Hopefully, this doesn’t break rule one and/or two too much. If so, let me know and I’ll delete.

I think I know a little more than you about French president Macron, but if so, not by much. So here’s the blind arguing with the blind!

Full disclaimer, this is a copypasta of the answer I got from an AI assistant:

Certainly! Let’s explore both perspectives on French President Emmanuel Macron:

1. Positive Perspective: Emmanuel Macron, as the French President, has made significant strides in positioning Europe as a more assertive global power. His vision for a united Europe, especially during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, demonstrates his commitment to international stability and cooperation. Macron’s close cooperation with other world leaders, such as United States President Joe Biden, highlights his dedication to addressing global challenges, including climate change and defending democracy. Furthermore, his efforts to rejuvenate France and prepare it for crises underscore his determination to lead effectively on the world stage. Macron’s energy, international presence, and rhetorical vision have garnered him support both domestically and internationally.

2. Critical Perspective: However, Macron’s presidency has not been without controversy. His perceived elitism, stemming from his background in finance and top universities, has alienated some segments of French society. His centralization of power and occasional gaffes, like telling an unemployed gardener to “cross the road” to find a job, have fueled class-based resentment. Additionally, his polarizing effect during the “yellow vest” protests and the visceral rejection he faces from part of the population mirror the challenges he encounters as a leader. While Macron scores well in polls on competency and presidential stature, his presidency remains divisive.

In summary, Macron’s impact on the world stage is multifaceted, with supporters praising his global vision and critics highlighting his perceived elitism and class-based tensions. Ultimately, whether he is a good president for the world depends on individual perspectives and priorities.

That’s what I used to help myself determine if you were a little too harsh on him. I thought it could be beneficial to share, but like I started this response with, if this is frowned upon, I’ll happily remove this!

I’m not super familiar with the whole affair, but aren’t these subs the “dagger” that is stuck in France’s back?

Just curious.

And by naval gunfire no less! At a stationary truck. At a check point!

Not cool Poland… 👎🏻

Holly crap Denmark! 😮

If you are from Denmark, I hope you are proud of your leader. I almost am for you! To me, Denmark is showing more leadership and courage then just about all the rest of the planet right now. 👍🏼🫡

Thank you!!

Oh wow! Thanks for the recommendation. This game does look like a tone of fun (although I suspect a steep learning curve).

The 25 vs 25 video really impressed me!

I will definitely give it a try. 👍🏻

Edit: thanks for all the reassuring feedback. I’m looking forward to putting at least a few hours learning!😁

Holy hell! 😮

Thank you Germany. That’s a lot of gear!

I’m sorry, who’s the dumbass you are talking about?

The Los Angeles Times executive editor resigned last week amid sharp disagreements with the newspaper’s owner over coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.

Billionaire Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, who owns the newspaper, criticized the editor’s decision to limit coverage of the war in Gaza by journalists who signed a harsh statement of condemnation against Israel.

The editor, Kevin Merida (67), was appointed by Soon-Shiong in May 2021, a physician and biotechnologist who bought the paper in 2018 for half a billion dollars. Merida resigned five months before the end of his contract, giving prior warning to his senior deputies in the newspaper but not to the owner.

Likud minister formulates regulations to imprison citizens who ‘harm national morale’ Memorandum of Shin Bet law will enable Israel’s security agency to spy on journalists Number of journalists killed in Israel-Gaza war unparalleled, new report shows Merida decided in November that more than 30 journalists from the paper’s news department, who signed a statement describing Israel as an apartheid state committing genocide in Gaza, would be barred from covering the war for three months (until mid-February).

The statement was signed by more than 1,400 journalists worldwide. Merida consulted with his deputies, and sent a refresher on journalism ethics and the paper’s fairness policy to the staff, emphasizing that readers “should not identify private opinions in news coverage or feel that the organization is promoting an agenda.”

According to entertainment and media news website TheWrap, senior editors agreed that the decision to temporarily bar these journalists was crucial to guarantee the paper’s integrity in covering the conflict, even if there were few opponents.

New York Times reporter Jazmine Hughes, who signed a similar letter, resigned after her editor circulated a staff-wide statement saying it was a clear violation of the paper’s public protest policy.

However, Los Angeles Times owner Soon-Shiong and his daughter Nika Soon-Shiong, whose social network profile expresses pro-Palestinian opinions, opposed to Merida’s decision – though they did not demand that he change it – which intensified tensions between them. Soon-Shiong denied the connection between these events and Merida’s resignation in an interview with an L.A. Times reporter last week, but commented that he was “disappointed” that he had not been made aware of the decision ahead of time, hinting that he might have acted to prevent it. “We mutually agreed that he perhaps was not the right fit,” he said of the circumstances of Merida’s departure.

TheWrap revealed that the relationship between Soon-Shiong and Merida was never close, but in recent months, the owners’ interventions in news decisions and lack of support for the editorship’s independence had increased, joining other problems such as economic losses without an apparent rehabilitation plan.

Soon-Shiong also disputed some of the newspaper’s coverage in on health and science, which are his fields of research. L.A Times spokesperson Hillary Manning said the owner did not engage in editorial intervention and told TheWrap: “You will never find anyone credible to dispute that.”

Merida, on the other hand, told the LA Times last week: “I came to my decision based on a number of factors, including differences of opinion about the role of an executive editor, how journalism should be practiced and strategy going forward.” He did not give further detail. Last year, the Los Angeles Times fired dozens of workers – 13 percent of staff, including editors, proofreaders, photographers and video editors – which made Merida’s management of the newspaper harder.

He had previously run the Culture and Sports Unit on ESPN News and served as senior vice president of the network. Prior to that, he worked for 22 years at the Washington Post, where he rose to staff coordinator.

Los Angeles Times staff members told TheWrap that they valued Merida and were shocked by his departure; that they worry about the newspaper’s future, and are concerned that it would be difficult to recruit his replacement.

“If you don’t listen to your executive editor then there’s no point for the executive editor to be there,” a staff member said, criticizing the owner who, for the time being, claims he intends to remain in possession of the paper.

Oh…my bad.

I think it’s more about how wide the area to defend is.

…but it’s a start. And it will have a bigger impact than if there was no penalty at all. 🤷

“Facing similar challenges of modern society as other royal families across Europe, the Danish royal family has decided to slim down its number of royals.”*

Man, I can’t stop being impressed by the northern European countries! They really seem to have their ducks in a row. *

“the Crown Prince is in a very good position to take over, the succession is laid out - it’s very logical, and it absolutely makes sense.”*

Non-paywall: https://archive.is/Q0C4e

Never mind, still paywall…

https://youtu.be/GV3COr0Q0Z4?si=kp2Yu4eQN79iPaJx

They mention 36 sent to Ukraine. This video showcases them a bit for anyone interested.

Oh… So lemmy is also a good place for Québec bashing… Awesome. I don’t think this latest move to attempt to slow the degradation of the French language in Quebec was very wise, but you just couldn’t resist pouncing on the occasion to attack big evil Quebec. Very civilized. 👌

Thank you!

Disclaimer: I did not read the article, so my response is to your comment only.

My two cents: you just described what an NCO might say. Commissioned Officers have the responsibility to manage the violence applied by the NCOs in such a way that civilians/non-combatants (of all nations, even/especially the enemy nation(s) civilians) are not armed whenever that is possible.

That’s the whole “professional” thing. Just like a doctor (a professional) can’t pick and choose who they help, or a lawyer (a professional) can’t decide he doesn’t like his client, so he’ll sabotage his defense, etc. An officier is a professional because he makes sure the violence applied by the members of the military that are under his command do not commit immoral acts (plundering, rape, murder, etc).

Most modern military forces extend that responsibility to NCOs though, so that every members have the responsibility to not follow illegal/immoral orders. But that’s another point…