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Saturday, October 25, 2003
posted by gbarto at 11:59 PM:
French news headlines:Saturday night means the focus is on Le Monde:
Executive Life - One Month to Reach Agreement. That's a company that got tangled with Credit Lyonnais, a corrupt banking enterprise designed to help us realize how benign the S&L crisis of the late '80s was. The problem is sorting out what to do with the company as France slogs through it's own books, the books of Credit Lyonnais, etc.
Cuba: Mysteries of Castroist Power Unveiled. See below; it's an update, follow up of the story in yesterday's French news.
Russian Oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovski Arrested and Incarcerated. That's an oil baron. Is he corrupt? Probably. Is that why he's on the hook? Dubious. Because he has lots of money at looks like a good target for populists? How do you spell "duh" in Russian?
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posted by gbarto at 6:48 AM:
French news headlines:Le Monde: The Mysteries of Castroist Power. Turns out somebody's been thinking of the legacy question. Castro's got a small group of advisors set up to make sure that Cuba continues to be run according to his vision of it after he has died.
Libération: Shrinks Regulated. Heretofore, psychotherapists will have to meet proper qualifications, follow ethical guidelines, etc. Please note that the pejorative for psychotherapists reflects the French headline, not necessarily the TurkeyBlog's own opinions.
Ouest-France: Meat From Old Cows Remains Tender. A study proves it.
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Friday, October 24, 2003
posted by gbarto at 1:22 AM:
French news headlines:Le Monde: Three Israelis killed [by a Palestinian], colonization relaunched [by the Israelis in the Gaza Strip].
Le Figaro: Iraq: America Wants To Make Others Pay - for the cleanup. Secretary Powell was in Spain to make the case.
Libération: pun of the week - [French] Cinema Sees World Through Morose-Colored Glasses. They're making a lot of movies in France, but they're worried about finances going up against DVDs, etc.
Ouest-France: Their Profession: Replacing Friends and Family. Article looking into growing trend for shut-ins and those whose families live far away to hire people to do what nearby relatives used to do.
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Thursday, October 23, 2003
posted by gbarto at 4:17 AM:
Cicero notes the importance of the right to confront one's accuser, enshrined right there in the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution. He's writing with respect to Kobe Bryant. And the point is right for Bryant because it is right for anyone accused. People forget that these amendments different groups find so inconvenient are all in there to protect against abuses we experienced under the English, most often the railroading of people whose conviction served the interests of those in power. While we're in a different political climate, exposing "the dark underside" of a celebrity and "seeing justice done" is something every bit as pleasing to a certain type of DA as cracking down on local agitators was to the crown in days long past; the Sixth Amendment safeguards from the days when the law was an instrument for repression are equally invaluable in days when the law is an instrument for the ego stroking and political advancement of prosecutors.* * *
posted by gbarto at 4:03 AM:
Common Sense and Wonder reports that big bucks are being spent on overtime so that a new bridge will be opened while Gray Davis is still around to cut the ribbon.They've also got great bits on the wrongheadedness of gun control and why NYT columnist Paul Krugman soft-peddles anti-Semitism.
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posted by gbarto at 3:51 AM:
Natalie Solent takes apart the anti-privatization people, notably the mayor of London, who are trying to use a derailment in the tube as an excuse to consider the government taking it back over.* * *
posted by gbarto at 3:44 AM:
Murder of an RFI [Radio France International] Journalist at Abidjan
Jean Hélène shot on the basis of anti-France propagandaJean Hélène was Radio France International's permanent correspondent in Abidjan. He was shot by a policeman in front of the Ivory Coast General Security headquarters even as France's efforts to bring some semblance of order to that country are instead generating anti-French, anti-colonialist and anti-Western resentment and the country tumbles back into chaos.
Libération carries the story with its viewpoint right in the headline: Journalist Victim of State [sponsored] Racism. Says Libé, "France is demanding an investigation into the murder of Jean Hélène in Abidjan and an end to impunity [for such actions] in a country torn apart by ethnic hatred."
And that's our big headline in tonight's French news headlines. Now, on to the majors. Here's a little more handwringing about the US in Iraq from Le Monde.
Le Monde: Iraq: In Search of Reconstruction Dollars
Le Figaro: Paul Bremer: "There will be a role for France in the reconstruction [in Iraq]."
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Wednesday, October 22, 2003
posted by gbarto at 1:02 AM:
Common Sense and Wonder comments on rumors that National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice is gay. Their take: It would be the ultimate upset to the left for the first gay black woman to achieve prominence to be in a Republican administration. The TurkeyBlog has no idea - nor interest - regarding Dr. Rice's "lifestyle choices" but is in agreement on their argument. But Aaron MacGruder of the Boondocks may be getting ahead of all the chatter:
(linked to Boondocks main page at WaPo; no date specific link yet)
The TurkeyBlog, though on a completely different political wavelength, usually enjoys the Boondocks in the same way he appreciated former debate opponents' more amusingly or effectively argued points. We encourage the reading of the Boondocks and assure Universal Press Syndicate that we intend only good in reprinting their strip, absent a good way to send people to see it.
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posted by gbarto at 12:41 AM:
Saw Scott Adams today in San Francisco at the Union Square Borders. Interesting. He seems to be every bit as quiet and reserved as all the stories say. After a few quick jokes, he took questions for about ten minutes, then went to signing books. Inscription: name, Dogbert drawing and his signature. Chatter: kept to a minimum. Most of the people I've met who are well known tend to be gregarious (though a disproportionate number of these were politicians). Adams seemed a little shocked that a whole room would fill up with people who wanted to see him. Interesting, indeed.* * *
posted by gbarto at 12:29 AM:
Here's Den Beste on the rationale of our justice system and a risk to the system - altering standards for proof of innocence or guilt for certain crimes, notably rape. He hits the nail on the head.* * *
posted by gbarto at 12:10 AM:
Cicero notes the inevitably idiotic Mahathir, who seems to determined to make a mess of Malaysia's reputation, most lately with claims that Jews run the world. Unexplained, why they keep facing such massive genocides from the people they've supposedly subjugated. Gladly, Mahathir is on his way out.* * *
posted by gbarto at 12:04 AM:
Le Monde - directly quoting:Jacques Chirac retrouve la "fracture sociale"
Jacques Chirac rediscovers "social fracture"
President Jacques Chirac affirmed, Tuesday at Valenciennes, his rejection of a "marginalized France," warning against "this social fracture which is in danger of growing into an urban, ethnic and sometimes even religious divide." While the speech was centered on the wearing of the Islamic veil at school, the President of the Republic also spoke on the question of laicity - secularity - judging that this is non-negotiable and that he could take legal action to defend it "if necessary".
Le Figaro: UDF Unleashes Hostilities on UMP. That's Union for the Defense of France - center, nationalist - versus Union for a Parliamentary/Presidential Majority - center right, party of Chirac. The former rejected the budget of the latter, marking a big split in the center-right coalition that's been running France when not fighting over what that coalition represents.
Libération: Europe again requires that France make an effort - to pay down the deficits.
Ouest-France: Cancer Strongly On Rise. And France is the hardest hit in Europe, thanks to smoking, among other things.
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Tuesday, October 21, 2003
posted by gbarto at 2:13 AM:
French news headlines:Le Monde: Goals of Modernization and Salability for Postal Services. The Poste in France does everything communications wise - mail, phone, cable tv... and does a pretty fair measure pretty poorly. Thus a plan to revamp it to do a better job at the basics.
Le Figaro: Budget: Fillon makes concessions on RMA. In plain English, distressed workers who take jobs will be guaranteed a certain wage in return for entering the work force.
Libération: Handle with Care in Competition - so Libé describes the plans for the Poste.
Ouest-France: Smile, you're documented - by a brand new electronic i.d. that will over time contain more and more info about you.
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Monday, October 20, 2003
posted by gbarto at 4:53 AM:
French news headlines:Le Monde: Populist Party Victorious In Elections - as predicted yesterday
Libération: Call for reopening talks with North Korea. That call coming from President Bush and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun.
Le Figaro: Series of Israeli raids on Gaza. Three, in fact, in pretty short order. Three dead, including two Hamas activists.
Ouest-France: Cigarettes more expensive - and rarer - this morning. The prices climbed 20% overnight, due to government taxes to discourage smoking. Believing this as big a threat to their jobs as many other things are to other people's jobs, the tobacconists are on strike.
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posted by gbarto at 4:38 AM:
Here's the Second Carnival of the Capitalists.* * *
posted by gbarto at 12:17 AM:
Battle for Heart of Clark CampaignSources deny infighting on the staff has caused their candidate to stumble
Actually, this candidacy has plenty of heart. It's the brains that are lacking in this campaign in search of a rationale. Will Clark figure out whether he's the best general to finish Iraq or the most credible Democrat to stop the war? In time for the primaries? The general election? God help us if he's elected before he and his minions decide.
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posted by gbarto at 12:14 AM:
Blair Hospitalized for Rapid HeartbeatBritish PM quickly released after several hours of treatment
Yikes! Let's hope he's o.k. His domestic policies for England don't impress, but he's been a damn steadfast ally and seems to get the big picture about the stakes for the battles being fought today, a quality lacking not only in fellow labourites but too many conservatives.
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posted by gbarto at 12:06 AM:
First of many quizzes. Commentary eventually picks up below.
Morpheus
?? Which Of The Greek Gods Are You ??
brought to you by Quizilla
Your element is Fire. Wild and free. Your emotions
lead you everywhere. You are a very passionate
person, though sometimes forceful and
destructive you have a goal in life, even if
that goal is just to make it another day. Fire
consumes and purifys, it also protects. There
is always caution with fire because once it is
started on something there is no telling how
much it can destroy. Fire people have the same
tendency when mad you could be a candle burning
but if someone tips you over...
What's your element
brought to you by Quizilla
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Sunday, October 19, 2003
posted by gbarto at 10:58 PM:
While tracking down some poetry commentary for another site here at gbarto.com, I ran across this interesting site. Not politics, but interesting all the same, with much on art and literature. Check out:http://magdalene.blog-city.com/
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posted by gbarto at 12:28 PM:
Your soul is bound to the Seventh Totem,
Pandora: The Spider.
Pandora appears as an amethyst spider. She
embodies creativity, imagination, craft, and
virtuosity. She is associated with the
color amethyst, the season of autumn, and the
element of wind. Her downfall is daydreaming.
You are most compatible with Tortoises and
Cockroaches.
Which Animal Spirit Totem Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
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posted by gbarto at 12:23 PM:
You are Form 5, Dragon: The Weaver.
"And The Dragon separated the virtuous from
the sinful. He tore his eyes from his sockets
and used them to peer into the souls of those
on trial to make a judgment. He knew that
with endless knowledge came endless
responsibility."
Some examples of the Dragon Form are Athena
(Greek), St. Peter (Christian), and Surya
(Indian).
The Dragon is associated with the concept of
intelligence, the number 5, and the element of
wood.
His sign is the crescent moon.
As a member of Form 5, you are an intelligent and
wise individual. You weigh options by looking
at how logical they are and you know that while
there may not always be a right or wrong
choice, there is always a logical one. People
may say you are too indecisive, but it's only
because you want to do what's right. Dragons
are the best friends to have because they're
willing to learn.
Which Mythological Form Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
(both this and the one below found at Jay Solo)
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posted by gbarto at 12:15 PM:
Which Dr. Seuss character are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
* * *
posted by gbarto at 11:54 AM:
Amish Tech Support has thoughts on our treatment of a steadfast ally, and of our newest friends, in re the war on terror. The TurkeyBlog isn't sure about wishing the president ill, but also wonders why there are some people whose victimization at the hands of terrorists doesn't elicit the same sympathy as others. And it's true, what he points out. You'd expect this kind of double standard from Europe, where gassing minorities and slaughtering the "other" are de rigeur, but why isn't our policy different?* * *
posted by gbarto at 11:36 AM:
Jay Solo has just been added to the TurkeyBlog blogroll. He is a conservative/libertarian would-be writer who blogs as an outlet. And he's winning fame far and wide with the Carnival of the Capitalists crew. Be sure to drop by.* * *
posted by gbarto at 7:58 AM:
For Saturday night/Sunday morning French news, the focus is on Le Monde:Bangkok becomes a major ally of Washington. There's even a trip to Thailand in the works over the new agreements on working together in the War on Terror.
Bolivian Chief of State leans on new goverment. After violence and riots the past few days, things settled down. Will the new government justify the calm or provoke new troubles?
Populist Right expected to win legislative elections in Switzerland - and confirm the ostensibly xenophobic and anti-"European" (Le Monde so characterizes it) Democratic Union of the Center as the voice of Switzerland.
Finally,
Six Years After Her Death, Mother Theresa Is Beatified.
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Second round special page
Second Round Results Map
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