Citizen Journal

November 29, 2005

Signs of life?

"Integration into our society, notably a grasp of the English language, should be a condition for bringing your family here. That ensures the future of the spouse and of the children but also of society."

Sound like a red state Republican? Not quite; try Dominique de Villepin, France's Prime Minister (saying "French," not "English" language), responding today to the "Paris intifada" by announcing new restrictions on French immigration. The pitiful "root causes" meme seems to have waned, at least for a bit as French politicians, some of whom (including de Villepin) are eyeing a 2007 run for the presidency, seem to recognize France's conservative voters want a meaningful response. It remains to be seen whether this month's battles will mark a turning point in French cultural politics, but de Villepin's Tony Blankley-like rhetoric indicates they may.

Posted by bill at 09:22 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

November 09, 2005

Reclaiming France

In June, after the EU constitution met its demise at the hands of France's "red state" regions, John Hinderaker offered a friend's analysis of France's own red state/blue state map, which concluded that "most of the 'OUI' vote was the elite, transnational, wealthier urban areas, plus Brittany, etc. with its own agenda. The 'NON' areas were rural/industrial socialist/anti-globalists. In addition to the economic motivation I would guess that the 'NON' areas, especially the northeast and Marseilles, included a large anti-immigrant, specifically anti-Muslim vote." Hinderaker himself concluded gloomily that "there really isn't much of a movement in Europe that corresponds to American conservatism." This was, and is probably true. But with France's own demise now measured (and charitably so) by reference to how many hundreds of cars are torched each night, there are indications France's National Front party - its deep red conservative party - may be rallying. The "flashpoints" of violence outside of Paris paint a complicated picture, but if Le Pen and French nativism are indeed gathering steam, France's future may hold some promise.

Posted by bill at 08:37 PM | Comments (0)

Paristine?

Joseph Farah says it's time for France to consider its own advice and create "Paristine":

...if France has these kinds of systemic problems with its Muslim population, then it is time to partition France. It's time for an independent Muslim state to be created. After all, isn't that what France and other European nations have determined is the proper solution for Israel?

(H/T: American Thinker)

Posted by bill at 09:12 AM | Comments (0)

November 08, 2005

Oh merde alors!

Hurt pride is reported in France. May as well spread this:

(Source: here H/T: Mike S. in Chicago.)

Posted by bill at 07:32 PM | Comments (0)