6 février 2007

Rape


Here you have a couple of photos of a laboratory here in Orléans. They call it the Centre Technique Interprofessionel des Oléagineux Métropolitains. It is a laboratory focused on the production and improvement of rape (colza). They receive a small percentage on the price of rape seed that is sold by the farmers and they use it to do research into the production of rape. I like going there and chatting with the people and trying to understand what they do. It is a fine laboratory in an attractive park. The fact that there are a lot of good looking friendly women is irrelevant.

Really they have two activities. One is to assist the farmers by giving training sessions and technical support. At this time of year they receive a little packet of soil from all the colza farmers in the centre of France, they analyse it for nitrogen amongst other things, and advise the farmers on the application of fertilizer and other elements. The analysis has a dual role; in reducing pollution on the one hand and improving quality as well as productivity on the other. After analysis the soil is thrown in a big heap and spread around the park. One wonders what soil scientists in 2000 years will make of this rather strange mix of soil.

The other activity is research into how to better grow colza, make a more nutritious oil, how to treat the different diseases etc. etc.

Of course being English they ask me about Tony Blair’s opinion that growing food is an activity of the past. That soil pollution, energy consumption, nutrition are all subjects of the dark ages and not worthy of investment. They ask me why he believes that. I have to be honest and say that I am as mystified as they are.

35 commentaires:

sciencebod a dit…

So Richard of Orléans is honest. OK Richard, answer me this. Is it true that you're a political iceberg, where the one-ninth we see above the surface is anti-immigrant/racial supremacist ? Please tell us what lies beneath the surface.

I'll tell you what I think: that if you were still in Britain, you'd be a paid up member of the BNP, probably itching to run the website.

richard of orléans a dit…

If I was still in the UK I imagine I would be itching to get out. I am certainly not anti imigrant. I am not racist in anyway. I love different cultures and people from all sorts of different backgrounds.Most people are really nice and kind, I get on with lots of different people.

I guess I am anti people who abuse others. People who are dishonest, people who draw the blanket towards themselves.People who have no respect for others. Don't practice what they preach. Make trouble. I don't much like slobs either.Nor drunks. Or people who think they are superior.People who are rude or intolerant. I don't like people who are driven by greed,who have no time for others. Social climbers don't turn me on much.I guess I'm pretty intolerant of all that.

sciencebod a dit…

So you're not anti-immigrant (British immigrants to France excluded).

So you love different cultures (except what you choose to call Anglo-Saxon culture).

And looking at what you claim to be Blair's position on agriculture, you twist and distort other people's words in the most grotesque manner possible.

All par for the course. It's the thing you do best - to belittle, trivialise or parody other people's position to score points, to make cheap political capital.

You have no respect for the truth, Richard. You cannot claim to be an honest man. Let us be the judge of that.

You are at heart a propagandist, but with a larely hidden agenda. All we see at present is the obessional xenophobia, directed towards your erstwhile compatriots.

I repeat - what is your true political agenda, apart from sending us Brits packing from your adopted country ?

richard of orléans a dit…

I don't think my words are any more distorting than those of Tony Blair and the UK press who bang on about the stupidity of the European Agricultural policy. Blair said it was the past, Chirac said it was the future (the latter to the loud guffaws of the English). I give you a specific example of what goes on here in Orléans, make your own mind up.

It is true that anti Anglo Saxon feeling is frequent in France. Working closely with the French, continental Europeans and the Anglo Saxons over the last 30 years I have formed my own opinion. I have said often, it is certainly not racist. It is a strong dislike of certain aspects of the liberal capitalistic political model with which the Anglo Saxons are closely associated.

sciencebod a dit…

"Of course being English they ask me about Tony Blair’s opinion that growing food is an activity of the past. That soil pollution, energy consumption, nutrition are all subjects of the dark ages and not worthy of investment. They ask me why he believes that. I have to be honest and say that I am as mystified as they are."

Well, if that is typical of what you hear in Orléans from so-called professional people, then I for one don't want to hear any more about your chats with the locals.

But I frankly do not believe that you have faithfully reported what you heard re Blair's position on the EU, CAP, subsidies etc. You have put YOUR words into THEIR mouths, and thus misrepresented your neighbours' intelligence and political savvy.

All the more reason to bypass this juvenile blog in future. Thank God for Colin Randall, Sarah, Louise, Roads of Stone etc etc where one finds honest, grown up, intelligent comment.

richard of orléans a dit…

"I don't think my words are any more distorting than those of Tony Blair and the UK press "

sciencebod a dit…

So you're content to descend to their level are you, Richard ?
Then you're no better than them - worse, in fact, since you bang on incessantly about their shortcomings, while adopting their worst traits. That makes you a hypocrite( among other things).

Anyway, as I've said, your blog is not just tedious and repetitive. It lacks good old-fashioned honesty.

Time methinks to move on, to somewhere the air is cleaner.

richard of orléans a dit…

I didn't exclude the possibilté that my words are far less distorting. In fact they are perfectly accurate, and reflect the true activities of this laboratory and a résumé of a discussion I had with a director. They are world specialists in rape!! You can imagine how insulted they are to be told their activity is 'of the past'
But in the meantime I got you to admit the corrupt state of British politics and media.I'll take that for starters.

You're like that American pilot who decided that Saddam had painted his rocket launchers orange , all the better for the Americans to shoot at them. You automatically exclude any reliable information from your environment, that is at variance with your prejudiced beliefs.

Louise a dit…

Hey, Colin - what's up with you? Personally I'm pleasantly surprised with Roo's blog - it's diverse, different and much more cool than in his blogging days at the Telly.

Personally, I don't find Roo anti-immigrant or pro BNP or whatever - it would appear that he is, I think, against the Brits that move to France and make absolutely no effort to integrate into the country of their choice, and in that I heartily agree with him.

Being an 'old' immigrant and having basically spent my adult life in France with a Frog husband and two children whose mother tongue is French, I have seen the hoards of English people that arrive with a few quid in their pocket and think they own the world, and believe you me, it is not a pretty sight, especially over the last 5 years or so. I know there are 'nice' English people who come over and make a great effort to adapt to the French system - unfortunately they are not the majority.

England is no longer a 'pretty' place in which to live - the leitmotiv of 'if you've got it, flaunt it' has never been more true and when one watches programmes like 'Big Brother' - well, it's unbelievable that people are so stupid and crass. And yes, I watched a few bits of the programme whilst over there the other week, if only to see what the Press was talking about - my God, it was horrific...firstly one cannot understand what these totally awful girls are saying, then the 'famous' Jade (worth £4 million apparently) insults the Indian Bollywood star who I think was genuinely horrified by her remarks (I cannot believe this is really England, she (Shirpa?) remarked).

What is worrying, is that this terrible programme reflects England today - dirty, racist, violent and run by a load of idiots. It is not a pretty sight.

If I were French, then I too would be worried by the hoards of English people invading the country - France has many faults but they don't want this yobby way of life being transported across the Channel and I heartily agree with them.

sciencebod a dit…

There's always been "tabloid culture" in England, Louise. Samuel Pepys remarked on it in his Diary, in the aftermath of the Great Fire, which put money into the pockets of people who, according to the gentry, were supposed to be invisible in society, except when doing chores on behalf of the .... you know who.

So you've seen BB on screen in its full horror.I have never watched it, because the entire concept of wannabees posing 24/7 in front of cameras revolts me. But why judge a country by the behaviour of a tiny bunch of exhibitionists, egged on by profit-obsessed TV moguls ?

The important thing is to remain discriminating, and express your own likes and dislikes, which is what you are doing here, and which I have already done.

This is not about a legitimate dislike of the mass media, popular Sun-reading culture etc. This is about demonising an entire nation. I'm sorry you don't see it that way, Louise, and maybe you just don't like my plain-speaking, and are being defensive on Richard's behalf.

But I'm no longer in any doubt about Richard and the nastiness of his agenda, so there's no need to tarry here a second longer. But for your intervention, Louise, I'd have been long gone (well, a hour or two anyway).

Bill Taylor a dit…

He's gone forever again, has he? So I suppose we all should be saying, "See you soon."
I'm curious, Louise. When you're at home, do you speak French or English to your kids? And what language do you think in? I ask this because I had dinner the other night with an East Indian friend who was telling me she thinks in English but dreams in her native language.
I agree with you about Richard's blog. It's refreshingly different and very cool.

sciencebod a dit…

Well, hello again Bill Taylor

(Thinks: Hells bells ! There I was thinking the Toronto Star had ordered him to lay off, for fear of bringing the paper into disrepute.

Mind you, that's a pretty tame response by Bill Taylor standards. Don't be too quick to give up hope.
)


So you and Louise find Richard's blog refreshingly different and very cool. But didn't one of the Mitfords find Adolf Hitler refreshingly different and very cool ?

As they say, there's no accounting for taste.

Anyway, I'm away to explore some French blogs. I may be gone some time.

Bill Taylor a dit…

See, he hadn't gone at all. He was lurking in the bushes. You can be assured, Richard, that even if he isn't contributing, he's reading every word that appears here.

sciencebod a dit…

Have you never said goodbye, Bill Taylor, and than turned and given a parting shot over the shoulder ?

And why shouldn't I continue to read this blog, even if I despise every sentiment expressed ?

I'm a free agent, Bill Taylor, same as you, and you're the last person I'm going to allow to cramp my style.

Why not just accept, Bill Taylor, that in your heart of hearts, you're still an enemy of free speech, despite your denials to the contrary .

Louise a dit…

I think we all know that when Colin 'disappears', he doesn't really - soon a 'nom de plume' will appear which he will keep up for a couple of days, before coming back as ColinB!

I'm not defending Richard, Colin - he is more than capable of defending himself without my 'twittering' in the background, but I do think that the BB/Sun readers/footie hooligans are playing a more predominant role in England, along with the 'People' and Estuary English...I have noticed it and my family and friends are aware of it too and they live there full-time...and what about the Christmas bonus scandal?

Interesting lives they had, those Mitford girls, eh?

Bill - we basically talk in French at home, but swop around quite frequently - even the dog is bilingual! When I am in France/Suisse I think and talk in French; in England I think/talk in English...I imagined I dream in French but am told that when I talk in my sleep, I talk in English - wouldn't make a spy, would I? I dream in colour though...

sciencebod a dit…

I reckon most of the anonymice are "Anne Gilbert", Louise. As for myself, I gave up using aliases a long time ago, because everyone said straightaway they were me, even when they weren't !

PS I would have sent this under "nom de plume" but this blog does not allow "anonymous" comments, even under a pseudonym.

But then, freedom of speech has never figured strongly in R of O's hidden agenda, and it's something Bill Taylor despises (unless you happen to share his opinions).

PS I loved your comment about your bilingual dog. Speaking of dogs, monolingual ones anyway, have your read Sue Townsend's Queen Camilla ?

Bill Taylor a dit…

When I was in London recently, Louise, I had a close encounter of an appalling kind with soccer hooligans (celebrating a victory; god helps us if their team had lost) at Baker Street tube station. There were scores of cops on hand who doubtless could've been better employed elsewhere. What was in some ways worst of all was the "oh well" attitude of everyone around. It was obviously not at all out of the ordinary to them and they'd ceased to care. If I never see London again, it won't bother me in the slightest.
I dream in colour, too; can't imagine what it's like for people who dream in monochrome. As an aside, I have a song I'm shopping around (it still needs putting to music) called "Drinking Songs and Technicolor Dreams." So if you happen to know anyone who has a gap on their new CD that needs to be filled....

sciencebod a dit…

I was talking to a soccer hooligan the other day. He had great difficulty getting the words out, and had this most awful ashen pallor. Y'see, he was at Baker St. Tube station with his mates, letting off a bit of steam, know what I mean, and then suddenly he had this close encounter of the most appalling kind - with Bill Taylor.

I tried to console him as best I could - said he should consider himself lucky - it could have been Richard d'Orléans. But he was no fool - said Richard d'Orléans only existed in story books, the ones that older brothers and sisters read to scare the pants off you.

Now, where was I? Oh yes, Bill Taylor. Bill Taylor, I said, is now safely back in his own country, far far away. But keep off the Internet, I said, 'cos he has this strange fascination with Europe, especially Britain, despite having moved away years ago, complaining bitterly about the place. Same could be said about R of O. Strange, isn't it ? They hate us, but just can't stay away ? Obviously we still have some kind of hold on them. Like relief from the boredom of their adopted countries ? Maybe I'm wrong. Any ideas ?

Bill Taylor a dit…

Welcome back, Colin Berry! We knew you hadn't gone far or for very long. Nice to see your wit is as sharp (if that's the word; no, actually, it's not) as ever. It rates about as highly as your credibility.

Louise a dit…

Why do you only mention Bill and Roo as being anglophobic? I am too - okay, I admit that it is to a lesser degree than Roo, but England is a very, very sad place now. And is isn't a case of being bored in my adopted country - quite to the contrary...if I did one intelligent thing in my life, it was leaving England all those years ago. Nonetheless, I am English at the end of the day so 'things' English interest me even now and living abroad I think one probably sees the country in a very different light upon returning.

Why do you say 'they' hate 'us' in your last comment, Colin? As far as I remember, you have lived in Antibes for four odd years and also spent years working abroad - despite it all you are, like us, an expat and you are a part of the 'they' and no longer a part of the 'us', methinks...

Bill Taylor a dit…

Good points, Louise. I left England in 1973 and no longer regard myself as English. It's very much a foreign country to me now and not one that I'm terribly fond of. My favourite countries after Canada are France and Italy.
I got involved with Colin Randall's blog after spending time with him in Paris last year and because we're old friends. Along the way, I found people (especially yourself and Richard) who are interesting and thought-provoking and whose on-line company I enjoy. Richard, even at his most outrageous, is frequently very entertaining. I may not always agree with you, in which case I'll say so. I don't regard this as attempting to stifle freedom of speech.

richard of orléans a dit…

Anne
I would accept that English country gardens are beautiful. Indeed I have lots of books with beautiful pictures.

I know that gardens need a lot of rotting manure to look good. But I won't touch that subject today.

Louise a dit…

At the risk of repeating myself ad nauseum, isn't blogging all about freedom of speech? Basically one can say whatever one likes and it doesn't necessarily have to be in agreement with the writer of the blog - indeed, how dull blogs would be if we all agreed.

Thus saying, we must have something in common - after 'meeting' on Colin R's Telly blog, we followed him to Salut! and eventually have branched out on our own - however you only have to look at the links on our blogs to see that we all 'recommend' each other - I personally have searched around from time to time in order to find new blogs to add to my list but invariably end up on US blogs which, although can be interesting, aren't my thing. I think we are in expat blog mode!

I vote we organise a meeting up one day - it would be hilarious, and I'm sure we would all get on very well! I, of course, will stand outside in order to have a fag (see Colin R's latest blog), Richard will probably come in heavy disguise, Sarah will sweep the floor as she is so pretty, Bill will have a terrible Canadian accent, Anne will read a poem, and Colin B will wallow - all of this being noted by Colin R who will be horrified at the monster he has bred!

Where shall we meet? Colin R's place? Pretty central for most of us (apart from Bill) and le Lavandou is sooo nice!

Bill Taylor a dit…

Be careful what you wish for, Louise...

richard of orléans a dit…

Dorothy the skunk is on her way home to California. But not without a stink at the border.

It wasn't because of Dorothy spraying. It was U.S. customs officers who, though the skunk's paperwork was all in order, couldn't believe she might not be an illegal immigrant, says Nathalie Karvonen, director of the Toronto Wildlife Centre.

It took more than an hour for rescue worker Alison Cooper to talk her way from Windsor to Detroit, Karvonen said yesterday. "It was a different officer to the one we'd been dealing with and the reaction was, `You're doing what?' Cooper finally had to leave her passport as surety and retrieve it on her way back.

The Americans were naive. Dorothy is an alias for Colinb.

How do you get a job writing the life history of skunks?

Bill Taylor a dit…

It's not, as they say, all beer and skittles.

richard of orléans a dit…

Lucky for you. Pastis and boules, comme on dit.

Sarah a dit…

I don't agree with me sweeping the floor. Nope, I've drawn the short straw there and I didn't even draw!
:(

Sarah a dit…

Otherwise, yes, let's go and squat at ColinR's place. Then he could write an article about the horrors of meeting up with internet acquaintances and advise his readers that under no circumstances is it a good idea. It's worse than Christmas for squabbling!

ng a dit…

With such varied identities and all, how are you going to know who is who?

Richard is not very tall of course, Sarah is so pretty and bright, Louise always says strightforward interesting things, and when I read anne gilbert - I don't know if its really a girl writing...don't know why. Now I know Colin hides under several titles, and Bill is funny to read. When you get together it will be quite a miscellaneous group! But melting pots always give the best, don't they?

richard of orléans a dit…

Welcome to my blog NG. 1m82.
Yes I like a good melting pot.

ng a dit…

Hi Richard:

I was pleased to join in - but I also sent you a little "clin d'oeuil" on the previous "Woodmen" and St. Nicolas Bourgeil & Le Sologne. It shows on my bécane - but not on yours?...I thought with your caustic sense of humour the anecdote about the idiot who was sommelier in the Savoy would amuse you! And that the unconditional amour for the Sologne too!

ng

richard of orleans a dit…

Thanks NG for the nice little clin d'oeil. Yes I am a much misunderstood man. On this blog anyway. My only complaint in life is that I have to share this planet with the British. I am delightful polite and welcoming to all the other nations. But I see no reason to extend my generosity to people who abuse the hospitatlity of others. (there are exceptions of course, mainly people who have learned the life of other nations).

Loire wine is amazing and with the hot summers and technical progress it is becoming outstanding. None other than Robert Parker, who's words I rarely trust, said it was the most complex vignoble in the world. Many soil types, many cepages.

ng a dit…

Ahhhh, Richard! Que des souvenirs et des delices. Des diners superbes, des mets et les vins du cru. Je fut pendant longtemps l'heureuse proprietaire d'un proprieté à Vouvray, et grace aux restaurateurs, aux amis et viticulteurs j'ai pu faire la connaissance de tous ces trésors.

Culot monstre, vous connaisseze la grande bourgeoisie Française - j'ai marié ma fille - en grande pompe...mais uniquement aux vins et aux mets des Pays de Loire. Vin de Loire, Vin de Roi.

Meme pas une goutte de Champagne mais des cors de chasse - et que du Vouvray, et les vins blancs comme des rouges, idem. Les vins du cru.

Re-culot monstre, le lendemain "picnic" à la chasse familale - et des magnums de Chinon, de St. Nicolas et St. Menneton coulaient a flots!!

Tut, tut!!!Mais j'ai fait des emules pour les mariages suivants! Et mes invités, très nombreux se sont regalés - et aussi je pense heureux qu'on les secoue un peu dans leurs habitudes vieilles France...quand on est en Pays de Loire, Vallée des Rois, cela est indecent de prendre les vins ailleurs!!!! A Rome on fait comme les Romains.

ng

richard of orleans a dit…

NG C’était fascinant votre vie dans la vallée du roi. Et pourquoi êtes vous partie ? J’adore Vouvray et en bois souvent. A mon avis c’est presque aussi bon que le champagne mais beaucoup moins cher. Une vraie bonne affaire.

Je vais faire des photos de la Ferté, j’y vais souvent, et les mettre sur mon blog. Mais attention j’ai changé d’adresse, un problème de mot de passe. Voila le nouveau www.richardorleans.blogspot.com