PARIS — Scores of people died in what French President Francois Hollande described a series of unprecedented terrorist attacks around Paris Friday, Reuters reported. CNN reported the death toll had risen to 149, including 112 at a theater where hostages were taken, citing the French Interior Ministry.
A police assault ended the hostage-taking at the Bataclan, a Paris concert venue where people were randomly slaughtered by the attackers, according to the Associated Press. It said at least two attackers were killed, but not before tossing explosives at the hostages.
There was a much-beloved quote circulated among leftists, often attributed to Sinclair Lewis, that "when fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." In light of recent episodes of mob action on American campuses, the quote needs updating: When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in "diversity" and demanding "safe spaces."
Demand is the key word. It marks the essential authoritarianism at work here. At the University of Missouri, students "demanded" that (now-former) university President Tim Wolfe write a "handwritten" letter of apology acknowledging his "white, male privilege." Among his alleged sins was apparently not doing enough to shield so-called "marginalized students" from feeling upset after a black criminal, Michael Brown, was killed by the police officer he had assaulted. Another sin was driving away when a mob surrounded Wolfe's car at homecoming festivities. Wolfe has since apologized, groveled ("my apology is long overdue") and resigned. Good riddance.
