Tag Archives: France

The French Are On Strike

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The AP reports that

French union activists cut electricity to nearly 100,000 homes or offices. Eiffel Tower staff walked off the job. Even Paris opera workers joined in Tuesday’s nationwide protests across France, singing an aria of anger as workers rallied against the government’s plan to raise the retirement age to 64.

I’ve retired twice. Once, when I was 65-1/2 and my wife was going back to school. That lasted six months. Again, when she was diagnosed with cancer to help with her initial care. That lasted six months also. I’ll be 72 on New Year’s Eve, and I’m still working and intend to do so as long as I have interesting things to do.

I’m Not Making This Up, You Know

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Reuters reports that a French politician has proposed a bill to outlaw mockery of accents.

“Glottophobia”, a word recently coined by a French linguist to describe discrimination based on pronunciation and tone, needed to discouraged by law, she said.

Life really is becoming more and more like scenes that could have been Monty Python sketches, but scenes that couldn’t be made today. “I’m French. Why do think I have this outrageous accent, you silly king?”

Now go away, or I will taunt you a second time.

Barbarian Thuggery

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Charliehebdo

The issue shown at the left got the offices of Charlie Hebdo firebombed in 2011. (Mohammed is saying, “100 lashes if you don’t die laughing.”) Today, gunmen murdered a dozen members of the publications staff.

Barbarian thugs have struck a blow against the free expression of ideas.

They must not be allowed to win.

UPDATE—A first-hand account from the scene.

The Rumor du Jour

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There’s a rumor going around that President Obama is laying plans to attack Iran’s nuclear program. The basis seems to be a report in the British press that the UK is preparing its forces to participate in such an action. Ed Morrissey has a good summary here.

Mr. Morrissey points out the damage that the President would do to his political base if he went ahead with such an attack. That’s why I don’t believe an American attack is being seriously considered.

That doesn’t mean that an attack isn’t under consideration, and not necessarily by Israel. How about a UK/France tag team? They were just successful (sorta, kinda, mostly) in Libya. They both have cruise missile capability. The SAS could handle ground recon. The French still have an aircraft carrier. Both countries have been on the receiving end of Iranian-inspired terrorism. And it might improve Sarkozy’s standing in the polls.

Hmmm …