When Even the Gray Lady Gets It...

...You know you have a problem! Unfortunately, the French Government still doesn't get it. The New York Times offers their editorial here.

While they're downplaying the islamic identity of the rioters like many other MSM organs, they at least mention the national identities of the rioters and they-who-must-not-be-named:

There can be no condoning the rioting, which seems to have grown both in extent and violence since it erupted on Oct. 27. In hundreds of towns and neighborhoods, French-Arab and French-African youths have burned cars, businesses and public buildings and fought with the police and firefighters. Bystanders have been beaten, and one has now died. This wave of criminal violence is likely to reinforce prejudices against France's five million to six million Muslims.

The Gray Lady's reserves her chagrin for the ineptitude of the French government's response to the crisis:

As shocking as the riots that have swept through the depressed outskirts of Paris and other French cities over the past two weeks has been the flailing response of President Jacques Chirac and his ministers. They appear to have no idea what to do and to whom to talk. Their floundering illustrates the deeper problems that underlie the current unrest: a failed approach to absorbing immigrants into society, an out-of-touch political elite and ministers more interested in a presidential election that's still nearly two years away than in coming up with answers for today's literally burning problems.

I've had my differences with the Times. However, I must give credit when credit is due. Today, the Times nails the problem of President Chirac's tepid response head on. France just doesn't get it. The cabinet continues to bicker and position while the country literally burns. Pathetic.