The Art of Protest.......the French do just about everything with a panache nobody can touch

[marmar]

from the Guardian UK:



France's main airport has only a few days' worth of fuel left, it was announced today, as the strikes against government pension plans continued to hit infrastructure.

The transport ministry warned of the fuel shortage at the Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris as unions worked to rally millions of people for another national protest against President Nicolas Sarkozy's bill to raise the retirement age.

The country has already endured four days of strikes, resulting in grounded flights and cut rail services. Ten of France's 12 oil refineries have been shut down or are in the process of being closed and several fuel depots have been blockaded.

A ministry spokesman said officials were working to restore aviation fuel supplies, and the economy minister, Christine Lagarde, urged people "not to panic", the BBC reported. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/oct/16/french-protests-airport-fuel-supplies

[stray cat]

1. South Africa does it even better - although the 50% unemployed are not benefiting

those who are employed by unions are doing great

[saltpoint]

2. Recommended.

There's much to admire in their heightened sense of citizenship.

I can think of a certain Republican president who ridiculed them and I grimace, hoping that the men and women in France do not judge all of us by his example.

[marmar]

3. They don't. I was in Paris shortly after the start of the Iraq invasion, when US-French tensions....

..... were quite high. ....... And Parisians went out of their way to be extra-friendly.

[saltpoint]

4. I'm glad that you were there then, marmar.

Let Europe see our best citizens instead of just reading about Dubya and Dick and Condi and the rest of those soulless lizards.

:hi:

:thumbsup:

[jgraz]

8. I'll second that.

I can't believe how nice the French citizens were - in Paris and elsewhere. Even after they heard my French.

My lasting impression of that country is bittersweet. When you see what a real, functioning society looks like, it's pretty sad to come back home to this.

[TBF]

5. K&R nt

[inna]

6. K&R

I'm going there in January - and cannot wait. ...Nothing like a good protest; it's good for the soul. :evilgrin:

[Starry Messenger]

7. k & r