That reminds me. Interesting read on Lebanon: "Symposium: Lebanon: The Spark of Liberty in the Middle East" http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=19965
Since the beginning of the riots-in fact ever since there has been rioting in these suburbs (which has been one of the unfortunate characteristics of these areas for a long time, let me insist) there has never been any evidence suggesting it is linked primarily to religion. Of course, most rioters are from arab origin and islam is part of their identity, but searching for causes there is simply misleading. This isn't even an opinion, I am merely echoing the politicians (of all mainstream political groups), journalists, policemen, representatives and sometives even relatives of these "youths" causing trouble. The prime minister (conservative BTW) has just announced he is going to implement a series of measures to reduce employment and poverty in these suburbs and fight discrimination. Not once has he mentioned islamism. Islam is a threat to France as to all western countries at the moment, but not 14 to 20 year old idiots setting fire to cars that belong to their neighbours, or buses that are being used by their parents to go to work (!). So all of those in this thread who have been moving the debate to islam vs westerners (or palestine vs israel) are simply missing the point and seriously digressing. Arab minorities and their assimilation in western countries is what' we should be talking about. Anyway, never mind.
Sam I'm sorry not to react to your articles, it's just that I consider they have no value whatsoever. Just baseless opinions thrown around by very imaginative people who draw parallels that just don't make any sense and who adopt a rather frightening tone. I suggest you try and find articles with real arguments and deep analysis-sorry, nothing personal. I did comment the first article though. If I had to comment the following ones, it would take me ages. May I ask you where you read that French muslims in suburbs were embracing bin ladism?
Funny how you can find the exact same opinion in Europe about the US, notably the famous : "the US is the only country that went from barbarity to decadence without experiencing civilisation". (Clemenceau)
". . . you know frankly, going to war without France is like going deer hunting without an accordion. You just leave a lot of useless noisy baggage behind. " Here's hoping that the riot police are able to stop the accordion shops and factories from burning down.
We'll have to set rules here : quotes should be followed by the person to which they are attributed (preferrably well known of course). Ex : "The thing that's wrong with the French is that they don't have a word for entrepreneur" ( GW Bush) My all time favourite quote. "The French complain of everything, and always"-Napoleon. Particularily valid at the moment. "Basically all the French are peasants"-Pablo Picasso
Better late than never: "...Debates over the integration of the French society and the acceptance of immigrants and respecting their rights usually fail and end up with the government reaffirming a strictly French way of doing things, such as barring any religious symbols in state schools, Hijab; the Muslims headscarf, included..." http://www.aljazeera.com/cgi-bin/review/article_full_story.asp?service_ID=10021 Predictable analysis.
And it should be that way. A lot of those who try and have it their own way could not do it that way in their old country and then try to do it intheir country of immigration. This thing with the headscarf is an example. In Turkey for example it is forbiden to wear it in public funtion. So why should it be allowed in France, Germany or any other country for that matterr. It is for example what happened in Florida with the Drivers license. This moslem women did not want to have her picture taken without a full headdscar. Well, she can have it her way I say. Just like in her country of origin, she wants the picture that way, great but then she will not be allowed to drive. Just like in S.A. .
Quiz: What is the similarity between the Watts Riots and this riot? The feeble minded look to others for the answers.