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Thanksgiving--Transatlantique

Le Vin est Bon!!

Thanksgiving is a classic American holiday. It celebrates Giving Thanks for a bountiful harvest and in the larger sense, counting our blessings.

Traditionally Turkey is served; and in our home the Turkey has almost always been accompanied by the Beaujolais Nouveau, the French "young wine" which usually appears in America the third Thursday in November. (This is equally a tradition in Tokyo, Japan too. I fondly and somewhat amusingly recall a Beaujolais Nouveau festival in Japan while visiting in the 1980's).

But anyway...

We have usually made the pilgrimage to Sherry Lehmann at either Madison or now Park Avenue, to first taste, and then purchase the New Wine. Many times we have had the pleasure of meeting Monsieur Franck Duboeuf, son of the owner of the premier producer. He would often "sign a bottle" or two of the vintage for my wife and daughter.

Naturally we have looked forward to the 2011 vintage--and yes, it was really an admirable "young wine," a perfect complement to the American turkey.

Bravo Beaujolais!

Comment du Jour

UN Global Rankings Show Royal Flush

Norway, Australia, the Netherlands, and the United States are among the best places to live according to the Human Development Report 2011, the UN’s annual rankings of states based on health, wealth, education and gender rights.

Rounding out the top ten include New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, Lichtenstein, Germany and Sweden.

Has anyone noticed something? Besides all the number crunching and statistics, many of the top ten countries are monarchies. Kingdom of Norway, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Lichtestein, and Sweden. Four out of ten.

Now consider that Australia, Canada, and New Zealand are members of the British Commenwealth with Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State.

The Kingdom of Denmark came in at number 16, while the Kingdom of Belgium is ranked at 18, and Spain at 23. The United Kingdom ranked number 28.

The now landmark Human Development Index sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is in its 21st year, this edition ranking 187 countries.

Comment du jour

Late Autumn in Vermont

It's now November--the Autumn leaves are falling and there's frost on the pumpkins. Despite being cooler and grayer, there are still extraordinary glimpses of color and light seen in the late afternoons.

Here are a few recent scenes from southern Vermont.

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'Allo-Ween in Paris







While Halloween is one of those Anglo-Saxon holidays which have never really taken hold on the Continent, there's a growing acceptance of this day of ghosts and gobelins here in France. Certainly it's more discreet than one finds in the USA, but still...

Our correspondent in Paris has sent some great photos of a cute Chocolatier on Boulevard St Germain where the delectable sweets evoke what we see on this side of the Atlantic.

Enjoy!

Happy 'Allo-ween!

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Security Council Musical Chairs

The annual ritual of changing places and players in the UN Security Council was held in New York. Countries aspiring to a two-year term on the fifteen member Council were elected to represent regional groups.

The Eastern European vacancy was contested in a tough three-way race pitting Slovenia, Hungary and Azerbaijan in the running for the coveted seat. The assumption was that Slovenia (A member of the European Union, the Euro currency, and NATO) would win, while Hungary (also in the EU and NATO), could win.

Starting last Friday, going through a tough weekend of lobbying, and seeing a final electoral slugfest Monday, the result was unexpected.

By the sixteenth ballot, Azerbaijan had 116 votes and Slovenia 77. After this inconclusive round, Slovenia withdrew its name and the race was open.

Finally following seventeen ballots to fill the vacancy, Azerbaijan gained the necessary two thirds and won with 155 votes in favor to Slovenia's 13. The former Soviet satrap who joined the UN in 1992, will have its first turn on the Council.

Despite its flawed credentials as an government which is "not free" according to the respected human rights watchdog, Freedom House, Azerbaijan garnered the votes from developing countries, the Islamic world, and Turkish-arm twisting. Starting in January, Azerbaijan shall replace Bosnia on the Council.


Morocco has gained a place as did Guatemala, Pakistan and Togo.

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The Statue of Liberty--Now There's Another in New York!

The iconic Statue of Liberty has a new sister on New York's Upper East side. The nine foot bronze statue was crafted from the original mold used by artist Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. The replica was purchased by New York real estate mogul Leonard Stern, the son of German immigrants, who saw owning this statue as a way to honor his late father. The statue stands outside Mr. Stern's corporate headquarters on 667 Madison Avenue in the East 60's.

The replica, which weighs one ton, is one of only four copies--and the only one in the USA. Only twelve copies of the statue are allowed by French law.

Both Lady Liberty in the Harbor and the little sister on Madison Avenue celebrate the longstanding Franco/American ties of friendship.

Comment du Jour

Not on the News...but interesting nonetheless!

It's not often that literary figures are quoted in the UN General Assembly. It was a pleasure hearing Portugal's energetic new Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho refer to the great Portuguese writer Luis de Camoes in an address to the assembled delegates.

"Camoes, the Portuguese Poet of the 16th Century maritime discoveries, said that 'the world is made of change,' asuming always new qualities." The Prime Minister stated, "Identifying the World of Change, and its new qualities, is a permanent challenge that we have to face and to which we have to respond."

Camoes remains the Bard of the Portuguese speaking world and chronicled voyages from West Africa to the Far East.

Those voyages brought Portuguese mariners to the Cape Verde islands off West Africa.
Interestingly Cape Verde's Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira Neves, addressing the Assembly added yet another near novel dimension to the UN debate.

"I address you in the Cape Verdian language, Creole of Cape Verde." he said adding, "I believe this is the first time Cape Verdian Creole is used in the United Nations General Assembly."

Given Portugal's 400 year plus association with the Cape Verde islands, the local Creole evolved from the Portuguese and is largely the language of the small population. Prime Minister Neves added, "I do it to share with you this authentic world Heritage, born on the threshold of the fifteenth century, considered by lingustic experts as the oldest Creole of Euro-African origin and the oldest within the Atlantic context"

Portuguese mariners sailed these Atlantic waters en route to the Cape of Good Hope, through to India and beyond to the China coast.