it's hard to know how to react to the situation in france - but it is a warning to other oecd countries, including this one, about the ramifications of too-generous immigration policies pertaining to people from that part of the world. there is a sizeable percentage of them that don't want to fit in, and don't want to assimilate, but rather want to convert us all to their backwards belief system.

i will reiterate my solidarity with the people of france and reassert the importance of not moving an inch, of not even considering it - of standing firm in the right to free expression, regardless of whether anybody takes offence. there is no ambiguity here - france is absolutely correct, and the muslim world is absolutely wrong.

these principles are important. they form the basis of western culture; they are worth fighting for. so, if they want a war, we'll have to have one.

as it is, i want to treat the issue as one of criminality, first and foremost. the french should be viewing this as a specific type of gang violence, and taking steps to clean up the streets. and, that might mean mass arrests, and it would be hard to criticize them for it, if they take that path. 

so, i will call for due process, but i recognize the need for serious action and the unfortunate likelihood that some innocent people may need to spend some time in custody for the benefit of the greater good.