hl mencken referred to ww1 as a great show, from his pov as a newspaper man. i think he'd call the current realities in europe in a similar fashion; 

 

President Emmanuel Macron hit out on Wednesday at what he called “unacceptable and stupid” comments by foreign leaders, including Donald Trump, about the riots in France allegedly being carried out by migrants.

Trump, whose Republican Party is facing midterm elections in two weeks, has repeatedly brought up the violence and looting in France since demonstrations spiralled on Saturday. He warned voters to “just look at France”, blaming immigration for the violence and stating that “Paris is going to be a Muslim city very soon”.

Asked whether there had been foreign interference to stoke the riots, Macron on Wednesday said there was no evidence of that.

“However, there has been a foreign manipulation of information since then, and that has led to some unacceptable and stupid comments from many foreign leaders,” Macron told reporters on a visit to Qatar, later specifying when asked that Trump “was among them”.

{snip}

Macron and his government have come under fire for an underwhelming police response and for underestimating the size of demonstrations and the threat from the ultra-left groups they suspect of being behind some of the most violent acts, including the torching of a city hall in Limoges.

They have vowed to avoid a repeat, including ahead of new protests called for this coming Saturday, and pledged a “massive” police presence and help from the army.........https://www.amren.com/news/2026/10/macron-hits-out-at-stupid-trump-remarks-about-riots-in-france/