Russia, Israel the weight of the videos
Chantal Bourry, Jonzac (Charente-Maritime)
The horrible and lamentable images of the four tortured and damaged Moscow attackers are circulating without seeming to arouse indignation. What would have happened if the Israelis had released such videos following the October 7 massacres? (“Attack the eye of Moscow saw nothing“, L’Express of March 28.)
Palestinians have the right to a state
Jean Dhondt, Lacroix-Saint-Ouen (Oise)
Israel has, of course, the right to exist and defend itself and it is also obvious that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people. Let us not forget, however, that the international community has always reacted timidly to the illegal installation of Israeli settlers in the West Bank and that the Palestinians have the right to a state, which Israel stubbornly refuses. (“Bernard-Henri Lévy: “Europe should stand with Israel without reservation“, L’Express of March 28.)
Debt (1): it’s about time!
Rémi Plourabué, Mesplède (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
It was time. Now, debt finally seems to have become THE government’s concern, under pressure from rating agencies regarding our ability to repay our debt. Covid (and the famous “whatever it takes”), the war in Ukraine, the forced ecological transition – and so on – have certainly been aggravating factors, but deep down, isn’t that our crazy lifestyle that will ultimately cause our downfall? When will we understand that we live in a country that can boast of having the best social system in the world? And that, therefore, our continuous complaints and our reactions of spoiled children serve us less than they harm us? (“A very deprived French cicada“, L’Express of March 28.)
Debt (2): no more nitpicking!
Michel Mondamey, Saint-Chamond (Loire)
Agree with Eric Chol to highlight this situation. Rather than the nitpicking towards which we are heading to reduce the deficit, why not focus on the most important items of expenditure and in particular on the payroll? Should we not consider the recognition due to a senior civil servant based on his ability to do as much and less expensively rather than on the size of the workforce he manages? (“A very deprived French cicada“, L’Express of March 28.)
Debt (3): Let’s bring together the small towns!
Laurent Neulat, La Motte-Servolex (Savoie)
A particular French anomaly is costing us dearly. There are around 35,000 municipalities in France, or 40% of the total number of municipalities in the European Union, while the French population represents 15% of the EU population. This is an important source of efficiency. Reducing the number of municipalities by creating larger ones would allow substantial economies of scale and raise the level of competence of current small localities. (“The caricature of the unworthy State, by Jean-François Copé”L’Express of March 28.)
There is already math in kindergarten!
Mauricette Grégoire, Saint-Martin-du-Tertre (Yonne)
“You have to approach mathematics from kindergarten,” says Stanislas Dehaene, who is clearly unaware of what we do there. Mathematics is already covered every day, in the form of numerous educational games available to teachers. Balloons, hoops, scarves: everything is an excuse to add, subtract, divide! And we learn fractions by sharing apples or cakes. As for the level groups, we’re coming back to them and that’s so much the better. Each group can in fact carry out work following the themes and abilities of each. The result is gratifying. For my part, I had a brilliant student, but absolutely clumsy when it came to geometric constructions: should she have been forced to carry out a complex construction? She was more comfortable in a weaker group. (“Stanislas Dehaene: “We must approach mathematics from kindergarten“, L’Express of March 21.)