This is the front page of today's French satirical magazine Sine Hebdo, a recently launched weekly. The caricature refers to last week's outrage in the foreign press after French President Nicolas Sarkozy was said to have insulted Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero. "Pauvre con" (poor cretin) is what Sarkozy called a farmer at an agricultural fair last February - another incident which didn't do much for his popularity ratings.
Is the magazine going too far? Will the Elysée react? Tell us what you think.
"‘Sarkozy poor cretin', it's not only the foreign press who think it!"
Comments
A political degenerate
Submitted by Novus Ordo Seclorum (not verified) on Thu, 23/04/2009 - 05:25.It's not surprising. The only thing that surprises me is that he was elected despite the fact that he had proved to the French that he does not have the required temper to be a president!!
He called rioters "shit" in 2005. Was always agitated when he was minister in the last Chirac's cabinet.
He even went so far as to say publically that Africa had no history!!!!!
Yes, I am talking about the cradle of humanity that according to Sarko Shit has no history. You'll read such stupidities only in Mein Kampf and other Hegel's lucubrations.
Now he is calling his Spanish counterpart "poor cretin"! What is coming next? Who is next?
Unregistered user
Cretin is not a very good
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Thu, 23/04/2009 - 18:17.Cretin is not a very good translation of the French "con". Please refer to the etymology of the word and refine your translation
Unregistered user
Cretin debate
Submitted by Sophie Team ... on Thu, 23/04/2009 - 18:56.After great debate back in February last year we decided on this translation. We're open to suggestions but seeing as there seems to be no straight translation our editorial approach to "pauvre con" will remain "poor cretin".
Thanks!
Sophie Team ...
"Con" translation
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sun, 26/04/2009 - 00:42.In the US, they would say "Asshole", I believe. And this is the meaning, not the litteral translation because the word itself means something that only women have !
Unregistered user