He died in an accidental plane crash in Algeria in 1947, and was made a Marshal of France posthumously in 1952. At least he did fight in the war as he commanded 3,000 troops mostly from Chad and Senegal that saw action in Libya and Tunisia and captured the oasis of Koufra – his ragtag brigade became the Free French 2nd Armored Division. A little late, but he landed in Normandy on August 1 1944. His main claim to fame is that he accepted the surrender from the German General von Cholitz on the occasion of the liberation of Paris August 25th 1944. In 1945 he was appointed as Commander in Chief of the Free French Forces in the Far East, but, when he arrived, his only action was to represent France in the acceptance of the Japanese surrender. It may be that the American, British and French perspectives on such issues differ*. He remains in French eyes a great hero.

Original appearance Nov 17, 2005, © 2005 / Général LECLERC / 1902-1947 / military, Free French, WWII, / best / A- / 32 / CIP 332, OO 20, RD 17, YP 30/8-17 /
For more relevant information see *On the Tricolors

Okay, I don’t like him, or Michael Moore for that matter, and I don’t much care for Jesse Jackson either. French or American, Black or White, professional activists and publicity seekers get my goat. He claims to be a simple French farmer (is that an oxymoron to begin with?) and a maker of Roquefort cheese. At least that explains the odor. Anarcho-syndicalist, anti globalization, anti GMO and nuclear weapons, anti McDonalds and Monsanto, conscientious objector, the list goes on and on. Actually there are a number of José Bové’s causes that I more or less agree with. Certainly the anti-globalization effort has elements of truth to it, and I am not sure that McDonalds represents all that is best about America. Still I prefer people who quietly pay the consequences of their actions than the shrill TV talking heads and self promoters we have today. Okay, diatribe over – his turn.

Original appearance Nov 17, 2005, © 2005 / José BOVE / 1953- / activist, demonstrator, McDonalds / ugly F+ / 87 / CIP 387, OO 20, RD 17, YP 30/8-17

For the French it may be more often, but the world comes to Roland-Garros once a year. This year (2006) it will be between the 28th of May and June 11th. The 2nd Grand Slam – the French Open. For the US Jim Courier won it twice and Andre Aggassi once (not to mention being the finalist two more times). Gustavo Kuertan of Brazil won it 3 times. Jenifer Capriati 2001, Serena Williams 2002 and Chris Evert-Lloyd (4 times) were all winners for the United States. Of course the French tend to favor Yannick Noah who took the crown in 1983. Speaking of Yannick his son Joakim Noah did quite well for himself and the Florida Gators last night in Indianapolis. Of course this Cowboy went to UCLA so I wasn't quite as happy. By the way Roland Garros was a famous French aviator.

Original appearance May 19, 2005, © 2005 / ROLAND GARROS / STADE ROLAND GARROS, (STADIUM) / 2 AVE GORDON-BENNETT, 75016 / 01 47 43 48 00 / CIP 107, OO 17, RD 16, YP 30/8-16

Perhaps of late they have been resting on their laurels a bit. But in science they have some pretty good laurels to recline on. Lets just see the A, B, and C of it. André-Marie Ampère (1775-1836) physicist and mathematician – you remember the ampere don’t you? Yes, that one. Paul Broca (1824-1880) of Carl Sagan’s Broca’s Brain. Cassini, as in Jean-Dominique Cassini (1748-1825), he discovered Saturn’s rings and recently returned to them. Pretty good ABC’s. And I haven’t even mentioned Lamarck and Laplace, or Perrin – father and son. Oh, yes, did I forget Curie and Pasteur.

Original appearance May 19, 2005, © 2005 / CIP 058, OO 17, RD 16, YP 30/8-16

Perhaps nobody does buildings with such verve as the Gaul. We’re talking huge, massive, stately buildings. Commanding, impressive, and gorgeous structures. The likes of the Palais du Luxembourg, Versailles, the Elysée, the Asemblée Nationale. And almost all of them originally built simply as ‘homes’. Only ever so slightly less imposing: Châtelet, Rohan, Soubise, Lamoignon, Coulanges, the list goes on and on. Each and every one an architectural delight, an incomparable sight and a worthy destination. Note the names and consider extending your stay. You will never finish Paris, and even if you do, you have only just begun France.

Original appearance May 19, 2005, © 2005 / CIP 053, OO 17, RD 16, YP 30/8-16

Nothing in France is taken more seriously than cuisine and the upshot is that virtually all restaurants seem to range from good to great. Perhaps if I were a greater connoisseur my palate would be more picky but I have never eaten out in Paris and not enjoyed the food, though the service is not always quite as impeccable. The range in prices is vast, but if you avoid the places in close proximity to major tourist attractions and take all recommendations with a grain of salt you will almost certainly do well without breaking the bank. If money is no object either burn it or follow the advice of the experts, which often amounts to about the same thing. Virtually all professionals seem to agree that the more you pay the better the restaurant. I disagree, but then I am not a professional.

Original appearance May 19, 2005, © 2005 / CIP 043, OO 17, RD 16, YP 30/8-16

Expatriates are my deepest disappointment in France. I would have hoped they would reflect the diversity in America but instead they illustrate the narrow political spectrum that exists in France. They are almost all liberal or left of liberal. Most spend most of their time denigrating the United States. Many conversations start ‘I love America but.… and a ten minute diatribe on what is wrong with America. The next sentence starts America is good but…. This continues until you walk away. Perhaps that is why they are expatriates. As for me I just love the United States and like most everything else, including France. No buts about it.

Original appearance May 19, 2005, © 2005 / CIP 024, OO 17, RD 16, YP 30/8-16

We give you a clue to give you a clue. Keeping in mind the classification, your first reaction to a hint is often right. If it fits the letters, it is almost always correct. The majority of hints revolve around the Common Denominator but many are simply aimed at you blurting out a connection. Blurt for a bronze. Another thing, always remember to remember: within a grouping the clue and answers remain consistent. Most are used more than once, 2 or 3 times is the norm, and occasionally it may go up to 4 or 5.

Original appearance CIP May 2006, CD 2001, © 2001 / PRO 565, OO NA, RD 2-15, YP 30/18-15

After you have reviewed the family color, the given words and the clues, hopefully, you have made an educated guess as to the category (and won a bronze in the process.) Now it is time to focus on the letters that have been given as an aid to guess the horizontal words (and win more bronzes.) Here, it is good to remember that the consonant is King (or Queen) and thus more likely to help you deduce correctly. Concentrating on consonants and first letters will help you more than placing emphasis on the vowels or later letters. (Rember some of these hints refer more to the board game version than Common Denominator as it appears online here).

Original appearance CIP May 2006, CD 2001, © 2001 / PRO 567, OO NA, RD 2-15, YP 30/8-15

Similarly, placing emphasis on the top words is a much more efficient way to discern the hidden vertical. Indeed if you think you can figure out the top two or three horizontal words you may wish to use more of your turn trying to go for the Gold. Be careful here as there is a penalty if you are wrong. Sometimes it is more productive to “run the table”: i.e. 3 Bronzes and a Silver may be better than gambling on a Gold. (This hint refers specifically to the Board Game but is still of some use when playing the online version of Common Denominator here).

Original appearance CIP May 2006, CD 2001, © 2001 / PRO 568, OO NA, RD 2-15, YP 30/8-15