Inside Sarkozy's Cell!
"The Christian message is the most inspiring concoction that ever silenced the voice of fear, quenched the flames of doubt and confusion in a man! "
Ex-French President, Nicolas Sarkozy's lonely walk to prison must be both humiliating and humbling for one of the most powerful men in world politics.
I remember him quite well for his extraordinary ears which seemed to poke at you from their juicy perch immediately adjacent to his posterior upper neck.
He must be thankful to God for his muscular endowments.....large hands, a stand-alone nose, expansive mouth, profound forehead...he has everything in doubles and tripples, Sarkozy!
Never mind the vituperations of his ex-wife, Cecilia, who described him as a serial womaniser. She must have been green with envy and palpitating with sour grapes in that interview.
But dear me, to see a powerful, famous president cool off in prison in this manner is big news. And this week, the eyes of the world feasted on the spectacle of Sarkozy making the lonely walk to his solitary cell in downtown Paris.
It was sad indeed, and teary too,for those of us with a passionate constitution. Seeing the rich and powerful brought down to earth in such raw fashion, without preparing our hearts for the harrowing hangover must be reckless on the part of his jailers.
Yet, this is the only time poor people shake hands with democracy ---- when corruption is justly rewarded with incarceration, and graft with solitary confinement.
How time changes! Who would have thought that Sarkozy, the darling president of the French; the proud--talking, political firebrand of French politics would ever pass a night in prison?
This story is more exhilarating to me for the companions who made it to cell with him.
On the solitary desk of his new home are two books ---- A Life of Christ by Jean- Christian Petifils, and The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexander Dumas's thriller of a man wrongly incarcerated who escapes to wreck havoc on his accusers.
As president, Sarkozy received animadversions for often hailing his country's religious past. He spoke passionately about religion, often diminishing the lines between church and state in his 'no-nonsense' Christo-political soliloquys.
Obviously, his Catholic childhood played an important part in his grooming and outlook of life ---- never mind how he practiced his faith, whether to the left or to the right, or center-right.
Thus, "smuggling"Jesus publicly into his new experience--- making him such a prominent companion in the darkness of his cell or soul ----can only amplify the centrality of Christ in his new experience.
The Christian message is one of hope in adversity, calmness amidst the storm, faith in fear. It is indeed the most inspiring concoction that silenced the voice of fear and quenched the flames of doubt and confusion in a man. Sarkozy must have found it!
The other book on vengeance is in direct antipathy to the first. Certainly he is not seeking an escape! He might only end up serving a few weeks in this high profile confinement. He has already has not to be treated differently from other inmates!
If his claim of innocence is proven, La Sant'e prison might well spark a resurgence. We have seen it play out before!
Theodore is a corporate communications coach, author and writer. He provides corporate communications, editorial and writing support to organisations and individuals.
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