French dread

Those misguided souls who think George W. Bush created the problem with Islam should turn their eyes toward the smoke rising from Paris.

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France not only sat out the war in Iraq, it opposed it openly. Yet, Muslim youths are on a fiery rampage through the suburbs of Paris.

How can that be? Isn't America the Great Satan? Isn't France the enlightened land?

Experts say thousands of North African immigrants attracted by low-skilled jobs settled in France in past decades, but have found massive unemployment in recent years, and have not assimilated into French society. The death of two boys electrocuted while hiding from police in an electrical substation was all the spark needed to ignite the kindling of disaffected young souls into two weeks of arson-filled riots.

Some say the French have been negligent in not requiring and inviting more integration of the Muslim masses into French society. The government's few attempts have been clumsy and even antagonistic at times, such as passing a law banning head scarves in public schools.

And let's be franco, here: The French aren't exactly famous for their hospitality.

French leaders also have been woefully negligent in allowing the violence to go on for nearly two weeks before even enacting curfews.

Others note the immigrant population hasn't made enough of an effort to blend in - and, indeed, a Wall Street Journal report on Monday highlighted certain Islamic groups in Paris that, while ostensibly peaceful, encourage separatism. And separatism easily flowers into radicalism.

Moreover, with a growing Muslim population often at odds with secular societies, Western Europe as a whole has an assimilation crisis on its hands.

It's not just an assimilation problem, either. Part of the problem is socialism that breeds high unemployment, low ambition and through-the-roof expectations and entitlements. And, of course, part of the problem is a meaningless mushiness that leads France to actually have a minister of "social cohesion." How's it working so far?

Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy has been ridiculed for talking tough about the rioters, but paradoxically, Frenchmen want something done to stop the madness. Just don't hurt any Muslim feelings in the process?

The media don't help much. Newsweek's write-up talks pointedly about Muslim rioters storming streets with the names of "Dead White Men." Enjoy your white guilt trip to Paris!

Speaking of paradoxes, the French at once need to get a stiffer spine and a softer heart: Put down the lawlessness and open up your society, folks.

The rest of Europe is wondering if that's their future they see.