Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LindyBill who wrote (77090)	10/13/2004 7:48:16 AM
From: John Carragher	Respond to of 793759

'The French government particularly was alarmed by the 21 percent, or $6 billion, drop in spending by visitors from the United States' By Kim Willsher LONDON SUNDAY TELEGRAPH Published October 13, 2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PARIS -- The French are arrogant, rude and surly to foreign visitors, said a leading French politician behind a scathing report on how the Gallic welcome leaves much to be desired. Bernard Plasait, a member of France's upper house of parliament, has concluded what millions of visitors have known for years. "Our bad image in this area, the arrogance we are accused of, our refusal to speak foreign languages, the sense we give that it's a great honor to visit us are among the ugly facts of which we should not be proud," reads the first paragraph of Mr. Plasait's report, which was commissioned by the government. "Certainly, these accusations don't date from yesterday," the report continues. Mr. Plasait's report was commissioned by Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, after a drop in tourism in France last year. France is still the world's No. 1 tourist destination in terms of numbers. But the report concludes that this is meaningless because a considerable proportion are just passing through on their way somewhere else. "To claim we are the 'number-one tourist destination in the world' doesn't count for anything," says the report. "Among the 75 million visitors counted in 2003 were those who were only crossing the country, once on their way to Spain or Italy and a second time to return home." The report says a more realistic way of judging is by the annual income from tourists, which places France in third place with $36 billion after the United States ($90 billion) and Spain ($40 billion). It also cites a survey of world travelers by the European polling firm Ipsos, which asked people which countries they would most like to visit. The survey placed France fourth, behind Italy, Spain, Britain and equal to the United States. The French government particularly was alarmed by the 21 percent, or $6 billion, drop in spending by visitors from the United States. The Plasait report focuses on visitors' first impressions of French airports, ports and railway stations, which, it concluded, were "often negative." It criticized a lack of warmth and professionalism among staff and a failure to regard the customer as king. Paris' main airport, Charles de Gaulle/Roissy, which handles almost 50 million passengers a year, was singled out for criticism. Surly staff, slow baggage handlers, a lack of "Welcome to France" signs, confusing directions, poor transportation connections, slow and dirty trains, and taxi drivers who do not speak English were among the complaints. The report also attacks immigration officers for giving a bad impression of the country. "Instead of behaving like ambassadors for France, they don't even respond to 'hello' or a smile," it says. "A welcome without a smile and without warmth is like a cold shower for a traveler who is expecting to be enchanted by a romantic city," says the report. "Our welcome has to be magic; it has to give an image of excellence and availability." Mr. Plasait concludes his report with 81 proposals on how the French can become better hosts. He says they have to become motivated and enthusiastic. "They have to learn that the tourist is not a nuisance but a benefit. Our welcome is not good enough. ... This is not a fantasy, but a cruel reality." Tourism Minister Leon Bertrand said, "Our aim is to let tourists know that France is trying to improve its welcome and the French that they have to do better."

To: LindyBill who wrote (77090)	10/13/2004 8:01:43 AM
From: unclewest	Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 793759

I knew it. I F...n knew it. Somewhere back there in the thread in, I believe, a post to KLP, I laid out the documentary evidence available at Kerry and DNC websites that indicates Kerry had a military discharge problem. LB, When the medal issue first surfaced, I said three Silver Star certificates are two too many for one award and will kill the military vote for Kerry. Those two extra certificates have made folks study every element of Kerry's military service. The Sun must believe Kerry has a bad discharge in there somewhere. That will cost him the 17% of the military vote polls claim he still maintains. The Sun's concluding paragraph is pure TNT. "There is one odd coincidence that gives some weight to the possibility that Mr. Kerry was dishonorably discharged. Mr. Kerry has claimed that he lost his medal certificates and that is why he asked that they be reissued. But when a dishonorable discharge is issued, all pay benefits, and allowances, and all medals and honors are revoked as well. And five months after Mr. Kerry joined the U.S. Senate in 1985, on one single day, June 4, all of Mr. Kerry's medals were reissued." These reporters have opened a can of worms that could quickly blow up Kerry's campaign. Now I have to wonder about the indictment ready to be served next Monday. And of course, the Swiftees certainly have some surprises coming too. Since 527s can coordinate between each other, Kerry may be about to get smacked over and over again.

To: LindyBill who wrote (77090)	10/13/2004 8:28:01 AM
From: DuckTapeSunroof	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 793759

"Let's destroy this young demagogue before he becomes another Ralph Nader." Nixon had been a naval officer in World War II. Mr. Colson was a former Marine captain. Mr. Colson had been prodded to find "dirt" on Mr. Kerry, but reported that he couldn't find any....