Author: THE HOBBLEDEHOY

Michael Stevenson, aka Dai Bando, Johnny Foreigner, Monsieur Pas De Merde, is a blogger of French and British culture. His blogs "Pas De Merde" and "The Hobbledehoy" have been called "marvelous" by some, and "meh" by others.

“Europe can no longer rely on the U.S. for its security”

The Belgian PM Charles Michel advocates a stronger European Union in the area of defence.

 

“It is no longer possible to rely just on the United States for our own security”, he told the VRT’s Sunday morning news show ‘De Zevende Dag’. Michel also called Donald Trump a “strange candidate”.

The upcoming American defence policies are triggering concerns among other NATO members. Will they have to contribute more? Trump repeatedly said that other members should do more than they are doing now. Michel understands the criticism. “In Europe, we haven’t seen enough investements in defence over the past decades. And it’s not just Belgium, in this respect. But the will is there to do more.”

 

Source: “Europe can no longer rely on the U.S. for its security” | News | Expatica Belgium

In neighbourhood targeted by Paris attacks, “something has changed forever”

To mark the first anniversary of a series of coordinated Islamic State group attacks on the French capital, commemorations were held at each of the sites targeted. France 24 visited Paris’s 11th district to see how life has changed for residents.

Source: In neighbourhood targeted by Paris attacks, “something has changed forever” – France 24

Chanson Du Jour: La Gadoue

It’s raining this Sunday morning, while we are visiting with our lovely and loving Seattle family. What french chanson is better fit today than “La Gadoue?” Petula Clark had a modest hit with this Serge Gainsbourg composition in 1966. I love this 1996 version sung by Jane Birken accompanied by French folk-punk band Les Negresses Verte.

Chanson Du Jour 11/13/2016 “La Gadoue” – Jane Birkin and Les Negresses Verte

French papers react to Trump win: ‘American Psycho’ 

It’s all about Donald Trump’s election win in the French papers this Thursday. Left-wing daily Libération makes its stance clear by headlining with “American Psycho” and a sinister photo of the US president-elect. Many papers are also wondering what implications Trump’s shock victory could have on the far-right ahead of 2017 presidential elections here in France.

 

Source: French papers react to Trump win: ‘American Psycho’ – France 24

Post Election “Hope”

Jain performs the song “Hope” for French TV. America has elected a fascist to lead the western world. Europe – please don’t follow us. Lead.

Hope you love
Hope you’re strong
Hope you will not get it wrong
Stop your bullshit, then make freak
Love is hard but it’s unique

I’m gonna need it
I’m gonna use it
I’m gonna need it
Yeah, I’m gonna use it