All culture wars involve a clash of symbols. Symbols say a lot with a little. All it takes is a piece of cloth or an extraordinary object to transmit a world of ideas. They convey identity, impact and mood. One sinister symbol, appearing in the riots and disturbances, is the guillotine. In picking this device, the rioters have chosen a symbol that energizes their militants, frightens their opponents and represents their uncompromising ideologies. These revolutionaries adopt it willingly, enthusiastically and unapologetically. They know exactly what it means and use it to strike terror in the souls of those it targets....
