Free Republic

Violent riots erupted in France six days ago and have continued unabated. They were initially sparked by the deaths of two Arab teenagers, in the poor, mainly Muslim suburbs of Paris, where police hesitate to venture. The despair, anger and deep-rooted criminality have become a breeding ground for Islamic extremists. French President Jacques Chirac came out Wednesday and called for to use a firm hand to curtail what may become a "dangerous situation." "The law must be applied firmly and in a spirit of dialogue and respect," Chirac said at a Cabinet meeting. "The absence of dialogue and an escalation...