I've been hoping to find a decent news article to provide some background/context for the riots in France; I finally encountered this, which explains the role of simmering racial tensions -- most of the rioters are young Muslim men, disaffected and underemployed, treated as "scum" by white Europeans -- the sort that are considered cannon fodder for terrorist recruiters. There's also a more politicized slant on it on Znet, here. Anyone interested in the relationship between France and North Africa should check out Pontecorvo's Battle of Algiers, a truly important and relevant film about colonialism, terrorism, and torture, which, since it's on Criterion, you just may be able to rent at your local video store...
By the way, Paradise Now, the film about Muslim suicide bombers, has opened in the States to mostly positive reviews. I seem to be the only person who thinks the film errs on the side of making the suicide bombers too sympathetic -- most people praise its "objectivity." Roger Ebert, somewhat bizarrely, says he wants to see a film that doesn't cloud the issue of suicide bombing with religion, as if religion wasn't a huge part of the reality! (My review of the film is here, for a counterpoint). I think I'll write ol' Rog and take him up on the matter.
Also in the news: two cheerleaders have been arrested for having sex in a bar washroom. Life in America is difficult, too, I guess.
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