Man in the Iron Mask 4/4

A View from A Broad

As Americans ponder the latest shocking shooting spree in Arizona, they are joined by the French who are always well informed as to world events. "How can this happen?" we ask ourselves, and each other. As Americans scramble for an answer, the focus is on how to deflect oncoming bullets as if we all can somehow be insulated from danger by living inside our own personal Pope mobiles. Every time this happens - and it is all too often - we hold candlelight vigils, media pundits opine, and the NRA digs it's heels in deeper. Two weeks later, life returns to normal until the next bloody massacre. As usual, the French have a slightly different take on the subject. They simply cannot understand why Americans continue to allow this to happen time and time again. You see, this sort of thing is virtually unheard of in France. Schoolchildren attend class without a thought being given to lockdowns and random attacks - they're too busy smoking and making out! In the french mind the solution is simple; Gun Control. Two words that strike fear and dread - not to mention anger - in the minds of U.S. citizens nationwide. Never having owned a firearm myself (the "Three Day Cooling Off Period" being designed for people like me), I have always felt that it generally isn't a good idea to have guns around the house. That being said, I understand the intent of the Second Amendment to the Constitution and why it was included by our founding Fathers. But in France, a country that existed under the stranglehold of tyranny for centuries, there are very strict controls on concealed weapons. The possession of a handgun is strictly forbidden, unless one is licensed as a police officer, security officer, or a member of the military. For the hunter, ownership of a shotgun is permitted with a license. The same goes for knives such as switchblades, as a concealed weapon they must be registered with the local prefecture (police). This makes perfect sense to every française I have ever met, and they always cite "Columbine" as an example. The end result is obvious in France; there are no schoolyard shootings, mall massacres, armed home invasions, or carjackings at gunpoint. That is not to say there is no violence or crime in France, of course there is! And it is true that I have seen reports of a shooting victim from time to time - in Paris and in the countryside. But it is extremely rare, and all the more shocking because of it. As for tyranny (which the NRA and militia groups love to hang onto), not since the American Revolution has this been an issue in America. True, we have come close with the likes of Nixon and Cheney, with their illegal wire taps and rendition programs, but not so close that an armed militia is necessary! Usually, an election is all that's needed - that and a free press. Ironically, the French - who actually did suffer under tyranny for centuries before achieving liberté - consider gun control to be civilized and intelligent, not oppressive and threatening. To quote my friend J.P., "The people are the government, and the government is the people!" Well said, mon ami. Perhaps if Americans adopted that mindset there would be less paranoia. Without paranoia, the need to stockpile firearms or attack government employees becomes nil. It's difficult to shoot up your high school when there aren't any guns in the house. And the worn out excuse "If you make owning a gun a crime, only criminals will have guns" just doesn't fly - just ask any frenchman!

Your Friday French Fashion Report: Givenchy Spring/Summer 2011 Womenswear Collection

Part Austin Powers Retro, part Goth, at first reminiscent of the bad ass style of Jean-Paul Gaultier, designer Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy offers a collection for spring and summer that is edgy and eye catching while remaining wearable (if one is tall and thin of course!) Tisci's use of sheer flowing fabrics, geometric angles, and plenty of zippers makes interesting viewing from the runway or the sidewalk, and there are a couple of pantsuits that should be de rigeur for the well dressed enemy agent. The colour palette is a bit austere for spring, after a long winter in Paris (where black is the national colour) one is thirsty for something bright, but admittedly this collection would not translate in pink and lime green. Watch for the trickle down effect in mainstream pret-à-porter this year - I predict the zipper as ornamentation and sheer chiffon skirts over culottes!

Givenchy Spring Summer 2011 Womenswear Full Fashion Show

The Medicis Code

From a modest beginning in 13th century Tuscany, to wealth, power, and influence, there is no escaping the impact of the Famille Medicis. Having amassed a great fortune in banking, the patriarch of this great clan solidified his position in society with the acquisition of Fine Art, the taste for which was passed down from generation to generation for over 400 years. Collectors and patrons of Fra Angelico, Raphael, Michel Ange, and Botticelli, the Medicis had exquisite taste and the money to feed it. A passion for ancient artifacts led Cosme de Medicis; Duc de Florence to purchase "L'Orator", a sculpture from 200 B.C. excavated from Roman ruins. He founded a school of Fine Arts where budding artists now famous flourished. His descendants Catherine and Marie married French kings Henry II and Henry IV respectevely, and the lineage of the fruit they bore included the likes of Louis XIV, Phillip of Spain, and Mary Stuart. The family boasted of two Popes, Clément VII, and Leon X, and a Cardinal; Leopold de Medicis. Catherine de Medicis was close friends with Nostradamas, astrology being the leading science of the day. When Gallileo was being sought by the Inquisition and under house arrest, he was protected by the Medicis and encouraged to continue his scientific studies. For this was a family of progressives; having a hand in the infancy of Opera, imagining geometric gardens adopted by the French, and establishing cabinets dedicated to medicine and physics. Important pieces from the Trésors de Medicis are currently on exhibition through January 31st at the Musée Maillol, 61 rue Grenelle, metro ligne 12 Rue du Bac. Open everyday from 10h30-19h and until 21h30 on Friday's. Tariff 11 euro and 5 euro for the audio guide is highly recommended. You will see sculpture by Michel Ange, painting by Botticelli, the aforementioned "L'Orator", and much much more! (Photos are strictly forbidden) To learn more about this intriguing family, just Google "Medicis"