No More Triple-A

Image via WikipediaI am not normally given to gloating, but, just occasionally the smug smile of satisfaction creases my face. Just such a thing happened though, a few days ago when the news filtered through of France losing its triple-A credit rating.

Now, don't go running off with the idea that I am anti-France, anti-The French or anti-anything to do with France. I have spent many many happy weeks holidaying in the regions of Pays-de-la-Loirre, Bretagne, Limousin and Languedoc-Rousillion and others. I have walked the streets of such places as LeMans, Tours, Limoges, Souillac, Sarlat,Quimper, Concarneau, Carcassonne and so many many more. 

 In any society however, there will always be at least one person that stands out in the crowd as one person who will not be too popular. Currently, the man in the frame is Nicholas Sarkosy, the current incumbent of the office of President of France. As is well known, he is facing a Presidential election that many say he will lose. It would appear that he is not only one of this nation's least favourite people at this moment, but some of his fellow French people have a similar view of him. It is reported that Mr Sarkosy once told the former Prime Minister, Mr de Villepin, that he would hang him from a butchers hook. Mr de Villepin is reported as having called the not too tall Sarkosy, as "The Bonsai". He has also joined in the Presidential race and is said to be currently standing just to take votes away from The President rather than to become President himself.

What has made me feel this way about him? The outstanding moment came when he walked past the British Prime Minister, refusing not just to look up at him as they passed each other, but he spurned the hand of friendship extended by David Cameron. This was not the only insult dealt. In October, after Mr Cameron had made it clear that Eurozone members should waste no time in taking the relevant measures to cut public spending, Mr Sarkosy was reported as telling Mr Cameron to "shut up".

So, the downgrading came, after it had been suggested to others that Britain should be downgraded and France be left with a triple-A rating. A story doing the rounds in France is that Mr Sarkosy told his advisors, "If we lose our triple-A, I'm dead". It has happened and Sarkosy has to get over it, as has France. I am not gloating, I promise, regarding the safety of Britain in all of this. It may happen here. The difference will be that "we" have not called for others to be treated so.