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Post by tod2 on Mar 15, 2016 6:01:08 GMT
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Post by kerouac2 on Aug 17, 2018 15:09:37 GMT
The commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War is approaching fast.
Unfortunately, Donald Trump the warmonger has announced that he will attend the ceremony in Paris on November 11th.
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 17, 2018 15:53:10 GMT
Wouldn't one have to be invited to that? Since pigboy has expressed his rejection of all current agreements among former allies and foes, how is he even eligible to attend?
It's so infuriating to see that lowlife shit, who is only President because of a loony outdated voting system, representing the United States at this commemoration. Why not send Geo. HW Bush &/or Jimmy Carter, either one of whom has an honorable right to represent US veterans.
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Post by lagatta on Aug 17, 2018 17:04:41 GMT
Or even John McCain, who was a POW.
Trump probably thought segregation in the military was a good idea. I'm sure his dad did.
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Post by kerouac2 on Aug 17, 2018 18:17:52 GMT
Wouldn't one have to be invited to that? He doesn't need a visa to come to France.
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Post by lagatta on Aug 17, 2018 22:04:46 GMT
True, but one does not typicallly just show up at such solemn occasions.
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Post by kerouac2 on Aug 17, 2018 22:46:39 GMT
Macron had already invited 80 heads of state months ago.
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Post by questa on Aug 17, 2018 23:48:37 GMT
Where is Carlos 'the Jackal' when you want him....
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Post by mich64 on Aug 18, 2018 3:54:08 GMT
Since Mr. Trump was planning his own Parade, I wonder if an invitation had been extended or not? More than likely, one was. It is unfortunate that he will probably expect to be the number one priority guest and be at President Macron's side for optimum attention.
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Post by kerouac2 on Aug 18, 2018 4:07:29 GMT
I don't see how that could be. The United States was a latecomer to the war and only showed up in 1917. It only lost 53,000 troops, which is really very little compared to so many other countries. Trump will of course be sitting in the front row, but there is no way that he deserves greater importance than Russia, the UK, Italy or Romania. And of course France's greatest friend, Germany, will be by Macron's side.
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Post by questa on Aug 18, 2018 4:38:32 GMT
For Australia, the First World War remains the costliest conflict in terms of deaths and casualties. From a population of fewer than five million, 416,809 men enlisted, of whom more than 60,000 were killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner.
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Post by kerouac2 on Aug 18, 2018 4:46:39 GMT
Both the former British and French Empires will have places of honour at the commemorations. France owes a special debt to the countries of North Africa and Indochina, as well as countries like Senegal, Madagascar and Djibouti.
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Post by lagatta on Aug 18, 2018 12:05:18 GMT
Not to forget the Belgian Congo.
Canada also lost more than the neighbouring US, with a far smaller population, Commonwealth War graves estimate 64,996. However Australia had a smaller population at the time, so its losses were proportionally greater.
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Post by kerouac2 on Aug 18, 2018 12:28:10 GMT
And I did forget Mali, which had 60,000 casualties.
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 18, 2018 15:39:48 GMT
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Post by lagatta on Aug 18, 2018 15:57:12 GMT
I wonder if there are any compilations about other sad but important things, such as racism and slavery
what brought that to mind was thinking about Aretha Franklin in Detroit and the bi-national monument in Detroit and Windsor Ontario to the Underground Railroad (escaped slaves founded Afro-Canadian settlements in southwestern Ontario). Unfortunately I found very few sites that featured both statuary groups that face each other across the Detroit (Détroit) River.
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Post by mich64 on Aug 18, 2018 22:09:47 GMT
I don't see how that could be. The United States was a latecomer to the war and only showed up in 1917. It only lost 53,000 troops, which is really very little compared to so many other countries. Trump will of course be sitting in the front row, but there is no way that he deserves greater importance than Russia, the UK, Italy or Romania. And of course France's greatest friend, Germany, will be by Macron's side. I completely agree with you Kerouac that there are so many other countries that are of greater importance to commemorate this anniversary, however, it could prove interesting to see how he handles not being treated as the center of attention especially if he is placed at the ends of a row without there being people surrounding him. I found his actions at the last parade very strange and disrespectful and that President Marcon, although being polite and gracious, looked very uncomfortable with Trump touching, grabbing and reaching for him all the time. A desperate over performance by Trump of trying to appear they had already established a deep friendship and bond that would take normal people years to feel comfortable with. I would imagine the financial costs for France have now increased with his announcement of attending as well.
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Post by lagatta on Aug 19, 2018 11:26:10 GMT
Well, there is already ultra-high security for any head of state or government of what is seen as an 'important' country. In the context of the end of the Great War (to end all Wars... oops) the most important element is marking the enduring friendship between France and Germany.
Remember when Trump actually pushed the Macedonian leader out of the way?
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 19, 2018 13:59:59 GMT
... trying to appear they had already established a deep friendship and bond that would take normal people years to feel comfortable with. Such an excellent observation, Mich. I don't know if you ever watched the American version of The Office, but Trump = Michael Scott. The incident LaGatta mentions fits right in with that comparison as well.
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Post by patricklondon on Aug 19, 2018 14:47:26 GMT
No word yet on what foreign dignitaries will be invited to the UK's commemoration, but these are usually sombre religious wreath-laying services, with any foreign guests (and that's rare - I think they've had the Dutch King and Queen once in recent years) simply watching from an overlooking balcony, with no hoopla or grandstanding. As far as I can see the only additional events to the usual Remembrance service are an extra "People's Procession", some special bellringing up and down the country, and an evening service in Westminster Abbey. I would assume most heads of state and government will be busy with their own countries' events. High Commissioners from Commonwealth countries lay wreaths as a matter of course - perhaps they'll invite other former combatant countries' ambassadors to do the same, but either way it doesn't look as though we'll have a protocol problem, put it that way. My blog | My photos | My video clips | My Librivox recordings"too literate to be spam"
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Post by mich64 on Aug 19, 2018 16:40:40 GMT
Well, there is already ultra-high security for any head of state or government of what is seen as an 'important' country. In the context of the end of the Great War (to end all Wars... oops) the most important element is marking the enduring friendship between France and Germany. Remember when Trump actually pushed the Macedonian leader out of the way? Indeed I do Lagatta! That is another reason I think Trump may try to bully his way to sit as close to President Macron as possible. I do think that once he finds out where he will be expected to sit, he will attempt/expect to improve his position. I just hope they do not give in to him. I feel it is unfortunate for France as he most likely will become a distraction to the intent of the proceedings. (Can you tell I really do not like him )
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Post by lagatta on Aug 19, 2018 16:53:11 GMT
Don't worry, a lot of people the world over don't like him, including several prominent Republicans in the US. Remember how he insulted former POW John McCain, saying "he wasn't a hero" or something to that effect?
And I suspect even his current wife doesn't like him very much. Would you, if your husband PUBLICLY fooled around with porn stars? I don't think even couples in an "open marriage" would like that...
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Post by kerouac2 on Aug 19, 2018 18:59:47 GMT
Just to mention another war, Paris always commemorates the liberation of the city on 25 August 1944. And once again the movie Is Paris Burning? is being shown on television this week. Whatever one thinks of the actual quality of the movie, it is impossible not to be moved by it when one is a Parisian.
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 19, 2018 21:10:12 GMT
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Post by patricklondon on Aug 20, 2018 13:59:51 GMT
Bizarre, I think you'll find there are also somewhat saltier and more cynical soldiers' songs, though of course they wouldn't have been printed at the time - try Mademoiselle from Armentieres, or I Don't Want to Join the Army. For sentimental songs though, the all-time hits were probably My blog | My photos | My video clips | My Librivox recordings"too literate to be spam"
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 20, 2018 16:39:10 GMT
Patrick, do you mean bizarre in the sense that none of those songs have survived the Great War?
In his letter, MacGill says, The soldier has in reality very few songs; he has many choruses which get worth from the mood that inspires them and the emotions which they evoke. None will outlast the turmoil in which they originated; having weathered the leaden storms of war, their vibrant strains will be choked and smothered in atmospheres of Peace. "These 'ere songs are no good in England,"my friend Rifleman Bill Teake remarks. "They 'ave too much guts in them."
Pretty much sums up why we know none of those cited in the letter.
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Post by kerouac2 on Aug 20, 2018 17:08:16 GMT
No need to understand the lyrics. The images are quite sufficient.
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Post by mickthecactus on Aug 20, 2018 18:13:12 GMT
Bizarre, I think you'll find there are also somewhat saltier and more cynical soldiers' songs, though of course they wouldn't have been printed at the time - try Mademoiselle from Armentieres, or I Don't Want to Join the Army. For sentimental songs though, the all-time hits were probably My blog | My photos | My video clips | My Librivox recordings"too literate to be spam" I know the words to all those songs.,..
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Post by kerouac2 on Aug 20, 2018 18:38:51 GMT
Even though it was originally an English song, it was a smash succes in France starting in 1918.
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Post by mickthecactus on Aug 20, 2018 19:17:34 GMT
For some reason John McCormack is upside down.
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