France Is Burning

One more thing before I shut down tonight. How many of you are aware that France is feeling the effects of its horrible immigration problems, especially when it comes to integrating its Muslim population.

You may recall that they had the stupid idea to ban all examples of “conspicuous” religious symbols in state schools, including the hijab, large crucifixes, and skullcaps.” Here is a short blurb about the last 8 days of riots.

“PARIS, France — The riots outside Paris appeared to be gaining fresh momentum Friday as youths shot at police and firefighters, and attacked trains despite more than 1,000 riot police patrolling the streets.

In the Seine-Saint-Denis region north of Paris, where the violence has been concentrated, top government official Jean-Francois Cordet told The Associated Press young men had fired buckshot at riot police vehicles, and harassed police near a synagogue further east in Stains early Friday morning.

Rioters also set fire to at least 60 vehicles in Seine-Saint-Denis in the eighth straight night of destructive unrest, according to AP reports, and 165 vehicles in metropolitan Paris, dashing hopes Muslim festivities marking the end of Ramadan would quell the violence.

The rioting began last Thursday after two teenagers were accidentally electrocuted and a third was injured while apparently trying to escape from police by hiding in a power substation. Officials have said police were not chasing the boys.

The Interior Ministry released a preliminary report Thursday exonerating officers of any direct role in the teenagers’ deaths, according to AP.

But the original cause has been all but forgotten as residents of other communities — weary of poverty, unemployment and discrimination against the large immigrant and Muslim populations — have vented their frustration at the French government.”