Break out the Champagne!

[Beet]

One of the worst leaders in human history has died. I can only quote our former president:

"If the Israelis can make compromises and you can't, I should go home. You have been here fourteen days and said no to everything. These things have consequences; failure will mean the end of the peace process.... Let's let hell break loose and live with the consequences." – Bill Clinton, July 2000

[Hermit]

Why do the good always die so young?

[Beet]

Why do the good always die so young?

Probably because they

1) took too many drugs

2) got assasinated

[Hermit]

Why do the good always die so young?

Probably because they

1) took too many drugs

2) got assasinated

Well, it was actually a joke, there.

[Beet]

Why do the good always die so young?

Probably because they

1) took too many drugs

2) got assasinated

Well, it was actually a joke, there.

I know, I was joking too, (but only half joking). I guess my jokes are only funny to myself.

[The Duke]

Celebrate good times
Come on!
Doo Doo Do Do Do Doo Do Doo

[Kodratos]

Hooray!

I just hope that the next guy is actually willing to accept peace.

[MasterJedi]

Huzah

Here's praying we don't get another radical!

[CARLHAYDEN]

American champagne please!

[angus]

American champagne please!

I believe that's to be called only "sparkling wine"   

[Angel of Death]

Bill Clinton is a fucking liar. They didn't even offer a contiguous West Bank.

[angus]

it's true.  but, on the other hand, it was also the best deal he was going to get.  that was the point, I think.  I believe he will be viewed as a hero by large segments of the world, and as a terrorist by others.  Remember, one man's terrorist is another's hero.  After all, the Boston Tea Party gang would certainly be prosecuted by the US under existing anti-terrorist "destruction of private property" laws.  Yet, as we all know, they're big heroes.

Winners get to write history books.  Deal with it.  Arafat was a loser, in my book, not because of such pedestrian notions as terrorist vs. hero (as I believe there is no right answer) but because he didn't have the guts to take Clinton's deal, since he was smart enough to know it was the best they'd get.

[Brambila]

After class, I decided to go to my teacher's office hour, and so I walked with her on the way there with another student. The other student started talking to my teacher about Arafat, practically saying that they were saddened by his death. I really wasn't surprised being a San Franciscan, but after pondering about it for a while longer, I realized that it's completely sickening that somebody would think such a way.

Arafat was a terrorist, undoubtedly one of the most problematic figure in the last 30 years. Arafat is responsible for the deaths of thousands of people, mostly innocent civilians. I can't think how anyone would be saddened by the death of this malicious man. May God have mercy on his soul.

[CARLHAYDEN]

American champagne please!

I believe that's to be called only "sparkling wine"   

Fortunately we in America do NOT follow the stupid european notion on labeling.

[freek]

Arafat was a terrorist, undoubtedly one of the most problematic figure in the last 30 years. Arafat is responsible for the deaths of thousands of people, mostly innocent civilians.

It would have been symbolic if the plane with Arafats body was hijacked on the way to Cairo. .

[angus]

anybody catch Buchanan on Scarborough last night?  it's a rare treat to see Lawrence Kudlow, plutocrat extraordinaire, and Patrick Buchanan, isolationist, argue economics, but get 'em started on foreign policy and it's quite entertaining.  I only wish Senator Miller had been there as well, then we'd really have seen a free-for-all.  With pistols too, probably!

[opebo]

Winners get to write history books.  Deal with it.  Arafat was a loser, in my book, not because of such pedestrian notions as terrorist vs. hero (as I believe there is no right answer) but because he didn't have the guts to take Clinton's deal, since he was smart enough to know it was the best they'd get.

I'm pretty sure they believe they can wait Isreal out.  And they may be right.

[JohnFKennedy]

American champagne please!

I believe that's to be called only "sparkling wine"   

Fortunately we in America do NOT follow the stupid european notion on labeling.

Ummmm, it is called "champagne" solely because it is from the CHAMPAGNE region of France, the name comes from the area. THAT is why it is called champagne and the grapes, champagne grapes. That is why other produce of the same nature are merely "sparkling wines".

[angus]

American champagne please!

I believe that's to be called only "sparkling wine"   

Fortunately we in America do NOT follow the stupid european notion on labeling.

Ummmm, it is called "champagne" solely because it is from the CHAMPAGNE region of France, the name comes from the area. THAT is why it is called champagne and the grapes, champagne grapes. That is why other produce of the same nature are merely "sparkling wines".

we got it, hoss.  but by your logic I'd have to go to Columbia, instead of just a few blocks, for some killer columbian gold.  good thing us yanks don't buy into that line of reasoning 

[Brambila]

Arafat was a terrorist, undoubtedly one of the most problematic figure in the last 30 years. Arafat is responsible for the deaths of thousands of people, mostly innocent civilians.

It would have been symbolic if the plane with Arafats body was hijacked on the way to Cairo. .

Paris*

Lol, yeah... that would be REALLY funny, actually.

[CARLHAYDEN]

American champagne please!

I believe that's to be called only "sparkling wine"   

Fortunately we in America do NOT follow the stupid european notion on labeling.

Ummmm, it is called "champagne" solely because it is from the CHAMPAGNE region of France, the name comes from the area. THAT is why it is called champagne and the grapes, champagne grapes. That is why other produce of the same nature are merely "sparkling wines".

Well, do frankfurters ONLY come from Frankfort?

Are hamburgers only made in Hamburg?

Yes the particular beverage orginated in the Champagne region of France, but, the cutting for the vines came from California as much of the vines in France were destroyed by a blight about a generation ago.

[angus]

actually, good braunschweiger comes from New York City.

and good limberger cheese comes from...

well, bad example, even folks from limberg don't like that sh**t.

[Maastricht]

American champagne please!

I believe that's to be called only "sparkling wine"   

Fortunately we in America do NOT follow the stupid european notion on labeling.

We use labels in France and in Europe firstly to protect the consumer. Champagne is a good exemple. Just imagine that somebody of Chile, Italy, or another place in France than Champagne, is making sparkling wine, and is selling it in supermarkets with the name of "Champagne", with a really high price compared to the quality of his wine, for exemple 7.5€, about 10$. (If you want a good one, i'ts rather about 15-20$). The consumer would chose, except if he is wealthy, the 7.5€ one. He would have for a "low" price a wine which quality isn't at all what he expects by buying a Champagne.
Conclusion : the fake producer gains a lot, the consumer has a bad product, and the true producer of Champagne can't sale any bottle.
With the label system, the consumer can be sure of the source of the product (it works with a lot of goods), ant to have the right quality with the right price.

Arafat was a terrorist, undoubtedly one of the most problematic figure in the last 30 years. Arafat is responsible for the deaths of thousands of people, mostly innocent civilians.

It would have been symbolic if the plane with Arafats body was hijacked on the way to Cairo. .

Paris*

Lol, yeah... that would be REALLY funny, actually.

Hum, I'm not that sure ^_-  lol

[angus]

fools.  just read the label.  I can walk into my refridgerator, take out the Braunschweiger and clearly read that it is produced in New York.  I can reach upon the shelf, take down the romano cheese, and read from the label, clearly, that it is made in Chico, California.  I can look upon the back of the Texas Chili can and plainly see that it is made in Rahway, New Jersey.  No one is trying to fool anyone.  It is incumbent on the consumer to know where the food is made.  If you don't trust Thai shrimp, and prefer those shrimps from Louisiana, all you need to do is read the label.  All food products are clearly labeled as to the country of origin.  No one thinks Friexenet Cava is actually "Champagne" as it clearly made in Catalonia (though we might lazily refer to it as "champagne" from time to time.)  I really don't think the serious connoisseur will mistake a bottle of california sparkling for a product actually produced in champagne.  I really don't think a serious wino will mistake a bottle of chilean 'bordeaux' for a product actually produced in Bordeaux.  Seriously.  give it a rest.

[CARLHAYDEN]

American champagne please!

I believe that's to be called only "sparkling wine"   

Fortunately we in America do NOT follow the stupid european notion on labeling.

We use labels in France and in Europe firstly to protect the consumer. Champagne is a good exemple. Just imagine that somebody of Chile, Italy, or another place in France than Champagne, is making sparkling wine, and is selling it in supermarkets with the name of "Champagne", with a really high price compared to the quality of his wine, for exemple 7.5€, about 10$. (If you want a good one, i'ts rather about 15-20$). The consumer would chose, except if he is wealthy, the 7.5€ one. He would have for a "low" price a wine which quality isn't at all what he expects by buying a Champagne.
Conclusion : the fake producer gains a lot, the consumer has a bad product, and the true producer of Champagne can't sale any bottle.
With the label system, the consumer can be sure of the source of the product (it works with a lot of goods), ant to have the right quality with the right price.

B.S.  The French are trying to corner the market on a product.

I posted examples of products which were named after the region in which they originated.

That is NOT to say that only products produced in those regions may bear that name.

This effort is NOT, repeat NOT an effort to protect consumers, but rather to prevent competition from superior products.

Typical of the French.

Arafat was a terrorist, undoubtedly one of the most problematic figure in the last 30 years. Arafat is responsible for the deaths of thousands of people, mostly innocent civilians.

It would have been symbolic if the plane with Arafats body was hijacked on the way to Cairo. .

Paris*

Lol, yeah... that would be REALLY funny, actually.

Hum, I'm not that sure ^_-  lol