But would anyone consider going back.........maybe to fade away again.......just to speak to their family again ?
They play games with us ....so why not play games with them ?
blobby
JoinedPosts by blobby
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53
There are two reasons why I'd go back to the JWs...
by logansrun ini was thinking about this the other day in response to the question, "am i coming back?
" put forward by jw who called me (a former friend).
i said that i would not answer that question since it would put her in an uncomfortable position.
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An average Americans view of the French people
by Maverick ini have just returned from spending a week in the company of frenchbabyface, (fbf) and would like to share some basic observation that i feel will enlighten my fellow countrymen and women about a people we, as a culture, actually know very little about.
i do believe the medias of both countries do not show their people an honest and forthright view of the other countries people.
the american media gives us almost no news of france and most of what we do get is not very positive.
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blobby
HS....I took your advise to dig a little deeper and I thought you may appreciate a little humble pie....read on...
L'exception culturelle under threat as DVD sales and US blockbusters hit French films
Amelia Gentleman in Paris
Sunday October 26, 2003 The ObserverHundreds of French film directors and screenwriters are meeting this weekend to discuss how to save the French film industry from crisis in the face of diminishing state funding, waning audience numbers and the unstoppable rise of the DVD.
On the surface the industry appears healthy. It has never been more prolific, producing 200 films last year. Fifty million more cinema tickets were sold in 2002 than 10 years ago and the business benefits from more generous, state-imposed subsidies than any other European country.
Given these luxurious conditions, it seems extraordinary that the film community should be indulging in doom-mongering. But the conference taking place this weekend in the medieval Burgundy town of Beaune is set to be overshadowed by anxiety over looming crises in film financing. Over 450 French film professionals will debate ways of revitalising an industry which is feeling the heat of competition.
The climate of uncertainty is fuelled by concern that France's bountiful subsidy structure could dwindle with changes in the system next year. At the heart of film-makers' alarm is the fear that Canal Plus, which for two decades has acted as the main pillar of support for the industry, could renegotiate its obligations to cinema, pouring less of its revenues into French film.
'Although the industry is doing well, we can see worrying signs on the horizon,' said Pascal Rogard, representative of the screenwriters, directors and producers lobby group, the ARP. 'Our government needs to act now to stave off future difficulties.'
The relationship between Canal Plus, Europe's largest pay-television operator, and the film industry dates back to its foundation in 1984, when President François Mitterrand stipulated that, in exchange for a terrestrial broadcasting licence, the channel would have to put 20 per cent of its annual revenue towards supporting films. Under the same arrangement it had to invest 9 per cent in French movies.
This contract was born from the Mitterrand government's commitment to l'exception culturelle, France's determination to protect its cultural identity against invasions from the US. As a result, the French film industry is the only one in Europe to have thrived.
But Canal Plus is having trouble fighting off competition from rival cable channels and is unable to combat the popularity of the DVD. Canal Plus expects to lose about 130,000 subscribers this year - which ultimately means a drop in the amount available for supporting the film industry. The channel's licence comes up for renewal in 2004 and its directors are in discussions to see whether their obligations to the film industry can be lightened.
Directors say the channel is choosing to support a small number of big-budget films which it hopes will generate more revenues, and neglecting smaller, independent projects. 'The context for independent producers is very difficult now,' said Caroline Cesbron of France's National Cinematography Centre. 'The future is uncertain.'
The government has already begun to take some action. In May the Culture Minister, Jean-Jacques Aillagon, announced new tax breaks for film-makers and higher taxes to be imposed on DVDs and videos.
Meanwhile, US films dominate, attracting between 45 and 65 per cent of audiences every year.
Only the occasional box office success like Eight Women or Amélie attract as many viewers as standard Hollywood fare.
Beneath the gloom over finances, there is a deeper, unspoken unease that French-language films have had relatively little critical success in the international film festivals in recent years.
This is the cloud hanging over the industry which prompted a front page of the daily Libération newspaper last week, filled with a single picture of an empty cinema and the headline: 'French cinema - the Cold Sweat'.
Before you offer...........yes I accept your apology. ......
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blobby
escargot & french fries
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An average Americans view of the French people
by Maverick ini have just returned from spending a week in the company of frenchbabyface, (fbf) and would like to share some basic observation that i feel will enlighten my fellow countrymen and women about a people we, as a culture, actually know very little about.
i do believe the medias of both countries do not show their people an honest and forthright view of the other countries people.
the american media gives us almost no news of france and most of what we do get is not very positive.
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blobby
Don't worry HS were not the same person (true) and not on here as anyone else but we're baffled why you are so serious about defending the French, even the French have given up (no surprises there).
The French aren't bothered so why are you? Seriously if you can convince us that the French are outstanding in comparison to other Nations then I'll tip my hat but until then....nope.
They are just as "ordinary" as many others. Only outstanding in their Arrogance. As a nation what "outstanding" feat have they accomplished in the last decade??
It would be very interesting to conduct a pole (I'm sure one has already been carried out) as to how other natons view the French. I'm sure the majority population of the USA & UK aren't too pleased with them just now (not that I'm defending their stance on Iraq).
Now "we" really are going to bed
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An average Americans view of the French people
by Maverick ini have just returned from spending a week in the company of frenchbabyface, (fbf) and would like to share some basic observation that i feel will enlighten my fellow countrymen and women about a people we, as a culture, actually know very little about.
i do believe the medias of both countries do not show their people an honest and forthright view of the other countries people.
the american media gives us almost no news of france and most of what we do get is not very positive.
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blobby
Vit.......you took the words out of my mouth !
Going to bed now bored
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An average Americans view of the French people
by Maverick ini have just returned from spending a week in the company of frenchbabyface, (fbf) and would like to share some basic observation that i feel will enlighten my fellow countrymen and women about a people we, as a culture, actually know very little about.
i do believe the medias of both countries do not show their people an honest and forthright view of the other countries people.
the american media gives us almost no news of france and most of what we do get is not very positive.
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blobby
Interesting link HS....
54th Cannes Film Festival Awards
1st Prize (Palme d?Or)
? The Son?s Room, by Nanni Moretti (Italy) urrrm not French ! Grand Prize (second highest honour)
? The Piano Teacher, by Michael Haneke (Austria) urrrm not French ! Best actress award
? Isabelle Huppert (France) for The Piano Teacher French !! Best actor award
? Benoît Magimel (France) for The Piano Teacher French !! Best director
? Joel Cohen for The Man Who Wasn?t There (U.S.A.) urrrm not French ! ? David Lynch for Mulholland Drive (U.S.A.) urrrm not French ! Best screenplay
? No Man?s Land, by Danis Tanovic (Bosnia-Herzegovina) urrrm not French ! Golden Camera (first time director)
? Atanarjuat, the Fast Runner, by Zacharias Kunuk, Canada not French !
(1st full-lenght Inuit picture in film history) Palme d?Or for best short film? Bean Cake, by the American David Greenspan (Japan) definitely not French Price for young talent
? Slogan, by the Albanian Gjerg Xhuvani presented as a world premiere to the Quinzaine des réalisateurs not French !
If you want to provide evidence at least try to be up to date, this is 2001. Try looking who was the winner in 2004 ?? ..............Just to help you ....yes he was an American,
By the way I never mentioned $ as a measure of success, it was a previous post.... But while you mention popularity and $ I guess the box office measure ($$) is an indication of people's choice. After all the only people who really enjoy obscure French films are the French and they don't count !
The reason why I mentioned Italy was because its good to expand the thread but you're obviously limited in this regard. France is a nation and if your going to make claims about a nation being "extraordinary" then it has to be compared to others or else there's no measure.
If I remember the thread started about their arrogance, real or perceived, you are very similar to the French in this regard which is a shame, you being an Italian. ....as you can tell I love Italians for their culture and style but I guess every nation has its exceptions.
Yes I have been to France many times (3 weeks ago last). No I can't speak French but I did try learning post school days but it was too boring....(a bit like their films).
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FDS Sends Convention Delegates Packin'
by ezekiel3 injehovah's witness across north america are being sternly counseled at this week's service meeting that they should pack lunches during the 2004 dictrict convention instead of leaving the site to eat elsewere or return with food.
in a letter read during the announcements, members are told this is a "serious problem".
reportedly jws have been banned from some convention locations because the venues want concession stand business if jws insist on bringing carry-out meals into the facility.
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blobby
Rick,
We went to UK conventions too and everyone ran to the local supermarket but they then told everyone not to go during lunch time as it would cause disruption at the supermarket and "those" Apostates are always outside but apart from that the US seem to have it a lot tougher.............no paper on the mirror's in the loo's either ?
Mind you if I looked like the CO's wife, I wouldn't want to see myself either !
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On someone's doorstep and.......help !
by blobby inanyone had the experience of nervously knocking on someone's door and talking about a "topic" and the householder has misunderstood why your there !.
my experience:.
was on the door telling the householder about local politcs and how they all were the same in their views and that no party has the solution to end the problems we face etc etc.
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blobby
Anyone had the experience of nervously knocking on someone's door and talking about a "topic" and the householder has misunderstood why your there !
My experience:
Was on the door telling the householder about local politcs and how they all were the same in their views and that no party has the solution to end the problems we face etc etc. With the intention of enlightening him with the "real solution", embarrasingly for me he assumed I was representing one of these parties and started to give me his political views.......problem was he wouldn't let me get a word in to try to explain. After about 5 minutes of listening to him rambling on I felt sorry for him because I was now there under false pretences......."how do I get out of this mess ?", didn't want to disappoint him.
"I know !"..................... WatchTower to the rescue, just pulled one from my bag, the door slammed and I didn't have to explain a thing, thank God for small mercies.
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An average Americans view of the French people
by Maverick ini have just returned from spending a week in the company of frenchbabyface, (fbf) and would like to share some basic observation that i feel will enlighten my fellow countrymen and women about a people we, as a culture, actually know very little about.
i do believe the medias of both countries do not show their people an honest and forthright view of the other countries people.
the american media gives us almost no news of france and most of what we do get is not very positive.
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blobby
HS's comments
The French Film industry is extraordinary, by comparison the US Film Industry is ordinary
This must be your personal opinion...yes? When the US industry is poor its terrible but when its good its excellent. (yes my personal opinion). The film industry recognises the outstanding work of the British film industry too. Its hard to think of French films that have had true international success?.....what about the indian film industry.
The French support of its artists and musicians is extraordinary, the British pale into the ordinary by comparison .
OK the French have had (past tense) some celebrated artists & musicians but today ???........... I don't think so. Maybe the Governmental support is extraordinary but that's a clue to their state of mind and their priorities, it certainly doesn't turn out results today.
French Champagne is extraordinary, Australian champagne is ordinary by comparison.
Surley it depends on the year, but as I'm an "ordinary" person ........so what!
often just a thinly disguised jealousy at the French sense of style and independence.
French style ...............uuuh? They think they have style, they are even famous for it but the Italians "have real" style, Just look at their motor car and motorcycle industries, their fashion, their way of life, most nations "pale into the ordinary". Politics are a problem but hey, one step at a time.
It is a, how shall I put it, an 'arrogant and condescending' remark.
Good, hit the mark then. HS, if I'm not mistaken you've got some French blood in you?
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Interesting ....help
by blobby injust like to say how interesting the posts are on here.
i was very sceptical first but its interesting reading and i can understand how many feel with their views of jw's.. i/we went to the meeting on sunday, first time for 4 weeks.
heard a talk about "wisdom", we (wifey and i.......she'll kill me when she see's me call her that ........sorry lover xxxx !
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blobby
Thanks for the info everyone.
FARKEL....excellent link.....just what I needed.....Thanks