France as cited in 'The Onion's Atlas of the Planet Earth"

I haven't written this! Just quoting from the Onion's new parody, Our Dumb World: Atlas Of The Planet Earth.

This is their entry for France:

"Home to Earth's entire population of 62.7 million people, every single one of the planet's 427 cities, and all of its history, culture and beauty, France is the only country in the world. Located directly in the center of the universe, around which everything else revolves, the nation of France is the sole beacon of life and civilization in an otherwise black and empty void."

No comment.

Strike Watch-major

Another transport strike is wreaking havoc in the French capital again since yesterday.

Being France, this is not particularly news, and I have nothing more to say, Here's a link.

Oh wait, apparently there is a change. The French, usually so supportive of unions and demonstrations, are fed up with the havoc created by these massive strikes and have withdrawn their support for the movements. According to one report, around 70% do NOT believe the strikers demands should be met.

One of the (what I find to be outrageous)demands is that the train drivers be allowed to retire at age 50 because, 'driving a train is dangerous physical labor'. Dangerous?

Question - As people are living healthily into their 80-s and even 90's, what do they intend to do with the second half of their lives? And who is to pay for it? They clearly seem to think that it should be the government. Isn't this a clear example of a whole population evincing passive-agressive behavior? A whole population that feels victimized? Is it the educational system that grooms them to be so angry and entitled? Wouldn't they be less disgruntled if they felt more empowered to help themselves?