Category: Cross Cultural Comments
The Panthéon
The Panthéon (French: [pɑ̃.te.ɔ̃]; Latin: pantheon, from Greek πάνθειον (ἱερόν) ‘(temple) to all the gods’)[1] is a building in the Latin Quarter in Paris, France. It originally functioned as a church dedicated to Paris patron saint Genevieve to house the reliquary châsse containing her relics, but secularized during the French Revolution and designated as a mausoleum containing the remains of distinguished French citizens. It is an early example of neo-classicism, with a façade modelled on the Pantheon in Rome, surmounted by a dome that owes some of its character to Bramante‘s Tempietto. Located in the 5th arrondissement on the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, the Panthéon looks out over all of Paris. Designer Jacques-Germain Soufflot had the intention of combining the lightness and brightness of the Gothic cathedral with classical principles, but its role as a mausoleum required the great Gothic windows to be blocked.
For more … consult Wikipedia: The Panthéon
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Honoring Jean Moulin and André Malraux at the French Panthéon
Jean Moulin was a high-profile member of the French Resistance during World War II.[1] He is remembered today as an emblem of the Resistance primarily due to his role in unifying the French resistance under de Gaulle and his courage and death at the hands of the Germans.
André Malraux was a French adventurer, award-winning author, and statesman. Having traveled extensively in Indochina and China, Malraux was noted especially for his novel entitled La Condition Humaine (Man’s Fate) (1933), which won the Prix Goncourt. He was appointed by General Charles de Gaulle as Minister of Information (1945–1946), then as Minister of State (1958–1959), and the first Minister of Cultural Affairs, serving during De Gaulle’s entire presidency (1959–1969).
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The Minimalist: Spicy Shrimp Salad With Mint – by Mark Bittman
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Vita and Violet: The Greatest Bloomsbury Love Story By TONI BENTLEY
“Heaven preserve us from all the sleek and dowdy virtues, such as punctuality, conscientiousness, fidelity and smugness!” So wrote Violet Keppel in her unruly call to arms to the great ruling passion of her life, Vita Sackville-West. “What great man was ever constant? What great queen was ever faithful? Novelty is the very essence of genius and always will be. If I were to die tomorrow, think how I should have lived!” And indeed, how this woman, this “unexploded bomb,” as Vita called her, “lived!”
From the New York Times where you can read the entire book review.
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Voting in America: The Electoral College
This is why someone can lose the majority of the popular vote … but win the election!
…. one of the strangest and most unsatisfying features of our Constitution is the electoral college. In 1824, this led the country to outrage at what most thought to be an underhanded presidential election. Since party nominating conventions were not yet developed, six formidable candidates competed in the general election … Read this and more at
Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America by Walter R. Borneman by Random House
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Decision Making
When I first read this, I wasn’t thinking about the hard times in Washington these days …
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From Solal, by Albert Cohen
“There are so many words!” said Salomon.
“What do you mean, little ignoramus?” Mangeclous asked.
“I mean so many words in the world, so many sentences, so many thoughts! It just occurred to me.”
“But there’s also much silence,” added Saltiel.
“In the end, what’s truth?” Salomon dreamingly asked.
“It’s what’s there is between the words,” answered the little uncle …
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The Smithsonian Folkways Collection
Real voices of real people with real emotion. Much of the collection is freely available and downloadable on iTunesU. As Pete Seeger said … “If you’re ever feeling a little down … listen to what these people have to say!” Music from the heart and soul. And what music! Enjoy.
The Smithsonian Folkways Collection
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From our favorite sign maker …
Fortunately, there’s enough traffic to give us time to read it, understand it, digest it and react!
Well, understanding it might take a while … but who cares?
and then there’s one of my favorites here. …. and you have to pay particular attention when crossing … Boulevard Montparnasse.
For those of you who want to delve into this a little further … on this one, there were clearly good intentions…
For more … just type “signs” in the search box!
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