Jacques E. Lennon Obituary

Jacques E. Lennon Obituary

To an old friend.

LENNON--Jacques E. 92, died of pneumonia, on June 22, 2015. Born in Luxembourg on January 15, 1923, he began a career in business--spanning more than 70 years--at S.A. des Minerais. In 1939 he emigrated to the U.S. and joined Continental Ore Corporation (COC), the North American office of Minerais, making it possible for him to bring his parents and sisters out of harm's way during the war. He served with distinction in the U.S. Army in the Psychological Warfare Branch in North Africa, Italy, and Austria. Following his military service, he rejoined COC in 1946, becoming executive vice president in 1962. COC became one of the most highly respected international marketing companies of industrial raw materials, with over 30 offices and subsidiaries throughout the world. COC was acquired by International Minerals & Chemicals (IMC) in 1968. IMC (now Mosaic), the world's leading independent producer of fertilizers, acquired COC in order to broaden its international presence and diversify into some of COC's areas of expertise. In 1974, together with his two partners, Louis Lipton and Eric Lomnitz, he started Continental Resources Inc. (CRI), serving as president until the present day. Jacques is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Donatella, who took remarkable care of him during his last years; his cherished daughter, Linda, son-in-law Stuart Baskin, granddaughter Rebecca, and nephews Robert and Mark Wolff, and their families. His self-taught appreciation for art resulted in the eclectic collections in his homes in New York and Rome. His generous philanthropic endeavors characterize his diverse interests and humanistic approach to life. He never forgot his Luxembourg roots, serving as chairman of the Luxembourg America Chamber of Commerce for many years, as well as Luxembourg's Honorary Consul, in New York. Jacques was the family patriarch, never too busy to make himself available. His joie de vivre, irrepressible smile, and twinkling blue eyes can never be matched. He made it great for us all. A Memorial Service celebrating Jacques' life will be held at a later time.

On the Occasion of Luxembourg's National Day, June 23

My Orchids. Oncidium "Fireworks".
Photo: ET

On the Occasion of Luxembourg's National Day

Press Statement

John Kerry

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

June 19, 2015

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On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate Grand Duke Henri and the people of Luxembourg as you celebrate your National Day on June 23.
Our countries share a history of cooperation and friendship spanning many years. In the wake of World War II, Luxembourg stood as a founding member of the institutions that ushered in a more peaceful Europe and remains a guarantor of transatlantic security today. As NATO Allies, the United States and Luxembourg share a commitment to a Europe whole, free, and at peace. And together, we work to promote human rights, rule of law, and shared prosperity across the globe.

As Luxembourg takes up the responsibilities of the presidency of the Council of the European Union, Luxembourgers can look back with pride at the institutions they helped build from the ashes of post-War Europe and forward with determination to meet the today’s challenges and ensure a brighter future for all Europeans.

The people of the United States join you in celebrating your National Day.

Talking about Fun: Luxembourg is Fundorado

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Dancing Procession Of Echternach 1924

Dancing Procession Of Echternach (1924) - YouTube: "

DOUBLE CLICK:


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Did you know you this was to save the lambs? 
Did you know this is UNESCO world heritage?
Did you notice clergy doesn't dance?

In modern times the Echternach Procession has become a metaphor for government inefficiencies: two steps forward, one step backwards. A world heritage too.



'via Blog this'

Pro-Bono advice to Luxembourg, or Bono in the Tax-shop.

My Orchids. Dendrobium "Double Irish". Photo Youtoo

Pro-Bono advice to Luxembourg, or Bono in the Tax-shop.

How do you preach WATER and drink WINE? In this article by Conall Ó Fátharta of the Irish Examiner Reporter, Bono produces some good language on how to justify tax rulings in a rush down to zero when you are a tiny country and need prosperity, and on how to justify the same when you are a corporation. Bono’s U2 sheltered some in the Netherlands. Here is the language from the article, “Bono: U2 ‘happy to pay a fortune in tax’:

“It’s just some smart people we have working for us trying to be sensible about the way we are taxed.”

“Because you’re good at philanthropy I think and because I am an activist people think you should be stupid in business and I don’t run with that.”

But then Guitarist The Edge ruined somewhat the argument, saying it was “ridiculous” that people made an issue out of the band’s tax arrangements.

“So much of our business is outside of Ireland. It’s kind of ridiculous to make a big deal about the fact that we operate outside of Ireland because everything we do is outside of Ireland,” he said. That wasn’t a well-coordinated response as it opens the can of worms with the questions on how much business is U2 doing then in the Netherlands?

The Edge through some divine intervention got punished immediately for that comment, when at the first concert of the Band's new tour he fell over the edge and off the stage. Down, down like a tax rate.

My advice to Luxembourg hence is: Let Bono write your lyrics, not The Edge.

Luxembourg Prime Minister Marries Same-Sex Partner

My Orchids. Phalaneopsis "Nigerian Eye". Photo ET

As reported in Nigerian Eye and confirmed in Outlook India, and finally on Youtube

On Youtube: CLICK to enlarge

Seniors Banking…..

My Orchids. Phalaneopsis "Can you Hear me Now?
Photo. Bankers Association

Seniors Banking…..

This might not be true, but at least read it, feel as if we can get even with the beast!

Shown below, is an actual letter that was sent to a bank by an 86 year old woman. The bank manager thought it amusing enough to have it published in the Times. 

Dear Sir: 

I am writing to thank you for bouncing my cheque with which I endeavoured to pay my plumber last month. 

By my calculations, three nanoseconds must have elapsed between his presenting the cheque and the arrival in my account of the funds needed to honour it. I refer, of course, to the automatic monthly deposit of my entire pension, an arrangement which, I admit, has been in place for only eight years. 

You are to be commended for seizing that brief window of opportunity, and also for debiting my account £30 by way of penalty for the inconvenience caused to your bank. My thankfulness springs from the manner in which this incident has caused me to rethink my errant financial ways.

I noticed that whereas I personally answer your telephone calls and letters, - when I try to contact you, I am confronted by the impersonal, overcharging, pre-recorded, faceless entity which your bank has become. From now on, I, like you, choose only to deal with a flesh-and-blood person. My mortgage and loan repayments will therefore and hereafter no longer be automatic, but will arrive at your bank, by cheque, addressed personally and confidentially to an employee at your bank whom you must nominate. 

Be aware that it is an OFFENCE under the Postal Act for any other person to open such an envelope. Please find attached an Application Contact which I require your chosen employee to complete. I am sorry it runs to eight pages, but in order that I know as much about him or her as your bank knows about me, there is no alternative.

Please note that all copies of his or her medical history must be countersigned by a Notary Public figure, and the mandatory details of his/her financial situation (income, debts, assets and liabilities) must be accompanied by documented proof. In due course, at MY convenience, I will issue your employee with a PIN number which he/she must quote in dealings with me. I regret that it cannot be shorter than 28 digits but, again, I have modelled it on the number of button presses required of me to access my account balance on your phone bank service. 

As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. 

Let me level the playing field even further. When you call me, press buttons as follows: 

IMMEDIATELY AFTER DIALLING, PRESS THE STAR (*) BUTTON FOR ENGLISH 

#1. To make an appointment to see me 

#2. To query a missing payment. 

#3. To transfer the call to my living room in case I am there.

#4 To transfer the call to my bedroom in case I am sleeping. 

#5. To transfer the call to my toilet in case I am attending to nature. 

#6. To transfer the call to my mobile phone if I am not at home. 

#7. To leave a message on my computer, a password to access my computer is required. Password will be communicated to you at a later date to that Authorized Contact mentioned earlier. 

#8. To return to the main menu and to listen to options 1 to 9 

#9. To make a general complaint or inquiry. 

The contact will then be put on hold, pending the attention of my automated answering service. 

While this may, on occasion, involve a lengthy wait, uplifting music will play for the duration of the call. Regrettably, but again following your example, I must also levy an establishment fee to cover the setting up of this new arrangement.

May I wish you a happy, if ever so slightly less prosperous New Year? 

Your Humble Client 

And remember: Don't make old people mad. We don't like being old in the first place, so it doesn't take much to piss us off.