Sunday, April 07, 2013

Liberty Equality Fraternity, really?


 France is not a very corrupted country, but from time to time, some newspaper manages to dig out some dirt and find something. At the moment, precisely, there is huge scandal in France because an investigation website discovered that the (now ex!) minister in charge of the budget had an account in tax heavens havens (namely Switzerland then Singapore). I found this funny sign on the Pont des Arts (it makes fun of the French Republic motto), and I thought it was very timely (AND offers a nice view on the Seine ;-))

22 comments:

  1. With a nice european melange of Pinocchio's elongated nose for telling porkies ... is this the logo for a political movement, Eric.

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    1. That's a good idea! Actually it's not the first one I see in Paris, so maybe it's the beginning of a new movement...

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  2. I would like to use it to my politician class, in Spain, changing the colours, of course.

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    1. LOL. I'm sure this could be used in many countries in the world...

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  3. I don't know the story of the scandal, but if all the U.S. members of Congress with offshore, sheltered bank accounts were revealed, most people here wouldn't care a bit. But when they are discovered having sex with somebody other than their spouses! OMG, what sinners! Blasphemers! Burn 'em at the stake like witches! Unless, of course, they repent and pray, then they're fine.

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    1. I'm sure you're exaggerating Jeff! In fact on the news tonight they were showing how this was handled in other countries and the mentioned the US of course. They talked about a guy (I forgot his name now) who finally did not get appointed by Obama because he was suspected of having done something wrong (I'll check his name when the program is available on catch up).
      (Of course a few days ago they also showed Clinton saying straight to the camera "I never had sex with this woman"!)

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  4. I've heard of the scandal.

    I don't agree with the sentiments you express, Jeff, and I'm guessing you don't either. I wish it weren't true that a lot of people do. Though maybe now that the banks have screwed us all, that might change.

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    1. Well, I think a lot of people would not pay their taxes if the had the choice/possibility ;-) But politicians should precisely be the most honest of all (in a perfect world...)

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  5. A neat witty way to make a point: and a lovely view as well! Doesn't get much better:)

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  6. Agree with Sweffling—Parisians know the effectiveness of a barbed wit. And I'm glad to see blue skies and sunshine reflected on the Seine!

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  7. Jeff

    have you read the latest on the "offshore leaks" that a bunch of journalists have started publishing since last wednesday?

    http://www.icij.org/offshore

    This is ONLY the tip of the iceberg - those far flung islands ( former British colonies and current territories) that have more companies than inhabitants :-)
    However the big fish are still using those major financial capitals on the continent.

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    1. Yes, it's a big thing here. They've started disclosing names...

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  8. have not heard about the scandal but the photo shows what looks to be a lovely day in beautiful Paris. Connecticut is focused on their Lady Huskies basketball team in the Final 4!!! Anne

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    1. Yes, lovely day (you'll see tonight with my Monday photo too ;-) And I hope the team you support won ;-))

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  9. The State of Mississippi didn't ratify the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (the one that abolished slavery in 1865) until 1995. Then it didn't file the paperwork properly until February 2013. There are all sorts of weird things going on...

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    1. Well, that's what we call "the weight of history". Here they abolished a law prohibiting women from wearing pants just recently (it was non longer enforced of course, but could have been, in theory)

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  10. Salut Eric!

    I love the idea of "tax heavens".
    It gives exactly the right idea.
    The usual English is "tax havens"
    haven = havre
    Mais tu n'as pas tort!

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    1. Oh yes of course! Funny... In French we call them Paradis fiscaux and I assumed it was the same in English - funny that the two words are very similar actually. Merci ;-)

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