The Times is in the hands of Rupert Murdoch. They are the same bunch of racist thugs, although one set of so-called journalists speaks to the upper class and the other to the lower class. They are all trolls for Murdoch and his favorite causes, of which francophobia is one of the easiest.
Ms Zerbisias is a very well known progressive columnist here in Toronto, originally from Montréal and speaks fluent French. Her quick apology should be an example for other columnists who never apologized – Hello, Don Martin ?
Exactly – Quite unfortunate to see how this “fait divers” was instrumentalized. But what worries me is how easy the outrage is expressed by regular users. They now have a prefabricated script for anti-French outrage, the consequence of complete political inaction from our diplomatic network.
Now when George Carlin asks everybody to take it easy when they find a routine too much, he does it without offending people and distancing himself from the audience. And he never gets thrown. Kagan was not only rattled by the heckler, but he then decided to genderize the heckler by belittling the person for “ovulating” and saying this is why he isn’t married.
This is indeed an unfortunate turn of events, but when I read the Times story online and the comments, many of the comments were sticking up for France and especially the people of Normandy, so there’s been both pro and con on this. Of course, the bureaucratic decision to knock those old trees down was a bit un-diplomatique as they say, and a kind of stupid idea. But if it’s done it’s done, and there will be hell to pay. This is not about anti-French jokes, this was a stupid action on the part of the French government, or one part of that government, and it’s gonna reverbereate for a long time, sad to say. They should have foreseen this reaction would be coming. In this case, I think the Paris govt needs to be reprimanded by this website for a very bad PR decision…….they must have known this would happen. what were they thinking? But yes, of course, the anti-French sentiments indicated in many of the anti French comments are pure wrong. The French people did not order the trees cut down? WHO DID? WHO IS THE MAN TO BLAME FOR THIS? His punishment should be to come live in the USA for 12 years….haha
I also contacted Ms Z and she also told she was apologzing as quickly as she could, and yes, she should serve as a good example of how decent reporters and editors can make amends. Good on her, she done well. SHe’s the best! And it shows. She has a heart!
Sixty years later, the trees have grown old and were deemed unsafe by local officials : the owner of the land on which they grew decided to fell them.
So it was one man, one landowner, whatever his reasons, he made a mistake. But it’s done. They can;t be put back. His PR faux pas is beyond belief, but to blame France or all French people for this is insane. Just one stupid man.
Well, our relations may improve, and the vast majority of people in US seems to not to care much about us, you’ll still have the usual bastard who do not like us : in my view Howard Stern is not the worst !
This guy is pathetic : he wouldn’t do such “jokes” about Mexicans or Blacks…
He did have some material about Mexicans, mostly about how lazy they are, and crossing borders illegally – Pretty safe material for a white-canadian crowd.
This morning’s review completely ignores the opening act.
http://jam.canoe.ca/Movies/Artists/F/Ferguson_Craig/2008/06/15/5884101-sun.html
The land is under private ownership. The owner can do what he wants. Given the USA prides itselfs on the fact that anyone can own land and have possession of “Private Property”, I find the rampant French-bashing over this issue to be particularly retarded. The obvious ignorance of this fact leads me to believe that most French-bashers are actually 15-25 year old airmchair generals, sitting comfortable at their parent’s home in their little whitey-tighties, typing on their parent’s computer.
Résumé de l’affaire pour nos amis français – Ce comédien américain, Randy Kagan, de la région de Los Angeles, travaille pour une émission de soirée de grande renommée : Late Late Night with Craig Ferguson.
Lors de la tournée de Ferguson à Toronto, le comédien Randy Kagan a ouvert la soirée avec des blagues plutôt douteuses à l’égard des français. Selon ses dires, les français sont puants, sales, les aisselles poilus et arrogants.
Kagan a relaté l’histoire d’un touriste Français à Los Angeles qui ignorait que la plage de Venice Beach se trouve juste à côté du déversement des égouts de la ville : en sortant de l’eau ce même touriste Français croyait avoir bronzé alors qu’il était couvert de matières fécales. Ce type d’humour, proche de ceux de Dennis Miller, Howard Stern et Robert Smigel, cherche à rabaisser les Français en faisant appel aux stéréotypes les plus basiques qui soient : ils sont tellement sales qu’ils ne peuvent différencier bronzage et déjections fécales.
Ce que Kagan n’a pas vu venir fut la réaction d’une partie de l’auditoire qui a hué ces blagues. Devant cet état de fait, il a complètement perdu le contrôle et a commencé à interpeller la foule en clamant que c’était son droit que de faire des blagues comme bon il semble.
Site officiel à Randy Kagan
http://www.randykagan.com/
Son adresse mél : info (a) RandyKagan.com – Remplacer (a) par @
Soyez respectueux et polis, même s’il ne l’est pas à notre égard.
The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson
7800 Beverly Blvd. Suite 244
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Nothing new about the Anti-French diatribes: “The only ‘heckler’ was a lovely lady in the front orchestra who reminded Randy Kagan, after his diatribe against the French, that it was Bastille Day. ”
From Miquelon.org » Monitoring Anti-French Activity » The Anti-French Lexicon of Soccer
on
French Bashing & Soccer
[…] fact the American media will not take notice, thus sparing us the usual litany of late night jokes. For the record: “Congratulations to the Italian people for winning the World Cup. … They won after […]
Freedom Fries: Neal Rowland, owner of Cubbies, 1507 Live Oak Street Beaufort, NC 28516 – 1e nomination ?
http://www.miquelon.org/2006/09/26/freedom-fries%E2%84%A2/
I nominate: Rowland, Neal
For [insert name here] Award 2003-2007
Based on the following: Freedom Fries, Freedom Fries Trademark Inquiry
I support my nomination with: http://www.miquelon.org/2006/09/26/freedom-fries%E2%84%A2/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_fries
Sorry, but I do not think that this is such a good idea. I certainly do not want to put anything out there to encourage these jerks.
I love Miquelon, but this is a “bridge too far”.
i like this idea, in general, but from a PR point of view, i think the
name of the prize is very dangersous. i do not like the name “[redacted for posterity]”, the word HATE is too strong and it will get twisted back by the
media…..really, marc, i beg you, i am PR expert, HATER is not the
right word, although I understand your intent..is it too late to
change. maybe ask readers to come up with a new name of the awards,
serious but humorous as well, like the Razzies, or words like
that….i really think [redacted for posterity] award name will backfire on you.
Just my concerned opinion ebcause I supprto whsat you are doing….how
about
The Anti-French Jokes Awards
or
The Frenchies (that is humorious in a way)
or
hey, i like THE FRENCHIES….ask your readers if they like that, and
ask them to send in other names and then choose. …the FRENCH HATER
AWARDS will backfire, I am sure……
you call them THE FRENCHIES, and then explain in your press release
that the FRENCHIES are givien to people who crack anti-French jokes on
TV or in newspaper columns…..such as Jay Leno…
by calling them the FRENCHIES, there is some humor and media interest…
because HATE is too strong a word, like HATE CRiMES……I worry Marc
about that word. please change it
ask your friends
DANNY BLOOM
After six years of monitoring anti-French activity in the media and the political arena, Miquelon.org has decided to create and organize the Annual Frenchies Awards. The Frenchies will single out the words or deeds of someone who has engaged in in anti-French bias, rhetoric, actions or policy.
The Frenchies Nomination Process – Anyone can nominate a meritorious recipient of the Frenchies based on documented actions, statements written or spoken, legislation or policy. Once nominated, we at Miquelon.org will organize a fair voting process for the top five candidates.
Two Nominations are now open :
1. THE FRENCHIES AWARDS FOR 2003 – 2007 – Nominations are now open for people to spotlight for the last five years.
2. THE FRENCHIES AWARDS for 2008 – Nominations are now open for this year’s recipient
Award – Miquelon.org will create and design the award for the Frenchies Award 2003-2007 and Frenchies Awards for 2008 based on public input.
Prizes – Miquelon.org will provide the appropriate prize, funding permitting, based on public input.
Nomination Form
I nominate: FIRSTNAME LASTNAME
For a Frenchies Award 2003-2007 / 2008 [select nomination]
Based on the following: [actions, statements written or spoken, legislation or policy]
I support my nomination with: [Provide URL/Newspaper Article/Event – Be as detailed as possible]
Thanks Fred – Thanks for the input. I’m still reeling from the Randy Kagan monologue I had to live through, there is no better word to describe how he felt: hatred.
Glad you saw my post, Marc. i might be wrong, too. But i feel the French Hater Award is too strong, because of the word’s relationship to “hate crime” and racial hatred and terms like that. HATE is such a strong word in English, I don’t know what it’s like in French or other languages, but as an award name, ouch. I feel the media would hate that name!
“The Frenchies” is good and short and cute and humorous. Humor will be important here to deflect the bad jokes that will come your way when this award becomes public. And if the AP or Reuters or AFP interviews you about the awards, the term THE FRENCHIES will make a great term to use in the headlines……but maybe other readers can come up with other alternative names, make a list of ten good names and then choose one you like the best.
It is really amazing that the progressive, anti-racist, leftist GUARDIAN the UK would print that crap! This is surely a sign that it’s a losing game, and all the more reason to fight back with your annual awards program to hightlight this sickness in the media. It will take time. But someday shite like that soccer column will never be allowed to be printed on paper or on a website. Terrible! Guardian editors should be ashamed!
Randy Kagan blogs about his experience in Toronto.
http://www.randykagan.com/
“Canadians seemed a little sensitive about their stand up. I do bits based on places and people. I do French stuff to French people. I’m not going to talk behind their backs. So i do it well lit and amplified. ”
Our response (1): This is a slight exaggeration and twisting of fact. Randy has never performed this material in France nor in front of a French audience (to the best of our knowledge). He went for the jugular because it’s part of his routine and his profound anti-French streak. He did this in Toronto, never expecting anyone French to be in the audience.
“They judge it like it’s some sort of comedy manifesto. It’s just my thoughts as I try not to think about them. Hindsite is the enemy of spontaneity. It’s for critics, which anyone respirating (or not) is qualified to be. Bloggers can be agoraphobic social misfits that sit in a comfort zone and spew. Comics don’t have that luxury. When’s the last time a blogger had to deal with (demo heckler) “Hey, lay off the French jokes.” A blogger’s worst day is when he gets lotion on his mouse.”
Our response (2): What do we have to deal with ? Read the hate mail we got over the last five years and maybe you might begin to understand. Oh, and this “agoraphobic social misfit” has run for office, done live political debates and worked with thousands of young minds in a bid to educate and teach respect. Trust me, 8th graders forced to do algebra are a much harsher crowd than anything in stand-up comedy 🙂
For the [insert name here] Award 2003-2007, I nominate for his book Richard Z.Chesnoff , former correspondent in Paris of U.S. News and World report.
I support my nomination with the following reasons :
the title is very classy : “The Arrogance of the French – Why They Can’t Stand Us and Why the Feeling is Mutual” (Ed.Sentinel, 2005) the many mistakes it contains and which all tend to prove how stupid the French are : for instance to explain why there is not any good French literature, he writes (page 6) : “…according to bookstore sales, most books sold in France are adult comic books…” (the real figure for comic books for children and adults is 6,5% (2004, CNE) his personal choice to live in France (in Provence) among the people he hates so much
For inspiration sake – let’s review other alternative awards.
* Golden Raspberry Awards for bad film work
* Darwin Awards for fatally foolish behavior
* Pigasus Award for paranormal fraud (U.S.)
* Bent Spoon Award for paranormal fraud (Australia)
* Stella Awards for outrageous lawsuits
Danny, I am now convinced we need a better name for the award. Thanks for the quick reaction on that. Not sure about the “Frenchies” though. Your thoughts ?
Frenchy, proper noun (Frenchies) 1. (context, slang, sometimes construed as derogatory) A native or resident of France, or a francophone, or a person of French lineage.
Good points, Marc. Frenchies might not be so good because of the HistoRY of that word as a negative, but sometimes taking a negative like NIGGER and turning on its back, around, and shoving it back in other people’s faces, can make the word take on a new positive meaning…….ask your email list and friends…..but yes, good thinking, names like Rzzies and Bent Spoon…..maybe someone can come up with a good name, like __________ awards….
the only Frenchy I know is a man in Alaska who is German and everyone calls him Frenchy in a good natured way, so for me the word FRENCHY has a positive feeling to it….i never heard of condoms called that…… oi!
DANNY
KEEP GOIONG, this is a good PR media idea to get your message across. you just need a name for the awards, give yourself a month to canvass everyone and see what the best name is….
my idea was that by taking the word Frenchy, meaning, a francophone or a resident of France or someone who looks French, some people call me Frenchy for example, by taking the word and using it as FUN name as an award, it is like throwing the word back in Jonah Goldberg’s face, for example, image the surprise on his face when he learns he is a winner of one of the Frenchies….and they should be called plural FRENCHIES. not Frenchy….FRENCHIES gives new meaning to the word FRENCHY, and you are throwing it back in their face, those dummies who say antiFrench jokes on TV, LENO etc…
maybe the dummies award? no. i like THE FRENCHIES AWARDS
French-bashing left the realm of harmless “jokes” a long time ago, Danny.
There seems to be quite a few very dedicated people in your country working really hard to convince people that me and my family are genetically stinkards and cowards.
I think the French-hater award should go to the anti-French no-pasaran blog pour l’ensemble de leur oeuvre.
Hmm – I wonder if Neal Rowland ever got the trademark on Freedom Fries.
And yes you are right, the term Freedom Fries has become the universal qualifier for Bush-Cheney stupidity as per the number of Google Alerts with that term.
Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 043. US 100 101. G Serial Number 78700481
Filing Date August 25, 2005
Owner (APPLICANT) Fritestand, Inc. CORPORATION CALIFORNIA P.O. Box 1496 Martinez CALIFORNIA 94553
Attorney of Record Patrick E. Guevara Live/Dead Indicator DEAD Abandonment Date September 14, 2006
Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 030. US 046. G & Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 78241524
Filing Date April 24, 2003
Owner (APPLICANT) Liberty Snacks, Inc. CORPORATION NEW YORK 89 Mill Street Liberty NEW YORK 12754
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD Abandonment Date May 17, 2004
Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 029. US 046. G & Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 78225656
Filing Date March 14, 2003
Owner (APPLICANT) Nordco Marketing, Inc. CORPORATION TEXAS 66 E. Green Gables Cir. Woodlands TEXAS 77382
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD Abandonment Date March 3, 2004
Word Mark FREEDOM FRIES
Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 029. US 046. G & Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 78220033
Filing Date February 28, 2003
Published for Opposition August 1, 2006
Owner (APPLICANT) GRAND FOREST HOLDINGS INCORPORATED CORPORATION CANADA 100 MIDLAND DRIVE DIEPPE, NEW BRUNSWICK CANADA E1A 6X4
Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Attorney of Record P. Scott Maclean
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE “FRIES” APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD Abandonment Date October 11, 2006
Word Mark FREEDOM FRIES
Goods and Services IC 029. US 046. G & S: FRIED POTATOES, POTATO CRISPS, POTATO CHIPS, POTATO SNACK FOODS, FROZEN AND PROCESSED POTATOES. FIRST USE: 20030212. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20030212
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 76495776
Filing Date March 11, 2003
Published for Opposition January 9, 2007
Registration Number 3220999
Registration Date March 27, 2007
Owner (REGISTRANT) ROWLAND, NEAL INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES 3010 MANDY LANE MOREHEAD CITY NORTH CAROLINA 28557
Attorney of Record Larry C. Jones
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE FRIES APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE
An award to the biggest, most racist, hateful French-bashers around, named after the king of the bigots, the emperor of bashers, the shah of slander, Jay Leno.
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