What's Up with France?

Three French people shot President Macron the bird. They were arrested and now face up to a year in prison for being rude. What's up with that? I thought France was supposedly a democracy.

Source? Or are you just yelling at the sky again?

Source? Or are you just yelling at the sky again?

in fairness to kengreen, i believe hes trying to poke a bit of fun at himself with this one

The United States is the only place that truly understands the democratic values of liberty, equality and justice.

Nothing that I could find, although there's a recent article about a British fellow facing possible imprisonment for doing the same in Dubai.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/sep/21/briton-could-face-dubai-jail-term-for-finger-gesture

The United States is the only place that truly understands the democratic values of liberty, equality and justice.

Not the only place, but it’s not as bad as it’s made out to be. One of best places in the world for sure. People around the world are desperate to get in, and not just the poorest of the poor. For example, way more Koreans want to move to the United States than the other way around. Per capita it’s even more pronounced. America’s the land of opportunity for the talented and hard working.

I get the impression people who throw shade at the United States feel they are being sophisticated, cultured, and enlightened when they go around telling others what a horrible place it is. In reality, they’re damn fools.

I get the impression people who throw shade at the United States feel they are being sophisticated, cultured, and enlightened when they go around telling others what a horrible place it is. In reality, they’re damn fools.

John Stossel tell you that?

No. Just life observation. And our resident car driver - the forum’s most prolific poster - would agree.

TikTok comes from China. The algorithm hides stuff critical of China. It promotes stuff critical of the United States. It promotes stuff critical of capitalism. Young people are on TikTok A LOT. It shapes their worldview.

in fairness to kengreen, i believe hes trying to poke a bit of fun at himself with this one

Perhaps. I really wish he'd stuck to the titling of "France" like we all did yesterday, hehe. ONE WORD.

TikTok comes from China. The algorithm hides stuff critical of China. It promotes stuff critical of the United States. It promotes stuff critical of capitalism. Young people are on TikTok A LOT. It shapes their worldview.

very interesting L1 but what does that have to do with anything

Not the only place, but it’s not as bad as it’s made out to be. One of best places in the world for sure. People around the world are desperate to get in, and not just the poorest of the poor. For example, way more Koreans want to move to the United States than the other way around. Per capita it’s even more pronounced. America’s the land of opportunity for the talented and hard working.

So why did you choose to live in Korea instead of America? Genuine question.

very interesting L1 but what does that have to do with anything

Words out me mouth

America’s the land of opportunity for the talented and hard working.

So which one are you? Untalented or lazy?

So why did you choose to live in Korea instead of America? Genuine question.

It is a good question, but you won't get a straight answer from him. He's
like a broken record.

You shouldn't make any sudden moves around him and repeat these things:

-gun violence is good and really means "freedom"
-life expectancy is increasing
-healthcare is affordable and efficient
-there are no homeless, say "street party"
-politics works
-wealth and income are well distributed
-everyone wants to live there, especially Northern Europeans

It is a good question, but you won't get a straight answer from him. He's
like a broken record.

You shouldn't make any sudden moves around him and repeat these things:

-gun violence is good and really means "freedom"
-life expectancy is increasing
-healthcare is affordable and efficient
-there are no homeless, say "street party"
-politics works
-wealth and income are well distributed
-everyone wants to live there, especially Northern Europeans

While this is a fair point, I'm not sure "Guy who constantly disses Korea, but still lives in Korea" is the person to make it.

Here's a link with the story.

https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20230423-french-protesters-to-face-court-for-insulting-macron-over-pensions-policy

Freedom of speech seems to be under attack in the west.

Here's a link with the story.

https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20230423-french-protesters-to-face-court-for-insulting-macron-over-pensions-policy

Freedom of speech seems to be under attack in the west.

https://medium.com/feedium/banned-books-list-2649e56db929

Yep.  Maus, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Slaughterhouse Five, Handmaid's Tale, Catcher in the Rye, Of Mice and Men (plus Grapes of Wrath), even Captain Underpants, etc....

Mentioning homosexuality, slavery being wrong, the Holocaust was bad .... all ideas banned in various places in the US. 

https://medium.com/feedium/banned-books-list-2649e56db929

Yep.  Maus, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Slaughterhouse Five, Handmaid's Tale, Catcher in the Rye, Of Mice and Men (plus Grapes of Wrath), even Captain Underpants, etc....

Mentioning homosexuality, slavery being wrong, the Holocaust was bad .... all ideas banned in various places in the US. 

Certain books are shunned by schools because of community standards. The parents for whatever reason don't want their kids to read them. But there's no place in America where adults aren't allowed to read this type of literature. You are comparing apples and oranges. Respectfully.