Vanity: I ran into John Ashcroft in Paris

N/A | May 23, 2003 | Timmy

[Timmy]

Hey, everyone. Just wanted to pass along that I ran into Attorney General Ashcroft (a fellow Missourian) at Hotel Invalides (Napoleon's tomb) in Paris on Monday, May 5. Someone saw him go in the back as we were walking around the place. We went to the front, hoping to go in and see him inside. However, the place is closed on the first Monday of each month, so we couldn't go in.

Suddenly, about 15 cars starting pulling to the front of the building. We figured he would be coming out. So I told our group that, when he came out, I would yell that we were from Missouri and he would come right to us.

Sure enough, as he came out, I hollered, "Mr. Ashcroft, we're from Missouri." He turned on a dime and walked right over to us with his hand out. After a brief conversation, I asked if we could do a picture. He looked around at the fifty or so Secret Service and French police and said, "Make it quick." So, we posed with him and one of his aides took the picture with my co-worker's digital camera. If someone will tell me how to post the picture, I will add it to this thread.

Anyway, needless to say, we were pumped up like Rocky for the rest of the day (which helped, as I had just gotten off the plane that morning and hadn't had any sleep). I have met Ashcroft a couple of times previously when he was Senator, but it's a little different now that he's AG. A good Freep in any event.

[John Beresford Tipton]

Napoleon's tomb

Paying respects, one to the other.

[breakem]

bon chance. My wife and I had a great time in Paris and Alsace a couple of years ago. Hard for me to cut that loose.

[Houmatt]

I certainly hope you apologized to him after doing that!

[red-dawg]

"If someone will tell me how to post the picture.."

Do you have a "place" to ftp the jpg to? If so, then link the location in a post.

(You've been here longer than most people and should know how to do this??)

[Tax-chick]

Good for you! I'm from Missouri, too, originally.

[Scothia]

And we should care about Paris because...?

[Malsua]

Nifty.

While I want Patriot act I to sunset and II to never go in place, I'd cherish meeting this guy.

What were you doing in France! Lol.

(I admit, I was in Paris in May 2002).

If you need some webspace, freepmail me, I'll give you my email and I'll post it on my PAID geocities site.(no Bandwidth restrict and allows blind links)

-Mal

[OREALLY]

I am from Missouri. I love John Ashcraft and it makes me sad so many people believe the lies the democrats have told about him. Even many republicans seem to believe the lies.
He is an upright man that will not bend and that must be real scary for the democrats and all their dirty little secrets.

[Consort]

He's probably making preparations for Bush's upcoming trip to France (G8?).

[Miss Marple]

How wonderful for you! I hope you can get the pictures posted.

[MeekMom]

2 questions Timmy.
1. If you're an American, what were you doing in FRANCE?
2. What in the world was Ashcroft doing there?
Yikes!

[Rome2000]

What the heck was he doing over there at this time?

Surely he's seen Notre Dame, The Lourvre, and that ratty tower that I wouldn't pay the price of admission to the top in his youth?.

Nice collection of armor in the Lourvre, people were a lot shorter back then.

[Rome2000]

Just think about how Ashcroft compares to Reno and then you will be at peace.

Reno was and is pure evil, she lives within a square mile of O.J.Simpson, talk about 2 birds.

[Consort]

U.S., France to Lead Security Study. It explains Ashcroft's visit.

[Tax-chick]

Louvre.

[Cagey]

That's nothing. TLBSHOW hung out with James Gandolfini last week.

[Timmy]

I have to go to France 5 - 6 times a year. My company is building some large nuclear components there (there is no place in the US that builds them). So, I spend a lot of time there. Have never encountered any anti-Americanism. In fact, they are quite nice to us. I believe the American hating is an elite attitude. So what? Even American elites hate America. Although my French is rapidly improving, the language, food and other culture differences tend to wear you out. After two weeks there this month, I was thoroughly sick of everything French and very anxious to get back home. The best thing for homesickness in Paris, however, is the Hard Rock Cafe.

[Timmy]

(You've been here longer than most people and should know how to do this??)

I HAVE been here a long time, but tend to READ a lot and POST relatively little. Have never really had a need to post a picture.

[deadhead]

Timmy on left, pictured with coworkers and John Ashcroft

Here is the photo Timmy, I have pinged a few folks. Great photo, great memory. Thanks for sharing about your encounter with John Ashcroft.

Colleen