Are Older Men in Thailand Trading Love for Financial Ruin

[webfact]

Le Pen increases first round lead in French election - poll

REUTERS

 

Marine Le Pen, French National Front (FN) political party leader and candidate for French 2017 presidential election, poses prior to an interview on the prime time evening news broadcast of French TV channel TF1, in Boulogne-Billancourt, near Paris, France, February 22, 2017, REUTERS/Patrick Kovarik/Pool

 

PARIS (Reuters) - French far right leader Marine Le Pen has increased her lead in the first round of France's presidential election, though she is still seen being beaten by a wide margin in the runoff, a BVA-Salesforce poll published on Thursday showed.

 

The National Front head would win 27.5 percent of the vote in the April 23 first round, up 2.5 percentage points from the last time the poll was conducted on Feb 4.

 

Independent centrist Emmanuel Macron was seen coming in second in the first round with 21 percent of the vote, down one percentage point, followed by conservative Francois Fillon at 19 percent, also down one percentage point.

 

In the May 7 runoff vote, Macron was seen beating Le Pen 61 percent to 39 percent while Fillon was seen winning the presidency with 55 percent to 45 percent.

 

However, because the poll was conducted on Sunday and Monday, it did not reflect the impact of the latest developments in the fast moving campaign, which has seen Fillon lose an early poll lead after being investigated over public funds he paid his family.

 

The poll did not take into account the possibility of veteran centrist Francois Bayrou running. On Wednesday, Bayrou announced that he would not run and would instead support Macron, which analysts say should give him a boost.

 

Also on Wednesday Le Pen's chief of staff was put under formal investigation as part of a probe into alleged misuse of EU funds to pay parliamentary assistants.

 

Le Pen denies any wrongdoing.

 

(Reporting by Leigh Thomas; Editing by Sandra Maler)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-02-23

[Baerboxer]

Expect her to do well in the first round. The protest vote. But then the French will bottle it as usual and stick to a usual choice. Just as the polls predict. Not got the balls for the upsets seen elsewhere.

[simple1]

Another who policies will lead to stagnation and society segmentation, admires Putin & misleads by claiming 'power to the people'.

Edited February 23, 2017 by simple1

[pitrevie]

"HOLD your nose and vote for Chirac" is the message from France's Socialists this weekend as they face an unappetizing choice between Jacques Chirac and Jean-Marie Le Pen, the National Front leader, in tomorrow's presidential election.

 

That was the message in 2002 and I expect it will be the same this time around. The French will hold their noses and vote for cholera' instead of the plague.

[backstairs]

Well when the money runs out they may have to hold their noses and another orifice.

[Grouse]

2 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

Expect her to do well in the first round. The protest vote. But then the French will bottle it as usual and stick to a usual choice. Just as the polls predict. Not got the balls for the upsets seen elsewhere.

Maybe liberte, fraternite, egalite is still important and the French are rather better educated. A warning shot may well be fired but they are civilised people ultimately.

[dick dasterdly]

51 minutes ago, Grouse said:

Maybe liberte, fraternite, egalite is still important and the French are rather better educated. A warning shot may well be fired but they are civilised people ultimately.

I'm beginning to think you may feel as if I'm stalking you, but I promise I'm not!

 

The sinking of the Rainbow Warrior (with which few French had a problem) denies the notion that they are a good example of a 'civilised people'.

 

I do agree though that they stand up and fight for their own interests - hence the port and road blocks at various times over the last few years.

[Grouse]

19 minutes ago, dick dasterdly said:

I'm beginning to think you may feel as if I'm stalking you, but I promise I'm not!

 

The sinking of the Rainbow Warrior (with which few French had a problem) denies the notion that they are a good example of a 'civilised people'.

 

I do agree though that they stand up and fight for their own interests - hence the port and road blocks at various times over the last few years.

Hmm, 30 odd years ago.

 

How many fatalities? One. Albeit too many.

 

I reckon the French nuclear deterrent MIGHT be important. I am not clear how much control we have over our's even though they're our own warheads!

 

I think you will see the French turn their backs on the Nationale Front. Good for them! 

Edited February 23, 2017 by Grouse

[dick dasterdly]

29 minutes ago, dick dasterdly said:

I'm beginning to think you may feel as if I'm stalking you, but I promise I'm not!

 

The sinking of the Rainbow Warrior (with which few French had a problem) denies the notion that they are a good example of a 'civilised people'.

 

I do agree though that they stand up and fight for their own interests - hence the port and road blocks at various times over the last few years.

 

10 minutes ago, Grouse said:

Hmm, 30 odd years ago.

 

How many fatalities? One. Albeit too many.

 

I reckon the French nuclear deterrent MIGHT be important. I am not clear how much control we have over our's even though they're our own warheads!

 

I think you will see the French turn their backs on the Nationale Front. Good for them! 

You're missing the point re. the Rainbow Warrior by reducing it to 'only one fatality'....

 

It was a ship doing its best to protect the environment/animals - that the French authorities destroyed - and were 'lucky' that only one person on the boat died.  Did the average French person care?  Not much if at all.

 

Yes, it was a long time ago.  Are the French people now more concerned about environmental and 'civilised' interests - as opposed to their own personal interests?  I doubt it and there's nothing in their recent history (as far as I know) to identify them as being more "civilised" nowadays.

Edited February 23, 2017 by dick dasterdly

[Khun Han]

19 minutes ago, dick dasterdly said:

 

You're missing the point re. the Rainbow Warrior by reducing it to 'only one fatality'....

 

It was a ship doing its best to protect the environment/animals - that the French authorities destroyed - and were 'lucky' that only one person on the boat died.  Did the average French person care?  Not much if at all.

 

Yes, it was a long time ago.  Are the French people now more concerned about environmental and 'civilised' interests - as opposed to their own personal interests?  I doubt it and there's nothing in their recent history (as far as I know) to identify them as being more "civilised" nowadays.

 

I don't normally see our 'liberal left' member's posts anymore. But good to see he is sticking to his 'any Europeans but the English' guns. And playing down a disgusting historical incident by the French to do so today ( that's why I put liberal left in apostrophes  ).

 

Anyway, Le Pen will lose because she's simply too right wing. But the people have made a clear protest against the Establishment by getting her this far. The Establishment would do well to heed it. Otherwise, next time around, she won't be too right wing.

[dick dasterdly]

Just now, Khun Han said:

 

I don't normally see our 'liberal left' member's posts anymore. But good to see he is sticking to his 'any Europeans but the English' guns. And playing down a disgusting historical incident by the French to do so today ( that's why I put liberal left in apostrophes  ).

 

Anyway, Le Pen will lose because she's simply too right wing. But the people have made a clear protest against the Establishment by getting her this far. The Establishment would do well to heed it. Otherwise, next time around, she won't be too right wing.

I agree, but please be careful about 'labels' - as I'm liberal left!  Which is why I care so much about the effect of various policies on the poorest/average in society - and have no sympathy for the wealthy that have driven that majority to finally realise they are being fed nothing but lies by the politicians and 'experts'.....

 

Hence protest votes becoming the 'norm' as voters wake up to the lies they've been fed for SOOO long.

[expat_4_life]

Le Pen is mightier than the sword.

[mikecha]

Brexit  Frexit  maybe both  the shock of  Great Britain  leaving might was history   so now maybe again 

many in europe want to leave

[Morch]

2 hours ago, dick dasterdly said:

 

You're missing the point re. the Rainbow Warrior by reducing it to 'only one fatality'....

 

It was a ship doing its best to protect the environment/animals - that the French authorities destroyed - and were 'lucky' that only one person on the boat died.  Did the average French person care?  Not much if at all.

 

Yes, it was a long time ago.  Are the French people now more concerned about environmental and 'civilised' interests - as opposed to their own personal interests?  I doubt it and there's nothing in their recent history (as far as I know) to identify them as being more "civilised" nowadays.

 

You're missing the point re. the Rainbow Warrior by reducing it to 'only one fatality'....

 

Seems like it's you denying the French the notion that the French (as a whole, apparently), are a "a good example of a 'civilised people'" by reducing the argument to a single incident.

[Grouse]

2 hours ago, Khun Han said:

 

I don't normally see our 'liberal left' member's posts anymore. But good to see he is sticking to his 'any Europeans but the English' guns. And playing down a disgusting historical incident by the French to do so today ( that's why I put liberal left in apostrophes  ).

 

Anyway, Le Pen will lose because she's simply too right wing. But the people have made a clear protest against the Establishment by getting her this far. The Establishment would do well to heed it. Otherwise, next time around, she won't be too right wing.

Nothing left about me

 

Funny to see these brave little  Brexiteers nipping out from behind their safety ignore curtain to take pot shots! How heroic!

 

But back to the point, I do think that French have a long history of civilisation (though not of course perfection) I can't see them going with the National Front.

 

BTW we had a great many unfortunate events developing our own nuclear deterrent.

[mogandave]

I agree, but please be careful about 'labels' - as I'm liberal left!  Which is why I care so much about the effect of various policies on the poorest/average in society - and have no sympathy for the wealthy that have driven that majority to finally realise they are being fed nothing but lies by the politicians and 'experts'.....
 
Hence protest votes becoming the 'norm' as voters wake up to the lies they've been fed for SOOO long.

Caring does not help the poor, it just helps wealthy leftists feel better about themselves.

[zaZa9]

10 hours ago, pitrevie said:

"HOLD your nose and vote for Chirac" is the message from France's Socialists this weekend as they face an unappetizing choice between Jacques Chirac and Jean-Marie Le Pen, the National Front leader, in tomorrow's presidential election.

 

That was the message in 2002 and I expect it will be the same this time around. The French will hold their noses and vote for cholera' instead of the plague.

"HOLD your nose and vote for Chirac" is the message from France's Socialists this weekend as they face an unappetizing choice between Jacques Chirac and Jean-Marie Le Pen, the National Front leader, in tomorrow's presidential election."

 

And what if the public won't?

I swear , this constant  dismisiveness of  the  expressed concerns of the general populous by the Left who purport to be their representatives  will  only see them  lose ground and assist  the rise of the radical Right ...

Call it 'protest votes' , call it whatever you want , but if the Left continue to ignore or even ridicule their constituents views  , then they will lose badly.

And like the US , a plainly polarised  situation will result ...

 

[pitrevie]

4 hours ago, zaZa9 said:

"HOLD your nose and vote for Chirac" is the message from France's Socialists this weekend as they face an unappetizing choice between Jacques Chirac and Jean-Marie Le Pen, the National Front leader, in tomorrow's presidential election."

 

And what if the public won't?

I swear , this constant  dismisiveness of  the  expressed concerns of the general populous by the Left who purport to be their representatives  will  only see them  lose ground and assist  the rise of the radical Right ...

Call it 'protest votes' , call it whatever you want , but if the Left continue to ignore or even ridicule their constituents views  , then they will lose badly.

And like the US , a plainly polarised  situation will result ...

 

Then if the public wont they will get a Trump or even worse as we have seen before in Europe and then we will see how well off they will be. Already in the USA the draining of the swamp is on hold in fact it is now overflowing with the very people the likes of Trump and Farage railed against. 

[daveAustin]

Allez Le Pen!

[rodney earl]

I hope that she wins.!!!

[Grouse]

8 hours ago, mogandave said:

 

Caring does not help the poor, it just helps wealthy leftists feel better about themselves.
 

 

Yes but accepting a redistributive, progressive tax system helps. The French and many EU countries accept this but the UK does not

[Grouse]

6 hours ago, zaZa9 said:

"HOLD your nose and vote for Chirac" is the message from France's Socialists this weekend as they face an unappetizing choice between Jacques Chirac and Jean-Marie Le Pen, the National Front leader, in tomorrow's presidential election."

 

And what if the public won't?

I swear , this constant  dismisiveness of  the  expressed concerns of the general populous by the Left who purport to be their representatives  will  only see them  lose ground and assist  the rise of the radical Right ...

Call it 'protest votes' , call it whatever you want , but if the Left continue to ignore or even ridicule their constituents views  , then they will lose badly.

And like the US , a plainly polarised  situation will result ...

 

I don't think the situation in France is in anyway analogous to the USA or U.K. Thank god

[Grouse]

27 minutes ago, rodney earl said:

I hope that she wins.!!!

Why?

[mogandave]

Yes but accepting a redistributive, progressive tax system helps. The French and many EU countries accept this but the UK does not

Some people believe it does, some don't.

I do not believe taking from people that work and giving to people that don't ultimately helps the people that aren't working. But I guess if you can convince them they're victims they'll feel a little better about themselves and keep voting for the people holding them down.

Subsidizing poverty only results in more poverty.

[Retiredandhappyhere]

18 hours ago, Grouse said:

Nothing left about me

 

Funny to see these brave little  Brexiteers nipping out from behind their safety ignore curtain to take pot shots! How heroic!

 

But back to the point, I do think that French have a long history of civilisation (though not of course perfection) I can't see them going with the National Front.

 

BTW we had a great many unfortunate events developing our own nuclear deterrent.

Your arguments are normally well reasoned even if many of us do not always agree with them, but your continual disparaging remarks about Brexiteers, who are also entitled to their honest opinions, do you no credit.

[Grouse]

Just now, Retiredandhappyhere said:

Your arguments are normally well reasoned even if many of us do not always agree with them, but your continual disparaging remarks about Brexiteers, who are also entitled to their honest opinions, do you no credit.

You are quite correct!

 

I have no problem with the way anyone voted. 

 

There has been a great deal of analysis of the issue and many of my interlocutors did not like some of the conclusions.

 

The problem is that some of the most vociferous have taken to ignoring me but them popping up to take a quick shot. I know, I should just ignore it...

[dick dasterdly]

19 hours ago, Grouse said:

You are quite correct!

 

I have no problem with the way anyone voted. 

 

There has been a great deal of analysis of the issue and many of my interlocutors did not like some of the conclusions.

 

The problem is that some of the most vociferous have taken to ignoring me but them popping up to take a quick shot. I know, I should just ignore it...

Re. the last para. - not at all, just try to be less arrogant and condescending when posting.

 

It doesn't take a great deal of intelligence to realise that this is only going to antagonise posters who try not to accuse those with whom they disagree, as being stupid/uneducated/numpties/uncivilised etc. etc!

[Grouse]

4 hours ago, dick dasterdly said:

Re. the last para. - not at all, just try to be less arrogant and condescending when posting.

 

It doesn't take a great deal of intelligence to realise that this is only going to antagonise posters who try not to accuse those with whom they disagree, as being stupid/uneducated/numpties/uncivilised etc. etc!

I'll try ?