(no subject)

[petermarcus]

There's this group called SETI -- the Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence. I sorta follow along with their program and I think it's interesting to explore the concept that humans are not the only intelligent species in the cosmos.

Until this morning, when I'm thinking maybe SETI is looking in the wrong direction. I mean, does anyone really, really understand the French? I'm thinking maybe the French are the closest alien intelligence...right under our nose all along.

France bans "conspicuous" religious symbols in schools including Muslim head scarves and, apparently, Sikh turbans.

Comments

[canuckgirl.livejournal.com]

It makes me wonder what they'll be next to ban.

Re:

[petermarcus.livejournal.com]

Smiling, no doubt. One cannot know if one's smile is at another's expense...

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[canuckgirl.livejournal.com]

True. That would include laughter and jokes, too. The SMILE police. :)

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[petermarcus.livejournal.com]

Cultural reinforcement, too -- French kids need to learn that Gallic snear early ;)

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[petermarcus.livejournal.com]

(that should be sneer -- pardon my French)

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[canuckgirl.livejournal.com]

Heh, makes me think of Mom saying: Your face will freeze that way! But maybe that's what they want. :)

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[nilodlien.livejournal.com]

The French always smile at others' expense...

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[petermarcus.livejournal.com]

There was this waiter in a Parisian sidewalk restaurant who served me once...I think if he would have smiled, his face and every bit of glassware in the restaurant would have cracked and shattered.

As for honest French smiles, however, there's always Pepe Le Pew!

next?

[bookstar.livejournal.com]

my guess it'll be baseball caps & all things disney - they are the conspicuous religious symbols of capitalism, you know.

Re: next?

[petermarcus.livejournal.com]

Yes, obvious branding! No Coke cans or mouse ears allowed (EuroDisney be damned!)

Of course, that doesn't apply to smoking state-owned French Gauloises cigarettes...

[cisforcorrie.livejournal.com]

I've found this very disturbing since I first heard of it. Does this ban include yarmulke's also? And people who wear a cross around their neck or whatever?

Wrong, wrong, wrong!

Re:

[petermarcus.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing they're banned if they're visible, from what they've been saying (though I haven't seen the law, I don't think it loses much in translation).

That's it...we're going back to "Freedom Fries"!

Re:

[cisforcorrie.livejournal.com]

I will total adopt the "Freedom" fries and "Freedom" toast, but "Freedom" kissing just doesn't sound as fun, no?