Posted on 04/07/2005 12:17:39 PM PDT by Bushwacker777
On March 8, tens of thousands of high school students marched through central Paris to protest education reforms announced by the government. Repeatedly, peaceful demonstrators were attacked by bands of black and Arab youths--about 1,000 in all, according to police estimates. The eyewitness accounts of victims, teachers, and most interestingly the attackers themselves gathered by the left-wing daily Le Monde confirm the motivation: racism.
Some of the attackers openly expressed their hatred of "little French people." One 18-year-old named Heikel, a dual citizen of France and Tunisia, was proud of his actions. He explained that he had joined in just to "beat people up," especially "little Frenchmen who look like victims." He added with a satisfied smile that he had "a pleasant memory" of repeatedly kicking a student, already defenseless on the ground.
Another attacker explained the violence by saying that "little whites" don't know how to fight and "are afraid because they are cowards." Rachid, an Arab attacker, added that even an Arab can be considered a "little white" if he "has a French mindset."
We're not talking about an organized military force here. We're talking about a group of college-age, middle-class protestors. Small groups of Muslim thugs would pick out a few kids at a time to victimize. Imagine a pack of hyenas picking off weak members of the herd.
The fact of the matter is, most people really do not want to get involved to help other people who are being assaulted.
If you've ever been in a large protest environment, you'll realize that it's mostly composed of small groups of people with little relation to one another. A small group of determined thugs can steal and assault people in such an environment pretty much at will.
Ouch.
As an example, think back to what happened in NYC during the Puerto Rican day parade a few years back.
And the best of all, they are hardworking, usually Christian, and most definitely not Muslim!
Somehow the notion of the Eiffel Tower being used as a prayer tower provokes riotous laughter in me!
No it's not, it's historical for the French. The Muslims will have a field day.
"They may not have deserved it, but they still invited it."
Your statement is just as bad as the people who said 911 was OUR own fault! Weren't you outraged by that being said? It's just as outrageous for us to blame the victims in this.
As far as being more like us... I don't think our government is doing everything they can to protect our borders. I guess if we are attacked again we will have invited it to happen? When all of the America haters go out in the streets to celebrate the attack, will you feel they are justified?
But both sides are already nothing but losers.
I will indulge in the mousse au chocolat offered at a Paris restaurant "l'Assiete au Boeuf" while on my honeymoon. Itwas served in a large bowl, from which you took as much as you cared for. I still laugh at my wife taking a huge portion, convinced she could eat it all, and not being able to finish even half! While I heartily question French politics and foreign policy, I have always liked the French language, (most of) its people, and its food.
If 5 ethnic minorities were to physically assault/attack 50 whites here in the US and the majority whites were to whup their butts, who do you think would go to jail and be charged?
Probably the same in Paris....
...these students have been conditioned not to respond by a society that likes to pamper criminal minorities. We have that happening in the US also... we aren't that different. They're just a smaller country and political correctness has thoroughly saturated their culture.
You jumped to some kinda conclusions there.
Anyway, all that chest beating notwithstanding, its happening here whether you like it or not, so I see nothing for us to giggle about re: those French kids.
I've been to school in France, I speak basic French, and I truly believe that the urban French - this generation, at least -hold Americans in contempt. I wouldn't wish this on them, but even more, I don't wish the same on us.
"Its happening here." Well, maybe in the Sitzspinkler Yuppie SoCal world you live in where people are "afraid" of Mexicans (totally irrational in most cases). In the rest of the country, no. We still defend and (for the most part) respect eachother in the rest of the country.
Speaking as one who has spent time among Arabs in Paris and worked as a counselor in the Barrio in Chicago with Mexican-American youths, I can tell you that we are lucky that we are inundated with the latter than with the former. The California tighta-sses on this site have no need to worry. Their grandkids and great-grandkids will be intermarrying with the same people you are currently scared of.
The minorities. There would be 50 witnesses saying they were the attackers.
You've let the media manipulate your urbanized Califonicator mind.
It never ceases to amaze me how many Californians are afraid of minorities and even more scared of taking a stand for their lives. Cali Freepers may have red state politics, but still remain blue state pantywaists at heart.
In most cases, it is common sense. A few years back, a couple of black kids decided to lay it into a larger crowd of white kids on a train platform. The white kids fought back. No hate crime charge, and all witnesses present verified that the others started it.
Don't mean to get too racial here, but this is a racialized discussion anyway.
"While I heartily question French politics and foreign policy, I have always liked the French language, (most of) its people, and its food."
With your question of the politics and the foreign policy, and liking the language and the food, you sound as if you're French!
But one jarring note: you like (most of) the people.
Clearly, then, you are not French.
There is a French saying:
"When the good Lord made this world, he decided to make one perfect place. And so he made France.
Then he began to have second thoughts about what he had done. So he filled it with the French."
The Complete Military History of France
We are still accepting submissions from history researchers.
Last update: October 18, 2004.
- Gallic Wars
- Lost. In a war whose ending foreshadows the next 2000 years of French history, France is conquered by of all things, an Italian.
- Hundred Years War
- Mostly lost, saved at last by female schizophrenic who inadvertently creates The First Rule of French Warfare; "France's armies are victorious only when not led by a Frenchman." Sainted.
- Italian Wars
- Lost. France becomes the first and only country to ever lose two wars when fighting Italians.
- Wars of Religion
- France goes 0-5-4 against the Huguenots
- Thirty Years War
- France is technically not a participant, but manages to get invaded anyway. Claims a tie on the basis that eventually the other participants started ignoring her.
- War of Revolution
- Tied. Frenchmen take to wearing red flowerpots as chapeaux.
- The Dutch War
- Tied
- War of the Augsburg League/King William's War/French and Indian War
- Lost, but claimed as a tie. Three ties in a row induces deluded Frogophiles the world over to label the period as the height of French military power.
- War of the Spanish Succession
- Lost. The War also gave the French their first taste of a Marlborough, which they have loved every since.
- American Revolution
- In a move that will become quite familiar to future Americans, France claims a win even though the English colonists saw far more action. This is later known as "de Gaulle Syndrome", and leads to the Second Rule of French Warfare; "France only wins when America does most of the fighting."
- French Revolution
- Won, primarily due the fact that the opponent was also French.
- The Napoleonic Wars
- Lost. Temporary victories (remember the First Rule!) due to leadership of a Corsican, who ended up being no match for a British footwear designer.
- The Franco-Prussian War
- Lost. Germany first plays the role of drunk Frat boy to France's ugly girl home alone on a Saturday night.
- World War I
- Tied and on the way to losing, France is saved by the United States. Thousands of French women find out what it's like to not only sleep with a winner, but one who doesn't call her "Fraulein." Sadly, widespread use of condoms by American forces forestalls any improvement in the French bloodline.
- World War II
- Lost. Conquered French liberated by the United States and Britain just as they finish learning the Horst Wessel Song.
- War in Indochina
- Lost. French forces plead sickness; take to bed with the Dien Bien Flu
- Algerian Rebellion
- Lost. Loss marks the first defeat of a western army by a Non-Turkic Muslim force since the Crusades, and produces the First Rule of Muslim Warfare; "We can always beat the French." This rule is identical to the First Rules of the Italians, Russians, Germans, English, Dutch, Spanish, Vietnamese and Esquimaux.
- War on Terrorism
- France, keeping in mind its recent history, surrenders to Germans and Muslims just to be safe. Attempts to surrender to Vietnamese ambassador fail after he takes refuge in a McDonald's.
The question for any country silly enough to count on the French should not be "Can we count on the French?", but rather "How long until France collapses?"
"Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without an accordion. All you do is leave behind a lot of noisy baggage."
Or, better still, the quote from last week's Wall Street Journal: "They're there when they need you."
With only an hour and a half of research, Jonathan Duczkowski provided the following losses:
Norse invasions, 841-911.
After having their way with the French for 70 years, the Norse are bribed by a French King named Charles the Simple (really!) who gave them Normandy in return for peace. Normans proceed to become just about the only positive military bonus in France's [favour] for next 500 years.
Mexico, 1863-1864.
France attempts to take advantage of Mexico's weakness following its thorough thrashing by the U.S. 20 years earlier ("Halls of Montezuma"). Not surprisingly, the only unit to distinguish itself is the French Foreign Legion (consisting of, by definition, non-Frenchmen). Booted out of the country a little over a year after arrival.
Panama jungles 1881-1890.
No one but nature to fight, France still loses; canal is eventually built by the U.S. 1904-1914.
Napoleonic Wars.
Should be noted that the Grand Armee was largely (~%50) composed of non-Frenchmen after 1804 or so. Mainly disgruntled minorities and anti-monarchists. Not surprisingly, these performed better than the French on many occasions.
Haiti, 1791-1804.
French defeated by rebellion after sacrificing 4,000 Poles to yellow fever. Shows another rule of French warfare; when in doubt, send an ally.
India, 1673-1813.
British were far more charming then French, ended up victors. Therefore the British are well known for their tea, and the French for their whine (er, wine...). Ensures 200 years of bad teeth in England.
Barbary Wars, middle ages-1830.
Pirates in North Africa continually harass European shipping in Meditteranean. France's solution: pay them to leave us alone. America's solution: kick their asses ("the Shores of Tripoli"). [America's] first overseas victories, won 1801-1815.
1798-1801, Quasi-War with U.S.
French privateers (semi-legal pirates) attack U.S. shipping. U.S. fights France at sea for 3 years; French eventually cave; sets precedent for next 200 years of Franco-American relations.
Moors in Spain, late 700s-early 800s.
Even with Charlemagne leading them against an enemy living in a hostile land, French are unable to make much progress. Hide behind Pyrennes until the modern day.
French-on-French losses (probably should be counted as victories too, just to be fair):
1208: Albigenses Crusade, French massacared by French.
When asked how to differentiate a heretic from the faithful, response was "Kill them all. God will know His own." Lesson: French are badasses when fighting unarmed men, women and children.
St. Bartholomew Day Massacre, August 24, 1572.
Once again, French-on-French slaughter.
Third Crusade.
Philip Augustus of France throws hissy-fit, leaves Crusade for Richard the Lion Heart to finish.
Seventh Crusade.
St. Louis of France leads Crusade to Egypt. Resoundingly crushed.
[Eighth] Crusade.
St. Louis back in action, this time in Tunis. See Seventh Crusade.
Also should be noted that France attempted to hide behind the Maginot line, sticking their head in the sand and pretending that the Germans would enter France that way. By doing so, the Germans would have been breaking with their traditional route of invading France, entering through Belgium (Napoleonic Wars, Franco-Prussian War, World War I, etc.). French ignored this though, and put all their effort into these defenses.
http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/text/france.html
I certainly take it as a cautionary tale.
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