Posted by
stevo on Monday, April 30, 2007 12:40:57 AM
It's interesting how often elections transcend mere politics and reveal the very soul of a nation. Under the shadow of terrorism, the U.S. and Australia each reelected leaders who showed immense courage against their nations' enemies. After their infamous "3/11", Spain tossed out their popular president in favor of a socialist who made no qualms about withering under the terrorist threat.
The ball is now in France's court. They currently have a choice: the right-leaning Nicolas Sarkozy and the socialist Segolene Royal. The downtrodden Muslim community in France blame past riots on Sarkozy's insensitive remarks, and promise more violence if he is to be elected. Although France's politics du jour is socialism, they have intimate knowledge of the economic and political stagnancy that exists in their country because of their inept political system. The times demand a change, but the threats demand appeasement.
If France votes Royal, they will have capitulated to radical Islam. Such capitulation does not come without a price. When Chamberlain appeased the looming Reich, he gave needed time and legitimacy to a regime thirsty for blood and domination. If the radical Muslims in France are appeased, their threatening tactics will gain legitimacy and increase, their economic depression will continue under a rotten system of governance, and they will have time to brood and plan against an ever-weakening shadow of a former empire.