This page has been archived and commenting is disabled.
Thank God for France
Whatever you think about Unions and resetting the retirement age, Mike Whitney zeros in on the larger, more important issue of who's running the country and whose interests are being served, and asks, indirectly, whether there is the will to do anything about it? - Ilene
Thank God for France
By MIKE WHITNEY, originally published at CounterPunch
Thank God for France. While American liberals tremble at the idea of sending an angry email to congress for fear that their name will appear on the State Department's list of terrorists, French workers are on the front lines choking on tear gas and fending off billyclubs in hand-to-hand combat with Sarkozy's Gendarmerie. That's because the French haven't forgotten their class roots. When the government gets too big for its britches, people pour out onto to the streets and Paris becomes a warzone replete with overturned Mercedes Benzs, smashed storefront windows, and stacks of smoldering tires issuing pillars of black smoke. This is what democracy looks like when it hasn't been emasculated by decades of propaganda and consumerism. Here's a blurp from the trenches:
Headline:
"French Energy Sector Crippled by Nationwide Strike... French energy facilities are close to total disruption in the wake of nationwide strike against the raise of the retirement age.....France has been hit by numerous protests across the country against a controversial pension reform that would rise the retirement age to 62 from 60....On October 22 morning 80 protesters blockaded Grandpuits oil refinery outside Paris, key supplier for Charles de Gaulle and Orly international airport." (The Financial)
Shut 'em down.
Take note, Tea Party crybabies who moan about restoring "our freedoms" while stuffing the backyard bunker with seed corn and ammo. Glenn Beck won't save you from the "mean old" gov'mint. Liberty isn't free anymore. If you want it, get out of the barko-lounger and organize. The amount of freedom that any nation enjoys is directly proportionate to the amount of blood its people spilled fighting the state. No more, no less. The man who is willing to accept the blunt force of a cop's truncheon on his back is infinitely more praiseworthy than the leftist/rightist scribe crooning from the bleachers. The state isn't moved by lyrical editorials or prosaic manifestos. It responds to force alone, which is why it takes people who are willing to "throw themselves on the gears" of the apparatus and stop it from moving forward. Unfortunately, most of those people appear to live in France.
The resistance is steadily building in France. The budding rebellion is cropping up everywhere---"secondary schools, train stations, refineries and highways have been blockaded, there have been occupations of public buildings, workplaces, commercial centers, directed cuts of electricity, and ransacking of electoral institutions and town halls..." And the big unions are calling for more strikes, more agitation, more ferment.
For more than a week, transportation has been blocked across the France due to the protests by students and workers. Sarkozy's popularity has plummeted. 65% of people surveyed don't like the way the French president is handling the strikes. 79% of the people would like to see Sarkozy negotiate with the Union on terms and conditions, but he won't budge. Thus, the cauldron continues to boil while the prospect of violence rises.
"STRIKE, BLOCKADE, SABOTAGE"
This is from an anonymous striker:
"In each city, these actions are intensifying the power struggle and demonstrate that many are no longer satisfied with the order imposed by the union leadership. In the Paris region, amongst the blockades of train stations and secondary schools, the strikes in the primary schools, the workers pickets in front of the factories, people create inter-professional meetings and collectives of struggle are founded to destroy categorical isolation and separation. Their starting point: self-organization to meet the need to take ownership over our struggles without the mediation of those who claim to speak for workers.
We decided Saturday to occupy the Opera Bastille. This was to disturb a presentation that was live on radio, to play the trouble makers in a place where the cultural merchandise circulates and to organize an assembly there. So we met with more than a thousand people at the “place de la nation”, with banners stating “the bosses understand only one language: Strike, blockade, sabotage." (end of communique)
The action was met with predictable police violence and mass arrests.
The pension turmoil is not limited to France either. US pension funds are underfunded by nearly $3 trillion. Will US workers be as willing as their French counterparts to face the beatings (to defend "what's theirs") or will they throw up their hands and appeal to Obama for help?
There's no question that Washington elites have joined with Wall Street to offload the massive debts from the financial meltdown onto workers and retirees. Nor is their any doubt that they will invoke (what Slavoj Zizek calls) a "permanent state of economic emergency" to justify their actions. That will allow them to move ahead with so-called "austerity measures" that are designed to impoverish workers and strip popular government programs of their funding. The trend towards "belt-tightening" merely masks the ongoing class war which is aimed at restoring a feudal system of royalty and serfs.
This is from an article by economist Mark Weisbrot:
"If the French want to keep the retirement age as is, there are plenty of ways to finance future pension costs without necessarily raising the retirement age. One of them, which has support among the French left – and which Sarkozy claims to support at the international level -- would be a tax on financial transactions. Such a “speculation tax” could raise billions of dollars of revenue – as it currently does in the U.K. – while simultaneously discouraging speculative trading in financial assets and derivatives. The French unions and protesters are demanding that the government consider some of these more progressive alternatives."
But the retirement age is not really the issue at all. This is about union busting and "putting people in their place." It's about "who will call-the-shots" and in whose interests will society be run.
The French are fighting back against this "oligarchy of racketeers" and the ripoff system they represent, while, namby-pamby Americans are neutralized by signing their umpteenth petition or venting their spleen at a Palin rally.
Vive la France. Vive la Résistance.
»
- ilene's blog
- 8294 reads
- Printer-friendly version
- Send to friend
- advertisements -
C'est la guerre, Salopes!
Yesterday, be had a protest march over here, and the protesters got REALLY creative.
Don't throw rocks or beerbottles to the police...
use CHINESE DRAGON ILLEGAL FIREWORKS!!!
BANG BITCHEZ!!!!! YOU ALL DIE!!!!!!
WHOEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.. haha...DIE!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!
The French are not afraid to confront their leaders with violence; the American are afraid of their leaders and as long as the TV is on, nothing will happen..
It must be the fluoride in the US water...
The French are behaving badly; this childish acting out will accomplish nothing. Don't worry so much about what Americans are afraid of; if you actually found out it might make you pee in your panties.
Yea okay professor, go back to class and hide under your desk.
History says the exact opposite.
It's true that you can't do like us in france, you are armed. It could be very dangerous.
Here nobody is armed, it's another world. And if you sign petition or write letters to government representatives, lol, you loose your time.
Then, you go in the street to protest...
Crazy French and their 60 retirement age! Yeah, you are destroying private property and businesses because your country is broke and can no long allow your largess to continue. Sarkosy is taking prudent measures. In America, our government is out and out crooks. You folks just go on and take to the streets and cause mayhem. When our citizens finally wake up, you will find bankers and politicians doing a Mussolini necktie dance from one end of Long Island to the other.
People bashing the French might be missing the bigger point here. Seemed to me the notion was more about the American lack of doing anything to change what is going on. Who cares about how the French protest, or why, or when (or how often - LOL.).
Why do you post this crap Ilene? The French are fighting for their own enslavement because they are too stupid to understand TANSTAAFL (as is Mike Whitney, obviously who thinks that the ole "tax the rich to support the poor" regime is workable).
Is exactly what is going to happen here though.
(note: edited to remove portion of post that may have been unnecessarily offensive).
We should all be proud that our grandfathers gave their lives to enable the French to indulge as they do.
Perhaps while we're at it we should plead for our grandfathers' foregiveness for being the meek slaves we have become.
Don't be too hard on WB7, have a little sympathy.
The recreant hate it when they get shown up, after all, and will accept almost any excuse not to ‘get involved’; or they will take any opportunity to denigrate as wingnutz those with a pair that would breed.
But only from the relative comfort of their spotty behinds, you understand.
Warmest Regards
Agreed, we're entering a world of pain.
One excellent article, a couple of good posts and a whole bunch of American brainwashed fucktards posting about "those lazy commie French".
Speaks volumes about our state of affairs me thinks.
Right on Taxarias!
Funny how no one ever complains about the socialist mortgage scheme we've developed to keep our house prices propped up.
I guess that's good commie stuff...
+10000
@ taraxias: Indeud. +145
@ IQ 14.5 : Done! ( It looks like misery loves company too, Bonne Chance!)
Please list me with the "American brainwashed fucktards" ; thank you.
"But the retirement age is not really the issue at all. This is about union busting and "putting people in their place." It's about "who will call-the-shots" and in whose interests will society be run.
The French are fighting back against this "oligarchy of racketeers" and the ripoff system they represent, while, namby-pamby Americans are neutralized by signing their umpteenth petition or venting their spleen at a Palin rally."
You should be genuinely grateful that we namby pamby Americans are still signing their petitions and writing letters to government representatives, and using normal civil channels for change and in defense of liberty.
As for the armed American populace, it's alot like Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), because the American public is heavily armed and reasonably well trained (lots of former military patriots with allegiance to the constitution), it, so far, has prevented the government from overstepping it's bounds. The existence of a heavily armed populace makes it unnecessary to be implemented... we hope. Our system of government is a beautiful and brilliant invention. It's ultimate last line of defense (constitution and armed citizens) will insure that we will not easily be overcome by totalitarian government.
You should pray to <deity> every spare moment that it never devolves to violent protest on a mass scale in the US of A. If it ever does, be prepared for the worst fucking shitstorm of a civil war that you could conjur up in your imagination. We would likely witness the latest American tanks vs. American tanks in the middle of the US grain belt, kinda like the tv show Jerico, but hopefully not nuclear. In the aftermath, it would be unlikely that a republican form of government would emerge, based on historical precedent. It's more likely it would be something much worse.
The next time you would quasi advocate for violent protests and armed conflict I recommend you think long and hard of the consequences and reality of what that slipery track really means to the regular Americans, families and children that would be inevitably caught in the crossfire. Next time you get such a brilliant idea, use your fucking brain be a little more careful what you wish for!
If it does get that far, I highly recommend flight from that particular country, assuming there's anywhere to go to... Violence isn't something to romanticise, It's an endeavor in which everyone loses.
um, newsflash, Rip Van Winkle. . .
someone on another thread linked this interview with a fave of you guys, Max Keiser, from Paris. . . recommended viewing / listening.
http://maxkeiser.com/2010/10/18/max-keiser-lights-up-tehran-warren-buffe...
Beautiful! Thanks, CA.
A must-watch for all who enjoy visions of heads rolling down Wall Street.
Note that the show continues on additional video . . .
+1
Thanks for a voice of reason.
Said something similar earlier in the day. If it ever comes to anarchy here, it will be hell to pay and would happen in an explosive manner (little time to react, that is).
I will add though that voting may be the civil course of action - but even that has been failing in light of the corruption. When your choices are between a "douchbag and a turd" (Southpark reference), the end result is a somewhat hollow and pointless exercise. I know that it is going to take more than this to effect change. Of course, that is the slippery slope and I can only hope that our fearless leaders have the same fear of chaos as you and I.
Everyone here needs to read your post again, Sgt. "Violence isn't something to romanticise,--" E-6 /ret, USA, with an RA service number. I couldn't agree more.
Sgt. is spot on, the author is the radical:
"If you want it, get out of the barko-lounger and organize."
We could shoot from these barko-loungers...but we are organized and doing it the right way here- with our votes. Should the union skum rise to corrupt these elections you will see some real "organizing".
If voting changed anything it would be illegal. Wake up, we already live in a fascist regime
No, lol. And i'm french and i see old people, young people, students, democrats (ps) or republicans (ump) in the street, people understand they will must work until death to have retirement (because now you can loose your job easily etc during life).
And why ?
Because of this crisis, bank crisis... France understands we all pay for them, the banksters.
Totally agree, It's about broken promises and footing the bill for the banksters. All this wouldn't be happening if it wasn't for them. The French know who is to blame, Americans can't seem to figure it out yet.
If you are/were a business owner in France, would you hire some young punk who you could never get rid of if they turned out to be horrible?
Sorry, but that is a truly laughable leading question.
Here's one about the same level ( I'll slum it for fun) but on the opposite side of the equation:
Is it any wonder the US corporations moved all their production facilities overseas when the average fat-assed, lazy, flabby, pimple-squeezing american can barely lift their own puffy, virulent, diabetes-ridden tick-whump selves out of bed every morning, let alone drag it to the job site and perform a full day's worth of labour?
See how that works?
When banks burn, the message is more to the point.
They're protesting government when they're looking to government to provide socialism.
Single out the one part of the economy that's screwing everyone and direct your anger at them.
Well, then you're in luck walkure. The French are not 'looking to their shmee to proliferate blatherism', they are telling their Gov't they are not going to stand for their governing body allying itself with the banks, who are trying to steal the pensions and social programs that the French people have paid into for all their working lives. Where the hell have you been?
Oh right, Americans just let the banks laugh as they hold guns to their heads while making them dance to their tune in the vain hope that their footwork will impress their oligarchs enough to get them and theirs a nice place on fortune hill too.
"I'm all right so f all the rest" is the religion. Nice country you've got there.
Bonne Chance!
France is a stable country with a good economy; we had an inflated world economy, it's in the process of crashing back to some lower level now; you'll have to suck it up; all the infantile shouting and breaking things isn't going to help. If I get a chance, I'll feel sorry for you, but actually, I'm pretty busy.
Maybe. French protests have become institutionalized and are part of the ordinary landscape. Strike here, strike there. Its the pacification of the Revolution. Some are more virulent than others, some are more ethincally or demographically motivated than others. '68 has become a point of nostalgia. It's more theater now than before, even if this is turning out to be quite the live show. Let's face it, there are no cash flows for retirement at 60. Not when you compete against Asian labor working for nothing. How does that become resolved? How does it become resolved without demonizing the poor chap who is willing to work for nothing because to him, it is rather something.
That's what needs to be analyzed. Banker cabals become a little too obvious. The flow of capital is going where there is least resistance and higher returns. How can you love your iPod if your job has moved to Shanghai? How you gonna resolve that one?What's the end game here?
are you kidding ??
# Will US workers be as willing as their French
#counterparts to face the beatings
Americans are still rootless immigrants who still can't find land of DREAM. so nobody gives a shit about 'borough..
look at Deeeetroit.. nice city it was 50 years ago.. so as soon as problems arise, whities moved, black started sellign crack.. unempl is 30% and THIS IS THE MOTHERLAND OF BACKBONE OF COUNTRY - AUTO INDUSTRY..
it's still same now... bad debt - default and move on, bad house - sell and move on.. no job - move on..
but everything must stop.. sooner or later Americans will recognise how #ucked country became.. how #fucked people are..
sad :(((((((
alx
Motor city is the backbone of the country? If you believe that,then you haven't heard of this place called America - prior to the 20 century. The backbone of the country is not a place - it's an ethic. It's the ethic that has been compromised, sold, trampled, defaced. The country wasn't built on the car industry.
In any case, detroit is fine - the crack-smoker in chief took over the car companies, and rainbows and skittles prevailed. So, not sure what 30% unemployment you're talking about.
The people can no longer use their homes as piggy banks, it's stand your ground or get crushed. Lead, powder, and primers... the new gold! I always knew my long term investment would pay off someday. I purchased a large amount of reloading supplies 5 years ago(for my own use because I am a competitive pistol shooter) and they are worth over 100% more today. I'm a carpenter not a trader so maybe my investment would not be deemed by you as noteworthy? I would be grateful for a reply
please pat yourself on the back on my behalf as i cannot reach.
Chopper's offering 'reach-arounds' to anyone within arms length!
is this a gay joke?
Not necessarily, if you think about it. Whatever floats your boat though, chops; not my concern.
well, its just that you said
like its a bad thing. what gives?
No, you took it as such.
Just how thin-skinned are you, anyway? I mean, you're plenty transparent, I'll give you that.
so after all the insults, this was a genuine compliment? I suppose your entire identity is a lie, so this makes sense. you really have no character, do you?
That works into a nice segueway for me:
I build character
But I doubt you could build your character up much more, hey chops?
once again, you skirt the question. this is a recurring theme for you, isn't it?
Tea Party crybabies? Doooooode. The French look like a bunch of spoiled manipulated pricks.
OH YEAH!!!!! We Americans need to be more French. God knows how courageous they have been. Fight to the death to retire at 60 but roll over like a Progressive Islamic sympathizer when the Germans want to take your entire country away.
Take your love affair with French metrosexuals elsewhere. If you think I'm afraid to get my hands wrapped around the necks of Progressive faggots then you have a lot to learn Brah.