I actually thought one of the French folks would reply to you, but didn't see a resonse. "Atomic Anne" that you refer to is <A HREF="http://www.areva.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=arevagroup_en/Whoswho/WhoswhoFullTemplate&c=Whoswho&cid=1031646997000&p=1028798800914<br/>" REL="nofollow">Anne LAUVERGEON</A>, the Chief Executive Officer of <A HREF="http://www.areva.com" REL="nofollow">Areva</A>. She is one of the few women heading a major French company.Michael Salonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10294866381143537391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-33208816126145922302007-04-11T22:53:00.000+02:002007-04-11T22:53:00.000+02:00Hi Monica: Yes, L'Orangerie is divine. The last ...Hi Monica: Yes, L'Orangerie is divine. The last 2 times I was in Paris, it was closed for the remodel. I hear it's even more incredible now with the skylights - they say the paintings change drastically based upon the lighting from outside! Let us know how you like it!<BR/><BR/>LOL KP Gallant - love the "cozy avec Sarkozy"!!Pont Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16027307249127770309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-73530217562559614622007-04-11T22:43:00.000+02:002007-04-11T22:43:00.000+02:00sarkozy's shadow....very interesting!! I'm not re...sarkozy's shadow....very interesting!! I'm not really a fan of Buchanan, though I find his observations interesting. You are correct about the destructive results to the general public and in the US it is definitely getting worse[as I type]but the stupidity of the average American allows the BUSHIES to continue with their plans as long as they have the latest gadget, gas for their SUV and a Big Mac in their hand. They are very short sighted and have no knowledge of history.<BR/><BR/>I find it comical that Sarkozy came to la Maison Blanche and had his photo op with Bush, yet Bushie really didn't get too cozy with him...cozy avec Sarkozy..ehhh??? Wonder what that was all about...Hmmm?? Great handle there!!tonton_flaneurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08071868284684917894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-40023561555678737752007-04-11T22:27:00.000+02:002007-04-11T22:27:00.000+02:00kpgallant. The article you refer us to is interest...kpgallant. The article you refer us to is interesting, almost as interesting as its author Pat Buchanan, who himself has campaigned, when running for president in the U.S., on nationalist ideals. <BR/><BR/>Buchanan has opposed Free Market economics (also known as neo-liberal economics), exactly because of it ideals, which led business to flee to cheap labour markets elswhere around the globe. Neo-liberal econimists such as the late Milton Friedman have always claimed that their brand of economics, works to benefit all involved. <BR/><BR/>The problem with Sarkozy as I see it, is that he wants to be an economic nationalist, while aspiring to implement Anglo-American economic policies. The last two do not bode well together simply because since 1980, both the U.S. and Great Britain had followed Free Market economics with destructive results to their general public, and profitable ones for business (you need only examine the disparity in pay between CEO's and the rest of the working (non-executive) population. <BR/><BR/>Allow to refer you to a book called "Railroading Economics" if you wish to expand on the subject.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-74251062813535138292007-04-11T22:16:00.000+02:002007-04-11T22:16:00.000+02:00What a wonderful photo! I must say though that Le...What a wonderful photo! I must say though that Le Pen = BAD! *WINK*J. David Zacko-Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17028163483283414001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-51467937842198757942007-04-11T21:52:00.000+02:002007-04-11T21:52:00.000+02:00Looks like it's the hotel Drouot in the back, wher...Looks like it's the hotel Drouot in the back, where you took that unusual easter scene...<BR/><BR/>Am I the only one to think that Segolene Royal's photo on that poster has a little of Mona Lisa in it: the angle of the face, position of the eyes, the smile... mmmm<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.yatrides.com/anglais/others/joconde.JPG" REL="nofollow">Mona Lisa</A><BR/><BR/>I also like to look at the dominant color used on the posters... the left stick to the red, right to the blue, greens to green, center came up with orange... and the rests of them have to take what remains from the color spectrum...Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18408844776586435995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-54098963951222284072007-04-11T20:22:00.000+02:002007-04-11T20:22:00.000+02:00I love PDP wayyyyy toooo much to try to get "too p...I love PDP wayyyyy toooo much to try to get "too political" here...but, since you started this...LOL!! I want to attach a link to an article I read by a VERY conservative American political type about the French election and Sarkozy. Enjoy! LOL!! I think Les Francais that read and post here may have some very interesting thoughts...merci!!<BR/><A HREF="http://www.theamericancause.org/print/040307.htm" REL="nofollow">Sarkozy</A>tonton_flaneurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08071868284684917894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-18950957403289463172007-04-11T19:26:00.000+02:002007-04-11T19:26:00.000+02:00Representative democracy is the only option. It i...Representative democracy is the only option. It is absolutely impossible to have all citizens vote on all issues. As to the elections themselves, it may be possible to count votes directly rather than have the electoral college. If the number and distribution of electors in the electoral college were updated to actuall, mathematically represent the numbers of voters in each state, then it would mathematically be the same as counting direct votes. What you need to remember is that if voting can be corrupted with the electoral college (as I believe it has been in Florida and possibly Ohio), then the voting can be corrupted with direct voting just as easily. Democracy is a pain in the ass, folks, but it's many variations are, indeed, better than the others forms of government. Governing itself is a pain in the rear end, and people always will argue. That is why we set up numerous branches of government and checks and balances. When it gets out of whack, things go very badly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-53862432973924905812007-04-11T18:24:00.000+02:002007-04-11T18:24:00.000+02:00Johnny Parsons: the difference is "representative ...Johnny Parsons: the difference is "representative democracy." Might have made sense a couple of hundred years ago when you had to send someone on horseback all the way across the country to carry the "vote of the people" to its destination, but now ... pff... However, I wouldn't go as far as saying that the French system is superior. :-)<BR/><BR/>(Eric: I was pulling your leg)Tomate Farciehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12102741033638005250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-79036325240512534102007-04-11T18:01:00.000+02:002007-04-11T18:01:00.000+02:00the husband of a friend is from Paris and very act...the husband of a friend is from Paris and very actively campaigning for one of the four frontrunners.<BR/><BR/>Eric<BR/>answered below, but here again to say Oui! I arrive the same day Jeff does, Avril 26. We are trying to work something out. I have sent you an email, I hope you received it.<BR/><BR/>It is almost lunch time here, my co-worker did receive here passport and hers is prettier than mine, lol, so I guess we are on for Paris.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-24284872002325669142007-04-11T15:11:00.000+02:002007-04-11T15:11:00.000+02:00Pont Girl, Monet´s Nympheas are on my list too as ...Pont Girl, Monet´s Nympheas are on my list too as one of my priorities! Well, another one I guess.<BR/><BR/>Bill, it´s impossible to go to Paris and see just ONE thing (the good news is most of the time you just need to stand there and look around you, you´ll see soooo many beautiful things and landmarks!). Pont Girl´s tour is a good start. But even if you have just one day, you can´t miss Notre Dame Cathedral either.Monicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08145947793541874607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-53410773872825499982007-04-11T13:38:00.000+02:002007-04-11T13:38:00.000+02:00The French system seems superior to me. In the U....The French system seems superior to me. In the U.S. we have the electoral college that has managed to put the loser, not the winner, in office for two terms. Isn't it just grand to have the will of the populace ignored so that what is really good for them can be imposed? not a LOL, I fear.JohnnyParsonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00192355291272788111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-31289111025774866362007-04-11T12:31:00.000+02:002007-04-11T12:31:00.000+02:00Well of course not everything works perfectly in t...Well of course not everything works perfectly in the UK but let's face it: France is now poorer than the UK and that happened because France remained socialist while England turned (back?) to capitalism (what the French called Liberalism).<BR/><BR/>The problem now is that France has no money left to maintain it's social benefits... As Mitterrand said once: you can only share what you earn...<BR/><BR/>Most French people have realized that now, that is why Sarkozy will be elected. Will he be brave enough to do what Thatcher did in the 80s? That remains to be seen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-46762450391615990352007-04-11T11:52:00.000+02:002007-04-11T11:52:00.000+02:00mangez des pommes...mangez des pommes...Monsieur Pain d'épiceshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05016387596797081952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-50232007149371525362007-04-11T11:12:00.000+02:002007-04-11T11:12:00.000+02:00I’m a bit skeptical about the fairness of the camp...I’m a bit skeptical about the fairness of the campaigns. See people who vote blank see their votes distributed equally to all the candidates, increasing their percentages, helping them to get 5% and therefore seeing their campaign entirely refunded by the government, which is to say by taxes money. So people who are not satisfied with any of the candidates actually bring votes to all the mini-parties that are killing these elections (3 communist parties? Hunters and fishermen party? … come on). It is relevant because of the significant number of people voting blank.<BR/><BR/>Another problem about the fairness of the election is that radio and television must give the same amount of time for each candidate. This sounds good until you realize that no debate is being set up because it would be impossible to have 12 people (though lots of them have exactly the same program) arguing and debating and still control they all speak the same amount of time. So, all the candidates do is giving their speech with no opponent to underline the flows. This might be fair for the candidates but it is certainly not fair for the voters.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-6885476713729404482007-04-11T10:56:00.000+02:002007-04-11T10:56:00.000+02:00Thanks, Anonymously yours. Just telling it how it...Thanks, Anonymously yours. Just telling it how it is.Cheltenhamdailyphotohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00518073757785956012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471590.post-28080732787604975132007-04-11T07:48:00.000+02:002007-04-11T07:48:00.000+02:00Thanks for this interesting post. The rules on sp...Thanks for this interesting post. The rules on spending and reimbursement do sound very fair. Maybe we should try the French method here in the U.S. After all, there was just a piece on 60 Minutes on Sunday about how France is the most progressive on nuclear energy and how all the other countries are taking notice! They interviewed a woman called "Atomic Anne" who was quite interesting.<BR/><BR/>Bill: So hard to answer your question, but in my humble opinion, a great way to see some awesome parts of Paris is to start at the Louvre and walk towards the Tuileries Gardens (stop at L'Orangerie museum to see some truly jaw-dropping massive Claude Monet paintings). Keep walking towards La Place de la Concorde. Walk on to the Champs Elysees, all the way down to L'Arc de Triomphe (if not too pooped, go up to the top for a look around). Then, turn left and go down to the Trocadero and start your approach to the Eiffel Tower. By then you will have a walked about 5 miles or so, but you will have enjoyed it immensely and have had a nice taste of Paris.Pont Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16027307249127770309noreply@blogger.com