RayB

[quote]"....Nah . . . . some people just resort to anything when they have lost an argument is all."They sure do Ray, shall we go through the sheer number of wars the USA have been involved in since the end ...[/quote] Well, let's see . . . . it was 12 years of talks with Saddam . . . . how many more years would you think was adequate?

[quote]Living France is a collection of sheets of paper stuck together in magazine format, so isn't capable of the sort of thought processes that form opinions. Sorry to be pedantic, but why should there be ...[/quote] Agreed, Will. It is not a news/current events/political magazine but you will most likely get an argument anyway (g)

[quote]RayB - yes I might but I'm not - so I should be able to turn it off. Why is that seen as unreasonable ? John not[/quote] I didn't say it was unreasonable. We don't get them on the news channels we watch.

[quote]There are 2 easy ways - move to a non news channel or hit the off button. Our personal hate is the liitle man/woman in the bottom RH corner waving his arms/hands around - no, not John McCrirrick. I...[/quote] You might think differently if you were deaf, John.

[quote]The plot thickens. " a philosophy professor who uses one cosmetically democratic discourse when he's speaking on French TV, and a fiery, hard-line fundamentalist discourse in the arab language casse...[/quote] Hi Tresco - You know, I have probably read this same story for as long as I can remember (and that is a loooong time!) and the only thing different are the names and the places. This side of the story is absolutely true and cannot be denied. It is true in every large city in the entire world. What nobody has ever been able to do is define what the other side of this coin is responsible for and how to get them to add to the solution. Societies can build schools, engage specialty training opportunities, provide social services galore and throw money into programs till hell freezes over it doesn't mean a thing and no progress will be made unless the other side takes advantage of it. Many, many do and they no longer live in these ghettos. The reason they have escaped is that they have learned the language and accepted the practices of thier new society and become part of it. They have given up some of their old ways and at the same time managed to maintain some of their native cultures that are important to them. Those who are not willing to do that are as welcome as your husband's mother moving in with you and telling you how to run your life. As we see everyday right here in our own situations, that just don't work. I don't know what the answer is but I DO know that this rioting isn't it and it must be stopped by whatever means necessary for the safety of the public.

[quote]Yet, I don't recall any French nationals trying and suceeding in blowing up transport links in Paris. Trying, yes. Succeeding, no. All sorts of alleged plots against Paris, Strasbourg cathedral, ...[/quote] Their parents didn't notice they smelled like smoke and petrol when they got home?

[quote]Steady on TU or you'll be accused of racism towards Americans by Pink Fluff[/quote] Nah . . . . some people just resort to anything when they have lost an argument is all.

[quote]Self defence,is what it would be called if the forces of french law and order shot dead some petrol bomb throwing criminal of what ever age.[/quote] Exactly!

[quote]Even France has laws and courts for dealing with criminals, justice should not be a gendarme assassinating someone in the street. Have I ever said that these kids are innocent?[/quote] What would you call a kid fire-bombing a Gendarme?

[quote]Rayb, So you would suggest going out and just shooting at kids? The government are not helping the situation in any way as far as I can see. Sarko is fanning the flames isn't he, which...[/quote] NOBODY has said that! These 'kids', as you call them, have been responsible for one man's death, a woman on crutches set afire, hundreds of cars destroyed and services in their own communities burned. Naughty, haughty boys!! From what I have read these poor kids have cars and scooters and communicate by mobile phones to avoid the police and cause this damage. Who has paid for all this. I also saw many, many Sat dishes on the buildings where they live. They are criminals and should be dealt with harshly no matter what their age. Why they are doing this is one thing and dealt with as best as possible but the number one priorty is to stop this destruction immediately. No society can tolerate this.

[quote]Yawn....... ofcourse I know what the flics do. I do not want the flics being given license to duck shoot young kids no matter what they are doing. Things will get far worse if they do that, one wa...[/quote] And your recommendation on how to solve the problem is . . . . . ? I sure don't have one nor have I seen one, so far.

[quote]I read these comments with interest as we have a property that we are about to rent out just to cover the running costs really. What do people think about having a 'name and shame' list for guest from...[/quote] In the 7 years before we moved here we always stayed at the same gite with the one exception over a long weekend. The owners of the main gite have become good friends (French). Theirs is a BF 'Elite Gite' with 5 epis. They have had the gites (2) for over 10 years and have had only a few bad circumstances. They were all from the same countr which I will not name. They will no longer rent to those from there anymore. To all - were these, of which you speak, from different countries?

[quote]Thank you Ron for mentioning System Restore. I didn't do exactly as you suggested, I just restored my PC to a date before the problem reared its ugly Stetson and it seems that it has got rid of that p...[/quote] The good news for us (Mac Folk) is that there is no spyware for Mac. Ray

[quote]Deimos, you are not alone - I just got that one too[/quote] Happens sometimes. I just reloaded and it went a way. I think it just gets its twisters knickered once in a while.

[quote]As you probably sussed that in year 1, what kept you ?[/quote] Boy, that is a long and boring story, Gay. Initially it was for my health, then we restarted our careers and in the end, after I decided to retire, Teresa's career was peaking and the money was overwhelming. In 2002 she was fed up with it and we moved here. She stayed on the payroll for a year working from here and then she too retired. As I said - B-O-R-I-N-G! (g) I was just being my usual facetious self in the previous message. The UK is a DIFFERENT, not better or worse, just a different culture than ours and we prefer our way of life. Please don't ask how it is different . . . I don't need the hassle which would follow. We are here and we love it. End of story. (g)

[quote]or "Enjoy England" as seen from the French side : http://www.wanadoo.fr/bin/frame2.cgi?u=http%3A//visitbritain.voyages.wanadoo.fr/[/quote] Went there once for 17 years . . . . didn't really care for it. I think I'll stay here and save a bunch of money and enjoy it more.

[quote]Miki, I'm not 'boasting' about anything. TU asked a question and I have answered it, that's all. I don't expect (or wish) you to agree with my habits (I don't agree with them, for Christ's sake) . ...[/quote] Make that two! T would appreciate a drop of St Estephe. Hi to Jude. The American Chap - LOL!

[quote]California the severest emissions-well they were at one time but that was a long time ago.I was responsible for certifying cars in all countries outside Canada & North America.There were cars th...[/quote] Very interesting! Thanks.

[quote]Good point Ray which I forgot about, the current cost of running vehicles here compared to the low cost of petrol inthe USA. Also a large engine may incurr extra costs like a vignette to cover the pol...[/quote] Don't really know. If it comes from California, they have the lowest emission laws in the world AFAIK. If the make and model is one that is sold here in France there should be no problem. For instance, we have a Japanese car and when we moved here from the UK all it took was a 15 minute visit at DRIRE and we were out of there with 'the stamp'! Had bill of sale for car and that settled tax. We had to change the headlights for the CT and that was it. Tres simple!

[quote]has anyone taken a vehicle from the u.s. to france? how much is the customs duty? how much will it cost to have our odometer converted? is it mandatory to have this conversion done? we are moving to f...[/quote] Val 2's advice is good. A lot depends on the make and year of the car. I would suggest you contact the closest French Consul and American Embassy for into as well. If your car has a big V-8, gas will cost you a fortune (currently about $6.00/Gal.).

[quote]......to answer the door, along comes a pompier with his big handful. Of calendars, that is. I really don't mind, and always give WILLINGLY. Usually they just say a nice thankyou and go on their w...[/quote] A year ago last July at 0300 we had to call them out for me. Five of them arrived in 12 minutes and whisked me off to the Hospital in St Malo. They literally saved my life. Later my wife started talking about one who was 'drop-dead gorgeous' and I started to worry for my own safety that she might do something dreadful to me just so she could call him out again. (g) Needless to say our contribution for the calendar was more than generous that year. Madame lucked-out because it was he who came to the door. I did manage to prevent her from giving him 10,000 Euros, however. (g) I have to admit that he was one good-looking hunk. There just isn't enough praise we can heap on these people and the job they do.

[quote]I like the ones warning you of telephones jumping out (like the deer). Another word which makes the French laugh, but is not a road sign, is Pets.[/quote] Our Bassett used to be good at it!

[quote]"Some women can get an E121 at age 60 or thereabouts depending on their year of birth." ............ Les Isn't that only if they paid a full stamp in the UK and receive the UK old age pension at 60...[/quote] We were on an E106 until 3 months before my wife turned 60 and started to recieve her UK pension. At that time, we got the E121. We asked about charges for the 3-month gap and they said 'forget about it we will cover it'. And they did.

[quote]Whats one of them Mrs Up? Here is another of Mrs Gupta's Lines (The Radio Control Hover Cat £299 inc p&p) they sell well in Wales (It's tail is the aeriel, which is why the Welsh like them)[/quote] She could end up in the slammer for false advertizing, FK! Anyone can see that it is a St Bernard who has had a facelift. (I do know that the picture is real and looks gross to me.)

[quote]Finistere ! I wish....no I am in the UK but due to go to Quimper in a couple of weeks so I am keen to shake this off.[/quote] Right, that's what I was thinking of.