[desertcry]

Typical of the french, they don't want any responsibility, but want to poke their dirty fingers in NATO's business. Lovable qualities isn't it. Exactly like the demonrats modus operandi.

[Prodigal Son]

If you must think of the French at all ;-) think of their nation as a woman. An exceedingly difficult woman. A high maintenance woman- as they say here. She will add nothing really useful to the situation at hand but will be full of criticism for all that you do. She will ignore your every advance but would castrate you if you ignore her.

Have you ever read this story- The Little Prince? It is a very nice story by a Frenchman. The French liked it so much that for a while, they put an image of the Little Prince on their money- before the Euro came... In this story (it is fitting I think) the Rose is a very good metaphor for France. She doesn't really need the Little Prince to take care of her with a glass cover and what-not but she wants it. You see? She does not need the Little Prince to stay and look after her, but to her this is love. When the Little Prince leaves her and discovers that she was not so special... Well, the story gets sad there but you see... France is like a difficult woman.

LOL.