Sarkozy gets real off camera

Sarkozy en off sur le plateau de France 3

Keen watchers of Nicolas Sarkozy may be interested in this video. Recorded without his knowledge last night by staff at French public television, it shows Super Sarko's nervous and rough side.

The President was waiting to go on air at France 3 to explain how he aimed to rescue the European Union during his six month turn in the EU chair which opened today. He was tense because he had just driven past a mini protest by staff who are upset over his moves to take control of public television. France 3, the channel that covers the regions, is especially alarmed and two of the journalists questioning the head of state signed a protest last week.

The video shows Sarko in his usual impatient form. He snaps at a technician who he believes has failed to return his "bonjour" as he clipped on his microphone. "It's a matter of upbringing," he lectures the man. "When you're a guest you have the right to expect a bonjour... Or we're not in the public service here, we are at a demonstration... Incredible... and serious...That's going to change."   

Then he addresses Gérard Leclerc, one of the interviewers, using the informal -- and disrespectful -- "tu" and asks him: "How long did you spend in Siberia?". The reference (in the cupboard in French) was apparently to the journalist's recent assignment to off camera duties. "I wasn't in favour," he adds.  The exchange shows Sarko's menacing mateyness with journalists.

Sarko gets irritated about the wait and asks if the clock is wrong, fiddling with his Patek Philippe watch, a  wedding gift from Carla Bruni. He tells the interviewers to make sure to mention his morning dash to Carcassonne to commiserate with people wounded in an army base shooting. 

This is minor stuff and I apologise to non French speakers, but it shows the unvarnished Sarko that journalists see. It last went public on a video of him putting down a heckler at the Paris farm show. Today's video was released with obviously mischievous intent by France 3 staff to Rue89, a popular leftwing news site. As I write, some 180,000 people have already watched it and it is spreading fast.

Sarkozy spent some of the interview criticising the output of France Televisions, the public broadcasting company, saying it was too commercial. He wants more theatre and other cultural fare, he said. Last week he caused a furore by announcing that he would in future appoint the France Televisions boss rather than the supposedly independent broadcasting authority. France Televisions is unhappy over a Sarkozy decision to stop it broadcasting commercials in the evening without guarantees of alternative funding.

To be fair to the President, Sarkozy's second studio interview was only the second time that a French president has deigned to go to the TV rather than commanding its cameras to the Elysée palace.

Comments

[Roy Harris]

Isn't there something of an obsession nowadays with whether people in public life - be they film stars, musicians or politicians - are "nice". Indeed, it's almost the first question members of the public put about someone famous. Is anyone nice all the time? Any who are have little character, in my experience. Someone in a position of authority cannot afford to be "nice" all the time, whether he be a teacher, an orchestra conductor or a head of state. For instance, I have attended orchestra rehearsals during which very famous, gentlemenly conductors, much liked by many players, have been shouted and sworn at, their every request questioned.I can't see that Sarkozy here is particularly objectionable but then I am not a journalist.

[Doremi ( not Dot)]

Love the way il s'offusque du technician not saying hello but " tutoie" the journalist and behaves " en territoire conquis". He smiles like a Mako shark, actually behaves like one too. What is the point of power if you can't throw your weight around. Like all bullies when the mask of charm is off, it's not a pretty picture. Could someone start a whip-round for the rude technician, is Siberia cold this time of year?

[dot king]

For someone with as much TV debate, discussion, and interview behind him, Sarkozy is very nervous and doesn't seem to know how to control it. Preoccupied more with the effect he's having on the people around him that in the people themselves.

On this morning's radio news, the "ça va changer" was expressed as meaning that the offending technician would probably lose his job, but I can see that there's a wider context - with possibly more repercussions.

Good job the interviewers are calm and collected and unaffected by his quite agitated state. That kind of agitation is often contagious.

I've always thought - and probably said it before - that Sarkozy doesn't really seem all that interested in what he's doing - only in that he's doing it.

I didn't watch the programme, this little video is possibly more interesting . . .

[Sam Young]

Anyone who worked with Mother Theresa will tell you that she was domineering, back-stabbing, manipulative, playing the nuns against each other, etc.
In other words, it is impossible to achieve even mediocre greatness if you are "nice" all the time.
Also, to paraphrase Hitchcock "Journalists are Cattle".

[azloon]

You can't effectively wield power and be civil at the same time? oh, bullshit.

ronald reagan was endlessly pleasant, humorous and gentle with everyone he encountered. it reinforced his sense of dignity and power.

kennedy handled his relations with the media with infinite tact and humor. and was greatly respected for it.

ditto angela merkel, and tony blair.

sarko is classless, tasteless, with one contiguous 'rough edge.' it's a matter of upbringing. obviously, something went seriously wrong in the sarkozy household.

[razatork]

i don't see what's wrong with the video, can someone explain ??

i don't like him very much but i really don't see anything wrong in this video.

[Thanks Razatork... I didn't post it because there was anything wrong with the video. I thought it was interesting because you see how Sarko is when the camera is not on, at least not supposed to be. It shows you something about his style -- which is defensive and rather agitated -- that's all. Seems much of France also finds it interesting since it's now all over the media. CB]

[The3rdColumn]

A blogger friend of mine wrote in one of his blogs: Press Freedom is (merely) the Commercial Right to Sell News, Views and Entertainment...

If you come down to it -- he's absolutely right.

The Times and its journalists fall in the category of those in media who believe that they have the press freedom "to write as they please."

Journalists must start to realise that they can avail of the freedom "to write what they want" when they start respecting people they write about.

[PAUL]

People perceive what they want to perceive, partly unconsciously - this applies as much to myself as to Charles or anyone else. I can't for the life of me find anything unpleasant about Nicolas Sarkozy's behaviour.

[blossom]

what a load of sensationalism. only an anti sarkozyste can find anything "rough" here. he's human, for god's sake. enough of making french presidents "gods". they're not. not even mitterand was clean. what hypocrisy of those who find in this clip anything that blemishes the man.

[Anon reader]

Dear Monsieur, I dont like you saying Sarkozy only see opportunities...HOw would have you describe Tony Blair.He is very clever and modern,it is good to see a "real man"....with outburst and feeling....But thank for the video.He is right actually.How do you think the Queen would react if one of its subject would not salute her!?Politeness is rare nowdays and even if you dont like some one as a grow up you should always return a "salute"...this is called "live in good intelligence" or just "having manner".I do agree with him!I dont think you have been fair in your article.I am fed up of everybody critizing Sarkozy,I like him very much,at least he is the first president who try to make France evoluate and that why people dislike him so much,bse French are scared of changes.....He took me years to overcome my fear to speak in public,now I am completly okay,but most of people never overcome this fear.(if you dont believe me,visit an university where people have to do presentation,you will be surprise to see some of the student would rather "die"that to have to do one!anyway.Best Regards.

[PAUL]

Mitterrand was probably the least clean post-war French President! He lied to the people from the very start of his first term of office about his state of health; there was the sinking of 'Rainbow Warrior' and the renewal of atomic tests in Polynesia, despite expert warnings about risks to the local populations (amply borne out since); 'affaires' too numerous to mention. Benefitting from the "de mortuis nil nisi bonum" effect, he is revered in many quarters while Sarkozy, who so far has been involved in nothing of this sort, is railed against. "Folks is queer."

[azloon]

I find it incredible how many french readers defend sarko's boorish behavior. must be a french thing. apparently, boorishness is driven deep into the national character, so apparently it's not obvious to his fellow citizens.

this doesn't make him a bad president, and perhaps he's even a good one. but not because he's a boor. that's about bad parenting. John McEnroe grew out of it. maybe sarko will too.

Third Column says: The Times and its journalists fall in the category of those in media who believe that they have the press freedom "to write as they please."

Charles comes from a news tradition that actually believes that 'writing what you please' is the essence of vigorous journalism. what's your idea? writing about what doesn't please you?

[I]

Same, I don't see any rudeness. I am french and understand french. He only asked if the journalists were to speak about Carcassone.... not to "mention" it... He is not mad about the time, but wonders if his is on time.... Yes he is figiting and no one talks.... I mean... pleeeease.... give it some rest, people! No... all I conclude is that Mr. Bremner is writing a seemingly orientated article... when he is supposed to remain neutral and bring some real news instead: POSITIVE and NEGATIVE.

[Lamerloque]

C'est un ogre, pur et simple.

[Doremi ( not Dot)]

Mother Theresa was no saint?

[rocket]

I

"He only asked if the journalists were to speak about Carcassone.... not to "mention" it"

Yeh right! Like we just got off the plane in France yesterday

Then you say

"I conclude is that Mr. Bremner is writing a seemingly orientated article.."

Well I then we may also conclude that Mr. Sarkozy was also orienting his remarks! And we know what that means in France. It means do it or I will make sure you're in the dog house!

Even a strange look from someone in power in France can cost you your job.

[alan morgan]

I felt strongly that Sarkozy was the 'right' person for President when he was elected.
What I made no allowance for was he appears to be incapable of making the transition from Politican to President. He acts like a Prime Minister, seems incapable of delegating,walks like a young thug, no bonne manières and a comportment suitable to the rough side of Chicago. Does he suffer from Autisme one wonders?
His duty is to represent, amongst other things the dignity of France. Not to appear constantly as a swashbuckler - a swaggering bully, flamboyant and macho.
History will judge him whilst the population will flay him. As for Clara - how long with a loser?

[Mauvezin]

I conclude is that Mr. Bremner is writing a seemingly orientated article.
*******************
Bof !
Que pouvez-vous donc attendre d'un anglais !?

[Daniel Strohl]

"Today's video was released with obviously mischievous intent by France 3 staff to Rue89, a popular leftwing news site"

During the "official" interview - I saw only a small part of it - it was also very obvious that Sarkozy has a much faster mind than the "FR3 staff" :))

As an example : one of the interviewers - a lady - asked him why we still have deficits. Answer : for what reason are we not replacing 50% of the civil servants going into retirement, if it is not because of the deficits?

Additional and most probably complementing question from Sarkozy (to one of the male interviewers): how many staff are working at France TV ? He had to give himself the answer (11,000) and to push hard to get a (reluctant) answer regarding the number at FR 3 : 6,000 (out of the 11,000) !

If I were the TV lady, I would try to formulate questions less prone to backfiring (in colloquial French : "qui vous pètent facilement dans la gueule")... But I am not journalist at FR3.

Dot,

"On this morning's radio news" - probably France Inter ?

It is rather unlikely that Sarkozy will lose his time trying to get the technician fired. The shelling (if any :)) will probably be aimed at much higher hierarchical levels.

This morning, a news bulletin announced that the Chief of Staff of the French army offered his resignation after the incident/accident at Carcassone. Sarkozy accepted it ! But the reason was may be not only Carcassonne ...

[Geoff Miller]

Sarko was very polite to begin with but when you consider that he had to run the gauntlet of baying featherbedded lefties on his way into the studio and impoliteness from staff I am not surprised he complained.

Treat people with respect you lefties - dont behave like the spoilt "class warriors" you think you are.

France is a great country but, like the UK, it is being eaten away by undemocratic, marxist, adolescents.

He was the peoples choice. He is your President. Respect the people and the position he holds on their behalf.

Or leave France for Somalia - you'd like it there.

[peter kinsley www.peterkinsley.com]

Is there a small mis-print above and should 3rd column not read 5th column? Here lurks someone who appears not to like the freedom of the Press. Like politicians. Sarkozy calls on the journalists not to forget to mention his dash to Carcassonne "to commiserate" with those who lost loved ones in the army trigger-happy slaughter. Again and again we hear the UK politicians name another young soldier who is mentioned in their prayers! Do they really pray for the battlefield dead?
There is a stupid quote that the function of the Press is "the commercial right to sell news, views and entertainment"
The crooked Nixon was brought down by the Press after Watergate. Every week in Britain another politician is named as having fiddled, cheated and lied about expenses and personal use of taxpayers' money. It was the Press there who jailed Lord Archer and Jonathan Aitken for cheating and
stealing. The function of the Press is to caste a lynx-eyed view at the behaviour of those who believe they should lead us: to discover and expose who is robbing who, who is cheating who and who is screwing who. They are often linked together.
Half the voting population of France were for Sarkozy but luckily there is another half who have their eye on him too.
The London Daily Mirror in 1920 had a cartoon of two statesmen leaving the League of Nations meeting, one saying: "Strange ... I seem to hear a baby crying.." and the bubble said "Classe of 1939" Our leaders then could not even see what the cartoonist could see.
The same paper had a drowned sailor on a raft and the caption: "The price of petrol has gone up by 1p a gallon" Churchill tried to close down the paper for alleging profiteering. He failed.
Mr. Sar-cosy is cosying up to the British and the Americans and the Germans. The big guns. What is his game, now that he is in power?
Neither the German leader nor the British (Blair and Brown) nor Bush has ever worn a uniform. In a previous blog I quoted an ex prisoner of Buchenwald saying his advice to the young was: Beware the warrior king.

[denis l.]

I am convinced that Sarkozy is simply a new version of Chirac : pretending to act rather than actually reforming the country. I also dislike Sarkozy's style, and found his behaviour at the Salon de l'Agriculture undefendable. But I can't see ANYTHING wrong here.

The "tutoiement" (something I hate in my personal life) is almost standard when politicians and media big shots (and even not-so-big shots) talk to each other. I personnally find this "mateyness" repulsive, but the point is that there was nothing "disrespectful" here. The "menacing" aspect also escaped me.

Sarkozy did NOT "snap" at the impolite technician. He did NOT "believe" this man had failed to return his "bonjour", he was right about that. He did NOT get "irritated" about the wait. He did NOT "tell" the interviewers to mention anything, he merely ASKED whether they would ask a question about it (from the purist's point of view, he shouldn't have done that).

Nervousness yes, roughnes defenitely no.

There are only two things here that thoroughly appalled me : 1° the disloyalty of the technican crew, or of at least one of its members 2° the partiality of CB's depiction of this episode.

[lydia]

It never ceases to amaze me how the likes of Sarkozy believe that, though he had none in the first place, once he achieves notoriety and a bigger income class/breeding automatically oozes from his pores and he needs to constantly berate people about it.
"Fine feathers make fine birds" but nature gave him that face so we would never be 'sucked in'.

[Christian]

Sarkozy only showed how nervous he can be. You can feel the tension in the studio. I understand his "ca va changer" as a threat, especially in the current context where France Télévisions is about to be controlled by Sarkozy.

Do you think his question to Leclerc was meant to destabilize him? Or the other journalists in the studio?

It didn't frighten Audrey Pulvar during the show though... he seemed embarrassed when she asked him about immigration.

[felipesegundo]

Have to say I don't see an awful lot wrong with this. He's a bit on edge, and possibly slightly unpleasant about the technician, but I think Mr Bremner is overstating his case. If anything Sarkozy was more menacing once the interview got underway (he was deeply patronising towards the youngest journalist).

[Rulf]

@AZLOON:

You are indeed French. You don't even realize that if the French president "only asks", French journalists (and almost any Frenchmen) infallibly take it as an order and comply without a twitch, like nicely trained lap dogs.

The significance of this video is that it shows a) the alarming pathology of this man and b) the intimidation of the journalists -- they don't dare to (small-)talk with the president (and, for that matter, not even with themselves).

What this video does not show, however, is the on-air exchange between Audrey Pulvar and Sarkozy, when she presses the guy on an immigration question in an (albeit very mild) Paxman manner. Sarkozy was visibly angered by Audrey's candor and could only dodge a sincere answer by barking her off and letting go his second nature -- he always was and still is a shyster.

Alas, the indeed beautiful Audrey Pulvar will not only be one of the first French journalists who showed some courage before a French president, but she will also be fired in the nearest future. Nobody in the media survives such a lèse-majesté.

[Daniel Strohl]

Christian,

"he seemed embarrassed when she asked him about immigration."

At that very moment, the transmission with the FR 3 studio was interrupted for 1 or 2 minutes (at least in Colmar, Haut-Rhin) and replaced by a local topic with no relation to the interview. Raté technique ou intervention d'un "technicien de gauche" zélé ?

[Henri]

Dear Charles,

This is a "tempete dans un verre d’eau", as often we it comes to breaking news on the President Sarkozy character.

French people can be rude, and being one of them, I can assure you that your beloved President is not reaching our best level in this video.
He is indeed patronizing the technician, which would be deserved if the guy has not been courteous to the President.
But he seems very far away from the “out-of-his mind monster” that most people would like him to be.

As this is a blog, rather than a column, I can understand the interest in the video (which is likely to draw even more attention in the future)
but I think you mention exactly what it is. This is “minor stuff”. Issues in France are political … not yet politicians.

Let’s focus on the big picture, not the small screen !

[thomasine]

Reagan?! Kennedy?! gentlemanly?! Not nervous, maybe. President Sarkozy has no time to cool off on this thread - as some elderly bloggers - or get excited about the latest inimical post. And he will never have the time to be that suspiciously leisurely.

[Helen]

On this video, Sarko doesn't act agitated or domineering: setting one's watch to the correct time is hardly a sign of stress for someone who isn't on the dole, and I find
his question to Mr Leclerc was friendly meant, he adds that he had protested at the time of Mr Leclerc' s 'deportation'.
The small misunderstanding with the technician isn't such a big deal either: it's very common for French people to 'râler' about civil servants not being polite or diligent (you know, when you go to the 'impôts locaux' to pay your tax, and the two guys at the till are loafing around and telling one another about their holidays
instead of doing the job they're paid for. Just like in a British office, so I guess that's why a British viewer can't understand Sarko's remark!!)
In fact, Sarko is here calmer than usual, and he looks quite rejuvenated: does he use Botox? wouldn't be surprised if he died his hair, and he really sports a nice tan and a very well-cut suit. By the way, what's that bruise on his right cheekbone?.
He's really quite laid back, he even jokes with the journalists (cf the 'vibreur'). He speaks really slowly too (so that the 'average' French moron can understand what he says); a couple of years ago, he used to fire away at quite a rapid pace.
I wish I could be as calm as that whenever I have an oral exam, a presentation or an interview!

[Robert Marchenoir]

"How long did you spend in Siberia? I wasn't in favour."

Wow. Masterful. Very Putin-lite. No wonder he likes the man.

Now you have to be a bit of a communist thug yourself if you want to crush those arrogant, communist "technicians" and "journalists" in the public television channels, haven't you?

Also, I wasn't aware of this dreadful statistic: 6 000 people on the FR3 payroll, out of 11 000 in France Télévision.

I say: we lack plumbers.

It amuses me to no end, seeing leftists sing the praise of sate-owned media -- until the state swings from the left to the right, at which point they suddenly realise that dependency from the state might not be such a good idea after all.

[Sandrine]

"C'est un ogre, pur et simple.

Lamerloque"

Are you "the" L'Amerloque ? The one and only ?

[Luc]

"Sarkozy gets real off camera"

Fact is, he is also "real" when the cameras are on.

That's perhaps why the journalists are so destabilized by him ...

[Helene]

Presumably re the missing "Bonjour" Mr Sarkozy said, "C'est une question d'éducation", which would surely be more aptly translated with a phrase such as "It's a question of manners". When was the last time anyone said spontaneously "It's a matter of upbringing?" And the "tu" form is not by any means always disrespectful - it's more complex than that - used by a man of high office it could equally well imply that he considered his interlocutor to be equally lofty and that they could have a conversation among equals. By the same token, "vous" is not always polite: it can be used to push somebody away, to imply that he or she is nothing to the speaker.

[azloon]

[Reagan?! Kennedy?! gentlemanly?! Not nervous, maybe. President Sarkozy has no time to cool off on this thread - as some elderly bloggers - or get excited about the latest inimical post. And he will never have the time to be that suspiciously leisurely.] Thomasine

a very strange justification for sarko's asshole behavior. maybe the point here is the french prefer an honest boor as president to a liar and a cheat which has been previous norm. and i'd agree with that preference.

Thomasine, do we know you from someplace? you seems to have come out of nowhere, but are somehow familar..

[Jeanne]

I didn't find Sarkozy either "matey" or "menacing." I thought he was fidgety and tense, waiting for the broadcast to start, and saying casual, off the cuff things to the journalists--sort of thinking out loud. I didn't find the "tu" disrespectful--just a casualness resulting from familiarity. In my opinion the journalists are jerks for being put off by any of this--but then in my opinion journalists are generally mal élevés or they wouldn't be journalists.

[MYOS]

There's a context to all this:
- the technician had a headset on - he never heard the president talk; presumably the president didn"t see it.

- the interview was supposed to be about Europe. For the president to mention Carcassonne is tantamount to say "I want to talk about Carcasonne also", which is a way to direct the interview - but I've got no problem with it.

- F3 is regional TV: it's got regional branches. If you operate only nationally, you only need one studio, a couple technical teams, etc, in one place. Here, you've got 22 regions, which have already been collapsed into 13 to cut costs.

- the reason F3 people are protesting is that the F3 journalists will no longer be in charge of the news. In a nutshell, they'll no longer have control over editing and ay not even have control over anything anymore - a status which would profundly alter their job. It's a bit technical and hidden under the broader umbrella (CB can investigate this point.)

- Nicolas Sarkozy is widely known to "play with his watch" now that he can't display it more obviously. It's a way for him to attract attention to an object he likes to show off, but more discretely than before. This is not any mere watch: it's a Patek Philippe bought by his wife, and it costs about 50,000 euros.

[Christian]

I do not think for once that Charles' comments are correctly translated and reflect the president's behavior. He seems slightly upset because of the demonstrators, but he did not say anything rude.

[Sandrine]

"And the "tu" form is not by any means always disrespectful - it's more complex than that - used by a man of high office it could equally well imply that he considered his interlocutor to be equally lofty and that they could have a conversation among equals."

Yeah right, Helene are you French ? If Sarkozy says "tu" to me, I'm sorry but it is disrespectful, as he knows I can't say the same thing to him.

And that's the way it is with this journalist. There's a distance that he should keep, but saying "tu" is not a way of saying : "let's be buddy", just a way of saying, I'm superior to you, you would never dare saying me "tu" back. God I wish one of them would say something like : "Je vais bien et toi ? Tout se passe bien avec Carla ?" Just to see how he reacts when someone does the same thing as him...

To Jeanne,

"but then in my opinion journalists are generally mal élevés or they wouldn't be journalists."

Then why on earth would you come on a journalist's blog ? Only to insult him ? Dang, I'm sorry but you're the one who is clearly mal-élevée !

Azloon,
"maybe the point here is the french prefer an honest boor as president to a liar and a cheat which has been previous norm. "

No no no, some people can be liars and cheaters and assholes at the same time ! Sarko is not that different from the other presidents.

Charles, will you speak about the "dépenses" de l'Elysées ? And their super mega rise ??????? Let's show the whole word how Sarko is supposedly different than the other presidents...

[Daniel Strohl]

Helen,

"(so that the 'average' French moron can understand what he says)

LOL !

I agree with what you say regarding Mr. Leclerc. He is a sympathetic and educated gentleman (his personal political opinions are his own business - as far as I can remember, he never got publicly ("on the air") out of his neutral position as a journalist. This can't be said from all of his colleagues).

If Sarkozy says "tu" to him, this probably means that they are acquainted for years. And regarding "tu" and "vous", I would never use "tu" with a person I don't like or at least respect and appreciate.

Myos,

"it's a Patek Philippe bought by his wife, and it costs about 50,000 euros"

You should specify for a better understanding of the matter by our foreign friends that you are quoting Mrs.Royal, at least regarding the brand of the watch and its estimated cost :)).

More seriously, if Mrs. Sarkozy wants to make a gift to her husband, she is free to do it - it is her money, not ours (i.e the state's money).

Regarding relativity of money perception : I heard on TV that the German Euro players were to get each a bonus of 265,000 € in case of final victory :)), and the "poor" Spaniards only 215,000 €. The "regular" monthly salary of these gentlemen is not bad either.

Apparemment, tous les aficionados de football trouvent cela normal; mais dans le lot, certains de ceux qui ont des sympathies de gauche vont tout de même s'étrangler d'indignation à propos du prix exorbitant de la montre offerte par Madame Sarkozy à son mari ...

[Yosemite Sam (I'm not Dot either - really!)]

He makes me nervous just watching him. His hair seems much grayer from last year.

"Sarko was very polite to begin with but when you consider that he had to run the gauntlet of baying featherbedded lefties on his way into the studio and impoliteness from staff I am not surprised he complained."

I do this everyday in Berkeley, but if you ride down the street, guns-a-blazin', they don't really bother you.

[dot king]

"He seems slightly upset because of the demonstrators, but he did not say anything rude."
Christian

As I mentioned (a long way) above, Sarkozy has had lots of TV time, far too much for it to make him nervous about any imminent interview. He's also had to run the gauntlet of a fair number of demonstrations against him and/or his policies. Neither situation should make him that jumpy or nervous. In fact, he should be displaying a calm authority in such a situation.
I think MYOS sums it up nicely in terms of Fr3, but I would add that as for fiddling with his watch, even if he does want to show it off, he should have the good manners to know that it just isn't polite to trouble yourself about what time it is when you've accepted an invitation.
IMO he was attention-seeking as usual.

[Paulangers]

Many of your contributors miss the point about politicians since De Gaulle started bossing journalists about. Also Mitterrand did go to French television studios more than once.
After 40 years in France let me confess that French journalists are supine and no better than courtiers (and female journalists will have had affairs with various leading politicians). The Ferrari case and others in the past show that male politicians love being challenged by attractive female journalists. Plus ça change. Clearly Sarkozy has an insecure personality and tries to overcompensate by bullying people.
But doesn't this happen in faraway England too? And don't British journalists get supine over religion the royal family and cricket?

[Rulf]

@AZLOON

My sincere excuses to you. I meant to refer to the comment by some "I" just under your post, but I got confused by the messy way the messages are published and signed on Charles' blog -- some serious typographical advice is needed here.

[The3rdColumn]

Azloon,

Re: "Charles comes from a news tradition that actually believes that 'writing what you please' is the essence of vigorous journalism. what's your idea? writing about what doesn't please you?"

You are out of your depth man! If writing destructive drivel on a subject is vigorous journalim then you've just compared Charles Bremner to tabloid journalists.

Never mind!

If you re-read what I said, you will find (yep, even you!) I asserted from the begining that freedom of the press is (even if merely) a commercial right, etc etc.

So what drivel are you on now? Did I say that Charles Bremner couldn't bash whom he pleases to bash? I however pointed out that they (CB and his likes in the Murdoch press) SHOULD REALISE that they are free TO WRITE WHAT THEY WANT TO WRITE with a caveat: a minimu of respect for the people they write about whether they like them or not or Bremner has always shown intense and unrestrained loathing for the President of France -- why so? Pres Sarkozy is not Mr Bush or Mr Blair who have ordered the destruction of a people for all the wrong reasons.

It is quite evident that Bremner does not respect Sarkozy, so what makes him different from any other journalist writing for smut newspapers?

Freedom of the press does not give Mr Bremner license to pour out his vomit on the president of the Republic just because he doesn't like Mr Sarkozy's mannerisms. Mr Bremner loses that license when he yields to the baser instict of a smut journalist.

[Barrie Dee]

Martinet as a person

in French
The term was used for an external pupil of a collège (i.e. continental high school, especially Catholic). Jean Bodin, quoting the examination of three witches by Paolo Grillandi of Castiglione at the Castello San Paolo, Spoleto, records that the witches referred to the Devil as Master Martinet (maistre Martinet), or the Little Master (petit maistre).

in English terms
In English, the term martinet is usually used not in reference to the whip itself, but rather him who would use it, a person who demands strict adherence to set rules, especially such a person in the military.

[Joan Arles]

It's good of Charles to put through the insulting nonsense that "3rd Column" writes about him. He must have a thick skin. It's laughable though and insulting to say he "vomits" "loathing" about Sarkozy etc etc. Absolutely nowhere does he do that. I even heard him in France Inter (le Telephone Sonne) praising Sarkozy the other evening!

His posting on the France 3 video was as usual sharp and I see that it has been taken up all over the French media today.

I note that the extreme language used by "3rd column" about vomit etc is exactly the jargon used by propaganda press under dictatorial regimes...!

[Romain]

Off topic,

Marc Machin, subject of a former story by CB, is granted a suspension of sentence by the judiciary revision commity.

[Helene]

Christian, yes I am. And you?

[christopher muir]

Looks like my last post didn't get through. I'd noted that ii's not a good sign when leaders start appointing their own favourites to senior broadcasting positions. I followed the Russian NTV demise. A vibrant station breaking new ground with its investigative documentaries ("Itogi") and satirical shows, it came under Putin's gaze in mid-2000. Its coverage of the Chechnya horrors was too honest, it seems. The president also loathed the Kluky puppet send-ups, so he called in top NTV staff to attend a Kremlin conference; he smiled a lot and shortly after, had the NTV "rebels" fired and those lacking moral fiber promoted. The station's demise was blamed by the authorities on "tax fraud" - a constant Putin weapon. Now NTV's news service is utterly mundane. Lessons can be drawn from this event.

(YouTube has a nice archive of Kluky editions. Worth a look for anybody interested in Russian politics.)