View Full Version : FR: Anti-Macron demonstrations
Badger52
12-03-2018, 09:59
So what's the colloquial for "torches & pitchforks" en Francais?
This seems to be going on for a bit and Macron seems to be pissing off one "stakeholder" after another; now the ambulance drivers.
The protests are against Article 80 of the Macron government’s 2017 Social Security Budget, which reforms the financing of the social security system affecting how ambulances are paid for their service.
Hitherto in France, patients decided which ambulance company to use, but the reforms will see hospitals and clinics choosing which service to engage by tender, paying the costs directly.
Smaller ambulance firms fear larger companies will fix prices and force them out.
...
After the third weekend of protest in Paris, Macron met with government figures on Sunday to discuss how to deal with the expanding protests, a spokesman confirming that introducing a state of emergency was on the table.
...
AFP reports that there will be a debate on the situation in the National Assembly on Wednesday, and a debate in the upper chamber, the Senate, on Thursday, while finance minister Bruno Le Maire is looking to speed up planned tax cuts and cuts to public spending in response to the riots. [in other words, they're "winging it."]
However, Macron has maintained that he will not back down from his progressive climate change agenda and fuel duty will rise again in the new year.
LINK to latest shenanigans. (https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2018/12/03/anti-macron-protests-spread-ambulance-workers-join-rebellion/)
Additional take at Deutsche Welle (https://www.dw.com/en/french-gas-stations-left-dry-by-yellow-vest-blockades/a-46551978)
Let 'em eat cake, I've got :munchin
Not very much coverage over here...hundreds of thousands of French citizens take to the streets to protest a massive fuel tax hike proposed by President Emmanuel Macron...the proposed tax is another climate change initiative.
Badger52
12-03-2018, 10:29
Not very much coverage over here...hundreds of thousands of French citizens take to the streets to protest a massive fuel tax hike proposed by President Emmanuel Macron...the proposed tax is another climate change initiative.I would imagine localized Euro press have outlets that are MSNBCNN equivalents, no?
Why are all of those peaceful french citizens assuming the mantle of climate deniers?
Pay your taxes - eat your peas - its for the environment !!!
Otherwise, everyone should SFTU and pay them tax hikes............
...the proposed tax is another climate change initiative.
Using Climate Change as an excuse to raise taxes.
Using Climate Change as an excuse to raise taxes.
Concur. Stateist/Globalists never met a tax they didn’t like...but they will fly or relocate across the globe in order to not pay the tax or the increased labor costs themselves.
I was just in Paris a few weeks ago, and visited the Musée de l'Armée. There were about a hundred ambulances parked outside with lights and sirens going. We were wondering just what we had walked into.
After speaking to some of the French soldiers on duty, they explained what was going on, and just how stupid they believed the entire situation to be.
Badger52
12-03-2018, 13:09
Couple of other offshore takes here (https://www.france24.com/en/20181203-france-yellow-vests-macron-le-pen-jean-luc-melenchon-champs-elysees) and here (https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2018/12/in-paris-the-worst-riots-in-a-generation.php).
And there's this Twitter comment that sounds almost 'Box-ish' :D
rsdengler
12-03-2018, 13:49
Couple of other offshore takes here (https://www.france24.com/en/20181203-france-yellow-vests-macron-le-pen-jean-luc-melenchon-champs-elysees) and here (https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2018/12/in-paris-the-worst-riots-in-a-generation.php).
And there's this Twitter comment that sounds almost 'Box-ish' :D
Hee...Hee.....:p
Just when you think you can have your cake and eat it too...
You realize that it isn't a cake at all - it is a shit sandwich.
Now - in the words of our 44th President, Barak Hussien Obama, "eat your peas"
bblhead672
12-03-2018, 17:15
This situation the French people find themselves causes me to feel....nothing.
They are reaping their just rewards. When you continuously elect mentally ill progressive socialists to run your country I feel...nothing...for you.
Old Dog New Trick
12-03-2018, 17:32
You can only spend OPM until it runs out.
Margaret Thatcher had that figured out but the Brits still allowed themselves to be sucked into the void that Europa will become. It’s beginning to accelerate...
Ret10Echo
12-03-2018, 18:07
This situation the French people find themselves causes me to feel....nothing.
They are reaping their just rewards. When you continuously elect mentally ill progressive socialists to run your country I feel...nothing...for you.
The proletariat rising up against the bourgeois. "C'est Magnifique" as they say.
Lather, rinse, repeat
Seems Mexicans in Mexico don’t want illegal immigrants in their towns and middle class French folks don’t want to pay for the global warming hoax.
Next thing you know Americans will vote in a rough and tumble non-politician to the highest office in the land to drain the swamp in DC...oh wait...
I’ll be damned...deplorables goin’ international...
rsdengler
12-04-2018, 07:47
Just when you think you can have your cake and eat it too...
You realize that it isn't a cake at all - it is a shit sandwich.
Now - in the words of our 44th President, Barak Hussien Obama, "eat your peas"
LOL...You need to write a book and label it "The Best of Box-ism's"......:D
publishing a book would just put me in a higher tax bracket
Just when you think you can have your cake and eat it too...
You realize that it isn't a cake at all - it is a shit sandwich.
Now - in the words of our 44th President, Barak Hussien Obama, "eat your peas"
My middle name may be tin-foil, but I'm betting Frau Uber Faher Markle will step in
and "save" Moran and the Frogs,, from themselves.
I can her speech: "All in the name of a stronger, unified, European Union, we must stand together"
"The art of leadership... consists in consolidating the attention of the people against a single adversary and taking care that nothing will split up that attention." Adolf Hitler
I think Markle and Hillary were both created in the same laboratory...
rsdengler
12-04-2018, 12:30
I think Markle and Hillary were both created in the same laboratory...
Where, Dr. Frankenstein's Lab?.......:p
bblhead672
12-04-2018, 12:35
Where, Dr. Frankenstein's Lab?.......:p
That's offensive to real monsters created out of parts of dead bodies. :D
I think Markle and Hillary were both created in the same laboratory...
Merkle has served as the de-facto leader of Europe...Hillary has BIG TIME pee pee envy.
the only difference between those two is that Merkle wins elections
the only difference between those two is that Merkle wins elections
There you go...sorta ‘splains that shenis envy.
An opinion piece with some nice summaries of the current situation and the bigger picture power play.
Memo To Congress: French Riots Show Why U.S. Carbon Tax Should Be A Non-Starter
IBD
12/04/18
French Riots: They call themselves the "Gilets Jaunes," or yellow vests, in French. They're mostly young, male and extremely angry, and they've been marching in the streets and rioting in Paris and elsewhere, protesting yet another bunch of taxes on gasoline in the government's never-ending battle against global warming. Who says no one cares about climate change?
If you think of the French as people who will suffer any indignity in the name of more government, think again. Many young French, watching their standards of living decline under a socialist president's high taxes, are fed up. This latest round of taxes on already outrageous fuel prices was the proverbial straw breaking a dromedary's back.
"A protest against rising taxes and the high cost of living turned into a riot in the French capital, as activists wearing yellow jackets torched cars, smashed windows, looted stores and tagged the Arc de Triomphe with multi-colored graffiti," the AP reported of Saturday's riots.
Some 263 people were injured, including dozens of police, and the government made hundreds of arrests, after an estimated 36,000 people took to the streets on Saturday. Even unions are upset, seeing possible damage to the economy from the demonstrations.
With a growing awareness it was losing the battle for public opinion, the French government on Tuesday folded, announcing it would "temporarily" suspend its carbon-tax plan, set to go into effect in January.
"No tax is worth putting in danger the unity of the nations," said French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, announcing the suspension.
French Riots: A Tax Revolt
That's quite a u-turn for the prideful French socialist government. But then, the whole experience of Socialist President Emannuel Macron finding out that not everything he believes is shared by average citizens has been humbling.
Macron no doubt was surprised when he was booed when he showed up at the demonstrations. His spokesman issued a thinly veiled threat that "all options" are on the table to stop the French riots. Turns out, "all options" included giving in to the demonstrators' main demand.
French Prime Minister Philippe even canceled his trip to a global warming conference in Poland. That's something, given that France's leaders constantly claim global warming is humankind's most serious threat. Apparently, French riots rank higher.
No, we're not happy people rioted. But governments must learn they can't just jam things down people's throats, and expect them to like it. No one asked Macron to raise energy taxes. Macron and his government did it because, to them, globalism is more important than satisfying the demands of their own citizens. It's that simple.
Today, among all OECD nations, France has the second-highest rates of taxation. Only Denmark ranks higher. So people are fed up.
Nor is it just a "French thing." Macron is among a growing number of European leftist leaders who want to foist the anti-climate change agenda on their citizens as part of this new globalism. But this isn't kumbaya, feel-good globalism; it's one that will feature few if any individual rights, lots of taxes, shrinking standards of living, no real freedom, and little joy.
EU Über Alles
Across the border in Germany, soon-to-be-former German Chancellor Angela Merkel recently said that, on behalf of climate change and migration, "Countries must give up their sovereignty ... in an orderly fashion of course."
"Orderly," by the way, is a German euphemism for "by force, if needed."
For those who don't know, Macron and Merkel are the two strongest leaders in the EU. Their goal, stated outright, is to use the threat of global warming and unbridled migration to wrest control of their nations from their own people — whom they demonize as "populists" — and give it instead to the European Union.
The EU's record of economic incompetence, absurd regulation, excessive taxation, preening corruption and, increasingly, totalitarian behavior, are troubling to say the least.
Not everyone's buying in to this mandatory globalism. Both Switzerland and Italy have announced they'll not attend an EU meeting next month to adopt the U.N.'s new legal guidelines on migration. One big reason: The U.N. has now declared criticism of its pro-immigration policies "hate speech." Yes, that's how far we've come.
Carbon Tax, Coming Our Way
Should we care?
Yes, because leftists here have the same things in mind for all of us. The scientific holes in the climate change religion are enormous. Literally thousands of engineers, scientists, academics and Nobel Prize winners have criticized the flawed science behind the theory that we inevitably face disastrous over-heating of the planet.
Yet, some in Congress — including some Republicans — are eager to saddle Americans with a massive new "carbon tax." It's the modern equivalent of the medieval church granting indulgences for sins. For a fee, of course. Pay us, and your sins will be remitted.
The idea is that Americans will accept a high tax on energy if it's "rebated" on an equal basis to everyone. That way, we get less global warming gas emitted into our atmosphere, while reducing the scourge of unequal income. Win-win!
Except, as we've noted repeatedly in the past, that's not how it works.
"The superficial purpose, of course, is to make carbon-based fossil fuels more expensive to use," we wrote back in April. "But fossil fuels are a blessing, not a curse. They are in large part responsible for the record growth in the global economy in the past two centuries and especially over the last 18 years, helping to pull literally hundreds of millions of once-destitute people out of poverty."
We wouldn't change a word of that. And the idea of "rebates" is absurd. The U.S. would always be one election away from "rebates" turning into just another tax-grab by Congress for badly needed "climate remediation" or some other hokey purpose. Meanwhile, businesses affected by carbon taxes would hire fewer workers and invest less. It's a recipe for French-style stagnation.
Climate Change, Climate Yawn
Our just-released IBD/TIPP Poll shows what Americans think about all this. Just 17% ranked climate change as No. 1 or No. 2 on their list of priorities for the new Congress. Even so, some in Congress seek literally trillions of dollars in new taxes that will distort energy markets and hand rebates to those who don't even pay the taxes.
If no one likes the idea, why would Congress push it so hard? It's called "redistribution," and it's yet another socialist idea that will make people miserable. Ask France.
The U.S. shouldn't travel down France's road. Americans aren't stupid. They won't accept a massive new tax to prevent a threat they don't really believe in. We wonder: What will our Congress do if faced with mass demonstrations?
https://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/french-riots-climate-eu-leftists/
Badger52
12-04-2018, 16:10
Can't wait till an entire neighborhood, call it "Eco-Pointe" by SJW Development Group, comes home at the same time and plugs all their 75-amp draw PC vehicles in to charge at the same time.
Badger52
12-06-2018, 20:20
isn't 18% really 82% in the not-too-good territory? :p
Reuters piece, this one from RT's site (https://www.rt.com/news/445750-france-coup-attempt-protests/):
© REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol
With more Yellow Vests protests approaching this weekend Elysee Palace is worried about a possible coup attempt. Calls have been made to attack parliamentarians and police forces, French media report.
Even though the French government abandoned the fuel tax hike after sweeping protests, the movement still calls upon its followers to gather on December 8. “The Act IV” will be held under the motto “we stay on our course.” The Facebook event has already counted 6,000 people who wish to participate and 22,000 others who are “interested.”
On Thursday Eric Drouet one of the movement's most famous leaders announced the Yellow Vests plans to approach the residence of Emmanuel Macron. “Saturday will be the final outcome, Saturday is the Elysee, we all would like to go to the Elysee,” he said.
(Photo as French parliament’s left parties to discuss vote of no confidence against government)
The intelligence services have reported to the Elysee Palace, the official residence of the president, that there have been “calls to kill” and “carry arms to attack” parliamentarians, government officials and police officers, Le Figaro newspaper said on Thursday.
“They are putschists.* [There is] a coup attempt,” a source claimed. The ministry has even been reportedly instructed to forbid its staff and ministers from working this weekend.
Security forces were also tipped that Saturday’s demonstrations may be hit by unprecedented violence caused by both “radicalized…extreme right and extreme left,” Le Figaro added.
Yellow Vest protests, named after high-visibility jackets all drivers in France must carry in their vehicles, are entering their third week. Started as unprompted rallies called on social media against fuel price hikes and Macron’s unpopular reforms, they have evolved into one of the most dangerous challenges for the nation in recent decades.
December 1 protests turned violent across the whole country and saw over 130 people injured and more than 400 arrested. Four people, including an elderly woman, died amid the fierce clashes between rioters and officers.
Also on rt.com 5 striking VIDEOS that reveal the violence & compassion of France’s Yellow Vest protests
The French government had to concede to the protesters’ demands and abandoned the fuel tax hike plan – at least for the 2019 budget. However, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe who broke the news, did not clarify whether Paris might reintroduce the hike in a budget update later in 2019.
The real problem lies in the government that has lost touch with its people, Yellow Vest protesters recently told RT. The government has to “put humane attitude first, and not the money,” one more demonstrator said. Another added that they “would prefer to be at work, than to find [themselves] on the streets shouting, hoping for nothing.”
According to Jean Bricmont, a French writer and political commentator, the fiery protests have more to do with the “incompetent,” EU-dependent government policy than the rising gas prices. “The revolt is not just about the gas prices, it’s a general revolt against the policy of the government,” he told RT.
:munchin
* Gee, I looked up that word in my French phrase book & didn't find it, lol.
tom kelly
12-10-2018, 15:39
The MSM is not reporting the RIOTS by the French people opposing President Marcon and his Socialist ideas that are causing the "unrest" This will cause the Euro Union countries to start worrying about the socialist policies and their effect on the citizens who are being TAXED to support this liberal agenda. Germany will be next to increase its displeasure with ultra-liberal "progressive" policies. tom kelly
PedOncoDoc
12-10-2018, 16:04
The MSM is not reporting the RIOTS by the French people opposing President Marcon and his Socialist ideas that are causing the "unrest" This will cause the Euro Union countries to start worrying about the socialist policies and their effect on the citizens who are being TAXED to support this liberal agenda. Germany will be next to increase its displeasure with ultra-liberal "progressive" policies. tom kelly
Brexit may have been the beginning of the of the EU - it'll be interesting to see how this evolves.
Badger52
12-10-2018, 16:32
Hey, remember that notional EU Army everyone was deriding?
3 seconds in (https://twitter.com/EUVoteLeave23rd/status/1071473561750171648), just aft of right-side door. Them Europeans sure get twitter-pated afterwards, alluding to all kinds of things RE Merkel, the EU, and even :eek: the 4th Reich.
Ho.Ho.Ho.