This is our last post for 2006.

As is our custom during the Christmas and New Year holidays, we thank all who've stopped by Pave over the year past. Yes, yes, we just thanked you at Christmas, but that was eggnog and tonight is champagne -- actually Schramsberg blanc de blancs. Anyway, thank you and best wishes to all in the New Year.

Jack, less expansively multipolar than Pave, wishes the French a better New Year than the old.

VŒUX AUX FRANÇAIS
Allocution De M. Jacques CHIRAC, President De La Republique
Palais de l'Élysée, Paris, le dimanche 31 décembre 2006
[GREETINGS TO THE FRENCH
Speech By Jack, President Of The Republic]

Because Jack is addressing the French, his first thoughts are for the lonely, the sick, the distressed. The French. (Et je pense d'abord à toutes celles et à tous ceux qui sont victimes de la solitude, de la maladie, de la détresse.)

Jack rightfully thanks the French armed forces, who, he says, defend French values everywhere in the world (partout dans le monde). Well, not everywhere. And what is this French value? In fairness, the French armed forces do defend and manifest abroad the French values of don't-break-a-nail and do-nothing.

Jack then pronounces the usual year-end fibs. He praises France's 8.7% unemployment. The economy is super-duper. There's plenty of state retirement candy he assures all. And all thanks to the brilliancy of the government and the contributions of every citizen -- most especially the employed citizen. In short, France is hunky-dory contrary to what the French themselves may think.

Next are five points of utmost importance for France in the world...zzzz z z z z z z z z z...

Pave also wishes France a better 2007 than 2006. Please, remember to co-credit us for any noticeable improvements.

PFFT (What is this?): Happy New Year 5 | Rayonnement français 0