Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Flying the “Islamophobic” Colours

Danish reader Kepiblanc sends this account of what he did on his summer vacation:

This summer I spent my vacation in the Mediterranean island of Corsica. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on the planet. But relax… this isn’t another boring holiday description of snowclad mountains, white beaches, green forests and lovely people. It’s about a flag.

Nowadays Corsica is part of France, and if you search long enough you’ll eventually find an occasional “Tricolore”, for example in the Northern city of Calvi, where the French Foreign Legion has a garrison (2ème Régiment Étranger de Parachutistes at Camp Raffalli).

The flag of CorsicaNevertheless, the Corsicans are a proud and independent people, so they fly their flag everywhere, be it on buildings, ferries, sports facilities and even Coca-Cola cans. But this flag isn’t the “Drapeau Tricolore”, it is something very different, indeed: A decapitated (!) black head on a white backdrop.

The history behind this unusual symbol goes something like this: All throughout its history Corsica has been plagued by Muslim pirates, mainly the Moors. Hence the local saying: “Nothing good comes from the ocean”. So in order to defend themselves they built watchtowers all along their island’s vast beaches (the concept was later copied by the Irish) and erected spikes with cut-off Moorish heads in order to deter the enemy. Sometimes they paraded those spikes around the island, and the idea had the desired effect: Although surrounded by hostility on all sides — African Barbaristans to the South and Dhimmi-nations to the East (Italy), North (France) and West (El-Andalus) — Corsica is Muslim-free territory, even today (Please don’t tell the EU).

Walking around in Corsican cities is a pleasure: no “youths”, no women in black tents, no burnt-out cars, no vandalism, no screaming and ululating. Pork sausages, beer (“Pietra”) and good wines available everywhere. Music and dancing in the peaceful streets — the good life.

But everything comes to an end: I had to leave for home, eventually. When checking in at Bastia Airport I was taken out for “frisking”. Now — being as Danish as they come — my appearance isn’t exactly what’s called “of Middle Eastern complexion”, so I asked why.

The “flics” chuckled: “Well, you see, we have to do something, right? But we have no Muslims here!” And then they pointed to the overhead Corsican flag.

18 comments:

El Jefe Maximo said...

The Second Foreign Parachute Regiment...now that's a famous unit, and quite a name to conjure with, specially since there ain't a first regiment anymore.

Being as it's Napoleon's birthday, I have sort of a Corsican themed post today, although somewhat in a different key.

kepiblanc said...

Jefe, great article on "The Corsican" !

The Corsicans themselves don't think much of Napoleon, they consider him "French". They have their own hero :
Pasquale Paoli who's statue is erected in even the remotest mountain village.

And while we're at the 2ème REP it somehow relates to a recent thread here, about the Belgian Gestapo's persecution of its citizens, like Paul Belien : when marching, "La Legion" uses to sing :

Tiens, voilà du boudin, voilà du boudin, voilà du boudin
Pour les Alsaciens, les Suisses et les Lorrains,
Pour les Belges, y en a plus,
Pour les Belges y en a plus,
Ce sont des tireurs au cul.
Pour les Belges, y en a plus,
Pour les Belges y en a plus,
Ce sont des tireurs au cul.

Very appropriate, IMHO.

kepiblanc said...

Forgot to give you the audio, sorry :

Boudin

Zerosumgame said...

I was wondering -- is Napoleon, having been Corsican, widely celebrated on the island? Are there a lot of things named after him?

Zerosumgame said...

I was wondering -- is Napoleon, having been Corsican, widely celebrated on the island? Are there a lot of things named after him?

Exile said...

Perhaps we should adopt this marvellous flag.
I would wave it proudly from my rooftop.

Hey Kepi, nice to have you back.

kepiblanc said...

Zero, Napoleon isn't celebrated in Corsica, rather "tolerated". The only place I've seen his statue is in his home town of Ajaccio. Besides that, only some plates on houses, like one in the Southern town of Bonifacio, stating that he lived there for a few months - as a colonel.

Another thing about Corsica. When de Gaulle surrendered Algiers to the Muslims in 1961 they had a problem. What to do with the "pieds-noirs" (the Frenchmen who had lived in Algiers for generations) ?

They were given some farmland in the Eastern lowland of Corsica. They aren't known for their love to Muslims.....

Zerosumgame said...

Thanks for the info, Kepiblanc.

Which leads me to my next question....

When are you going to visit the States?

John Sobieski said...

I am sure the Corsicans are disgusted with the EU for their suicidal immigration and dhimmitude policies.

kepiblanc said...

Zero, I've visited the US, but only once (1996). Family in California and the Midwest. So next time, maybe the South ? - Don't know about visa, though : I guess Danes aren't especially popular with your State Department due to our "hostility" towards the "Religion of Peace" (courtesy of Mr. Bush & Mrs. Rice). Besides, most Americans would probably consider me "EUropean" - a label that would make me feel very much ashamed...

Actually, I'm trying to convince my "supreme command" that next summer our vacation should go to Israel. Don't know anybody there, but that could change...

Zerosumgame said...

Kepiblanc

Besides, most Americans would probably consider me "EUropean" - a label that would make me feel very much ashamed...

Well, you can get around that by wearing T-shirts like:

- Don't look at me, I voted against the EU.

- Don't blame me, I hate Socialists too.

- I may be European, but I still love America.

- Hey, we Danes INVENTED the Mohammed cartoons, you were too chicken to even publish them.

kepiblanc said...

LOL, OK, Zero - where to order ?

BTW, ever considered visiting us ? - I'm sure you'll find it worth a trip :

The Rebild Fest

Jeremy said...

The Muslim pirates Kepiblanc mentions are most likely the Barbary pirates. They plagued the Mediterranean for centuries. The United States' first foreign wars were fought against the Barbary pirates in the early 19th century. It's where the phrase "..to the shores of Tripoli," in the Marine Corps hymn comes from. The Barbary pirates were pretty notorious for making other nations pay tribute(basically "protection money") for the right to sail through the Mediterranean, selling captured sailors and ship passengers into slavery, and raiding European coastal towns for slaves and treasure.

Here's a few links on the subject if anyone's interested:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Barbary_War
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbary_pirates
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Barbary_War
http://www.history.navy.mil//wars/index.html#anchor2191

El Jefe Maximo said...

Hey kepi blanc, thanks for the "Boudin." Had forgotten that one. In return, I give you the politically incorrect song of the French 1st Hussars (Parachute) "Bercheny."

http://chants.militaires.free.fr/chants/bercheny.htm

kepiblanc said...

Jefe --

Thanks for the link. How very appropriate for all of us, especially these words :

Autour de nous, attendant l'esclavage,
Les libéraux se vautrent dans leur veulerie.
Pour eux la paix, mais pour nous le courage
De risquer tout pour secourir la Patrie.


I certainly don't hope I'll have to "chute" back to Denmark any time in the future. Much easier to stay and fight - with the bayonnet or bare hands, if need be...

Profitsbeard said...

For use in the wider, modern world, the head should alchemized to green, -the color of radical Islam.

That eludes all possibilities of accusations of crypo-racism, and also mocks the delusional [headless] alliance between ultra-leftist/'green' anarchists ( cum suicidal fools) and pandering 'peace-loving' Mohammedans, using these "useful idiots" as canon fodder.

Sura 9:29, for one.

Profitsbeard said...

"crypto", of course, as in -zoology.

Consul-At-Arms said...

I've linked to you here: http://consul-at-arms.blogspot.com/2006/08/re-flying-islamophobic-colours.html