The European Constitution

Well, it turns out the "strike" I saw yesterday at the train station was not a strike after all. It was a demonstration against the proposed European constitution. Thank goodness for the New York Times, or I wouldn't know what's happening here in Paris. Sometimes the Internet makes things too easy.

I've actually noticed quite a few posters and stickers saying "Pour moi, c'est non!" -- for me, it is no! -- but I thought they were mostly put up by lunatic fringe groups like the National Front. Of course, the National Front isn't really a fringe group anymore, since Jean-Marie Le Pen won an upset in the first round of voting in 2002. The latest opinion polls show a slim margin opposing the constitution. It'll be interesting to see how the vote goes in May.

I thought the NYT article was interesting, though it's written from a distinctly American perspective. My favorite quote is from the editor of Elle magazine: "For us 'no' is completely part of the national culture. It's a sport and a hobby. Small kids learn it from the cradle." After dealing with the immigration authorities, the banks, the trains, and the management company of our apartment, I can say that her statement appears to be true. There are many things I love about France, but the constant "it is not possible" I get from people drives me crazy.