CHARLES NAPOLEON
Posted on 06/08/2007 12:33:33 AM PDT by Cincinna
A new Napoleonic campaign is under way in France - but this time the great-great-grandnephew of Napoleon Bonaparte is trying to get elected.
Charles Napoleon, 57, is running for the Democratic Movement party. It was founded by centrist Francois Bayrou, who ran in the presidential race.
"I have a life beyond my name and inheritance," he insists.
Two centuries ago the emperor Napoleon led French armies into battle. Charles hopes for a seat in parliament.
"I stand behind my name, but I'm also careful never to hide my own values," he says.
The parliamentary election will take place in two rounds, on 10 and 17 June.
Charles Napoleon is standing in a constituency that includes Fontainebleau, where the emperor had his favourite residence and spent his last days before heading into exile.
Unlike his diminutive ancestor, Mr Napoleon stands almost two metres (6ft, 5 inches) tall.
The modern politician uses an orange-painted "Napomobil" van to travel through his constituency of 110,000 voters.
Lessons from Napoleon
Mr Napoleon first entered politics in 2001, when he won a municipal election in the city of Ajaccio, Corsica.
His surname is Napoleon rather than Bonaparte since his great grandfather decided to use it.
"Some people tell me: 'Napoleon is dead. So who are you?'", he says.
But Mr Napoleon runs a foundation and has written several books about his ancestor.
"One lesson I draw from Napoleon and other leaders... is that you need to be able to take risks and innovate," he told Reuters news agency.
"We're always facing new problems, such as the environmental challenges today. We must respond in new ways.
"In a similar way, the question of equality of human beings was posed after the French Revolution. ... He (Napoleon) responded to that. It is up to us to tackle our era's problems," he said.
One of my favorite Napoleon anecdotes is from Cher.
She recounted this story at Sonny Bono’s funeral. When they first met, Sonny told her that his family was royalty, and he was descended from Napoleon Bonaparte. When they came to the US from Italy, the family changed their name from Bonaparte to Bono.
Cher was duly impressed.
Who is running against him and from which political parties? If he’s truly the most conservative of everyone running for this seat, then he should be supported. If somebody else, especially from Sarko’s political party, is also running for this seat and they are more conservative, then that person should be supported instead.
Just what everyone needs: another Napoleon running France, with imperialistic aspirations no doubt.
I predict another Waterloo will be necessary, and hope that the UK can supply another Wellesley to do the honors.
Crikey! Is there no end to the French and their machinations and delusions of grandeur?
Maybe this Napoleon could finish the job against the nuts in Russia
Say that’s not a bad pickup technique. It also gives you an indication of how deep her thinking’s going if she falls for it, or doesn’t.
Proving once again that Cher has the IQ of a rock.
His distinguished ancestor's original home town.
Ah yes — Arthur Wellesley Duke of Wellington. They don’t make ‘em like they used to!
Along with Patton and Churchill, one of my role models.
Our Nation’s capital is named after him (Wellington) as is one of Auckland’s main streets (Wellesley).
Cheers
DieHard
> Maybe this Napoleon could finish the job against the nuts in Russia
Wouldn’t it be nice if they could find a way to neutralize each other?
If he’s a relative of Nappy, shouldn’t his last name be “di Buonaparte” or “Bonaparte?”
Leni
How strange that Napoleon wound up as a delicious pastry, and Wellington, a fancy beef roast.
Churchill and Patton, just heroes.
Not only does it prove Cher’s relative intelligence, but Bono’s. Being a relative of Napoleon might give one an indirect connection to a royal family, but the Napoleons themselves were not a royal family.
There is Brains a la Churchill and Guts a la Patton.
Guaranteed to satisfy even the most discriminating palates.
Leni
The Napoleon Bonaparte family was annobli by Napoleon III.
There is currently Prince and Princesse Napoleon.
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