John Kerry: Too French to be U.S. president? [Read French maps in Vietnam, saved lives]

Portland Daily Vanguard ^ | May 21, 2004 | Domenico Maceri

[jdege]

Speaking Spanish may be an advantage. There are people who speak Spanish who have things worth listening to.

Ditto for Russian, Polish, Arabic, Hindu, Chinese, Tagalog, etc.

But French?

[sticker]

Is this American media talking about kerry or North Korean media talking about kim?

[New Perspective]

What an ass this writer is. Always making it look better for Kerry any time they can.

[Burkeman1]

Take Latin instead. Then you can pretty much guess at what something means in writing for at least 50 percent of the words in Italian, French, Spanish.

[tet68]

Fluency in a foreign language translates into knowledge of the culture and an understanding of the people who live where the language is spoken.

Hogwash.

If that was true, then all those people who speak ENGLISH
would understand and have a knowledge of Britain and America, and there are a lot of folks in the middle east who
do and don't.

[cspackler]

"So, why did you vote for Kerry?"

"Well, he speaks French, doesn't he? Isn't that enough?"

[Fenris6]

"Given that the United States is the sole superpower in a multilingual world, a president fluent in more than one language would in all likelihood do a better job than a monolingual one."

Why do people this stupid get column space?

[TrueBeliever9]

Too funny! Kerry is laying low because of his French connections! Was that what Alexandra Kerry was doing in Cannes - laying low? Don't let those French inhibit you Alex!

[jimbo123]

[Lance Romance]

When Kerry served in Vietnam, he was apparently able to read French maps and that knowledge may have helped him save lives.

Translation: French Battle Plan: Have overwhelming force, get ass kicked, surrender and wait for Americans to come save our ass.

Saved lives? Give me a break. I'm sure all maps were translated into English by the time JFK hit the beaches of Vietnam. However, being able to order a croissant is very helpful in the battlefield.

[Gippers Brigade]

Actually, French is very practical. My admittedly limited French knowledge gained from high school has served me greatly recently. I couldn't have got around in Morocco without it and I was amazed at how many people still use French in SE Asia, including Thailand and Laos.


It's like bizarro world these days, speaking French (heaven forbid 'looking' French) is a liability and Purple Hearts and Silver Stars are a sham, oh well.

[COUNTrecount]

For Kerry, his knowledge of French has already been beneficial at both a personal and a professional level. He used French to communicate with Teresa Heinz early in their relationship and he eventually married her.


He may be proficient with a French tickler as well.It's always a plus when a President has such a skill.

[johnb838]

Was this article written by someone at 8th grade reading level?

[johnb838]

It's like bizarro world these days, speaking French (heaven forbid 'looking' French) is a liability and Purple Hearts and Silver Stars are a sham, oh well.

What in the heck are you talking about?

[Dinsdale]

French maps?

What are they, printed in mirror image to confuse?

[Gaelic]

Toasting the American "Mouche a Merde"

[Davis]

John Kerry needs to read Cooter's new letter.

[Wissa]

When Kerry served in Vietnam...

Is that for real? First I've heard of it!

[Terabitten]

French maps

I'm glad I'm not the only one who suddenly went, "Huh?" when reading this. Hell, I've used Russian, Hungarian, even Turkish maps. A terrain feature is a terrain feature is a terrain feature, regardless of how you say "hill."