Sarkozy's royal Bastille broadcast

Paris is at its most glorious on the July 14 holiday when France displays its military might, with the forces  marching, driving and flying down the Champs Elysées to salute President Sarkozy on the Place de la Concorde.

No other nation puts on such a splendid display any more. The setting is sumptuous -- helped today by summer sunshine. From the breastplates and plumes of the mounted Garde Républicaine to the slow-marching Légion Etrangère, you get a sense of the pride that Napoleon must have felt watching his Grande Armée.

Memories of empire were surely in Sarkozy's mind as he surveyed the ceremony, which felt all the more old-world this year because 400 dress-uniformed Indian troops led the procession, their arms swinging in British style.

The President's quest for grandeur is the talk of the town after an astonishingly servile TV broadcast in his honour last night. When Sarkozy took over two years ago, he did away with what he called the stuffy ritual of the Bastille Day lunchtime interview. Presidents Chirac and Mitterrand used the moment to commune in a regal way with their citizens from the Elysée Palace terrace.

Last night we were offered a supposed intimate portrait of Sarkozy, in which the monarch deigned to talk about his life and ambitions. The recorded programme, part of a celebrity profile series called A visage découvert, was so uncritically fulsome in its depiction of the great man, that we thought at first that it was  a joke by France TV. The state network has fallen foul of the President lately for lack of respect, so perhaps this was a satire in the manner of North Korean television.

Watch the start of the show below. Two France Television journalists stroll in the Elysée garden, reviewing the destiny of a French sovereign who has dazzled the world with his vision, energy and statesmanship. Tony Blair, Angela Merkel and Gordon Brown, were among those hauled in to pay tribute to his noble person.

As a young man, Nicolas Sarkozy sensed that he was destined to lead France and he set high goals for himself and his country, we learnt. His talents amazed all those whose paths crossed with his. He inspires those around him them with his energy and "the high demands he imposes on himself." He single-handedly restored faith in Europe with his Presidency of the Union last year. "I think in six months Nicolas Sarkozy aquired a veritable international dimension. And the situation was not an easy one," said one of the two obsequious presenters. The other retorted: "As the proverb says, it is in difficult times that men reveal themselves." It was how Soviet television used to describe Leonid Brezhnev -- or how BBC commentators talk of the Queen on state occasions. 

A "biopic worthy of Lady Diana," one blogging TV critic calls it today. Telerama:fr, the site of the leftish entertainment weekly, imagined questions that Sarkozy's interviewers would have liked to put. "Sublime President, your most Serene Highness, I love your tie. May I touch it with my finger tips?"

The Socialist Party has denounced the show as proof that Sarkozy has turned the state TV channels into his personal tool. Not even the late President de Gaulle got away with such stuff, it said. Benoît Hamon, the party spokesman, called it "hagiography worthy of a banana republic." "Democratic debate was totally abandoned in favour of a pile of worship that used, word-for-word, the political propaganda of the President."

All good fun. Back to the fête nationale. The traditional fireman's ball is enjoying a big revival. There have been over a dozen around Paris last night and tonight. People were dancing at the caserne des pompiers near my place until about four this morning.   

Extrait de "A visage découvert"
 

Comments

[Pierre]

BBC invented "hard talk". France 5 answered with "soft talk". Complacency paid on public money.

[DODO]

Telerama:fr, the site of the leftish entertainment weekly, imagined questions that Sarkozy's interviewers would have liked to put. "Sublime President, your most Serene Highness, I love your tie. May I touch it with my finger tips?" CB

I love this kind of humour !
(so French - as Rick use to say)

[Lex Stevens]

"was so uncritically fulsome in its depiction of the great man, that we thought at first that it was a joke by France 3 TV."

Sometimes the best revenge is to give someone exactly what they want.

Just imagine Sarko watching, his chest swelling with pride. Then the horror of what had been done slowly overtaking him.

“That is not it at all,
That is not what I meant, at all.”

[azloon]

Sarko's got a good gig, enabled by France's docile 'fourth estate,' though here's where the French's blase attitude toward almost everything serves them well. they really don't seem to give a shit about him.

why Indian troops marching British style? would think this wouldn't go over well. next year: u.s. marines?

re well-hung French fireman's balls:

"Most Francophiles know about July 14, Bastille Day. But they don't always know about July 13, the night of le bal des sapeurs-pompiers (the firemen's ball)......

The boots... come off for this often-raucous event that, depending on the firehouse, might feature handsome pompiers performing rehearsed — or impromptu — STRIPTEASES" -- from Foreign Parts blog

A 'lucky' night for men in uniforms, donned and doffed.

[GAG]

“when France displays its military might,”

Was this written in 1919 ?

[krv]

I love this dude! Go Sarko! LOL!!!! I'm Serious here, I really like this guy! He is just what is needed in a country like that, Vive le Sarko! Vive La France!

[dot king]

" Evoquer les « Droits de l'homme » alors que Notre Président n'a libéré que des femmes…"

TELERAMA article link

Ah, that will be because yesterday 13th July was an important date in the French Women's Liberation Calendar (this doesn't really exist - of course not sillies - I just made it up), because on 13th July 1965, French women were allowed to possess their very own cheque-book for the first time.

In this village we have a former Figaro journalist, Résistante, writer, aged about 90, who brought this to the notice of the Council and the anniversary was duly celebrated yesterday with an exhibition, a book-signing by Rosamunde Pujol, the above-named in question. And a street was renamed in her honour.

Some might remember the appearance of Mme Pujol on Le Grand Journal on publication of her last-but-one book all about - Le Clitoris - no, I'm not making this up.
Her latest book is called "Le vingtième sexe" which smacks not a little of plagiarism, but she was pals with Ms de Beauvoir.
And the renamed street is to be "la rue des orchidées".
Pourquoi, do I hear from around the globe?
Well, it's because that lumpy thing in the centre of an orchid resembles - I quote: "le clitoris d'une femme".

OK step forward all the men who have one - carefully now :)

http://www.actualitedulivre.com/auteur.php?nom=Pujol

[Daisy]

Hmmmm, a president who is short, wears stacked heels, has a serious case of megalomania and encourages fawning press coverage....where have I seen this before? When do the mass games begin?

[RolandC]

Regal! The NO party(PS), NO strategy,NO policies,NO thinking,NO France in 21st century and so they continue their carping about nothing. Sartre had said, nothing comes from nothing.Wake up PS at least give some support to a President who is trying to raise France out of the doldrums and into an energetic Nation, at home and internationally. Times, 'what has happened to quality analytical reporting?

[Dominique II]

"Wake up PS at least give some support to a President who is trying to raise France out of the doldrums"

AKA, la mouche du coche...

[Daniel Strohl]

"why Indian troops marching British style? would think this wouldn't go over well" (AZLOON)

However, it went over quite well, since they were acclaimed almost as much as the Légion Etrangère and the "pompiers", who are usually the favourites of the Parisians. German troops participated also in the défilé - no problem.

Nobody bothered because of the above mentioned (British :) style - in these matters, normal French are usually less retarded than (a very few :) hard core Brits.

[rocket]

Concerning CB's video clip

Start - intro Official Presidential photo with potato sack suit jacket.

Cut to a bush apparently in the Elysee garden

Cut to two journalists walking in the Elysée garden and one of them says

"Il veut une france puissante et influente dans le monde."

Yeh! so what has changed since the 8 May 1945 when France booted the Germans out of the country?

"Il a multiplié les reformes depuis deux ans avec les réussites et les échecs on ne va pas revenir la dessus"

As Beavis and Butthead would say --- OK!

"Est ce que le pays a les moyens de ses ambitions?"

"ca c'est un autre histoire"

The reality hits home!

cut to a regal stone rail

cut to the President in his office.

Two journalists are gesticulating in front of the back of the head of what seems to be the President of the Repubique de la France.

Fade out!

We are waiting for the rest of the interview and also to have news on the health of Kim Jung Il who seems to be ill.

PS - Since Spain visit I noticed that Carlita has no more problems about appearing taller than her "mari" Today he looked like a shrimp next to her. Was there a contract signed which allowed her to appear taller? In any other country this would be insignificant but in France it is newsworthy as appearance is everything. Is all well in the house of Sarkozy and when is that child coming?

[joe]

@daisy. "a president who is short, wears stacked heels, has a serious case of megalomania and encourages fawning press coverage...." Lets not forget the corporatism displayed by his patronage of the "HADOPI" law which proposes that consumers can be cut off from the Internet on the mere say so of vested interests. Oddly, Mr Bremner supports Sarko in this.

[Susan]

Yes but-----what is France doing parading up its' main parisian boulevard like some nouveau republic when they are so say supporting a war in Afghanistan, not to mention interventions in parts of Africa - how much is this worth in taxes for us to see how many troops they have who are non combatant, albeit, sans doutes, tres braves?

[Surcouf]

"As a young man, Nicolas Sarkozy sensed that he was destined to lead France and he set high goals for himself and his country,"

My God, he's plagiarizing De Gaulle !! "un appel venu du fond des âges"... "toute ma vie je me suis fait une certaine idée de la France"... I'm afraid we're gonna be disillusioned. Sarkozy ne tient pas la comparaison face au grand Charles.

[Daisy]

These parades are so very Russian. Why does France persist in doing it? You can still have a national day celebration without missiles going up the main thoroughfare.

[Dominique II]

France! Stop singing the Marseillaise, you frighten the children with those gory lyrics! France! Stop showing your missiles, that's just not done!

Hey guys. The world is not a schoolyard... and definitely not YOUR schoolyard.

[Yoann]

Why not Daisy?

I think this défilé is the occasion to bring the french and their army back together. The army and the Nation are so distant nowadays that this kind of celebration with an army parade permits to get them nearer.

[Daniel Strohl]

SUSAN,

"to see how many troops they have who are non combatant, albeit, sans doutes, tres braves?"

The TF1 commentator of the "défilé" said today that in the (US)-American army, they have eight persons in logistics to support one man in combat. In the French army, said the same commentator (assisted by high ranking brass), there are three persons in logistics to support one man in combat.

This is may be one of the reasons why American presidents, albeit the much heralded "surges", are so eager to get more European troops to Afghanistan (and the Europeans in Afghanistan to get more support from American helicopters to transport them and their supplies :).

"albeit, sans doutes, tres braves?"
A somewhat watered down version of the well known surrendering monkeys story - of course as usual courageously anonymous :).

PS:

Susan, for your information, "sans doute" is usually in singular.
Furthermore, it is "nouvelle république" and not "nouveau république" :). In return, you are welcome to correct my English which is unfortunately not perfect either...

[A French national]

This is both ludicrous and revolting. Our national day that should only be a popular and national "fête" has become a pompous and ridiculous international show.
There should not be any foreign armies on the French soil.

[Fernandez]

Daniel:

"This is may be one of the reasons why American presidents, albeit the much heralded "surges", are so eager to get more European troops to Afghanistan (and the Europeans in Afghanistan to get more support from American helicopters to transport them and their supplies :).

Absolute bullshit. The smiley face doesn't make it less bullshit. You speak of what you don't know. Don't quote some TV idiot to make a very bad point. Honte. Not like you.

[rocket]

Daniel

"The TF1 commentator of the "défilé" said today that in the (US)-American army, they have eight persons in logistics to support one man in combat."

Please note that the US and I beleive Britain also have women in combat.

[do-re-mi]

"an astonishingly servile TV broadcast in his honour last night" & "obsequious presenters".

Shirley not.

These two " journalists " seem to have their heads firmly up their rectal cavities, they remind me of junk(et) journalists.

"hagiography worthy of a banana republic." Benoît Hamon.

Dominique II see:))

Dot

The other Columbus is not celebrated enough.

But my money is on Betty Dodson to show how to make best use of his discovery:))

[Daniel Strohl]

DAISY,

"Why does France persist in doing it?"

First, because it is a tradition (our British friends sport some "outdated" traditions as well - nobody on this blog dares to make fun of them - myself included :).

Second, because it is a showroom for armament developed and built in France. You probably will have noticed that units of the Indian armed forces participated to the "défilé" and that the Indian Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh was a guest in Paris. He seemed to be pleased to see his troops in the "défilé". They were superb.

BTW, I heard the other day on TV that France was India's Nr. 3 arms supplier - Nr.1 is Israël, Nr. 2 is Russia. The UK and the US were not mentioned by the journalist, although one may safely assume that they may also be interested to sell arms to India.

PS:

As you mentioned above, the Russians have also their "défilé". The Israëlis, as far as I know, do not organise big "défilés" - may be simply because their country is too small in surface and too crowded :).

MARY FERNANDEZ,

If the figures quoted by the (French) journalist are bullshit, please feel free to correct them :).

The bullshit regarding the troop and supply transports through American helicopters (due to the lack of British helicopters in adequate numbers) originates from at least two recent articles of The Times in London, which I hold for a trustworthy paper.

PS:

No offence meant, Mary. But I start to get fed up with some recurrent silly snide remarks of a (very few, YOU NOT included) posters - I wrote the post which displeased you mainly to show that it is not necessary to be highly intelligent (which I am not :) to write plain stupidities which are intended by the writer(s) to be highly intelligent prose :).

[Andrew Webb]

@ "A French National" who said "This is both ludicrous and revolting. Our national day that should only be a popular and national "fête" has become a pompous and ridiculous international show.
There should not be any foreign armies on the French soil."

Does that include the British, New Zealand, Canadian, Australian, South African, U.S., Brazillian, and Portugese soldiers who saved France twice in the last century (1914 to 1918 and 1939 to 1945 in case you need reminding)??

[Andrew Webb]

Oh, and the Indian army of the British empire played a large role in saving France during WW1 too.

[Rick]

‘Nobody bothered because of the above mentioned (British :) style - in these matters, normal French are usually less retarded than (a very few :) hard core Brits.’ [DANIEL STROHL]

‘I would remind you though that there’s a whole cluster of your compatriots who are forever giving vent to ‘girlie’ (‘Gubernator’-style), snide, sneering, sneaky remarks’ [RICK]

Loveable 74-year-old or not, I’m going to get seriously angry with you if you persist with your snide asides mitigated by your cowardly ‘smileys’.

[Dominique II]

The presence of the Indian military probably is more in atonement for Sarko's much remarked rudeness to his Indian hosts when he visited them, than in recognition of their century-old (an eternity for Sarko) prowess.

Let's hope it works. We need friends in that region, and Pakistan's is the kind of friendship only Americans can survive.

[Mauvezin]

@ Daniel Strohl
"...But I start to get fed up with some recurrent silly snide remarks..."
*************************
Le pire vient de ces expats qui viennent regulierement ,ici,deverser leur vieille bile rance le jour de la Fete Nationale de leur pays hote.
Ces anglosaxons sont un veritable chancre !

[Daisy]

DANIEL STROHL:

Well India does the same kind of idiotic parade. It seems that if your army doesn't see much combat then it should get an outing and marching up the main street does the trick! :)

[Second, because it is a showroom for armament developed and built in France- D/Strohl]

So this is all just a big advertisement for French military goods. So why does no one want to buy their fighter jets?

[DODO]

.....Brazillian, (and Portugese) soldiers who saved France .....

Posted by: Andrew Webb | 15 Jul 2009 10:38:24

1 - In 1940 when Germany invaded France we did not move one only finger.
When England left France (Dunkirk) we loosely remained at home, affraid by the Wehrmacht.

Moreover the Gétulio's regime was a fascistic one and friendly-friend toward Germany ( USA, Spain, Russia etc. also, we must remember)
The is no reason we have to be pround of

2 - Our only participation (at the end of the war) was Monte Casino, and it was in Italy.

3 – Now, with respect to Portugal and the liberation of France, the most remarkable event was the 3 days of National mourning , ordered by Salazar .... for the death of Hitler.

[Rick]

'Ces anglosaxons sont un veritable chancre !'

Pauvre type.

[dot king]

"The presence of the Indian military probably is more in atonement for Sarko's much remarked rudeness to his Indian hosts when he visited them,"

DOM II

I thought they were ordering some Rafale and the odd helicopter.

The Indian troops were certainly a credit to their country, I thought, if we judge "credit" by military presentation, just for the occasion.

[Dominique II]

RICK I don't recall you reacting so hotly when Mauvezin posted a statement in regret of the Axis' defeat, amounting to an endorsement of the Axis' war objectives and linked war crimes/crimes against mankind.

But, better late than never.

[Dominique II]

DAISY "So why does no one want to buy their fighter jets?"

Covert pressions and arm-twisting from interested parties have been named, for one.

More to the point, most countries buy military aircraft to keep their brass happy and to strafe local insurgents. If push comes to shove with evil neighbours, they'll pray for some real air force to intervene. Second-hand refurbished Cold War jets perfectly fit the bill because they're not expected to do any serious fighting. Countries earnestly interested in an airspace supremacy vehicle, which the Rafale really is, are few and far between. Britain comes to mind but they're completely in thrall to the US aerospace industry. However, they have been known to darkly hint that Rafale is not such a bad bargain after all, whenever the US Goverment gets too stingy on technology transfers. (translation, you get the F35/JSF for the full price, without any fancy options). Just read the parts on "plan B" in this link:

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/f35-joint-strike-fighter-program-uk-update-02001/

Of course it's old hat now (2006). The pesky offenders have been slapped back in line. But the issues are still there.

[Surcouf]

"Does that include the British, New Zealand, Canadian, Australian, South African, U.S., Brazillian, and Portugese soldiers who saved France twice in the last century (1914 to 1918 and 1939 to 1945 in case you need reminding)??"

"Partout où il n'y aura rien, lisez que je vous aime " disait je ne sais plus quel écrivain français à la femme qu'il aimait. Maintenant, c'est "partout où il n'y aura rien, lisez qu'on vous a sauvés deux fois et que vous êtes une bande de lâches " ... tout est décidément prétexte à relancer le débat sur le tapis, bientôt on placardera des affiches dans les rues de Londres ou NY sur lesquelles il y aura écrit "REMEMBER WE SAVED YOU" ... à vous entendre, le monde entier est venu mourir pour la France pendant que les Français se planquaient.

Je vous rappelle quand même que la guerre est entre plusieurs camps, et ce n'est pas parce que des soldats sont morts EN FRANCE qu'ils sont morts POUR LA FRANCE, il se trouve que les combats avaient lieu en France mais c'étaient les intérêts de tous les Alliés qui étaient en jeu.(exemple, les Anglais se sont toujours alliés avec des pays contre la puissance hégémonique de l'Eurpe continentale, ça a été la France sous Napoléon, et si elle l'avait toujours été au début du XXème siècle, ils seraient à nouveau alliés avec l'Allemagne contre la France).

Mais on a déjà parlé de ça des centaines de fois, et je persiste, vous lisez toute l'histoire à travers ce qui s'est passé pendant la deuxième guerre mondiale. Je veux bien que vous nous ayiez aidés pendant la Grande Guerre, mais arrêtez de dire que vous nous avez sauvés, nom d'un chien, vous n'avez pas été les seuls à vous battre et nos 1 300 000 morts ne sont pas morts au chaud dans leur lit, mettez-vous cela dans la tête.

@A FRENCH NATIONAL : ah, vous aussi ça vous fait un petit pincement au coeur de voir défiler des troupes allemandes sur les Champs-Elysées, fussent-elles intégrées à la Brigade franco-allemande ?

[Mauvezin]

Pauvre type.
**********
Sans doute avez-vous raison mais ,quid, de ces anglosaxons venant chauffer leurs vieux os en France qui, non seulement n'ont pas le moindre mot aimable en cette Fete Nationale mais n'ont de cesse de faire des commentaires empreints de mesquinerie et de petitesse.

[thomasine]

Les Chinois de France trouvent que les Anglais sont des "emm...eurs". Regards.

[do-re-mi]

Mauvezin,

Thanks to the cook of Lord Clive, Gouverneur des Indes, Pezenas got a delicacy.

http://www.jedecouvrelafrance.com/f-4484.herault-petit-pate-pezenas.html

You should really try smoking some decent chanvre sometimes, its relaxing, make ash cakes, share them while still warm, even better.

[Rick]

'France! Stop singing the Marseillaise, you frighten the children with those gory lyrics! France! Stop showing your missiles, that's just not done!'

No, DOMINIQUE 2, to stop France looking foolish - something her friends DON'T want!

[DODO]

@A FRENCH NATIONAL : ah, vous aussi ça vous fait un petit pincement au coeur de voir défiler des troupes allemandes sur les Champs-Elysées, fussent-elles intégrées à la Brigade franco-allemande ?

Posted by: Surcouf | 15 Jul 2009 15:23:00

Si "A FRENCH NATIONAL" est Français, moi je suis le pape.

De rien, mon fils ....

[Rick]

Am I supposed to account for all my sins of omission, DOM2? I've got some infinitely more interesting ones in the Debit Column proper.

Thinking of which... isn't it about time you started giving me credit for honesty? I fear that this is misconstrued by your lot as weakness -- not so our side of the Channel.

Now, how many failures or shortcomings have you and your compatriots admitted?

[Dominique II]

LOL RICK should we start trooping the colors then? or kit out our soldiers with pleated skirts?

As a wise man just said, to each country its traditions. And we wouldn't dream of looking down our noses at yours.

[Daniel Strohl]

ROCKET,

"Please note that the US and I beleive Britain also have women in combat"

Yes, but this doesn't change anything with the logistics numbers. If the numbers are false, they will no doubt be corrected.

DOMINIQUE II,

Your post to DAISY saved me an answer to her regarding the Rafale.

In addition to your post, with which I am in total agreement, I will indulge in a snide remark (with a
smiley :) - some of our AS friends are simply jealous of the frogs able to sell military hardware to India and other countries which are deemed to be their "chasse gardée". The frogs should concentrate on selling their over-heralded 300 sorts of cheese... As far as I remember, the figure of 300 was defined by de Gaulle. Therefore, it is true and indisputable :).

PS:

Recently, I bought Cheddar cheese in the close-by supermarket (I knew this cheese only by name up to now). It is really excellent for my taste. I have also in mind another British cheese - Stilton - I think it is rather strong stuff. We have got a good "fromager" downtown. I will have a look - il ne faut pas mourir idiot :).

DAISY,

You may have noticed that DOMINIQUE II gave you a technically and commercially sound answer regarding the Rafale.

For your information: France has bought a number of CANADAIR hydroplanes in the past years in order to be able to keep the summer forest fires under control. In return, may be the Canadians could buy a few of the new French-German attack helicopters which could be used in Afghanistan - may be they are possibly cheaper than their US-American counterpart, which had no competition up to now :).

[Jay Bhattacharjee]

Cher M.Bremner : It is very rarely that I criticise other contributors / respondents in this forum.

However, there are a few serial offenders like Azloon who are perpetually out to lunch. The gibberish that chaps like Azloon write must be extremely difficult for your French readers on most occasions. I really admire them for their tolerance and sang froid when confronted by such persons.

Azloon shoots off about the Indian soldiers and their "British" marching style and that it wouldn't go down well with the spectators. This comment of his comes out of thin air, since you did not mention the Indian contingent in your piece.

Surely, this is a most puerile display of sour grapes by an Anglo-Saxon.

I must thank the other readers for putting Azloon in his place.

Almost every French friend of the family has written to us about the impeccable performance of the Indian armed forces contingents and how much applause they received from the spectators.

The telecast in India certainly confirmed that the IAF, Indian Navy and the Army all did equally well. In the interest of transparency, I must make a disclosure - the Maratha Regiment that started the parade was once commanded by my late brother-in-law in the mid- 1940s.

Yesterday was a good day for Indo-French relations. The residents outre-manche need not get worried on this score. It is not an either/or scenario.

[Dear Mr Bhattacharjee... I think our friend from Arizona would call his method robust debate in the American style. People tend to shoot off ideas on blog forums that they might phrase differently in face-to-face conversation. I take your point about the Indian appearance. They were very impressive. And it was me who mentioned the British-origin marching style -- it drew the attention of the TV commentators because it is so different from the French. CB]

[Rick]

'Les Chinois de France trouvent que les Anglais sont des "emm...eurs". Regards.'

How Confucian.

[Lex Stevens]

"there are a few serial offenders like Azloon who are perpetually out to lunch." -- Jay

And here Azloon, I thought that you had been behaving yourself lately. Oh well, can't win for losing.

Daniel,

The cheddar cheeses from Wisconsin are considered to be the best in the US. Very orange in color. I am also partial to the aged, white cheddar from Vermont. It is sharp.

Stilton you either like or you don't. I LOVE it! The smellier the better. It goes great with Port.

[Lyse]

I do find parts of the article completely irrespectuous to the French nation regardeless of your support or your non support for Mr Sarkozy.The display of various armies on the 14th of July is no more ridiculous than Independence day in the USA or some of the events that the British monarchy
displays( how much costs the monarchy to England ,if we want to talk about it?).For having British friends.
if there is one thing that is not done is to mock the Queen. Please ,respect the fact that French people might equally not appreciate your display of unsensitivity regarding the traditional 14th of July...

[Thank you Lyse, but there is a huge difference. The British Queen is not an elected politician. If you read what I wrote, you will see that it is full of respect and admiration for the French nation. My complaint is about the manipulation of the state media by the elected political leader. And incidentally, the USA does not stage military parades on July 4 or any other day. CB]

[rocket]

Daniel

"Please note that the US and I beleive Britain also have women in combat"

"Yes, but this doesn't change anything with the logistics numbers. If the numbers are false, they will no doubt be corrected."

T'as toujours pas pigé!

You said

they have eight persons in logistics to support one man in combat.

You used the word "man" to describe troops. There are also women in the fighting forces. Why didn't you say each man and woman?

[rocket]

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=8049121

How utterly macho. How utterly latin male. Yes Mr. President of France, women should have the right to move freely in public without having every latin male checking out their ass.

[Dominique II]

ROCKET are you assuming the heavy mantle of pcspeak policeperson on this blog?

In French, "homme" can mean either "member of the male sex of the human species" or "member of the human species". In English, grammatically accepted wisdom claims it is not the case, but it is clear that, for example, the endless debate about man's descent from apes, even though it does not mention woman, does not exonerate the female part of humanity of this affront to an intelligently creative deity.

I therefore support, and will emulate if needed, DANIEL's generic use of "men" to designate members of the armed forces, irrespective of their reproductive gear. And I will resist the pc intimation to write "and women" when the meaning is perfectly clear and such writing is only needless pandering to the new high priests of herstory.

So count me out of your jurisdiction...

[Daniel Strohl]

JAY BHATTACHARJEE,

I don't think that AZLOON intented at all to offend the Indian army. He wanted to pull the leg of the froggies as he sometimes does :), but this time it unfortunately misfired.

Regarding the parades: the people who don't like them are of course perfectly free to watch their beloved soap operas and meanwhile keep their comments for themselves :).

A propos opera: this evening, on French TV (FR2), we had a representation of La Traviata de Verdi in the ancient Roman amphitheatre of Orange in southern France. It was impressing - I am not a fan of opera, but my wife is.

PS:

On French TV, preceding yesterday's parade, we saw a few musicians of the Maratha Regiment making fun with their instruments and dancing. Everybody close-by laughed heartily - we too! May be this sequence was not shown on Indian TV. If not, it is a pity!

ROCKET,

Cela m'arrive d'avoir la comprenoire difficile (en alsacien, on dit "avoir une longue ligne" - it takes time for the current to get up to the end of the line :).

The reason why the American army deems it necessary to have more personnel in logistics than for instance the French army is now fully clear for me: they have to transport all the extra stuff needed by their lady warriors - creams, powders, mirrors, combs, mobile showers with huge water reserves, hair dryers with powerful generators to feed them adequately in the desert and so on :). I am not sure whether the yield is optimum...

[Robert Marchenoir]

And now for the darker side of July 14th.

More than 500 cars were torched throughout France by Arab and black youngsters. It's an established tradition by now. That's how those nominally French citizens express their love for the country on Bastille day. (Give me Azloon any time.)

The police did not disclose the exact figure. It's markedly higher than last year.

In the 15th arrondissement of Paris, a rather wealthy and residential district, a posse of black African youths living in a social housing enclave used firework mortars as weapons, aiming them at windows and balconies, as they have taken to doing for some time now across the country.

The police were called. The "youths" taunted them, asking : "And now what ? What are you going to do to us ?"

They were right : the police backed down and did nothing.

This last item from a local blogger. It probably wasn't even mentioned by any media. It's routine stuff by now.

Oh, and while I'm at it : two people were stabbed and seriously wounded during a gang war episode on avenue Foch. This is about the most exclusive street in Paris. Only Saudi princes and business tycoons can afford to live there.

Avenue Foch meets with Champs-Elysées at the place de l'Etoile. Champs-Elysées is supposed to be the Paris area most heavily patrolled by police.

The country is crumbling. The barbarians are already inside the gates, looting and burning. Meanwhile, the official media try to keep us entertained with folkloric vignettes of firemen's balls.

Military might is lavishly displayed on the Champs-Elysées, but it's obviously missing from the war zones that the immigrant enclaves have become.

The telly has delivered you the nice bedside story we'd promised you. Now you be a good girl and go to sleep. Sweet dreams.

[Lex Stevens]

"And incidentally, the USA does not stage military parades on July 4 or any other day. CB"

That's true, we don't, but I don't know why that is. A cursory google turns up a few military parades here and there, but they seem to have fallen out of fashion around the time of WWI. There was a victory parade in New York in 1946. I imagine that there are National Guard regiments in larger July 4th parades, but never anything on the grand scale that is seen in Europe or Asia.

The US military is prohibited from being used to enforce domestic law -- more or less -- as determined by the Posse Comitatus Act. (An interesting moment in US history.) I don't think that has anything to do with it, though.

I just now learned that, for the last several years, the Bastille Day Military parade has been led by military units visiting from other countries.

[azloon]

[Azloon shoots off about the Indian soldiers and their "British" marching style and that it wouldn't go down well with the spectators. This comment of his comes out of thin air, since you did not mention the Indian contingent in your piece] M. JAY BHATTACHARJEE

Hey, Jay, you reactive, humourless twit, please chill out !!

'Out of thin air,' you say? Did you read Charles piece? I wouldn't have mentioned the Indian contingent if Charles hadn't written of it ["400 dress-uniformed Indian troops led the procession, their arms swinging in British style"]. I think you must simply have noticed my post, without reading CB's text, and "shot off" yourself (my, that's a graphic expression).

I remarked about it in my entry because of the 'british style' mention, which, as we well know from the ongoing debate here on CB's blog, is something that might ever so rarely :) draw unfavorable notice from certain French. But apparently not. Pas de probleme. My question is answered, but with no help from you.

I am wondering if the reason Indians are invited to the Bastille Day parade is because India is the only nation on earth with as many hyper-sensitives as France, if you're typical.

Btw, your reference to me as 'puerile' is priceless. I used to use that word frequently with my former wife and she accused my of gratuitous pedantry. That amused me, but didn't deter me. so i feel a certain kindred spiritedness with you. do you have a wife you want to get rid of?

as for other readers for 'putting Azloon in his place,' that's what we do here. You can do it too, and don't have to wait for others to do it for you. But you'll have to be quick to beat Dot. :)

Mon ami Indien, i think you need to get a few things about me off your chest. You could either bring it up in your next therapy session, or confront me directly here.

Pax Vobiscum.

oh, and btw, while we're doing Latin, it is:

puer, pueri, M1 (masculine, first declension). But, of course, you knew that.

[Rick]

'I am wondering if the reason Indians are invited to the Bastille Day parade is because India is the only nation on earth with as many hyper-sensitives as France, if you're typical.' [AZLOON]

Not fair, these guys are seriously brave and martial. You better believe it!

Sorry, JAY.

[do-re-mi]

Rocket,

http://www.arts-wallpapers.com/photography/american_girl_in_italy/01/american_girl_in_italy800.jpg

Ah those Latin Men,

as usual, looks like Obama is cooler and a tad more discreet than our Prez.

If I am not a fan of my Prez or his ability to get a badly needed new wife in a nick of time, no need to get on your high horse. He just looked, find me a guy who doesn't look…
Treating women like meat is not exclusive to Latin Men.

[Maggie]

So what's the difference in the way French soldiers and British soldiers march? Is it to do with swinging the arms?

Someone please tell me.
[I'm not an expert, but the British march faster and swing their arms high on parade. CB]

[Rick]

‘The reason why the American army deems it necessary to have more personnel in logistics than for instance the French army is now fully clear for me: they have to transport all the extra stuff needed by their lady warriors - creams, powders, mirrors, combs, mobile showers with huge water reserves, hair dryers with powerful generators to feed them adequately in the desert and so on :). I am not sure whether the yield is optimum...’ [DANIEL STOHL]

There was a time when your average Alsatian wouldn’t have been so dismissive of the American army. How much did the FFI contribute to reducing the Colmar Pocket? And how much the Americans?

[rocket]

Dom2

"So count me out of your jurisdiction..."

Oh, I am slain!

[azloon]

Rick

I am reacting to Jay's attack on me. Undeserved, IMO. He used a harmless comment of mine, not derogatory in the least, to attack me. Screw him, I say.

I feel no misgiving whatsoever in characterizing the entire Indian nation based on his asinine reaction to me. He should pay closer attention to what he's reading. If he has another problem with me, then he ought to tell me.

Otherwise, he should to keep his ignorant, twitty nonsense to himself.

Except for this, I think he's a great guy.

:)

[D.V.]

You used the word "man" to describe troops. There are also women in the fighting forces. Why didn't you say each man and woman?

Posted by: rocket | 15 Jul 2009 21:27:46

Read and Weep, Rocket, you wicked man:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/man

man (mn)
n. pl. men (mn)
2. A human regardless of sex or age; a person.
3. A human or an adult male human belonging to a specific occupation, group, nationality, or other category. Often used in combination: a milkman; a congressman; a freeman.

So typical Anglosaxon to nitpick over each and every word about some gender discrimination. Last time I looked, it was called political correctness. I think it still is.

[D.V.]

Robert Marchenoir | 16 Jul 2009 01:51:42
"by Arab and black youngsters"

"UN GROUPE DE JEUNES", s'il vous plaît !
(feel free to add: "poussés à la révolte par une société raciste"!)

"a posse of black African youths living in a social housing enclave"

NON ! C'est de la "MIXITE SOCIALE" ! You racist!!!

"the police backed down and did nothing."

CRS - SS !

" The barbarians are already inside the gates, looting and burning"

No wonder:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRrPVfXeytc

[Daniel Strohl]

D.V,

Thanks for the link to this excellent dictionary !

---

I am still waiting for a qualified (i.e. truly US-American, not European Hiwi :) answer to my leg pulling regarding the logistics of the US army somewhat impaired by lady warriors impedimenta...

[CHARLES SHIRLEY]

VIVE FRANCE

[Kevan]

Napoleon Bonaparte, Pier Etaix, Marcel Marceau, Plastic Bertram - Nicolas Sarkozy... France have always provided us with a good laugh, some of the best (little)clowns in history. Ooops, sorry, Plastic was Belgian wasn't he..... sorry Mr Poirot, no insult intended... :0)

[Daniel Strohl]

AZLOON,

"as many hyper-sensitives as France"

Azloon, may be you are not the best placed to qualify a person or a nation as being hypersensitive - I remember some of your reactions which one could have qualified as "réactions de vierge outragée" :)). However, this happened mainly a relatively long time ago. Therefore you are pardoned, as far as I am concerned :).

Seriously now: if the French posters on this blog had spent as much time and energy to bash (unprovoked) the US or the UK as some specialised AS did bashing everything French (including the "reduced" height of the Président and the 14.juillet parade :), the blog would have turned into a permanent battlefield, ruining CHARLES' excellent work.

Some people tend to confound restraint and weakness. And then, when at the end they get their nose punched (this is very easy to do - for my part, I am boxing in the 90 kg+ category :), they are wondering why this could possibly have happened to them, as innocent and good faithed human beings...

[Rick]

Hi, AZLOON, I’ll just check back.... Quite so, my mistake. And Jay’s. You wrote:

‘Sarko's got a good gig, enabled by France's docile 'fourth estate,' [...] why Indian troops marching British style? would think this wouldn't go over well. next year: u.s. marines?’

I take it you are suggesting that Sarko’s admiration for the armed forces of India is of the ‘Don’t phone us; we’ll phone you kind’; so short-lived that the yanks could be in the Champs-Elysées next year. I have to disabuse you: in the minds(?) of Sarko’s detractors pro-American and ‘Jewish’ are inextricably tangled. As a specialist in the French Soul explains:

‘Low-level cultural anti-Semites . . . identify these ‘gifted’ Jews ‘as belonging to a culture that champions money and profit. They are also viewed as being in bed with the Americans in their attachment to values that are deemed to be quintessentially un-French or, as the Vichy regime once put it, anti-France.’ For the above reason, it’s out of the question for Nick to invite the Marines.

As for the Indian army marching, I suspect it is more flamboyant and even higher-precision than the Brit Guards, say. Part of the reason for that is all the fighting that they’re having to do.

Apologies (aka gold-dust) to you, AZLOON.

[Rick]

"réactions de vierge outragée" :))

Preaching what you practice, Priscilla?

[Surcouf]

@Dodo : who knows ? who tells me that you're not the Pope ? :-)

[Rick]

Oops, 'practise'.

[rocket]

Daniel

"The reason why the American army deems it necessary to have more personnel in logistics than for instance the French army is now fully clear for me: they have to transport all the extra stuff needed by their lady warriors - creams, powders, mirrors, combs, mobile showers with huge water reserves, hair dryers with powerful generators to feed them adequately in the desert and so on :). I am not sure whether the yield is optimum..."

Whereas in the case of French soldiers, both men and women no hygienic products necessary. (very wide grin)

[azloon]

[Azloon, may be you are not the best placed to qualify a person or a nation as being hypersensitive - I remember some of your reactions which one could have qualified as "réactions de vierge outragée" :)).]

sans doute, c'est vrai. why am i supposed to 'best placed to qualify' in order to spout off? that' no fun.
and do i have to be insensitive myself in order to accused others of excessive sensitivity? not possible :)

Rick, my comment about Indian troops was truly simpleminded, in keeping with my simple mind. Marching 'british style' means behaving marginally like those who are occasionally derided by he French. that' all. about u.s. troops? just another potentially controversial invitation. no big deal, or deep meaning.

[azloon]

p.s. to Daniel

You can't be oblivious to the fact that there is liable to be more french-bashing on a blog about France that there is to be A-S bashing. Just the way it is. If we had met on a blog about Fiji, we'd be arguing about Fiji-bashing. :)

[paul]

The 14th July always produces mixed feelings. There is the toy soldiers' bit like the parade of tanks and bridge layers in my local High street or our miniature Joan of Arc military parade in front of the statue in my street (8th May).
But it might be worth reflecting on the ambiguity of the situation : a French army and navy with its aristocratic officers still in a very anti-British tradition. No meaningful participation in World War II (the soldiers were all made German prisoners). Yet a Franco-German axis it is said (German president was there too). Yet an army that put down immediately after the war the Algerian, Vietnamese etc populations using Gestapo torture methods. I would like to think that modern France is that creator of republican freedoms.
In, case in any one thinks the Sarkozy interview was an exceptional example of bad French journalism, remember the exploitation by Giscard and Mitterrand of journalists who could be on very intimate and private relations with the same politician (the French word is 'couché'). On the other hand French viewers who look around their channels can find excellent discussion programmes for the happy few (C dans l'air, or the excellent parliamentary channel LCP AN.

,

[Daniel Strohl]

AZLOON,

No major problem with French bashing or whatever bashing, as long as it is not morbidly obsessional and not courageously :) anonymous.

Fortunately, you don't fill these criteria since old hand posters like myself and others know your name and address and know also that you are not morbidly persuaded that you alone (along with your country) hold the universal truth :).

[Rick]

AZLOON, I presume that the first two paragraphs of your most recent posting were not intended for me. We MUST continue to disagree like this and set - as I know you will agree - a fine example in the art of reconciliation.

For the last two paragraphs, thanks.

[Pierre]

"No, DOMINIQUE 2, to stop France looking foolish - something her friends DON'T want!" RICK

Gardez moi de mes amis. Quant à mes ennemis, je m'en charge.
("Protect me from my friends. I'll take care of my enemies")

[Rick]

"No, DOMINIQUE 2, to stop France looking foolish - something her friends DON'T want!" [RICK]
Gardez moi de mes amis. Quant à mes ennemis, je m'en charge.
("Protect me from my friends. I'll take care of my enemies").

Yes, ho ho, but unfunny, undignified too. The sheer capacity some French bloggers have for making for making fools of themselves is a source of constant wonderment.... and great disappointment.

Elsewhere, I wrote two long pieces to YOU. You quote for one (above). They were written in a sense of earnest seriousness. In return I get a snide aside.

Please understand this, PIERRE, I wrote “to stop France looking foolish”. That fact stands, no matter how often you scoff. In the big wide world out there, a lot of people don’t have much time for the French. Undeceive yourself. And recognise a friend.

[Marguerite]

Oh la la - quelle belle phrase - vraiment formidable - "est-ce que le pays a les moyens de ses ambitions"? Really, when you come to think about it, it could apply to practically any other European country and European leader, and to Gordon and New Lab more than most. Helas, trois fois helas, l'Angleterre n'a plus les moyens des ambitions de New Lab. Cher Premier Ministre, que vous le vouliez ou non, vous devrez tres bientot couper les defences publiques, et tout le monde le sait- ca a deja commence- sauf vous. Cher Monsieur Brown, le pays n'a plus les moyens de vos ambitions. Excusez, je vous prie, le manque d'accents - mon PC est plutot New Lab et n'a pas les moyens de ses ambitions- graves, aigues ou petit chapeau circonflexe.

[azloon]

[since old hand posters like myself and others know your name and address] Daniel

Thanks for reminding me. Just knowing this helps keep me from going completely overboard. and we 'old salts' don't want to become 'all wet.' :)

Rick, indeed.

[Dominique II]

ROCKET "Whereas in the case of French soldiers, both men and women no hygienic products necessary. (very wide grin)"

LOL it is clear Daniel had opened himself to your well prepared and well delivered broadside. Touché.

[Daniel Strohl]

"Touché" (DOMINIQUE II)

LOL !

[rocket]

[since old hand posters like myself and others know your name and address] Daniel

That stinks of 1940's denunciation. No wonder you are always "curieux" to know people's real names.

Achtung!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIZtG13C2P8

[Daniel Strohl]

ROCKET,

"No wonder you are always "curieux" to know people's real names"

LOL ! I wasn't alluding to you at all in my statement. The reason being that I am now perfectly "mithridatisé" by your rather constant anti-French humour :).

PS: regarding the somewhat stupid Youtube sequence, I draw your attention to the fact that the Nazi cap worn by one of the gentlemen :) is a very bad copy. I am some sort of a specialist in the matter, since in winter 1944/45, we lodged in our house two American Army intelligence officers - one was of German descent (therefore, he spoke German perfectly), the second was of Ukrainian descent - he spoke perfectly German and French and possibly other languages as well.

Their job was to interrogate war prisoners (this did not happen in our house). The first mentioned officer was a collector - he had quite a collection of Nazi caps (SS, SA, Wehrmacht...). He showed me everything - we made a few snow ball battles together. He had also a nice big dog he called "Dingo". We were also friends :).

[clement]

Je remarque que peut importe la nationalité, tous les hommes pensent la même chose

Toutes vos idées et tous vos préjugés sont vraiment très intéressants à lire.
Cependant cela ne fait pas beaucoup avancer la condition humaine dans le monde

[thomas]

I happened to be in the Louvre garden on 14 July. The Louvre was closed for the day. The Indian prime minister's wife had just driven up in a cavalcade fo a private visit.
Anyway we noticed a single man - middleaged man wearing a clown's nose and a crown and brandishing a flag with a yellow duck also wearing a crown. He expalined that we (in france) had got rid of the kings in the revolution but Sarkozy was now behaving like a king.
His protest came to an end with the arrival of two van loads of police complete with riot gear- helmets in hands - the lot.Obviously these french people do not like or allow criticism of the president.

[Pierre]

"Elsewhere, I wrote two long pieces to YOU. You quote for one (above). They were written in a sense of earnest seriousness. In return I get a snide aside."
Rick

I've sometimes got some real life stuffs to take care of (work, family, friends, you know..) therefore I read but did not take time to answer your previous post (under another section). Accept my apology.
I appreciated the tone and the intention even if I remain "highly" un-convinced by the substance.
Be sure my Voltaire's quote was not a sneer towards that other contribution's effort.

[dot king]

His protest came to an end with the arrival of two van loads of police complete with riot gear- helmets in hands - the lot.Obviously these french people do not like or allow criticism of the president.

THOMAS

Which people?
The "clown" was protesting against Sarkozy's monarch-like behaviour, the CRS were doing their job with their usual "restraint".
French people make fun of and/or criticise the president all the time, national sport.

[rocket]

Daniel

"PS: regarding the somewhat stupid Youtube sequence, I draw your attention to the fact that the Nazi cap worn by one of the gentlemen :) is a very bad copy."

Duh! Hello!

But of course you take everything in the first degree.

[richard jones]

I am still here although exhausted, depressed and suffering from upgedialisms. I am also doing a post-graduate course in IKEA furniture re-assembly which is increasing my irritability.
If a nation wants a military parade, that's fine but France's reasons as we see the agenda for the next two OTAN meetings will surely start questions.
I was in the 1939 Bastille parade and will openly confess it was wonderful. On a technical note the British and French pacestick measures are different, one based on feet (well 18 inches actually, but maybe not in this day and age), the other on meters. Thus the British marching pace per minute tended to be a little higher, ranging from 60 to the famous Gurkha march at 100. The arms are also sloped differently. British ordinary ranks, thus the army they still train - the Indian - march with fist up to the shoulder badge, officers' fists to the middle button on the tunic. In those days all ranks in France marched to the British officer arm slope reglement.

[kezzer]

Sarko is a futile little man......hes embarrassing...everyone knows hes a pillock!

[Phanmo]

@Daniel Strohl
As a Canadian, I should warn you that helicopter purchases are a relatively touchy subject!!!

Personally, I had a great time at le Bal des Pompiers here in Nantes.

[dot king]

"I am also doing a post-graduate course in IKEA furniture re-assembly which is increasing my irritability."

RICHARD JONES

I failed all that stuff miserably years ago - I have a doctorate in knowing when to give up and get a "proper little man" to come and "deal with things".

My latest great failure was the (now famous) guest bedroom ceiling, which I nearly finished, then the walls, which I foolishly started (to get me in the mood again :)).
After about an hour I started seeking out a "proper little man", found one and he said it would be August or September before he could do it - I didn't care - I'd shut the room door and didn't go there any more.
The other evening he turned up to say he could come next week if that suited me. WOW!
So I sort of chewed my inner lower lip, hinted "sais pas, faut voir" (no, here I'm joking - and how - he's coming 9am Monday).

Great to see you back, you've been missed.

[Daniel Strohl]

PHANMO,

Sorry, I didn't know that helicopter purchases were a touchy subject in Canada!

The posters here seem to think that the whole world is limited to the US, the UK and France :).

PS : MAGGIE is of Canadian origin, but she does wisely not indulge in political controversies :).

[azloon]

RichardJ

i knew we could count on you for a detailed analysis of marching style. everything else posted here about it was just so much babble.

I hope your saving all your posts and other writings. I feel like your stuff is akin to disappearing tribal language that others later will want to revive.