Why do Liberals hold France up as a model for why socialism "works" so well?

In France, the country that every Liberal in America sites as a "good' model of socialism, actress Brigett Bardot is standing trial for "inciting racial hatred". Two part question 1) If Liberals had there way and asinine laws such as this went into effect here in the U.S. wouldn't the "reverend" Wright be charged with it? and 2)