Notre Dame Cathedral on fire

[Buffalo716]

5 minutes ago, Pete said:

We owe France for our independence.  Ever hear of Marquis de Lafayette?  France is our oldest friend. Taking cheap shots at an old friend during a French tragedy is no way to treat an old friend

My kin Casimir Pulaski was at valley forge , saved the life of Washington in battle , gave him his fortune for the cause and is father of the American cavalry...

 

we owe Poland too! No more polack jokes ?

 

seriously prayers for France ?? 

[The Senator]

12 minutes ago, Pete said:

We owe France for our independence.  Ever hear of Marquis de Lafayette?  France is our oldest friend. Taking cheap shots at an old friend during a French tragedy is no way to treat an old friend

 

No.  You see, I’ve never studied American history. Do we really owe him our independence?  Were there actual heroics involved, or was he just a French dandy in a pretty uniform riding around on a horse? ?

 

We also owe a huge debt to General Casimir Pulaski, who came from Poland to join the Continental army and laid down his life, but you don’t hear much about him.

 

Whatever we ‘owe’ France, we paid back in spades at Normandy.

.

Edited April 15, 2019 by The Senator

[Pete]

2 minutes ago, The Senator said:

 

No.  You see, I’ve never studied American history. Do we really owe him our independence?  Were there actual heroics involved, or was he just a French dandy in a pretty uniform riding around on a horse? ?

 

We also owe a huge debt to General Casimir Pulaski, who came from Poland to join the Continental army and laid down his life, but you don’t hear much about him.

 

Whatever we ‘owe’ France, we paid back in spades at Normandy.

.

I can see why you were such a hit in France

I will give you one tidbit about Lafayette.  He exported soil from Washington's plot and Lafayette is buried in American soil in France.  Lafayette is one of the coolest people in history

[The Senator]

8 minutes ago, Pete said:

I can see why you were such a hit in France

 

Actually, I was quite a hit.  Was there to study music theory and composition with Nadia Boulanger.

 

Played a recital consisting of entirely French composers - Jean Phillipe Rameau, Francois Couperin, Maurice Ravel, Gabriel Faure, and Claude Debussy.

 

What little they said afterwards that I could understand, I think was mostly nice.

.

Edited April 15, 2019 by The Senator

[sherpa]

35 minutes ago, The Senator said:

I remember when they refused to join the coalition against Iraq in 2003 - I swore I’d never drive another Puegot, and never have.

 

 

Which led to a famous quote from a then Deputy Undersecretary of Defense.

"Going to   war without France is like going deer hunting without an accordian..."

 

I never found them any different that anyone else, but witnessed one of the strangest behaviors ever.

After 9-11, we stayed in hotels near the DeGaulle airport for a couple months because of security.

 

The hotel would  provide twice daily bus transport to downtown Paris, dropping us off at the Quartier de l'Opera, and pick us up three hours later.

One day, as we were approaching the downtown area, I was sitting on the right side. There was a small car on our right who was trying to get into our lane, but our driver would not allow him in.

This went on for about three traffic lights, with horns blowing and gestures made.

 

Finally, while at a light, the elderly man driving the small vehicle jumps out of his car and bangs on the bus door.

Our driver opens the door, gets out of his seat, and goes down the three stairs to confront the old man.

He then head butts the man, leaving a bleeding wound to his forehead.

The man's elderly companion, who I assume was his wife, is screaming.

 

A couple of blocks later, but only about a block from the drop off point, the police stop the bus at a light and take the driver off.

We all left and walked.

Quite bizarre, but kind of funny.

 

Edited April 15, 2019 by sherpa

[Turk71]

My mother-in-law is there right now. The last time she was in Paris Princess Diana died. 

[Bill from NYC]

2 hours ago, The Senator said:

 

Well, they’re speculating it started in the spire, ‘cause flames were spotted on the roof first.  Can’t imagine how they’d cause a spark up there, unless they were welding.

 

Those Parisians all smoke like chimneys, so I guess I could see someone tossing a butt or a match.

 

I’m still thinking it started in that huge open air nave, with all those candles and wood, and all that oxygen to fan the flames.

.

Whatever. We may never know the truth. I am not afraid to say that this very possibly was an act of terrorism.

[Nextmanup]

44 minutes ago, The Senator said:

 

And they should.  If it weren’t for good Americans, they’d be speaking German.

.

Can you please stop posting in this thread?

 

Thank you.

 

 

[The Senator]

22 minutes ago, sherpa said:

 

Which led to a famous quote from a then Deputy Undersecretary of Defense.

"Going to   war without France is like going deer hunting without an accordian..."

 

I never found them any different that anyone else, but witnessed one of the strangest behaviors ever.

After 9-11, we stayed in hotels near the DeGaulle airport for a couple months because of security.

 

The hotel would  provide twice daily bus transport to downtown Paris, dropping us off at the Quartier de l'Opera, and pick us up three hours later.

One day, as we were approaching the downtown area, I was sitting on the right side. There was a small car on our right who was trying to get into our lane, but our driver would not allow him in.

This went on for about three traffic lights, with horns blowing and gestures made.

 

Finally, while at a light, the elderly man driving the small vehicle jumps out of his car and bangs on the bus door.

Our driver opens the door, gets out of his seat, and goes down the three stairs to confront the old man.

He then head butts the man, leaving a bleeding wound to his forehead.

The man's elderly companion, who I assume was his wife, is screaming.

 

A couple of blocks later, but only about a block from the drop off point, the police stop the bus at a light and take the driver off.

We all left and walked.

Quite bizarre, but kind of funny.

 

 

Only “kind of funny”?  That’s freaking hysterical!

.

[ExiledInIllinois]

38 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

My kin Casimir Pulaski was at valley forge , saved the life of Washington in battle , gave him his fortune for the cause and is father of the American cavalry...

 

we owe Poland too! No more polack jokes ?

 

seriously prayers for France ?? 

And kids in Chicago get "Pulaski Day" off every year!  It's a city holiday.

[Turk71]

8 minutes ago, Bill from NYC said:

Whatever. We may never know the truth. I am not afraid to say that this very possibly was an act of terrorism.

I would venture that it is far more likely connected to the renovation construction of the spire, but speculating about it is pointless. 

[The Senator]

12 minutes ago, Bill from NYC said:

Whatever. We may never know the truth. I am not afraid to say that this very possibly was an act of terrorism.

 

Nor I, but terrorists usually try for a huge human life toll.

.

11 minutes ago, Nextmanup said:

Can you please stop posting in this thread?

 

If you’ve been here since before 2003, you can make that request.

.

Edited April 15, 2019 by The Senator

[Turk71]

15 minutes ago, Bill from NYC said:

Whatever. We may never know the truth. I am not afraid to say that this very possibly was an act of terrorism.

I pray that is not the case, that would be horrible.

[Nextmanup]

1 minute ago, Turk71 said:

I pray that is not the case, that would be horrible.

As far as I know, that has already been ruled out.  Sounds like it was started up in the roof somewhere where all the construction work was going on.  I'd be really surprised if that is not discovered to be the cause of the fire.  There may be workers who already know exactly how it was started. 

 

 

[The Senator]

17 minutes ago, Turk71 said:

My mother-in-law is there right now. The last time she was in Paris Princess Diana died. 

 

Not for nothing, but maybe they’d appreciate it if she visited someplace else ?

[Buffalo716]

6 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

And kids in Chicago get "Pulaski Day" off every year!  It's a city holiday.

He deserves it! He met Ben Franklin in Paris and he persuaded Pulaski to come to America and give all his money to the revolution and help train troops

 

he died for this country that wasn’t even his own... but it’s mine now

[Turk71]

1 minute ago, The Senator said:

 

Not for nothing, but maybe they’d appreciate it if she visited someplace else ?

Was thinking the same thing.

[Boca BIlls]

23 minutes ago, Turk71 said:

My mother-in-law is there right now. The last time she was in Paris Princess Diana died. 

Has she gotten the hint yet?

[BeginnersMind]

1 hour ago, Pete said:

I have been to France several times, and I found French people to be gracious and kind.  Sure they hate our President but they don't like theirs either.  They like good Americans IMO.  They don't care for idiot Americans, but either do I

 

Agreed. I’ve never had a bad experience there. If you make an effort with the language, not even a ton, and are generally not as ass, people are nice everywhere. I love Paris. 

[Turk71]

2 minutes ago, Boca BIlls said:

Has she gotten the hint yet?

Her itinerary, set months in advance, had her in Paris when Diana died and in London for her funeral.

  She just arrived in Paris 2 days ago and the first thing she did was visit Notre Dame and send us pictures.

   The fire is now under control.

[The Senator]

5 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

He deserves it! He met Ben Franklin in Paris and he persuaded Pulaski to come to America and give all his money to the revolution and help train troops

 

he died for this country that wasn’t even his own... but it’s mine now

 

President Kennedy, 1962, Pulaski Parade, Buffalo...

 

http://www.forgottenbuffalo.com/buffalospoloniahistory/pulaskiparade1962.html

 

(Few realize that he left in quite a hurry, after learning about the missiles in Cuba.)

[Turk71]

6 minutes ago, The Senator said:

 

President Kennedy, 1962, Pulaski Parade, Buffalo...

 

http://www.forgottenbuffalo.com/buffalospoloniahistory/pulaskiparade1962.html

 

(Few realize that he left in quite a hurry, after learning about the missiles in Cuba.)

Broadway! 

  My uncle managed the Broadway Market and hired me when I was just 15. Rode the Broadway bus from downtown after school every day for almost a year. Pulaski Day was a big deal there.

Edited April 16, 2019 by Turk71

[ExiledInIllinois]

13 minutes ago, The Senator said:

 

President Kennedy, 1962, Pulaski Parade, Buffalo...

 

http://www.forgottenbuffalo.com/buffalospoloniahistory/pulaskiparade1962.html

 

(Few realize that he left in quite a hurry, after learning about the missiles in Cuba.)

Looks like Casper cornered the market in jewelry and cameras back then... LoL... I guess two kinda go together.

[The Senator]

6 minutes ago, Turk71 said:

Broadway! 

  My uncle managed the Broadway Market and hired me when I was just 15. Rode the Broadway bus from downtown after school every day for almost a year. Pulaski Day was a big deal there.

 

Yeah, Pulaski day is March 2nd. Back then we celebrated it in March in Buffalo’s Polonia neighborhood,  not July in Cheektowaga.

.

[ExiledInIllinois]

Just now, The Senator said:

 

Yeah, Pulaski day is March 2nd. Back then we celebrated it in March in Buffalo’s Polonia neighborhood,  not July in Cheektowaga.

.

Is it a city holiday in Buffalo too?  Chicago celebrates the first Monday of March I believe.  Schools get off.

[The Senator]

Just now, ExiledInIllinois said:

Is it a city holiday in Buffalo too?  Chicago celebrates the first Monday of March I believe.  Schools get off.

 

No, not a holiday - but it might have been when Mayor Kowal or Mayor Makowski ran things.

 

These days, they celebrate it in July and have a small crummy parade down Harlem in Cheektowaga.

 

A few old diehards do get together on March 2nd to lay a wreath in front of the Pulaski monument by Ellicott Square.

.

[Turk71]

14 minutes ago, The Senator said:

 

Yeah, Pulaski day is March 2nd. Back then we celebrated it in March in Buffalo’s Polonia neighborhood,  not July in Cheektowaga.

.

Is Broadway and Fillmore part of the Polonia neighborhood?

17 minutes ago, The Senator said:

 

Yeah, Pulaski day is March 2nd. Back then we celebrated it in March in Buffalo’s Polonia neighborhood,  not July in Cheektowaga.

.

I took my wife to see the Broadway Market some years ago. I hardly recognized the neighborhood, the years have not been too kind. 

[The Senator]

Just now, Turk71 said:

Is Broadway and Fillmore part of the Polonia neighborhood?

 

It is the very heart of Polonia!

 

Broadway Market, Sattlers, and Corpus Christi Church are my childhood memories, along with dozens of other places along Broadway and the smaller neighborhood streets.

.

[Beast]

Did the hunchback make it out?

[Misterbluesky]

7 minutes ago, The Senator said:

 

 

These days, they celebrate it in July and have a small crummy parade down Harlem in Cheektowaga.

 

 

.

Loretta Swift is going to ride in the parade again this year.....the kids,teens and basically any person under the age of 30 must be pumped? 

No Jim Rogowski,though.?

[Turk71]

3 minutes ago, The Senator said:

 

It is the very heart of Polonia!

 

Broadway Market, Sattlers, and Corpus Christi Church are my childhood memories, along with dozens of other places along Broadway and the smaller neighborhood streets.

.

I thought so. Did you grow up in the neighborhood?

[The Senator]

20 minutes ago, Turk71 said:

I thought so. Did you grow up in the neighborhood?

 

I did not, we lived a bit further away, then moved to Lancaster when I was 7.

 

But my mom was born and raised on Brownell and Broadway, down the street from St.John Kanty church, and my grandfather owned a few houses and a couple of neighborhood stores in that part of Buffalo.

 

My mom used to tell me how she and her 3 sisters went to the market a couple times a week for fresh groceries (must have been before refrigerators!)

 

We’d visit my gramp every week, so I was there quite a bit.  My aunt worked at Sattlers, so we always went there to buy clothes for the new school year.

 

I still go there - we took my dad to Polish Mass at Corpus Christi yesterday, then stopped at Broadway Market for pierogi, golumki, kielbasa, etc.

 

Sometimes I venture down there to the R&L Lounge for Polish food and a little pivo (beer).  Total dive, but Ronnie and Lottie are nice folks.

 

Cryin’ shame what’s become of that part of Buffalo.

.

Edited April 16, 2019 by The Senator

[BuffaloBud]

5 hours ago, sherpa said:

 

It's on it's own island.

It isn't peculiarly dense at all.

Really?  You ever been there?  In person?

[Buffalo716]

15 minutes ago, The Senator said:

 

I did not, we lived a bit further away, then moved to Lancaster when I was 7.

 

But my mom was born and raised on Brownell and Broadway, down the street from St.John Kanty church, and my grandfather owned a few houses and a couple of neighborhood stores in that part of Buffalo.

 

My mom used to tell me how she and her 3 sisters went to the market a couple times a week for fresh groceries (must have been before refrigerators!)

 

We’d visit my gramp every week, so I was there quite a bit.  My aunt worked at Sattlers, so we always went there to buy clothes for the new school year.

 

I still go there - we took my dad to Polish Mass at Corpus Christi yesterday, then stopped at Broadway Market for pierogi, golumki, kielbasa, etc.

 

Sometimes I venture down there to the R&L Lounge for Polish food and a little pivo (beer).  Total dive, but Ronnie and Lottie are nice folks.

 

Cryin’ shame what’s become of that part of Buffalo.

.

R&L lounge is a legendary spot

 

50 years

[The Senator]

8 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

R&L lounge is a legendary spot

 

50 years

 

My dad played amateur soccer with Ronnie’s brother Rudy Pikuzinski Sr.  (Yes, that Pikuzinski soccer family.)

 

Lottie is a trip, but makes a mean pierogi.  Her family used to own this place, on Paderewski and Sears...

 

.

Edited April 16, 2019 by The Senator

[Misterbluesky]

5 minutes ago, The Senator said:

 

Lottie is a trip, but makes some mean pierogi.

 

My dad played amateur soccer with Ronnie’s brother Rudy Pikuzinski Sr.  (Yes, that Pikuzinski soccer family.)

.

He played with the Stallions or Blizzard...he gave my bride tickets back then.

Edited April 16, 2019 by Misterbluesky

[The Senator]

19 minutes ago, Misterbluesky said:

He played with the Stallions...he gave my bride tickets back then.

 

It had to be his son, Rudy Jr., ‘cause my dad is 92!

.

Edited April 16, 2019 by The Senator

[Turk71]

53 minutes ago, The Senator said:

 

I did not, we lived a bit further away, then moved to Lancaster when I was 7.

 

But my mom was born and raised on Brownell and Broadway, down the street from St.John Kanty church, and my grandfather owned a few houses and a couple of neighborhood stores in that part of Buffalo.

 

My mom used to tell me how she and her 3 sisters went to the market a couple times a week for fresh groceries (must have been before refrigerators!)

 

We’d visit my gramp every week, so I was there quite a bit.  My aunt worked at Sattlers, so we always went there to buy clothes for the new school year.

 

I still go there - we took my dad to Polish Mass at Corpus Christi yesterday, then stopped at Broadway Market for pierogi, golumki, kielbasa, etc.

 

Sometimes I venture down there to the R&L Lounge for Polish food and a little pivo (beer).  Total dive, but Ronnie and Lottie are nice folks.

 

Cryin’ shame what’s become of that part of Buffalo.

.

Never been to the R&L but there were a couple of dive bars on Gibson St. across from the market us market maintenance workers would sneak off to when my uncle, Redlinski, and friends would go to the R&L. Most of us were underage, I was 15/16, but had no problem getting served. This was around '77, those bars are gone now.

3 hours ago, coloradobillsfan said:

 

this is actually a lot better than I expected!

Could have been much worse, thankfully they saved the building.

[ExiledInIllinois]

Read this about the 12th Century wood frame:

 

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/nortre-dame-fire-oak-wood-trnd/index.html

 

"To kick off the project, workers cleared 21 hectares of oak. Each beam of the intricate wooden cross-work was drawn from a different tree: estimated at 13,000 trees in total. To reach the heights the carpenters needed to build the structure, those trees would likely have been 300 or 400 years old, meaning they would have sprouted out of the ground in the eighth or ninth centuries."

 

Wow!  Irreplaceable.

[Buffalo716]

Just now, ExiledInIllinois said:

Read this about the 12th Century wood frame:

 

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/nortre-dame-fire-oak-wood-trnd/index.html

 

"To kick off the project, workers cleared 21 hectares of oak. Each beam of the intricate wooden cross-work was drawn from a different tree: estimated at 13,000 trees in total. To reach the heights the carpenters needed to build the structure, those trees would likely have been 300 or 400 years old, meaning they would have sprouted out of the ground in the eighth or ninth centuries."

 

Wow!  Irreplaceable.

Yes. The ceiling was made from 800 year old oak trees

 

truly a masterpiece work of art