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How do you feel about exclusive use of public land?

8/3/2015

8 Comments

 
PictureVallauris, France. wn.wikipedia.org
 Last week, a wealthy man closed a whole beach on the French Riviera so he could use it privately, and now he's left before his holiday was due to end.

Only eight days into a planned three-week stay, King Salman of Saudi Arabia has cut short his stay after the beach closure arranged for his safety caused an uproar. Because the Mirandole beach spreads directly below King Salman's private villa, the French officials agreed to seal it off for the monarch's security.

Of course, he came with a few friends—at least half of his 1,000-strong entourage.

More than 100,000 people signed a petition against the closure of the public beach at Vallauris. Critics claimed the move was a breach of French laws on equality.

A spokesman told AFP news agency that the beach would reopen to the public on Monday morning.

A temporary lift connecting the beach with the villa, which had also angered local residents, will be removed in the coming weeks. Building the lift had involved pouring a large concrete slab on the sand, angering people in the area as well.

The royal party generated mixed emotions among the local population. Source: BBC.  

PictureFrench Riviera - www.flickr.com
 There are always several sides to any story. The basic way of looking at things consists of positive and negative. Positive: The rich visitors created good business for the store-holders. Negative: Not only did the visitors destroy part of the beach with concrete, an enduring unnatural material, but they also took over the area for their own use.


And then, we should consider equality. Why should one wealthy, privileged man forbid people from using their accustomed beach area?

Okay, fame brings with it a security risk. There are always other cocks who will knock the king pin off his perch for profit, status gain, or because of jealousy. That risk comes with the role of the wealthy, royalty, film stars, and celebrities.

Some people would like us to do away with royalty forever—“off with their heads.” And yet, the general public worship celebrities of their own free will.

We're not talking about personal possessions here. Everyone has a right to their inheritance or their goods. This is about the use of public land.

At least the visitors have gone, allowing the 100,000 other holiday-makers to enjoy the beach for the rest of Summer.

I'll bet you have a point of view on the subject. Should the privileged make their own rules?

8 Comments
Alana link
8/2/2015 08:10:41 pm

One word answer: No. Anyone of extreme wealth owns enough property that they can have a great time without closing off public areas. But it isn't only the rich who can disrupt. When our President visits a public place, for security reasons, an entire community will be disrupted, areas temporarily closed off, even businesses temporarily closed. One time recently, a person's wedding was disrupted (I believe, though, the President made amends for it).

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Sophie Bowns link
8/2/2015 10:05:04 pm

It annoys me. I don't see why people should get 'special treatment' just because they have more power and money than others!

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Nabanita link
8/2/2015 10:06:10 pm

I think it's not fair that an entire beach would be closed for some wealthy person..But unfortunately our world bows down to money, a sad but true fact

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Corinne Rodrigues link
8/3/2015 02:23:55 am

It's a crazy world we live in!

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GiGi Eats Celebrities link
8/3/2015 11:27:44 pm

Public = Public. That is that.

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Michelle Liew link
8/3/2015 11:44:28 pm

Personally, I would not agree with such a closure. It is elitist.

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Shantala link
8/5/2015 11:27:41 am

I think this kind of a closedown is elitist and very unfair. However, money makes and breaks most rules. That is the sad truth of our times.

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Ajay Pai link
8/8/2015 07:43:39 pm

The God created the resources for the benefit of all and it should remain accessible to all. No privileges to any. I know, this is too much to ask for.

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    Francene Stanley
    From England, I use news items in my novels which you can see below, all linked to an Amazon near you.

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