Escalation

It’s hard to tell ust how bad things really are in France, or even the real motivation of the rioters. Intifada? Kids just having some bad-natured fun? Something in between?

Then again, a line was crossed today:

Rioters shot at police and torched more than 1,400 cars in the worst violence since unrest erupted in France’s poor suburbs 11 days ago, and a man beaten by a youth became the first fatality on Monday.

And:

“This is real, serious violence. It’s not like the previous nights. I am very concerned because this is mounting,” said Bernard Franio, head of police for the Essonne area south of Paris, after about 200 youths attacked his colleagues in Grigny.