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Cyber Attack, Emmanuel Macron, Marine Le Pen, President Obama, The European Union, The New Yorker
After Sunday’s victories for Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen, neither of France’s traditional leading parties will have a candidate in a Presidential election for the first time in sixty years. PHOTOGRAPH BY FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI / AFP / GETTY
- “The French election is very important to the future of France and the values that we care so much about,” the former President Barack Obama says in a video [at the foot of this post] endorsing the front-runner, Emmanuel Macron. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY EMMANUEL MACRON / TWITTER
The New Yorker
In its recent issues, The New Yorker has published several articles on the French election. I was busy buying a new apartment and wasn’t as vigilant regarding the future of France and of the European Union as I should have been.
Preface by the author of this post
In this analysis, we must think locally and globally. If Marine Le Pen is elected, we could lose Europe to extremists. We cannot do this as we have to put an end to terrorism. If France elects extremist Marine Le Pen, both France and Europe would live the nightmare created by those who believe that keeping immigrants out, or getting rid of them, will stop terrorism. That is not how it works.
Polarization
Extremism feeds polarization, which is a terrible danger and one that may lead to a high degree of division and, possibly, war. Extremists won the American election. Too many people were of the opinion that forbidding Muslims from entering the United States would keep the United States safe.
An appropriate reading of the words “great again” could be that America will not use the money levied through taxation to serve everyone. Besides, Mr Trump has been acting like an autocrat. The United States is a democracy which is how it is great.
Nepotism
I like Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, but their appointment to the highest level of Mr Trump’s administration is nepotism. More importantly, members of Mr Trump’s own family think he must be watched. Mr Trump cannot control his emotions. Yet, as commander-in-chief, he can push the wrong button. I am quoting President Obama.
A forgotten middle class and poverty
Mr Trump’s great America is a country where the poor and the middle-class support the wealthy and where the poor die in pain because they cannot afford the high premiums demanded by Insurance Companies. The Republicans may destroy Obamacare, the Affordable Health Care.
Can Obama’s Hope Sway the French Election
http://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/can-obamas-hope-sway-the-french-election
Alexandra Schwartz
Former American President Barack Obama has endorsed Monsieur Macron’s candidacy. He knows very well that a Le Pen victory is a loss for France, for Europe, and for the world.
In an article published in The New Yorker, Alexandra Schwartz wonders whether President Obama can sway public opinion in France. That is very difficult. However, Barack Obama’s opinion carries considerable weight. Marine Le Pen wishes to “send them home,” which reminds me that Hitler believed killing Europe’s Jews would save Germany. How naïve! When the poor German nation realized that Hitler had a genocide in mind, it was too late. Dissenters had to kneel down and were shot in the back of the neck.
The Future of Europe hinges on a Face-Off in France
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/05/08/the-future-of-europe-hinges-on-a-face-off-in-france?intcid=popular
Lauren Collins
Fortunately, the United States is located on the other side of the Atlantic. The French, however, live in continental Europe and it is easy to peddle fear. Scaring the people into electing Marine Le Pen could lead to the dissolution of the EU. Europeans need the European Union and so does the world. Power has to be distributed. Poor German Chancellor Angela Merkel would have to negotiate Frexit. Poor German Chancellor Angela Merkel would have to negotiate a Frexit!
Marine Le Pen’s Memoir: a Dutiful Daughter’s sanitizing of far-right Politics
http://www.newyorker.com/books/second-read/marine-le-pens-memoir-a-dutiful-daughters-sanitizing-of-far-right-politics?intcid=popular
Moira Weigel
Vive l’Europe! A Macron win would give the E. U. a Life Line
http://www.newyorker.com/news/john-cassidy/vive-leurope-a-macron-win-would-give-the-e-u-a-lifeline
John Cassidy
Everyday of the Trump Presidency bring another outrage or embarrassment
Below, I have inserted an article and, perhaps, a video by David Remnick of The New Yorker. It is about President Trump. He’s dangerous, but it would be my opinion that Marine Le Pen is more dangerous.
Every day of the Trump Presidency brings another outrage or embarrassment, David Remnick writes:… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…—
The New Yorker (@NewYorker) May 06, 2017
A Cyber Attack
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3495285/emmanuel-macron-cyber-attack-hacked-emails/
Emmanuel Macron who is expected to be France’s next President was the victim of a cyber attack. What happened during the United States electoral campaign is happening in France. Will hackers sabotage democracy?
I hope sincerely that this will not jeopardize Emmanuel Macron’s candidacy. The attack may be a good sign. Emmanuel Macron was targeted, not Marine Le Pen’s Front national. This may indicate that the hackers believe Monsieur Macron is likely to be the next President of France.
“Ne vous trumpez pas !” Don’t make a mistake.
Emmanuel Macron is leading …
RELATED ARTICLES
- France on my mind … (3 May 2017)
I will say no more. It’s late, but it’s not too late.
Love to everyone ♥
http://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/can-obamas-hope-sway-the-french-election
President Obama endorses Emmanuel Macron
Eugène Delacroix (wikiart.org)
© Micheline Walker
7 May 2017
WordPress
Micheline's Blog 
Thanks for the French elections update, Micheline. Although Obama is no longer President, it may be encouraging for some to hear a sober voice from the US. We keep our fingers crossed for France and democracy!
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Dear JoAnn,
Had Marine Le Pen been elected to the Presidency of France, the shift to the far-right would have continued. France is part of continental Europe. Imagine the loss. You are right. Democracy was under attack. It is also true that President Obama won the heart of Europeans. His endorsement was significant and it may have won Macron several votes. People had to know President Obama had endorsed Emmanuel Macron officially. The New Yorker published convincing articles.
Thank you so much for writing and take care.
Micheline
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micheline : in italy too the democratic people has feel a rush of breath because the victory of macron, you perhaps know that in italy the “tradition” about fascism have his roots (historically speaking) and nowadays are active some parties (as lega nord, casa pound, fratelli d’italia et similia) that have sympathy for the so called micro-fascism (xenophobia, nationalism etc.) . i thank you for your post. have a nice day , ciao .
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It is easy to fall prey to fascism and micro-fascism is everywhere. However, had Marine Le Pen been elected, Europe and the world would have been endangered. Under Le Pen, France would have left the European Union. Together European countries are a major world power. Canada is an ally of the European Union and, under Barack Obama, so was the United States. I hope Trumpism does not last a long time. Let’s just say it was an accident. Peace and harmony are goals human beings can achieve. Ciao.
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micheline : d’accordo . kisses by me. ciao.
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Do I feel privileged. Hugs and kisses. Ciao.
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Election results in Canada closely mirrored those in Paris.
Les résultats au Canada: Emmanuel Macron: 89,34%; Marine Le Pen : 10,66%
Les résultats à Paris: Emmanuel Macron: 89,68%; Marine Le Pen : 10,32%
This makes me very happy.
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That makes me happy. Marine Le Pen came to Canada to let us know that we were accepting too many refugees. No one would see her, but she was interviewed on Ici Radio Canada / CBC by Anne-Marie Dussault who defended Canada’s decision to take in Syrians, Iraqis, Afghans, etc. Obviously, she does not know how painful it is to lose one’s homeland. So she lost in Canada as well as France. Good! 🙂
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