Saturday, December 2nd, a large group of ordinary, working class people formed in Paris to protest rising gas taxes. Tensions with the poor community in France, especially those in the countryside, have been building for years. These working class people find it harder and harder to live off their monthly salaries, with most of their money going away almost immedietly to pay for bills. A 46 year old carpet-layer, Fabrice Girardin stated, "We live with stress. Every month, at the end of the month, we say, "will there be enough to eat?" Another man, Yoann Decoux, shared his situation which many relate to, "They don't even know how we get by with our tiny little lalaries," he stated, "But we are humans too, for God's sake!" Decoux was barely making ends meet after going out-of-work as an electrical lineman. These stories or too common for the working calss in rural France and this protest was made to send a message. After the protests, the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, toured the city. He saw how some of the richest shopping streets in europe were damaged. Along with the damage of the city the protests left 3 dead and more than 260 wounded with 400 arrests made. WIth these facts, Macron held a private cabinet meeting and pondered on wether to initiate a state of emergency. Police were sent in with tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets to dispurse the protesters. But one, Florian Dou vows that the protesters are not going anywhere.
Read the story here.
1. As Americans, should we pay attention to nations abroad and how they are fighting amoungst themselves? Explain your answer.
I think it is important that we pay attention to other nations. These conflicts they have can eventually lead back to us and we need to learn from hem how to act in the situation. BUT, I also believe that the US should stay out of other countries' affairs unless they involve a widespread crisis. The United States is a very powerful nation, but I believe we should not ecercise the power unless needed.
2. With this new protest, imagine you wanted to visit Paris. Would this event stop you from going? Explain your answer.
If I wanted to visist Paris, I would want it to be a worthwhile and safe trip. But with seeminly more and more protest and internal fighting in Europe I would most likely stay away from visiting until things cooled down. Europe is a country rich with history and I would like to visit but I put my safety first.
Replies
Well done overall! Be sure to comment on three different days. Most all of your comments were done on one day.
I think it's very important that we recognize problems occuring in other nations. Many of their conflicts could lead to issues for the US in some way. The US shouldn't become to involved, but we should atleast have some understanding of their current situations. I think I would probably wait before visiting the country because it seems like there is still many protest going on and I wouldn't want to risk my safety.
It is important to watch other countries because it indirectly affects the US as well. The US needs to keep peace in different parts of the world. At the moment, I would most likely avoid going there.
1.) Yes, we should because if something happens to one nation then it will have effects on another, just like the Great Depression. 2.) I don't know if it would stop me or not it just depends on the situation of the protest.
I think it is important yes because it could happen in our own country at any time. If we pay attention to what is happening in other countries and how they are fixing it we can try to use that in our own country if something like this happens. I think for now it would stop me from wanting to take my trip. Eventually when things calmed down I would replan a trip to visit Paris.
I agree with you in that we can look how other countries are handling conflict and use that to make better decisions in the future. And I'm not sure if I would even plan a trip to France but I would not go now and replan for later.
I think we should just to keep an eye out for troublemakers who like to pass borders, but thats their own problem not ours. This protest would definately stop me from going to paris. I would rather go to Israel then paris any day but more so now.
Yes, I think it's important that Americans pay attention to nations abroad and their problems. It will allow us to learn from them and make good choices in our country. This may postpone my trip if I wanted to visit Paris because it would be more difficult with protestors.
I also think it is important for us to watch other nation's conflicts and troubles so that we can learn from them and great a better natino as a result. And I would also postpone a possible trip to Paris to avoid danger.
I think we should because if we know how they fight there then they might fight the same way here if they ever come here or try to attack here. I think it would stop me from going for a little while because i wouldn't want to go and have something to happen to me and not be able to make it back home because there are fights going on.
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
of 4 Next