When President Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris climate accord the liberal media had a global warming sized meltdown. But for three weeks now, the people of Paris have shown they’re opposed to policies born from the accord.
They’ve been rioting to protest a carbon tax on fuel proposed by President Emmanuel Macron. During their Monday reports about the now deadly riots, ABC and NBC refused to mention the carbon tax, preferring to mislead viewers by calling it a simple fuel tax.
ABC’s World News Tonight dedicated the least amount of time to the riots. Sensationalist anchor David Muir gave the story a mere 21 seconds where he claimed the protestors were angry over the “rising living costs”:
And to the remarkable images overseas tonight. The protests gripping Paris. Body cam video shows police rushing to the famous Arc de Triomphe where protesters were vandalizing the monument. Protestors known as “yellow jackets” are angry about rising living costs in France. The biggest crisis yet for Emmanuel Macron. The government is considering imposing a state of emergency. We'll stay on that.
Meanwhile, on NBC Nightly News, correspondent Lucy Kavfanov asserted the riots “began as a protest against President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to raise fuel taxes growing over the weekend into a movement fueled by range.” “Anger from those who say his policies favor the wealthy,” she added as dramatic images from clashes at the Arc de Triomphe flashed on the screen.
NBC News had a report on their website that admitted that “Macron says the increased fuel taxes are part of his effort to combat climate change, wanting to persuade French drivers to exchange diesel-fueled cars for less polluting models.” But it’s just a reprint of a report written by Reuters.
CBS Evening News was the only network program to mention the true intentions of the so-called “fuel tax”. “On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron was booed as he toured the damage. He's vowed he won't back down on his fuel taxes aimed at cutting carbon emissions,” reported correspondent Roxana Saberi.
“The yellow vest protest, named after the safety vests worn by mostly peaceful protesters, began three weeks ago. They were fueled by a rise in gasoline tax in a country where diesel costs already $6 a gallon. It will go up another 28 cents in January,” she added.
Saberi also noted that “paramedics in Paris protested against government reforms” today and were “setting fire to debris and blocking a bridge leading to the national assembly”. She spoke with one of them and they told her that “[i]f we don't stay here today, it's the end of our livelihoods."
While Macron’s carbon tax was a tax on fuel, the intent behind the tax was important because liberals here in America wanted to jack up our own gas prices with their version of the carbon tax. Their omission of this fact shows they’re trying to keep Americans from souring on a carbon tax. The same was true for their suggestion that the French people are angry at the cost of living, they’re not mentioning that socialist policies were responsible for that.
And as Fox News Channel’s Tucker Carlson noted Monday night: “The French gas tax isn’t designed to raise money. The President has implemented it for the stated purpose of fighting climate change. Now they are fighting their own citizens instead, because the climate agenda always crushes the middle class. Always and everywhere.”
The transcripts are below, click "expand" to read:
ABC’s World News Tonight
December 3, 2018
6:46:53 p.m. EasternDAVID MUIR: And to the remarkable images overseas tonight. The protests gripping Paris. Body cam video shows police rushing to the famous Arc de Triomphe where protesters were vandalizing the monument. Protestors known as “yellow jackets” are angry about rising living costs in France. The biggest crisis yet for Emmanuel Macron. The government is considering imposing a state of emergency. We'll stay on that.
CBS Evening News
December 3, 2018
6:44:14 p.m. EasternJEFF GLOR: French President Emmanuel Macron today canceled a foreign trip to focus on a major crisis at home. Anti-government protests exploded in the heart of Paris over the weekend. At least 130 people were hurt, more than 400 were arrested. Roxana Saberi is there.
[Cuts to video]
ROXANA SABERI: In a cloud of tear gas, French riot police run toward a group of protesters in Paris. When they reach the foot of the Arc de Triomphe, the officers shout, "Back up," and start beating the demonstrators, who appear to be hurling stones at them. This body cam footage was released by French police today. Two days after the worst riots to hit France's capital in over a decade.
Today paramedics in Paris protested against government reforms, setting fire to debris and blocking a bridge leading to the national assembly. The yellow vest protest, named after the safety vests worn by mostly peaceful protesters, began three weeks ago. They were fueled by a rise in gasoline tax in a country where diesel costs already $6 a gallon. It will go up another 28 cents in January.
The rallies have morphed into a fight against the rising cost of living. On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron was booed as he toured the damage. He's vowed he won't back down on his fuel taxes aimed at cutting carbon emissions. Protesters, who have no formal leadership, also say they won't stop until they get what they want.
Until when would you like the continue these protests?
[Saberi translating] "We don't have a choice," ambulance driver Thomas Pishone told me. “If we don't stay here today, it's the end of our livelihoods."
[Cuts back to live]
Today the government hinted that it might offer concessions. The prime minister's office said he would announce, quote, "Measures in favor of the protesters." Jeff?
GLOR: Roxana’s in Paris for us tonight. Roxana Saberi, thank you.
NBC Nightly News
December 3, 2018
7:11:59 p.m. EasternLESTER HOLT: Weeks of violent anti-government protests have taken a deadly turn in Paris. The crisis exploding with more clashes in the streets today. NBC’s Lucy Kavfanov is in Paris with more on what is driving these demonstrations.
[Cuts to video]
LUCY KAVFANOV: Tonight, no end in sight to the turmoil across France including more confrontations with police. These ambulance drivers, today, joining the largest anti-government demonstrations here in decades. What began as a protest against President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to raise fuel taxes growing over the weekend into a movement fueled by range. Anger from those who say his policies favor the wealthy. Streets barricaded. Cars lit on fire. Snipers perched on rooftops. Police body cameras capturing this clash at the Arc de Triomphe. Riot police battling with protesters clad in yellow vests.
[Cuts back to live]
At least four people have died in the protests. The French President could declare a state of emergency as France braces for more violence, Lester?
HOLT: All right, Lucy, thank you.
