Reason #345,678,098 The French Suck

French leftists--which would include most of the country since Chirac is considered a conservative there--are tres pissed:

PARIS, April 4 (Reuters) - As Catholics mourned the death of Pope John Paul, French leftwingers and a major teaching union criticised the government on Monday for ordering flags on public buildings to be lowered in a sign of respect.

Socialist senator Jean-Luc Melenchon and Yves Contassot, a senior Green party member on the Paris City Council, said the government had abused its powers in ordering the official tribute to the Pope, who died on Saturday.

The Unsa union said the government was guilty of double standards having ordered schools to take part in the tribute to a religious leader but banned Muslim headscarves in state schools in a drive to keep schools firmly secular.

"Let the Christians pay tribute to the head of their church, it's a private matter," Contassot told France Inter radio.

Don't get your Speedo all bunched up, Pierre; this is only the man who--with Ronald Reagan-- destroyed the greatest threat you've faced since the Germans were goose-stepping across the Maginot Line. This should endear you to the people who have caused your wine sales to go the opposite way of your unemployment rate.