My oh my how times stay the same.
My least favourite Euros are now in full retreat, and its not just rogue nations and uppity citizens or immigrants they are running from - its smokers, polluters and (wait for it) flea markets. I couldn’t make this up this good.
The brave Gallic leadership has already surrendered to the antics of its rioting student community and reversed its decision on the new labour laws that would have made a tiny step toward dropping its disastrous unemployment rate. Now it has no stomach for any sort of fight. Qu’elle surprise!
I would happily laugh at all of this, but it does have implications for the rest of the world when your average Dijon mustard is stronger than the French leaders. Not that Chirac cares about the rest of the world, he is now too busy trying to insulate France from it with his new Grand Projets effort to restore French pride.
You could compare and contrast the Chirac method of restoring his nations pride with Stephen Harper’s methods for Canada; but if you’re not in the mood I’ve done it for you here.
1. Chirac announces a government funded rival to Google, Quaero.
PM Harper visits the troops in Afghanistan.
2. Chirac funds BioHub to research starch as a method of making plastics and food additives.
PM Harper fixes the US/Canada Softwood lumber dispute.
3. Chirac wants rechargeable trains with NeoVal.
PM Harper leads the world by cutting off Hamas’ ‘aid’ money.
4. Chirac supports Unlimited Mobile TV, for cell phones.
PM Harper drives an accountability in government initiative.
5. Chirac gives Schneider Electric funds for designing energy efficient homes.
PM Harper sees through the Kyoto Fraud and acts on it.
6. Chirac wants to build hybrid diesel vehicles.
PM Harper takes on crime in Canada.
I think that it is quite easy to look at Chirac’s 6 Grand Projets to restore French pride and see just how small they are. His agenda is more about protectionism of his dying language and shrinking global voice than any BIG picture ideas. PM Harper by comparison is driving Canada back onto the world stage and is attempting to undo years of Libranos corruption and socialism.
If this is the best Chirac can offer then the French are doomed.
