Republicans are sneaky
By topffer
@topffer (42156)
France
November 5, 2020 10:53am CST
Our president is a very smart guy but he has a few defects, and among them to want to be the one to decide for everything. To do that he has chosen his ministers among people less smart than himself. And this is an euphemism. As they know that they are not that smart, they believe that us, basic citizens, are stupid.
In short our PM speaks to us like if we were children, with a gravelly Southern accent making feel when we close our eyes that we are part of a herd of sheep in a Pyrenean barn, and our Health minister seems to think that we are all idiots from the Alps. This guy was a doctor, it is a good thing that he does politics since 10 years, it increases the national life expectancy.
We are until at least the end of the month in what I call "a Canada dry confinement" : bars, restaurants and "non-essential" shops are closed, but children are at schools, workers are at work, and we can fill as many authorizations that we want to go outdoors (I went to a burial this morning).
If you ask me, this kind of confinement has no chance to work. And it is a mess : a government spokesman says at 9am that they will add a curfew, and at 11am the PM says that they will not ; maybe alcohol will not be sold during the night, maybe yes, etc.
Last Sunday, our Health minister said to a radio that if we were not wise and good enough we will be still confined for Christmas. You see, deprived of turkey and sent to bed with no dessert ! Only the turkeys were happy.
Somewhere this was a big mistake to tell this, because the law giving special administrative powers to the government for health emergency was not yet voted. I may be an idiot from the Alps deprived of dessert but I have been taught by my father to not sell the skin of the bear before having killed it.
The law was supposed to be voted on Tuesday night by the Assembly. But it is not yet. Because of these sneaky Republicans who booked all the available room at the canteen of the Assembly on Tuesday evening. There is something more sacred than tea for a Briton for a French : his lunches. Due to the confinement the restaurants were closed, so the "Walking Republicans" of Pdt Macron walked (or called a taxi) to home for the dinner.
And at the start of the night session, at 9pm, there were 84 "Walking Republicans" in the Assembly room and... 88 Republicans, who started to vote with speed and enthusiasm to limit the administrative powers wanted by the government, against the conclusions of the government. Last limit for confinement were put on Dec 15th, the turkeys are unhappy again.
This lasted until a very angry Health minister came in the room to stop the recreation, screaming, crying, calling them foolish... and invoking a rarely used article of the constitution permitting him to call to a new vote at the day and hour fixed by the government. I hope they will not forget to tell to their deputies to bring a bento box, the Republicans are so sneaky...
9 people like this
10 responses
@much2say (56142)
• Los Angeles, California
7 Nov 20
Oh yah, we know about sneakiness, people thinking they are smart when they are really not, and all those other messes 
. But funny how we think it is our president who speaks worse than and acts like a child. In our case, we didn't really have the upstairs leadership . . . how convenient for him to leave things up to each state - no wonder we are in an uncontrolled scrambled mess as a country. I actually feel lucky to be where I am, but even then I see the "loopholes" in the rules - and obviously so do others as they will take full advantage of it (citizens can be sneaky too). Bento box 
.
. But funny how we think it is our president who speaks worse than and acts like a child. In our case, we didn't really have the upstairs leadership . . . how convenient for him to leave things up to each state - no wonder we are in an uncontrolled scrambled mess as a country. I actually feel lucky to be where I am, but even then I see the "loopholes" in the rules - and obviously so do others as they will take full advantage of it (citizens can be sneaky too). Bento box .2 people like this
@much2say (56142)
• Los Angeles, California
11 Nov 20
@topffer It's funny but sometimes I wonder if "we" would have been better off being scolded. Maybe more people would have been on the same page - but that is not the kind of leadership we had. Instead, people followed the prez's example by doing whatever they wanted, what many of us would call irresponsible behavior. It seems to be have been encouraged, so what can be said - if no one is scolding, then these people just continue to do what they want like spoiled brats.
I don't doubt there were opportunities that were too convenient for the taking because of this pandemic situation. Some politicians did take advantage of this - and they should be punished. Health and lives of the population - certainly nothing to play around with - but at that level, and if they have no conscience then they won't care what they do, as long as they get what they want. Ugh.
1 person likes this
@topffer (42156)
• France
11 Nov 20
@much2say If we have soon a vaccine, and it seems more and more clear that we will, then the lockdowns in the EU will have saved thousands of lives. If not, I think that on the long term everybody would get the covid, so the lockdowns would have just ruined the economy with no real profit. And these lockdowns cannot last forever in a democracy. It is a bet, I think this time Europe did the right choice and Trump's America the wrong, but last March nobody could tell what was the right choice...
1 person likes this
@topffer (42156)
• France
7 Nov 20
I told it a couple of times here : USA did better for the Spanish flu 1 century ago than Europe ; at this time the states encouraged peoples to wear masks... For the covid, I read that 110000 lives could be saved in USA if 95% of people were wearing masks. Trump was irresponsible, he left the WHO during the pandemic and reached the top of the Everest when he said a few days ago that he would fire Dr Fauci if he was elected.
What I don't like here is to be scolded like a child. This said the members of the government may be said personally responsible for their wrongdoings and I would not like to be in their shoes now. Our previous PM resigned, telling that he did not wanted to go to jail, and it may happen : his house and office have been searched and his phone seized to find if he has hidden something about the covid damageable for the population. Lying can send a PM to jail here. Trump would get a life sentence
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
5 Nov 20
More or less it goes like that here too.
Its all play musical chairs kind of thing from one day to the next and see who is left without a chair
The Health Minister and that other guy who is sort of his sidekick talks to us like we are naughty children also.
If anything I have laughed from the start of reading this to the end okay I know its not funny but we are having the same problems too.
El Sanchi also thinks he is smarter than the average bear well thank you for making me laugh but I am not laughing at what I am seeing on the News today was one of those you have all been bad boys and girl days oh boy how much more?
The Health Minister and that other guy who is sort of his sidekick talks to us like we are naughty children also.
If anything I have laughed from the start of reading this to the end okay I know its not funny but we are having the same problems too.
El Sanchi also thinks he is smarter than the average bear well thank you for making me laugh but I am not laughing at what I am seeing on the News today was one of those you have all been bad boys and girl days oh boy how much more?1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
6 Nov 20
@topffer
I know I am serious too and yesterday they had coffins all over the news its like we have begun again like in March.
But you have a sense of humour.
Here is the deal they want the teachers now to do tests on the kids as if they were Doctors as if they are not suffering enough stress.
The deal is oh the kids can put up with that Is totally stupid.
You know those PCR tests to see if they carry covid stuff.
I cannot believe that they are serious.
Also they want us all to buy a test kit of theirs no idea of the price for us to do the Covid test ourselves.
Spain is totally crazy I imagine its the same there and okay the people are not crazy its just that they are coming out with bizarre ideas.
Good Angels guard us both you and me and everyone else too.
They have sacked a lot of Doctors and Nurses probably the Doctors that are older.
1 person likes this
@topffer (42156)
• France
6 Nov 20
@lovinangelsinstead21 Everybody asking for it can be tested in France. It is heaven for hypochondriacs and costs 300 millions euros/month to the social security. Now I am less and less sure that this mess is useful. On the first 6 months of 2020 we had 15 000 deaths more than during the first 6 months of 2019. You should look for Spain, I believe it is the same. Is it reasonable to enjail a country and kill its economy for that ? I am not far to think like Trump that economy is more important : the GDP per capita has felt by 11% in France, and it is only the beginning.
1 person likes this
@topffer (42156)
• France
6 Nov 20
I see that you can rely to this
. I had fun writing it, but this episode is true and it poses the problem : we cannot give all the powers to the government until the end of the times to fight the covid, especially if they use them to take half measures that will not work. And indeed it will be our fault. This is unhealthy and I am starting to be fed up by this comedy, they should better concentrate their efforts on hospitals than to bug people to fill a paper each time they have to go outdoors to not be fined. Difficult to believe, but despite of what Macron said last April, they have continued to close beds in hospitals, while Italy did what was needed : recruiting nurses and creating new beds.
. I had fun writing it, but this episode is true and it poses the problem : we cannot give all the powers to the government until the end of the times to fight the covid, especially if they use them to take half measures that will not work. And indeed it will be our fault. This is unhealthy and I am starting to be fed up by this comedy, they should better concentrate their efforts on hospitals than to bug people to fill a paper each time they have to go outdoors to not be fined. Difficult to believe, but despite of what Macron said last April, they have continued to close beds in hospitals, while Italy did what was needed : recruiting nurses and creating new beds.1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472087)
• Switzerland
6 Nov 20
Do not complain of the southern accent of your PM, we have to listen to someone with a Swiss French accent.
At least he is not treating us like children, but menacing to lockdown again if we will not do our best to stop the pandemic. What I can do more? I stay at home all the time! It seems that Republicans are sneaky... I have to agree.
1 person likes this
@topffer (42156)
• France
6 Nov 20
It is not only the accent, it is also the tone of a teacher of an elementary classroom. This said, it would be worst if he was speaking with a Swiss accent. I pity you
Same for me, I respect the confinement and stay at home...
Booking all the available seats(it is reduced because of the covid) at the canteen of the assembly was a great idea. They don't make me laugh often but whoever did that is a great strategist
. This said, it would be worst if he was speaking with a Swiss accent. I pity you
Same for me, I respect the confinement and stay at home...
Booking all the available seats(it is reduced because of the covid) at the canteen of the assembly was a great idea. They don't make me laugh often but whoever did that is a great strategist@topffer (42156)
• France
7 Nov 20
@LadyDuck I find the French Swiss accent funny, but I would not like a PM to have it, he would certainly also get on my nerves quickly
Have you seen Office Space, another great movie from Mike Judge ? There is a guy in the open space who has been fired 5 years before, but because of a mistake they continue to pay him, until they realize the mistake and stop to pay him. He complains a bit but continues to work without grumbling a lot until his boss takes his stapler. Then it turns bad.
The only problem that may happen in France like in USA is about the transfer of secret things like nuclear codes to the following president. It would weaken the country during a few days. But I am sure that at D Day the previous president would be evicted from the Elysée.
Have you seen Office Space, another great movie from Mike Judge ? There is a guy in the open space who has been fired 5 years before, but because of a mistake they continue to pay him, until they realize the mistake and stop to pay him. He complains a bit but continues to work without grumbling a lot until his boss takes his stapler. Then it turns bad.
The only problem that may happen in France like in USA is about the transfer of secret things like nuclear codes to the following president. It would weaken the country during a few days. But I am sure that at D Day the previous president would be evicted from the Elysée.@LadyDuck (472087)
• Switzerland
7 Nov 20
@topffer I try to read the briefing and never to follow the speech directly, I cannot stand to hear talking so slowly, this gets on my nerves.
I miss going out to eat time by time, but I am not too bad staying home and cooking.
I agree that booking all seats was a great strategy. I wonder what would happen in France if the President refuses to concede and does not want to get out of the Élysée Palace.... I am curious to see what's going to happen in the United States.
I miss going out to eat time by time, but I am not too bad staying home and cooking.
I agree that booking all seats was a great strategy. I wonder what would happen in France if the President refuses to concede and does not want to get out of the Élysée Palace.... I am curious to see what's going to happen in the United States.1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
7 Nov 20
seems such 'leadership' 'tis global. 's fer bein' spoken to like young'uns, our governor does such. a horrible parent, lots 'f threats, no actions takin'. perhaps she feels if'n she can guilt folks, they'll behave?
1 person likes this
@topffer (42156)
• France
7 Nov 20
The government can take whatever measure they want here, and we are fined if we don't respect them. Besides they may be sent to jail if they do not act for the health of citizens. It is not a joke, our previous PM had his house and office searched and his phone seized to find if he had not hidden things or lied to us about the covid. Their problem is to protect people while not killing the economy. Difficult, I would not like to be in their shoes.
1 person likes this
@topffer (42156)
• France
7 Nov 20
@crazyhorseladycx Having hospitals not full to be able to have room for anybody needing it is the goal of this lockdown, but it is lighter than in March and I doubt that it will work this time. I think Macron did not believed to have to face a second wave : while Italy was recruiting 16000 nurses, France closed hospital beds after the confinement. We know that teens are an important vector of covid, but high schools are still opened, so I have a serious doubt about the efficiency of this lockdown in France.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
7 Nov 20
@topffer they purty much do the same here. our governor shut's down early march, though no fines'n place fer not abidin'. when schtuff started re-openin', she said there'd be fines fer non-compliance, but nobody's 'nforced such. purty much the 'nly business here that doesn't 'nforce mask wearin' 'tis wal-mart. all else've signs sayin' such's needed, nobody cares. 'tis harder to get ones critter seen'n the vet than to see a people doc. i comprehend the 'killing the economy' thingy, but 'nstead we've o'erburdened our medical facilities 'n 've no place to send those'n dire need. they, too, 're 'lso full. so, more folks die. our numbers continue to soar.
my thoughts bein' that if'n ya tell folks that if'n ya don't comply'n x, y 'n z 'ccur all'll be shutdown 'gain, ya ought'a follow through with such a threat. otherwise folks 've nary a care'n do's they please. more spread. more deaths.
1 person likes this
@topffer (42156)
• France
7 Nov 20
@GodServantme He can do another one. His wife is not involved in politics.
1 person likes this
@GodServantme (1541)
•
7 Nov 20
@topffer I think hes wife would run in presidency if he already finish hes term
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (90481)
• Arvada, Colorado
7 Nov 20
Wow such a movie! OH yes we the common folk can laugh at them.
@topffer (42156)
• France
7 Nov 20
Trump would not be a member of what we call the "Republican right" here, he would sit with the far right, where you find the only people favorable to Trump in France. Macron, who is a "Walking Republican" is a centrist in France but is perhaps (we will see) more on the left than Biden. In fact we have parties for any shade of opinion while you have only two parties. What was frightening in USA was to see that there was still a large number of people ready to elect again a far right scum like Trump
.
.1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181931)
• United States
6 Nov 20
What a mess! I would not like to be spoken to like a child by someone in charge. Hoping that everything works out. Have a great Friday.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181931)
• United States
6 Nov 20
@topffer He was an embarrassment. Thank you.
1 person likes this
