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sweetnsassy2
07/01/09

In reply to French Hiss
All I want to know is where can I get that skirt! Love it!
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counterclockwise's using her promoting-power for good
07/01/09

In reply to French Hiss
So you godless Americans expect us god-fearing Europeans to open our shops on the Lord's day? Blasphemy!
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greengrey
07/01/09

@counterclockwise: Is my atheism privilege showing?
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counterclockwise's using her promoting-power for good
07/01/09

@greengrey (raidersofthelostSTAR): Showing?! It's radiating!
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Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny.
07/01/09

In reply to French Hiss
Seriously, either everyone needs to read the article linked or Jez needs to make the story a little more clear. This has nothing to do with elitism and everything to do with the fact that stores in France are closed by law on Sunday. Sarkozy had to call a few stores and ask them to open for the Obama's in VIOLATION of French law.

I love Michell and I have a feeling she (and the Obama's) are being used as a scapegoat for Sarkozy to introduce a new law.

I would like to think that the Obama's would have found something else to do on a Sunday if they knew all the stores were closed.
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greengrey
07/01/09

@Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny.: Wait...we should READ the article??! I don't have time for that!

You elitist!
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Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny.
07/01/09

@greengrey (raidersofthelostSTAR): I'm going to introduce a bill so that no one has to read linked articles ever. It's embarrassing to me.
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quatrevingtquatre
07/01/09

In reply to French Hiss
The Obamas were well to-do before he became President? I mean they wouldn't have opened the store for them, but I'm sure if they were in Paris on a visit, she would have gone to Hermes.

Sidenote: Ahhh that was my biggest culture shock when I was in Paris. NOTHING IS OPEN ON SUNDAYS, and some people (and grocery stores) enjoy extending that to Mondays. Oh and when there's a greve, everything is closed in solidarity. Including TV.
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VioletBlue
07/01/09

@thatonegirlsays: And I complain about grocery stores not being allowed to sell alcohol and the "package stores" not being open on Sunday in Georgia. I guess the church speaks even louder in Europe. Would they please STFU?
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nyc-caribbean-ragazza
07/01/09

@VioletBlue:

it has nothing to do with religion. The USA is the most religious western country. Europe is a lot more secular.
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Maritsa
07/01/09

@VioletBlue: CT is dry on Sunday too -- so stupid.
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quatrevingtquatre
07/01/09

@VioletBlue: I arrived for my semester abroad on a Saturday, the next day I woke up with a hankering for, um, food and there were no grocery stores open. I did find a bakery after a good little walk. The good thing about greves (strikes) is that they give you advance warning so you know to plan ahead and be sure you have your food in case the stores are shut. Oh and @Maritsa: I used to live in Texas and I remember once my mom tried to buy a 6 pack of beer at HEB on a Sunday and the checker looked at my mom like she was an alchy.
@nyc-caribbean-ragazza:
Well, something being closed on Sunday in an historically Catholic country does at its root have to do with religion. It has evolved into something else (the French desire to reject the Anglo-Saxon over-work week), but it began because Sundays are supposed to be a day of worship.
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Maritsa
07/01/09

@nyc-caribbean-ragazza: I disagree that it has "nothing" to do with religion. Yes Europe is more secular, but the Sunday thing is at least partly a holdover from more religious times. Obviously they could have abolished it if they wanted to - and I don't think it's religious anymore - but let's not act like it has no connection to religion. I mean, it's Sunday, the Christian Sabbath - it's not like they say "Hey, it's Tuesday, let's close up shop!"
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RedLineRage
07/01/09

@thatonegirlsays: My god! The exact same thing happened to me when I arrived for my semester abroad. I was confused as to why all the grocery stores were closed...
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brendastarlet is on it
07/01/09

@RedLineRage: but there are a number of stores open on Sunday. I lived in the 6th, and you could find all kinds of places -- bookstores, fruit and vegetable markets, certainly bakeries and restos.

What isn't open are boutiques and department stores. If the Obamas had wanted to stroll around, and do a little shopping, they could have. Unfortunately, presidential families can't just take their time and windowshop.
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fireflyinjuly
07/01/09

In reply to French Hiss
I'm sure Sarkozy isn't just intorducing this law because of the Obama experience.

Personally, mandatory non-shopping Sundays appeal to me - no one needs to work more than they already do.

4 day workweek FTW!
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pantsless economist...access RESTORED
07/01/09

@fireflyinjuly: yeah, that's a good point. he could very well be using this incident to bring attention to the law he's introduced.
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BrutallyHonestBabes (aka Mrs. Sarah.of.a.Lesser.Hobbit)
07/01/09

In reply to French Hiss
France's Communist Party issued this statement regarding the Obamas: We don't want to talk to you no more, you J Crew wearing animal food trough wiper. We fart in a generally western direction. Your mother was a Muslin and your father smelt of elderberries. You don't frighten us, American pig dogs. Go and boil your buff arms, you children of a silly person. I blow my nose at you, so-called 'Obama King,' you and all your silly American Dem-O-Craps!
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mbprice
07/01/09

@BrutallyHonestBabes (aka Mrs. Sarah.of.a.Lesser.Hobbit): Is there anyone else up there we can talk to?
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BrutallyHonestBabes (aka Mrs. Sarah.of.a.Lesser.Hobbit)
07/01/09

@mbprice: *Throws cow*
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CollegeCamel
07/01/09

@BrutallyHonestBabes (aka Mrs. Sarah.of.a.Lesser.Hobbit): I <3 you so much right now.
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embarcadero13
07/01/09

In reply to French Hiss
Did they (the stores) want or not want the money and prestige associated with the First Lady's visit?

Therewithin lies the answer to the controversey.
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clevernamehere
07/01/09

@embarcadero13: Not if you're the shop girl who lost her government mandated day off.
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shorty63136
07/01/09

In reply to French Hiss
Have people forgotten that the Obamas had EXTREMELY successful careers before becoming leaders of the free world that would grant them income, allowing Mrs. Awesome...Obama...to shop at Hermes if she so fucking pleased?

Why would you ever cry foul or deny someone buying something nice for themselves?

Also - the President is given an annual salary of $400,000. I believe that is Hermes and Manolo worthy - especially for such a lovely woman.

Haters, haters, haters.
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greengrey
07/01/09

@shorty63136: I think as someone mentioned above that it was closed.

Was Rome hating on me when I couldn't shop at Dior because it was Easter Sunday?
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shorty63136
07/01/09

Ok - I had no idea that stores were closed on Sunday in France.
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shorty63136
07/01/09

@greengrey (raidersofthelostSTAR): Yeah, this is where reading is terribly fundamental.

I will do better next time.
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clevernamehere
07/01/09

@embarcadero13: Well, if you're the shop girl who was dragged in on her government madated day off, I'd imagine the controversy would be keeping the stores open.
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angelheadedhipster
07/01/09

In reply to French Hiss
It's ok - they gave all of the salesgirls iPods loaded with American music!
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Diziet_Sma
07/01/09

In reply to French Hiss
Okay, I must admit, this is a good side-effect of religion: enforced non-shopping. I don't think Sarkozy should have changed the rules for her, personally.
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Ailatan
07/01/09

@Diziet_Sma: I feel the same, there are many other things to do.
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greengrey
07/01/09

@Diziet_Sma: I don't think stores should be forced to close if the owners don't want them closed. Other people's religion shouldn't be there to force other people to do stuff.

Although I do agree. If he changed the rules for her, he'd have to change them for everyone.
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Bgirl_Hamster
07/01/09

@greengrey (raidersofthelostSTAR): I'm confused about the issue here. Were the stores forced to open? Or, is it because the elite received special treatment? How is this any different from the way ambassadors don't have to play by the rules when they go to another country?
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Ailatan
07/01/09

@greengrey (raidersofthelostSTAR): I don't think they are forced to close, but that traditionally stores are closed on Sundays. As a country that prides itself in secularism, I think that saying that they don't work on Sundays due to religous reasons is not completely accurate.
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pantsless economist...access RESTORED
07/01/09

@Ailatan: It looks like it is the law actually--from the article: Sarkozy has since introduced a law, expected to be voted on in the National Assembly on July 6, to allow shops in touristy areas to reamin open on Sundays.
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NotChoinski
07/01/09

In reply to French Hiss
Vive la rants!
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Red-headed bookworm
01/23/09

In reply to Is French Minister Guilty Of Incompetence Or Governing While Female?
I understand that people complain it sets a precedent for other women in that country, who have very good maternal benefits, but I think serving in government is different than most other jobs. It's not like the country goes on hold while she takes time off.

I don't know enough about what she was or was not doing to say whether she was doing a good job but the whole thing just seems off.
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YourScreenplaySucks
01/23/09

In reply to Is French Minister Guilty Of Incompetence Or Governing While Female?
It was reported that Sarkozy's new wife Carla Bruni had pointed to a bed in Elysee Palace and said to Dati, "You'd have love to occupy it, wouldn't you?"

OK, that little gem has inspired me - I'm going to pitch a new show to NBC depicting life in the French administration. It'll be Bold and the Beautiful meets The West Wing . Chock full of serious political commentary and stately, swelling "This is important" music but also tons of bitchy comments, face slapping, adulterous sex, social climbing, and fake pregnancies. I really think it could be huge.
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Eeva
01/23/09

@Your Screenplay Sucks: So, lots of adultery while walking really fast around the corridors of power? I like this plan.
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bowleserised
01/23/09

@Your Screenplay Sucks: "Taint Misbehavin'"?

This screenplay would not suck. Please write it!
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emilyanne
01/23/09

@Your Screenplay Sucks: please please do, I would love to watch it.
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Eeva
01/23/09

@bowleserised: Sexteenhundred Peensylvania Avenude?
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sarah.of.a.lesser.god (aka Mrs. BrutallyHonestHobbit)
01/23/09

@Your Screenplay Sucks: @Eeva: The West Fling? The Oval Orifice?
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LaComtesse
01/23/09

@Your Screenplay Sucks: I'm guessing you could probably get the real Bruni to sign on for this. It seems up her alley...
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bowleserised
01/23/09

@sarah.of.a.lesser.god (2009: a space ovumlord): The Oval Orifice. Definitely.

But wouldn't it be cooler if it was set in France? Liberté, Egalité, Adulteré*?

* I know that's not the right word and means something else.
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YourScreenplaySucks
01/23/09

I've already started casting - Shohreh Aghdashloo will play Dati. At first I thought Eva Green couldn't play Bruni because she's too young, but then I remembered this is Hollywood and TV I'm talking about and laughed at my silliness.

@Eeva: And that's just the credits!

@bowleserised: @sarah.of.a.lesser.god (2009: a space ovumlord): How about Le Oval Orifeece ? French-sounding enough to titillate Americans without intimidating them with actual French. Although Liberté, Egalité, Sexualité has a nice ring to it.
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Michelina
01/23/09

In reply to Is French Minister Guilty Of Incompetence Or Governing While Female?
"My little Arab girl"? That nickname is horrible. Who wants to go around pretending to enjoy being patronized? I say she's lucky to have lost that job.
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ellaesther
01/23/09

@Michelina: Wellll.... I'm not saying it's ok to call someone that in a professional setting. I likewise don't think Bush should have called all those people Slim and whatnot (except Karl Rove, who is a Turd Blossom).

BUT, if I remember correctly (I recently reviewed a book about French society's constant struggle over hijab in public places), the word is used widely and, I think, among members of France's ethnic Arab minority. So. Please correct me if I'm wrong, Francophiles, but I don't think it's nearly as insulting as it sounds to our ears.
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bowleserised
01/23/09

In reply to Is French Minister Guilty Of Incompetence Or Governing While Female?
"There is evidence that Dati was simply not performing her job well, with a string of aides resigning over her management style, her justice ministry experiencing crisis after crisis, and the fact that France's prisons are run down and overcrowded with record suicide rates."

Male British ministers have resigned over this kind of thing. I think she probably has faced sexism and prurience, but that doesn't mean she's competent.
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emilyanne
01/23/09

@bowleserised: exactly. I think she's been badly treated but long before the baby story there were reports that her ministry was in considerable disarray.
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