If I had to begin with something «light», it would be with the Olympics. I think that in every country which had the Olympics before, it was the same with ads every 5 minutes, with sponsors everywhere, talk show, reports or documentaries. Everything is done to make it a great event. We can follow each day the journey of the Olympian flame. But for the Paralympics, the event for the disabled people, it is more difficult. Most of the tickets are not sold. Nothing has changed in the Parisian subway : If you are in a wheel chair, it's not possible to go. If there has been progress in the administrations, there so much to do and often for a few obstacles or forgotten steps. But in all those ads, there something that troubles me : They are all talking of French flags, French athletes to support, pushing the boundaries but not the pleasure to do different sports, or only to do a kind of «sport washing» for the the biggest polluters. And the images are always the same with the major sports (for France) : Judo, Fencing, Athletics, Football. I know that there are also events showing other sports for children but this concept of Olympic sport as nationalistic and performance-driven is something (not new) that makes me unconformable. I'm a bit utopian.
Speaking of children, the other subject of this month was Violence by Children. There have been several assaults and murders of children and teenagers by other children…in the media. Because if you are looking at the stats, there has been no significant progress or change. It's just that the media want to speak of something else than war in Ukraine or in Gaza. The subject is so interesting for the far-right, during the European elections campaign. Safety and aggression are their main concern, even if it means transforming the figures a little. And our «Youtuber» prime minister is always there to speak in front of cameras. One day, one press conference. And the subject was also the schools because it may be the answer for him. To create a kind of criminal record for young people through their school records, that's the solution the government proposes, as soon as a child rebels against the authority of the teacher. A complex issue, a simple answer… In the same time, some students are occupying Campus like in the US, to protest against War in Gaza. Same answer than in the US : Cops to arrest troublemakers and Media to say that they are all anti-Semitic. So simple, when the subject is complex. It's not possible to tell something against the far-right government from Israel (even if you are a Jew) without being accused of being racist against all Israeli people and Jews. You have more freedom of speech in...Israel. I must admit that some leftists are not better sometimes, trying to add oil to the fire, only to catch supposed votes for the elections....It's just creating more mess in the left, not helping Gaza or Left voters.
But on this subject, a humorist was censored by a radio because he had compared Israeli prime minister to a «Nazi without foreskin». Some other deputies or politicians from the left were also accused by an unknown Jewish organisation to promote terrorism, with a recent controversial law. Most of them were not even questioned by the police or a judge. The humorist was released from any prosecution but his employer, the public radio network, has launched suspension procedure that could lead to dismissal, because he pronounced the same sentence in another joke, despite a prosecutor has dropped all charges against him. It's difficult to have humour in this country, especially when it's too far to the left or just against this government. If only humour was making money for the country ! Charlie Hebdo protests are so far... France is not Charlie anymore since .… the 80s (and Charlie was not himself Charlie when the attack happened, having been led by ultra-secularists worse than the extremists they denounce).
Yes, France is officially in bankrupt because the deficit is rising, spendings are rising, and because of small gifts to the wealthiest, the budget is being cut by taking from...the poorest. We are looking for a new Robin Hood against the new Sheriff Bruno Le Maire and King Emmanuel «John» Macron. They are only giving a lot to the professions threatening to strike during the Olympic Games....and sacked the head of SNCF for being too generous, even if it was out of the company's surplus budget.. It's not enough because a motorway had to be closed because it was threatening to break up. And it's the main motorway for the Olympics, of course. No alternative, it must be repaired. The suburbs of Paris are full of traffic jams. Some of the public transportation are still under construction or maintenance. But it will be okay in one month...We hope. A thing that will not be OK is transport fares and packages in Paris. It's always a non-recycled paper ticket if you live in the suburbs and want to go once in Paris. It's twice the price if you are using a package. And it can be a different package if you only want subway tickets. But during the Olympics, all the fares will be doubled. With the legendary hospitality of Parisian taxis, you won't necessarily want to use anything other than ... your feet. Good news, most of the pavements are finished and free from scooters and bikes… not from litter.
The main event for the next months could be … Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo swimming with Emmanuel Macron in the river Seine, just to prove to the athletes that it's safe. We are taking bets ! But now, we'll know where is the Olympian flame each day and that makes our days. *Panem et circenses* said Roman poet Juvenal...But for more and more people, the bread is expensive or the only thing they can buy to eat. Don't worry for the Olympics, homeless people are sent away from Olympic locations. But we are keeping the Parisian rats, our specialty.
2Dɛ
or by a reply on your blog