Did you hear about riots in Paris?

French are rioting in protest of new carbon tax.

"The anger is mainly over a hike in the diesel fuel tax, which has gone up seven euro cents per liter (nearly 30 U.S. cents per gallon) and will keep climbing in coming years, according to Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne. The tax on gasoline is also to increase four euro cents. Gasoline currently costs about 1.64 euros a liter in Paris ($7.06 a gallon), slightly more than diesel," the AP says.

I guess the French people don't believe that a tax will curb 'climate change".

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RodionRomanovitch · 56-60, M

The protests are about the rising cost of living and essential services. The recent fuel hikes are just the catalyst for a general anger.

Trying to make some correlation between this and disbelieving in climate change is nonsense. French people are , by and large , totally behind any measures aimed at combating global warming (including fiscal measures). This was just a cack-handed effort by Macron to raise taxes by pretending they were 'environmentally friendly'. People saw through that little ruse straight away.

Budwick · 70-79, M

@RodionRomanovitch I gotta hand it to you Coldhands - your answer pointing to the hidden, non-answer, over there in the un-seeable mist is appealing!

It explains precisely why every news outlet worldwide is reporting "France finds itself in the grip of fuel protests". [Last part is sarcasm. I've found that it can be important to point that out - some people don't see it.]

RodionRomanovitch · 56-60, M

@Budwick You should try re-reading what I wrote. The answer I gave you was based upon my first hand knowledge of the events taking place over here. It's what we call informed analysis.

Of course you can cling to your headline and bend it as you will to suit your narrative. But it won't change the fact that your story is deliberately misleading. Don't you call it fake news or something like that over there ?

Budwick · 70-79, M

@RodionRomanovitch Well, look at that - your profile says you are in France! I suppose you might have an inside track on this.

Actually, I think calling out fake news would be for YOU to exclaim - not me.

Why do you think media would be hesitant to report on "the rising cost of living and essential services"? No digs here - honest question.

RodionRomanovitch · 56-60, M

@Budwick I suppose it depends which media you consume. The tabloid press will always go for the easy headline , which while not totally untrue in this case , simply doesn't tell the whole story. You don't have to dig that deep to know what's really going on.

Budwick · 70-79, M

@RodionRomanovitch Well, based on your earlier comments, YOU are the source I should trust.

MAybe it would take so much typing you are reluctant to try answering. Maybe you could direct me to a media story online that agrees with your POV. So far I only have you telling me that it's complicated but my impression is basically wrong. Can you help? Or not?

RodionRomanovitch · 56-60, M

@Budwick Try Le Monde , they've got it well covered.

Budwick · 70-79, M

@RodionRomanovitch Maybe they are filtering news to the outside but I find nothing about riots, protests, rising cost of living etc.

Thanks anyway.

revenant · F

@RodionRomanovitch that rag is so left wing ...

revenant · F

@Budwick I have been following Le Monde and it plays on poor africans and how they view France etc etc etc