French Presidential Election

[derrida]

Considering there is ample-enough support(http://www.libertysecurity.org/article1240.html) for the contention that Sarkozy's abandonment of Mitterand-era police tactics in favor of SWAT style raids on petty thieves and drug dealers complete with quotas on arrests and interrogations contributed to the riots in 2005, I don't think the statement is egregious.

[KevinTheOmnivore]

Seth, I love you. Was it alphabet soup who once said drop "the mensa schtick"? I think your higher mind understood what I was asking, so good.

Originally Posted by Seth

it's pretty obvious Al Qaeda would vote Bush in 04 to easier demonize the West.

I regret even brining this up, cuz it'll be a tangent, but I think Al Qaeda types would rather act freely without having to deal directly with American military forces. Which party is struggling to withdraw us from Iraq so that these elements can do so?

And derrida gives his stamp of approval to riots, so everything seems to be normal. Have a great weekend!

[KevinTheOmnivore]

Tony Essono, 32, an unemployed economist whose parents emigrated from Cameroon before he was born, said that despite years of anger and discrimination, people in La Courneuve were willing to put their faith in the ballot box "because they understand they can change something" by voting. But, he added, "if Sarkozy is elected, it means we haven't been heard, and we'll trash everything."

LINK

This is what democracy looks like!

[Miss Modular]

Well, I'm reading an article in the paper about the election right now. They have a sidebar with the platforms of both candidates. What's amazing is that both candidates have distinctive platforms.

I think both candidates have interesting platforms and both have policies I'd agree with. But I can see why Kevin and Jeff (theapportioner for those who don't know) support Sarkozy. Sarkozy seems to have some geunine interest in establishing France as an important part of the world's stage--something France hasn't been in decades (As Jon Stewart told Bill O'Reilly, France is to the world what Marcie is to the Peanuts Gang). For me, it's a draw. Sarkozy will win, though.

[KevinTheOmnivore]

Sarkozy wins, with an overall turnout unseen since Mitterand was elected in 1981.