Gerard Depardieu 'granted Russian citizenship'
Source: BBC News
French actor Gerard Depardieu has obtained Russian citizenship, according to a brief statement posted on the Kremlin website.
"Vladimir Putin has signed a decree granting Russian citizenship to Gerard Depardieu," the message read.
Mr Depardieu recently announced he would give up his French passport after the government criticised his decision to move abroad to avoid higher taxes.
In December, Mr Putin said he would be happy to welcome the actor in Russia.
Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20896894
This is a reaction / in connection with the intended 75% top marginal rate of tax in France. He had originally said he'd move over the border into Belgium.
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Gerard Depardieu is the most visible person in this tax fight due to his celebrity status. however, there have been many stories coming out of France concerning wealthy French citizens wanting to leave or have left due to the high tax burdon. Patriotism does come into play but sooner or later, they'll forget and he'll obtain work again.
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As for getting into the French minds. I lived there and its just not possible 
If you treat the French with respect and attempt to honor their customs, they will be cordial. Hell, i've seen a bunch of brash American college students in a bar in Saint Malo. They were still treated respectfully though everyone laughed at them behind their backs. Anyway, no one can really understand the differences until you try dating. That is a real mind fuck. What we consider dating here doesn't really exist in France. And forget about meeting parents... that just doesn't happen unless you're about ready to walk down the aisle.
I would doubt he'd consider going to one of the countries not in that agreement - Romania whatever who are not allowed into that yet. UK and Ireland are not in it either but that's a technicality. Some soft details here for you : http://www.lonelyplanet.com/europe/travel-tips-and-articles/76920
I would doubt anyone would refuse him anyway - he's a character. Russian's use this ruse of moving to an EU country providing freedom of movement too - usually Spain of late.
I amended the other post re. the rape business when I got back from dancing - I'm hopeless using the Note for links whatever. From the Guardian article I concluded that Time itself must've retracted the statement which seems to have referred when he was 9 years old and as such may not have been literal rape. If you check his history you'll find that even at that early age he'd fallen in with a bad lot. I still don't understand how come France left it so late making rape an offense anyway. 
I could dance to R & R and New Orleans Jazz early sixties. My wife died young 1990 and a few years later needing something to occupy me in the evenings I accidentally discovered Lindy. I then spent best part of 7 years dancing every night of the week until I tired of trashing the value of new cars doing vast annual mileages and also was on a plane mid Atlantic to SF for a dance camp 9/11 which spooked me. I then drifted into listening to American Old Time traditional music and collecting a truly vast number of banjos which has given me numerous friends your side. I just dance a couple of times a week now - keeps me fit.
NYC is the home of Lindy : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savoy_Ballroom what was lovely about that place was that it was mixed race with no issues and the only hard and fast rule was that guys were not to remove their jackets. 
on Democratic Underground.
Got a link which claims that without being subsequently dismissed ?
n/t Just until the Republicans lose the majority in The House
As in
Ras
Putin
