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C'est vrai ! Americans are seen as loud and obnoxious, and some of them are. But if you're loud and speaking broken French, we're more likely to take pity on you and sympathise. Since "we" are terrible at English, in turn.
Every time I enter a restaurant or store here, I see it as loud and obnoxious. Makes sense that Americans would be too. Obviously we aren't all the same, but I don't blame some French people for disliking us in general.
 
Please elaborate: what exactly is "happening behind the scenes" that justifies massive tax evasion schemes?
You know, lizard people. Everysssssthing is a conspiracsssssy.
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Semantics. Courts are always part of the government. There are no modern governments that can function without a judicial system.

No. A judicial system in a working democracy is absolutely DISTINCT from government. Which is the case in the EU. By definition, courts and governments are separate entities. I don't know what could possibly motivate anyone to make such a blatantly false and trolling claim. Unless you were trolling, of course.
 
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Why is painting on walls and doors not considered vandalism?

That is what I want to know.

I am not sure how anyone could defend this. Maybe this is common occurrence in France?

The court added that Attac acted in accordance with the European Union's Statutes of the Association, and defined the protests as a matter of public interest
This sounds suspicious, something is either wrong with the High Court, or EU's Statutes of the association if vandalism is legal.

I am sure there is something I am missing here.
 
Not relevant, fact is you have freedom of speech in Europe, glad the judge denied Apple's request.
Freedom of speech, yes, to see where the problem is all you have to do is look at the first photo in the article. They have defaced Apple's property, yes it can probably wash off, but that doesn't give them the right to do it. There is at least one sign blocking entry into the store. I am not sure about in Europe, but in the U.S. both of these move these from peaceful protests to criminal activity. It would also appear that the protesters are on private property, again in the U.S., they would have to be on public property outside the business without blocking access to it. For example, one the sidewalk without blocking the driveway.
 
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Why is painting on walls and doors not considered vandalism?
Also, while they may not be blocking customers from entering, many would probably feel at least uncomfortable if not scared and refrain from entering nevertheless.

Let it go. That controversy started in this thread alone.
Maybe, just MAAAAYBE, the case that was scrutinized did not involve any vandalism.

And the pictures depict Apple stores which were not concerned by the lawsuit at the time of filing?

Maybe things make sense and have an explanation through calm reasoning and cross-checking FACTS?

I don't know. I'm just a sensible being, what do I know.

Maybe they did complain about damage done to property, but they filed it under the same suit as the one denouncing the protests, and EVERYTHING was dissmissed as one, as ALWAYS happens when your main argument is wrong?

Maybe if they sued for vandalism specifically, and provided proof of damage done, they would win?

Again, I'm just firing reasonable theories.

Perhaps it's all a conspiracy by the lizardmen.
 
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Why is painting on walls and doors not considered vandalism?
Also, while they may not be blocking customers from entering, many would probably feel at least uncomfortable if not scared and refrain from entering nevertheless.
It definitely is, but Apple failed to properly describe the damage done and provide valid evidence to the court. You might have all the right in the world but if your lawyer does a sloppy job your chances of winning in court will plummet nonetheless.
 
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You know, lizard people. Everysssssthing is a conspiracsssssy.
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No. A judicial system in a working democracy is absolutely DISTINCT from government. Which is the case in the EU. By definition, courts and governments are separate entities. I don't know what could possibly motivate anyone to make such a blatantly false and trolling claim. Unless you were trolling, of course.

You seem to be ignorant of how government works in the largest democracy on the planet, the USA. In the US, it's clear that the courts, especially the highest court the Supreme Court are intertwined to the government, with a prime example that the President appoints the Supreme Court Justices. Judiciary is one organ of government as far as the United States goes, although there are clear separation of powers however that distinguish Executive, Legislative and Judicial.

Separation of powers under the United States Constitution

In the EU, if the courts are completely separate from the rest of the government, then you must imply (falsely) that the French court decisions cannot be endorsed/enforced by any other part of the nation's government. Clearly you are wrong.
 
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How is it different. It is painting someone else's property without permission.

You say that they can't be compared, but why?

Demonstration which has a purpose versus just painting my windows without a reason.

Apple most likely has a bucket and water at that place, it can be easily removed, cost nearly nothing, I find it to be pathetic to complain about such non issue while making billions every month, the Judge made the right decision, this one would be called a frivolous lawsuit in the states.
 
Interesting. I know they’d lose in the US for writing on the windows. That’s considered vandalism. Easy to wash off? Sure, but it’s still vandalism

Vandalism is vandalism. It's a crime. If the French courts are OK with protesters vandalizing the Apple Store properties without consequences, then American tourists should be perfectly OK to vandalize the prized artifacts inside the Louvre without consequences. /sarcasm :rolleyes:
 
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I am sure there is something I am missing here.

You're not. Basically the justice system is backing the protesters as vertuous in denouncing Apple as a criminal organisation. This is democracy and justice working hand in hand. A far-cry from the negative image some people might want to paint of an aloof EU working against citizens' interests.

Concerns about windows are ridiculous in light of what Apple owes Ireland (and the EU's share of Ireland's contribution to EU budget). I'm sure the suit focused on the damage done to Apple's reputation. Which is the worst line of defense it that is the case, because Apple is guilty.

When you are condemned in Europe, they can actually make you say publicly that you were wrong. I don't think they mind citizens taking this matter into their own hands.

It also has great political implications, because for once it shows citizens and the EU are working hand in hand.
 
Even if Apple loses, that doesn't mean they were wrong... they used loopholes to minimize taxes (perfectly legal and we all do it) and now the EU wants to change the way they collect taxes and expect Apple to pay retroactively. They're dealing with a legalized form of Mafia, after all.

The EU did NOT change the law, you got that wrong.
So many people here, and it seems to me our American friends, don't seem to get that Ireland is part of the EU therefor have to abide European Law, they collect(ed) less tax from Apple than from other companies which is against EU law.
 
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When you are condemned in Europe, they can actually make you say publicly that you were wrong. I don't think they mind citizens taking this matter into their own hands.
So you support protesters committing crimes like vandalism. Do you also support these protesters being angry and assaulting or threatening an Apple Store employee (who is likely a local French citizen who happens to work for the local Apple Store)?
 
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What would you replace it with?

A centrally controlled government managed economy of course. That fact that none of these have ever succeeded and always resulted in misery and death doesn’t faze the mentally ill liberal mind.
 
Not relevant, fact is you have freedom of speech in Europe, glad the judge denied Apple's request.

So in Europe, people have the "right" to VANDALIZE store windows with graffiti and then order the store they vandalized to pay their legal fees? What kind of freaking bizarro world is THAT? It would be like someone from PETA here throwing paint on someone's expensive fur coat and then the person who just got vandalized being ordered to pay for the defense of the person throwing the paint.... Why aren't they protesting Ireland for trying to pretend they still have some sovereignty by offering them the deal in the first place? Blame the greedy corporations, but not the countries that believe they are still in control of their own lives? No wonder the UK decided to leave the EU! Good on them.

The EU is getting out of control and think a few people should decide EVERYTHING for the many. The US isn't doing very well right now either, but pick your poison. The PEOPLE get bypassed almost every time. I'm amazed Britain ever even ASKED what their people wanted. I'm sure if they knew the result ahead of time they wouldn't have. But I have to have more respect for them for actually doing it anyway. I wonder how Germany would vote right now if the actual people were asked instead of just Angela Merkel? I don't think they actually ENJOY paying for all the poor countries or having thousands upon thousands of people with an incompatible belief system dumped into their smaller towns and villages where they often equal or outnumber the original German inhabitants. I guess the women need to get 'used' to being treated as "property" there like the newcomers appear to mostly/all believe?

So, if I understand correctly you find painting on a window "vandalising", guess what, you can wash that off in no time.

Yeah, if someone kept toilet papering your yard and soaping your windows and trampling on your lawn day after day after day, I wonder how long it would take for you to change your sanctimonious tune. You apparently don't believe in property rights, after all. Where do you draw the line? Lighting dog crap on fire on the front porch? Dumping trash in the driveway? Letting the air out of tires? After all, it only takes a few minutes to put air back in the tires, sweep up the trash and wipe off those windows and the rain will some day get rid of the toilet paper..... :rolleyes:

I'm no Tim Cook fan either. I don't like where Apple's going these days in several areas and I think his hypocrisy with dealings with the Middle East (where he would likely be in prison for his lifestyle yet he doesn't mind ignoring all that as long as he's making money there) makes me pretty ticked. It's one thing to stand up for what you believe. It's another thing to do it only when it suits you monetarily and yet another thing when you're damaging or destroying property to do it. I guess all those women being grabbed at New Years Eve could just take a shower and wash that dirty feeling off in "no time" right? They don't actually call being grabbed in private regions "assault" in Germany, do they? o_O

Yet Britain is labeled the bad guys for wanting their sovereignty back.... :confused:
 
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So in Europe, people have the "right" to VANDALIZE store windows with graffiti and then order the store they vandalized to pay their legal fees? What kind of freaking bizarro world is THAT? It would be like someone from PETA here throwing paint on someone's expensive fur coat and then the person who just got vandalized being ordered to pay for the defense of the person throwing the paint.... Why aren't they protesting Ireland for trying to pretend they still have some sovereignty by offering them the deal in the first place? Blame the greedy corporations, but not the countries that believe they are still in control of their own lives? No wonder the UK decided to leave the EU! Good on them.

So I can travel to Paris next year, and then spray paint the Arc de Triomphe as long as I have some reason or grievance to do so. Once in court, I can demand that the City of Paris drops its charges on me and the city pays me back for the cost of my spray paint also for the cost of my airplane fare! According to the protesters and vandal-sympathizers here, The French courts will agree and side with me!
 
Interesting. I know they’d lose in the US for writing on the windows. That’s considered vandalism. Easy to wash off? Sure, but it’s still vandalism
What about chalking the footpath or store entrance, is that vandalism?
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So I can travel to Paris next year, and then spray paint the Arc de Triomphe as long as I have some reason or grievance to do so. Once in court, I can demand that the City of Paris drops its charges on me and the city pays me back for the cost of my spray paint also for the cost of my airplane fare! According to the protesters and vandal-sympathizers here, The French courts will agree and side with me!
Note that the court ruled in their favor becuase it was in the public interest. You defacing a public monument is the opposite of that.

Try to put yourself in the other person's shoes.
 
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Are these people not employed?
Really? Where? Who claims the earth is flat in 2018?
Surprisingly, a growing minority. The flat earth movement is ridiculous, and very real. I had a great argument with somebody when they said the launch of Falcon Heavy was a hoax. Geez. *facepalm*
 
You seem to be ignorant of how government works in the largest democracy on the planet, the USA.
Separation of powers is a typical feature of democratic countries, but the concept is pretty generic and actually has very different implementations with different degrees of influence between the branches.

In the EU, if the courts are completely separate from the rest of the government, then you must imply (falsely) that the French court decisions cannot be endorsed/enforced by any other part of the nation's government. Clearly you are wrong.
I don't see how the former implies the latter. The concept of judicial independence is actually a thing:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judicial_independence

I think the disagreement here is more about a misunderstanding of "government", which does actually include the judiciary, but in "common talk" it's more often used to identify exclusively the executive. I assume the point being made was that the judicial decision was made without political interference.
 
Demonstration which has a purpose versus just painting my windows without a reason.

Apple most likely has a bucket and water at that place, it can be easily removed, cost nearly nothing, I find it to be pathetic to complain about such non issue while making billions every month, the Judge made the right decision, this one would be called a frivolous lawsuit in the states.
Demonstrating and vandalism is two different things...

What if someone was protesting your parking job and painted your car windows?

Also, it shouldn't matter if the victim has 1 billion dollars or just 1 cent, vandalism is a crime (at least here in the US), and the offenders should be prosecuted, or at a minimum be made to stop.
 
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You seem to be ignorant of how government works in the largest democracy on the planet, the USA. In the US, it's clear that the courts, especially the highest court the Supreme Court are intertwined to the government, with a prime example that the President appoints the Supreme Court Justices. Judiciary is one organ of government as far as the United States goes, although there are clear separation of powers however that distinguish Executive, Legislative and Judicial.
En français, s'il vous plaît!
 
So you support protesters committing crimes like vandalism. Do you also support these protesters being angry and assaulting or threatening an Apple Store employee (who is likely a local French citizen who happens to work for the local Apple Store)?

I suggest you open one of those books they call a dictionnary and look up what a "crime" is.
Painting a window is never a crime. Perhaps in North Korea and your in your own ridiculous fancy.

Provide proof of violence or get the fork out. Nobody assaulted anybody. Go on, provide proof of violence. I'm waiting.
 
Also, it shouldn't matter if the victim has 1 billion dollars or just 1 cent, vandalism is a crime (at least here in the US), and the offenders should be prosecuted, or at a minimum be made to stop.

At the very least, if there was an intelligent French judge, he should have ruled that the protesters can continue to protest, but that they MUST absolutely abide by a restraining order from any further acts of vandalism, property damage, or attempt to intimidate Store employees or Store customers. They can protest from a distance.
 
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