What the heck is going on in France?
What the heck is going on in England?
What the heck is going on in the USA?
What the heck is going on in the USA?
posted by EThunk at 7:13 PM
Welcome to our living room. You'll find it takes a certain "bonkers" way of thinking about things to hang out here. No one will ever ask you to leave, but you might feel uncomfortable being here if "our tribe don't dig your vibe." The emphasis is on creativity, spontaneity, and improvisation. Most of us know each other here. Many of us are related. We use aliases just for the hell of it.
posted by EThunk at 7:13 PM
10 Comments:
France - Muslim and African youths are frustrated with their inability to get jobs or be recognized in French society...or so the story goes.
USA - It's getting cold outside. We always get weird when it's getting cold outside.
The Europeans are not nearly as tolerant with religious fanatics as we are. That's because Europeans have more people who will openly admit to being athiest and/or agnostic than we do.
They know what happens when religious fanatics get their way. They lived through the Inquisition. They know democracy is a better way. They have no desire to return to the oppression of the middle ages, and they have no respect for a church doctrine that says "if you're not Muslim, it's my sacred obligation to kill you," or one that says, "if you don't do what the Pope says, you're out of the church and will burn in hell."
In short – rational, humanistic thinking is more prevalent and better accepted in Europe than it is here in the US.
It's not an insult to be called "liberal" or "secular" there. It's not a sign of weakness to be against a war, and it's not an act of heresy to say to a religious fanatic, "Hey, you know what? You're full of bullshit."
All that being said, there is the usual struggle between the rich and the poor.
People demonstrate and finally riot when there is no other way to get the "establishment" to address their grievances or to improve their circumstances. It's a sign of frustration and a failure of the social system.
The good part is that in a democratic society, it usually leads to reform. In a totalitarian one, however, it can lead to bloodbaths and even genocide. France is famous for its riots.
The people of France have always championed the liberation of the human spirit. I'm wary of the Muslims and their religious ferver, but at the same time at empathy with those who seek freedom and opportunity elsewhere.
Something healthy may be going on in France,who knows? It's not uncommon that the first stages of good movements look ugly.
I don't know how much I agree with the tolerance aspect of your opinion, Owl. (However, as a sidenote, I do want to point out that i do respect your opinion).
Remember, this is a country that does not allow headscarves in schools, even though many people believe they cannot go out in public without them.
I don't call that "religiously fanatical." In my opinion, that's something that can be easily compromised.
I tend to agree with Skogg. I've never been to France to study the situation first hand but long ago, I spent a great deal of time with an owl...er guy who had a lot of French blood . I'm just saying. (Skogg talk is fun talk)
Well, the French... what can I say. they're ...um...French. But not like French Bryan. He's a different French.
I love him though, and he knows it.
A long time ago, I spent a good deal of time with an Irish woman who had a father from Germany. Now that's a LADY for ya. God bless 'er, b'Jesus!
What an odd and wonderful extended family we have! All these kids, all this love. Good for us! Can we gently breathe it into our hands and blow it to France, Iraq, WDC?
I play a French maid in "Beauty and the Beast."
I love stereotypes.
If we're ever going to shine our lights, now would be a good time.
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