Frenchy68

I just turned 50 years old, and I have never married.*** Boy, that's a shocker!!! "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

The issue has to do with the rise of radical islam in France (and throughout the world). The muslim populationin France is around 10% of the general population, and rising. More and more girls are "forced" by their family to wear headscarf, the most extremist of them have their face covered at all times. I think the (unofficial) idea behind the ban is to give these girls the opportunity to excape parental and religious control while at school. "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

1/ It seems pretty obvious that the kidnappers did not know who the journalists were at first, then came up with the headscarf banissue as a revendication to justify the kidnapping. 2/ Although I agree that banning "oversized" religious signs can be an infringement upon one's freedom of speech and religion, one of the French Republic's crucial pillar was (and still is) a very strict separation of state and religion (as the Catholic church in France was associated with the monarchy). Hence, whereas in the US freedom of religion was an essential part of the constitution, the French constitution makes a point of making sure that religion does not get involved in the public sphere (private sector is obviously immune to the ban). Whether that's good or bad is, as you mention, a totally different issue. The ultimatum expires in 1 1/2 hour Nick "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Not if they are French, that is quite obvious... *** I'm a mole! I have one of these cute blue thing the US State Department issues as well as a French one... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

If you love YOUR country this is your man*** That's a pretty FU statement. Does that imply that someone who doesn't go with him does not love his/her country? Just wondering... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

High Level official at Pentagon may be Israeli spy "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

So it seems our lot are not done fiddling with the dark continent either*** That could apply to the French as well. Paid the price, still paying it (Senegal?), and waiting for the ante to be raised (I think Algeria still has some left for us...). Indeed, not only colonialism, but all the war games played there have greatly bit us back in the ass... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Chad is indeed where the French Foreign Legion usually is, playing war games with the local government/rebels. Keeps them on edge... There is also a French contingent in Djibouti, but they are not going anywhere (they like the view of the straight!). I would agree that the UN should get involved in Sudan. That way everyone pitches in. "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Rantoul's Mr Bill Landing "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

The Frenchies have always been a bit miffed that their influence in Africa has been waning, so perhaps the Frenchies could head up the peacekeeping force to make themselves feel better*** I think we'll pass on that one. That part of Africa is more of the Brit's problems. We'll keep ourselves busy in some other parts of Africa. Thanks for the thought though. "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Why is it that people always assume your using google to find things, when there really are people who have knowledge still stored the old fashioned way--in their brains*** I was just kidding... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

BTW, Austria didn't fight in WWI. By that time (post 1867, if I recall correctly), it was the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.*** Indeed, it was the AH empire, ruled by the Hapsburg at that time (whose heir, Francis Ferdinand, was killed in Sarajevo...). BTW, Hapsburg is also the brand of an exquisite absinthe from Bulgaria "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Would you like a short discourse on the transformation of the Habsburg empire into the dual monarchy? Or perhaps a dissertation on the Treaty of Trianon and it's effects?*** I dare you, Tom. And you can't use Google! Nick "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

I do believe, however, that there would be a giant protest should the US need help and the european countries were needed to help. This is not a far fetched fantasy I am refering to. *** Once again, there were very little protesting about going to Afghanistan. It's when the motivation is not clear that you will get protesting. The US did NOT back up the intervention in Egypt by the French, British and Israeli in 1956 (it actually vetoed military intervention at the UN). And I have no problem with it. Also, the US did NOT get militarily involved in neither WWI nor WWII until it had been attacked by Germany and then Japan. Why? Because the government COULD NOT justify sending GIs to get killed to the US population. Am I wrong? "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Rød med grød med fløde. And that's all I gotta say about that... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

There are more countries that supported terrorism that were not complying with the UN sanctions than just afganistan. On the countries that there were lucrative "oil for food" policies - there was denial and absolute resistance*** Please, let's not compare Iraq with Afghanistan and WWI & II. All the French were saying is YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO BACK UP INVADING A FOREIGN COUNTRY. And as of today, we still don't... Now, on a cynical level, of course some French interest were lost after the US invasion. Just like US interests were greatly enhanced by going in. SO if you tell me that the US went to Iraq SOLELY because of the oil, I'd consider your point that France refused to go in because of its financial interest there. But if you tell me that the US went in because it was being attacked by Iraq, then I'll stand by what the French government said: there's not enough evidence to back it up to justify invading a foreign country. "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

I should have clarified. Today - I was speaking of today, or rather in the last 2 years. Oh wait - we were attacked -what was Frances stance after that? hmmm. *** France went to Afghanistan (and is still there) alongside the US. With the goal to rout out Al Qaeda and the Taliban, which are responsible for the attack on the US in 2001. Your point? "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Why is it our fault that we had to liberate you and your beaches - As Powell said - all we ever asked for in the way of land was enough to bury our dead - If we were under attack - would france come over and defend us? You can lower your weapon. I have NEVER implied what you mention in your post. I have all the gratitude in the world for the GIs who fell on French soil in WWI & WWII. Would France come over and defend the US? You can't be serious, can you? If we are to go back into history, then refer to the Revolutionary wars and Lafayette. "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

he he you can tell he he *** You guys are shameless. Get a room... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Hemingway's "A farewell to arms" is great reading on the Italian/Austro-Hungarian front of WWI.

Is Clinton still president? I could have sworn he's not president anymore..*** He's not? Next thing you know, someone will claim that the Vietnam war is over... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Names of parties in Europe have evolved a great way. I also doubt the US Republicans want to get rid of the federation and install a Republic... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

I think the one that needs to chill is the guy who made up the FUCKED up comment, the frenchy guy, because it is not about the millions of french guys who died in france before they surrendered to nazis. It is you and him who disregard the thousands of GI's that actually tainted the waters of northern france with their blood. *** No disrespect was intended in my comment. Nor did I take PJ's statement as anything else than a joke. I am truly aware and grateful of what the US did during WWI and WWII. Once again, it was in reply to PJ's joke. What I wrote should not have been taken seriously. But if you can't help it, then give shit accross the board. And don't point fingers at me for disrespect when you write comments about the French without having a fucking clue of what you are talking about. I HAVE family members who died in WWII, so I am not taking lives lost there lightly. Being French, British, US or any lives. Once again, no disrespect intended. So everyone (including myself) chill "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

"Hey, how about getting married?" She said yes. We had never dated, kissed, etc... ever before. Was married to her for 5 years... (Mental note: never use that line EVER AGAIN) "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Sorry about your loss. Hang in there. Nick "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."