Bush, Chirac visit in New Orleans appears off

Times-Picayune ^ | 10-28-2003

[mikenola]

WASHINGTON -- Prospects for a December meeting between President Bush and French President Jacques Chirac to mark the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase in New Orleans appeared all but dead Monday as officials from both countries conceded a lack of movement.

[gbunch]

We don't need or want Commie Chiraq here!

Mr. President, come on down!

[Roughneck]

I heard on Fox News that it was FRENCH arms used at the hotel bombong.

Wonder if chirac expects any invitation from USA in his near future? I hope not.

[Roughneck]

as the ideal opportunity to show the world that the two longtime allies had overcome a difficult year in which anti-French backlash spawned "freedom fries" and sales of French wine plummeted in the United States

We have not OVERCOME anything! I dont care what GWB says - the American POEPLE have SPOKEN!

[Verginius Rufus]

Chirac should not be invited until he apologizes in public for comparing the attacks on the U.S. forces in Iraq to the French resistance against the Nazis (there actually was some, even if most of the French sat the war out). While he's at it he can apologize for sending weapons to Saddam while the arms embargo was on, and for the French insults to the U.S. at the time of the XYZ Affair.

The man who sold Louisiana to the U.S. wasn't a real Frenchman anyway, but a Corsican. Vive la Corse libre!

[Tacis]

The N.O. hookers made it clear to Chirac that this time they'd take no checks (the last ones bounced) but only cash, in US dollars. So, he's not coming.

[mikenola]

If Chirac wants to come, he can give a speech where he:

1. admits arming Saddam
2. admits milking the oil-for-food programme
3. apologizes
4. and offers 10,000 troops plus $2b

If he does that we'd love to have him!

[sully777]

The French sent an enormous army to retake Louisiana from USA after selling it then retaking it from the Spanish previous to selling the territory to a francophile president by the name of Jefferson.

Before the French were to march on the USA, retaking Louisiana territory, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and any further conquests it desired they set their sites on the small colony of Haiti. The Haitian slaves just won independence for the entire island of Hispaniola but were greatly outnumbered by the French as they landed on the island.

Short version of the story: The French almost lost entire army to malaria, yellow fever, etc. that didn't seem to affect Haitians. Haiti remained free. Jefferson learned valuable lesson about french diplomacy. Also, Jefferson's butt was saved. USA later won Battle of N.O. against Brits and became single greatest richest country on earth within a century.

I think Bush cancelling Chiraq's visit is filled with historic and modern symbolism which is probably lost on a people that regard Woody Allen and Jerry Lewis as genuises.

[Nonstatist]

When is Chirac up for re-election? Lets just wait until he leaves.

[sully777]

The French sent an enormous army to retake Louisiana from USA after selling it then retaking it from the Spanish previous to selling the territory to a francophile president by the name of Jefferson.

Before the French were to march on the USA, retaking Louisiana territory, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and any further conquests it desired they set their sites on the small colony of Haiti. The Haitian slaves just won independence for the entire island of Hispaniola but were greatly outnumbered by the French as they landed on the island.

Short version of the story: The French almost lost entire army to malaria, yellow fever, etc. that didn't seem to affect Haitians. Haiti remained free. Jefferson learned valuable lesson about french diplomacy. Also, Jefferson's butt was saved. USA later won Battle of N.O. against Brits and became single greatest richest country on earth within a century.

I think Bush cancelling Chiraq's visit is filled with historic and modern symbolism which is probably lost on a people that regard Woody Allen and Jerry Lewis as genuises.

[Cobra64]

If W sends the invitation to Jock-Strap Shellac, I will pull a Tom Dashle sentiment, "I am saddened. Deeply saddened."

[Sacajaweau]

France got the LP by accident and passed it on because they didn't want to spend any more bucks. "Dump it", said the French. "Grab the money and run".

[Romulus]

The French sent an enormous army to retake Louisiana from USA after selling it then retaking it from the Spanish previous to selling the territory to a francophile president by the name of Jefferson.

Louisiana was nver sold to the Spanish. The French never attempted to take Louisiana back from the USA. The chief reason they sold it to the US is that they realised they'd never be able to hold it anyway. Your "history" is a tissue of fictions.

USA later won Battle of N.O. against Brits and became single greatest richest country on earth within a century.

And Haiti is a hell-hole that might've remained prosperous and pleasant if the French had managed to hold it.

[sully777]

Totally disagree with your assertions. History proves it out that french sent large army to retake Haiti and Louisiana. Jefferson was beside himself because he loved the french. Jefferson had a serious political problem with Federalist Party, as well as western settlers. He wiped his brow when the French suffered biological defeat in Haiti.

The French and Spanish held Lousiana at times due to hereditary claims through Hapsburgs, etc.. Spain was hoodwinked when french sold "their" territory to USA for cash. If French reacquired Lousiana, they would also seek Florida which was a Spanish holding. Remember, Napoleon married into the Hapsburg dynasty. His victories allowed him to claim former/current Spanish colonies in the world. Believe it or not, Napoleon was the hitler of his generation; I don't think it was beneath him to retake something he sold.

One citation off the top of my head for this historical event is a recent History Channel's look at the Purchase.

[Sacajaweau]

Quote from a 100 year old history book: There's a little more to it than this but it's the gist of the affair. You really should have a time-frame map in front of you.

"The Spanish Governor of Louisiana, in violation of a 1795 Treaty, refused permission of the traders on the Mississippi to deposit their products at New Orleans. This act, so injurious, so injurious to their commerce, caused a great commotion among the people beyond the mountains.

The government was called upon to redress thse grievances; the western people must have the privilege fo freely navigating the Mississippi, or they would seize New Orleans, and drive the Spaniards from the territory.

At this crisis intimations came from Paris that Spain, by a secret Treaty had ceded Louisiana to France. Bonaparte's vision of restoring the French power on this continent had become somewhat dim, especially as the overpowering fleet of Great Britain would seize and occupy the mouth of the Mississippi, whenever it was known that it belonged to France.

To avoid this contingency, he was willing to sell the entire territory of Louisiana to the United States. Accordingly, Robert R. Livingston, American Minister at Paris, commenced negotiations, which resulted in the purchase of that region for fifteen million dollars. The rights and privileges of American Citizens were guaranteed to the inhabitants of the purchased territory.

When the sale was completed, Bonaparte is said to have exclaimed: "This cession of territory strengthens forever the power of the United States; I have just given to England a maritime rival that will sooner or later humble her pride."

[sully777]

My position is post-LP sale not current to LP sale. I'll stick to my original position.

It will be noted that France caused a further problem with the USA during the mid-1800's by installing Maxmillian I as Emporer of Mexico. Max was a close relation to Napoleon III. France was trying to reassert herself in the Amercas once again. And true to her nature, she sought a conflict with the USA. France should be thankful her inital attempts were thwarted because the US later helped her after Napoleon III stunning defeat to the Prussians.