From: "Patrice ALLAIS" <patrice.allais-AT-attglobal.net>
Subject: Re: History, Curious, eh wot? 
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2003 21:03:56 +0100



>>> Dave Coull wrote in cyberspace:
 >
 > A  few weeks  ago we  were in  Paris. We  happened to  see a  small
 > demonstration by people  on bicycles wanting to make  the city more
 > "green".  But no  sign of  anti-war activity.  I bought  a copy  of
 > "Liberation", the issue of Samedi  18 et Dimanche 19 Janvier, which
 > had  a front  page about  "Irak -  Le reveil  des antiguerre",  and
 > inside many pages  about the anti-war movement in the  USA, the UK,
 > and  indeed  worldwide. "LIberation"  had  an  editorial about  how
 > different things were in France. Here it is:
 >
 > [SNIP]
 >
 > It does seem  to be true that while the  French government has been
 > distancing itself from the warlike  stance of Bush and Blair, there
 > is less of an active anti-war movement in France than in some other
 > countries. What do you think of Liberation's explanation for this?

 A few days  before the Feb 15, it  came to my mind that  there was no
 news  or so  few  about  that anti-war  front  in  the media  (radio,
 newspapers, TV, etc..). Up to the  last day. Then normal coverage for
 24 hours and again nothing. Just like last April-May when there was a
 call to resist to so said on-coming fascism in France.

 French  just don't  care or  are sheeps.  From time  to time  I start
 arguing with  people about what they  think they could do  about what
 happens in France and in the world.  Answers are always : we can't do
 anything as  we are powerless.  I'd just  say French people  do trust
 French government. As  long as this government  doesn't shatter them.
 Even then some glue, and back to usual business.

 If no media,  no "revolution". Or just bedroom  revolution. French do
 like other people to represent them whatever the topic is. We are far
 away  from the  anarchist  way of  mind. French  walk  in the  street
 because they are  told to do so, not because  they are convinced this
 is the appropriate way to give their opinion.

 And unless the problem is at  their very door, French won't move that
 much. At the most, they'll let the  altruist ones go and do the work.
 I'd just say, we  may have more altruits ones than  others on a daily
 basis ;-)