PARTLY FACETIOUS: Macron's flawed approach

"On 2 October French President Macron announced new laws to combat what he termed radical Islam..."

"Yes that's right and now local officials in France would have extra legal powers to combat terrorism, which are almost certainly going to allow for greater racial profiling, as well as placing mosques under greater control and imams would be required to be trained and certified in France...."

"Isn't that what the Soviets did too?"

"Hmm and Macron said he wanted to liberate French Islam from foreign influences and wait there is a carrot or so Marcon reckoned and the carrot is to invest money in education particularly Islamic culture and civilisation..."

"And how much is that different from what the West is accusing China of doing with the Uighurs."

"You say tomato the English way and I say tomato the American way."

"Indeed - Erdogan blasted Macron and raised questions about his mental health which the EU guy said was unacceptable...."

"And what would the EU do if Erdogan continues?'

"I guess sanctions and then more sanctions till they begin to bite anyway The Khan added his voice to that of Erdogan on 25 October - nearly three and a half weeks later so kind of delayed reaction..."

"It's the dratted Pakistan Democratic Movement jalsas and their attacks and they kind of distracted him."

"Okay anyway The Khan tweeted that the "hallmark of a leader is he unites human beings, as Mandela did, rather than dividing them. his is a time when Pres Macron could have put healing touch & denied space to extremists rather than creating further polarisation & marginalisation that inevitably leads to radicalization."

"Are you being facetious?"

"Good heavens no I mean our economic ties with France are negligible, not much money coming in if you know what I mean, besides personally I would reckon the right way to go is to stop buying French...."

"No I meant The Khan urges unity while domestically? I rest my case."

"As I said before you say tomato the English way and I say tomato the US way."

"I always like British English but given a choice would immigrate to the US."

"Ah but you don't have enough money so no choice my friend."

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020