Carol Platt Liebau: French Intifada Continues

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

French Intifada Continues

Read about it here.

Schadenfreude is an ugly emotion, but it's hard to resist, given France's repeated betrayals of America and its pandering to Islamist terrorist forces. It's tempting to wonder whether anyone in France is rethinking the way that French Muslims have been treated in that country; doesn't sound like there's been so much "egalite" or "fraternite."

But one can only hope that all of Europe is observing the French experience, and taking it as a warning -- a warning of what happens when foreigners are segregated and not required to become full members pledging full allegiance to their new country. Here is one example -- when the children of Algerian immigrants, born in France, became angry and even violent in their support for Algeria over France in a soccer game.

There may even be lessons for Americans -- remember this, when numerous naturalized Americans became so overzealous in their support for a Mexican soccer team that they actually booed the Star Spangled Banner?

That's not to confuse or equate the Islamofascist agenda underlying the violence in France with any kind of public behavior in the United States. It is, however, a reminder that measures that help forge a common national identity (like requiring knowledge of a country's dominant language) are necessary (although not sufficient, as France itself proves).

2 Comments:

Blogger Anonymous said...

The reasons for the French riots are complicated and I don't pretend to understand them all. I doubt Carol does either. Although like most conservatives she always makes everything seem simple and black and white. Reality is often much greyer.

She see's a lesson in this for French liberals. I see a lesson in it for American conservatives. The muslims in France are rioting as much because of economic disenfranchisement as anything else. Carol fails to explore this.

The lesson for American conservatives? History has generally shown that when the economic inequality in any country becomes too extreme - evetually, the populous revolts.

Might be something to consider following our own riots in New Orleans and the current attempts to further gut Medicare, foodstamps and VA health benefits.

12:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As you are no doubt aware, there is no language spoken in any primary school in France that is not French. It is illegal to do otherwise. Chirac refused to sign the "European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages." He said that it would "threaten the indivisibilty of the Republic", "equality under the law" and "the unity of the French people." From what I read the rioters are generally second and third generation immigrants - every single one of whom speaks French. To imply otherwise is dishonest. If the horrible killing of one person in a riot is an Intifada, what did you call the 1992 L.A. riots which killed 13?
bbbustard
http:bustardblog.typepad.com

3:19 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home

Google