ma1939

I have to admit I don't think I have recently seen a more insipid spectacle played out on the stage of foreign relations than the current Franco-American row. Now Powell wants to "punish" the French for exercising their veto power. So because France's foreign policy is not tethered to the whims of an alien power, like America's has been for the last 50+ years, they should be punished? And what is this historical "debt" France owes America? Afterall,...

France gave the American colonists weapons and supplies during the War of Independence. Without French entry into the war, the Revolution would have faltered. France was allied with America in the War of 1812. Napoleon gave America the Louisiana territory for a fraction of what it was worth. France supplied and trained American troops in WWI. In WWII, French Resistance fighters saved many downed American pilots and thousands more troops would have been slaughtered in the Normandy invasion without Resistance intelligence on German troop movement and strength. The French government let America keep military bases in France for almost 20 years after the war ended. France has erected monuments to America's fallen soldiers. France gave America the Statue of Liberty.

Again, what is this "debt" France owes America? And when, in the history of international relations, has altruism guided a nation's foreign policy, save for one notable exception which instantly comes to my mind.

Zar

This entire row is stupid. I want to puke my guts out every time I see an American newspaper pandering to this French-bashing. France and the United States are bound by so much mutual history and back and forth contributions, it is amazing. I mean, Thomas Jefferson, t founding father of the U.S. was accused of being a Francophile. To be honest, I am a Francophile like Jefferson. I love France. If I could transplant some of France to the U.S., I definitely would. If I were an architect or city planner, I would employ some of the French city planning. For god's sake, Chicago, the place I live, has French influence deep in its history (not the Eisenhower-era, desolate suburbs of Chicago).

I've been to Paris twice, and I fell in love both times. I simply do not understand why some Americans have so much trouble over there. I found the French to be quite nice, and certainly much more polite than New Yorkers. I figure the Americans that have trouble in France must be assholes. So far, after getting to know the people who told horror stories of France, I can see why they had a hard time: they were arrogant suburban idiots with zero tolerance of another culture. Duh!

That doesn't mean I think France is entitled to attack any country it pleases, but then again, they are not the one's doing so at this juncture.

Cap'n Jack

Found this website http://www.miquelon.org/journalists.html
It makes for some interesting and at times scary reading.

I have been to France many times, usually staying in the country. Very nice people, wonderful history and culture. Yeah they can be unwelcoming to foreigners at times, but that can be said about any country.

Zar

There is nothing I hate more than references to entire websites. Get specific, please.

Cap'n Jack

Jeez your rude! It has a lot to do with this topic, just read it! It shows the insane anti French sentiment, thats going around (its not unbiased, though).

Zar

Rude? No, not by any stretch. What point are you trying to make? It is very diffuse to refer to a whole webiste. As purely tactical advice, make a point and perhaps something can grow from that. Maybe people will start to visit the site if the article is good.

This applies to friends and foes.

lunachick

LOL! Zar, as much as I enjoy your posts and worldview, give the guy a break!

As far as I can see, he was merely agreeing with you about the French people, and providing a link that may be of interest with regard to current Franco-American relations and the mindless French-bashing.

Holy Moses, good man! Cap'n Jack appears to be friend, not foe. Someone who wanted to enter a conversation, a discussion; not a fishing contest!

lunachick

Twilight zone moment. You edited that in, as I was posting friend and foe.

It's a good thing it's Saturday night and I have beer.

Cap'n Jack

It makes the point itself. I don't want to take the credit for someone else's hard work. I was more interested in other peoples opinions, than listening to my own.

Cap'n Jack

That pretty much sums up what I had intended from my post. Thanks.