PRESIDENT CHIRAC CALLS FOR UNITY AFTER EU VOTE

PARIS, May 31, 2005 (ITN) - In a televised address, Mr Chirac said: "The referendum on the European constitution on May 29 began a period of difficulties and uncertainties for Europe and France.

"At this time, we must rally together around the national interest."

NEW FRENCH PM FACES NATIONAL RAIL STRIKE

PARIS jUNE 1, 2005 (ap) - France's new prime minister tried to form a government Wednesday to tackle the country's top priority of unemployment, but he faced the immediate challenge of a national rail strike in his first day on the job.

The appointment of Dominique de Villepin — a globe-trotting, silver-haired statesman who seems to epitomize France's privileged class — was criticized as a move by a leadership playing "musical chairs" in a bid for survival, rather than a courageous choice to deal with the country's problems.

Socialist lawmaker Jean-Marc Ayrault called Villepin's appointment "the ultimate attempt to save a regime in agony."

"You don't cure a crisis with a compress," Ayrault said, noting that Villepin was a "man of the (governing) clan."

Added Green Party leader Yann Wehrling: "There's a strong chance that absolutely nothing will happen."

PARIS REGION WORST HIT BY NATIONAL RAIL STRIKE

PARIS, June 2 (AFP) - Rail traffic in France was badly hit by a strike by staff at the state-owned SNCF Thursday, in a first challenge for newly-appointed Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin.

Workers called the strike to demand better pay, job creation and the protection of the country's public services.

Four unions called the strike from 8:00 pm Wednesday, leaving only 60 percent of high-speed TGV trains and 35 percent of trains on national lines in service until Friday 8:00 am, SNCF said.

[Emphases added.]

We imagine that national interest rally will follow shortly after the strikes.

The last gasp of capitalism on the European continent was beaten back by referendum of the French public. Then, while it was still reeling, capitalism was given a Dutch "nee" in the groin.
SO what is a triumphant union boss to do?
When in doubt, call a celebratory transportation strike.

Even when in certainty, call a transportation strike.

Chirac's popularity at an all time low. Not to worry. Just call a polltakers strike.

Value of the Euro dropping. Call a moneychangers strike.

In fact there is no problem whatsoever that a work stoppage cannot cure.

French government going into default on it's debt.
Call a banker's strike.

Italy opting out of the standard currency? Call a mint strike.

Genocide in Sudan, call a UN meeting.

Like that is a different and distinct thing from a military strike (military strike in the classical European sense of the word- ie evacuating soldiers from harms way)

you're just talking to yourself dude.

[Mr. Pulaski, who enters the conversation pointing out that we are talking to the no one that is Mr. Pulaski, then goes on to cut-and-paste his favorite off-topic hobbyhorse.

We delete it here, because Mr. Pulaski has also cut-and-pasted it here, where we taken the time to comment on it.

The Management]