NJ
I think the ban is symbolic. Given the tide of PC in Europe, it is somewhat of a surprising but still selective statement by the French Govt (given that they should be doing other things like licensing Imams, Mosques and Islamic schools in relation to their content), but the ban still represents some sort of line in the sand by France - otherwise, there appears to be little other symbolic resistance going on.
As for those incensed by the idea that there should be any controls whatsoever in relation to what this culture is imposing on others, they are indeed hypocritically silent at what is being imposed and the punishments on the other side of the coin in places like Iran, Saudi Arabia and Aceh (to name a few of the worst offenders).
