The Terrorists Are Following Me
I just bought two beautiful bracelets -- "I went to Paris" gifts for my assistant and my neighbor -- at the Paris department store Printemps. Just days later, it seems terrorists planted really old dynamite in the men's section restroom. Via the AP:
PARIS - A group demanding that France withdraw its troops from Afghanistan claimed it planted dynamite found Tuesday at a major Paris department store, officials said.Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said sticks of "relatively old" dynamite tied together but without a detonator were found in the Printemps department store, a favored shopping destination for tourists, and a Christmas season attraction because of its festive window displays.
They had motorized marionettes this year -- I didn't get a photo because it was too crowded when we were in the neighborhood. Luckily, I didn't get blown up, either, although I was disgusted to see women in head-to-toe pup tents shopping in Galeries Lafayette. I'm just glad I've gotten to enjoy Paris before France goes Muslim.
Amy: I imagine this article will interest you. It's all about the change in response from the fatwa against Salman Rushdie in 1989 versus the response to similar actions today: http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/article/6019
Quizzical at December 16, 2008 12:52 PM
How about something less unilateral? Like, "We'll leave France if you leave Afghanistan." I think the French could get behind that.
Tyler at December 16, 2008 4:28 PM
But the Muslims in France and indeed most of Europe have no intention and no desire to go back. To what, mud huts and flies? They want France and the Netherlands and Denmark to become Muslim states under sharia law.
But seeing Muslim women in the big department stores is a better omen than having them confined to their apartments in the outlying rings. There, they're controlled by the men, and have little or no contact with the French.
Kate at December 16, 2008 6:16 PM
@Kate:
I wasn't being naive, I was (trying) to be ironic.
I don't really think that Muslims would go for the kind of exchange I proposed. I don't think it's really about the mud huts and the flies (though those do suck), I think it's more about the cultural imperialism. They think their way of life is the best way, while we embrace cultural relativism and diversity.
Tyler at December 16, 2008 7:18 PM
I am waiting for the concerned reaction from the "Religion of Peace" related to these events. I am sure that a wise Imam will rise and condemn such acts made in the name of Islam.
(I have received a large box of "Naive" last Christmas and I try to use it before it goes out of date)
Toubrouk at December 17, 2008 8:41 AM
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