First French Fatality

What happens when the nation of liberal pacifism and appeasement meets the religion of peace?

Rioting by French youths spread to 274 towns overnight and a man hurt in the violence died of his wounds, the first fatality in 11 days of unrest that has shocked the country, police said Monday.

As urban unrest spread to neighboring Belgium and possibly Germany, the French government faced growing criticism for its inability to stop the violence, despite massive police deployment and continued calls for calm.

Eleven days after the rioting by Muslim youths began, French President Jacques Chirac finally dared to address the problem publicly, stating that "those who want to sow violence or fear ... will be arrested, judged and punished." Not sure why it took a week and a half, but at least the man found enough of a backbone to admit there is a problem and face it.

Word has it that Chirac is being urged to call out the military to deal with the insurrection.

Anyone who has an extra white flag they are willing to offer the French army is asked to send their donations to the nearest French embassy.


UPDATE: The article linked to above has been updated with new information since the original post, including updating the count to 300 towns infected by riots.