On October 27, rioting began in the suburbs of France when two youths were electrocuted and killed as they hid from the police in a power station. The riots, motivated by what French citizens see as an extreme case of racial inequality, have raged on ever since, practically crippling the country. Even as curfews are imposed and greater security measures are taken, the riots continue and only grow worse with each passing day.

While these events are horrifying, the response from other countries to France’s plight has been less than praise-worthy. Governments all across the world, including our own, are using these riots as an excuse to take cheap shots at France. The United States, who most recently disowned France to the point of renaming “French Fries,” have made their position official. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said, “This is a matter for the French government and the French people to address.” Fox News, always the epitome of sensitivity, have been broadcasting headlines reading “Paris Burning!” over pictures of the Eiffel Tower set against a back drop of flames.

One can understand why many countries would be less than sympathetic towards the French government. After the events of 9/11, France refused to take part in the war against Iraq. Many saw this as a cowardly act, one that proved the French were a selfish government out only to protect themselves. Admittedly, this was entirely possible.

But is the response from the US government one of mature thinking or simply a chance to “get back” at a country that wouldn’t come to our aid when it was believed we needed it most. In the past, the US has always done its ready best to defend to the poor, the threatened, the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” (as stated on our Statue of Liberty, a gift from France.) Will we now ignore the problems facing another country and sit contentedly while France implodes on itself?

Right now, with all of the scandals in the White House and the dissension over the war in Iraq, there is nothing our country needs more than to show a little compassion. There is so much hatred and anger over our current position in the war, that even many of those who once supported it are changing their views. Why then, should we continue to hold animosity towards a country that chose to remain neutral? While France may never ask for help, nor we ever offer it, the very least the government could do is express concern over what is truly a horribly tragedy in a beautiful country.

There is nothing wrong with believing a country should take care of their own. But now is not the time to be bitter. The time has come to be the “bigger” country. France may not be perfect, but neither are we.