France divided as Sarkozy woos US

news.bbc.co.uk ^ | 11/08/2007 | Hugh Schofield

[WesternCulture]

That Nicolas Sarkozy is France's most pro-American president in generations - in fact, come to think of it, ever - there is no reason to argue over.

It is the one point on which both he and his enemies would agree.

A man who declared his intention on going to Washington of "reconquering the heart of America" - and who in his speech to Congress cited Elvis Presley, Charlton Heston and Neil Armstrong as his heroes - is clearly not lukewarm about "les Etats-Unis".

[WesternCulture]

Sarkozy is a true leader, unlike Chiraq.

[Drango]

bite me france. Sarkozy is fine but he can’t erase the stink.

[businessprofessor]

He is not winning the rats hearts. They think he is worse than Bush.

He has been a pleasant surprise. I thought that he would become anti American after he won. He faces enormous difficulties in changing France.

[1rudeboy]

You should try reading the article. You’ll find that smell comes from another location.

[Mr. Mojo]

But for his critics, the president's admiration for America is a dangerous obsession. They see France abandoning its duty to provide the world with an alternative conception of power,

Power? These people exist in an alternate universe.

[TheHound]

...he declared that "wherever an American soldier dies in the world, I think of what the American army did for France"

Thank You France!

[cajungirl]

Nice. I was reading about the supposed tidal wave in North east England and some guy talked about how american soldiers had saved people during the last big flood and how they loved Americans.

I think “the world hates us” is a load of crap. I think the press reports that and people think they are supposed to hate us.

[DoughtyOne]

Acknowledging improvement encourages more improvement.

I’ll bet the marxists in France are wetting themselves about now.

I am glad Sarkozy appreciates the United States. For the record, I appreciate his attitude very much.

[WesternCulture]

“Power? These people exist in an alternate universe.”

- France doesn’t lack military power, but the ‘leading’ French media still haven’t recovered from Vichy.

[jws3sticks]

Here's the man on the street in Paris:

He probably ate too many frogs for lunch!

[1rudeboy]

I think the press reports that and people think they are supposed to hate us.

In a large part that is true, and it's amazing how many FReepers fall for it. It's as if the MSM they instinctively scrutinize becomes magically infallible as long as the subject matter is "over there."

[monkeycard]

he declared that "wherever an American soldier dies in the world, I think of what the American army did for France Europe"...

Fixed.

[DoughtyOne]

I have seen that photo off and on for decades. I needn’t see it though. It is stuck in my mind for all time. If I saw NAZI German troops walking down the main street of my home town, or the forces of the United States walking down that same street after NAZI occupation, that would be my face you’re looking at. I don’t care whose face it is, I share a kinship with that person that will never be broken.

[ReignOfError]

Lafayette deuxiéme.

[ansel12]

I like our conservative counter parts in France, I’m glad that we are getting to hear from them.

I don’t see France as weak, I see it as differently tough than the U.S.

In the battle for western civilization the American style won’t cut it alone.

The French know things and having their world view to share, will add a new dimension and experience to the Anglo-American way of doing things.

[Clintonfatigued]

If Sarkozy is able to win France’s support for his policies, I’ll stop telling French jokes.

[WesternCulture]

In a very true and evident sense, Europe and America is one.

Try and cause disruption between us, we’ll come back twice as strong attacking our common enemies!

Europe will not slumber forever.

I was born in Sweden in 1969, I got a damn good start in life and by today, I am (some sort of) a freeper!

We Europeans could and SHOULD do more in order to support the US.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=52-gASZ1brQ

http://youtube.com/watch?v=52-gASZ1brQ

[Army Air Corps]

I have seen that photo off and on for decades. I needn’t see it though. It is stuck in my mind for all time. If I saw NAZI German troops walking down the main street of my home town, or the forces of the United States walking down that same street after NAZI occupation, that would be my face you’re looking at. I don’t care whose face it is, I share a kinship with that person that will never be broken.

Spot on. It is the image of a heartbroken individual seeing his nation in defeat. I would rather see him cry for the nation rather than cheer the invaders or simply not give a damn.