Mum Sarko tells Nicolas: No more weddings

It's hard to get away from the Sark-opera when the French first family offers such rich pickings. Yesterday, I spent an instructive couple of hours in the august Palais de Justice of Paris watching Jean Sarkozy, 20, the President's second son, answering charges of fleeing the scene of an accident [story here].

Today Andrée Sarkozy, the no-nonsense First Mother, has gone public with her thoughts on Sarko, Cécilia and les Sarko girls -- the women in the President's administration. She has had enough of daughters-in-law and hopes that her boy will not marry again, she says.

The case of Sarko Junior and what must now be the world's most expensive scooter, offers an amusing lesson in the monarchical ways of the French Republic. There in court was young Jean, chic in a neat grey suit, looking very uncomfortable among the anorak-wearing drug dealers, thieves and other racaille (louts) of the kind Dad wants to purge from la banlieue.

The young Prince (he looks like one) enjoyed judicial concern that the other voyous in the court -- mostly with Muslim names -- could not dream of.

  Thousands more euros are now to be spent as the might of the French justice system is deployed to determine whether Jean's 50cc scooter did or did not scratch the bumper of a car in 2005.

Last year, who knows how much was spent when the police recovered the same scooter, using all their forensic skills, from a banlieue parking lot and arrested the racaille who stole it from the Sarkozy home in Neuilly.

Christophe Launay, avocat for the plaintiff against Sarko junior, told me that three lawyers had refused to touch the case before him for fear of offending the then Interior Minister and Presidential candidate. Three bailiffs had also refused to serve papers at the Sarko household, he said.

Meanwhile, Jean's grandmother holds forth today for six pages in Point de Vue, a celebrity magazine that specialises in Europe's crowned heads. Sarko took Dadou, as he calls his 82-year-old mother, on a state visit to Beijing last week, as well as Pierre, his elder son by his first marriage. "Dadou" as Sarko calls his Maman, is a formidable woman who brought up her three small sons after their Hungarian father left, by qualifying to work as a lawyer.

Life on the road with Sarko's court is amusing, she says. "We had great fun with the government girls, with whom I'm quite a chum. Rachida (Dati) and I have a good laugh together and little Nathalie (Kosciusko-Morizet, 34, Ecology Secretary) is really great." Christine Lagarde, the Finance Minster, tried to get off the plane on a Siberian stopover to join ministers who were grabbing a quick vodka. Her high heels tripped on the steps and "by luck, she was caught in mid-air by my body-guard." She adds: "All the Government women had high heels. I admire that."

[In picture above: Mme Sarkozy chats to Dati and Lagarde in China] 

She is clearly not greatly fond of Cécilia, who left Sarko in October and inisted on divorce. "We had a good relationship without being close... She is cold but she doesn't do it on purpose and she has always been nice to me," she says. Cecilia's two grown-up daughters by her first marriage are "very cold, very distant," she adds.

Mme Sarkozy says that she was always closer to Nicolas than to her other two sons. He always loved politics and when a boy, he used to hang around his mother's dinner parties to chat with lawyers and doctors while his brothers ran off and played.

"Being without a wife will not be a problem for Nicolas, she says. "In his job, he will be spoilt for choice. But I hope that no-one will remarry. I have had enough of brides."

[Jean Sarkozy faces the music in Paris central courts, with Thierry Herzog, the Sakozy family lawyer]

 

Comments

[D]

Oh, un fils à maman with a compulsive need to seduce women.
I have read he does not like psychotherapy, how original in a narcissist.
Children of the bourgeoisie, upper and political classes have always had a right to a special justice in France. Only little people serve time.Le Canard enchaîné has entertained us with these stories for years. Nothing new there.

[Actu75]

Justice de classe? Maybe, maybe...
But so surely?
Sarko Jr certainly should have answered the ordinary informations requirements of the car owner's insurance.
However I understand that his lawyer produced in court another technical expertise contesting the link betwin the damage to the car's bumper and the collision with the scooter. And that confused judges chose to take a third advice.
So the young prince is rich and has a good lawyer (Thierry Herzog surely is) who knows how to deal with procedure.
It mainly means that if you're rich and well defended your chances are higher in the french judicial system.
Is it such a revelation? (No)
Is it so different in the "accusatoire" procedure of the UK and the US ? (In the US system at least it's much worse).
Could Mr Brenner or anyone imagine how would such a case have been handled by british justice? (To this question I don't know the answer...)

[Dominique]

The worst taste ever was last week's trip to China: during the riots, Sarko introduced his son, the prince as Charles says, to Chinese president Hu Jintao with a delightfull :

"il a besoin d'autorité, on va vous l'envoyer!"

"we'll send him to you because he needs authority"

video available on youtube :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCA-mRE8Jd8

Surely, that was not Ségolene's gaffe about chineese justice being efficient, but maybe Sarko was dreaming of China's policy regarding riots in the country...

[azloon]

[It mainly means that if you're rich and well defended your chances are higher in the french judicial system....... (In the US system at least it's much worse).] ACTU75

Different -- sometimes worse, sometimes better.

in a minor crime situation such as the prince sarko's, better treatment is likely.

in heinous crimes, or with elements of extreme recklessness or irresponsibility by prominent persons or their kin, the penalty is likely to be more severe since public opinion becomes inflamed and resentment of the rich and well off works against their usual advantage.

--------------------------

Dominique: those examples of comments to chinese officials by sarko and sego are incredibly amusing (to me) and likely horrifying to you.

talk about sycophancy.

[Gilbert Murray]

He doesn't drink. Recall Falstaff on John of Lancaster.

[Dominique]

Azloon,

"horrifying" is not the proper word for describing my feelings about Sarko's remarks.

"Vulgar, bad test, cheap, obscene, Condescending toward the poor little chineese, fighting for their rights, etc.."

those words describe better whet i feel about Sarko's bad joke. It's a bit like telling a jewish joke to a nazi : surely the nazi will laugh...it's just not adapted to the situation though.

Sarko is such a bad narcissist actor! "sycophancy" toward Jintao is clearly the right word for describing Sarko's behavior. Thanks Azloon!

[Marguerite.]

Felicitations au correspondant du Times pour avoir "couvert" l'affaire du scooter du fils de Sarko. La presse francaise a ete tres discrete...sur le sujet.

[Seb]

This is a great story. Or at least the printed edition one is.
I'm actually a bit surprised by a change made online: what is a Muslim name?

[A Muslim name is a Muslim name like a Christian name is a Christian name, and so on... CB]

[The 3rd Column]

Charles,

You say the young Sarkozy committed an offence. Is there evidence that he's committed a crime or that he's guilty of a crime?

If so, I am confident French justice will get to him just like it did to Mitterand's son who spent time in prison.

If not, why the big deal? Why so much fuss?

To insinuate that young Sarkozy is above the law because he's the president's son is completely misleading and it shows your contempt for French law -- that's not even reporting, that's mavaise foi particularly when you write "Christophe Launay, avocat for the plaintiff against Sarko junior, told me that three lawyers had refused to touch the case before him for fear of offending the then Interior Minister and Presidential candidate. Three bailiffs had also refused to serve papers at the Sarko household, he said."

Did you speak to the defendant or his lawyer? Got his version of the story perhaps? Why write one version but not the other?

I would like to believe that you don't go for sensational journalism that is The Sun's press policy.

[I'm surprised you make such comments. You maybe didn't read the post properly. I insinuated nothing and wrote nowhere that young Sarko had committed an offence. The story was about the extraordinary lengths and expense to which the French legal system is now going in order to judge a tiny trivial case in which the evidence is overwhelmingly against young Sarko (there were witnesses who took the number of the scooter). Young Sarko refused to speak to the press. He has refused to give his version so I obviously couldn't report it. I did quote his lawyer but you may have missed that. CB]

[Paula]

I can't understand why one of the celebrity magazines hasn't offered Sarko's mum a weekly column...she's got all the inside information, and money can't buy comments like hers about his women.

She's even ahead of the media pack on his overseas trips and State Occasions.

Perhaps, Charles, you could encourage her to join forces with you whenever you do a Sarko blog.

[Actu75]

Azloon
"Different -- sometimes worse, sometimes better."
It goes without saying. "Worse" only applied to the average (and expending) procedure costs a citizen has to face -not specifically in criminal matters- before reaching a justice decision.

[Actu75]

Dominique "It's a bit like telling a jewish joke to a nazi : surely the nazi will laugh..."
He'd need to understand it before laughing...

[azloon]

[It goes without saying. "Worse" only applied to the average (and expending) procedure costs a citizen has to face -not specifically in criminal matters- before reaching a justice decision] ACTU75

what i was trying to say is that in some high profile civil and criminal matters, a person's wealth and privelege may work AGAINST them, that even their highly paid legal talent can't get them out of certain accusatons, and that they acutally receive more severe sentences than a less privelged person would get.

the white collar defendendants in the enron, tyco and healthsouth corporate fraud cases actually ended up with much longer sentences than lesser individuals would have received. this is because their offenses affected their employees and outraged the public.

on the other hand, some priveleged defendants, like football player oj simpson, were able to 'buy' and 'demagogue' their way out of criminal charges.

[Maggie G]

"in some high profile civil and criminal matters, a person's wealth and privelege may work AGAINST them, that even their highly paid legal talent can't get them out of certain accusatons, and that they acutally receive more severe sentences than a less privelged person would get."

Isn't this what happened to Paris Hilton? She went to jail for speeding, didn't she? or was it drunk driving (without hitting anybody)? They were tough with her precisely because she was Paris Hilton.

[dot king]

Maman Sarkozy has a bodyguard then? Is this just for trips abroad or does she have one in any case by reason of her "royal" connections?
Should we regard this as unreasonable expense (two extra tickets to China) or responsible job creation?
Are we "contribuables" going to pay for much more of this?

[Actu75]

Azloon
You had made your point PERFECTLY clear and mine is not in opposition, is it?
Yet for the free pleasure of the argument, is it the high profile of the defendants in cases such as Enron & C° or the high profile of the offenses and damages caused to individuals and to social values, that caused the high sanctions? (Not to mention the fact that some dared pleading not-guilty).
Whatever the answer, I doubt these specific cases would change the global picture of a high-cost justice (wich I believe has been some source of concern in the US) being more easily handled by high-income "justiciables" .
Of course that takes us beyond Prince Sarko's case, but on this specific issue you had also made your point quite clear.

[azloon]

[is it the high profile of the defendants in cases such as Enron & C° or the high profile of the offenses and damages caused to individuals and to social values, that caused the high sanctions? (Not to mention the fact that some dared pleading not-guilty).] ACTU75

my own personal opinion about this is: when highly paid, and priveleged individuals openly flaunt their wealth, steal from a public corporation (and thus in effect from employees and shareholders), and act surprised (plead not guilty as you say) that they are accused are crimes, the public outrage is considerable, and prosecutors, who are often elected officials, want to go after these people with all the weapons they have, including maximum sentencing. and judges, who are often elected, are not immune to this pressure for retribution and often cooperate in imposing maximum sentences.

so this is more of a retribution/retaliation reaction, rather than a call for for stronger social values (tho both may accomplish the same result). in other words, you can be rich and famous, but god help you if you rub our noses in your wealth and then we find out you were stealing from your corporation.

in a another sort of case, like the murder of oj simpson's wife, the public treats it more like a tv soap opera, or a circus and don't feel personally offended. and he was a sports hero. so high paid legal help is more apt to be helpful in getting the client treated leniently, or acquitted.

and if you were sarko junior, you would stand a good chance of being treated quite a bit more favorably than joe blow.

Maggie--yes the paris hilton case was of the former variety -- spoiled rich girl flaunts the law, violating her probation for a previous conviction, gets caught, gives lame excuse, judge knows she is not a popular figure (richer than god and a jerk), so throws the book at her. funny though that the sheriff that booked her into jail ended up letting her out after a few days becasue she was 'depressed." the sentencing judge then heard about this 'accomodation' and immediately rejailed her. if she had been someone else, the early release would not have been questioned, imo.

[Daisy]

Sarko would probably like to do in the banlieus what the Chinese govt did in Tiannenmen Square. Now we know where he got his coldness and ruthlessness from!

[Daniel Strohl]

Re : "Strange case of the Nicholas Sarkozy scooter and the two-speed justice system"

What struck me in Charles' article, besides the various points commented with talent by our fellow bloggers, is the description of the plaintiff :
- son of an Algerian immigrant - no comment
- aged 37 years - no comment
- "former law student with part time employment" - "his car" is a BMW.

I have some difficulties to grasp how it is possible to be the owner of a BMW when one has a part time employment, even when one has been a former law student. However, there is may be a logical explanation to this.

In any case, it is funny to see that the son of the future Président de la République (but "only" Ministre de l'Intérieur in 2005) drives a scooter, whereas a part-time employee drives a BMW. The "plutocrat" has the attributes of a "proletarian", and conversely. France is indeed a strange country sometimes ...

[Daniel Strohl]

Dot King,

"(two extra tickets to China)"

I think that the Président de la République has an official plane (an Airbus, and not a Boeing as a fellow blogger - most probably Azloon, who else ? - jokingly wrote in another post), in which he may invite various persons without asking the permission of the Assemblée Nationale or even of the taxpayers, i.e you and me and some additional millions of the kind.

Regarding body guards, when GWB travels (not in an Airbus, of course !), one may see also a few conspicuous tall short&fair-haired body builded body guards in his vicinity ...

PS : je ne suis pas mécontent de ma séquence d'adjectifs...

[Dominique]

Daniel Strohl,

" have some difficulties to grasp how it is possible to be the owner of a BMW when one has a part time employment, even when one has been a former law student"

tss tss tss tss...stereotypes... You can buy a BMW with 1400€ according to l'argus! And scooters can be very expensive..

[dot king]

Daniel, my comment about the bodyguard was half-joking - but only half. I'm not American and don't care about GWB's bodyguards or their shortlist of physical attributes. I pay my taxes here, so I think Maman should ask herself "Is my visit really necessary?" Maybe she pays her own bodyguard. (I'll bet!) Now she's a cover-girl as well. First the Missus, then La Mama. It's all TOO much . . .:<{
Vous pouvez vous féliciter sur la liste d'adjectifs! :) Mais est-ce qu'une règle de grammaire vous a guidé ou votre instinct infaillible? ;0

[Daniel Strohl]

Dot King,

I know that you are not American. I was also half joking ...

PS : C'est mon "instinct" (LOL) qui m'a guidé ou peut-être plutôt l'oreille. Je ne sais pas s'il y a vraiment une règle.

Dominique,

"tss tss tss tss...stereotypes".

Yes, may be. But if a BMW costs only 1400 €, it is probably a rather old model and therefore a real gas guzzler (17 to 20 liters/100 km in normal city driving conditions, 30 to 40 liters during transport strikes - sorry, I couldn't resist ...).

This, in my (humble) opinion, is too much for a part-time employee and definitely well too much for "un retraité" like myself ...

Daisy,

"Now we know where he got his coldness and ruthlessness from!"

As far as I know, he has not (yet ? ) killed anybody up to now.

[azloon]

Re: no more marriages (advice from sarko's mum)

sarko needs to heed the age-old advice "to never lie down with someone crazier than you."

ceci obviously was a violation of this principle, and namu is plainly ineligible on this basis.

however, sarko, being as crazy as he is, still has many women who would fit this requirement. in fact, most women.

[Blendi]

The young prince looks exactly like David Ginola, just a tad leaner, thinner and meaner. Maybe there`s a future for him in advertising and he`s just using his scooter to became famous. I can imagine him in 5 years time, advertising Shampoo using only his (truth be told) shinny, curly & unruly hair.

Smiling on TV:

“L`Oreal * Because you're worth it"

France cant expect Mme Deneuve or Katia (as she`s known among close f&f *) to wash her precious hair all her life on TV.
As an impartial observer, I must note that it never moves, come rain or hail.Is it L`Oreal alone to blame?

So a new vacancy must be opening for the young prince.
But this seems the wrong way to go about it.
Now all of the France (and half of the planet) is saying:

- Did he wet it or didn’t he?
- Scratched it?
- Or he just touched it?

Am referring to the Scooter`s attack on the damaged BMW

He may have been more wise and paid pronptly for the damage - I don’t know if he still can do that – if only to spare the time and effort of so many people from law enforcement and the judiciary.

As I don’t know if in France one is allowed to say: I don’t accept responsibility, but I want to pay for the damage since my vehicle was involved.Or accept responsibility, say sorry, pay up and move on!

Certainly he could have done this in private though. Stop, apologise and pay up, now he`s dragging the name of the family for 200+ Euros. Shame. Sarko will have lots of problems on his hands, without any help from the family.

* f&f - family and friends.

[Blendi]

Since we are on Law enforcement, judges and juries, scooters and bail [CB, I have to make a slight connection with your Original Post somehow ;) ] something just came into my mind and wanted to share it with you guys. Never mind the typos, early morning and a lot to write.
Recently, I have been watching a show called “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Just two series, I don’t know when it started or how long it will be, caught the 1-st one after 20 min, the 2-nd after 10. Tonight will see all 30 minutes of it. LOL.

Have so many questions to raise and I think this is the Strangest Thing I seen in Tv for such a long time.

Basically. an ex-convict called Dog, maybe its his nom de guerre (I refuse to believe that a family, even in USA, can call their son- Dog) , it’s a Bounty Hunter.

He finds people who skip bail. The guy is totally and utterly unconventional, displays an evangelical zeal, mentions God in every 3-rd word and seems a character that can be described only as `stranger than fiction` .

I haven’t started with his family yet (they all work together, Mum, Dad ( Dog is the dad), son and daughter and few close friends ( or who knows who they are- I don’t have the info as I said watched only two parts) these people are Dog`s posy and god help you if they are on your tail. They always catch their `prey`.

Dog is like a cross between a celebrity wrestler (big, blond, unruly hair, heavily tattooed etc) always in a sleeveless leather jackets showing his huge arms.

He always mentions that he`s been in prison but by now he believes in God.

Just before (and always after ) catching a bail – jumper ( if that’s the right word) Dog calls all the ` hunters` in a group prayer, arms joined. His wife, seem no stranger to prison also (am judging this from her demeanour and few tangential references) she is tattooed too, leathered and pierced.

A truly magnificent three-dimensional lady. As wide, as she`s tall and heavyset, Dog`s wife is the fortunate possessor of the most magnificent pair of legs seen in Tv, that closely resemble thick marble columns, just like the ones in ancient Greece.

They get the info and then go to find the escapee. Nothing is said about how much they are paid, but they must be paid a lot since much time and resource and people are being used to find anyone.

The first episode I saw on my own, but watched the second from the house of a friend, he couldn’t believe that this was for real. Still doesn’t, LOL.

One part goes like this:

Dog is called by a guy called Bobby Brown ( he has an agency, finds people from his informers, Bobby`s operation runs from the car, or his dinning room he`s yet another character) about a guy that is heavily on drugs, and then they go to find him.

First Dog sends his daughter, (few neighbours confirm that the wanted person lives there, after they were shown a photo, to make a positive ID) so she can knock and the wanted man will open the door without suspicion.

The girl goes, knocks, the door opens – she runs away;
and then the hell breaks lose (it wasn’t that necessary given the man`s weak physique) Dog and his guys, throw him on the floor and jump on him wrestler style and cuff him. The `prey` didn’t even breath, coudn`t. LOL.

Then…Dog delivers his usual sermon – he does this to everyone - how drugs are no good for ya, how they must change the bad, wicked ways, go on rehab etc, etc…

I quote from memory:

God bless you brother! Dog huffs.

Thank you - God bless you! The prisoner offers, meekly returning the `greeting`.

They are walking towards the car.

Thank you- and God bless you too!!!!
now it’s the Dog`s turn to be polite (he aint gonna be `Out-Goded` on TV by someone on drugs, on cuffs and who weighs 4 times less)

Now they are both sitting in back of the car.

The prisoner rests/ thinks for a while and sheepishly asks Dog
Can I have a `Gaawd bless ya, brother?` .

God Bless you brother! Dog replies magnanimously.

Thank You, God bless you too.

(This happened very fast.LOL)

God bless you and you must quit doing drugs- Dog continues.

By now the ` victim`s` eyes shine from the built up of tears (but he doesn’t cry)

Dog has that effect on people. He finds you, jumps on you heavily, blesses you and becomes your brother- without a fail every single time, either he or his wife will say on warm tones:

“don’t worry brother or sister- we`ll take care of you!”

The moment one expect that they will bake `them victims` a cake and initiate them in the family, they just let them in the hands of the police and go away to find the next `client` ;)

If this is because they are aware of the camera, or this is how they operate always –I simply don’t know.

However even If I quoted it the whole dialogue verbatim, this man and his Work, can`t be conveyed into words. Not only me, but no one cans.

It must be seen to be believed. It is total deadpan, serious and superbly acted down to the gritty details, family rows, phone/ radio calls, the way Dog knocks on people`s doors ( he never says who he is- just he shows the Photo of the wanted and ask Do you know him? Where does he live?
…it’s a mystery how people are not afraid of him, not even apprehensive, its almost as they been expecting the call/ the face.
Either, they were made aware before filming, or Dog must be a big celebrity in USA and he doesn’t need to say his name. .

At precisely ` God Bless You Brother` moment my friend said:
This is acting.

No I replied this is how Dog works.

He called this the “11 mark on the amplifier” ( Like the Spinal Tap moment, where every band has 10 but they have 11, totally seriously explaining this to the interviewer) and is so convinced that if Dog is Real, he is hamming it up for the camera.

For my part I don’t know what really make of it, am watching it (and will continue to do so, as it makes for compulsive viewing) in amazement. if only to see how some parts of the law operate in America

Watching it in a Formula 1 kinda-way, (only waiting for the moment when the crash will happen) I still think that Dog will lose it somewhere or somehow and he will break the jaw or the ribs of some poor soul.

Strangely enough, everyone likes him and people say he follows every rule in the book. But the way he looks/moves/ talks confuses the brain, and one expects him to snap at any moment. Not only confusing, but inimitably strange.
So many questions come to mind. How come that USA with so many law enforcement agencies (from FBI, ATF, Sheriff departments/deputies, state troopers, US Marshalls and few others) allows ex-con type of people, to Hunt people.

I don’t know the rules, or how you get a licence (but one would think that being an ex-prisoner may disqualify you, apparently not) to Bounty Hunt, it completely feels like early XIX century.
Can`t they make up a force of dedicated, ex-military men, ex-policemen etc, to find people that skip bail?
Or is anyone that can collect 4-5 people and two cars allowed to Hunt?!
If anyone chances on this in UK, take a look at Virgin 1 (freeview, channel 20 to some) around 11 PM and you`ll see what I am talking about ;) you wont regret it.

I`m sure Azloon and the guys from US know more about bounty hunting or indeed this guy called Dog.

Speaking for myself, most ideas I have are from the Movies, if anyone escapes prison or jumps bail in USA, you call Tommy Lee Jones and consider the case closed.

But the Dog? That seems pushing it too far.

Whatever one thinks about Dog, I can promise that you`ll be fascinated the very First Time you`ll see him, if he wasn’t Real, no one can make Him up- it would sound Unbelievable!

bye for now & have a nice day folks!

God bless you brothers !
Trying In mah best Dog accent...
:)

[john o'doe]

Bounty hunter puts a new slant on the Bounty nickname mentioned here recently.

[john o'doe]

The language police would like to point out that the word is spelt "privilege". Mr Azloon and Ms Maggie G please note.

[olive]

Blendi -- your comments about Dog the Bounty
Hunter compelled me to look up the character and program. Using http://www.imdb.com (the internet movie data base) found info on your Dog at:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424627/plotsummary

"This series follows the exploits of real-life bounty hunter "Dog" Chapman and his family chasing down actual fugitives in the Hawaiian Islands. It grew out of an episode of A&E's "Take This Job," a 2003 series in which people with unusual occupations were profiled."

from Olive, an Oakland, California reader, Friday, 12-7-07 at 3:22 a.m. And, ironically, today is anniversary of our "...day of infamy..." FDR quote re Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) attack in 1941.

[azloon]

Blendi --

you have stumbled across the sleazy underbelly of american popular culture. Dawg is indeed real, albeit exaggerated a bit for tv, and hamming it up, as occurs in all so-called reality shows. he is american 'wretched excess' at it's most garrish. he's a sort of Liberace of trailer park trash.

you apparently are not aware of the history of bounty hunting in the u.s. it has a long and noble tradition, celebrated in chuck norris' bounty hunter tv series several decades ago. bounty hunting is a sort of civilian posse which originally was seen as an aide to law enforemnet since there would be an element of surprise when non-police showed to arrest suspects. no requirement to practice this occupation (afterall, it takes a crook to know/catch a crook).

Dawg got himself in major hot water a few years ago when he went to mexico to bring back some guy wanted in the u.s.

he thought he could snap this guy up from under the noses of mexican police but the whole operation imploded and he was arrested on charges of violating mexican national sovereignty.

his business cohorts had to buy him out of a mexican jail where sat for a few weeks. he's technically on bail from the mexican charges and would be re-arrested if he returned to mexico.

maybe some mexican bountry hunters will try to capture him on his hollywood set, and secret him back across the u.s./mexican border.

he's a real 'piece of work.'

:)

p.s. what shouldn't surprise me, but does, is that someone in an entirely different culture would find this program compelling. i think you'll find it wears thin after an episode or two. if not, god help you.

[The 3rd Column]

I'm sorry if my comments offended you Charles. I hadn't read the link to the story but based what I posted here only on this blog story here. (I usually read your report first if there is one, before going to your blog but not that time around.)

If I may explain my side of the story, what had struck me seriously in your blog report here was that portion I quoted earlier about your interview with the plaintiff's lawyer but found nothing by way of interview with with the defendant, hence my surprise.

In that sense and drawing from the context, hence my reaction.

But your explanation and the linked story have clarified matters.

Thanks and good luck.

PS: On a different note, would you know if there is truth to rumours that the Gendarmerie Nationale will be consolidated with the Police Nationale under Ministry of Interior?

There are speculations floating around that the Gendarmes will be withdrawn from the Ministry of Defence and placed under MAM and that there's going to be an overall change in Government policy on national security.

[azloon]

[The language police would like to point out that the word is spelt "privilege". Mr Azloon and Ms Maggie G please note.] John O"Doe

noted John. and thanks, as usual.

i consider it a priviledge to have you monitoring our posts.

incidentally, 'spelt' is spelled 'spelled.'

:)

[Pierre]

No it isn't! It's spelt spelt!

[dot king]

In English English, spelt is spelt "spelt and in American English, spelt is spelled "spelled".
I think it must be a cultural difference rather than a sign of social malaise :)
et cela s'écrit "épelé" en Français!

You say either and I say either
you say neither and I say neither
either either, neither neither
da da da da da off . . .

vive la différence! :)

[Valentin]

3RD COLUMN,
There is no reason to apologize. Charles presents the case of young Sarkozy as an example of the "monarchical ways of the French Republic" and clearly links that to his father's influence.

He says:
"The young Prince enjoyed judicial concern that the other voyous in the court -- mostly with Muslim names -- could not dream of."
" Thousands more euros are now to be spent as the might of the French justice system is deployed to determine whether Jean's 50cc scooter did or did not scratch the bumper of a car in 2005."
"Last year, who knows how much was spent when the police recovered the same scooter"

Charles quite obviously thinks Jean was favorised by the police last year (eg they wouldn't have gone through such trouble to find someone else's scooter), while this year they waste huge amounts to try to prove Jean's innocence in the new scooter incident: the police shows subject-like drive to please the King by helping the Prince.
Or else, CB could maybe explain to us which exactly was that special "judicial concern" the said Prince benefits of.

Halfway, open ended statements are actually called insinuation.
And you can even speak of mauvaise fois, since CB implies muslims are persecuted in French courts (when we know well how leftwing activist judges north of Paris systematically set free the "racaille" police just arrested drug-dealing or racketting).

Let alone that because of some small car accident, any one of us might one day find himself in a court of law - and depending on the place, some drug dealers might be around too.
If that ever happens and a Times reporter is there to report, I do hope it will come out less biased than what we saw here.

[azloon]

John/Pierre --

do you mean that all the 'whilst,' i have mistakenly believed that 'spelt' is an ingredient of foul-tasting baked goods found in healthe foode stores?

[Valentin]

About the Times story related to the scooter incident.

One of the readers was saying, if you're a celebrity and need help, you get police helicopters within minutes.
We might just as well say, if you're a celebrity, you'll have tons of nutcases hoping to get rich by suing you on some trivial matter.

One thing stands out, in the end.
To start with a small (50cc..) scooter breaking a rear bumper, and to end with such flood about monarchs, frightened lawyers, muslims, banlieue, and an earthquaking conclusion on France's "Two-Speed Justice System", leaves me just - perplexed.
Even involving the president's son. It's a darn'd BUMPER!

The Sarkomen might come and get you now, Charles, sure Paris's still safe for you? :)
(and if I was mean I could even say, what if the car driver suddenly hit the brakes? It would make the story look somewhat "in a hurry", rather than the French justice system "two speed")

[Blendi]

Hi Olive and thanks for the link. I only did check in on the Virgin 1 channel website, to see if the show was a spoof. Today I checked in on Google (just to learn about the incident in Mexico that Azloon was referring about ) also checked it on you tube right now. It seems that there`s more to the Dog that meets the eye. He`s ben accused of racism and is seen here breaking down in an interview –as he apparently have been taped, telling his son to stop dating his black girlfriend.

But now, Dog proclaims that he always was proud to call:
“a black guy, as a brother from a different mother! “ – at this moment he cries.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=u2S85DVq6Kw

Azloon, there are quite few reality shows in UK also, and some based on the format of their USA counterparts. The Apprentice, Dragon's Den or about Gordon Ramsey a French-trained-London-based-Scottish chef that uses few swear words, or about some celebrities in the jungle. Some are watched more than others.

Although nearly everyone has Freeview now in UK ( a group of free-to-air digital channels, nearly 30-40 depending on the reception area) Virgin 1 is one of the obscure ones and not many have seen DOG.

I`m sure that if Dog- The Bonty Hunter was transmitted on major stations BBC, ITV or Channel 4, millions of people will watch it. Our perceptions of other countries aren`t that complete, we think we know about USA, but our knowledge has major holes.

I agree with your assessment of `Liberace of the trailer trash` but since you guys have Bounty Hunting for a while, what its routine to you, it is a total novelty to me. Yesterday I saw him again. And learned that he`s been in business for 27 years!
It was the day when he gave “baby Lisa- his daughter” the Badge of a bounty hunter. ( or Lysa)
The badge simply reads:
FUGITIVE RECOVERY.

After catching yet another drug-taker, Dog tells all the neighbors:
I haven`t done this before, but…you all have to tell him why the drugs are bad( something along these lines)
One by one the People spoke, recounting their stories, how it affected their families, and the prisoner started to cry on the van.
No script can achieve that kind of “connection” lol.

In UK ( may be in other places too) is a word called – rubbernecking, when people see an accident on the opposite side of the motorway and stretch their neck to see what has happened.
Despite the police warnings not to turn your head- ie. Rubberneck,(as it causes accidents, slows down traffic etc) people do it because it human nature.

I find Dog more compelling given the context where he operates. I thought he was a small fish in a an obscure backward town, it turns out he`s the most Famous Bouty Hunter in USA.

Yesterday episode saw him ( and his group) jump a woman at a bus station ( very heavily) cuff her, and then ask:

Baaabby ( Bobby Brown) is that Her?

I think if you arent 100% sure, you cant jump an un-armed 55 years old woman waiting at the bus station!

With them everyone gets either jumped, or maced. No one has ever refused arrest yet, resisted or tried to run ( for what I see) but they get some violence nevertheless.

And here I`m thinking who lets this guy lose on the streets. Is is not enough that he is an ex-con ( saw today that he`s been arrested, also accused of racism) but should he be allowed to hunt people.

In Europe, I can Not find his equivalent from Urals to the London Eye, never heard or read something similar, and despite strange things happening in Europe too, I can guarantee you that the average person ( if he hasn’t seen a movie about bounty hunting) will be totally shocked that this is allowed to happen in USA, even that Bounty Hunting still exist.
I find the term itself shocking and derogatory. Maybe others don’t.

Subcontracting catching of criminals, shouldn’t be left to ex-cons in XXI century.
Ex-cons have been used in Europe (like Eugene Vidoq in France 200 + years ago) and some went on to became successful law –enforcement officers, but today if you are an ex-con, there` s no away that you`ll be given cuffs and work for the state.

Our perception of a modern day Bounty hunter is like that from the movie with Robert de Niro and Charles Grodin, one of an ex-cop, rebellious, divorced, a bit depressed, in alcohol rehab, but basically good at heart and willing to follow the law. It’s a telling moment when the Bounty hunter is offered 5 milion$ to relase his catch, but he doesn’t.
This is what I think when I see Dog, will he refuse the money- if this situation ever arises? Or what if the person caught is an innocent- is it humane to let the Dog lose on him. Sharing a barber with the guy is scary enough. LOL. Imagine that no all bail jumpers are criminals, do they deserve, to be Hunted by Dog?

One would simply think that Bounty Hunting willbe extinct by now.

Anyhow I found that some networks have banned his show and god knows how his story will end.

One thing is sure though –Dog – soon enough, slowly but steadily will Invade European Tv`s.
Let see if he`ll be a success or if his show will be binned.

[dot king]

Mauvaise Foi - Ma foi! I surprised Valentin doesn't know how to spell this.
(Only being helpful . . . ;))

Azloon - do you write: burnt or burned, learnt or learned, smelled or smelt, dealed or dealt?
Either or either .
Pavement or sidewalk - ou trottoir? ;0

[dot king]

Blendi, Bounty hunting has started already here in France - hundreds of tracts have been posted into homes in Villiers-le-Bel offering financial rewards to anyone "turning in" rioters who armed themselves against the police. Anyone wanting to make a little money before Christmas can "shop" their neighbour, or their neighbour's son, or the stranger that is within his gate. Of course they're saying that the claim has to be substantiated before any payment can be made, and there's an anonymous telephone number on the tracts.
So far, I don't think they've had much response despite there not being any support for the violence from other residents of the town.
You see, you don't have to be "Dog" - anyone can have a go - and with the full blessing of the Ministry of the Interior.
Heartwarming isn't it?

[azloon]

You say either and I say either
you say neither and I say neither
either either, neither neither
da da da da da off . . .DOT

let's call the whole thing off :)

[Valentin]

"Mauvaise Foi - Ma foi!"

LOL I forgave myself in advance: both English and French are learnt languages, I'm allowed to make mistakes!
(unlike other selfdeclaredyettobeproven expertes linguistes :) )

On the other hand, well! Even the best of us have less glamorous moments! :)

[azloon]

Dee --

someone commented about french scofflaws who brag about cheating on taxes, this being in the great french tradition of "i'll get mine."

there is an internal revenue service (IRS) program is the u.s. (or was), similar to france's 'turn in your local rioter' program that you mentioned. a person informing on a tax cheat here was entitled to a share of the recovered taxes. needless to say, bragging about evading taxes is unheard of here. in fact, in one's lifetime, you will probably never hear someone talking about not paying their required taxes. for good reason.

the IRS is the most 'police state-like' agency here, with incredible powers of pre-emptive enforcement.
our little stasi, i guess. btw, just saw "lives of others" last night. i enjoyed it a great deal.

re about all those words you asked me about: yes.

[Blendi]

DOT, given the right conditions one can engage in a light bounty hunting everywhere, Dog is different in a way- that he does the physical work himself (his team has every weapon that a law enforcement official has, guns, mace, cuffs, bullet-proof vests and more), but its not a big stretch to imagine how anyone can be a Hunter, if encouraged a little –as you say one needs the `right` circumstances and some inclination.
--

At times ` turning in` is encouraged by the state and there are individuals that engage on this out of spite and just to make life harder for others, even destroy them.
People who denounced Ann Frank`s family – are a vicious example of Bounty Hunters. One only needs to remember the Communism and the Nazis, to see how civilised countries and mild mannered people turned spying and anonymous letters, into a national pastime. In places it went very far, such as family members turning in one another.

But some folks don’t even need any encouragement and whatever the Political System and under every kind of regime they will `spy` others.
It’s a question of character.

And its not only the low spectrum of society that engages in unlawful acts now.
Since you mention the ` extra income for x-mas` it reminds me of a story last month in The Times, an article about a Shoplifting Epidemic that has engulfed UK and it will get worse now for X-mas.

A new phenomenon has emerged. That of middle-classes taking/stealing from the shops items that they can comfortably afford, one can spy on his friend the moment they explain their `shopping adventures`, take note and `tell` on them, I suppose.

In every country there will be something to tell about someone, and as you note, when the state encourages it.

Recently in UK the most famous story is that of a middle aged couple.
Of John an ex- prison officer and Ann a GP receptionists.

John `disappeared` 5 years ago, he took his canoe in the sea and never came back, the coroner declared him dead later on.

Apparently his wife collected the Insurance money, and John lived with her quietly. Then they bought a flat in Panama and thought everything will be ok.
Until John decided to go to the police and claim amnesia, pretending that he doesn’t remember the last 5 years.

Now to the `telling ` part. (as this story is long and every day something new comes up) a woman reads about this.
As an `Amateur Detective` that she fancies herself- she Googles “ John, Ann and Panama” and straight away finds a photo of the couple and their estate agent smiling- digitally dated- with the time clearly showing on the photo.

It proved that reports of John`s death `have been greatly exaggerated” - and lady calls the police, as you do ;).
(the photo isn’t there anymore) She has asked to remain anonymous – wonder why.
-----------------------

As for the scooter case, being famous sometimes works against you.

Maybe the judge/ juries want to be seen as tough, so they go the extra step to dish out the punishment, which compared with `normal` people can seem harsh and disproportionate.

[Daniel Strohl]

Dot King,

Re : your post dated 8 DEC 13:13 (Bounty hunting)

"So far, I don't think they've had much response despite there not being any support for the violence from other residents of the town".

Things have changed meanwhile, if I believe "Le Monde" on line - they write the following in their on line edition of this evening : «Une centaine d'appels avaient été enregistrés par la police, vendredi 7 décembre, sur la ligne téléphonique mise à disposition quatre jours plus tôt pour recueillir des témoignages sur les coups de feu contre des policiers à Villiers-le-Bel (Val-d'Oise) dans les nuits du 25 au 27 novembre ».

Ces premiers résultats sont jugés intéressants par la police judiciaire de Versailles. Un précédent appel à témoins, lancé samedi 1er décembre, était resté sans résultats ».

[dot king]

Daniel, Oui j'avais entendu cela sur le JT, mais on a ajouté que seulement 30% des appels ont été "exploitables". Et nous ne savons pas si ces 30% ont mené à un résultat.
J'ai du mal à imaginer que vous soyez en accord avec de telles méthodes qui doivent rappeler les temps de dénonciations des voisins.

[dot king]

az, about all those words - I'm pleased to hear it - so let's call the calling off off -
When you say "the lives of others" do you mean the French film "la vie des autres" with Jean-Pierre Bacri, Agnès Jaoui and Catherine Frot?
It is an excellent film if that's what you mean, but I'm surprised it's been done in English - with subtitles?

[Valentin]

"de telles méthodes qui doivent rappeler les temps de dénonciations des voisins."

Dot (sorry to disturb your conversation),
I understand that if you saw a masked man in the street holding an automatic machine gun, you would not call the police, since for you it's "délation".
How about someone who's just throwing his Molotov cocktail in a bus full of people. Would you describe him to the police? Would you go to the trial to testify?

Does the name Galledou says anything to you, or you only heard of Che Guevara and the rest?

[isobel]

Dot
I think Azloon is talking about the German film which came out at the beginning of the year about the East German Stasi called The Lives of others.The film you are referring to I think is "Le gout des autres" with Agnès Jaoui and Jean Pierre Bacri

[Daniel Strohl]

Dot King,

"J'ai du mal à imaginer que vous soyez en accord avec de telles méthodes qui doivent rappeler les temps de dénonciations des voisins".

La seule chose qui ne me convient pas trop dans le procédé, c'est l'anonymat. Mais c'est sans doute la seule méthode possible pour avoir des renseignements.

Il ne faut pas oublier qu'un certain nombre de policiers ont été blessés par armes à feu et ce n'est bien sûr pas admissible. Pensez-vous que laisser faire sans réagir soit la solution ? Et que les tireurs se dénonceront eux-mêmes ?

Je pense qu'une très grande majorité des gens qui vivent dans les quartiers "difficiles" voudraient y vivre au moins en paix, comme vous et moi. Et ils subissent, contrairement à vous et à moi, les violences, les services publics et les immeubles dégradés, la raréfaction ou la disparition des commerces de proximité, la drogue qui circule impunément etc. Il y en a certainement beaucoup qui ne verraient pas d'inconvénient à ce que les plus violents des jeunes et moins jeunes (entre autres les dealers) se retrouvent sous les verrous.

A cause de cela, il est probable que la police recueillera des informations, et sans doute pas spécialement à cause de l'appât du gain des "dénonciateurs".

PS : je ne prends pas partie en ce qui concerne les responsabilités (cela fait penser au problème de la poule et de l'oeuf). D'autres participants au blog dissertent savamment du sujet ... Je peux simplement rappeler que "la critique est aisée, l'art est difficile".

[dot king]

Isobel - quite right - "le goût des autres" - I wondered why Azloon mentioned the film I was thinking about as it seemed way off topic - both the either-either one ane the rest of the blog.
I haven't seen "The Lives of Others" so I didn't think of it.

Daniel, je suis d'accord avec vous, en fait c'est la dénonciation anonyme qui fait le plus froid dans le dos. J'ai écrit ce que j'ai écrit sur le sujet juste parce que quelqu'un parlait de "Bounty Hunters" - j'y ai trouvé un lien. Il va de soi que je trouve inacceptable que des policiers et/ou des pompiers se font tirer dessus, quelle que soit "la raison".

Valentin, vos propos ne sont même pas dignes de commentaire. Plus ça change . . .

[azloon]

Dee- yes, as Isobel says, "The Lives of Others," a german film that won the hollywood oscar for best foreign film last year.

Blendi --

[In places it went very far, such as family members turning in one another.] you

this phenomenon reached its pinnacle of evil, i believe, during the chinese cultural revolution. a family could not have a normal conversation at dinner for fear the children might turn in their parents to authorities under heavy prompting and pressure from school teachers. i have discussed this with chinese friends who were schooled during these days of 'the little red book," and their stories are truly chilling.

incidentally, the little red book (teachings/sayings of mao) was the only text used in chinese schools for fifteen years or so, and always it was placed in the upper right-hand corner of each pupil's desk. it is amazing to talk to someone whose entire educaton took place in this system, never suspecting it's grotesque distortion, only later to emigrate to the west and discover other truths. extreme anger best describes my chinese friends' reaction to this awakening.

footnote: Valentin, never underestimate the power of the state to brainwash it's citizens. :)

[Valentin]

Azloon, should I assume you speak about the French state? :) you've no idea how the red book topic is familiar to me. Chilling is not the right adjective, believe me. Horrifying is closer. Extreme anger is ok too. You're lucky you're born *here* :)

[azloon]

Vee-

i was kidding about french 'brainwashing.' it's no different that american brainwashing. ours are just a bit cleaner. :)

yes, if you know personally of the cultural revolution you know first or second-hand one of the great evils of our time.

[azloon]

[You're lucky you're born *here* :) } Vee

oh yeah, i forgot to ask you if you thought i could pass the french citizenship test (you and Dominique almost have me convinced)? :)

would not speaking french be a disadvantage?

yes, we're lucky.

[Valentin]

Not so sure... hmm, let's see...
you need to firmly believe you're the most beautiful, the most intelligent and most educated person on earth.. learn to "râler" nicely every God given day, properly pronounce "ouh-la-la" (bonus points if you can demonstrate all French attitudes on Rocket's page!).
Regularly spoil yourself with stinky cheese, raw snails and fried froglegs - AND, of course!, know how to properly wear a scarf, while conveniently fuming against those godless capitalists overseas! :)