I have heard a few friends remark to the effect that France is getting its comeuppance, that a country/government that affected airs of "Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite" moral superiority -- and especially with respect to France's relationship to the U.S.A. -- is finally enduring some overdue reality.

As much as I hate the phenomenon of mindless "Freedom Fries" jingoism, I think I have noticed the occasional element of holier-than-though political behavior coming out of political France. Given France's abysmal performance in places like Rwanda in the 90s, I would say that any such moral snobbery is ill-placed. So maybe this is some sort of comeuppance. It's not like alienated youth in the banlieu should be news to the French body politic.

But the specifics of France aside, the question on my mind is whether France, among the nations of Europe, is unique. Could the events of the past 11 days occur in another country? Or several other countries?