I know I joke a bit about the French but never too seriously. But what's going on over there? It looks to me like their having a wake-up call, like we in the US had in the '70's with race riots in Newark, NJ, etc. But it's worse - there the impact on the treatment of muslims that goes beyond racial tension - could this lead to more islamic extremism? Anyone have any insight on it?
My personal experience with the French has not been a good one. I have visited France many times and can say that they are arrogant but have no reason to be because they no longer play a central role in international affairs. They not only mistreat those who live there but those who visit. What is that European joke about France: "God created France, so beautiful and peaceful, that he had to create the French people to balance out the state of nature. "
Yes, I have seen the Germans discriminate against the Turks. This was before the fall of the wall. Now it is against the East Germans. Every country has their prejudices.
Yes, they're quite arrogant (my mother included!), and not because of what they are now, but of what they were. And that is precisely one of the problems, the identity classes. French do not feel French without greatness. And indeed, after many, many years of lethargy (as in Germany and other countries), France just rested on its comfort, forgetting about the growing number of immigrants and neglecting its fewer and fewer youngest generations. France now needs radical measures if she doesn't want to fall and become a third world country. She needs a strong hand if she wants to re-take European and worldwide leadership. Do you know that, since the 1970s, the USA created 57 million new jobs to include a growing number of immigrants? France and other European nations haven't even reached the 4 million new jobs cypher since the 1970s. Since the 1970s, the population has aged, opportunities for youngsters have dropped and France has lost many investments, jobs and business to more competitive countries (mainly Asian). The French need to act now, strongly (like the Germans), if they want to change things.
Very well put my friend. The current nation which displays arrogance that will be its downfall is that of the U.S.A. It will soon be overshadowed by the economically powerful Chinese. Start learning Mandarin if you want to keep up.
What's the danger of Nationalism? Being in the US, with our limited, tunnel vision media, seeing the French riots opened some eyes - the powder keg comes to mind.
Well, sure, I doubt that the US can stay on top forever. But look at China's problems - you'll see how fragile the socio-economic system is there. China can't loosen the reins too much to lead the world - if it does, it risks internal upheaval. Cheap labor and oppressiveness only get so far.
Yes, only if the peasants revolt. Economically, China stands to outdo the US. Where do you think Bush is getting his money to finance the post Katrina rebuilding? China. China has saved billions of US dollars in its trading. Now it can use those dollars as loans and future leverage. At the expense of the chinese peasant? Yes. But not for long. China is now gaining business savy people working there now. Keep an eye out for China.
Sure, China's economy will purportedly outpace the US by 2041 and keep going. But, watch out for India too - it's population is younger - education is better. In either case, there's a difference b/t economic strenght and global influence - look at Japan. But, I still think that China has many internal problems (religious intollerance, racism, things that stretch back for ages) that may come out over time that may affect it's dominance in the world. It's always been a closed, self-centered society. Back to Europe though, what's it's future? If the US takes a backseat to China? [ 18. November 2005, 11:24 AM: Message edited by: drache ]
Whats new about riots in major cities? No one in UK should forget the 80's Liverpool, Bristol, London, Birmingham and most major cities and towns during many a summer night. Damage and injuries equalled anything happening now in France. And as for PC Blackock I think it was...over a 2 hundred machette wounds to kill him wasn't it?
Urqh.. Don't forget how quickly people forget. I was amazed at how amazed people were this Summer to be reminded that terrorist bomb attacks in London were nothing new.
Thats a good point Martin, I know the recent bombings in London were terrible, but its not that long ago when we were subjected to the same fear if not always the same numbers killed on an individual day. I remember well the nation feeling sorry for Sefton the horse being injured and probably not a lot of us will remember the Horseguards laying dead in the road, or the bandsmen in the park bomb on the same day. I was at Chessington that day the Joint forces remideal centre full of Falklands injured and wounded, and not a lot of people know this, as Max says...But an attempt was made to blow us up there too, we were evacuated to the rear of the station whilst the device was made safe. I must be a jinx, because I was at Uxbridge too when they hit the band block. Rheindhallen when they hit the Naafi, and thats enough...I'll be pulling up me sandbag stories again...
