Does the state of affairs in France bother you? France, like every country, has its own personality, the French call it “je ne sais quoi,” and it means a special quality that is hard to put into words. You may have your own description or picture you have in your mind but here’s how I would describe it from my perspective…
Images of three Frenchmen who were dedicated to the safety and security of France, Napoleon, Charles duGalle and Roland Garros…Where are this generations version of these brave warriors?
In thinking of the French, they have a certain confidence that it admirable. Consider their storied history from The Crusades, which began in France with Pope Urban II at the Council of Clermont to save Christianity and Jerusalem from Muslim rule to the WWI. One remembers the French Revolution and how Paris was rebuilt and France was re-organized following WWII. Famous generals like Napoleon To Charles du Galle and other noted soldiers/ pilots like Roland Garros who escaped as a prisoner of war then got back into the cockpit to fly more missions, until he was shot down and killed. I sure hope these are some of the national heros kids learn about in school. The French know how to make a plain cut of meat into Boeuf Bourguignon, or Coq au Vin and they can produce a fine wine or champagne to go with it. Their architecture is unmistakable and to be admired, walking through Paris or any French city or town is like a breathtaking Hollywood backdrop, whether it is a bustling metropolis like Paris or a quaint little town along the Seine or the Mediterranean. When it comes to fashion and style, even the ordinary French woman knows the value of ballerina flats, tailored pants and a bright red lip color. AND, their attitude. I love that confidence the French are known for and their rivalry with the British who like to rib their channel neighbors by ‘butchering’ THEIR love of ‘butchering’ elegant language (all in jest) as in calling the “Buffet Car” on a train the (pronounced buf-fet rather than buf-fay). When it comes to art and literature, the French have well earned their spot in art from Renoir to Voltaire and Victor Hugo. Consider the beauty and variety of the landscape from Brittany to Occitania to the Alps and Cote d’Azure, sea to wine country to farmland to ritzy beach towns to the Alps; such variety in one country. I could go on but anyone who has read about/studied or travelled to France, knows what the feeling is here. There are so many visual images and thoughts that come to mind when we think about France’s contributions to the world…
If you recall your history classes in middle school or high school you may remember the stories of how grateful the French citizens were when the Allied Forces entered the European Theater during WWII and the battle of DDay. The famous American DDay cemetery, overlooking Omaha Beach, where young American soldiers who didn’t survive the battle have been laid to rest, many French families cared for the graves and kept in contact, over the years, with the families of some of those American service men. This is an aside, but if ever you get a chance to see this very solumn place, it is a site you will never forget. The area is not only historic but most likely the little villages, country roads with sheep and goats crossing the roads, have changed little since the war. To this day, those who live in this area still have an appreciation for the Americans for entering the war. They know that action very will kept the French and most of Europe from all speaking German.
And to see it go up in flames, statues desecrated, windows smashed, stores looted, churches burned (no mosques though) police officers attacked/ disrespected and elderly mocked and robbed, makes me sick! As in most conflicts, the problems affecting France did not happen over night, it happen over time. Since the late seventies/early eighties, the over abundance of immigration has taken its toll. Promising free education, healthcare and other social services along with a shortened work week has all contributed to a large amount of citizens who are on the take and not enough money to pay for it all. Taking in more immigrants than what an economy can provide for, along with taking in people who have no respect for authority or the country who took them in is a recipe for disaster.
The of Paris appears to have been taken over by thugs.
The sad thing is that it doesn’t take a brilliant person to look at France and see how this story could be ‘rinsed and repeated‘ over many other Western European countries, those others that have also allowed for large numbers of immigrants to enter their boarders unvetted and now a drain on their social welfare systems at the expense of legal citizens and taxpayers. Hats off to the leadership of Poland and Hungary which have very boldly come out letting the world know that their boarders will remain secure from invaders who wish to change their stability and religious freedom.
What will the outcome be of the turmoil in France? It’s hard to tell. Those who are wise will take note and take measures to deter and prevent such chaos in their countries. Don’t take my word on this topic, read for yourself where the funding for this activity comes from and what these organizations represent. France is pretty much socialized with the programs they have provided for their citizens and residents. If this is what socialism looks like, ask yourself “is this the country you would want for yourself? Is it working?” What is sad to me is that the French have built a culture and society over hundreds of years, unique to themselves that tourist love to flock to, to visit, observe and vacation. It’s sad that invaders can trample and dismantle a place and people that took them in. It’s tempting to lock the door and send back those ungrateful and hateful marauders. Western civilization has created beautiful cities, countries and peaceful societies with freedom of religion. It’s time for The WEST to assess what their future will look like and what they will need to do to protect themselves and their own hardworking taxpayers and legal citizens from ungrateful individuals who come to enjoy the benefits THE WEST has to offer but treat their generous host like a door mat. Where is this generation’s version of Charles du Galle, Roland Garros or Napoleon to help make these decisions? What is the best possible scenario for Great Days ahead? Time will tell.
