It is all related.  France has added weight to the common worldwide theme that the U.S. Dollar should no longer be the reserve currency - that the world adopt Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) issued by the IMF instead.  In the meantime, as the U.S. has been able to successfully export inflation, as commodities (like cotton) have gone up in price, expect higher clothes prices this spring,  Due to freezing weather, also expect to pay double to triple on your fresh produce in coming weeks.  Not concerned is the Federal Government which continues to print money at will.  The White House expects the deficit to spike to $1.65 Trillion this current fiscal year - yeah right - consider that the low estimate.  The U.S. Treasury Secretary is getting a little worried however.  Do you own silver or gold yet?