[hummingbird]

backhoe, please "edumacate" me. I understand that 2 "yewts" were electrocuted and then all hell broke loose. But the hell that broke loose appears to be pretty coordinated...who gave the "go" sign? Looking at the French map, outbreaks seem widespread throughout the country. How are these different "cells" (for want of a better word) coordinating with one another? Is France's police system pretty unified as far as training and loyalty or does each "etat" (again, for want of a better word!) have its own peculiarities that might make an overall restoration of order possible? TIA!

[RAldrich]

"But the hell that broke loose appears to be pretty coordinated...who gave the "go" sign? Looking at the French map, outbreaks seem widespread throughout the country. How are these different "cells" (for want of a better word) coordinating with one another?"

The latest conspiracy theory is that Chirac is being punished for siding with the U.S. against Syria. Iran wants France to butt out of Syria and to stop sheltering Syrians who want to rat on Assad. According to the theory, Iranian-controlled Hezbollah agents organized the rebellion and supplied the rioters with cell-phones, cars, petrol, etc.