French retirement protests take violent turn

The AP reports:

Masked youths clashed with police and set fires in cities across France on Tuesday as protests against a proposed hike in the retirement age took an increasingly radical turn. Hundreds of flights were canceled, long lines formed at gas stations and train service in many regions was cut in half.

President Nicolas Sarkozy pledged to crack down on "troublemakers" and guarantee public order, raising the possibility of more confrontations with young rioters after a week of disruptive but largely nonviolent demonstrations.

Sarkozy also vowed to find a solution to the fuel crisis that has seen more than 1,000 gas stations shuttered nationwide.

American progressives will tell you France is a more humane society. Got that?