There are other factors at play here as well; 23% (I think that is the number) of young people in France are unemployed. While these riots are mostly Muslims of colonial origins, there are other participants as well.

Also, I think people are ignoring the history of modern France (I'm sure Conservatives avoid that at all cost . But in the immigrant community over there, there is still a strong memory of the Oct. 1961 massacre of approx. 200 nonviolent protesters by police during the Algerian War. The French government's attempted coverup of that situation made things worse. Anyway, I do think the Muslim community sees the death of the young people as police brutality, and that is fanning the flames. Then, 1968 saw student and labor unrest unparralled in America. Of course, you can go back to the Les Miserables era and before to trace France's history of taking their problems to the streets.

My point is (if I have one), is that I don't see this as part of a larger "Muslim problem" or really related to any true trend, other than immigration issues in Europe (France is something along the lines of 10-20% Muslim now, mainly due to immigration). It is also worth noting that these people have not engaged in any jihadist tactics (suicide bombs, etc), in spite of the destruction they have caused. Hopefully, it'll stay that way.
Mike McKain | 11.07.05 - 8:30 pm | #

Hopefully. Apparently they have marginally spread to Belgium.
Ryan S. | Homepage | 11.08.05 - 9:12 am | #

I, naturally, love the France and all things French. However, they have treated their immigrant community like dirt.

The fact that in Europe race, language, religion, ethnicity and nationality are so intertwined is going to cause most European governments heaps of problems over the next 50 years or so.

Luckily, here in America, we have a diverse population and a long tradition of tolerance in which race, language and religion are not viewed as central to what it means to be an American.
Jason | Homepage | 11.08.05 - 10:34 am | #