Ken Boddie

7 years ago · 1 min. reading time · ~10 ·

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Hasn't France Suffered Enough?

Hasn't France Suffered Enough?

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My memory of Nice is of distant snow-clad mountains.


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My memory of Nice is of the famous Palais de la Mediterranée and Lido Beach.


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My memory of Nice is of flowers and balconies.


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My memory of Nice is of grand buildings and the Tricolore proudly fluttering in the breeze.


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My memory of Nice is open air markets, including temptingly fresh fruit and vegetables.


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My memory of Nice is of azure blue skies and lazy days in the sun.

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My memories will not be destroyed by a single act of terrorism. 

Nor can this act of cold blooded mass murder, 

Executed on this Bastille Day of celebration, 

Break the spirit of a proud and indomitable nation. 

Weep with me for her dead and dying. 

But do not ask me to hate these misguided misfortunates, 

Who have no love for their fellow man. 

Rather join with La Belle France in one voice. 

Refuse to hate and reject on the basis of religion, 

Or any other perception of difference, 

But rather rejoice in our worldly blend of cultures, 

And together shout out "Vive la Difference". 

Today we bury our dead and tend to our injured, 

But tomorrow we rejoice in our spirit of  "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternite"


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#France #Palais de #Enough #Mediterranée #Nice
Comments

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #17

Thanks, Chas Wyatt 👍#26

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #16

#22
Thank you, Gordo, for your historical presentation. I believe, however, that the problem with international terrorism goes beyond a single religion and group. It feeds on those who are, for a myriad of reasons, isolated from society and their peers. Furthermore, whether in France, Ireland, Afghanistan, Africa, India, Pakistan, Phillipines, Iraq, or wherever, until we learn as an intelligent life-form, that all races, religions and groups within our various societies are worthy of respect and understanding, then young men and women will continue to kick back against any society that has refused to accept them for what they are, and has failed or even refused to nourish them physically and mentally. I do not know and cannot offer sage advice as to what the long term solution(s) should comprise, but I know, for sure, that it does not lie in building barriers to isolate and exclude those of us who 'have' from those of us who 'have not', whether by herding into ghettos, or closing of boundaries. We live in a world of instant action and reaction which all too easily propagates community isolation into hatred and bloodshed. We need community leaders, at all levels of society, who recognise differences and who wish to encourage assimilation (this is a two way street) if we are to move forward and create a brave new world, divorced from a reputation of its past.

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #15

#21
I echo your sentiments Franci Eugenia Hoffman 🇫🇷

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #14

#19
So many lessons of history teach us otherwise, Mark. Have your say but please don't have your way. 🇫🇷

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #13

#17
There are madmen in every society, Mark. This is a time for tolerance not discrimination. 🇫🇷

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #12

#11
Ditto that, Phillip! 🇫🇷

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #11

#10
Keep smiling, Julie Hickman. We need to cherish not blemish 🇫🇷

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #10

#9
Thanks, Kevin Pashuk. I only hope that words like these can eventually calm the grief and anger of those you have lost their relatives, their friends and their innocence. 🇫🇷

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #9

#8
Thank you for your kind comment, Myrna 🇫🇷

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #8

#7
Bien sure mon ami 🇫🇷

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #7

Perfect tribute and comments Ken Boddie.

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

7 years ago #6

🇫🇷🇫🇷 aujourd'hui, nous sommes tous français

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #5

#3
Life must go on, Dean-san. Bon appetit! 🇫🇷

Dean Owen

7 years ago #4

Morgane Ferragut, I hope that your family and friends are safe.

Dean Owen

7 years ago #3

Your words really moved me Ken Boddie. For me it is, as you say open air markets, delicious raspberries, cheeses, soup de poisson, lavender, and most of all the people who, once you get to know them and make an effort in their language, are warm, truly generous of heart, and full of life. Nothing will take that away. I have decided to buy some long beans, tuna, potato, anchovies, lettuce, olives and make a Salade Nicoise tomorrow.

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #2

#1
I have no doubt, Pascal, that the French will come through this, and future challenges, "standing tall". 🇫🇷

Pascal Derrien

7 years ago #1

I was there last summer at the same time with my kids we spent 3 weeks between Cannes and Nice and had a few great days in Nice. I was at my Embassy garden party yesterday evening before the unfolding of those tragic events and we were exchanging with the ambassador about how the previous year had been tough we ended saying WE STAND TALL / NO FEAR how premonitory that was....

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