A Giant Mosque For Strasbourg

A giant mosque is being built for the city of Strasbourg. This brief article appears at Islamisation, where administrator Joachim Véliocras monitors the spread of Islam in France. The Concordat alluded to is a special agreement decreed by Bonaparte dating from 1801 that grants public status to religion, and that permits priests to be paid by the State. When the law of 1905 separating Church and State went into effect Alsace was part of Germany. After WWI Alsace again became French but never renounced the Concordat. Many regard the Concordat as an affront to "laïcité".

Another reminder that UMP is Sarkozy's party.

The Regional Council of Alsace, consisting mainly of UMP members and presided over by Adrien Zeller voted in favor of a 420,000 euro subsidy for the construction of the Grand Mosque of Strasbourg. But it wasn't enough: the general council of the department of Bas-Rhin, also controlled by UMP, granted a supplementary subsidy of 506,000 euros for the huge project. The other parties - Socialist and Green - unanimously voted for the grant. In the name of the Concordat, the UMP controlled municipal council (during the term in office of Fabienne Keller in 2007) granted 610,000 euros to help finance the construction, in accordance with a previous agreement concluded between the preceding socialist mayor and the SCI of the mosque.

Note: SCI ("Société Civile Immobilière") refers to a non-commercial real-estate enterprise with special tax benefits.

The first stone of the mosque was laid on October 29, 2004 by UMP Mayor Fabienne Keller (who was defeated in the recent municipal elections by the socialist candidate Roland Ries). During the inauguration of the new "political center" of Islam in Strasbourg, she was assisted by the Archbishop of Strasbourg, Joseph Dore, who "was thrilled by the occasion", the Grand Rabbi of Strasbourg, René Gutmann, the president of the Urban Committee of Strasbourg, Robert Grossman of the UMP party (...)

Note: If you click the first link above to Islamisation and scroll down you will see photos of Mme Keller laying the first stone.

Racial Violence In Mayotte

The nationalist websites have been talking for several days about the island of Mayotte, a French overseas territorial collectivity off the coast of Madagscar. According to Wikipedia, on March 25, 2008, the island of Anjouan that lies north of Mayotte was the scene of an invasion led by Comoros and backed by African Union forces including troops from Sudan, Tanzania, Senegal and logistical support from Libya and France. The objective of the invasion was to topple Mohamed Bacar's leadership in Anjouan, since Bacar adheres to a policy of separation from the Union of the Comoros. (Even though Anjouan belongs to the Union, Bacar wants to secede.)

Bacar had first been elected president of Anjouan in 2001. When his term ended, Comoros attempted to install a president of their own, but in the end, Bacar, in defiance of the African Union, printed ballots and held an election in June, claiming a landslide victory of 90%.

In February 2008 Comoros rejected the African Union's extended sanctions against Anjouan and instead opted for a military solution. About 450 troops landed at dawn March 25, taking the airport and entering the main town, Mutsamudu, sparking fierce fighting. The first shots were heard around 5 a.m. on the island, in the town of Ouani, near the airport and the presidential residence. On the 25th, journalists reported that the invaders had "struggled to progress further under the automatic fire of Anjouan forces" and in the afternoon "clashes with heavy artillery continued to shake the town of Ouani. "The army was reportedly looking for Bacar's hiding place. Contrary to previous reports that France was against the invasion, France has given its approval and helped to air-lift the AU troops to the island.

It was reported on March 25 that Mohamed Bacar had fled Anjouan incognito, seeking exile in Mayotte.

There is much more in the Wikipedia article linked above, but the main issue for the French nationalists is the racial violence that erupted on Mayotte when word got out that Bacar was in hiding there. The violence was perpetrated by Anjouanese living illegally on Mayotte, and directed at white inhabitants.

A website called Clicanoo has a report on the events:

Word that Colonel Mohamed Bacar was in Mayotte spread like wildfire and from early morning several hundred Anjouanese illegals converged (...) on the detention center of the capital Mamoudzou where, they thought, the former strongman of Anjouan was hiding. Tension rose when the authorities decided to stop the traffic of barges. As the situation degenerated gendarmes arrived throwing tear gas bombs, while the rioters hurled rocks. Around 8:30 the rioters blocked the national highway, then suddenly, the "m'zungus" (whites) became targets. A young woman on a motorbike was beaten by a horde of agitated adolescents and had to he helped by Mahorans. Her bike was burned.

The spiral of violence reached the center of town when rioters turned cars driven by whites upside down and stoned them. A businessman who witnessed the deeds committed to vehicles and to people said, "It's open season on whites." Near Café Caribou several persons were violently attacked. In Cavani where a heavy foreign population is centered small groups of rioters armed with shovel handles, sabers, and iron bars systematically assaulted any white person who happened to be in reach. Dozens of people took refuge in the "bangas" of the Mahorans. The schools closed. Businesses pulled down the shades, while workers were trapped inside their offices. (...) By the end of the afternoon the roads leading to the city were still blocked, there was almost no traffic, all the stores were closed (...) one person was thought to have been killed and no one knew the number of wounded.

According to unofficial sources difficult to verify, but corroborated by witnesses, one policeman was killed, an Anjouanese man was decapitated during the pro- and anti-Bacar confrontations. A young Mahoran man trying to protect a young French woman about to be kidnapped by the Anjouanese invaders had his arm cut off by a machete. About 15 whites were reported kidnapped, often for ransom. It seems that the situation is getting worse: groups of Mahorais are roaming the streets giving the Anjouanese until Sunday to leave their island, or to get ready for a blood bath...

More Muslims Than Catholics

An article at a Swiss website called Edicom provides some statistics:

Muslims outnumber Catholics according to... Rome.

Islam has surpassed Catholicism as the world's first religion, announced the Vatican on Sunday. In Osservatore Romano, Mgr Vittorio Formenti, author of the 2008 statistical record of the Vatican, declares that Muslims now represent 19.2% of the world's population and Catholics 17.4%.

"For the first time in history, we are no longer number one: the Muslims have beaten us," he points out, adding that this evaluation is based on figures from the UN that go back to 2006. But the totality of Christians - Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant - represent a third of the world's population, or about two billion souls.

According to Mgr Formenti the proportion of Catholics in the global population remains stable, but that of Muslims is on the rise due to their high birthrate.

Delays In Posting

Due to an unexpected and urgent family problem I will not be able to post for a day or two. Thank you again for your patience.

Anti-Discrimination Madness

An article posted by Yves Daoudal picks up the thread of a previous post from January, when he announced that the French National Assembly would be dealing with the definition of indirect discrimination, sometime after the municipal elections.

As predicted, the National Assembly resumed work on a bill that reiterates three directives from the European Union on the fight against discrimination.

Only about 20 deputies were in session, even though it is a topic that permanently mobilizes the forces of political correctness. But what is the use of putting yourself out when Parliament is merely taking on the role of recording studio of dictates from Brussels?

You will remember that the European Commission demanded in particular that France define indirect discrimination and specified that it is forbidden to enjoin someone to practice discrimination.

And in the first article they did as they were told:

"An indirect discrimination constitutes a disposition, a criterion, or a practice that is neutral in appearance, but which is capable of causing, for one of the reasons mentioned in the preceding line, a particular disadvantage for persons in relation to other persons, unless this disposition, this criterion, or this practice is objectively justified by a legitimate purpose and the means to achieve this purpose are necessary and appropriate."

"Discrimination includes the act of enjoining someone to adopt a behavior forbidden by Article 2."

You will note that the scope of "indirect discrimination" is so wide that they had to add a restriction: discrimination is not discrimination when it is "objectively" justified...

The language of the directives is so absurd that in the section on gender discrimination it was necessary to add a series of derogations indicating that in a certain number of areas "different treatment" because of sex can be justified...

For the the socialist opposition, it still isn't enough. They call it a minimal reflection (of the Brussels directives), an incomplete text, etc..

The government was represented by Valérie Létard, secretary of State for Solidarity, who proved herself to be in agreement with the opposition, because for the government, one can never do enough against discrimination. She stressed that "with this bill the government does not intend to stop there but to use it as a war-horse", and she announced more initiatives for the future: a law on the status of step-parents, a law on equality of the sexes, the ratification of the United Nations agreement on the rights of the handicapped, a European summit against discrimination...

Fitna the Movie

Unless you live on a remote island in outer space you know by now that Geert Wilders' film Fitna has been released by Live Leak. It can be viewed at the Alain Jean-Mairet website, among others. I had some trouble with the sound, but it may be my obsolete computer. If you have not seen it be advised that the video is extremely violent. I'm not sure if it shows anything that hasn't been shown before, but so many horrible scenes juxtaposed, introduced by passages from the Koran, result in a powerful message. The motives and goals of Islamic jihad are evident, concise statistics on the Muslim population are provided, and at the end a warning to the West is issued. It remains to be seen if the film changes any minds or triggers an anti-Islam rebellion of some sort. My feeling is that anyone who doesn't know the truth now will never know.

I also feel the film is incomplete and needs a sequel showing, if possible, the various ways in which Islam has insinuated itself into European society: in the schools, offices, ghettoes, mosques, public institutions, swimming pools, hospitals, etc... Besides the acts of incredible violence, we need to show also the ease with which Islam entered decadent Western civilization. This is perhaps more difficult to do, but worth the effort. A video devoted to the mosques that have gone up all over Europe might be helpful, and another on the ghettoization of European cities that results from massive immigration from Muslim countries. Such videos would show other types of effects of Islamization on our everyday lives, and further justify Wilders' goal of denouncing the Koran.

Royal Welcome For Nicolas and Carla

As with his visit to the United States it is nice to forget for a few moments the harsh realities of life in France and England, forget the immigration crisis, the civilizational crisis, the national identity crisis, the crime, the bioethical controversies, the decline of religion and morality, and just look at some entertaining photos of the French couple and their royal hosts. These bubbles burst very fast, so enjoy it while you can. Sarkozy, as is his wont, lavished effusive compliments on his hosts who, like the American Congress, ate it up gleefully. And as he did in America, he sounded more like an impassioned patriot than the man who had, a few weeks ago, helped make a European Constitution a reality.

The British Telegraph has several articles and photos on the two-day visit, highlighted today by Sarkozy's speech before Parliament, and tomorrow by a meeting with French ex-patriots living in England, who refuse to come home.

One article stresses how Carla managed to charm the Brits from the moment she stepped off the plane:

Nicolas Sarkozy's seduction of the British started at 11.26am when his plane landed at Heathrow.

He brought with him his latest conquest, Carla Bruni, and many of us decided at once that if we were going to be seduced by anyone, we would rather be seduced by her.
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The Prince of Wales seems to have felt the same way, or perhaps he just felt it incumbent upon him to show, as our representative, that we Britons are not hopelessly reserved. For he instantly seized the chance to kiss Miss Bruni's gloved hand.

Miss Bruni looked as demure as a convent girl, and as ready to be naughty if the spirit, or the Prince of Wales, moved her.

She wore a long grey coat and a slim grey beret, and managed to make almost everyone else appear overdressed.

Mr Sarkozy's attempts to sweep Britain off its feet were at first held securely in check by the splendour and formality of the welcome that had been prepared for him.

As he chatted to the Queen, who received him on a temporary dais erected outside Windsor station, there were traces in his manner of an over-anxious waiter who is on his very best behaviour. (...)

The Duke was clearly much enjoying Miss Bruni's company, while she appeared much charmed by him.

In the circumstances, it was probably a wise precaution for the young bride to bring her mother, Marisa Borini-Tedeschi, along on her visit to Windsor.

Miss Bruni, whose elegance was winning her new admirers by the second, tried to go to inspect the Grenadier Guards but was restrained by the Queen, who chatted to her while the Duke and the President carried out the manly duty of inspection.

Despite his best attempts, including the stacked heels he was wearing, it was impossible for the President to avoid looking somewhat diminutive.

Another article gave the full text of his parliamentary address. Here is an excerpt:

France hasn't forgotten, she will never forget that when she was almost annihilated, Britain was at her side.

She will never forget the English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish blood mixed with the French blood in the mud of the trenches.

She will never forget the welcome the British people gave General de Gaulle and Free France.

She will never forget the heroic resistance of the British people without which all would have been lost.

She will never forget the fine young people who came from all over the British Empire and laid down their lives on the Normandy beaches and in the surrounding bocages.

As the last century's wars have shown: like two brothers, what the French people and the British people can accomplish together is far greater than what they can achieve separately.

This brotherhood has gradually grown stronger as France and the United Kingdom have let their similarities take precedence over their differences. Of course, each has retained her originality. You stayed a Monarchy when we became a Republic.

We remain committed to the harmony of our Roman law, the vitality of our native soil, technological prowess, everything that so many Britons love in France. You have always favoured contractual freedoms, the dynamism of metropolises, traditions which find their full place in the present, everything that so many French love in your country.

British journalists are comparing Carla to Jackie Kennedy and Diana. Those interested can read more here.

Some French expats living in England were not impressed:

"He gave us a lot of hope", said the 35-year old owner of la Belle Epoque bakery, which sells exclusively French produce.

"He promised a lot of things, but at the end of the day we feel disenchanted. His reforms are just not moving at a fast enough pace", said Mr Rousseau, who is due to open a second bakery in Islington.

"I know a few business owners here in the UK. Sarkozy tried very hard to entice them back, but feel now that his words have gone with the wind", he said. (...)

Numerically speaking, London is France's sixth largest city after Nice, with a population of up to 300,000 French residents.

Every year 10-15,000 more arrive. Some 54 per cent voted for Mr Sarkozy — more than on mainland France. (...)

Agnes Catherine Poirier, 35, a city resident for 12 years and author of Touché: A French Woman's Take on the English, was scathing about Mr Sarkozy's "bling-bling" style of leadership.

"He makes us ashamed, and the feeling is even more acute because we're are abroad, as national symbols take on more importance. I have French friends who were totally pro-Sarkozy who are now turned off", she said.

The Cost Of Immigration

This article posted by Le Conservateur summarizes the true cost of immigration to the French people:

We are constantly reminded that immigration is a benefit for France. It appears to be forbidden to challenge what is presented as an ideological imperative. The "intelligent" are immediately offended when we dare to question this dogma. We are treated as backward, passé, even as "racists", simply because we dare ask questions about the real impact of immigration on the economy of our country, our growth and our social systems.

What is obvious at first glance is that no serious study has been undertaken. The large public institutions and the ultra-liberal think tanks DON'T WANT to know. Today the trap is closing in on us. Immigrants are now so numerous that it is electorally dangerous to ask even simple questions. The new religion of diversity - which is a modest term for the regression of our culture and our way of life in our own country - makes any serious analysis of these questions impossible. Instead we must endure repeatedly lies so foul that even intelligent children could sweep them away with their hand. For example, it seems that "immigration is necessary in order to pay for old-age pensions." This is a ridiculous argument, almost insulting, but you will find it in all the pseudo-economic journals. In reality, the "immigrants", having the same entitlements as we, pay into the system an amount that doesn't even cover the deficit that they themselves help to create.

This brings us to an excellent study conducted by Contribuables Associés (Associated Taxpayers), and quoted by Le Salon Beige, on the real cost of immigration.

Note: At this point the article reminds us that for a 30-year period after the Second World War immigration was a benefit to the State. But when the immigration laws changed to allow family reunification, and political or economic asylum, employment as the primary motive was replaced by the notion of population substitution, i.e. the bringing in of massive numbers of immigrants to change the ethnic make-up of a country. The needs of the immigrant population have thus surpassed the revenue from payroll contributions and taxes. The key points of the study are as follows:

- France has 6,868,000 immigrants, or 11% of the population.

- Immigration reduces by two thirds the growth of the GNP.

- The cost of immigration in France is 71.76 billion euros.

- The revenue from immigration in France is 45.57 billion euros.

- The deficit from immigration shouldered by the taxpayers is 26.19 billion euros.

- When an immigrant does not return home at the expiration of his work contract, it is the State (the taxpayer) who bears the cost of welfare and social benefits.

- Non-European immigrants and their descendants receive 22% of all social benefits.

- The unit-price of requests for asylum is 15,000 euros.

- The majority of immigration expenses do not depend on the Ministry of Immigration headed by Brice Hortefeux.

- Expenses for security linked to immigration amount to 5.2 billion euros.

- The black market involves at least 500,000 immigrants and represents a loss to the State of 3.810 billion euros.

- 65 to 90% of prostitutes are foreign.

- The unemployment rate of immigrants is twice that of non-immigrants.

- Social benefits constitute 14% of the average revenue of immigrant households versus 5% for non-immigrant households.

It is obvious that this study will have no impact on the media. The system refuses to ask these questions, for fear of discovering a catastrophic reality. (...) It is the great artifice of the immigrationists: the refusal to know. We now know that immigration is but a tool in the hands of the lobbies ("officines"). The poor immigrants are merely toys, the first victims of a machine gone wild. Massive immigration conceals a great design favored by those desiring to destroy French culture, a culture hated by the cosmopolitan elite of our country. Through the maintaining of cheap labor, the electoral landscape of France will change in favor of the Left.

We can add that one highly successful outcome of the Left's immigration swindle is the perception that the various groups of immigrants are not opposed to one another. Through organizations of propaganda such as SOS Racism, the great manipulators lead the immigrants to believe that they are in solidarity, that they are all in the same boat. Nothing could be further from the truth! There exist as many conflicts of interest between immigrants, due to their success, their social standing, their date of arrival, the success rate of their children, as between ethnic Frenchmen. (...)

The authors of the study offer alternative solutions to reduce these costs:

- Incentives to help increase the native French population

- Incentives to national preference and EU preference in employment

- Toughening the conditions for entry of non-European immigrants

- Priority to the integration of foreign populations already on French soil, rather than to new influxes

Note: The article at Le Salon Beige (linked above) has a link to the complete study, in pdf format.

The photo shows the interior of the National History of Immigration Center that opened last year in Paris. The State-financed museum has been criticized for extolling the virtues of immigration at a time of civilizational crisis for France, and for elevating everyday objects such as pots and pans, or suitcases (above), to the level of art.

More French Troops

According to an article, bitterly critical of Nicolas Sarkozy, posted at Gaelle Mann and using VoxNr as the source, the French president is sending more French troops to Afghanistan, thus obeying the dictates of the United States:

Sarkozy, our warrior president, looking more and more like Napoleon, will strengthen our military presence in Afghanistan, according to the Times. A decision that our effervescent president is expected to announce at the next NATO summit in Bucharest on April 2, 2008.

We can just imagine the satisfaction of this international organization of war and colonialism, and especially that of the USA which is losing its foothold as Afghan resistance refuses the occupation of its country. Sarkozy wants to offer them our young men so that they may get killed in a war of occupation in a foreign country.

We are also surprised that we must learn, from across the Channel, about a decision that concerns us primarily. Is this the new Sarkozian democracy, where the English press informs us of decisions that he makes without first consulting us, and then saddles us with a fait accompli? (...)

We mustn't forget that there are already 2200 French soldiers engaged in the Afghan theater of operations, even though the Afghans have never done anything to us.

This reenforcement of the French forces has been placed on the agenda of the Franco-British summit (see note below) that will take place this week in London. We must demand a referendum of the people to make known that we disagree with our effervescent president's decision. (...)

The article from the Times alluded to above can be accessed here.

An article from Yahoo indicates that 13 French soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002.

Note: Sarkozy and his wife will arrive in England on Wednesday for a State visit that will include an address by the French president to a joint session of Parliament. Charles Bremner of Times On Line gives an upbeat and entertaining preview of the event.

Wilders' Film - Update

Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch has offered to show the Geert Wilders film at his website. Islamisation reports his comment:

"Sure I'll host it here." He added that he has not had contact with Geert Wilders. "He did not ask me to host his film. But if the occasion arises, I'll gladly do it."

Everyone is familiar with Robert Spencer, but just in case, click here.

Brussels In 20 Years...

Brussels could soon be a Muslim city according to an article in Le Figaro, here abridged:

The capital of Europe will be Muslim in 20 years. At least that is what a study published last week in the daily La Libre Belgique declares. Almost a third of the population of Brussels is already Muslim, and those practicing Muslims, because of their high birthrate, will be the majority in 15 or 20 years, indicates Olivier Servais, sociologist at the Catholic University of Louvain. Since 2001, Mohammed has been the most popular name by far for boys born in Brussels. However, Servais exercises caution in making long-term predictions, since Brussels, as capital of the European Union, has been experiencing large waves of immigrants.

The fact remains that "if their parents were hardly practicing" in order to facilitate integration into their host country, "the young show a marked tendency to return to religion." About 75% of the Muslims today consider themselves as practicing. Flemish journalist Hind Fraihi goes further: "The young are more and more radicalized. They reject Western values, even their parents are concerned. In Brussels, there exist pockets, such as Molenbeek, where you sometimes have trouble remembering you are in Belgium..."

From the Tafoukte bazaar to the Mohammed jewelry shop, the music of the Maghreb captivates the passers-by. Brimming over with multi-colored plastic buckets, sneakers and shimmering caftans, the Prado walkway leads to the city hall of Molenbeek, the Moroccan quarter of Brussels. Almost all the women are veiled and the merchants speak Arabic. "We feel better here than in France or Spain," says Akim, manager of a clothing store. "Maybe it's because we're a large community. It's like being back home!"

Philippe Moureaux, the socialist mayor of Molenbeek explains that a few years ago, "Muslims came to me. They wanted me to be 'president' of their new mosque..." It's no wonder this former minister, who claims to be agnostic, is highly regarded by the Muslims who constitute an ample third of his 83,000 constituents. He created a Consultative Council for mosques endowed with municipal subsidies, opened a municipal slaughterhouse for use during the sacrificial feast, drew up an electoral slate that included a majority of Muslims... "These are gestures of respect, they earned me the trust of this community. We went far, some say too far. But for me, the only solution is openness."

According to Alain Escada, president of Belgium and Christianity, "we are going from one capitulation to another. More and more school cafeterias offer halal menus at the expense of Christians. The authorities no longer do their job. The politicians, with their short term vision, are ready to do anything to win an election, but the clergy also is putting Muslims and Christians on an equal footing, even though this is far from being reciprocated: look at that archbishop who was recently assassinated in Iraq."

Note: The reference is to the Chaldean archbishop of Mosul who was kidnapped and killed recently. The incident has been widely reported by the French Catholic websites and America's responsibility (in its indifference to the fate of Iraqi Christians) repeatedly decried.

Jean-François Bastin, a 65-year old Belgian with a checked turban on his head and a beard dyed red, is now Abdullah Abu Abdulaziz Bastin. A convert to Islam, he founded the Young Muslim Party in 2004. Abdullah will not shake hands with a woman. "It's betraying Allah," he blurted out. "It is also deceiving the woman by making her believe she is equal. But I'll give you a big smile!" he hastens to add.

Bastin exclaims that the smiles of the politicians to the Muslims are nothing but a "crude exploitation: there's been enough of this sort of neocolonialism," he clamors. "They claim they will defend us, then they ban the veil in the schools!" "We could use this study as a basis for demanding more visible mosques, prayer calls, cemeteries, schools, nursing homes...," insists the convert. "I say to the Muslims: 'Stop acting as if you are colonized! The colonizers were kicked out of Algeria, maybe that will happen here.' He concludes: "The immigrants have done enough, more than enough to integrate. Now it's up to Belgium to adapt."

Those interested in praying in a Brussels mosque have a choice of 47 to choose from. Click here for the list, and thanks to Islamisation for the information.

Film Censored

According to AJM (Alain Jean-Mairet) the company that was expected to broadcast Geert Wilders' film online has backed out of its commitment. The effort and the complaints it received proved too much. The following message is at the Fitna The Movie website:

This site has been suspended while Network Solutions is investigating whether the site's content is in violation of the Network Solutions Acceptable Use Policy. Network Solutions has received a number of complaints regarding this site that are under investigation. For more information about Network Solutions Acceptable Use Policy visit the following URL:
http://www.networksolutions.com/legal/aup.jsp

This after all TV channels refused to broadcast the controversial film, even during air time of Wilders' party. For a business, the risk is great and it is not likely that a responsible administrator, who has to answer to the stockholders, would deem it a wise move. But for a great number of plain citizens, scattered here and there, the risk is not great enough to be an obstacle.

So to set an example, I am placing here, a dedicated web server for the showing of this film online. The server is ready, online, and empty. It will only be used for the showing of this film. In this way, if it is attacked and put out of service by Internet pirates, nobody else will suffer. If a few other individuals in the world do the same, nothing and nobody can prevent the widespread broadcast of this film.

I trust AJM will let everyone know if and when the film is up and running.

The Crucifixion By Nicolas Poussin

This splendid painting by French master Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665) is currently in the Wadsworth Athenaeum, Hartford, CT.

Swiss Treachery

An article from AJM (Alain-Jean Mairet) reveals the collaboration of Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey with Iran. When I first saw the photo above I had trouble grasping who or what that was on the left. But it is indeed Mme Calmy-Rey, looking like a mummy with tissue paper on her head and concluding a deal with the president of Iran to purchase cheap Iranian gas, arousing reprimands from both the United States and Israel.

According to 20 Minutes the American Embassy in Bern has expressed "disappointment" over the deal and has told the Swiss authorities that this type of agreement sends a "false message", at the very moment when Tehran "continues to defy the Security Council resolutions ordering the suspension of programs for the enrichment of uranium."

Madame Calmy-Rey affirmed repeatedly that the contract between EGL and Iran does not violate UN sanctions, or international law or the American directives against commerce with Tehran.

"We believe that in any case it violates the spirit of the sanctions," stressed an American representative in Bern.

Note: Click here for many more photos - highly recommended!

And click here for the English-language article from Tehran Times about the visit of Calmy-Rey.

As for Israel, AJM quotes Romandie News:

The Swiss Ambassador was summoned to Tel-Aviv and told that the "Hebrew State regards the visit of the Swiss minister to Tehran as an 'inimical act towards Israel'". (...) "It is not the right moment to do business with Iran", since the UN Security Council, on March 3, imposed new sanctions against the Islamic Republic, and the international community is trying to make Iran abandon its controversial nuclear program.

French readers might be interested in AJM's June 2007 post on Calmy-Rey in which he exposes the extent of her Islamophilia.

The Road To Calvary

This striking work of art by French painter Maurice Denis (1870-1943) dates from 1889. Despite the minimalism of the modern style he captures the essence of the event with unexpected power.

Read more about the artist at ABC Gallery.

Marthe Robin (1902-1981)

This was first posted on April 14, 2006. I thought I would reprint it for this Easter holiday, when there is so much debate in France over illness, end-of-life issues and religion.

"La France tombera très bas. Plus bas que les autres nations, à cause de son orgueil […]. Il n'y aura plus rien. Mais dans sa détresse, elle se souviendra de Dieu et criera vers Lui, et c'est la Sainte Vierge qui viendra la sauver. La France retrouvera alors sa vocation de Fille aînée de l'Eglise, elle sera le lieu de la plus grande effusion de l'Esprit Saint, et elle enverra à nouveau des missionnaires dans le monde entier." (Marthe Robin en 1936)

"France will fall very far. Farther than the other nations, because of her pride...Nothing will be left. But in her distress, she will remember God and will cry out to Him, and the Holy Virgin will come to save her. France will then rediscover her mission as Eldest Daughter of the Church, and become the place for the greatest effusion of the Holy Spirit, and will once again send her missionaries out into the world."

A French reader sent me the above quote in a comment. I have to admit I didn't remember who she was. A Google search provided some biographical information. It seems appropriate for the Easter holiday.

She was born on Thursday March 13, 1902 in Châteauneuf-de-Galaure, Quartier des Moïlles and baptized on April 5,1902 at the parish church of Saint-Bonnet de Galaure. She received her religious education in her home town (her house is pictured above) . Beginning in 1918 she had the first symptoms of encephalitis, the illness that would confine her to her bed for over fifty years. By 1939 she was paralyzed and blind. Every Friday she relived the mystical experience of Christ's Passion. She left letters, diaries and notes. Her greatest mission was the foundation, along with Monsieur l'Abbé Finet, of the Foyers de la Charité, communities dedicated to spiritual retreat and open to the laity. From 1943 to 1964, these communities grew in number and spread to the rest of Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia. She died on February 6, 1981.

Another website provided information on her possible canonization.

During her lifetime, Marthe Robin received almost 100,000 Christian visitors in her room in Châteauneuf-de-Galaure, in the department of Drôme. A fervent believer who was handicapped from the age of 25, she impressed all who came to see her by her spiritual force. Every weekend she relived the Passion of Christ, but always remained discreet about the stigmata she had received...

Still, 24 years after her death, Marthe Robin has still not been canonized. Rome takes its time: gathering the testimony, a detailed examination of her writings and her words...The road to sainthood follows a precise procedure, similar to a police investigation and is often very long.

The beatification process began in 1986, at the request of Monsignor Didier-Léon Marchand, bishop of Valence. A postulator was chosen...This man's job...is to edit a critical biography of the believer and her work...The first step of the canonization process is called "diocesan"...An appeal is launched to all those who met the person or who feel she had an influence on their life. The investigating commission has received more than 1200 letters since 1991, testifying to the graces received through Marthe's intercession before or after her death.

The dossier or "Positio", 17,000 pages long, was sent to Rome in 1996...It is still being studied.

Her life of prayer and of faith speak in favor of sainthood, as does her intuition, before Vatican II, of the importance of the role of the laity in the Church. She contributed to the education of laymen by creating the Foyers de la Charité: her beatification would mean a greater recognition by Rome of these institutions. Marthe would also become a symbol of hope for all sick people: though bed-ridden, she carried out a world-wide mission.

The only problematic issue concerning her are the "demonic assaults", that she claimed to have been subjected to. "The Congregation is calling in a demonologist to examine how the Adversary was revealed to Marthe", explains Marie-Thérèse Gille.

Note: The Foyers de la Charité are open to men and women who have been baptized. The importance of the laity in her work resides in the fact that deep religious instruction is provided without any obligation to actually become a priest.

I found it fascinating that she had predicted the fall of France four years before the "official" fall in 1940. But she also predicted recovery through faith. What would she say today? Probably the same thing.

Update: March 22, 2008 - The link to the information about her canonization no longer works. As far as I know there has been no definitive decision by Rome.

French readers can read more at Wikipedia. Her case is very strange. She is supposed to have received the stigmata and it is claimed that she was "inedic", meaning she had no metabolism and did not ingest food or water for many decades. Her only food was the Sacred Host which was administered twice a week, and which (it is said) dissolved instantaneously on her lips.

Needless to say, one must remain cautious about such things.

In The Garden Of Gethsemane

Arrest of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. Right outer wing. 1500. Grisaille on panel. By Hieronymus Bosch (1450-1516)

Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon, Portugal. From ABC Gallery.

The End Of Transcendence

The websites are immersed in discussions about euthanasia, following the death of Chantal Sébire. These startling comments by Jean-Marie Le Guen, a doctor and a socialist deputy from the 9th arrondissement of Paris reveal the callous left-wing agenda underlying the current push for legalized euthanasia. Yves Daoudal reports:

Euthanasia is a human right that finally abolishes the idea of transcendence, and is therefore an step forward for "laïcité".

At least socialist Jean-Marie Le Guen has the merit of speaking clearly. The religion of Life must be defeated in the name of human rights that kill. He said so (on France Inter Radio) on behalf of the Socialist deputies in the National Assembly, in his capacity as chairman of health issues:

"There is going to be (...) a democratic demand to push for a change in the law... We now believe that it is necessary to affirm a new right of man - the right to die in dignity. This right to die in dignity is a right of 21st century man. It is a new form of "laïcité" that will somehow be inscribed in our Republic for the purpose of detaching man from transcendency, (...) from what is still the mark of a taboo. "

I did not hear the radio interview from which the above quote is taken. But there is an unmistakable hint of Nazism in this propaganda for legalized euthanasia. We all have to die, we all have to suffer at the end. There is no way of avoiding some indignities. The socialists are suddenly making dignity through euthanasia a measure of man's worth. And assimilating it with "laïcité". I need not remind readers that "laïcité" simply refers to separation of Church and State, not to separation of man from his soul.

Maundy Thursday

In the Christian liturgical calendar, Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday is the feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles. It is the fifth day of Holy Week, and is preceded by Holy Wednesday and followed by Good Friday.

On this day four events are commemorated: the washing of the Disciples' feet by Jesus Christ, the institution of the Mystery of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, the agony of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal of Christ by Judas Iscariot.

The celebration of these events marks the beginning of what is called the Easter Triduum or Sacred Triduum. The Latin word triduum means a three-day period, and the triduum in question is that of the three days from the death to the resurrection of Jesus. It should be noted that for Jesus and his followers a day ended, and a new day began, at sunset, not at midnight, as it still does today in the modern Jewish calendar. The Last Supper was held at what present-day Western civilization considers to be the evening of Holy Thursday but what was then considered to be the first hours of Friday. Its annual commemoration thus begins the three-day period or triduum of Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, days of special devotion that celebrate as a single action the death and resurrection of Christ, the central events of Christianity.

Read more at Wikipedia.

We always referred to this day as Maundy Thursday, but no one ever knew what "maundy" meant. Wikipedia clears that up and gives other common names for this day known to Catholics as Holy Thursday.

I will be posting at a slower pace this weekend. I hope everyone can draw peace and spiritual sustenance from this important three-day period. I often refer to Christmas as a time of renewal, but in truth it is Easter that ushers in a rebirth of vitality.

Here is William Blake's poem entitled Holy Thursday:

'Twas on a holy Thursday, their innocent faces clean,
The children walking two and two in red and blue and green:
Grey-headed beadles walked before, with wands as white as snow,
Till into the high dome of Paul's they like Thames waters flow.

O what a multitude they seemed, these flowers of London town!
Seated in companies they sit, with radiance all their own.
The hum of multitudes was there, but multitudes of lambs,
Thousands of little boys and girls raising their innocent hands.

Now like a mighty wind they raise to heaven the voice of song,
Or like harmonious thunderings the seats of heaven among:
Beneath them sit the aged men, wise guardians of the poor.
Then cherish pity, lest you drive an angel from your door.

The painting of the Last Supper is by 17th century Russian artist Simon Ushakov (1626 - 1686)

As Of 2008...

The website 5 Years Later has posted maps that illustrate the advance of Islam in France. I've taken the latest one from 2008 showing through shades of green the areas of implantation of the religion of peace and tolerance. The numbers on the map are those of the departments and have nothing to do with numbers of Muslims. The chart at the bottom runs from fewer than 5 to more than 30 mosques, prayer rooms or meeting houses. So we see that, in the southwest, department 33 has more than 30 while department 40 has fewer than 5.

For a complete list of all places of Islamic worship in France, click the link above. Even if you don't know French you will find the listing impressive.

You will note also the inset in the upper left showing Paris (75) and its three surrounding suburbs. The name for that whole region is Ile-de-France, but someone has chosen to emend it to Êl-de-France.

A Parody

In a previous post about the adjustments Nicolas Sarkozy is making to his ministries, I mentioned the name of Nadine Morano, appointed secretary of State on Family Matters. The appointment of an advocate of euthanasia and gay marriage is a clear sign of the contempt in which Sarkozy holds traditional family life, and a kick in the teeth to his Christian constituents.

Moreover her office is under the supervision of Minister of Labor Xavier Bertrand, who has admitted to being a Mason, thus adding an even greater dimension of anti-Christian potential to her appointment.

Le Conservateur's succinct reaction says it very well:

It is an insult. Out of intellectual honesty it would have been in good taste to appoint her secretary of State on "parodies of the family" or on its "disintegration."

Bernard Antony also responds to this new evidence of Sarkozy's left-wing preferences:

The appointment of Nadine Morano unfortunately illustrates once again how much the conservative rhetoric of Nicolas Sarkozy is intended to dissimulate the concrete left-wing drift of his actions.

After all, one does not have to be a Christian to realize that a family is based on the marriage between a man and a woman, and that children are the product of this couple. That there is on the part of homosexual couples an incredibly outlandish and shameless demand for the pleasure of raising children that their freely chosen life-style forbids them to bring into this world!

Everybody knows the unbearable trauma a child would feel when, having seen other children being raised normally by a mother and a father, he one day, inevitably, realized that those who were raising him and sleeping in the same bed, were a couple of gays or lesbians (even a threesome as happens more and more these days!).

Nadine Morano, it turns out, is for this unacceptable form of adoption that is in reality a psychoanalytically motivated, insidious entrapment. Nor is it surprising that she is in favor of killing children in their mother's womb and of shortening the end of people's lives.

Finally, it would be good if Nicolas Sarkozy talked less about God - anyway which God is he talking about? - and showed more respect for natural law and for life.

Note: I chose the word "entrapment" to translate the French "captation", a legal term that refers to an attempt to trick authorities into passing a law. I don't know if English has a corresponding term. Usually the police use entrapment to catch a criminal, but here, in reverse, the gays are using their sob stories to "catch" the government.

Chantal Sébire

Everybody in France knows who Chantal Sébire was and how she died. Possibly the story has reached other countries as well. I've accumulated a rather large collection of articles on the case, but I will start with the end of her story as reported by Le Figaro:

Chantal Sébire, the 52-year woman afflicted with an incurable illness who wanted to be euthanized, was found dead Wednesday evening at her home in Plombières-les-Dijon. Her death was confirmed by the Ministry of the Interior. (...)

Chantal Sébire was suffering from a metastasizing tumor of the sinuses and nasal cavities. This incurable illness is very rare - 200 cases reported throughout the world in 20 years - and causes pain described by Chantal Sébire as agonizing.

This mother of three had requested the right "to die with dignity", but the courts had nonetheless rejected her request.

On Wednesday afternoon Nicolas Sarkozy had met with Chantal Sébire's doctor, Emmanuel Debost, and had asked Professor Munnich, an adviser, for a "new opinion" from a "group of health professionals at the highest level."

Note: At this point I will backtrack to an earlier post from Le Figaro dated February 26:

A mother of three, disfigured by a rare disease, incurable and degenerative (évolutive), has launched an appeal for help from the media and the president of the Republic to "see her through her death in a dignified manner."

The Leonetti Law of April 22, 2005, on the rights of sick persons, is oriented toward respect for the terminally ill, but does not authorize euthanasia in France, unlike other European countries such as The Netherlands, Belgium or Switzerland.

Chantal Sébire, a former teacher residing in Plombières-les-Dijon, learned in 2002 that she was afflicted with esthesioneuroblastoma, a growth in the sinuses and nasal cavities. As the tumor grows it causes a spectacular and irreversible disfiguring of the face accompanied by atrocious suffering, according to Mme Sébire, who spoke at length.

"In 2000 I lost my sense of smell and taste, then the tumor grew and devoured my jaws before attacking my eyes. I lost my sight in October 2007, all of this in atrocious pain that lasted sometimes four hours," she explained without self-pity.

Refusing to be placed "in a second state with medication that does not help the suffering", Mme Sébire asks only "to be allowed to go serenely" with the consent of her children. "You would not allow an animal to endure what I am enduring," she affirms, denouncing the Leonetti law as "incomplete" since it does not permit euthanasia. (...)

Note: Her comment about a "second state" refers to some sort of sedation. But there is some ambiguity because it is said that she had the medication necessary to end her own life but refused to do so alone, asking for a third party to help her.

It should also be pointed out that in the opinion of some doctors she was not adequately treated with pain medication. In the opinion of others - and here is the crucial point of this story - her individual case will be used by the "death-with-dignity" lobby as an example to impel lawmakers to legalize euthanasia.

Some members of the government expressed opinions on the case. Minister of Justice Rachida Dati declared: "Medicine must save lives. Personally I feel that doctors are not there to administer lethal substances." Minister of Foreign Affairs Bernard Kouchner, himself a doctor, declared that the Leonetti law was incomplete and that the former teacher should not have to commit suicide secretly. Prime Minister Fillon took a more philosophical stand saying: "I think we must have the humility to recognize that society cannot answer all these questions."

I could not bring myself to post the photo of her. Those interested can click the first Figaro link above.

For French readers there are at least two fascinating discussions of this case and its possible repercussions on the issue of euthanasia. First Liberté Politique discusses the publicity surrounding Mme Sébire, and quotes Jean Léonetti, sponsor of the 2005 law that condemns excessive and desperate attempts to treat incurables, but pleads for palliative care and anti-pain medication:

"The debate must not be initiated or reopened because of individual cases, in an emotional atmosphere... One terrible case can trigger a simplistic solution. We must differentiate euthanasia, assisted suicide, and an appeal for help from those suffering."

And an essay by Catholic writer Tugdual Derville analyzes the way this case had been set up and carefully exploited to stir public support for euthanasia.

I'm still not certain how she died. Her doctor was present. Did he witness her own suicide, or did he administer the medication? If so had he received authorization to do so after that meeting with Sarkozy?

Last but not least, according to the Mayo Clinic, the tumor can be treated, though it may be difficult to cure. It appears that Mme Sébire was not diagnosed early enough to stop the tumor's spread. She began suffering in 2000, but wasn't diagnosed until 2002.

The Spy Of Elysée

Nicolas Sarkozy is about to monitor everything said about him on the Internet.

One of the few innovations of his renovated government is the appointment of Nicolas Princen as chief spy in charge of surveillance of the Internet for President Sarkozy. Le Figaro reports:

He is 24 years old, a graduate of Normal School and the HEC (Advanced School of Business), and the French-speaking blogosphere is talking of little else. His mission: to be a sort of watchdog on the Internet, monitoring all the buzz about the president of the Republic, in order to alert the presidential advisers as quickly as possible and to prepare a response.

It is true that the web played a major role in the broadcasting of boners made by the president these past months. Images of his spat with a Breton fisherman or his now-famous "get lost, you old fool," from the Agricultural Fair, were posted many times over at Daily Motion and You Tube, then parodied and spread from blog to blog, from website to website.

While some bloggers are concerned about the intrusion, others are taking it with humor. Blogger Luc Mandret writes:

"Dear Nicolas Princen, I wish you great courage. And I would like to know if you really deserve your position. So I've decided to write this article. It would be super friendly of you to leave a little comment. (...) I would imagine you subscribe to the rss feed of Google's blogsearch. At least I hope so. (...)Because I intend to continue writing things that are not very nice about your boss."

No sooner appointed, Nicolas Princen went to work... on his own image. As blogger Samuel Authueil notes: "Now he is known to all, it is in his interests to be irreproachable, because I feel that he will not be receiving many gifts. He will be besieged at the slightest mistake, and in the end, he could spend more time defending himself than conducting his original mission. I wish him much pleasure."

Questioned by Le Figaro's website, Nicolas Princen answered that he did not wish to make a comment on this matter.

A Few "Adjustments"

Gaelle Mann, citing AFP as her source, has a long post on the changes being made by Nicolas Sarkozy following his "wake-up call" last Sunday. But in order to wake up, you have to first be asleep, and this was not Sarkozy's case. He has the nature of a gambler who bets on winning elections and when he loses simply goes on betting. As his debt grows he may play the game more and more furiously, but he will not modify his behavior.

He isn't even rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. The ministers remain at their posts - at least he isn't punishing them for his own failings. Major ministerial changes are put off until 2009, after the French presidency of the EU is over (it begins in June 2008):

Despite the scathing reversal suffered by the "Right", Nicolas Sarkozy has decided to persevere in his policy of reforms and to merely make a few marginal "adjustments", mainly to appease the concerns of his party. (...)

No, the municipal elections "are not a return match of the presidential race" and the severe setback on the Right, illustrated by the losses of Toulouse and Strasbourg or the defeat of Minister of Education Xavier Darcos in Périgueux, does not constitute in any event a "sanction." Yes, "it is necessary to pursue the reforms further, faster and more forcefully."

Turning a deaf ear to the call from the Left for a change in direction, Prime Minister François Fillon set the tone when he said it was "unwarranted to draw lessons on the national level" from municipal and regional elections, insisting that the "battle for employment and buying power must intensify."

Using an Ipsos-Dell poll as a basis, a close associate of Sarkozy declared: "We took a beating, that is undeniable, but the vote reflects the impatience of the French people. It is fitting therefore that we accelerate the pace of reforms, especially regarding the modernization of the economy and pensions."

According to Le Figaro:

The creation of a secretary of State for employment and another for Family Matters, is intended as a sign of two new priorities. The first will be assigned to Laurent Wauquiez, government spokesman, who will work in the Ministry of Finance under Christine Lagarde; and the second to Nadine Morano, a close associate of the president known to favor euthanasia and gay marriage.

Note: The Catholic blogs have been demanding a special minister for Family Matters, but it is certain they did not want Mme Morano. This is typical Sarkozy: he gives you what you ask for, his way. Better not to ask any favors of him.

Eric Besson becomes secretary of State for Digital-Based Economy, Alain Marleix for Territorial Collectivities, Christian Blanc for the "Greater Paris" project of municipal expansion. The former president of the SNCF (French National Railways) Anne-Marie Idrac becomes secretary for External Trade, Alain Joyandet for Cooperation and Francophone Countries, displacing Jean-Marie Bockel who becomes secretary of State for Veterans Affairs. Finally Yves Jego, spokesman for the UMP party, now becomes secretary of State for Overseas Possessions, while Luc Châtel takes over as UMP spokesman.

Two close collaborators of Sarkozy take over as presidential spokesmen: Claude Guéant and Jean-David Lévitte.

Gaelle Mann concludes:

For Sarkozy and Fillon it was a question of assuaging the fears of the UMP, of the Party, but not addressing the grave concerns of the French people who nonetheless expressed themselves clearly on March 16.

Sarkozy persists in his "ostrich policy" incapable of understanding the demands of the French people or of loyally responding to their needs...

But Sarkozy is constitutionally incapable of responding to their needs because he is ideologically of the Left, whatever banner he flies under. The sooner the bloggers and politicians realize this the less surprised or discouraged they will be. The great misunderstanding of his administration, his conduct, his image, results from the error committed in thinking he is even to a small degree a patriot or a conservative.

Note: There is however one innovation that is making waves: there will now be close monitoring by Sarkozy of everything said about him on the Internet. What punishment, if any, will be meted out to offenders is not clear at this time. Please see my next post for more.

Disobedient Deputies

Here's a good example of the EU at work. From Novopress:

The European parliament punished ten of its members for daring to express their opinion during the ceremony of the signing of the Charter on Fundamental Rights.

Philippe de Villiers and Paul-Marie Coûteaux have been docked five days and three days respectively of their remuneration, or 1435 and 861 euros. The Pole Maciej Giertych, the Austrian Hans-Peter Martin, the British deputies Roger Knapman, Roger Helmer and Jim Allister will be fined 861 euros each, while Godfrey Bloom and the Pole Sylwester Chruscz will pay 574 euros, which corresponds to two days of per diem remuneration. The Czech Vladimir Zelezny got off with a simple reprimand, the lowest on the scale of sanctions in the internal regulations.

It is the first time that the Parliament has sanctioned its deputies. The reason being, according to President Pöttering, that "in a democratic parliament no speaker can be prevented from speaking by systematic shouts from colleagues who do not share his opinion".

It's ridiculous. You have only to see the the debates in the French Parliament to know that deputies do not hesitate to shout down speakers, and often it is the only interesting thing that happens during the otherwise boring debates. In warm-blooded countries, the deputies even go so far as to turn the debates into fist-fights...

The deputies who are being punished are in fact guilty of high treason: one does not interrupt the great lords of Europe, the presidents of the Council, the Commission and the Parliament. And moreover, they manifested an opinion not in conformity with the dictates of Europe. It is not forbidden to interrupt speakers, it is forbidden to demand a referendum or to criticize treaties. (...)

Original source: Yves Daoudal