FRANCE IN CRISIS:  The violence in and around Paris reminds us of our country during the pandemic.  Unfortunately, political correctness rules the day, and the night, and we aren't being told exactly who's doing the rioting, but we can make it out.  Should the rioting grow, France could be in serious danger of collapsing.  From Fox:

Officials in France are deploying 45,000 police officers and armored vehicles as a fourth night of riots approaches stemming from a fatal police-involved shooting of a teenager during a traffic stop.

The unrest has hit many cities in France including Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Strasbourg and Lille.

Nahel M., a 17-year-old was shot and killed by police in the Nanterre suburb of Paris. The incident was captured on video, and ignited the riots that are being seen around the European country.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said that 270 people were arrested on Friday night, with a total of 1,100 people arrested since the protests began.

In Marseille, rioters robbed a gun store, taking some of their hunting rifles but didn't steal ammunition.

Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan on Friday tweeted that the French government needs to send more troops, saying "The scenes of pillaging and violence are unacceptable."

Darmanin requested that local authorities stop bus and tram traffic after 9 p.m., adding that 45,000 officers are being deployed.

"The next hours will be decisive and I know I can count on your flawless efforts," he wrote to the country's firefighters and police officers.

When asked on a TV News channel if the government would declare a state of emergency, he said "Quite simply, we're not ruling out any hypothesis and we'll see after tonight what the President of the Republic chooses."

COMMENT:   I hope France handles its riots with more skill than we have.  I think of a hundred nights of violence in Portland as an example of our lack of will and lack of seriousness.  We will be watching Paris.  If France is weakened, it can have a domino effect throughout Europe.  The left is inspired by America's lack of will and directionless leadership.

June 30, 2023