French Riots: So It’s All Sarkozy’s Fault? How Convenient
From MSNBC.com, and what is apparently in the latest issue of Newsweek:
The first and most obvious casualty was the reputation of French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy. He’s been angling for the presidency in 2007, posturing as France’s most confident can-do politician. During the first days of violence, Sarkozy denounced the gangs burning cars as “scum” and told them in effect to bring it on. They did with a vengeance, and didn’t stop.
If Sarkozy made mistakes, they were underestimating the ability and will of law enforcement and overestimating the spine of his appeasing cohorts in the government. As Mark Steyn says in his Chicago Sun-Times column today: “As is the way with the political class, they seem to see the riots as an excellent opportunity to scuttle Sarkozy’s presidential ambitions rather than as a call to save the Republic.”
If Sarkozy is doomed, France as we know it may be finished.
I dunno, this seems to be news, but I feel like I’ve read the same story a thousand times - same lazy reporting, same grid, same villans - “youths”, “freedom fighters,” “insurgents.” same underlying causes - “poverty” “lack of opportunity.” How can these consitions exist in a Socialist paradise? Who were these rioters again? It’s probably Karl Rove’s fault.
Comment by Dave B — November 6, 2005 @ 12:00 pm
#1, It does get old. I’m waiting for someone to blame our Iraq involvement for radicalizing Muslims in Europe, who before that were of course placid as lambs.
Comment by TBlumer — November 6, 2005 @ 12:07 pm
Descent into Darkness
If the hammer is not dropped, and dropped very soon, the 21st century may see traditional European Civilization consigned to the history books. Sadly, the prospect of a modern Charles Martel seems far more remote than that of a modern European subjug…
Trackback by Chateau d'If — November 6, 2005 @ 12:39 pm