June 4, 2006
YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH
A haven from Hitler (Tim Carroll, The Sunday Times, June 4th , 2006)
The Massif Central in the Auvergne region of France has in recent years become a magnet for mountaineers, walkers and cyclists. Except for one village, whose occupants, for the past 60 years or so, have preferred to maintain a studious distance from outsiders.Le Chambon-sur-Lignon is a haven of tranquillity, clinging to the edges of a plateau where the Haute-Loire meets the Ardèche. Perched 1,000 metres above the magnificent Rhône valley, Le Chambon’s community is remote and insular.
The municipal elders do their best to promote Le Chambon. But the locals – descendants of generations of hardy hill farmers – are indifferent to the financial benefits that the tourist trade might offer.
The centre of their village is a little run-down, with a few gnarled old cafes and restaurants. Not so unusual for a French provincial town. But Le Chambon is different. It has its own secret.
Posted by Peter Burnet at June 4, 2006 6:32 AM
Thanks for posting this. I've despaired that the French half of my beautiful granddaughter's gene pool is made up of cowards, collaborators and Communists. Knowing that there may be some righteous genes in there too is welcome news.
Posted by: erp at June 4, 2006 8:57 AMNot just the French, erp. Everyone from Quisling in Norway to the King of Belgium cheerfully collaborated with the Nazis. Resistance movements in Wester Europe during WWII were largely a Hollywood myth.
Not my problem. Thank God my other kids married locals.
You're right that Hollywood promulgated myths, actually just one myth that the Soviet noble experiment was mankind's salvation. The French communists organized the resistance and positioned themselves to takeover as soon as the stupid Yanks chased the Boche out and welcomed the Ruskies into Paris. Damn near pulled it off too.
My French daughter-in-law's grandfather was in the resistance and very proud of his communist associations to this day.
Overstated, perhaps, but hardly a myth.
Posted by: Peter B at June 4, 2006 2:11 PMPeter, so you agree that the Soviet Union was mankind's salvation?
Posted by: erp at June 4, 2006 3:12 PMOh sure, erp, that's my starting point for WW11 history.
I thought we were talking about resistance to the Nazis in occupied Europe.
Posted by: Peter B at June 4, 2006 6:24 PMSorry Peter. It did sound weird, but some of the posts across today's blogosphere are a bit surreal, so I just wanted to make sure I'm not misinterpreting your comment. Here's an example, Drudge has a link to a real nutcase who ends his piece thusly, "... but he (Bush) is not one to study history's lessons. Indeed, were he ever to do so, he would learn that FDR left behind a prosperous and optimistic nation. Post-Iraq, America does not hold similar promise"
Posted by: erp at June 4, 2006 7:58 PMSorry Peter. Today's blog reads have been surreal and I wanted to make sure I was reading you correctly,
Posted by: erp at June 4, 2006 10:05 PM