And, it wouldn't be surprising if the very wealthy also have their own best interests at heart in the restoration of Notre Dame because it may be a place they frequently view, visit and privately tour when visiting Paris. Certainly more so than, when in London, visiting the Grenfell neighborhood.
Wednesday 17 April 2019 by Pete Redfern
Grenfell survivors regret not installing stained glass windows to ensure a quick rebuild after fire
Former Grenfell residents have expressed regret that they didn’t splash out on pretty stained glass windows before their tower burned down.
Following pledges by both the French government and a number of wealthy individuals to pour endless money into a pot to ensure the quick restoration of Notre Dame cathedral on account of its historic beauty and the artefacts contained within, survivors of the Grenfell fire have been left wondering if they might not still be homeless if their flats had looked bit nicer for the tourists.
Simon Williams, who survived the fire two years ago but is still living in temporary accommodation, told us, “It seems that even though no-one died in the Notre Dame blaze, they seem pretty keen to get it rebuilt, and quickly, on account of its age and beauty.
“Obviously we can’t change the fact that Grenfell was built in 1974, but I really wish we’d forked out on some stained glass windows, or a few intricate gargoyles, for people to insist on restoring.
“Maybe I should have bought a few ornate gold crosses and stuck them around the place, so that the poignant photos after the fire might prompt the government to come out and publicly pledge to build us an even more beautiful new tower.”
He concluded, “Obviously it is all our own fault and not the government’s, even if they did pay for cheap cladding – Theresa May did say two years ago that she’d get us all rehomed, and I’m sure that will happen.
“One day. Maybe after she finishes Brexit?”
https://newsthump.com/2019/04/17/grenfe ... fter-fire/
Anger at fundraiser for Notre Dame instead of homeless Parisians Metro News
Joe RobertsTuesday 16 April 2019
Hundreds of millions of euros have already been pledged to restore theNotre Dame Cathedral in the wake of the devastating fire. But many people are wondering why France’s richest men have suddenly found enormous amounts of spare cash to pay for a church roof when thousands of people are living without shelter on the streets of Paris. French billionaire businessman Bernard Arnault is donating €200 million (£172 million) to help repair the 800-year-old cathedral, while Salma Hayek’s husband Francois-Henri Pinault and his family have promised more than €100 million (£86 million) to help with the ‘complete reconstruction’ of Notre Dame.
The astonishing donations have been both praised by the likes of Piers Morgan and slammed by people believing the money could be spent transforming thousands of people’s lives. Shah Assunal Mumin was among hundreds of people reacting to the news on metro.co.uk’s Facebook page. He said: ‘It’s amazing how these billionaires are helping to aid the rebuild of this institutional building, however, where is the help to the world for humans? ‘Over 300 million is being donated!!! That could save thousands of lives around the world.’ Tanya Mimpress said it ‘does stick in the craw’ seeing all the money being spent on a cathedral instead of people. She said: ‘Seeing all that history and beauty burn was painful, yes.
‘And I get that it’s the “soul of a nation”, and yes, people should be able to donate as they see fit, of course. ‘But it does stick in the craw somewhat when so many in France, and elsewhere, are living hand to mouth.’ Ahmet Okan said it was ‘great news’, but reasoned: ‘What could have been greater if those billionaires secretly sent this money to war-torn Africa where people are still starving, in need of medicines and clean water.’ While many felt uncomfortable with the enormous contributions, Ro Mee said he didn’t see British billionaires helping those affected by the Grenfell fire. He added: ‘What I am saying is that some people are helping. And in times of need, look at the helpers.’
Sonja Piccolo said all this talk is ‘irrelevant’ because people can ‘do what they like with their own money’. She added: ‘What kind of a world do we live in when a philanthropist gives a hell of a lot of his own money to a cause and gets criticised because “he could have spent it better elsewhere”. ‘According to who? It’s their money and their right to choose what to do with it. When they start giving away my money, then I’ll have something to say about which cause it is pledged to.’ President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to rebuild the Notre Dame Cathedral.
https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/16/anger-fu ... s-9222801/