Hmmmm. I wonder what's on the French government's mind these days. The French Defence Minister Herve Morin , being interviewed a few days ago on a small radio station, Radio Beur, about France's involvement with the war in Afghanistan, was asked about the fact that a majority of French people opposed the involvement of French troops in that arena (France has about 3,500 troops serving with NATO there, at a cost of about half a billion euros annually , and has lost about 45 soldiers in the fight against the Taliban). He replied by saying that "It is difficult to explain to... men and women... that part of their safety is ensured 7,000 miles away." Or that's what he ended up saying. But what he actually said initially (before quickly correcting himself) was: "C'est difficile d'expliquer à des cons... " ...which translates into "It is difficult to explain to cunts..." Most mainstream media that has reported on it has chosen to transla...