French Extraditions
 

Can anyone explain why James Kopp, who murdered an abortion provider and was recently apprehended in France, is apparently going to be extradited expeditiously, whereas the same government and judicial system has refused to extradite Ira Einhorn for years? The excuse for Einhorn, who murdered his American girlfriend, was that he might be subjected to the death penalty. Yet Kopp is also vulnerable to the death penalty. What's the difference? Maybe this aspect of the story is being covered in the European news media with more clarity than it is in the US.

Can you explain what this has to do with travel? Unless you consider extradition to be a form of travel.

I think that the attitudes of European nationals, towards "foreigners" (Americans, for example) and their governments - - as they carry out their attempts to seek extradition of possible fugitives - - this has plenty "to do with" the experiences of travelers in Europe. <BR>

Off Topic: I understand that, to someone like yourself, places like France are just destinations in a Globus tour. So close your eyes, pretend this bad thread doesn't exist, and you'll feel better.

Steve, you go right ahead and think that if it makes you feel superior. You know nothing about me.

Thanks, Steve, I was just wondering from which country I should be extradited this year. Any recommendations on guidebooks?

Ira Einhorn, from what I understand, whas tried in absentia in the US and given the death sentence. He was arrested (in the Bordeaux region, I think it was) and then released after France refused to extradite him, because he had already been sentenced to death. James Kopp has not been tried, so they have no excuse not to send him back. <BR> <BR>This same sort of thing occured recently and worked against the French. A young man from Marseille was wanted in connection with killing two women on trains - and English student and a French woman travelling with her two small children. He evaded the French police at least three times, and escaped to Portugal. When he was arrested in Portugal they refused to extradite him back to France because he faced life in prison... something the Portuguese dont allow. The French were saved a lengthy debate when the accused committed suicide. <BR> <BR>PB

Such a vague question Elvira! <BR>From whence have you previously been extradited? Where would really LIKE to be extradited from? Was it "worthwhile"? <BR> <BR>What is your favorite china pattern? <BR> <BR>Please give us something to go on.

I don't have all the answers, Elvira, but I do know that you don't want to be extridited from France. My, uh, friend went through that hell a couple of years ago. <BR> <BR>The holding cell wasn't unclean, but it was well worn and had obviously not been renovated since the 1960s. The toilet was a hole in the floor and the shower had no curtain at all. Happily, I did have a washcloth, but unfortunately this was also to serve as my towel. <BR> <BR>The food was very strange, and not to my liking. Head cheese and intestines and snails. Yuuck. I was forced to drink wine with meals when all I really wanted was a coke. And the people serving it would look down their noses at me when I asked for coffee before dinner. <BR> <BR>white tennies were stripped from me day one. I'm still working though the Consulate to get those back. <BR> <BR>And forget what you've heard, beginning a conversation with a little French did not have a positive effect on my guards' attitudes. <BR> <BR>Don't let this turn you off on the extridition process. I've heard wonderful things about Sweden.

Get this fetus hugger off the board!!!

Mon dieux, how I weesh de Americans had extridited moi.I would not have to leeve in dis terrible place. Zee cockroaches are tres grand, but zay taste good with zee bernais sauce.

Brian, what sort of luggage should I take? Could I keep my <BR>"I'm With Stupid-&gt;" t-shirt? Is an Eyewitness map a bit over the top? Will they confiscate my peanut butter? How do you say "I don't want to shower with her" in French?

Think you better leave the "I'm with Stupid" T-shirt home, hon.

Wasn't "X-Tradition" the first song in "Fiddler on the Roof?"

Elvira. Maybe this person being extradited was your last chance for getting a date in France.

Well, you're keeping me from happy hour, but I guess it's smart to give the others a head start. <BR> <BR>You'll want to pack light since it will all be confiscated anyway. And what you wear should be your last concern as you'll be issued a regulation crispy pink jogging suit upon arrest. <BR> <BR>Peanut butter's OK as far as I remember, but you'll definitely not be able to keep that 12-pack of Diet Coke. Even if you could keep it, you're only issued one ice cube a week anyway. <BR> <BR>Oh and the flight back is no picnic either. You should expect to be handcuffed to your seat and placed in front of a long-legged 8-year old who is allowed to drink as many cokes as he wants. In front of you will be a sleeping sumo wrestler and your personal in-flight video player will show "Dude, Where's My Car?" on a continuous loop. Oh, and they'll be out of the chicken. <BR> <BR>But hey, it's better than an organized tour.

Apparently, the French believe Einhorn when he says that he is the victim of a CIA conspiracy to frame him. Voila. He cannot be extradited. But the French had no problem with extraditing masses of French Jews to the Nazi gas chambers. Stupid people.

If I add up all the time I've spent in coach, will I get credit for time served?

More importantly, can you use the extradition airtime for Frequent Flier miles?????

Dear Buyer, <BR> <BR>Funny you should ask. I just read that United is having a special deal. 10,000 bonus FF miles if you've been indicted for Murder 2 or conspiracy, and a whopping 20,000 for Murder 1. I think you also get more if you sign up for a cell phone at the same time.