PARIS (Reuters) - A drunken Mexican World Cup soccer fan extinguished the flame burning under the Arc de Triomphe to honor France's war dead, officials said Wednesday.
Police said Rodrigo Rafael Ortega, 24, described as a soccer fan, was detained overnight after pouring a glass of unspecified liquid on to the flame.
He was arrested for offending the dead and being drunk in public but was released Wednesday without charges.
While the above act is indeed reprehensible as the man showed no respect for the offended monument, I believe there is a degree of humor in the act, given that there was no destruction per se of property, (given that the flame will be ceremoniously "turned on again". In the end, no [real] harm done.
I am not justifying the above act, but with a little further study I find the above rather comic, and further not surprised at all, given that it is related to "the dead", and indeed the sadness the Mexican people are going through due to the defeat in the World Cup.
If you think I am exaggerating, consider the following:
www-lib.usc.edu
Lots of Prints re: The day of the dead by Jose Guadalupe Posada. (1852-1913).
www-lib.usc.edu
Picture of the "bread of the dead" in a market stall in Oaxaca (state in south-west Mexico, where this celebration is particularly important)
www-lib.usc.edu
www-lib.usc.edu (close up)
www-lib.usc.edu
Given the fact that:
1. I am somehow familiar with the Mexicans. Their "respect" for the dead is suspect at best, (although healthy in my view), as on Nov 1st. they celebrate the "day of the dead" baking solid sugar skulls, ("Alfe¤iques"), with the name of the deceased, written on the forehead of the thing, a special bread that is a family ceremony to consume, with rich home made chocolate. On that day, many people take entire meals to the cementery, and have a feast at the grave site among the "living" relatives of the deceased, and then, they leave entire meals for "el difunto" (the deceased), to "consume".
As a result of that day, there has been a lot of poetry that has been written about the deceased and gone. (most of it quite satirical, and many containing political attacks). In a way, the popular folklore about death, is more defiant and sarcastic, than respectful of it. Lots of drawings (very famous prints), have been produced, under this theme. see above.
In addition they have a number of sayings, related to death, in the best of "Macho" fashion, that:
A). "la vida no vale nada". ("life is worth nothing"),
B). or they have a maxim of "country justice": "Dispara a matar, ya luego viriguamos" (shoot to kill, later, we will find out [the facts.]
C). "hasta la muerte...... todo es vida" ("until death..... everything is life") marcos is familiar with this one.
2. Knowing that the man was drunk, (probably because the Mexican team lost).
3. The liquid that he poured on did not produce a big flame, (ruling out that such liquid was Tequila, which would have had the opposite effect).
I can safely assume that the liquid poured on was his own urine....
The French can consider themselves extremely lucky in the fact that dear old "Don Rodrigo" "only" decided to urinate on the dead soldier flame.
Had Don Rodrigo being a real mean person, he could have poured a bottle of Tequila on the flame, increasing the size of the flame.
We then can deduct that his intent was, after all, in good will, since, clearly he wanted "to put it out", thinking that it could be a hazard, (remember he was drunk).
In all probability Don Rodrigo could have had his dinner in good Mexican fashion, with lots of black beans, and lots of fiery chiles.....
I wonder what the result would have been if Don Rodrigo, instead of urinating on the flame, he could have decided to fart on the flame, in an attempt of "blowing it out".
I believe the result could have been somehow more "explosive", and quite painful for himself.
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The above, reminds me of a story when in a big reception was going to be held at Windsor Castle, in England. The Mexican ambassador, along with many other ambassadors and prominent figures of the various diplomatic missions, was invited to attend.
This ambassador, (we will name him Don Franciso..."Pancho" for short), was a former famous Charro and ranch owner in old Mexico. While a very honest man and a "straight shooter" He knew the ways of the country but was somehow unfamiliar with the ways of diplomacy and proper manners, particularly those that were most applicable to English Royalty.
Proudly he attended and was found in a group where the ambassadors of Germany, Italy, and the United States were speaking to the Queen mother, herself an elderly lady.
As the party progressed, everyone was having a great time, plenty of food, music, lots of drinks and good conversations and company....
In the group where our friend Don Pancho was the conversation was very lively and turned to horses, a subject that Don Pancho being a rancher himself was very enthusiastic about it.
All of a sudden between the effects of the drinks, the relaxed and friendly atmosphere in which everyone was enjoying themselves, and indeed the age of the Queen mother, without her realizing it the good Queen mother farted quite loudly.....
Immediately the Italian ambassador, took the blame, indicating that earlier he had had a rather spicy spaghetti sauce that "made him do it"....
A few moments later, the Queen Mother did it again, except a little louder. This time, it was the German ambassador who took the blame, claiming that surely some of the sauerkraut he had eaten must have been a little on the strong side...
The conversation went on, the Queen mother not missing a beat, as she was enjoying herself quite a bit, however, she could not contain herself, and once again, she farted quite loudly this time.
The US ambassador and Don Pancho looked at each other and hesitated, however the US ambassador, reacting, claimed responsibility for the deed, blaming it on the hot dogs he had eaten earlier that day.
At this point, Don Pancho, who was drunk by now, and a little peeved about the Queen mother's continuos farts, which interrupted the conversation about horses, a favorite subject of his, proceeded to exclaim, as soon as the US ambassador's apology was presented....
"O.K. The next steeenking fart by the Queen Mother will be sponsored at the expense and by courtesy of the Mexican embassy, but please Queenie Mom, stop interrupting this fascinating subject about horses... hic !"
Z.
p.s. Royal apologies to those who feel offended, but after the above news, I could not contain myself.
I know, I know, I am an irreverent person, but I am having fun. |
