Chirac Immitates Jimmy Carter

Via al-Reuters the Boston Globe reports, French President Jacques Chirac is still promising "firm action" against the rioters. No word on when this might occur:

"'We will respond (to the violence) by being firm, by being fair and by being faithful to the values of France,' Chirac said in a television and radio speech, his first direct address to the nation since the unrest began on October 27.

'These events bear witness to a deep malaise,' he said. 'It is ... an identity crisis.'"

Reportedly President Chirac delivered the speech wearing a cardigan and sitting in front of a fireplace.

"Chirac, 72, sought to end criticism that he is out of touch and has been too silent over the violence that began after two youths were accidentally electrocuted as they hid from police in a power substation in a Paris suburb."

He should only speak if he can improve on silence.

Meanwhile, "only" 284 cars were burned Sunday night, as the rioters continue to inch (or perhaps centimeter) towards that "only-100-burned-cars-per-night" goal that will signal a return to the "normal" level of destruction.

This same article describes the riots as "violent protests against racism and unemployment by youths of African and Arab origin as well as white youngsters." How many misrepresentations can fit into half a sentence?

Update: Reader DiEGO, who is French, points out that President Chirac did not actually deliver his speech in front of a fireplace wearing a cardigan, but rather in the normal venue and wearing a suit and tie. Apparently we confused Chirac with Jimmy Carter.

Technorati: France, riots, French riots, intifada, Muslims

This page is from the original Don't Let Me Stop You blog. We have moved to a new site: Visit DLMSY on WordPress.

Return to main page of Don't Let Me Stop You