New at Reason

April 12, 2007

Michael Young takes a look at France's leading satirical newspaper.

Comments

|4.12.07 @ 1:57PM|#

Actually, I prefer Asterix.

In general, however, I agree French political culture is no more corrupt than most. People who vote for politicians because the pols will "deliver the goods" - 'free' medical care, social security benefits, welfare, or whatever - are every bit as corrupt as the politicians they vote for.

Robert|4.12.07 @ 2:10PM|#

Que veut dire "barboter"?

|4.12.07 @ 3:12PM|#

ça veut dire "paddle," "wade," ou "pinch" en anglais.
Where did you see it?

|4.12.07 @ 5:07PM|#

Is there a French counterpart to The Daily Show?

Grotius|4.12.07 @ 6:57PM|#

Rimfax,

Yes. Click here.

Not remotely worksafe.

Grotius|4.12.07 @ 6:58PM|#

Well, it isn't really exactly like the Daily Show...

Grotius|4.12.07 @ 7:02PM|#

This is my favorite though; click here.

Paul|4.12.07 @ 7:12PM|#

My take on French politics being the way they are is mainly because the French people don't pay attention. I mean, when you look at France, really look at it, that's the only explanation I can come up with.

|4.13.07 @ 7:46AM|#

I think you might make the case that this is the golden age of political satire in the U.S. -- though not in the same form as Le Canard Enchaine. I'm thinking not only of the Onion, but South Park and The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. None of these focus on politics exclusively, but they do a lot of political satire (and do it very well). A recent favorite:

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/giuliani_to_run_for_president_of_9

Robert|4.13.07 @ 6:28PM|#

I saw "barboter le net" at their WWW front page, linked from RTFA. So in English you surf the nets, and in French you wade or paddle them.

|4.14.07 @ 12:18AM|#

French politics seems to me to be 'left-wing' socialist vs. 'right-wing' socialist...which really matters whether you are fresh off the boat vs. born in France. Either way, it's no good. As a flight attendant, I distribute "Canard Enchaine" (personally, I prefer canard magret) on my flights and it is voraciously snapped up by French citoyens. I'll take South Park any day. That is real satire. As far as tax authority fear, take into consideration the phenomenon of the popularity in France of "Diner des Cons", a film about tax-evasion. None of our top-name film directors have done that one. A biopic of Willie Nelson will eventually be our entry, I guess, though I support him not the IRS.
The French (in that collectivist way) are really in love with their socialist state and as for dissenters...let's grant their brilliant minds immediate visas to the USA. Thank Dieu they won't have to worry 'bout a stupid wall.