French Insularity

Public opinion polls show Socialist Segolene Royal running neck and neck with Nicolas Sarkozy in the first round of the French presidential election. A fascinating bit of information in the Christopher Hitchens column reveals that Ms. Royal is quite innocent of the world outside the borders of France. For example, she has just learned (or, at least I hope she now knows) the the Taliban is no longer ruling Afghanistan.

Also interesting is how Jean-Marie Le Pen is attracting voters from the Communist party to join his right wing National Front, and how all candidates are borrowing heavily from his platform.

The frisky French youths undoubtedly have a lot to do with that. Here, here and here, for example.