Ais Per Totei

Aix Pour Tous

We recently received in the mail a 34-page campaign booklet for Alexandre Medvedowsky (no, I'm not making that name up), who is a candidate in the municipal elections coming up March 9 and 16. He is backed by a group of political organizations, including the socialists and the greens. The slogan translates of course as "Aix for All".

But here's the part that suprised me. Page 24 of his campaign booklet is written in Provençal, a local language related to Catalan. You do see Provençal street signs along with the French ones here in Aix. But you (or at least I) never hear Provençal spoken in the streets. A knowledgeable French friend, Michael, tells me that while it's not spoken in the streets, it is spoken in small groups and organizations that are bonded by this tongue.

Under the heading of travel tips: on a trip to Barcelona, we learned a few phrases of Catalan. These always seemed to be warmly received. But do watch out for the pickpockets.

Cheney's Hunting Accident

Do we need any more graphic and literal proof that this is a guy who shoots first and only later --- if at all --- worries about the consequences?