First, Chirac is not bashing the US.
Second, is the french government responsible for the heat wave?
Third, the previous socialist government had instituted the 35 hours work per week, and many nurses were not replaced during the vacation period.
Fourth, the alarm (coming from an organism coordinating the info) was too late to save all those elderly people.
Fith, there are statistics in France. How about the other countries?
Sixth, elederly people being left alone, while the children go on vacation isn't just a french habit.
Seventh, it's 192 short of 1,5000 (not more) and it's the entire month of august and not just the first 15 days, when an earlier info about the death toll was released.

But it's true it is a tragedy and a personal one for many.

Raoul