In Defense of France

Too many conservative venues have inadvertently exonerated the Islamic attacks in France by blaming the victim first. For years, conservatives have understood that savage acts are not the fault of society but of the vicious individuals who commit them. Today, we read about France’s dysfunctional economy, its policy of appeasement, and its obstructionist foreign policy. These are all valid criticisms but they shouldn’t be elevated above the fact that Islamic hostility to the West is independent of our action or inaction. I’ve talked about the root cause in the past.

France’s record of appeasement doesn’t mean “they brought it upon themselves” any more than our record of appeasement means we brought 9/11 upon ourselves. It’s appropriate to note the prudent measures that are required to fight the enemy but it should never replace the moral condemnation and intellectual identification of that which drives the enemy.

In France, the left has dominated intellectual life and determined French politics not unlike it would here if there were a slight change in numbers. It wouldn’t have taken that many people for Kerry to have been elected. We may be critical of the French regime but in this struggle, we must be on the side of France—even if they are not yet ready to fight. Indeed, as I’ve pointed out, it is illegal to even discuss the problem.

The irrational hatred that the French intellectuals spew in our direction is obvious good reason to be critical of their culture and policies. But now is not the time. In this battle we should want France to win. Let’s hope she wakes up sooner rather than later.

Update: Daniel Pipes and Robert Spencer, of course.
Update2: Grant Jones, AOW, Pastorius, Sixth Column, Robert Bidinotto, all have extensive comments and links. As do many others in the list of links at the right. What the mainstream media fails to do, the Internet has done tenfold. Great job everyone!