Posted on 11/28/2004 9:22:01 PM PST by quidnunc
Paris U.S. diplomats here respond to Jacques Chirac's continued Yankee-bashing following George W. Bush's re-election by saying the French president is out of step with his people, who are not nearly that anti-American. But thoughtful Frenchmen believe President Chirac is mining a deep vein of sentiment among fellow citizens that transcends President Bush.
During a week in Paris, I encountered none of the rudeness I had been warned to expect because of my nationality. However, the question goes beyond amenities to visitors. One French intellectual described anti-Americanism to me as "a cancer that is sweeping across the country." It may not be as deadly as cancer, but it surely is not healthy for France.
The chronic nature of French hostility toward the United States contradicts claims by Bush's domestic critics that his unilateral policies caused deterioration of Franco-American relations. It is less the U.S. with a French problem than France burdened with a serious American problem.
On his recent visit to London, Chirac pressed for "multipolarity": a return to international rivalries that produced the carnage of the 20th century. He also suggested there was no point trying to repair his country's difficulties with Washington and taunted British Prime Minister Tony Blair because "our American friends" do not "pay back favors." Mocking Donald Rumsfeld's designation of France as "Old Europe," he pretended not to remember the secretary of defense's name and referred to him, sarcastically, as "that nice guy of America."
State Department officials thought Chirac would reach out to Washington once Bush was re-elected, and U.S. diplomats here say he has misread French opinion. On the contrary, playing the anti-American card is seen in political circles here as Chirac's strongest position as he prepares to run for a third five-year term in 2007.
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(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...
I was pleasantly surprised to receive a package last week containing a letter and a 'Badge of Normandy Invasion 2004' given to all vets who were involved in 1944--it was issued in appreciation for the liberation of France at the 60th Anniversary of the landings--it was sent by the Consul de France in Wash. DC so I guess all is not really lost in our relations with some of France---
My only visit to France was back in 1985. Beautiful country, beautiful sites to visit, beautiful scenery, but we were definitely looked down upon because we couldn't speak French, especially in the large cities. Fortunately, many of the signs along the roads and in the subways, etc., were either international symbols or also written in English.
We stayed in rooms in the small towns nearby, though, and had a wonderful time, and were treated well, and had a great time.
Oh, but we do, Jacques. Watch your back.
I'm old enough (sadly) to know that France has been a problem for the U.S. and Nato for at least 50 years. As I recall, France refused to fully integrate with the Nato military command, thus making Europe more vulnerable. They developed their own nuclear ballistic missile program. They were always a prideful pain in the butt and there has never been anything high minded about their foreign policy.
Congrats, My Dad was stationed in the Pacific, Navy.
My Father in Law was in the Battle of the Bulge. Army.
What is happening in France is tragic but they have done it to themselves.
I wonder who will save them from this one.
The French have toyed with Marxist like governments long before Marx read a little history and with a giant quantity of arrogance along with a correspondingly small grasp of reality wrote Dos Capital. Little has really changed in France since that time. As a result, the French revolution consisted of almost fifteen years of the worst pogroms in mankind's history. Dare I say it, "Reminiscent of Genghis Khan". The only difference is that old Genghis was a little more humane in his technique. It's no surprise to me that they're still supporting the likes of Saddam Husein to this very day with they're easily bought loyalties. It took the Eastern and Southern Europeans to save them from the last great Muslim Jihad
I wonder who will save them from this one.
"It may not be as deadly as cancer, but it surely is not healthy for France."
The average French person must not be aware of what is happening. They are in the process of being overtaken by political correctness, socialism, and greed, not to mention radical Islam. The cumulative results are going to bite them in the ass, AGAIN.
Then what are we going to do?
He eez zee snail poop!
He eez zee snail poop!
No nation in history that turns against the Jews ever prospers; to the contrary, they wither.
French should know better. Tsk Tsk.
Screw the French; they are nothing but backstabbing, PC, appeasing cowards. I still boycott French crap because I want NONE of my money to go to Jacques-strap Chirac and his failing socialist government. France is nothing but a farce.
Don't look at me. I have an appointment with a cold beer on that day.
Nuclear weapons age. Inspectors in Russia found that many of their vaunted nukes had gone past their shelf life, so to speak.
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