Connecticut massacre fallout

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by cal828

You could be right. I think the French practically invented revolution. Can't think of the French thinkers though that expounded on the right of the people to over throw an unjust government. Will have to look that up.

And I should know that- the book I recorded on the history of Western Europe discussed it. Sigh. Memory fail.

In Michael Moore's "Bowling for Columbine" (which really is a pretty decent doc- it discusses the culture of fear in America and how that contributes to gun violence) he interviews a former member of British Parliament who talks about the difference between Americans and the French. He said the difference is that in America, the people fear the government and in France, the government fears the people.

I sometimes wonder if that's one of the reasons France ended up with such a strong social safety net and such generous benefits- history has shown that when the French populace feels the government has pushed too hard, they will burn that sh*t down. So best to keep them content.

Though the National Front movement is pretty creepy. And it seems to be gaining strength there.