"Conservative Commentators Exclaim: The World is on Fire!"

Today's New York Times published a conservative opinion referring to protests occurring throughout Europe. The authors fear the upheavals and resurgence of extremist parties may be an omen of a "continent coming apart at the seams". Without mincing words, and with a worldwide magnifying glass, they claim we can all now agree the world is on fire.

The question I'm pondering is whether there may be encouraging signs lurking beneath these firestorms. For most protesters appear to be driven less by ideologies than by practical difficulties they face in paying for basic necessities, and, now in France, learning in modern educational facilities.

By taking to the streets, within and across nation-state boundaries, these young protestors may be exploiting the closest and most immediate channels for expressing their frustrations, anger, and even rage about problematic futures. They are lighting firestorms to demand actions by decision-makers who have the power to make systemic change. Time will tell.

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