High-maintenance nation

The last Renault Twingo in France was KFC’ed last night in Toulouse while the terror of the stupid, blinged-out hoodlums seems to be tapering off. I’d say that it might have something to do with using arrests as a disincentive, but no leftist would believe me.
What will be of interest now is the way they reflect on it. I have more faith in the French who sincerely believe in the republican idea of people being equal, and that criminals are capable of being punished equally, no matter what they look like or what kind of sob story they can gin up. From the dpa press agency:

«French insurers estimate that damage claims alone will reach €200 million.

According to Sarkozy, about 120 foreigners, many of them with legal status, have been arrested during the riots, but most of them may be protected by French law. For example, minors and persons with family on French territory will probably not be deported.

"It's not about numbers," Sarkozy said. "It's the principle."»

The downside of European integration isn't just Europe, it would be to adopt the standard European approach:

«The violence is the worst in France since the 1968 student riots, has shaken the Government of President Jacques Chirac and caused ripples throughout Europe.
In a bid to help tackle problems in French suburbs, the European Union has offered France 50 million euros ($80 million), EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said yesterday.»

...just to start the ball rolling, of course. Let the feeding frenzy begin.