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9 votes
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The world’s oldest woman was 122 when she died. A researcher believes that her daughter assumed her identity in the 1930s to avoid inheritance taxes.
28 votes -
The question for France: Where do the Yellow Vests go from here?
8 votes -
France Yellow Vest protests: Macron promises wage rise
15 votes -
Google Translated: How the French Yellow Vest Movement is being politically appropriated around the world
11 votes -
A Gale of Revolution in the Air
This is a speech that was delivered to the French National Assembly by Alexis de Tocqueville in January, 1848 - just a month before the outbreak of the 1848 "February Revolution." I find it to be...
This is a speech that was delivered to the French National Assembly by Alexis de Tocqueville in January, 1848 - just a month before the outbreak of the 1848 "February Revolution."
I find it to be remarkably prescient - even to this day - yet vastly underappreciated (at least from an American/English-speaking perspective).
I am told that there is no danger because there are no riots; I am told that, because there is no visible disorder on the surface of society, there is no revolution at hand.
Gentlemen, permit me to say that I believe you are mistaken. True, there is no actual disorder; but it has entered deeply into men's minds. See what is preparing itself amongst the working classes, who, I grant, are at present quiet. No doubt they are not disturbed by political passions, properly so called, to the same extent that they have been; but can you not see that their passions, instead of political, have become social? Do you not see that they are gradually forming opinions and ideas that are destined not only to upset this or that law, ministry, or even form of government, but society itself, until it totters upon the foundations on which it rests today? Do you not listen to what they say to themselves each day? Do you not hear them repeating unceasingly that all that is above them is incapable and unworthy of governing them; that the distribution of goods prevalent until now throughout the world is unjust; that property rests on a foundation that is not an equitable one? And do you not realize that when such opinions take root, when they spread in an almost universal manner, when they sink deeply into the masses, they are bound to bring with them sooner or later, I know not when or how, a most formidable revolution?
This, gentlemen, is my profound conviction: I believe that we are at this moment sleeping on a volcano. I am profoundly convinced of it.
I was saying just now that this evil would sooner or later, I know not how or whence it will come, bring with it a most serious revolution: be assured that that is so.-
When I come to investigate what, at different times, in different periods, among different peoples, has been the effective cause that has brought about the downfall of the governing classes, I perceive this or that event, man, or accidental or superficial cause; but, believe me, the real reason, the effective reason that causes men to lose political power is that they have become unworthy to retain it.
Think, gentlemen, of the old monarchy: it was stronger than you are, stronger in its origin; it was able to lean more than you do upon ancient customs, ancient habits, ancient beliefs; it was stronger than you are, and yet it has fallen to dust. And why did it fall? Do you think it was by the particular mischance? Do you think it was by the act some man, by the deficit, the oath in the tennis court, Lafayette, Mirabeau? No, gentlemen; there was another reason: the class that was then the governing class had become, through its indifference, its selfishness, and its vices, incapable and unworthy of governing the country.
That was the true reason.
Well, gentlemen, if it is right to have this patriotic prejudice at all times, how much more is it not right to have it in our own? Do you not feel, by some intuitive instinct that is not capable of analysis, but that is undeniable, that the earth is quaking once again in Europe? Do you not feel -- what shall I say? -- as it were a gale of revolution in the air? This gale, no one knows whence it springs, whence it blows, nor, believe me, whom it will carry with it; and it is in such times as these that you remain calm before the degradation of public morality -- for the expression is not too strong.
I speak here without bitterness; I am even addressing you without any party spirit; I am attacking men against whom I feel no vindictiveness. But I am obliged to communicate to my country my firm and profound conviction. Well, then, my firm and profound conviction is this: that public morality is being degraded, and that the degradation of public morality will shortly, very shortly perhaps, bring down upon you new revolutions. Is the life of kings held by stronger threads? And these more difficult to snap than those of other men? Can you say today that you are certain of tomorrow? Do you know what may happen in France a year hence, or even a month or a day hence? You do not know; but what you must know is that the tempest is looming on the horizon, that it is coming toward us. Will you allow it to take you by surprise?
Gentlemen, I implore you not to do so. I do not ask you, I implore you. I would gladly throw myself on my knees before you, so strongly do I believe in the reality and the seriousness of he danger, so convinced am I that my warnings are no empty rhetoric. Yes, the danger is great. Allay it while there is yet time; correct the evil by efficacious remedies, by attacking it not in its symptoms, but in itself.
Legislative changes have been spoken of. I am greatly disposed to think that these changes are not only very useful, but necessary; thus, I believe in the need of electoral reform, in the urgency of parliamentary reform; but I am not, gentlemen, so mad as not to know that no laws can affect the destinies of nations. No, it is not the mechanism of laws that produced great events, gentlemen, but the inner spirit of the government. Keep the laws as they are, if you wish. I think you would be very wrong to do so; but keep them. Keep the men, too, if it gives you any pleasure. I raise no objection so far as I am concerned. But, in God's name, change the spirit of the government; for, I repeat, that spirit will lead you to the abyss.
16 votes -
Banda Magda, "Tam Tam" | NPR Music (Night Owl S2 • E4)
2 votes -
The International Gymnastics Federation wants to recognise parkour as a new discipline, with a view to Olympic inclusion in 2024. But the parkour community is opposing the FIG’s efforts
10 votes -
What these two French words can teach us about social change
3 votes -
This staircase from the Eiffel Tower is for sale
10 votes -
The new populism • An investigation into the rise of a global phenomenon
5 votes -
The Gauls really did embalm the severed heads of enemies, research shows
5 votes -
New Caledonia narrowly rejects independence from France in historic referendum
18 votes -
New Caledonia votes on independence from France in landmark test. Vote in New Caledonia being closely watched as test of support for France in its many territories around the world
15 votes -
Inside & Around Crammed - Episode 12: Guido Minisky (Acid Arab) by Crammed Discs (2018)
3 votes -
About 135 French MPs launch a transpartisan climate collective
6 votes -
The strange triumph of “The Little Prince”
5 votes -
The French town that throws wine in the sea
5 votes -
Charles Aznavour, the 'Frank Sinatra of France', dies aged 94
9 votes -
Petrus Gonsalvus and the real Beauty and The Beast story
2 votes -
The five mother sauces of French cuisine
10 votes -
Paloma Colombe - Radio Amazigh #11 Hommage à Rachid Taha
5 votes -
13 Block - Balayer (2018)
3 votes -
Ligue 1 - Matchweek 5 Results
Match Score Statistics Nice-Rennes 2-1 (77' Saint-Maximin A., 89' Lees Melou P.; 58'(OG) Sarr M.) PSG-Staint-Etienne 4-0 (22' Draxler J., 51'(Pen) Cavani E., 76' Di Maria A., 84' Diaby M.)...
Match Score Statistics Nice-Rennes 2-1 (77' Saint-Maximin A., 89' Lees Melou P.; 58'(OG) Sarr M.) PSG-Staint-Etienne 4-0 (22' Draxler J., 51'(Pen) Cavani E., 76' Di Maria A., 84' Diaby M.) Caen-Lyon 2-2 (52'(Pen) Beauvue C., 73' Oniangue P.; 45' Fekir N., 88' Mendy F.) Toulouse-Monaco 1-1 (79' Leya A.; 57' Tielemans Y.)I Montpellier-Strasbourg 1-1 (51' Le Tallec D.; 90+3' Mothiba L.) Dijon-Angers 1-3 (13' Said W.; 20' Bahoken S., 29' Tait F., 38' Santamaria B.) Amiens-Lille 2-3 (79' Kurzawa R., 90+2' Ghoddos S.; 56'(Pen), 76' Pepe N.) Nantes-Reims 0-0 Bordeaux-Nimes 3-3 (26', 56' Briand J., 57'Kalu S.; 32' Guillaume B., 45' Bobichon A., 78' Bozok U.) Marseille-Guingamp 4-0 (57', 80' Thauvin F., 73' Payet D., 83' Mitroglu K.) 4 votes -
Occitan, the language the French forbade
10 votes -
Who controls your data? Nine reporters in London, Paris, New York & San Francisco filed more than 150 requests for personal data to 30+ popular tech companies
8 votes -
How Petrus Gonsalvus made it into the French royal court and married Lady Catherine to live out the real Beauty and the Beast story.
2 votes -
France’s ecology minister quit on live radio due to society’s “complete indifference” to climate change
51 votes -
There's a 'scallop war' raging in the English Channel and it's getting violent
5 votes -
Choose a side: the battle to keep French isle McDonald's-free. Mayor on Île d’Oléron is leading the fight, saying the island is ‘not about mass consumption’
9 votes -
French baby boy banned from having name containing tilde
20 votes -
Two French rivers disappear underground in large cracks and sinkholes
8 votes -
Nope, those aren't mailboxes: Paris rolls out sidewalk urinals
17 votes -
Dragons made of citrus: Every year, the town of Menton, France, turns lemons and oranges into giant sculptures depicting windmills, dragons, and more
6 votes -
Duumu & Stereo Cube - Couch Dreams (2017)
3 votes -
All you wanted to know about nuclear war but were too afraid to ask
7 votes -
France wins the World Cup
12 votes -
France vs Croatia final for the 2018 World Cup
https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/match/300331552/#match-liveblog
8 votes -
France are through to the Final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup after beating Belgium
@fifaworldcup: FRA WIN! @FrenchTeam are in the #WorldCupFinal! #FRABEL // #WorldCup
11 votes -
Manhunt underway after notorious French gangster Rédoine Faïd breaks free from jail in dramatic helicopter escape
8 votes -
Gong - Flying Teapot (1973)
5 votes -
The rebellious French village making wine banned by the EU
3 votes -
France's freeclimbing 'Spiderman' arrested while climbing Seoul skyscraper
7 votes -
Emmanuel Macron, Justin Trudeau back 'strong multilateralism' ahead of contentious G7 summit
5 votes -
Jacques - Faîtes quelque chose (2015)
3 votes -
Rare dinosaur skeleton sells for €2 million at Eiffel Tower auction
6 votes -
Travelling to Paris. Stories, advice, and tips?
Hey folks! I'm travelling with my wife to Paris for about 2 weeks. If you have any Paris stories, I'd love to hear them! Have any travel advice? I'm all ears. Local knowledge or location tips like...
Hey folks! I'm travelling with my wife to Paris for about 2 weeks. If you have any Paris stories, I'd love to hear them! Have any travel advice? I'm all ears. Local knowledge or location tips like awesome places to eat or places to see off the beaten path would be amazing.
16 votes -
Eric Chenaux — Dull Lights (White or Grey) (2006)
4 votes -
He chaired the campaign for Britain to leave the EU. Now he’s applying for residency in France.
6 votes -
Zinedine Zidane steps down from managing Real Madrid
12 votes