I have a feeling that France may soon re-learn how terrorism is a problem that cannot be solved with negotiation. From an audio-tape recorded by Al Quaeda's number two:

"The decision of the French president to issue a law to prevent Muslim girls from covering their heads in schools is another example of the Crusader's envy, which Westerners have against Muslims," the voice said in Al-Arabiya's tape. "This envy boils in their hearts and overflows in their chests and they pass it on to the generations."

Now ask yourself: this Islamist is pissed off about France's plan to ban headscarves; how do you think he will take action against this affront to his religion?

A. A challenge in the court system
B. Organize Muslim protests
C. Strap explosives to someone and have them execute some innocent civilians

Yes, "C," very good.

France has faced terrorism long before the US, and will continue to walk a fine line between appeasement of its growing Muslim demographic and fighting terror, but unless this country takes a strategic view of what is effectively the stirrings of a clash of civilizations, union strikes to maintain 35-hour workweeks will be the least of their worries.