I've never been one to tell French jokes as symbolic of much beyond the level of an episode of Blackadder. But there are a putative number of reactionaries who find it convenient to call them 'surrender monkeys'. All of them are thinking twice today as the inevitability of a Sarkozy administration makes its presence felt in France, and in Europe.
I cannot recall there ever being, in my lifetime, a French President that could be seen as aligned with things I find appealing about conservatism. Sure people called Le Pen right-wing, but was he conservative? Not the way we think about conservatism. I learned today that President Bush never even really had a relationship with Chirac. Considering their behavior during the Islamic riots in Paris, it's no wonder.
When I was in Paris, some dozen or so years ago, I witnessed the most astounding sight. It was a parade of telecommunications workers on strike. I had never seen a demonstration so well organized in the US, that's why I tend to want to call it a parade. They had bands, they walked in unison, cheered in unison and stopped all traffic. Despite all of the agitation inherent, there were no police really doing anything. People stood on the sidewalks in bunches and clumps just watching them go by as if it were the most natural thing. People seemed perfectly ready to adjust their lives for as long as it took for the unions to get their way. My cousin told me about transit strikes and the like. In Paris, they're unstoppable.
I also noticed something else about the strikers. They were all very middle class looking. Some were in uniform. Plenty of them were chubby. In Pasadena, we have the Doo Dah Parade. It is a parody of Pasadena's quite serious Tournament of Roses. The Doo Dah is quite notorious for the its presentation of the synchronized breifcase drill team. I got some of that feeling on that day in Paris. Silly, scary and somewhat awe inspiring all at the same time. Those Frenchies know how to protest, for some of them it must be a profession. I am reminded of that professionalism every time I see a ragtag protest in the States. Why not have agencies and outsource strikers and demonstrators, have some people who know how to chant, get picket signs done by pros?
Anyway, the time for the foolishness of the 35 hour workweek is about to end. Sarkozy is in the house. But much more importantly he strikes a strong chord for liberty and he is serious about engaging the political battle against the Islamist threat. This is classic conservative talk and as Wretchard notes, the Left should be embarrassed by their failure on this matter:
Question: What do you think of polygamy?
Answer: I respect all cultures throughout the world, but so that it is quite clear: if I am elected President of the Republic, I will not accept women being treated as inferior to men. The French Republic holds these values: respect for women, equality between men and women. Nobody has the right to hold a prisoner, even within his own family. I say it clearly, that polygamy is prohibited in the territory of the French Republic. I will fight against female genital mutilation and those who do not wish to understand that the values of the French Republic include freedom for women, the dignity of women, respect for women -- they do not have any reason to be in France. If our laws are not respected and if one does not wish to understand our values, if one does not wish to learn French, then one does not have any reason to be on French territory.
Nicely done.
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