Comments on: Sarko the Magnificent http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:36:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: WEVS1 http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/#comment-34927 WEVS1 Mon, 07 May 2007 18:20:25 +0000 http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/#comment-34927 For those of us who were concerned about a leftward lurch in Europe--especially after Zapatero’s election in Spain and the subsequent removal of Spanish troops from Iraq--this is extremely good news. Sarkozy has plans to do a lot of positive things for France. Most importantly for Americans, and America’s image abroad, Sarkozy will do much to mend the frayed trans-Atlantic relationship between our two countries. This is all very good news. But Armchair pessimist is correct as well. Sarkozy is aware that he’ll be facing opposition in the streets including riots by immigrant youth in the suburbs and more organized protests and demonstrations by workers and farmers organizations in the core of Paris. The French people clearly are not united behind Sarkozy’s view for the future of France. The political atmosphere there, as here, is extremely polarized. For those of us who were concerned about a leftward lurch in Europe–especially after Zapatero’s election in Spain and the subsequent removal of Spanish troops from Iraq–this is extremely good news. Sarkozy has plans to do a lot of positive things for France. Most importantly for Americans, and America’s image abroad, Sarkozy will do much to mend the frayed trans-Atlantic relationship between our two countries. This is all very good news.

But Armchair pessimist is correct as well. Sarkozy is aware that he’ll be facing opposition in the streets including riots by immigrant youth in the suburbs and more organized protests and demonstrations by workers and farmers organizations in the core of Paris. The French people clearly are not united behind Sarkozy’s view for the future of France. The political atmosphere there, as here, is extremely polarized.

]]> By: james wilson http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/#comment-34925 james wilson Mon, 07 May 2007 17:09:50 +0000 http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/#comment-34925 If this is a beginning, it is no more than that. A great leader brings a great movement with him, but Sarko only appears good against the backdrop of French illusions and delusions. That is not a movement, but a reaction. There are signs even in his recent past that Sarko is not a principled visionary, or that the French would want one. They will need to be closer yet to the roar of the falls to pull their heads out of their asses. If this is a beginning, it is no more than that. A great leader brings a great movement with him, but Sarko only appears good against the backdrop of French illusions and delusions. That is not a movement, but a reaction.
There are signs even in his recent past that Sarko is not a principled visionary, or that the French would want one. They will need to be closer yet to the roar of the falls to pull their heads out of their asses.

]]> By: Chuck http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/#comment-34924 Chuck Mon, 07 May 2007 16:45:34 +0000 http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/#comment-34924 Yay!! We'll have to wait and see how he does -- but nonetheless, this is definitely a positive development! 12 - years to be exact which in France is the presidential time line. Yay!! We’ll have to wait and see how he does — but nonetheless, this is definitely a positive development! 12 – years to be exact which in France is the presidential time line.

]]> By: Ymarsakar http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/#comment-34923 Ymarsakar Mon, 07 May 2007 15:41:41 +0000 http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/#comment-34923 y would make a great revolutionary. y would make a great revolutionary.

]]> By: Anon Y. Mous http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/#comment-34922 Anon Y. Mous Mon, 07 May 2007 15:26:10 +0000 http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/#comment-34922 "The choice between Sego and Sarko was clear-cut choice between archetypal Mother figure and Father figure. The first nurtures, comfortes, care; the second demands, punishes, judge. The message of the first: more of the same. Message of the second: you must change." Is it worth pointing out that Sarko's victory entails the incumbent party remaining in power? “The choice between Sego and Sarko was clear-cut choice between archetypal Mother figure and Father figure. The first nurtures, comfortes, care; the second demands, punishes, judge. The message of the first: more of the same. Message of the second: you must change.”

Is it worth pointing out that Sarko’s victory entails the incumbent party remaining in power?

]]> By: armchair pessimist http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/#comment-34921 armchair pessimist Mon, 07 May 2007 13:42:26 +0000 http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/#comment-34921 Jen, I mean that this next round will be about the barricades, not the ballot box France has a long history of the mob taking to the streets to impose its will on the duly elected government--for that matter on the rest of France. Usually, but not always, the government backs down. Hopefully, the French people have given Sarkozy permisson to give the troublemakers one serious asswhuppin'. We'll find out. Jen,

I mean that this next round will be about the barricades, not the ballot box

France has a long history of the mob taking to the streets to impose its will on the duly elected government–for that matter on the rest of France. Usually, but not always, the government backs down.

Hopefully, the French people have given Sarkozy permisson to give the troublemakers one serious asswhuppin’. We’ll find out.

]]> By: Jen http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/#comment-34920 Jen Mon, 07 May 2007 13:16:23 +0000 http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/#comment-34920 Armchair pessimest, If there was a turnout of 85 percent, and 53% voted for Sarko, why does he still need to win "the streets"? It sounds to me as if you are saying that the voters represent some kind of elite but not the common man (the man of the streets), yet this is clearly not the case unless the majority of the French are part of its elite. If that is not what you meant, please clarify. Armchair pessimest, If there was a turnout of 85 percent, and 53% voted for Sarko, why does he still need to win “the streets”? It sounds to me as if you are saying that the voters represent some kind of elite but not the common man (the man of the streets), yet this is clearly not the case unless the majority of the French are part of its elite. If that is not what you meant, please clarify.

]]> By: Dawson Do-right http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/#comment-34919 Dawson Do-right Mon, 07 May 2007 12:50:35 +0000 http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/#comment-34919 Sarkozy would like us to be at the kyoto table, which is a place we haven't thought of going since 2000. If you're not at the table, you can't ask for less taters and more meat. I think Sarkozy is a good change of climate in france and I look forward to seeing his economic polices. Sarkozy would like us to be at the kyoto table, which is a place we haven’t thought of going since 2000. If you’re not at the table, you can’t ask for less taters and more meat.

I think Sarkozy is a good change of climate in france and I look forward to seeing his economic polices.

]]> By: armchair pessimist http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/#comment-34918 armchair pessimist Mon, 07 May 2007 12:18:41 +0000 http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/#comment-34918 Actually,this election isn't over yet. There's still the third round, which is held in the streets. Sarko will have his work cut out for him winning that one. And it may take many whiffs of grapeshot. Actually,this election isn’t over yet. There’s still the third round, which is held in the streets. Sarko will have his work cut out for him winning that one. And it may take many whiffs of grapeshot.

]]> By: camojack http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/#comment-34916 camojack Mon, 07 May 2007 08:05:56 +0000 http://neoneocon.com/2007/05/06/sarko-the-magnificent/#comment-34916 Hope springs eternal! Hope springs eternal!

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