French strikes: Violence erupts as thousands gather to protest on 'Black Thursday'

fuck the american work ethic. indentured servitude belongs to the past. people deserve a living wage and job security, i don't care who they are. and the forty hour work week is bullshit. if you like it, be my guest and work as long as you please, but some people prefer a bit more free time.

the american work ethic is an ideal propagated by industrialists to convince their labor force that they ought to work long hours for little pay.

I am agreed with the saying of one demonstrant: Sarkozy gives money to the people who created this crisis, but what about the man in the street?
And yes to the saying that if people more protected their freedoms and were not so milk-livered there would be all over still more freedom.

Cowardly? Maybe... Lazy, apathetic, materialistic, poorly-educated? Yes. Complacent? Absolutely. People here are comfortable being lead like sheep who have no clue that at the end of the mob is the slaughter. The rest of the world has remained awake, so they fight. We took a first step toward an American reawakening by voting Obama into office. It is up to the population now to stand up and take responsibility and hold themselves accountable for the mess so we can fix it.

More people in america are overweight than in shape.

They are too lazy to actually do anything.

Americans are very nice people but they have shown the world that it doesn't matter how bad things get they are always too lazy to actually stand up and fight for what is right.

The problem with America is that its been watching too much TV and listening to iPods while the government was arming itself with "Laws" that deprived you of your freedom.When the time comes to rise agaisnt the state it will be too late and your ass will be put in jail before you can say the word "Freedom".

gotta disagree, the government isnt taking away our freedoms, thats just an easy scapegoat for the anti-authoritarian. Its our fault for supporting corporations, its our fault for being greedy and wasteful, its our fault for allowing the republicans to take office who in turn supported monopolization which in turn caused money to only flow upward.

We all know of the economic struggles that are happening world-wide. This situation is a global problem and it will take the ingenuity, resourcefulness and cooperation of all the players to right the situation.

Angry protests, blaming America, or your governments, being jealous of the rich, etc. are all probably good for the blood-pressure, but not a realistic approach to solving the problem. In America everyone has the opportunity to get an education and, until this recent economy, everyone had access to employment. Not everyone chooses to work for these things and not everyone achieves the same level of education and therefore is not qualified for all jobs. But for the most part we all have opportunities to take advantage of if we want to and, for the most part I think we are thankful for what we have and what we've achieved. Are most of us rich - no (I know that's not what the rest of the world thinks - but truth be known, most of us are just working folks) Are we blessed to live in the US -- you bet. Are we perfect - nah! But we try to improve and I think this is the case with most countries. I speak to the countries that are a democracy - you have voting opportunities to change laws - use these opportunites if you're unhappy. Get involved in your governments and make change if that's what you believe needs to happen. Loan your creativity, your thoughts, your ideas and your energy for the future good for all people. Bitching, griping, blaming others and being jealous of other's accomplishments are antiproductive and makes me think you want everyone to think you're just a victim. Well, I for one don't buy it.

Didn't some people loose their heads during the last French Revolution? I'm not trying to make a point, I'm just asking a question.

These people are working and more than likely did get an education.There is still injustice in the world even with that. It is absolutely naive to think there isn't or to think everyone who protests the injustices of this world are part of an uneducated unemployed rabble that doesn't appreciate anything. I believe it is exactly those who are educated and can see the BS on display that actually have the moral courage to stand up to change things for the better. Were those who sparked the American Revolution seen as a rabble? Oh yeah, they were, by the aristocrats of Great Britain. Sad how many Americans forget what transpired to give them this country.

people brought it on themselves with their own greed, walmarts started popping up, offering EVERYTHING at lower prices, running small businesses into the ground. Where does greed come in to play? because why would anyone stay loyal to a small business when they can get a product for cheaper at walmart-in turn putting more money in their pockets for more crap they dont need. Not to mention outsourcing, over-production, wasteful living habits, ETC ETC ETC. And why is this a new phenomenon? people being upset about the imbalance of wealth in the world? ITS NOT. its just that america is noticing recently because we are in the same position. This is nothing new to those who aren't ignorantly oblivious to the world outside of our golden capitalistic gates.

hope so. a worker revolution is long overdue.

You feel? Why you think the new law that gives way to more feema camps was approved recently?