"Unworthy Of Paris"
http://galliawatch.blogspot.com/http://bp0.blogger.com/_g--Q5Ya6yYE/R4Kiz1j9S_I/AAAAAAAABYc/U_R605fIFCo/s1600-h/Prayer+18th+arrond.jpgA woman named Françoise de Panafieu (left) is running for mayor of Paris on the UMP party ticket, i.e. Sarkozy's party. I know little about her at this time, except for the information at the end of this post. I came upon the home page of her website with the photo above, and found her commentary on the picture to be full of irony, though she clearly did not intend it to be so:
Yes, you are not dreaming.
The scene takes place in Paris, rue Myrha, in the 18th arrondissement, at the hour of prayer. The faithful kneel down on the street, even on the pedestrian crossings. They even put up two lightweight barriers so that cars could get by. Probably the community itself put them up.
This scene has been going on for several years.
And so I ask this question: Is this image worthy of Paris? Everyone knows, these faithful did not choose to be there; they are there because they have no house of worship. A situation that is at once undignified for them, and contrary to law, since public thoroughfares are "laïc" areas that must stay free so life in the neighborhood can proceed normally.
For my part, I clearly state that a large city like Paris must allow each one to practice his faith in dignity, in the strict respect of the rules and laws of our country. Paris must also be a city of dignity and respect.
It is true that the image above is unworthy of Paris, but not in the way she means. She also abuses the notion of "laïcité", which at the most was designed to separate the Catholic Church and the French State along broad lines, and not designed to perceive, in the absence of a mosque, an affront to the laws of the Republic. In fact, it is building the mosque that is contrary to the laws of the Republic.
The current mayor of Paris, socialist Bertrand Delanoë, has built up a reputation as a radical left-wing ideologue, with his pro-Islamic position, his pagan-style festivals, his penchant for naming streets of Paris after repulsive criminals such as Mumia Abu-Jamal, etc... It looks as though Panafieu has her work cut out for her. He's a hard act to follow, but she will try.
According to a bio posted at her website, she is deputy-mayor of the 17th arrondissement of Paris, and general delegate (déléguée générale) on social question to the UMP party.
She also sits in the National Assembly as deputy from Paris, having been elected in 2002 and again last year in June 2007 during the legislative elections. She is a member of the commission on cultural, social and family rights, as well as the delegation on women's rights and on equality between men and women.
Born on December 12, 1948, she is married and the mother of four children and five grandchildren.
Afterthought: Even the first line is wrongside up. She says, "Yes, you are not dreaming." Shouldn't it be: "No. You are not dreaming"?
Topic: "Unworthy Of Paris" (Read 2303 times)