France General Discussion III: Tout doit disparaître

[Omega21]

The French government is now blaming the "Ultra-Right" and Le Pen for the protests.

https://news.sky.com/story/tear-gas-fired-at-furious-protesters-in-france-11561900

Boy, they sure seem desperate.

I would feel bad for the French, but then I remember they voted for him as an "outsider", and anyone who truly thinks he is anything but a part of the elite deserves to live under him for a few more years.

Le Pen called to protest on the Champs-Elysées.
https://www.lepoint.fr/societe/gilets-jaunes-marine-le-pen-suggere-une-manifestation-sur-les-champs-elysees-23-11-2018-2273837_23.php
Marion Maréchal Le Pen demonstrated on the Champs Elysées with other RN officials
https://www.francetvinfo.fr/economie/transports/gilets-jaunes/gilets-jaunes-marion-marechal-a-manifeste-sur-les-champs-elysees-samedi_3053555.html
And according to police a hundred members of the ultra right were among the most violent.
https://www.bfmtv.com/societe/violences-aux-champs-elysees-une-centaine-de-membres-de-l-ultra-droite-parmi-les-gilets-jaunes-1573477.html

Maybe the cause of the protest was the fact that Macron is disconnected from the normal people, and that he increased Fuel taxes like a madman?

If he didn't do this, and the Right called people to protest, would they protest? I think not

[Kingpoleon]

Macron must not break now. Ride out the storm early, that it may end early. If he, New Napoleon that he was, cannot achieve a second term, the French Presidency is a cursed office.

[PSOL]

EU court rejects Le Pen challenge over European Parliament funds misuse
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-lepen-eu/eu-court-rejects-le-pen-challenge-over-european-parliament-funds-misuse-idUSKCN1NX19P

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I assume that Marine Le Pen is loaded, or at least her backers and associates. Why risk getting fined over a few few bodyguard hires when you can get the money elsewhere?

Also France CGT union calls for strike on December 3 to protest energy policy
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-energy-strike/france-cgt-union-calls-for-strike-on-december-3-to-protest-energy-policy-idUSKCN1NW1OZ

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That comes in the light of PM Macron shutting down or lessening the usage of Nuclear power plants, along with a restructuring of the main energy company.

[Pandaguineapig]

Remember when Maron was the future of Europe and a transformational leader? Good times

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Hundreds of arrests in Paris as ‘gilets jaunes’ protest turns violent

At least 100 people injured in street battles, with cars being torched and shops raided

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/01/paris-france-protests-yellow-vests-gilets-jaunes-champs-elysees

That first photo is from Catalonia police violence.

[windjammer]

Remember when Maron was the future of Europe and a transformational leader? Good times

He has managed to unite everyone against him. Best show of french unity for quite a long time!

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Remember when Maron was the future of Europe and a transformational leader? Good times

He's almost less popular than Hollande was at the end of his term.

[Starry Eyed Jagaloon]

Remember when Maron was the future of Europe and a transformational leader? Good times

He's almost less popular than Hollande was at the end of his term.

And yet, he is right about everything and is actually getting stuff done. Eventually, he'll beat these yellow-vested idiots.

[I Can Now Die Happy]

Remember when Maron was the future of Europe and a transformational leader? Good times

Refusing to elect Le Pen was a mistake and we're seeing the results. Smh France

[MaxQue]

Remember when Maron was the future of Europe and a transformational leader? Good times

He's almost less popular than Hollande was at the end of his term.

And yet, he is right about everything and is actually getting stuff done. Eventually, he'll beat these yellow-vested idiots.

The only thing he'll acheive is causing fascists to take power in 2022 if he is not stopped before.

[Politician]

Le Pen was clearly the lesser of two evils, compared with Macron.

[dead0man]

wait wait wait....there is a law in France saying all motorists must have a yellow safety vest?  Yeah, I'd riot too.

[Omega21]

wait wait wait....there is a law in France saying all motorists must have a yellow safety vest?  Yeah, I'd riot too.

Nothing unusual, there's even such laws in Eastern European and Balkan countries.

If my memory serves me correctly, you need a Safety triangle, Yellow West, Chains (if winter), Spare car light bulbs, First aid, Spare tire and towing line.

That's in less developed countries, so I assume it's the same for richer countries like France.

[dead0man]

and what's the punishment if you get caught without spare light bulbs or towing line?  Are these things checked for every time you get pulled over?  Part of a regular inspection?

[Omega21]

and what's the punishment if you get caught without spare light bulbs or towing line?  Are these things checked for every time you get pulled over?  Part of a regular inspection?

It really depends. At night it's usually just checking your Drivers license and alcohol testing, but I was pulled over a few times during the day (especially during the winter season) for a detailed inspection, including checking the "mandatory equipment" and sometimes even measuring the tire groove (You need to have winter or All season tires during the winter, with the proper groove depth).

If you don't have one of the 7 items, you receive a fine. I got written up because I forgot to put the tire chains in my car (winter had just begun), but since I work online, the fine was fairly cheap for me in Bosnia (about USD 25), and it is not that expensive either way (the average salary is about USD 470-500). Obviously, bribing the police is still a big thing in most ex-Socialist Balkan countries, but you could end up giving an old communist cop $10 and get written up for attempting to bribe an officer.

Most new and even used cars already come with most of the stuff in it, the only thing you might need to do is buy a new First Aid every 5 or so years since it has an expiry date, and obviously have good tires, but that's common sense even without legislation.

I'm usually against overregulation, but I definitely think the US should also introduce something like this, since the Deaths/100,000 Cars ratio is greater than in developed EU countries, so it could maybe help, and it probably wouldn't have any large drawbacks.

[swl]

Only the yellow jacket and triangle are mandatory in France, you can get a fine if they are missing.
Most of the time you get pulled over it is for alcohol tests, and if it's negative the police will probably let you go without checking anything else.
But if you are pulled over for another infraction (going above the speed limit for example) they will probably check your car more thoroughly and you may be fined if the yellow jacket is missing.

Macron communication is very bad. Pretending that the protesters do not exist, not talking about them, not talking to them. Sending his ministers to talk instead. This only makes them angrier.
Maybe he is hoping that the movement will lose momentum with Christmas/new year period. But it's 3 weeks from now and some people may well die before that. Expect similar riots next Saturday.

[dead0man]

I'm usually against overregulation, but I definitely think the US should also introduce something like this, since the Deaths/100,000 Cars ratio is greater than in developed EU countries, so it could maybe help, and it probably wouldn't have any large drawbacks.

Three things I think that would make this hard to pull off in the US:
A.we like freedom more than Europe
2.this seems like it would be an excuse to hassle poor people
III.would give cops a legit reason to look in trunks (triangulating the first two)


I believe most (all?) states have a law saying vehicles must be kept in good and safe working condition, but I think it's usually only applied after an accident caused by whatever it was that wasn't in good and safe working condition.

[Omega21]

I'm usually against overregulation, but I definitely think the US should also introduce something like this, since the Deaths/100,000 Cars ratio is greater than in developed EU countries, so it could maybe help, and it probably wouldn't have any large drawbacks.

Three things I think that would make this hard to pull off in the US:
A.we like freedom more than Europe
2.this seems like it would be an excuse to hassle poor people
III.would give cops a legit reason to look in trunks (triangulating the first two)


I believe most (all?) states have a law saying vehicles must be kept in good and safe working condition, but I think it's usually only applied after an accident caused by whatever it was that wasn't in good and safe working condition.

I definitely understand the difference, and you're right, maybe this type of regulation is not suited for the States, although I feel like some things, like the driving rules on the interstate should be changed to those of the Autobahn, i.e. go to the left lane only if you are going faster than the other cars or overtaking, and stick to the right lane if you are driving the same speed as others. I watched a lot of close call and accident videos where lane switching for no reason (or however it's called) caused accidents.

These rules make it safe even when the speed limit (or no speed limit at all) is higher than in the US since it's a more controlled and predictable way of driving overall.



As for Macron, I think it's pretty safe to assume that he's going to lose the European election to RN, as he seems to be letting things just spiral out of control.

It will be definitely interesting seeing a new EU Parliament with more right-wing MP's than before, hopefully, it translates into a new direction for the EU, one that does not oppose freedom of speech and sensible Nationalism.

[dead0man]

I definitely understand the difference, and you're right, maybe this type of regulation is not suited for the States, although I feel like some things, like the driving rules on the interstate should be changed to those of the Autobahn, i.e. go to the left lane only if you are going faster than the other cars or overtaking, and stick to the right lane if you are driving the same speed as others. I watched a lot of close call and accident videos where lane switching for no reason (or however it's called) caused accidents.

These rules make it safe even when the speed limit (or no speed limit at all) is higher than in the US since it's a more controlled and predictable way of driving overall.

The sad part is, that IS the rule here in most states.  The amount of time we waste sitting in traffic we wouldn't have to if people just used proper lane discipline is huge.

[Omega21]

I definitely understand the difference, and you're right, maybe this type of regulation is not suited for the States, although I feel like some things, like the driving rules on the interstate should be changed to those of the Autobahn, i.e. go to the left lane only if you are going faster than the other cars or overtaking, and stick to the right lane if you are driving the same speed as others. I watched a lot of close call and accident videos where lane switching for no reason (or however it's called) caused accidents.

These rules make it safe even when the speed limit (or no speed limit at all) is higher than in the US since it's a more controlled and predictable way of driving overall.

The sad part is, that IS the rule here in most states.  The amount of time we waste sitting in traffic we wouldn't have to if people just used proper lane discipline is huge.

Definitely... The amount of unnecessary braking can lead to a ripple effect in the back, seriously bogging down traffic.

However, the better "discipline" in EU countries is most likely due to mandatory driving lessons. In Austria (and even Bosnia), you can't just go do your test and be on your way. You need to pay a driving school for mandatory lessons, including theory and practice (16 Driving hours minimum), where your instructor must take you to drive on the highway and in the city, basically drilling in the rules.

When it's all said and done, a driving license will end up costing you $1600+, but I guess that's the price for more discipline on the roads.

[swl]

So the government more or less caved in. Today Edouard Philippe announced that the planned increase of taxes on fuel is postponed for 6 months; it will not take place in January, but in July instead.

Additionally, the annual increases of electricity and gas prices are also postponed to July, instead of January.

Will this satisfy the protesters? Probably not, they don't want any tax increase at all, merely postponing for 6 months is not enough.

It's also making trouble for the government in terms of budget deficit. The deficit for the 2019 budget was estimated at -2.8% of the GDP, taking into account the tax increases. With these taxes now postponed, this objective of -2.8% will be more difficult to reach. The European Commission may be unhappy.

[dead0man]

However, the better "discipline" in EU countries is most likely due to mandatory driving lessons. In Austria (and even Bosnia), you can't just go do your test and be on your way. You need to pay a driving school for mandatory lessons, including theory and practice (16 Driving hours minimum), where your instructor must take you to drive on the highway and in the city, basically drilling in the rules.

When it's all said and done, a driving license will end up costing you $1600+, but I guess that's the price for more discipline on the roads.

I'd have no problem with making it harder to get here, but not that expensive in costs.  Just make the test hard and more often, as it should be anyway.

I'm 45, have gotten many speeding tickets (at least 25, if not 35) and haven't taken a driving test since I was 16 and haven't taken a written test since I was 21.  I've not been in an accident that was my fault since I was 17, so that might help (and why my insurance is still reasonable), but still, crazy they haven't tested me in the last 24 years and 4 states.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

A political commentator on our national television has said that this is how revolutions start.

[DaWN]

A political commentator on our national television has said that this is how revolutions start.

But that's enough about your average day in France

[Zaybay]

This presidency has been a disaster so far, I seriously doubt he runs for reelection in 2022.