Not to mention 1 police station rammed by a burning car, and 2 Churches lit on fire. Gloating about this is not cool, but come on, I remember how sanctimonious the French were when the L.A. riots went on in L.A.- Mitterand blamed it on the Reagan government and capitalism. He claimed that such a thing could never happen in an egalitarian country like France. The French socialists have been scoffing and chorteling at the warnings issued by the Roman Pontiff on the perils of Birth Control and Abortion- they all had a great laugh. But now that the muslims are poised to outnumber the secularists within 50 years, nobody should be laughing now. France as we know it could be dead, and this is the beginning of the takeover.

On the other hand, a burning car from a traffic accident (or just a car that caught on fire all by itself) gets notable news coverage in most local markets in the US, and the sort of unrest we're seeing in France would get front-page coverage...

Gloating about this is not cool

Are you sure? Is there an official ruling on this?

So far they are playing true to form and can't muster even the fundamental patriotic spine to defend themselves. The EU wienies in Brussels must be pleased. Barred from entering parts of their own city, but pleased all the same.

FWIW - the Watts riots in 65' lasted about 10 days.

The French are pushing the envelope now. Watts had a body count ~35 though, so they've got some catching up to do on that front.

Purp - Maybe, but doesn't that just represent a failure of the French to put down the riots?

If you can read French, check out this editorial from Le Monde: http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0@2-3232,36-706898,0.html

Basically it says that the French political leadership is to blame for the rioting, that no one did anything to give these youths a chance at a good life, blah blah blah. The editors are deeply concerned about the rise of an extreme right politician to become President in response to the youth demonstrations.

Interestingly the editorial begins with a quote from a New York Times editorial "underlining 'the incapacity of France to integrate its immigrants." Now the NYT has gone nuts: They are multiculturalists; it has never been the goal of multiculturalism to integrate anyone into the society. Society is to conform to invading cultures. Why is the NYT suddenly concerned about integration?

But back to Le Monde: This editorial could have been written about the looting in New Orleans. Now we see, again sad to say, the results of treating "scum" like mildly sick people. They run amok causing mayhem and damage. That Le Monde can't even see beyond depressing.

No, we shouldn't gloat. Maybe, when France falls into chaos and civil war, we should call on the Special Forces to train and lead the few sane Frenchmen left that don't want Muslims running their country like the New Caliphate. After all, better to fight the terrorists over there than over here.

Very interesting, Eric, and yet, predictable. Usually one can find an almost identical articles in the LeMonde and Guardian rags. Do they use the word "demostrations" rather than riot?

What I find most interesting, from what you report, is that the left-wing spin machine of LeMonde is not so much concern for the "youths of African heritage" but the concern that the riots will shift the political balance toward the Right.

Anyway, it's good to see that LeMonde is an equal opportunity basher -- they have no problem blaming their own government for everything.

Dear France,

Perhaps this is an analogy you will be able to understand. When you say that a cigarette is burning, you only mean that one end of it is actually burning. Perhaps you should reconsider this headline. Might I suggest: "France Is Not Yet Entirely Engulfed In Flames?" Or perhaps "France Only Slightly More Flaming Than Usual." That second one could be accompanied by a picture of a limp wrist - people love visual aids.

Bart,

Well, Le Monde is bascially the NYTimes in France. The current government is a center-right coalition so they have no problems blaming the government in this case. In this editorial though the blame does appear to go through to previous ones as well.

"Demonstration" is my (sarcastic) word, but the word used by the editors is "explosion." No mention of Islam, sheikhs, Arab, etc. Just "ethnic ghettoes."

Its a variation of reportage by Jedi mind trick. "There's no violence in France. These aren't really Muslim youths. The situation is well in hand."

Move along. Nothing to see here.