France closes embassies & schools over new Muhammad cartoon

[CeeKay]

France has temporarily closed its embassies and schools in 20 countries after a satirical magazine in Paris published insulting cartoons of the Muslim prophet Muhammad, a move it fears will add “fuel to the fire” of global tensions over an anti-Islam film.

“We have indeed decided as a precautionary measure to close our premises, embassies, consulates, cultural centers and schools,” a Foreign Ministry spokesman told Reuters.

Riot police were also sent to the offices of the weekly magazine, Charlie Hebdo.

The publication came amid widespread outrage over a crude, provocative film, made by anti-Islam campaigners in California, that mocked the Prophet and ignited days of deadly protests including an attack in Libya in which U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens was killed.

The front page cartoon had the figure in a wheelchair saying "You mustn't mock'' under the headline "Untouchable 2'', a reference to a hugely popular French movie about a paralyzed rich white man and his black assistant.

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/19/13958548-france-shutters-embassies-schools-over-new-muhammad-cartoon?lite&ocid=msnhp

damn, is France trying to take some of the heat off of us? 

[hepcat]

Let's look back at the other times they've closed their embassies, shall we?

1) French reporter mistakenly pronounces "Washington" as "Washingtin".  Embassies close for two weeks in fear of retaliation.

2) French citizen accidentally scratches a German tourist's car during rush hour traffic.  Embassies close for a month.

3) French bread found to have more calories than other breads.  Embassies closed for 4 days and most French farmers go into hiding.