TurquoiseB wrote:
> We'll know tonight how the French feel about the
> world and their place in it. Approximately 90% of
> them are expected to vote today -- compare that to
> the voting rates in the U.S.
>
> However, at this point the polls are saying that
> Sarko has the lion's share, and that's a sad thing,
> in my opinion. Sarko is a mini-me version of George
> W. Bush. He's smarter, and much more polished, but
> his fake "compassionate conservatism" lacks compas-
> sion, and he tends towards 1) violence towards those
> who don't share his views (he has a history of this
> in his time as a minister) and 2) an outspoken
> distaste for immigrants, many of whom he plans to
> "ship back where they came from" if he can.
>
> Segolene Royal is, in contrast, a remarkably
> balanced politician, one who manages to juggle
> practical economic reforms with compassion and
> social programs that benefit *all* of the people,
> not just the rich ones.
>
> We'll see who the French identify with more, tonight.
> I think it would be a giant step backwards if Sarko
> wins, but there you jolly well are, aren't you? One
> of the biggest issues facing this planet is immi-
> gration and how to handle it gracefully, and the
> tendency one sees in country after country is towards
> reactionary, protective thinking, and handling it
> rather ungracefully.
>
> Bon chance, France. Not being able to vote in your
> election, I lift my glass to you from the South and
> wish you well -- both in your choices in the voting
> booths, and your karmas as a result of making them.
Paper ballot I assume or electronic voting (without paper trail)? The
latter as we well know in the US can be easily rigged.
