A stronger state?

Well, well, well --it looks like those riots in France are STILL going on, although they've diminished significantly since they began THREE WEEKS AGO.

Yes, there has been racially/poverty inspired violence in France for three weeks now. In all, approximately 9,000 cars have been burned and hundreds of buildings torched. The culprits have been mainly Muslim first or second generation immigrants from Africa.

At the peak of the riots, I believe it was 1,400 cars burned in ONE night. I think it took that strong-willed leader Chirac about a week to even respond to these riots, finally deciding to issue curfews. (Like most other world problems, Chirac was slow to act, hoping the problem would just go away on its own accord or the rioters would start offering bribes to public officials for a cessation of violence...)

Now, these riots are horrible and expose one of many major problems in France. France has a sluggish economy, with figures I've seen listed as 10 - 14% unemployment overall. However, I believe this number jumps to 24% for people 18-25 years old. Many of these unemployed consist of a rapidly growing immigrant population that the economy of France cannot sustain. They don't have jobs, they do not feel a part of French culture or community.

But I don't care to discuss France's problems now. What I'd like to point out is their utter hypocrisy. Liberal media and papers like Le Monde in France were practically gloating after we were hit by Hurricane Katrina. They were so happy to point out the problems of inner city poverty and the supposed "racism" the response revealed. They used the tragedy to suggest that if the U.S. had a "stronger state" (if we were more like socialist France with higher taxes, higher unemployment, less freedom and personal responsibility, and our government was even bigger), we never would have such problems in our country.

Well, let's contrast here... Apparently, the poor and immigrant population in France live in the suburbs rather than the inner city as is more common in America. Our riots and looting in New Orleans lasted about 2 or 3 days. The city was under feet of water and was without any services (electricity, etc.). Our rioters were stealing food, clothes, and in some cases ridiculous items like TVs. Maybe a car or two was burned. It seemed they were taking advantage of the disaster and lack of police presence to loot, either for survival or personal gain. They weren't revolting about a country and government that they proclaim to hate. So 2 or 3 days of minor rioting v. France's three weeks of rioting, under no natural disaster conditions, with destruction of property being the sole end of their rioting. Who has the problem here?

The worst riots I can remember were in L.A. after the Rodney King verdict, and I don't remember more than 10 cars burning... You'd have to go back to the race riots of the 1960s to even come close to what has been happening in France.

What is Chirac doing now? Taking a page from his respected fellow Jimmy Carter and talking about a "profound malaise" in his country. Yeah, that will solve a lot, Jacques.

My whole point here is don't criticize the best, most free and most prosperous country in the world when you've got plenty of problems to deal with yourself. France has always had a superiority complex. I don't know how many fascist dictators we have to save them from before they'll finally acknowledge that they are not superior. And if I were them, maybe I'd try less socialism and a more republican form of democracy. Maybe banning Muslim children from wearing headscarves in school isn't the way to deal with your immigrant problem. Maybe you could learn a few lessons from across the ocean. But we know you won't.

Sacre bleu! Mon dieu! Vous-etez les idiots! (pardon, my French is a bit rusty. they're lucky I can't remember much more right now...)