France is up in flames and it's the same again - racism and over-aggressive policing. I have to say that it shows the cultural influence of the USA, in that Britain saw widespread BLM protests and actions over the death of George Floyd thousands of miles away, but there is more or less silence over the death in similar circumstances of a lad in the neighbour country. Surely it can't be that as a North African, Nahel M didn't count so much?
People react to what they can relate to. In rare instances, like George Floyd, it’s a wake up moment. I don’t think that’s wrong, but it is a partial view. In the developing World, bad stuff happens everyday, people living out of rubbish heaps. The World doesn’t stop, even though it should. I’m glad if it does, even if only occasionally.
But they have to stop now, because the Tour De France, the best sporting event in the World, is about to start.
Anywho, all you Remoaners should look at what’s going on in France while you enjoy your woke liberal summer holidays in Portofino and Baden-Baden.
The French have a range of issues that get them angry beyond racism and aggressive policing @Clive_ofthe_Kremlin. Off the top of my head in the very recent past they've taken to the streets to protest over retirement age reform and the right to wear yellow vests. They're basically very temperamental. Best to ignore their silly tantrums
Yes, much better to supinely have a little grumble and get on with it while our betters plunder and destroy the country and trample on its institutions.
This seems to be getting bigger. They've robbed guns and are shooting ak47s around the streets now. The police threatening to rebel. Cities burning all over France. You have to wonder whether that charming holiday gite was such a good purchase now. The root cause is inequality and racism. Also suffered here - especially the ever increasing inequality part. I'm always hopeful for the start of the Revolution. Could this be the beginning of the end for western capitalism?
Smashing up shops, looting, burning innocent peoples cars and just generally destroying stuff that has no relevance to what happened isnt the answer. Mass silent protests outside Police stations would have been the classier route to go but, you know, people need a new tv I guess. Stuff like this makes me fear for when alien disclosure comes later this year.
The same level of wishful thinking as remaining defiantly positive about England chasing 450 to win in 100 overs, Clive.
I would open your mind a little bit so as not to be too shocked when it happens. Serious discussions going on in senate hearings, wont be long until congress gets involved. They have been preparing us for a while now through news media and sci fi programming.
Exactly. Cos that is what those rioters looting the Nike shop want. Rioting because the Cops shot him before they, the rioters, could stab him up . Defund the police. Yeah. Right on. Way to go .
Nothing like seeing the end of capitalism with "protesters" looting shops and then running around in Nike or Adidas clothing carrying the biggest Samsung tv they could get their thieving hands on while coordinating on Meta or Whatsapp on newly acquired iphones. Its going to take a massive shift in consciousness for things to change to the eutopia some of us long for.
It feels inevitable that the violence that the French are having to deal will be repeated in most European countries in the not too distant future unless the inflow of migrants is brought under control
It's really not migrants that are the problem in my view. It's inequality. See some videos of marseille for example before the riots. Streets lined with homeless and makeshift shelters. Mix in hardline, violent and racially biased policing (I saw the police chief called the rioters "vermin" - hardly very conciliatory) and you've got the recipe for riots. When people don't feel they have any investment in a society, they don't have many qualms about smashing it up.
I agree with everything you say. Under the circumstances I don't blame them from rioting. Clearly poverty and inequality are the root cause of the anger and frustration they feel. But can better housing, jobs etc be delivered by a. Europe that's in economic decline? I doubt it. More overseas aid has to be way forward - with checks and balances to ensure it reaches the people it's meant for - not the bank account of corrupt officials
But surely overseas aid (unless on a scale so massive it won’t - and probably can’t -happen) can only ever be a drop in the ocean of ever increasing world poverty (given demographics etc) ? Certainly not enough to prevent many people still thinking life will be better for them in Europe. I haven’t got a better answer though.
Perhaps. But look at Rwanda. 20 years ago they were chopping each other up into little pieces - now the country is a tremendous economic success. What, in the long term, does Europe have to offer an economic migrant? A low skilled, low paid job (until the role is automated out of existence) and poor quality living accommodation. After a few years is he and/or any children he may have likely to be thinking 'what a lucky chap I am' or will he be mightily pi55ed off? I think what's happening in France tells us it's the latter
It’s a little more simple than that. The French police have killed three people this year and thirteen last year during traffic stops. That simply doesn’t happen here. It would be thirteen Mark Duggans each year, one or more a month. We know how sensitive these things are after Ely in Cardiff went up in May following a fatal police incident with an e-bike. Migrants are usually tremendously good at creating economic opportunity, especially in a place like France where tourism and service industries are so big. Stop shooting people and it’s unlikely this happens again (unless they put petrol prices up or pensions down).
As is their concentration on easy to prosecute driving offences like speeding and ignoring gateway crimes such as burglary or public order offences. The more people see them as a hinderance rather than a help the worse the situation will get.
Yes maybe - would be interesting to know if there are many economic migrants still departing Rwanda. I have no idea at all, but suspect that the large numbers of all ages and both genders fleeing to countries next door have stopped, but plenty of young men still think the grass greener elsewhere, I.e. Europe. I think the existence of a welfare state and education / health care etc for family members when they come, must still be quite a draw. Point taken though - perhaps overseas aid can be provided sufficiently to at least prevent failed states and create the conditions for economic success being generated internally. Africa (in particular) certainly has the raw materials for that.
given that disparity and that the french spend most of their time smashing things up or setting light to livestock rwandans must be nightmares to deal with maybe a few hardworking migrants will do their country some good well done you have changed my mind and i now think it is an excellent policy
