Jose Bove supporters block Tour de France

[zoidberg]

Bunch of jackasses.

http://asia.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=sportsNews&storyID=3092179

MARSEILLE, France (Reuters) - Demonstrators supporting jailed farmers' union leader Jose Bove stopped Tour de France leader Lance Armstrong in his tracks during the 136.4-mile 10th stage to Marseille on Tuesday.

[Poll_Blind]

1. Assholes.

Lance Armstrong is an incredible athlete and cancer survivor. Oh well, it's not the first time that politics has reared it's head in sports, though it is usually in an athelete on athelete competition.

PB

[Paschall]

4. What does Lance Armstrong have to do with José Bové?

And what does the US Postal racing team have to do with the Conféderation Paysanne, Bove's small-farmers' union?

The demonstrators were protesting Chirac's refusal to grant Bové a full presidential repreive for two misdemeanors--ransacking a McDonald's and destroying GM crops--with which he as been convicted. If I'm not mistaken, Bové's jailing was the first of a union leader in France since the Vichy government led by Pétain. That in itself deserves a little noise in the street.

Lance Armstrong and the United States weren't even in the picture. What do you call that? Americano-centrism?

[Paschall]

2. A two-minute delay, 40 miles from the finish line?

That's got you hot under the collar?

Good thing you're a sports fan and not a culture lover, because union activists have shut down France's entire summer festival season. No theater, classical music, or opera.

Funny thing is, the French have a relatively strong union ethic, and most French spectators supported the strikers.

It's too bad you view the French's exercising their right to demonstrate as an affront.

[Muddleoftheroad]

3. Right to protest

The thing about the right to protest is it shouldn't involving screwing someone else. This had the potential to do so.

[Paschall]

5. A man is unjustly convicted to jail time...

...and disrupting a bicycle race is "screwing someone else"?

[Muddleoftheroad]

8. Not just a race

This represents the major accomplishment of a man who has overcome massive hardship.

As for Bove, care to elaborate on how he is unjustly convicted?

[Blue_Chill]

9. OK

How is jumping in front of the lead biker in his dream capturing race not screwing him.

HE HAS WORKED HIS ENTIRE LIFE FOR THIS MOMENT

Do you not understand what that means?

Besides I don't buy this BS. I just think the french are tired of seeing lance win. This isn't the first time they've tried to cheat him out of victory.

[IrateCitizen]

12. THEY STOPPED THE WHOLE PELOTON -- NOT JUST ARMSTRONG

"So stop saying that," in the words of Bob Boudelang.

[Blue_Chill]

15. ahh yes

Sorry but the French have been trying dirty tricks to stop him from winnign for 3 years. This whole protest is a BS excuse to cheat.

[IrateCitizen]

16. Read the article and tell me how it is stopping him from winning

From the end of it:

An escape group of nine lowly placed riders had already built up a lead of around 20 minutes.

Pray tell, considering that all of the leaders were in the peloton, and therefore they were all delayed equally, how will this prevent Armstrong from winning another Tour?

While I am no fan of the way in which the French treated Armstrong, with all of the doping rumors and everything after his first Tour victories, it should be clear that this protest has NOTHING to do with the initial campaign against Armstrong.

It SHOULD be clear, at least to most people.... :eyes:

[Paschall]

47. That's really, really dumb, Blue_Chill

If you knew the slightest thing about Bové or the Conféderation Paysanne you would know that they are not at all likely to do anything that would serve the interests of either Chirac or the elitist French cycling establishment.

And if you knew anything about the Tour de France, you'd know there are currently only four French cyclists in the top 35 slots. So the conspiracy is to stop Lance from winning, huh? But who are they plotting to win in his place? A Spaniard or a Russian? Since you're making all this up, you decide.

[Brian Sweat]

19. He ransacked a fast food restaurant.

he deserved jail time.

[Frederic Bastiat]

29. José Bové is a scumbag

Idolized by country hicks throughout France.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/733949.stm

Salaud.

[Paschall]

33. Try again

As that story indicates, the McDonald's bombing was carried out by the Breton Revolutionary Army. Nothing whatsoever to do with Bové or his union, the Conféderation Paysanne.

Wanna try to pin the "salaud" on Bové again? (I expected better from you, exCav.)

[Frederic Bastiat]

78. LOL Paschall look what I found on the vandal Bové

Poetic justice non? :-)

http://www.wanadoo.fr/bin/frame2.cgi?u=http%3A//actu.wanadoo.fr/Article/article_insolite_030716095234.wxji4r23.html

La Fondation de McDonald's France a participé à la réfection de la prison de Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone (Hérault) où est détenu actuellement le dirigeant syndical José Bové, et où il avait déjà été emprisonné durant l'été 2002 pour les déprédations commises au McDonald's de Millau en août 1999.

"La Fondation a participé aux travaux de réfection du parloir de la prison de Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone", a déclaré mercredi sur Radio Classique le PDG de McDonald's France, Denis Hennequin. Cette décision constitue "un petit coup de pouce aux conditions de détention de José Bové, ce qui montre qu'on ne lui en veut pas", a-t-il ajouté.

[Character Assassin]

20. Unjustly? Precisely how?

n/t

[Paschall]

36. What do you know about the case?

<snip> Bové ... organized the destruction of the McDonald's in nearby Millau -- using tractors to tear down half the roof -- to highlight what he sees as the unfairness of the U.S. decision to impose high tariffs on Roquefort cheese, pate de foie gras and other luxury imported foods. Washington acted in retaliation for the European Union's decision to ban America's hormone-treated beef. </snip>

http://thegreenhouse.virtualave.net/BOVE.HTM

Vandalism is fairly common during strikes and other union activities in France, yet it is not customary to file charges against union leaders. A few years ago, the personnel at a French munitions factory were laid off; they commandeered explosives and toxic chemicals and threatened to blow up their factory and release poisons in the public water supply. No charges were filed, but IIRC, their demands for indemnisation and job transfers were met. This is part of the social drama in France.

[Character Assassin]

41. Enough not to label it 'unjust'. He got what he asked for

and can't seem to accept his penalty.

Too goddamn bad.

[Paschall]

44. Well, that's not enough apparently

Because Bové refused several alternatives to prison. Do you know that FoodFirst.org and the US's National Family Farm Coalition called for his immediate release?

And it's too goddamn bad you haven't seemed to grasp what I've been saying: What Bové did was not unusual in terms of French union tactics. His arrest--with police bursting into his home in the pre-dawn hours--was totally untypical of treatment usually given French labor leaders.

[Character Assassin]

49. Sniff, sniff.....

Because Bové refused several alternatives to prison. Do you know that FoodFirst.org and the US's National Family Farm Coalition called for his immediate release?

Well, golly.

And it's too goddamn bad you haven't seemed to grasp what I've been saying: What Bové did was not unusual in terms of French union tactics. His arrest--with police bursting into his home in the pre-dawn hours--was totally untypical of treatment usually given French labor leaders.

I've most certainly grasped what you've been trying to say; you've been quite clear. I just happen to think he should do time for having destroyed private property, and if the chump thought he was getting off this time, it's just too damn bad for him.

He opposes the bland homogenization of culinary culture, and he uses criminal vandalism to further those ends. And now he's going to be sitting in the pokey for a spell.

If he can't pay the piper, he shouldn't call the tune.

[Paschall]

53. The American Empire definitely has its appeal

Americans can feel themselves entitled to spout clichés and avoid any effort at grasping a foreign reality, particularly when such an effort would infringe so uncomfortably on their unlimited right to televised pleasure.

Won't go far though. The Romans, at least, offered citizens of their empire circuses and bread.

[Character Assassin]

68. As do non-sequiturs, it seems

Americans can feel themselves entitled to spout clichés and avoid any effort at grasping a foreign reality, particularly when such an effort would infringe so uncomfortably on their unlimited right to televised pleasure.

A reality dictated by whatever preconceptions you may have. I have no problems with whatever group disrupting whatever sports event they wish. The sun will rise again the next day.

The does nothing to dismiss the reality that a self-appointed, purposefully conspicuous protest-junky now has to pay for the property crimes he committed, regardless of how many unwarranted comparisons to bread and circuses you may wish to offer.

[Paschall]

69. And then came The Twisting of the Facts

The "self-appointed protest junky" you're referring to is, in fact, the democratically elected president of a union, whose job it is to be conspicuous. How easily we forget, n'est-ce pas?

[Character Assassin]

72. And then the nonsensical assertions

So the democratically elected president of a union is susposed to be conspicuous by felonious and public destruction of privated property?

Pehaps he just forgot it was illegal and can result in jail time, n'est-ce pas?

[Character Assassin]

73. And then the nonsensical assertions

So the democratically elected president of a union is susposed to be conspicuous by felonious and public destruction of privated property?

Pehaps he just forgot it was illegal and can result in jail time, n'est-ce pas?

[HFishbine]

18. Would this apply

to peace protestors who blocked traffic in the U.S.? Just curious.

[Tinoire]

39. Well- what's really sad is that we even had DUers

bitching about having been inconvenienced by these peace protestors when the protests first started and traffic was slowed down!

[Blue_Chill]

6. Just 2 min?

I mean who gives a shit if it can stop a man from living his dream. Screw him!

[NashVegas]

28. Lance Armstrong's Dream vs GM Resistors + Farmers' Livelihoods

Gee, it's just so hard to decide which is more important, you know?

[Blue_Chill]

32. That's stupid

You are assuming that one can not exist with the other. They could have protested without making asses of themselves and holding up a race.

[ParanoidPat]

45. Who gives a shit if it can stop a man from living his dream?

That's a very good question.
Why don't you ask the families and friends of the Iraq war dead and wounded. Ask them about all of the dreams that will never be lived.

Then you can look at that question in it's proper perspective. To continually stir shit over such a trivial occurrence, and paint it as the entirety of the French people out to get Lance Armstrong to prevent him from living the dream of winning the Tour de France yet again, seems a tad shallow in light of everything else going on right now IMHO. :)

[0007]

7. I agree with you Paschall

Indignities in times are not the in thing!

Thank you!

[enkidu2]

14. the right to protest is most important

i dont care if he had brain cancer and had to have his head cut off and still was about to win the race, if we start talking about when it is "appropriate" to protest we head in the ann coulteresque treason argument so prevalent against those american citizens who protested *'s war

[CWebster]

10. I love France...

In my next life I hope to be born in the South of France...the language, the sea, the climate, the food, the wine, the cradle to grave, the...lavender... :-)

[Blue_Chill]

13. You were the one up in arms over a shirt

I guess you only get mad when the US does something less then friendly. When France does something stupid you love it!

At least we know you are fair. Just like FOX :D

[CWebster]

17. It reminds me when I was in Greece

and this group of Americans I was going out to dinner with were soooo god damn mad that a protest against the Iraqi invasion had closed down the street. How dare those selfish and inconsiderate Athenians blocking our way!!!!

[ParanoidPat]

48. "At least we know you are fair. Just like FOX" ?

The same thing could very well be said about you although that would be a personal attack. :)

Rather than attack you personally, Ill stick to attacking the 'broad brush' method of your message labeling the 'French' and 'France' as a whole as if everyone or even a majority in France feels the way you wish us to believe. :)

Do you suppose the reverse holds true? Do you think the French believe all Americans are against the war because some anti-war protesters blocked streets?
Could it be that the French think that all of the people of the United States HATE the French?

In your first sentence, "I guess you only get mad when the US does something less then (sic) friendly.", you at least admit it's only a guess.

But the next one, "When France does something stupid you love it!" is not only a 'broad brush' attack on all of the people of France who may not agree with the protesters methods, but it is also an attack on a fellow DUer by attempting to mischaracterize their statements by twisting them to fit your opinion.

That's the very kind of thing FOX is known for. :evilgrin:

[IrateCitizen]

11. They didn't just stop Lance -- they stopped the whole peloton

Stop making this out as if they stopped Lance Armstrong specifically. The protestors stopped the whole main group, of which Armstrong just happened to be a part.

I want to see Lance win #5 as much as anybody out there. But this wasn't a protest against him, or the Tour. It was a protest against the French government's treatment of Jose Bove, and an attempt to draw attention to their cause.

[slackmaster]

21. Yes, jackasses

This action will NOT help their cause; it just pisses off sports fans all over the world.

[el_gato]

22. more important than sports

fuck the sports fans.
:nopity:

[zoidberg]

27. Fuck the French farmers

And their greedy ass CAP that's condemning African farmers to poverty. So there.

[Paschall]

40. Gotta link to support that claim about CAP? (nt)

[zoidberg]

58. A link

http://www.economist.com/World/europe/displayStory.cfm?story_id=1859183

It seems like a rather fair outlook of the situation - even giving a viable alternative that should make French farmers as well as Africans happy.

[Name removed]

63. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[zoidberg]

70. Reforms were made over the objections of the farmers

Isn't part of Bove's shtick to oppose anything that reduces the massive subsidies received by Euro farmers? If I'm wrong and Bove does indeed approve of changes to Euro farm subsidies, then I see him in a somewhat better light. Although he and his followers are still jackasses.

This isn't about what the US is doing. If American farmers stopped an American sporting event to protest something, I'd call them jackasses as well.

[Paschall]

71. Oh

If American farmers stopped an American sporting event to protest something, I'd call them jackasses as well.

So much for democracy. Good night.

[zoidberg]

76. Democracy means that I can't call a group a bunch of jackasses?

Give me a break with your sanctimonious dribble. I don't have to agree with, like, or support every nut-job protester out there.

[Name removed]

64. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

65. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Paschall]

67. That's it?! That's your link to justify the claim

...that the "greedy ass CAP" is "condemning African farmers to poverty." Pretty pitiful, especially since the reforms mentioned in your article were, in part, adopted on 26 June 2003.

Now in terms of condemning African farmers to poverty, shall we talk heavy-handed US corporations forcing GM foods on the Dark Continent?

[RetroLounge]

23. Oooh, pissed off Bicycle race fans???

See everyone cower before the pissed off sports fans...

Yeah, they're a strong lobby...

Whatever...

[Blue_Chill]

26. Yeah sports fans are nothing compared to

Whiney morons that are up in arms over their buddy being sentanced to 10 months for destroying other peoples property.

Oh the injustice!

Please, these fools have already been made to look like idiots and their cause certainly gained more enemies then friends.

[ParanoidPat]

50. Whiney morons, fools, idiots.....

....Surely Blue_Chill can't be referring to the DUers who might for some stupid reason agree with labor protesters! :crazy:

Hell, here I thought this is supposed to be a liberal, democratic discussion forum!:shrug:

How in the hell did those whiny, foolish, idiotic, morons who still believe in the right to protest, jerks who think they can organize themselves to protect the value of their labor, get in here? :evilfrown:
Why in hell shoud I care if their kids get enough to eat or a good education when the outcome of a sporting event is at stake!

:wow: MY GOD! THE HUMANITY!

MODS! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK! :evilgrin:
</sarcasm> (in case you couldn't tell!) :)

[Blue_Chill]

61. No I'm not reffering to DUers

I'm reffering to idiots that can't stand the fact that destroying the property of others carries a penalty. And no I don't think unions should be allowed to destroy property in protest.

Also I understand the simple fact that this cyclists have nothing to do with their problems. They should and do have the right to protest but not at someone expense that has nothing at all to do with thir problems.

Then again respecting others isn't your thing is it.

[ParanoidPat]

79. RE:"Then again respecting others isn't your thing is it. " .....

....That would seem to be a PERSONAL ATTACK against ME rather than an attack on my message! :wow: What a surprise! (And an 'ad hominem' attack at that!) :eyes:

Ya got a link to prove your point kid? :shrug:

I don't need any link other than this thread to prove my point.
Let's review,

In post #9 you used a 'broad brush' approach in an attempt to slander the French people as a whole when you stated, "I just think the french are tired of seeing lance win. This isn't the first time they've tried to cheat him out of victory."
While there may be some in France who would engage in such activities, you attempt to paint all of the people of France in a negative way and offer no proof whatsoever of your claims that they engaged in cheating.

In post #13 you again attempt to label all of the French people as stupid. You continue on to compare a DUer to FOX news while using tactics that would make FOX proud!

In post #15 you continue your 'ad hominem' attacks on the French people as a whole and add an unsupported assertion about the protesters when you posted, "Sorry but the French have been trying dirty tricks to stop him from winning for 3 years. This whole protest is a BS excuse to cheat."
You make two assertions, one about the French people in general and one about the motives of the protesters, without ever posting any form of documentation to support the logic of your view.

In post #26 you really went all out with the name calling labeling all who dare disagree with your point of view as "Whiny morons, fools, and idiots! Still no attempt to build a logic argument to support your views or discredit theirs.

In post #32 you begin with the phrase "That's stupid" as an 'ad hominem' attack regarding the person you are replying to. You could have said you disagree with their assessment or claimed their argument was logically flawed but instead you attempt to paint a fellow DUer as "stupid" for their beliefs. You then continue your 'ad hominem' attacks to label the protesters as "asses". You don't attempt to logically deconstruct their message, you once again only resort to name calling!

And that brings us here to post #61 where you offer no logical defense for you point of view or logic based assessment of the flaws in the protesters reasoning. You merely pull out the "idiot" moniker and attempt an 'ad hominem' attack attempting to label me as 'disrespectful' to others! :crazy:

To sum it all up, in the above 6 posts you have shown your contempt for anyone who doesn't feel the way you do but have not offered any logical reason why they should agree with you. You have attempted to label several DUers, myself included, with attributes that may be your personal opinion, but you have failed to provide any factual basis to back your claims. You have managed to ignore the message the protesters were trying to get across and presented it as a personal vendetta against Lance Armstrong and nothing less than a conspiracy by the French people as a whole to attack America! :)

So I should take what you say seriously because....:shrug: :evilgrin:

[ParanoidPat]

80. RE:"Then again respecting others isn't your thing is it. " .....

....That would seem to be a PERSONAL ATTACK against ME rather than an attack on my message! :wow: What a surprise! (And an 'ad hominem' attack at that!) :eyes:

Ya got a link to prove your point kid? :shrug:

I don't need any link other than this thread to prove my point.
Let's review,

In post #9 you used a 'broad brush' approach in an attempt to slander the French people as a whole when you stated, "I just think the french are tired of seeing lance win. This isn't the first time they've tried to cheat him out of victory."
While there may be some in France who would engage in such activities, you attempt to paint all of the people of France in a negative way and offer no proof whatsoever of your claims that they engaged in cheating.

In post #13 you again attempt to label all of the French people as stupid. You continue on to compare a DUer to FOX news while using tactics that would make FOX proud!

In post #15 you continue your 'ad hominem' attacks on the French people as a whole and add an unsupported assertion about the protesters when you posted, "Sorry but the French have been trying dirty tricks to stop him from winning for 3 years. This whole protest is a BS excuse to cheat."
You make two assertions, one about the French people in general and one about the motives of the protesters, without ever posting any form of documentation to support the logic of your view.

In post #26 you really went all out with the name calling labeling all who dare disagree with your point of view as "Whiny morons, fools, and idiots! Still no attempt to build a logic argument to support your views or discredit theirs.

In post #32 you begin with the phrase "That's stupid" as an 'ad hominem' attack regarding the person you are replying to. You could have said you disagree with their assessment or claimed their argument was logically flawed but instead you attempt to paint a fellow DUer as "stupid" for their beliefs. You then continue your 'ad hominem' attacks to label the protesters as "asses". You don't attempt to logically deconstruct their message, you once again only resort to name calling!

And that brings us here to post #61 where you offer no logical defense for you point of view or logic based assessment of the flaws in the protesters reasoning. You merely pull out the "idiot" moniker and attempt an 'ad hominem' attack attempting to label me as 'disrespectful' to others! :crazy:

To sum it all up, in the above 6 posts you have shown your contempt for anyone who doesn't feel the way you do but have not offered any logical reason why they should agree with you. You have attempted to label several DUers, myself included, with attributes that may be your personal opinion, but you have failed to provide any factual basis to back your claims. You have managed to ignore the message the protesters were trying to get across and presented it as a personal vendetta against Lance Armstrong and nothing less than a conspiracy by the French people as a whole to attack America! :)

So I should take what you say seriously because....:shrug: :evilgrin:

[Tinoire]

38. Sports fans?!

Sports fans are now more important than the horrors of what globalization and genetically engineered foods are doing to this world?

I really highly recommend you read "The World is Not for Sale" by Jose Bove so that you'll understand what the fuss is.

As long as people place sports fans over the right to protest against corporate immorality, Monsanto & GMOs win.

Do not complain in 20 years, when your grand-children come down with sicknesses from eating foods that were never tested and when indendent farmers all over the world have disappeared leaving the monopoly on food and water in the hands of a few corrupt corporations.

Protests are meant to disprupt. It's no wonder that in America we now get herded in "free-speech zones" so as not to inconvenience people who support the status quo!

[ParanoidPat]

81. Very well said!

Thanks! :evilgrin:

I believe the scarier aspect of all of this is the permanent loss of heritage seed stocks that have evolved over many generations to thrive in different locations. The loss of these stocks occurs with frightening speed as it only takes a year or two for the bulk of stored seeds to lose their capacity to germinate. If there is an unanticipated genetic breakdown in the GMO's that result in crop failures, it could be years for enough seed to be produced to meet the needs of entire populations!

IMHO, that is much more important than whether a bike race is delayed or if it's indeed even held at all! :(

We needn't worry though, we have the power to go kick ass on anyone who has the resources we need!
( Rest of world take note and plan accordingly! :scared: )

[HalfManHalfBiscuit]

24. Fuck Jose Bove

He is a vandal and was only sentenced to 10 months. Destroying other peoples' property is illegal in France. Serve your time, jackass, and cry me a river.

[Paschall]

34. Yeah, a common criminal

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil - Jose Bove, the anti-globalisation activist who has been given an ultimatium to leave Brazil, revels in controversy.

Already under threat of a prison sentence for his part in ransacking a McDonald's fast food outlet in his native France, Bove is a determined campaigner who refuses to compromise his firmly-held principles.

This time he is in hot water for leading an invasion by 1,300 Brazilian farmers of plantations run by US biotechnology firm Monsanto. They uprooted genetically-modified corn and soya bean plants, burned seeds and destroyed documents in the company's offices.

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines01/0130-01.htm

[Muddleoftheroad]

42. Exactly

Looks like a criminal to me. Vandalism, destruction of property. Yeah, those are the people I want to associate with...NOT.

[Paschall]

46. Well, Muddle, maybe you should be working for Monsanto

Then you could be forcing GM foods on Africans who don't want them. Now those are some nice people, surely worth associating with. (And wouldn't your MLK avatar be proud? NOT!)

[Muddleoftheroad]

51. Nope

Don't like Monsanto either. But I don't break the law and encourage vandalism or violence.

[Paschall]

52. Bové didn't commit any violence

As for breaking the law, perhaps you'd better ponder the lessons of your avatar again:

You deplore the demonstrations taking place... But your statement, I am sorry to say, fails to express a similar concern for the conditions that brought about the demonstrations.

[Muddleoftheroad]

54. Note I said "encourage"`

I know all about Martin Luther King. You need not try to teach me. However, times have changed and, as times change, people and actions must also change. If Bove wants to lead a massive assault on Monsanto, he should be prepared to go to prison because that's what he deserves.

[Paschall]

55. Clichés, clichés, clichés

Bové was not only prepared to go to prison, he's there now. Yeah, times have really changed, haven't they? Sheesh!

[Muddleoftheroad]

56. Are you arguing

That breaking and entering, vandalism and destruction of property should not result in jail time?

[Paschall]

57. Yes, in this context

I am arguing that in the history of French labor disputes, Bové's sentence and jailing are completely out of proportion to his actions.

I am arguing that it is perhaps not a mere coincidence that Bové's jailing kept him under wraps during the latest round of negotiations on the EU's Common Agriculture Policy.

I am arguing that union leaders--except in the most clearcut cases of physical violence--should be given a wide margin of freedom for action. Rights to action acquired by unions are too precious to gamble with; and union leaders are always tempting targets of those in power.

I cannot grasp why you sports fans seem to think you are qualified, or entitled, to judge a distant, foreign situation that doesn't concern you in the least. Particularly when you seem to know so little about the facts.

[Muddleoftheroad]

59. More than sports

Sorry, this is more than just about sports. It's about idiots who think THEIR rights are more important than those of others. It's about trying to give unions special privilige under the law that it doesn't deserve.

It you can't do the time, don't do the crime.

[Paschall]

62. More clichés

Let's cut to the chase: What happens in France between strikers and cops and sports event organizers is our business. It's our country, our laws, and our unions. Your opinion means squat here. US Postal--like the other international teams--are our guests. If they or US fans don't like it, they can always go home. Or switch off the television. And then grumble ungratefully at us for hosting the Tour in the first place. Happy now?

[Muddleoftheroad]

75. Wrong of course

There is only one world and we all live on it. What happens in your neck of the woods impacts our neck of the woods and vice versa, especially when your moron hooligans interfere with an international event or attack businesses that are based in the U.S.

Yes, it is your tour, but how good would that tour be without U.S. sponsors and U.S. participation, especially since the best bicyclist in the world is American? So, since it is your tour, just like the Olympics you have a responsibility to keep it free from chaos and free from disruption.

[itcfish]

25. By the Way

How is a frenchman names JOSE???? lol

[Paschall]

37. Dunno, but you could ask his parents

They were agricultural researchers at UC Berkeley, where Bové was raised until the age of seven. Which explains why he speaks flawless English.

[AP]

60. How is a French man named Zenedin Zedan?

Or an Ameircan man named Muhammed Ali?

[dsc]

66. He wasn't named Mohammed Ali

he chose the name Mohammed Ali. He was named Cassius Clay.

[BiggJawn]

30. Doesn't help Asterix's cause one bit...

And this is the SECOND protest that has stopped Le Tour...The first one was some actor's union...

If these blokes wanna step out in front of something to protest, might I suggest they try the TGV? It goes just a little faster than the Peloton.

Gotta ask all you appologists here, would it be all right if somebody had hit one of those fuckers, brought down the whole peloton, and possibly KILLED somebody? Hmmm? And No, I don't wanna hear "So? Nobody DID get killed, asshole!"

I hate Frankenfood and Mickey-Dee just as much as the next guy, but this was, IMO, a DUMB stunt.

[MrPrax]

31. The French Are So Uncivilized...

They should be more like us and use 'effective' protest strategies like 'e-petitions' and Letters to Congressmen...

Back to Freedom Fries and Freedom roast coffee for me

[Tinoire]

35. lol! love your sarcasm. n/t

[CBGLuthier]

43. All Star baseball tonight

Personally, I would love to see a few people disrupt tonight's big bore fest to protest something important.

Can anyone think of anything worth protesting about. Hmmm...

[Tinoire]

74. GREAT! Now we know just where to have the 'IMPEACH BUSH" protest!

Sports Stadiums! Thank you guys!

[Muddleoftheroad]

77. Just don't interfere with the game

Because you will turn people against us.