Topic: Sarkozy

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been stripped of the Legion d'honneur following his conviction for bribing a judge. The conversation then shifts to the ubiquity and perceived corruption of customer service surveys. The hosts share personal anecdotes about car dealerships and mobile phone stores where employees plead for five-star ratings to avoid commission penalties, arguing that such practices render the feedback systems meaningless.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy faces investigation for allegedly taking bribes from L'Oreal heiress Lillian Betancourt. The hosts predict Carla Bruni will leave him within six months. They also highlight a new Carefree advertisement that explicitly uses the word "vagina," fulfilling a long-standing Red Book prediction.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy lost an appeal against his conviction for corruption and influence peddling. A Paris court upheld a three-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, allowing him to serve the remainder via an electronic bracelet. The story has received minimal coverage in US mainstream media, leading to speculation that it draws uncomfortable parallels to domestic political scandals.

Christine Lagarde faces trial in France for negligence regarding a massive state payment to a businessman during her time as Finance Minister under Nicolas Sarkozy. Despite the legal proceedings, she maintains she has the "unanimous support" of the international community. The hosts joke about her "crocodile skin" and the perception of elite immunity from prosecution.

The hosts explore allegations that Doctors Without Borders (MSF) functions as a lobbying group for vaccines, noting a recent protest against Pfizer regarding pneumonia vaccine pricing. They also discuss unverified claims linking MSF leadership to intelligence agencies. The segment concludes with a call for military listeners to provide insight into the weaponry used in the Kunduz airstrike.

The Minsk peace deal for Ukraine is detailed, including a ceasefire and a $17.5 billion IMF bailout. A sensational report from Pravda is mentioned, claiming Vladimir Putin possesses satellite evidence that 9/11 was a controlled demolition.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy faces a campaign finance scandal involving the PR firm Bygmalyon. In Mexico, authorities discovered mass graves near Iguala following the disappearance of 43 students after a police confrontation. Investigations suggest local police are linked to organized crime cartels.

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde is facing legal scrutiny in France regarding an embezzlement and fraud case from her time as Finance Minister. The investigation centers on a 300 million euro payout to Bernard Tapie, a supporter of former President Nicolas Sarkozy. Despite the severity of the charges, the case has received relatively limited international media coverage.

Despite severe economic turmoil, the Greek government is reportedly working to bring a Formula One race to the country. Meanwhile, in France, former President Nicolas Sarkozy is under investigation for campaign finance irregularities. The hosts highlight the disconnect between the priorities of the political elite and the struggles of the general public.

A statue of Carla Bruni, wife of Nicolas Sarkozy, has been erected in France depicting her as a working-class woman. The hosts mock the sculpture, noting the irony of a wealthy elite being used to symbolize labor. They also briefly mention Asma al-assad and the public image of political wives in international media.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni have reportedly left France for Canada following the expiration of his political immunity. French police recently raided Sarkozy's home as part of an investigation into illegal campaign financing and bribes from L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt. It was also revealed that Sarkozy spent billions of euros on personal opinion polls during his presidency.

Lorne Osterman is officially knighted during the show's knighting ceremony. Adam Curry recounts his experience seeing "The Avengers" in 3D, criticizing high movie theater prices. Breaking news from the French presidential election confirms that François Hollande has defeated Nicolas Sarkozy.

Reporting on the Syrian conflict is criticized for relying on unconfirmed YouTube videos and vague activist statements rather than on-the-ground journalism. French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé's call for immediate action in Syria is linked to the ongoing French presidential elections involving Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande. The discussion suggests that international intervention is being escalated to influence domestic political outcomes in France.

The hosts discuss the shooting in Toulouse, France, suggesting that suspect Mohamed Merah may have been a patsy and that his death was timed for President Sarkozy's political benefit. They also mention a "six strikes" copyright enforcement policy allegedly being implemented by US ISPs in coordination with the government.

A standoff in Toulouse, France, involving a self-described Al Qaeda militant resulted in the suspect's death after he reportedly jumped from a window. The hosts question the logic of the media reports, including claims that the suspect "confessed" while still holed up in his apartment. They suggest the event may be an "Operation Gladio" style operation intended to boost President Nicolas Sarkozy's re-election prospects.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy's re-election campaign faced ridicule for using stock photography of the Aegean Sea in Greece for a poster intended to show France. In tech news, Apple's iPad trademark dispute in China is framed as a political retaliation for Apple's public scrutiny of Foxconn working conditions.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced a mandate requiring every car in France to be equipped with a breathalyzer starting in Spring 2012. The hosts mock the regulation, suggesting it will lead to technical glitches and prevent sober drivers from starting their vehicles in emergencies. The show concludes with a French translation of "please blow the car."

A clip of Michelle Obama being interviewed by Gayle King is analyzed for signs of heavy scripting. The hosts point out a specific phrasing error where she appears to misplace a line about being an "angry black woman." They argue this suggests the First Lady memorizes and recites prepared talking points rather than speaking authentically.

Standard & Poor's downgraded the credit ratings of several European nations, including France and Italy, citing an inadequate response to the debt crisis. The move is seen as a political blow to French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The discussion covers the ongoing Greek bailout negotiations and the push for a full political and fiscal union in Europe to prevent a total collapse of the Euro.

Professor Samuel Moyn discusses the power dynamics within the European Union, noting that Germany's financial superiority allows it to dictate fiscal policy. The debate between German-led austerity and French-led inflationary spending is highlighted as a threat to European stability. The hosts suggest these economic tensions could lead to civil unrest within the next decade.