Of course, Finkielkraut was proved totally wrong, but the tones of his discourse (and Sarkozy's) shaped the perceptions--the misperceptions--of many people.  Likewise, the media (in France or the U.S.), never really tried to correct these misperceptions, at least not on the evening news.

I haven't read all the excellent diaries that were posted here during that time since 2005 or 2006, so I'm sure I'm just reposting what you wrote.