France: underclass unrest or jihad?

Submitted by festine (United States), Nov 8, 2005 at 11:10

Right now the situation in France seems to be more the reaction of a long downtrodden economic underclass reacting violently to the cultural racism and de facto apartheid in the larger society. The powder keg existed for some time. All that was needed was the spark and it came in the form of the two electrocuted youth. I don't think Islamist jihadism is the primary motive of these disaffected young men at this time.

However, I emphasize ( in that last sentence) "primary" and "at this time"

Al Qaeda operatives will no doubt be able to recruit from this pathetic human pool individuals to do their bidding in France. This of course means more sophisticated and spectactular terrorist acts designed to kill as many people as possible. (not just a bunch of kids, so to speak, doing mainly property damage).

At that point it will be determined whether or not the French will join the war in earnest against global Islamic facism and commit the appropriate resource to it (economic and military).

The very survival or their revered French culture depends on this decision. France is, as you say, at a crossroads in its history like never before.

Frankly, I'm worried. I am as annoyed with the Chirac government as are many Americans.

But I don't wish to see French culture destroyed. I hope the people heed the wake up call, elect the right leaders who will make the tough decisions and have the courage to follow through.

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