The France thread

gnome · Post by **gnome** » Fri Aug 03, 2018 4:23 pm

Witness wrote: ↑Thu Jul 19, 2018 3:29 am What a magnificent fail:

https://i.imgur.com/N6Uj3oG.jpg

:mrgreen:

It clearly means that any French courtrooms underneath the flight path don't actually have the correct jurisdiction! They're all really under le ministère de la Marine.

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Wed Aug 08, 2018 2:59 am

↑ I don't get that (and said ministère is defunct for many years). :?

French rapper clan wars at an airport (between "Booba" [sic] and "Karis") – they both now happily sit in prison, which will only increase their standing:

Aping the US of A, are we? :mrgreen:

gnome · Post by **gnome** » Wed Aug 08, 2018 10:25 pm

Witness wrote: ↑Wed Aug 08, 2018 2:59 am ↑ I don't get that (and said ministère is defunct for many years). :?

It was intended to be a gag about Sovereign Citizens and the whole "Admiralty Court/Gold Fringe" thing, only translated (badly, clearly) into a French context.

But, if they are defunct, all the more reason those "courts" don't count!

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Thu Aug 09, 2018 2:17 am

Uh, oh, I get it now. A bit… esoteric, but thanks for clarifying. :)

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Wed Aug 15, 2018 2:06 am

Could go in the "Ship of fail" thread:

We've been expecting you: fugitive tries to hide in French spy HQ

Driver fleeing crash scales fence to land in one of the most high-security spots in Paris

A man who fled the scene of a car crash in Paris took the ultimate wrong turn, seeking refuge in the headquarters of France’s spy agency.

The driver, who reportedly did not have a driving licence, was involved in a crash on the capital’s Périphérique ring road on Friday, scaling a fence several metres high to get off the busy artery.

He was apparently unaware he had climbed into the grounds of the General Directorate of External Security (DGSE), according to the Parisien newspaper which first reported the story.

He was immediately picked up and arrested.

The site, on Boulevard Mortier in north-eastern Paris, is one of the most closely monitored spots in Paris – images of it on Google Street View are blurred. It featured in acclaimed French TV spy thriller Le Bureau des Légendes – starring actors Mathieu Kassovitz and Jean-Pierre Darroussin – which won international acclaim under the English title The Bureau.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/ ... py-hq-dgse

Fatalitas! :mrgreen:

Giz · Post by **Giz** » Wed Aug 15, 2018 3:24 am

26D2156B-C396-4D58-BF22-2DC7CD3FDC91.jpeg

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Fri Sep 07, 2018 12:45 am

French University Says It Will Stop Offering Diplomas in Homeopathic Medicine

The Université de Lille Faculty of Medicine announced the decision following the publication earlier this year of an open letter signed by 124 medical experts who said, correctly, that there was no evidence that homeopathy worked.

Homeopathy, like other practices called “alternative medicine”, is in no way scientific. These practices are based on beliefs that promise a miraculous and safe recovery. In September 2017, the Scientific Council of the Academies of European Sciences published a report confirming the lack of evidence of the effectiveness of homeopathy. In most developed countries, doctors are prohibited from prescribing homeopathic products.

…

Of these practices which are neither scientific nor ethical, but very irrational and dangerous, we wish to dissociate ourselves completely.
The professionals also said they were concerned that public universities and health care providers have limited resources, and any money going towards homeopathy (as a treatment or topic) was taking money away from remedies that might actually help patients. Among their several recommendations was a moratorium on degrees for “practices whose effectiveness has not been scientifically demonstrated.”

That letter was published in March. But after consideration, one of the largest public universities in the country announced it would heed the advice — at least until the government finished a study into the matter. That report is due out this coming February.

http://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2018 ... -medicine/

Many more MDs have now signed the open letter. The homeopaths fought back by filing a complaint at the top medical authority for "uncollegial behavior" (don't really know how to translate that, but it boils down to "they're mean to us"). :mrgreen:

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Mon Sep 17, 2018 2:28 am

↑ Harrumph! viewtopic.php?f=6&t=44816&start=2880#p929410 :x

In other news, there is a cholera epidemic in Algeria. I wonder if children brought back the vibrio after vacations in their country of origin… :|

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Mon Oct 01, 2018 1:22 am

https://i.imgur.com/sXVtcbd.jpg

Giz · Post by **Giz** » Mon Oct 01, 2018 1:27 am

Until I saw the swastica and the 42, I thought that was a Brexit cartoon!

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Fri Oct 05, 2018 1:51 am

↑ Everything furry (or feathery) is cute and well-meaning. :P

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Fri Oct 05, 2018 2:05 am

From 2010:

https://i.imgur.com/EePyugb.jpg
http://www.leparisien.fr/une/elle-racon ... 790298.php

French artist spent a month wearing a burka. "C'était l'enfer !" = it was hell.

Then wrote a book. :mrgreen:

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Fri Oct 05, 2018 10:54 pm

↑ Especially ortolans!

Paris' mayor (a very contested lady – by the muh car! crowd) has had new public urinals installed along the Seine. Quite evidently a repugnant patriarchal plot as you need an incorporated faucet to use them, right?

And what a downhill slide from the original Pissoir^©:

https://i.imgur.com/fFrAJXJ.jpg

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Thu Oct 11, 2018 1:45 am

France sued for 'crimes against humanity' over nuclear tests in South Pacific

France is being taken to the International Criminal Court for nuclear weapons tests in French Polynesia. France has long denied responsibility for the impacts of the tests and only recently began compensating civilians.

France is being taken to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for carrying out nuclear weapons tests in French Polynesia, a Polynesian opposition leader announced on Tuesday.

Oscar Temaru, the archipelago's former president and current leader of the Tavini Huiraatira Party, announced the move during a United Nations committee dealing with decolonization.

Temaru accused France of "crimes against humanity" and said that he hopes to hold French presidents accountable for the nuclear tests with the ICC complaint.

"We owe it to all the people who died from the consequences of nuclear colonialism," he told the UN committee.

Maxime Chan from Te Ora Naho, an association for the protection of the environment in French Polynesia, told the UN that there had been 368 instances of radioactive fallout from the tests and that radioactive waste had also been discharged into the ocean — violating international rules.

https://www.dw.com/en/france-sued-for-c ... a-45826054

Nearly 200 tests there.

ed · Post by ed » Thu Oct 11, 2018 4:35 pm

Tavini Huiraatira Party

When are we going to grow a pair and start laughing at people that call things silly names? Those were the good old days.

Giz · Post by **Giz** » Thu Oct 11, 2018 6:21 pm

One of those names where they obviously decided they didn't care about potential western donors being able to Google them.

We should be grateful.

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Sun Oct 14, 2018 8:18 pm

British mountain biker shot dead by hunter in French Alps

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45855897

What the title says.

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Thu Nov 08, 2018 12:05 am

Sixth body found under collapsed buildings in French city of Marseille

MARSEILLE, France (Reuters) - The body of a sixth victim has been found in the rubble of two dilapidated buildings that collapsed this week in the city of Marseille, said a public prosecutor official on Wednesday.

The buildings collapsed on Monday morning. Emergency services combing through the rubble have now found the bodies of four men and two women.

Authorities had initially said that up to eight people might have been buried in the debris.

Rescue teams said their work had been complicated since the collapse had destabilized other nearby buildings in the street, which lies not far from the city’s historic Old Port area.

Authorities said they were looking into what caused the collapse of the buildings, described by residents of the area as dilapidated and in need of repair.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-fran ... reddit.com

Neglected things don't repair themselves, how quaint. :|

Giz · Post by **Giz** » Wed Nov 28, 2018 12:10 am

Wait, “fearful medieval instrument of torture”? wasn’t the guillotine developed as a “humane” (I.e. non torturing) method of execution?

Giz · Post by **Giz** » Wed Nov 28, 2018 12:18 am

They couldn’t use quartering in France due to the metric system.

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Mon Dec 03, 2018 1:05 am

Benoît Quennedey: French official charged with spying for N Korea

Benoît Quennedey is suspected of treason and "supplying information to a foreign power". He faces up to 10 years in jail if found guilty.

Mr Quennedey holds a senior position in the French Senate's department of architecture, heritage and gardens.

He is also president of the Franco-Korean Friendship Association, which promotes closer ties with North Korea.

In recent years he has written books on the country, including North Korea's Economy: Birth of New Asian Dragon (2013).

Mr Quennedey has travelled several times to Pyongyang in recent years and met officials and academics working in the architecture and construction fields, according to his association's website.

Following his arrest in Paris on Sunday, he was questioned for 96 hours by France's counter-intelligence service.

Investigations into Mr Quennedey began a year ago, French media say.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46390723

Giz · Post by **Giz** » Mon Dec 03, 2018 1:39 am

Jeezus, the Norks have access to all the secrets of architecture, heritage and gardens!

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Thu Dec 06, 2018 1:48 am

Gilets jaunes ("Yellow vests"):

https://i.imgur.com/vJX9u17.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Ep1vAbV.jpg

And on the ground:

(Burger King Wagram street.)

shuize · Post by **shuize** » Thu Dec 06, 2018 10:21 pm

Yes, I meant to ask, what's the deal with the riots? I thought you Europeans liked paying taxes.

Giz · Post by **Giz** » Thu Dec 06, 2018 10:32 pm

Whoooah! "Like other people paying taxes".

Sheesh. Next you'll be saying that they like [paying for] being defended by NATO!

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Sat Dec 08, 2018 2:34 am

Tomorrow will be a harsh day in Paris.

https://i.imgur.com/8bqg3L3.jpg

Stores are shuttered, construction sites dismantled, mailboxes sealed and some métro stations closed. :|

Anaxagoras · Post by **Anaxagoras** » Sat Dec 08, 2018 2:48 am

Are these people (the rioters) like "Antifa" in the US?

Can't they be arrested or something? When protests turn into riots with property destruction and violence, I feel like the police should take a heavy hand to quash them. Peaceful protests are fine, but when you starting setting things on fire, smashing windows, etc. I think that should not be allowed to happen and the police should use whatever amount of force is needed to quash it.

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Sat Dec 08, 2018 2:49 am

Abdul Alhazred wrote: ↑Sat Dec 08, 2018 2:36 am Do you think a possible revolution?

Isn't it an old French tradition, every fifty years or so? :mrgreen:

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Sat Dec 08, 2018 3:00 am

You wouldn't count 1968?

Doctor X · Post by **Doctor X** » Sat Dec 08, 2018 6:03 pm

Anaxagoras wrote: ↑Sat Dec 08, 2018 2:48 am. . . I feel like the police should take a heavy hand to quash them.

:freedom:

--J.D.

Giz · Post by **Giz** » Sat Dec 08, 2018 6:30 pm

Red - the blood of angry men!
Black - the dark of ages past!
Yellow - the pissed off angry farts!
Red - a world about to dawn!
Black - the night that ends at last!
Yellow - will Macron fold at last?

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Sun Dec 09, 2018 12:08 am

Abdul Alhazred wrote: ↑Sat Dec 08, 2018 12:43 pm I think it's debatable.

The political system did not change.

I agree with that, of course, but society changed a lot in the process (just watch some ads from some years before/after).

Or 1871:

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktUHl-G53pA/ ... -00009.jpg

:mrgreen:

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Mon Dec 10, 2018 6:30 pm

Rats! You beat me to it! :x

Anaxagoras · Post by **Anaxagoras** » Tue Dec 11, 2018 5:14 am

So now we know how to get the government to do your bidding in France:

Contrite Macron, Confronting Protests, Promises Relief to France

PARIS — Faced with violent protests and calls for his resignation, President Emmanuel Macron of France said Monday that he had heard the anger of the many whose economic suffering has burst into the open in recent weeks and that he would take immediate steps to relieve their hardship.

Mr. Macron’s mea culpa on national television signaled a remarkable step back from his ambitions to reshape France’s economy and become the European Union’s foremost leader. For now, his chief goal is shoring up his own political support in France.

He announced tax cuts and income increases for the struggling middle class and working poor, vowing to raise the pay of workers earning the minimum wage. He promised to listen to the voices of the country, to its small-town mayors and its working people.

“There is anger, anger and indignation that many French share,” he said in 13-minute prerecorded speech from the Elysée, the presidential palace.

Giz · Post by **Giz** » Tue Dec 11, 2018 11:07 pm

Seems the usual suspects got annoyed at being left out of the violence: 2 dead and 11 injured in terrorist shooting in Strasbourg.

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Wed Dec 12, 2018 12:55 am

Giz wrote: ↑Tue Dec 11, 2018 11:07 pm Seems the usual suspects got annoyed at being left out of the violence: 2 dead and 11 injured in terrorist shooting in Strasbourg.

Irish lecturer stabbed to death in Paris had 'insulted the Prophet Mohammed', says his Pakistani killer

John Dowling, 66, stabbed to death outside the Leonardo de Vinci university

Ali R., 37, was arrested at the scene and has admitted to killing the Irish lecturer

The Pakistani national claims Dowling had ‘insulted the Prophet Mohammed'

He also confessed he held a personal grudge against Dowling for failing him

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... stReadNews

Giz · Post by **Giz** » Wed Dec 12, 2018 2:21 am

Witness wrote: ↑Wed Dec 12, 2018 12:55 am
Giz wrote: ↑Tue Dec 11, 2018 11:07 pm Seems the usual suspects got annoyed at being left out of the violence: 2 dead and 11 injured in terrorist shooting in Strasbourg.

Irish lecturer stabbed to death in Paris had 'insulted the Prophet Mohammed', says his Pakistani killer

John Dowling, 66, stabbed to death outside the Leonardo de Vinci university

Ali R., 37, was arrested at the scene and has admitted to killing the Irish lecturer

The Pakistani national claims Dowling had ‘insulted the Prophet Mohammed'

He also confessed he held a personal grudge against Dowling for failing him

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... stReadNews

“part and parcel of living in a big city”

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Wed Dec 12, 2018 4:02 am

Giz wrote: ↑Wed Dec 12, 2018 2:21 am “part and parcel of living in a big city”

Nihilist! :x

Grammatron · Post by **Grammatron** » Thu Dec 20, 2018 6:43 pm

Abdul Alhazred wrote: ↑Thu Dec 20, 2018 5:18 pm
That it would be banned seems bizarre to me.

That's bizarre and interesting.

Why is it banned?

French doctors have pointed out that as the popularity of these tests has increased, they have seen more patients who are worried about the results.

"We regularly have consultations with people because they had no idea what they were getting in to," Professor Stanislas Lyonnet, director of an institute on genetic diseases told the French press.

"They did a test they thought would be fun but they are often actually receiving crucial and sometimes scientifically sound information."

Lyonnet went on to say that people might find out they are "a carrier of cystic fibrosis, they have a risk of having Huntington's disease, they have a risk of breast cancer or ovarian cancer ... This comes without further information or medical guidance so finding it out from under a Christmas tree is really ridiculous!"

Some have also suggested the reason for the ongoing ban is to "preserve the peace" in French families, with many incidents of people taking the test and discovering information such as that one of their parents isn't actually theirs.

Facts can make people uncomfortable and confused therefore it's banned? What an odd society.

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Tue Jan 01, 2019 2:41 am

Macron's former aide admits using diplomatic passports months after dismissal for beating protester

Emmanuel Macron's disgraced former security aide, sacked this summer for beating a protester, has sparked a further scandal by admitting that he was still travelling on diplomatic passports.

Prosecutors are investigating allegations that Alexandre Benalla illegally used diplomatic passports, which should have been surrendered after he was fired in July, to travel to Africa and Israel. He is also suspected of trying to profit from his connections as a former presidential insider to win consultancy contracts.

“Perhaps I was wrong to use these passports,” Mr Benalla told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper in a telephone interview from an undisclosed foreign country. “But I want to make it clear that I only did it for my own personal comfort, to facilitate my passage through airports.”

He denied that he was travelling on diplomatic papers to enhance his credentials. “I never used them for my business,” the former aide said.

Mr Benalla, 27, a one-time high-flyer who ascended to a senior post in the president’s office after serving as a bodyguard during his election campaign last year, promised to return the passports “in the coming days”.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/1 ... ts-months/