As regular readers know, the moderate-conservative politico polls as France's most popular poltical figure and has been so for months now. The French Secretary of State for Sport and former human right minister is in the French news:
Rama Yade: "Beware Of A Disconnect Between The Elites And Common Folks, Lest The French Neo-Nazis Gain Power"
Some days ago, Booker Rising featured an op-ed by a French black conservative blogger criticizing French President Nicolas Sarkozy's decision to hire his 23-year-old son with no college degree or experience to head up the public agency running Paris's La Defense, one of Europe's largest business districts (that the president once headed up and strongly aided his meteoric rise in politics). I've also mentioned how Frederic Mitterrand, the country's liberal Cultural Minister, has admitted to sleeping with underage boys as a sex tourist in Thailand in his new autobiography. This, in addition to his defense of Roman Polanski. Well, these things has got the National Front party crying foul. While the entire government has spoken in a single voice on these topics, Secretary Yade today took an independent view on TV5Monde, expressing concern about the impact on public opinion (articles in French).
"We can't ignore the emotion that these series of news events produce on public opinion. The Polanski case, then the controversy about Frederic Mitterrand's writings. I think we must be mindful of this opinion, we shouldn't give the impression that there's a disconnect between the elites protecting themselves...it could revitalize the National Front, " Secretary Yade said. "We should have no incentive to let the National Front take advantage of this context to get back in the saddle and embody the silent majority," she insisted, recalling that it was the National Front's Marine Le Pen, who launched the controversy around Mitterrand.
Regarding Jean Sarkozy, Secretary Yade said that "Jean Sarkozy is a great young man. He will assume his responsibilities." She added that "this is not done, the election held December 14 and it is the elected Hauts-de-Seine, who are responsible for choosing him or not. They will vote their soul and consciousness, and it is they who will be accountable to their voter."
Homophobia In Soccer: Gay Groups Appeal To Rama Yade
After Creteil Bebel refused to play a scheduled match against Paris Foot Gay due to the Muslim beliefs of most of its members, several gay organizations have appealed for a hearing with Secretary Yade (article in French). "For 5 years, Paris Foot Gay has worked to ensure that homophobia is better taken into account and fought within French soccer as a form of discrimination, just like racism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia or sexism," said the coalition of associations. They cited activities such as "Red Card Homophobia" which was launched in November 2006, as part of the "All Different, All Equal" campaign; the Council of Europe's annual anti-discrimination tournament, and the e establishment of the Charter against homophobia in soccer. Although this article doesn't doesn't mention it, Secretary Yade supported global decriminalization of homosexuality when she was the French human right minister.
FYI, Creteil Bebel has been tossed out of the local Paris league for twice refusing to play Paris Foot Gay and for making discriminatory comments, even after an attempted compromise. The club said, "Our convictions are stronger than a game of football."
Miscellaneous
By the way, Secretary Yade is officially on a diet, as President Sarkozy has started a health craze and thus half of his Cabinet is on a diet. Um, she needs to diet?
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