Following the attack on a church in Normandy, French President Hollande gave the following political run-around. "The threat remains very high. We are confronted with a group, Daesh, which has declared war on us. We have to wage war by every means, (but through) upholding the law, which is because we are a democracy. ... I owe you the truth. -- this war will be long. What it's aimed at is our democracy. Our democracy is our target and it will be our strength, because our unity is our strength. It's with perseverance that we will succeed. In that way we will be able to win the war against fanaticism and pain, and we will win this war." Replace "democracy" with "mob" or "mob rule," depending on the context. Sounds less regal, doesn't it? [quote]Our democracy is our target and it will be our strength[/quote] You think ISIS and Co. hates France because you cast ballots? You think they'll leave you alone if you stop voting? Ignorant. Democracy is a form of governance, and it isn't inherently more virtuous than another form. Democracy has been an important part of Western civilization, no doubt, but it isn't necessarily a sacred and virtuous system. Voting on how to torture somebody might give everybody a voice in the issue, but it doesn't necessarily make the decided action moral. Regardless of how ISIS feels about voting, I can assure you that transitioning to a monarchy won't stop the attacks. My favorite part? [quote]I owe you the truth.[/quote] I'm -blam!-ing flattered, Hollande. Your thoughts on the matter...?