The butcher controversy in the French elections

So in America some politicians are questioning whether women can have access to birth control as a distraction from the real issues and problems our countries faces, in France they are debating the decline of the boucherie, the butcher shop and the rise of halal butchers and meat, which is cheaper. It also involves a discussion of the bias against hiring Muslim youth for jobs, the suggested laziness of modern teenagers etc. So, now the issue becomes part of the French election process, probably as a way to distract from the more important financials issues pressing on the populace and the government.

http://news.yahoo.com/butchers-beef-french-presidential-campaign-111207732.html

American-style politics in France - with distinction.

French politics has gone a new direction in this presidential cycle, American-style but with distinctions, not necessarily the higher ground, but with differences that matter.

So, Sarkozy, afraid he will lose to Hollande in a run-off has begun to target supports of Marie Le Pin and the Nationalists by pandering to their fears (not unlike many here in the USA). He is threatening to pull France from participation in certain aspects of the EU which favor immigration because he claims there are too many illegal immigrants in France, and discussing removing Halal meat from school cafeterias. In America this would be pandering to the conservative base. At the same time, he is also calling for a law similar to the Made in the USA labels we have here which would say made in the EU, requiring government contracts to go to local vendors. If he can't achieve that goal, he asserts that he will seek a Made in France law. In the US, that would be seen as quite protectionist and more progressive, which would make the alleged "free market" conservatives howl, except for the special tax breaks given their large donors.

http://news.yahoo.com/sarkozy-threatens-pull-france-europe-visa-free-zone-172955043.html

Sarkozy is also pulling out the celebrity supporters to campaign for him at American-style rallies. Can't wait to see how this turns out, even before the endless campaign of 2012 finishes here in the US.

Wishing we were there . . .

beautiful shot - Nice is nice.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/2012/01/01/photo-of-the-day-2012.html#slide1

French may ban child beauty pageants - fascinating

Personally, I despise the whole child beauty pageant mania in the US, maybe if I had a little girl who wanted the pageant life I would understand it. It always seems more for the mothers than for the children. So, it is interesting that the French, in their current feminist mode post-DSK, would consider banning these pageants. Also interesting given how we puritanical Americans view French society as all about sex, sensuality, romance, and dreams, that this would become a "hot" topic. But apparently, thanks to a 10 year old girl in a Vogue photo shoot, it has become just that:

http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/06/10596518-french-report-ban-child-beauty-pageants-padded-bras-for-little-girls

Like many cultural differences, we would never do this in the USA, but it will be interesting to see if France actually acts on this proposal.

10 most picturesque villages - worldwide

Naturally a French Provence village is on the list - really Cote D'Azur - Eze which is on the way from Cannes and Nice to Monaco, high on a hill-top. It is where I found my signature fragrance in 1985 - Fragonard. It is quite medieval in its design and architecture and you have to be prepared to climb the narrow, sloped streets, but it is worth the effort to get to the top where there is a pleasant restaurant and hotel where you can eat on a veranda overlooking the mountains with a spectacular view.


http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/world-s-10-most-picturesque-villages.html?page=1

Politics a la Francaise

This is a topic I am still studying to understand it. It is rather different than American elections which seem to go on forever.

In France, the first round is collecting enough signatures from the candidate's respective party members, meaning the mayors and counsel members etc. to qualify to be on the primary ballot. I suppose this is not unlike the American primary system where only the most involved members vote in the primaries.

In France, once the candidate meets this qualification, by the deadline, there is only three months from the deadline to the first round of voting. If a candidate does not achieve more than 50% of the vote, one month later is the run-off.

This time around, it is looking likely that Sarkozy will face a run-off with Francois Hollande, the socialist candidate. Thus, Sarkozy is trying to court the conservative, Nationalist vote from Marie Le Pen, so he can squeak through. Sarkozy is particularly disliked in France, but he may win anyway.

Fascinating, politics a la Francaise.

A Modern Paris Salon - Still American style

Having recently attending the fabulous Stein exhibit at the Met, this article caught my eye. The Steins were family of art collectors including Gertrude Stein, and they hosted weekly salon in their Paris flat de jour. So, to see this article and realize that an American in Paris in still holding a weekly get together for those who want to meet and mingle warms my heart. We can certainly hope to get there soon:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/03/04/travel/dinner-paris-invite-everyone.html?ref=travel