TOUR DE FRANCE: WELCOME TO CORSICA - CORSICA IS NOT FRANCE 

On June 8th 2013, the Council of Europe General Assembly adopted the The progress of the Assembly’s monitoring procedure (June 2011-May 2012) calling among others France to sign and ratify 

• Protocol No. 12 to the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No. 177) concerning the fight against discrimination;

to ratify 

• the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ETS No. 148);

to sign and ratify

•  the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (ETS No. 157);

Not just this call is much more interesting than the arguments between French Ministers and Brussel's Commission about what can be fueling the use of the right to vote angrily... but it is worth a debate as to why the parliament has only partial views on equality.

French National Assembly today :
"The ECB’s monetary policy “will stay accommodative for the foreseeable future,” Draghi said today in a speech at the French National Assembly in Paris. “We have an open mind about all other possible instruments that we may consider proper to adopt.” An exit is “very distant,” he said at a press conference.".../...
Mario's wisdom of the day, “Monetary policy cannot create real economic growth. If growth is stalling because the economy is not producing enough or because firms have lost competitiveness, this is beyond the power of the central bank to fix.” (No it isn't liked to his geographical presence, absolutely not)
With in mind that Monetary policy includes instruments such as eurobonds and any QE related to it although this is just my personal wisdom... 
Read the article here http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-26/draghi-says-deficit-cuts-in-euro-area-should-be-growth-friendly.html
urs?

It can be of interest and at least a visit to this site can't hurt :
As the debate about the future of Europe gathers pace, the European Commission is reaching out to citizens by visiting towns across Europe and asking them directly for their views.

Upcoming dialogue – 30 June, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg - You will be able to watch it live here
a) Europe as a solution to the crisis, b) My rights as a European citizen, c) The future of Europe
Website : http://ec.europa.eu/debate-future-europe/index_en.htm 

Brussels and its powers are regularly a cause for concerns and here is an opportunity as well as improve eventually one's knowledge of the EU institutions and their role.

When for the documents from Sweden?

Not that I know... cheap and uneducated (those remarks you read)... they are played most are. They are in pain over economic hardship and unemployment while challenged on the culture side but they experience problems to name their pain, understand the policies that cause it and for lots of them it is easier to turn to a party that say easy things and point fingers at politicians in charge... even if they don't have the answers almost every country has successfully implemented in the best interests of their Nat Minorities.

Well I don't know good to know he's back alright, his last tour anyway.

Alabama boy

French politicians are drama queens he just posted :-)))))

In the plan discussed an overwhelming majority of EU countries would support a first shot at Corsica, Euskadi and Breizh to stabilize the implementation of the FCNM and the ECRML.

You can have both but not at the same time.

Same mix culture war and economic hardship... but it is of little interest since the overwhelming majority isn't interested in a totalitarian regime, French politicians are just like kids playing with the dog...they have been told stop shaking the tail and pinch the ears but until the dog balks and shows teeth they keep doing it...

Appalling... 

Rather weird to mix the same ingredients and expect a different result...

Not that I know

Sweden state report.

Overblown but we don't know why.

What is it that you don't get clear?

An amendment to the Constitution with effect from 1 January 2011 recognized the Sami Nation as an indigenous People of Sweden and that did a great lot.

Immediate actions are stated as follows 
- Take steps to ensure that the Sami Parliament is able to participate effectively in decision-making processes in all areas affecting the Sami people, including public affairs such as spatial planning as well as the reindeer industry and educational and cultural matters;
- Redouble efforts to implement effectively the National Minorities Act among public service providers at local level in the municipalities concerned; pay particular attention to language training, language qualifications in public procurement procedures and targeted recruitment of minority language speakers; monitor the implementation of all measures and evaluate their effectiveness regularly in order to ensure that the linguistic rights of persons belonging to national minorities are fully respected;

Well, I wouldn't and won't be saying that since every gauge you can think of points for France that the so called prospering far right does so on the back of policies best illustrated with the most recent demonstration that took place in Bionan... The growing frustration among members of Nat Minorities because of the lack of education over their rights and lack of political offer to represent their interests lead to that.

Why can't you just access the resolution anyway?

Not that I know flying to GreenLand but said they will be back and on time at San Fermin. Think they also may try to meet representant of the Sami's Parliment as far as I know if they have enough time if not they will be back up there later in July.

Just wondering if you have access to it. The committee of ministers has adopted the resolution for Sweden CM/ResCMN(2013)2, follows "Two laws of particular importance to persons belonging to national minorities were adopted in 2009: the National Minorities and National Minority Languages Act (2009:724) and the Language Act (2009:600). These laws expand the geographical areas in which the Finnish, Meänkieli and Sami languages can be used in contacts with the administrative authorities and increase the opportunities for persons belonging to national minorities to have an impact in decision making on issues of concern to them. A new integrated strategy for national minorities, aimed at clarifying the responsibilities of national, regional and local authorities, was also adopted in 2009.

Sweden has enacted new comprehensive antidiscrimination legislation and established a single Equality Ombudsman empowered to deal with all grounds of discrimination covered by Swedish law. This should enable the Ombudsman to take better account of multiple discrimination. Sweden has also made commendable efforts to improve the prosecution of hate crimes.".../...The expansion of administrative areas under the National Minorities Act means that more children are entitled to pre-school activities in minority languages.

Can you get me the parliament debate transcripts? if not the Swedish Gov presentation supporting the legislation when it was introduced to lawmakers? 

From Press, a junior legislator teaming with a few is making props to restore confidence severely altered after some legislators got embroiled in a range of diverse fraud but Press mentions their colleagues in Parliament have not appreciated their initiative, pointing to there must be some truth in it, so just wondering what u got?

Just that strange thing about the French legislators, it looks that when they buy an office or a retail property to turn it into a campaign shop or a place to meet their constituents, they fund the mortgage payments through their expenses making a hefty profit when they pocket the sale of the property, none returning to the state, but it looks so outrageous that I just wonder??? Anything u know ?

No not much today except Ikastola to demonstrate this saturday in Baionan (Bayonne) @Seaskaikastola following the French administration to further harden its stance on Euskara teaching to prevent a new generation to learn their language and eventually claim the rights that goes with it.
Weather was pretty bad. Of course anytime a US President mentions someone else than Thomas Paine or Stuart Mill, I feel betrayed but I guessed it had to do with where he was so... anyway he can I mean it is just me I guess. By the way, who has Locke's now, I'd liked to have it back.
What do u have?

Someone wrote to Arcangues mayor http://yagg.com/2013/06/17/lettre-ouverte-dune-feministe-au-maire-darcangues-par-audrey-keysers/ and it is not to support him which is ok, nobody has to. What surprises me although is the tone. It is not friendly, there isn't one word of understanding for someone that has seen his feelings hurt for a very long time without the slightest sign from anybody for his pain. I don't for how long he has on Arcangues website welcome page a link to a words of his http://www.arcangues.fr/mairie/motdumaire/index.php where he wrote Iragan den urtei eta .../... eta sentutz betea. When I saw that I understood this man cannot not to have been hurt by the long time policies of neglect towards Minorities Languages. The letter addressed to him includes threats and points his lack of respect for the law and society at large but there isn't a word of understanding while explaining the same point of view but it would have changed everything, it would feel like a citizen writing to another citizen to disagree but sharing what characterizes a People the understanding of a deep pain even if it isn't shared.
I guess I will be soon reading from the author something truly interesting and lifesaving in favor of a sex offender public registry which is the only way to never allow again anyone to misplace trust and find herself alone in an unsecured area with a predator...

Just a little warm up, wait to be there

Get inspired

Noway, the French law is very clear on that one, you can be engaged in a PACS which is a kind of legally relaxed " civil marriage" with a partner female or male whether or not sexually involved looks to be however a private matter and  "marry under the new French Marriage law" another one, the awareness and declaration of a pre existing PACS is not mandatory sealing the case that under the new "Marriage" law you definitely have not a Marriage as commonly understood but a legal contract only.
Which is rather awkward really given that the state is asking its officers to be the official witnesses of a legal contract where one party can contract ignoring the other party is engaged in a similar contract...
I guess the Arcangues Mayor and others are founded to express concerns...
But sure it would be an Euskaraz of a lifetime, guess what a week after after San Fermin.

I'll be dying for that one, an Arcangues Euskarazen featuring Hesian, Vendetta, Gatibu and En Tol Sarmiento to celebrate Etxera.

Not that I know and it isn't smart anyway... Engage in teaching monkeys to do faces and it will see you end up learning... but true I am amazed it doesn't deter people from trying :-). By the way it seals the case you were wrong it looks

Since?

What was that post about anyway?

Not sure it was to inspire Arcangues Euskarazen 2013, but to find out it requires to ask Hesian http://www.eitb.com/eu/bideoak/osoa/1322874/araba-euskaraz-2013-bideoklipa/ . Would Hesian come to Arcangues if its Mayor'd ask... well think it looks like a great prospect for an outstanding
Euskaraz 2013

Have never seen Arcangues Euskaraz Lip Dub just wondering if it does bigger, have looked but can't find any video of it, do they do one sometime? Think we'll see the biggest ever this year.

You are not going to be very popular for a while http://blogs.mediapart.fr/blog/legaytapant/130613/cher-monsieur-colo-maire-d-arcangues-vous-ne-pouvez-pas Press says you have decided to remain silent now and two ladies have stepped up. You know I have thought a lot about you and why someone that had no desire to find himself there, is. The answer is rather simple in a way, answer what does make you so uncomfortable with the situation and lead someone that never thought he would be with such a dilemma is, what triggered it? Words?
In an ideal situation, the separation between Churches and State would result in the Law to never borrow a religious word such as Marriage given the expected confusion and unnecessary controversial debate it will inevitably sparkle.

When the Law borrows a word from the religious toolbox it not only borrow the spelling but all the emotional, spiritual and memories that word inspires. So, is your reaction political? No it isn't. Marriage as you understand it, has a spiritual dimension, it has suddenly lost when the Law borrows it. Is there something wrong with your reaction? No, given the poor debate that didn't bother trying to make sense, search for a thought through consensus or to strictly stick with the separation between Churches and State that should have lead enlighted Lawmakers to choose the understanding over the victory, they don't often do that do they? Will it help you? "La loi ne considère le mariage que comme contrat civil. »" These are the words of the French revolutionaries when they wrote the first constitution unequivocally stating the legal only status of the relationship between two parties contracting under the civil authorities, you understand Marriage differently, it has for you a spiritual dimension and it corners you. It is understandable. 
Under the rights zealots cher monsieur colo outrage there is only hidden hatred for the native nations, their culture and rights with little search for understanding so... scared by the FCNM they will do everything they can to make you look dirty, take it easy and sing http://www.amazon.fr/Begitara-Begira/dp/B004NYOEVU

:-)))) has he  - del 6 al 14 de julio de 2013 should see another big push with a large support for Etxera.

Ok the usual disclaimer applies!

No kidding... U'll love that http://www.israelvideonetwork.com/music-video-avinu-malkeinu-our-father-our-king
No offense to anyone but I went haven't I always done so? How dare you? (keep my best words for you) By the way.... You have been the longest around, what can you tell me of the need for so many to have that load of complementary rules, guidelines and thousands of sacred pages to read and live by when according to all reports, clearly the wording of the Ten Commandments has proved to be far too sophisticated given the widespread level of understanding?

So what? Did u get hold of a dictionary? ok. Don't think so, the guy is alright I guess, he's just shocked but make mistakes when expressing his distress. Will try to find it I read in Dissent but a while ago a rather interesting piece supporting the pros but even so, think a lady signed it she had to make her point to start by defining Marriage and its content and there we go the problem is Marriage is defined (Malachi) and so is its objectives and content while there is a brilliant book on Ten Commandments its influence on American Law which can be extended to the west in general so the idea that Marriage can be revisited and redefined just like a driving licence isn't just insane, it is stupid. But look I mean have you read it?

Denbora pasa, kezkak ahaztu dut haurra berri eman ?

No, I disagree with that since whether u r a radical from the left, the right, the bottom or the top if u take any initiative that leads to violence in a public place with all the risks there are for bystanders, u should be prosecuted to the full extent of the Law. Don't know for France but what is prosecuted isn't the radical side u belong to, the Law doesn't classify that kind of stuff, would be unconstitutional. What is prosecuted and should be is the initiative that results in violence exposing bystanders.
Why anyway?

Look at Euskadi,

Zure sabela azalaren azpian luzatu nire eskua sentitu zuen bere jaurtiketa (nire eskua zure sabelean bere jaurtiketak sentitzen saiatzen ari da, can u check?), nire belarrian jarri zure sabela bere zarata egunero ikusten (nire zure sabela on belarrian zarata egiten zuen egunero entzuten), nire begiak itxi ditut eta kezka ahaztu bizitza honetan gaur agindu ( begiak itxi ditut, denbora pasa ahaztu kezkak buruzko datozen haurtxoa honen inspirazio iturri izan dit), egoistically espero etorkizunerako promesa berri bat eskatu zuen, bere ondoren bere tenpluan, esku gisa sufriarazten egingo da. Ez eskubidea dut?
(?Begiak itxi ditut, denbora dut ahaztu pasa kezkatzen datozen bizitza honetan inspiratu izan dit, gaur egun zain etorkizun berritua bere oinazeak izango too zuen ondoren bere eskuekin sentitu tenpluan jaurtiketak egiteko.?)
May be it is better to say it with these words after the grammar is corrected (sorry) rather than using the neighbor's pick example to have kids. But no offense, just suggesting words trying to light up a difficult issue.

Don't know, should it be made mandatory prior to the ceremonies, Begitara Begira?
or here photos are great
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ8Cm72zNRM&feature=share&list=RD02i1yBZh4Gbw0

You have made your point by now. If these two guys have truly offered their union takes place at their home meaning they understand the sacred character of the Land, that Euskadi's Land is its People Temple and the very special character of the Nation hosting them,  there must be someone strong enough with the support of everyone among the entire team the People elected to make sure a foreign law to the Land doesn't lead to the loss of its leaders. If they have chosen you, elected you, they need you and they want you to stay out of trouble to keep the good work you do for the city going. Think you should find someone able to deal with the situation, strong enough to know that while complying with a foreign law imposed by force on Euskadi, the heart and soul of the Nation flies above, your eyes will speak when your tongue is sewed.

French politics and the shameful exploitation of WW2 history for today's political agenda has now lead clearly to the death of a young student engaged into a radical "antifascism" organisation after a fight with another group of youths eventually engaged in a radical organisation on the opposite side which coulsd be "skin heads". Looks like a joke that it is at the heart of the political debate as well as making the headlines when you know that all together these groups of radicals of both sides make less than 1% at any general elections... 

More surprising is the reaction of mainstream politicians, medias and usual analysts of underground culture. It is funny that there is nobody to wonder what was doing a bright student that had succeeded at the competition to enter among the most prestigious schools which is in this case Science Politique Paris into the subculture of antifascism radicals engaged in several violent demonstrations known to breach repeatedly public order and whose methods have little to do with democracy not to mention that their political aim looks to be, fighting with all their energy, time and abilities something "fascism" which hardly scores more than 1% at general elections, the Gov and Press naming these "fascist" organisations "groupuscules" or " micro groupes" both expressions underlining with contempt their very little size by the number of affiliates with in mind that given the event that took place, we learn that members of these subcultures groups can't even shop without being insulted....is it designed to convince them they are heading the wrong way? In itself isn't all that a little disturbing? It is.

Have u looked at it?

More disturbing for the Rule of Law in general is the suspected decision to only prosecute one side. Given it was a street fight in which two groups engaged scoring one dead in the heart of a very busy shopping street every single one engaged in that fight should be prosecuted may be not charged with the same counts but no one should think it is possible to get away with breaching public order and engaged in street fighting endangering the life of others, what if in the way of any of these guys during the fight a toddler had escaped his Mum surveillance and find himself in the middle of it?

But what stays with me, is whether the dead guy or the suspected individual now jailed with a couple of others, why are they into these subcultures. Of course there is for everyone the personal responsibility, the choice you make for yourself and the consequences you must bear but nonetheless you can't take away both have filled the emptiness of one's life and may be answered a spiritual struggle with the wrong answers. Of these two guys, given where they grew up and their background very little not to say none should have lead them where they ended, so, it leaves the recurring shameful use of WW2 history in today's politics associated with the lack of care for the National Minorities for one and another troubling side of French politics for the other being how it deals with the culture and identity of people of Immigrant descent...?

I guess the French Gov will get away with that death again but there is a stain at the heart of Europe that doesn't play by the rule when it comes to the protection owned to persons that belong to National Minorities. Any honest political step to end insane subcultures whether it is irrational fight against the pro-nazis ghosts of WW2 or surprising taste for answers to a personal identity and spiritual struggle in political nationalism military style revolution lays for a great number through the knowledge of their rights and who they really are.

A good starting point is to read the FCNM, the French state hasn't signed yet but it is something that can be changed 

"extract : Résolus à protéger l’existence des minorités nationales sur leur territoire respectif;

Considérant que les bouleversements de l’histoire européenne ont montré que la protection des 

minorités nationales est essentielle à la stabilité, à la sécurité démocratique et à la paix du 

continent;

Considérant qu’une société pluraliste et véritablement démocratique doit non seulement 

respecter l’identité ethnique, culturelle, linguistique et religieuse de toute personne appartenant à 

une minorité nationale, mais également créer des conditions propres à permettre d’exprimer, de 

préserver et de développer cette identité;
.../...
Article 1
La protection des minorités nationales et des droits et libertés des personnes 
appartenant à ces minorités fait partie intégrante de la protection internationale 
des droits de l’homme et, comme telle, constitue un domaine de la coopération 
internationale"
.../...
Article 3
1 Toute personne appartenant à une minorité nationale a le droit de choisir 
librement d’être traitée ou ne pas être traitée comme telle et aucun désavantage 
ne doit résulter de ce choix ou de l’exercice des droits qui y sont liés."

The French version of the convention is here 

Conseil de l'Europe 

CONVENTION-CADRE POUR LA PROTECTION DES MINORITÉS NATIONALES ET RAPPORT EXPLICATIF

Anybody suspecting a link between the death of that student and me mentioning again the FCNM on that occasion would be right. I do believe a number of distressed or disaffected individuals that enter subcultures (fighting WW2 ghosts in today's politics is one of them) by ignoring that their struggle is much more widely shared than what they think, there are answers and these answers are in the FCNM for a score of them.

Since it is in French they might read it who knows? up  to?

Hopefully, the prosecutor in charge of the investigation will soon speak out as it has been recently the case for some similar incidents that hit the headlines before someone else get hurt while too many mainstream politicians instead of appealing for calm and responsibility look to be more interested by the useful sides for their own agenda whatever it may be.

The fact that it may appear that there are circumstances under which jumping to conclusions before the investigation even starts is alright and other circumstances under which people are urged to not draw conclusions can and will only proved to be counterproductive, reinforcing the sentiment the authorities are sided feeding distrust.

Heated political debate cannot and should not lead to threats and confrontation, it is surprising to not see all mainstream politicians remind everyone that the full force of the Law will apply to anyone engaged in making threats or intimidations, breaching public order orand appealing publicly to commit these offenses regardless of their motives or to who it is directed at... while waiting for the results of the investigation of the events that lead to a tragic end and from there take all the necessary legal steps to improve the legislation or the knowledge of the existing legislation to prevent another drama.

No I haven't but I thought of that. How did you respond to it? I did under these terms what if the word Marriage is hijacked and misused or abused, does it change anything? And I came up with the idea that there isn't anything wrong really for someone to say he's or she's married even if it is under a state assisted union and therefore not truly married since under the consensus we all can agree, before the Law equality in matters such as estate, taxes and other legal issues has lead to a similar legal situation when compared to a truly married individual. And when start the offense and is there any?
I reached the conclusion there isn't any or a possibility of any. First Amend answers and a truly married before God person can surely stand the little arrangement with the truth of someone that has made a choice often difficult and essentially guided by legal issues rather than the greatness of the Ketubah.

Well think they have a good chance of seeing the end of religious marriage discrimination on a legal basis now will they be smart enough to take the stand of a reconciliation based on it, that remain to be seen. How plays out the lack of understanding of the tyranny of the majority and its consequences on social cohesion and why the consensus culture has played such an extraordinary role in building a strong society giving the best of itself haven't got through their thinking yet...  something which in this case works both ways, no despair it might. The recurring difficulty in dealing with the freedom of choice, a vital thing in democracy but you know it is also a matter of culture.
The choice to have a religious marriage only, a religious marriage and a state assisted ceremony or a state assisted only union looks a natural thing, just so obvious that of course it is the way to go and to be honest a little reserve when thinking but should the state be involved at all in that business...? But well, yes definitely the right choice to offer the citizenry today. But the French "leaders" have always had it looks a problem with the Free Choice society. Why? Not sure.
What have you got?

Think I got it right .... Finally... Marriage is a religious institution, there isn't any possible or legitimate doubt about it. Civil Union was established at Citizen request to let couples that didn't wish to marry to be equal before the Law regarding a wide range of legal issues running from estate, taxes, child custody and more, the State ended in charge of the ceremony.

I came across a demonstration and saw a sign a lady had that said I surely did not ask her to civil union me, have I? And I thought well yes Mam I guess you did....? Why would you want anything else knowing that you wouldn't marry her since you do not believe in God?

In Malachi 2:14 we see that marriage is a holy covenant before God. God's people signed a written agreement at the time of the marriage to seal the covenant. The marriage ceremony, therefore, is meant to be a public demonstration of a couple's commitment to a covenant relationship. It's not the "ceremony" that's important in a marriage, it's the couple's covenant commitment before God and men.

There we are. From a wide range of legal issues that same sex couples are facing and that required to be solved a piece of legislation, we end up with an inflammatory debate too often ugly because some people think it is smart to provoke the religious crowds that are, and whether you think they are right or wrong doesn't matter, very conservative about the Marriage.

What good there can be about calling a Marriage something that isn't one exclusively designed to solve legal issues of people that do not believe anyway? Will it make them look more acceptable to anyone? I don't think it will.