Frenchy68

Disgusting! "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

I think this article was debated a couple of weeks ago. "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Are they part of the sweepstake??? "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Since it is could be a possibility that the Sunni would decide to split from the Shiite. Or ask for a similar status as the Kurds. The problem with countries such as Iraq, in my opinion, is that they have been drawn on a map using a ruler and pencil, not always taking into account cultural differences and affinities. As much as a country such as Iran can find a strong identity into the Persian culture, I am not convinced that there is such a concept as a strong Iraqi identity yet. And although it is certainly developping, having a good percentage of the population not feeling they "belong" could lead them to focus more on some micro-identity. Much like some of the Republics of the former Soviet Union went their own way (most rather peacefully, some still trying). To me, this is something to take very seriously into consideration. Look at Chechnya... I would actually tend to agree that French Occupation has a part to play in the actually fucked up situation that is Algeria. Even if other factors have come into play since. But some of the problems we are experiencing today with the clashes between Arab muslim and westerners can certainly be somehow traced to the colonial powers that were. "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Interestingly enough, in the early 90's, Algeria conducted its first free elections. The muslim radicals, who campaigned on a strict theocracy platform (implying the removal of free elections in the future), won! The Sunnis represent a fairly important chunk of the population of Iraq. Leaving them out of a government would create exactly what the terrorists want: a good old civil war. I do agree that turnout is great news though.

Very good point. In terms of geo-politics, it is going to be a very interesting era to watch develop. While keeping an eye on the Turks... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

I think these examples can be a little misleading. Germany already had had experience with democracy (unlike Japan). But both countries had strong industrial infrastructures and the ability to mass produce consumer goods. Democracy tends to do better in industrially developped countries, as it usually translates into an important middle class, which is the basis for a democracy. I am not saying that Iraq will not turn out to be a successful democracy, merely that these examples are a little flawed in my opinion. "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

I truly hope so. I think it will depend on lots of factors, and that the real results will not be seen or felt for quite some time. I believe that those who advocated the invasion of Iraq (Good people), as well as those who opposed it (Evil French people), were doing so thinking of its repercussions in the long term. And I truly hope this vote will make a positive difference in years to come in Iraq & the Middle East. "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Stop trying to shed the truth on events, will you? Next thing I'll know, you'll claim that the UN (a sub-division of the French Republic) is actually not plotting to overthrow the US government... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Doesn't that apply to any country? "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Isn't Europe a suburb of France? "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Uh... Dude, they fooled you again! The ones with hairy faces are MEN! (French women tend to shave...) "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Bodypilot, quick, call the UN. She's selling WMDs! "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Low 70's in SoCal and gorgeous blue skies (although the wind is a little worrisome... Oh well, I'll have to work on my Canopy "Moonwalk" I guess...)

Can't the 2 of you guys share? "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Check out for the letters "fr" engraved in the bottom. I usually mark mine before I recycle them... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Dude! No brainer! They have absinthe bars in Barcelona... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Can't! They're bolted to my nose bridge... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

...here I am again, from the outside looking in... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Rosa, I have news for you: I AM EUROPEAN! "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

You're so kind. Thanks dear!

Here's the deal. Before you know it, you'll cut packing time down to about 10 minutes. Then you'll get that brand new ZP canopy you ordered, and you'd better be prepared for more of the 2 hour pack job again... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Even when it comes from me? "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Check out Aggiedave's sig line. He has a clicky that'll take you to the page that explains it all... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Kevin, I think that's a good point. I believe that Western Colonial Powers (namely the British and the French) do have a certain responsability in leading to this. The abuse the local colonized cultures suffered at the hands of colonial powers is probably still engrained in people's minds. But in a more contemporary fashion, I believe local dictators do manage to remain in power by "uniting" their people towards one same enemy. Much like Hitler pointing the fingers at the Jewish community as being responsible for all German ills, there is nothing like a clear cut enemy to rally the troops. It is true in the Middle East, it is true in the US, it is true in Europe, it is true everywhere. Single minded focus can do wonders when dealing with masses... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."