I do, nobody should be arrested for peaceful protest.
wifeisafurd said:
I was in France a few weeks ago when Macron was meeting in Nice with the Indian PM. There was a demonstration by a pro-Hamas group headed in the general direction of the hotel where the meeting was taken place, which I saw as I was walking with other tourists. All of sudden the local police, who were monitoring the demonstration, just left, and the National Police marched in and basically ended the demonstration by shoving and kicking vocal demonstrators to the ground and pushing other in different directions. Something was said very loud in French by the police, and the demonstrators were running gone in different directions. People were taking pictures with their phones.
So did I see one mention of the shocking incident in the media? Of course not. There is a very different relationship between the media and government in other countries.
Why is it that I feel if someone was protesting Hamas in Gaza, they might have even received worse treatment?
Cal88 said:wifeisafurd said:
I was in France a few weeks ago when Macron was meeting in Nice with the Indian PM. There was a demonstration by a pro-Hamas group headed in the general direction of the hotel where the meeting was taken place, which I saw as I was walking with other tourists. All of sudden the local police, who were monitoring the demonstration, just left, and the National Police marched in and basically ended the demonstration by shoving and kicking vocal demonstrators to the ground and pushing other in different directions. Something was said very loud in French by the police, and the demonstrators were running gone in different directions. People were taking pictures with their phones.
So did I see one mention of the shocking incident in the media? Of course not. There is a very different relationship between the media and government in other countries.
Why is it that I feel if someone was protesting Hamas in Gaza, they might have even received worse treatment?
There are no "pro-Hamas" demos in France or in Europe, there are however anti-genocide, pro-Palestinian protests, peaceful and very large in some countries like Spain, Ireland, Holland.
The IDF has killed over 100,000 Palestinians and Lebanese the last couple of years, destroyed 90% of Gazan houses and infrastructure, shot hundreds of Palestinian toddlers and children in the head, and you think Palestinians protesting against Hamas is a thing?
You could benefit from laying off cable TV.
BearlySane88 said:Cal88 said:wifeisafurd said:
I was in France a few weeks ago when Macron was meeting in Nice with the Indian PM. There was a demonstration by a pro-Hamas group headed in the general direction of the hotel where the meeting was taken place, which I saw as I was walking with other tourists. All of sudden the local police, who were monitoring the demonstration, just left, and the National Police marched in and basically ended the demonstration by shoving and kicking vocal demonstrators to the ground and pushing other in different directions. Something was said very loud in French by the police, and the demonstrators were running gone in different directions. People were taking pictures with their phones.
So did I see one mention of the shocking incident in the media? Of course not. There is a very different relationship between the media and government in other countries.
Why is it that I feel if someone was protesting Hamas in Gaza, they might have even received worse treatment?
There are no "pro-Hamas" demos in France or in Europe, there are however anti-genocide, pro-Palestinian protests, peaceful and very large in some countries like Spain, Ireland, Holland.
The IDF has killed over 100,000 Palestinians and Lebanese the last couple of years, destroyed 90% of Gazan houses and infrastructure, shot hundreds of Palestinian toddlers and children in the head, and you think Palestinians protesting against Hamas is a thing?
You could benefit from laying off cable TV.
Would waving Hamas flags make it pro Hamas?
Cal88 said:wifeisafurd said:
I was in France a few weeks ago when Macron was meeting in Nice with the Indian PM. There was a demonstration by a pro-Hamas group headed in the general direction of the hotel where the meeting was taken place, which I saw as I was walking with other tourists. All of sudden the local police, who were monitoring the demonstration, just left, and the National Police marched in and basically ended the demonstration by shoving and kicking vocal demonstrators to the ground and pushing other in different directions. Something was said very loud in French by the police, and the demonstrators were running gone in different directions. People were taking pictures with their phones.
So did I see one mention of the shocking incident in the media? Of course not. There is a very different relationship between the media and government in other countries.
Why is it that I feel if someone was protesting Hamas in Gaza, they might have even received worse treatment?
There are no "pro-Hamas" demos in France or in Europe, there are however anti-genocide, pro-Palestinian protests, peaceful and very large in some countries like Spain, Ireland, Holland.
The IDF has killed over 100,000 Palestinians and Lebanese the last couple of years, destroyed 90% of Gazan houses and infrastructure, shot hundreds of Palestinian toddlers and children in the head, and you think Palestinians protesting against Hamas is a thing?
You could benefit from laying off cable TV.
wifeisafurd said:Cal88 said:wifeisafurd said:
I was in France a few weeks ago when Macron was meeting in Nice with the Indian PM. There was a demonstration by a pro-Hamas group headed in the general direction of the hotel where the meeting was taken place, which I saw as I was walking with other tourists. All of sudden the local police, who were monitoring the demonstration, just left, and the National Police marched in and basically ended the demonstration by shoving and kicking vocal demonstrators to the ground and pushing other in different directions. Something was said very loud in French by the police, and the demonstrators were running gone in different directions. People were taking pictures with their phones.
So did I see one mention of the shocking incident in the media? Of course not. There is a very different relationship between the media and government in other countries.
Why is it that I feel if someone was protesting Hamas in Gaza, they might have even received worse treatment?
There are no "pro-Hamas" demos in France or in Europe, there are however anti-genocide, pro-Palestinian protests, peaceful and very large in some countries like Spain, Ireland, Holland.
The IDF has killed over 100,000 Palestinians and Lebanese the last couple of years, destroyed 90% of Gazan houses and infrastructure, shot hundreds of Palestinian toddlers and children in the head, and you think Palestinians protesting against Hamas is a thing?
You could benefit from laying off cable TV.
You should lay off commenting on things you didn't see. The demonstration was sponsored by the local (Niice) Hamas office, and their pleasantly bi-lingual signs said so. if your saying their cause was pro-Palstenian than you are clueless about the relationship between the two organizations.
If you were less busy wacking off to internet whack jobs, you would know that French law actually requires organizers of protests to identify themselves and hand out official declarations. I assume given all the English and American tourists in Nice, the protesters were nice enough to hand us propaganda that also was in English, before they were mugged. I saw no evidence that the demonstration wasn't peaceful as I thought could be reasonably inferred by my comment.
Trying to improve on your ignorance further, Pro-Hamas/Gaza protests frequently take place in Nice, and according to our guide, their assemblies have involved clashes with opposing demonstrators that are either pro PLO (the PLO has an office in Nice) or Jewish organization. Local authorities, including Mayor have taken highly visible stands supporting Israel and the hostages held by Hamas, and the local populace is very anti-Hamas and much more receptive to Algerian or PLO causes. The locals actually hate all demonstrators as they impact the tourist industry.
As for rest of you commentary, I make no comments about demonstration in Spain, Ireland or Holland, since unlike you, I make an effort to stick to things I actually have some modicum of knowledge about. You don't have much credibility with me, but I will leave it to others more knowledgable to address those demonstrations.
In any event, you were too busy going off on the IDF to understand the point of the post about handling demonstrators and press coverage or the fact this was idealistic, Lady Liberty, Equality and Fraternity France. .
Quote:
The demonstration was sponsored by the local (Niice) Hamas office,...
...Pro-Hamas/Gaza protests frequently take place in Nice
Quote:
As for rest of you commentary, I make no comments about demonstration in Spain, Ireland or Holland, since unlike you, I make an effort to stick to things I actually have some modicum of knowledge about.
wifeisafurd said:
Okay now I think I know have a better understanding what I witnessed.
The EU (not France) placed Hamas on its International Terriost List many years ago. As a result, France bans any transactions with or members of Hamas in the country. It also bans any demonstrations in support of Hamas and remarkably it also allows regional leaders to prohibit individual (non Hamas) protests against Israel I assumed what I saw was a permissible demonstration. The signs said Hamas on them and I was handed a pamphlet (which I was told by the guide is technically required for demonstrations) which dealt with the treatment of Hamas by Israel. My understanding NOW, is such demonstrations are not legal in Nice because (1) it supported Hamas and (2) it was against Israel. The demonstration therefore was broken-up rather harshly to our sheltered US eyes.
Clearly the French rules on on what public expression is allowed and how you deal with peaceful protest are very different than in the US. I assumed given our local guide's comments, the protest was broken-up to avoid embarrassing Macron (the guide didn't actually come out and say that). The guide indicated that Hamas had an office in Nice and the guide's narrative is driven by the impact demonstrations have on tourists, as perhaps registered by of our visceral reactions to the police beat down.
It is easy for me to shout about some hypocrisy with the way the French stifle dissent, but that is their laws and culture , and who am I judge I suppose The Cte d'Azur is gorgeous and you are fortunate top spend time there. Just stay clear of the demonstrations if the police show.
And I really don't know what is going on with demonstrations in other countries perhaps because I don't watch TV. other than for sports or streaming. I get my news from the google news aggregator and I view all news articles with suspicion.
Also, I starred your post and I really do think the French will win the Cup.

Quote:
How often do you visit?
Cal88 said:wifeisafurd said:
Okay now I think I know have a better understanding what I witnessed.
The EU (not France) placed Hamas on its International Terriost List many years ago. As a result, France bans any transactions with or members of Hamas in the country. It also bans any demonstrations in support of Hamas and remarkably it also allows regional leaders to prohibit individual (non Hamas) protests against Israel I assumed what I saw was a permissible demonstration. The signs said Hamas on them and I was handed a pamphlet (which I was told by the guide is technically required for demonstrations) which dealt with the treatment of Hamas by Israel. My understanding NOW, is such demonstrations are not legal in Nice because (1) it supported Hamas and (2) it was against Israel. The demonstration therefore was broken-up rather harshly to our sheltered US eyes.
Clearly the French rules on on what public expression is allowed and how you deal with peaceful protest are very different than in the US. I assumed given our local guide's comments, the protest was broken-up to avoid embarrassing Macron (the guide didn't actually come out and say that). The guide indicated that Hamas had an office in Nice and the guide's narrative is driven by the impact demonstrations have on tourists, as perhaps registered by of our visceral reactions to the police beat down.
It is easy for me to shout about some hypocrisy with the way the French stifle dissent, but that is their laws and culture , and who am I judge I suppose The Cte d'Azur is gorgeous and you are fortunate top spend time there. Just stay clear of the demonstrations if the police show.
And I really don't know what is going on with demonstrations in other countries perhaps because I don't watch TV. other than for sports or streaming. I get my news from the google news aggregator and I view all news articles with suspicion.
Also, I starred your post and I really do think the French will win the Cup.
I've never seen demos in Nice, though most of the time I am there is usually during the Summer or Winter breaks when the students are out of town (about 50k students in Nice), though the students there are generally less politically active with a more STEM and international student body, feeder to the Sofia-Antipolis tech hub nearby.
The level of violence against protestors in France is not a French "cultural thing", it went up considerably recently under Macron with the very harsh repression of the Gilets Jaunes (yellow vests) movement which started a decade ago fueled by the decline in purchasing power of retirees, blue collars and rural working poor. In the course of these protests the riot police used rubber bullets and stun grenades extensively, maiming over 100 protestors (lost eyes, limbs). They shot one of the main organizers Jerome Rodrigues in the eye point blank from 30 feet away while he was just standing in a Paris demo.Quote:
How often do you visit?
About once a year these days, more often before covid, I used to have a place above Monaco on the French side, 10min downhill walk to the Monte Carlo Country Club and the MC Tennis Open, which is the best major ATP tournament experience with relatively smaller crowds, intimate setting and gorgeous surroundings.
Cal88 said:
^It's also a relatively easy ticket to score in comparison with Rolland-Garos, US Open or Wimbledon, takes place in April when the weather is nice and there are fewer tourists.
On a related subject, 39yo Djokovic is playing #1 Sinner in the Wimbledon semis right now, he's up 3-2 in the first set...
Cal88 said:wifeisafurd said:
Okay now I think I know have a better understanding what I witnessed.
The EU (not France) placed Hamas on its International Terriost List many years ago. As a result, France bans any transactions with or members of Hamas in the country. It also bans any demonstrations in support of Hamas and remarkably it also allows regional leaders to prohibit individual (non Hamas) protests against Israel I assumed what I saw was a permissible demonstration. The signs said Hamas on them and I was handed a pamphlet (which I was told by the guide is technically required for demonstrations) which dealt with the treatment of Hamas by Israel. My understanding NOW, is such demonstrations are not legal in Nice because (1) it supported Hamas and (2) it was against Israel. The demonstration therefore was broken-up rather harshly to our sheltered US eyes.
Clearly the French rules on on what public expression is allowed and how you deal with peaceful protest are very different than in the US. I assumed given our local guide's comments, the protest was broken-up to avoid embarrassing Macron (the guide didn't actually come out and say that). The guide indicated that Hamas had an office in Nice and the guide's narrative is driven by the impact demonstrations have on tourists, as perhaps registered by of our visceral reactions to the police beat down.
It is easy for me to shout about some hypocrisy with the way the French stifle dissent, but that is their laws and culture , and who am I judge I suppose The Cte d'Azur is gorgeous and you are fortunate top spend time there. Just stay clear of the demonstrations if the police show.
And I really don't know what is going on with demonstrations in other countries perhaps because I don't watch TV. other than for sports or streaming. I get my news from the google news aggregator and I view all news articles with suspicion.
Also, I starred your post and I really do think the French will win the Cup.
I've never seen demos in Nice, though most of the time I am there is usually during the Summer or Winter breaks when the students are out of town (about 50k students in Nice), though the students there are generally less politically active with a more STEM and international student body, feeder to the Sofia-Antipolis tech hub nearby.
The level of violence against protestors in France is not a French "cultural thing", it went up considerably recently under Macron with the very harsh repression of the Gilets Jaunes (yellow vests) movement which started a decade ago fueled by the decline in purchasing power of retirees, blue collars and rural working poor. In the course of these protests the riot police used rubber bullets and stun grenades extensively, maiming over 100 protestors (lost eyes, limbs). They shot one of the main organizers Jerome Rodrigues in the eye point blank from 30 feet away while he was just standing in a Paris demo.Quote:
How often do you visit?
About once a year these days, more often before covid, I used to have a place above Monaco on the French side, 10min downhill walk to the Monte Carlo Country Club and the MC Tennis Open, which is the best major ATP tournament experience with relatively smaller crowds, intimate setting and gorgeous surroundings.
SBGold said:Cal88 said:
^It's also a relatively easy ticket to score in comparison with Rolland-Garos, US Open or Wimbledon, takes place in April when the weather is nice and there are fewer tourists.
On a related subject, 39yo Djokovic is playing #1 Sinner in the Wimbledon semis right now, he's up 3-2 in the first set...
I'm going to add it to my bucket list. I've never really thought about going to Monaco, but will reconsider.
wifeisafurd said:SBGold said:Cal88 said:
^It's also a relatively easy ticket to score in comparison with Rolland-Garos, US Open or Wimbledon, takes place in April when the weather is nice and there are fewer tourists.
On a related subject, 39yo Djokovic is playing #1 Sinner in the Wimbledon semis right now, he's up 3-2 in the first set...
I'm going to add it to my bucket list. I've never really thought about going to Monaco, but will reconsider.
I can only speak from my experience, but it is little like visiting Aspen, with a lot of showy money. Teh scenery is outstanding and the internal city is very dense. The tennis tourney is I hear isworth watching, and the F1 is fabulous, but very expensive and crowded. We loved it.
I would do the casino with a guide or on a morning tour. Some fascinating stories and history. If you are a car buff try and see the royal car collection. If you are into gardens, the Princess Grace Gardens are nice. 88 I'm sure will have more to add as a local.
And not just Monaco, the Cote d'Azure is a must see.
Cal88 said:wifeisafurd said:SBGold said:Cal88 said:
^It's also a relatively easy ticket to score in comparison with Rolland-Garos, US Open or Wimbledon, takes place in April when the weather is nice and there are fewer tourists.
On a related subject, 39yo Djokovic is playing #1 Sinner in the Wimbledon semis right now, he's up 3-2 in the first set...
I'm going to add it to my bucket list. I've never really thought about going to Monaco, but will reconsider.
I can only speak from my experience, but it is little like visiting Aspen, with a lot of showy money. Teh scenery is outstanding and the internal city is very dense. The tennis tourney is I hear isworth watching, and the F1 is fabulous, but very expensive and crowded. We loved it.
I would do the casino with a guide or on a morning tour. Some fascinating stories and history. If you are a car buff try and see the royal car collection. If you are into gardens, the Princess Grace Gardens are nice. 88 I'm sure will have more to add as a local.
And not just Monaco, the Cote d'Azure is a must see.
Monaco is an interesting place to visit for a day, not a place to stay at as it is crowded and expensive. The aquarium there is nice and worth a visit. Antibes, Cap-Ferrat or Menton would be my recs for places to stay on an extended visit to the French Riviera. Lots of beautiful villages in the area like Roquebrune, Eze, Sainte-Agnes, St Paul-de-Vence and further east Gassin and Ramatuelle in the St Tropez region.
The MC tennis Masters is actually cheaper than the other main ATP tourneys, the F1 is fun, but if you want a fun, great in-city F1 experience I would go to Montreal instead.
SBGold said:
What is the best way to see to the F1 race?
How are the restaurants in Monaco?
SBGold said:
What is the best way to see to the F1 race?
How are the restaurants in Monaco?
Quote:
Great advise.
movielover said:
Gorgeous. When I took a day trip to Monaco I was tired, took the train, saw the official palace, and wasn't there long. No yacht or sports car!
I went to the art museum above Nice, it was kind of a magical afternoon. Took a bus up the hill, and was wonderfully surprised by the busts of American jazz legends ? in a sunken park. In the same vicinity there were three groups of men playing bocce ball ... youngsters (motorcycles), middle aged, and pros (seniors). In the same area, mothers pushed strollers w children. It was a wonderful mix.
I was in fabulous shape that 2000 visit, did it w backpack and 2-star hotels (better accommodations in Greece when GF joined me). At Gar Norde in Paris I was running on a few hours sleep when I saw these two cute elderly women looking at several long banks of stairs, trying to figure out how to each carry their two suitcases 80+ stairs downward. I don't speak French, but offered to help. I picked up two suitcases in each hand (Rick Steve's backpack loaded), smiled, and started almost dancing down the stairs, and then back up, to their amazement. It was joyful, and they gave me a rush of energy. They gingerly walked down the steps, thanked me, probably even received a kiss on the cheek.
I was back after the station retrofit (elevator added, security?) to catch the Chunnel. I didn't have the same magical feel, not sure why. It was going from fall to winter. The first visit I recall the glass display cases filled with dozens of perfect sandwiches, and McQuick. Only missed Jason Bourne. My first exit from GN I helped stop an African woman from being assaulted while locals ignored the situation. Local businessmen were surprised to see me use ketchup on fries.
movielover said:
Thoughts?"
SBGold said:
Greats tips, I think I might start with Austin first as that seems easy. My wife doesn't love LV so that's a tougher sell.
Has anyone ever done the Indy 500? (Different racing of course). I visited the track and museum a couple months ago and it seemed really cool. Just wondering how easy it is to do with the huge crowd it gets.
oski003 said:dajo9 said:movielover said:
Facebook, Davis Harris Jr.:
"Army Ranger Sniper Nicholas Irving explains: "100% of muslim males are bisexual homosexuals that enjoy getting pleasured by guys and will only use women for reproduction not because they're actually attracted to any of them."
Thoughts?"
I believe this is a violation of rules #3 and #5
He is a NYT best selling author. He certainly is on record saying some related things but not sure the purpose of broad stroking an entire religion. Here he is talking about how common it was for afghani soldiers to have sex with young boys. Afghanistan is 99% Muslim.

Quote:
investigative reports and official audits confirm that drug abuse was exceptionally rampant and widespread within the former Afghan National Army (ANA). Official U.S. government tracking and military oversight bodies revealed that a massive portionfrequently estimated between 40% and up to 70%of the Afghan security forces routinely used illicit substances. [1, 2]
SBGold said:
Greats tips, I think I might start with Austin first as that seems easy. My wife doesn't love LV so that's a tougher sell.
Has anyone ever done the Indy 500? (Different racing of course). I visited the track and museum a couple months ago and it seemed really cool. Just wondering how easy it is to do with the huge crowd it gets.
MinotStateBeav said:
The practice existed before the US got there and it exists today, the only difference is that its hidden from public view now.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacha_bazi
dajo9 said:movielover said:
Thoughts?"
I believe this is a violation of rules #3 and #5