Drownout France

Assassin!

Le parade. 14 Juillet.

Bastille Day is the French July 4th, though they should really have several. They're on their 5th Republic since they started having republics, all in only 250 years. Not only have all kinds of armies marched through Paris in the interims, but there have been a number of revolutions and abdications. It makes Decision 2000 in Gainseville, FL look tame.

The breaking news Sunday morning: anti-globalisation activists had taken over the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, unfurling a grand banner and chanting aggressively at the sleepwalking tourists.

The parade each Bastille Day runs down the Champs-Elysées (literally: Elysian Fields, check your Greek History database, to the left of your medulla oblongota). The idea, you see, is for the military of the Republic to be inspected by its semi-civilian chef of state (but see the constitution, custom-fitted for a war-savvy but domestic-issue dunderheaded De Gaulle, or Bush père for that matter...or for that matter...).

The breaking news by Sunday afternoon/evening: some right wing nut took a shot at Chirac. He carried his gun in a guitar case. The gun was a hunting rifle. The nation gripped by terror? Not quite. Chirac's quote on learning he was shot at (he didn't notice when it happened): "Ah, bon."

Immediately after the parade, Chirac sat down and gave a pre-scheduled 3 hour interview one-on-three with reporters from the major networks. They asked questions like: "Why are you hiding behind the mantle of the presidency to avoid investigation on criminal corruption charges?"

I missed the parade, but caught this shot of some imperially-dressed riders using the exit gangway down Rue de Rivoli. The streets were choked with tourists. I'll have to start avoiding the main events in Paris, as things get overloaded.

Posted by amol at July 16, 2002 01:06 AM