Small world.

 
 

Signs of the times in Madison, Wis. Who might imagine Americans protesting for economic justice would someday take their lead from compatriots for justice in the streets of Alexandria and Cairo? (And Tunis, Amman, Tripoli...)

As for the second sign, it's an intriguing thought, if coarsely put.

There's historic precedent for that gambit. It was called "revenge of the cradle," the means, through prolific procreation urged by Catholic clerics, to swamp the English who defeated New France in 1759. The generations-long practice, extending well into the 20th century, worked like a charm. One example: Quebec City, former HQ of New France, which extended into the U.S. Midwest and down the Mississippi to New Orleans, was a majority English-speaking city in the 1850s. Today it is more unilingual French than Paris or Lyon.

So yes, revenge of the cradle. "Progressives of the world, procreate! You have nothing to lose but your chains."

Or course, some of you will give birth to clones of David Frum, who was, I understand, born in a blue suit. But the odds are with you.  

Photos: AP

 

 

 

Comments

[André Chénier]

"..the English who defeated New France in 1759..".

Technically they didn't. Canadian militia, along with French soldiers, defeated the British troops some months after the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. Canada was lost at the negotiating table, not on the battle field.

Quebec City unilingual ? Not really. Some level of service in English is available most any where in the city. Much more than French services in London Ontario, I can assure you. And who ever associates the word "unilingualism" with that city?

So glad you're back, David. It was always a bit depressing to see those goats on the dam every morning I checked your site.