Why France is America's True Friend (Paleo-conservative Eric Margolis expounds)

The Toronto Sun ^ | March 9, 2003 | Eric Margolis

[quidnunc]

Watching American TV can be a surreal experience. Sandwiched between ads for instant weight loss products, predigested fast food, and incontinence panties, cable TV commentators bay like rabid dogs for war against Iraq, and subject nations daring to oppose President Bush's crusade to venomous abuse or sneering disdain.

France, which speaks with the strongest, most logical voice of those opposing war, has become the special target of vituperation and hatred in America's leading neo-conservative media — Fox TV, the Wall Street Journal, New York Post — and the Bush administration's bete noire. Particularly so, now that France, Germany, and Russia vow to veto U.S. attempts to ram a war-enabling resolution through the UN Security Council.

France, many Americans claim, should do whatever Washington orders out of gratitude for the U.S. "saving" it in two world wars. U.S. television features angry veterans standing in American military cemeteries in Normandy, denouncing France for "stabbing America in the back" — as if invading Iraq to grab its oil and crushing Israel's enemies had anything to do with World War II.

Few flag-waving pundits mention America sat out almost 40% of WWII until attacked by Japan. In 1940, the German armed forces were the equivalent of the U.S. armed forces today — a full military generation ahead of other nations. France's entire army was destroyed in battle by the invincible Germans; had the U.S. fought Germany in 1940, it too would have been routed. The Soviet Union, not the U.S., defeated Germany, destroying over 100 Nazi divisions.

So enough with all the bombast about Word War II. In the eyes of Europeans and most of the world, George Bush's administration looks dangerously aggressive, dominated as it is by petrohawks and neo-conservative ideologues linked to Israel's far right. These little Mussolinis have no time for diplomacy or multi-nationalism. No wonder a recent Pew Research poll found that formerly favourable ratings of the U.S. have plummeted in 19 of 27 nations surveyed.

It seems at times that President Bush is even more eager to bomb Paris than Baghdad. In fact, the administration has been treating France like an enemy, rather than America's oldest ally and intimate friend. Neo-conservatives even accuse France of anti-Semitism, a disgusting slander.

-snip-

[quidnunc]

Quote:

The contrast between France's reasoned diplomatic response and Bush's belligerent behaviour could not be more stark. As is the dignified, logical tone set by President Chirac and Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin compared to the bullying, low-brow, locker-room talk issuing from the White House that has seriously damaged America's reputation and image around the globe.

Margolis is every bit as loony as Pat Buchanan, Taki and the rest of the paleo-con crackpots.

[Bogey78O]

I never thought I'd see the day when PaleoCons demand the US to follow the worlds demand under the UN.

[Bogey78O]

'Neo-conservatives even accuse France of anti-Semitism, a disgusting slander.'

On second read I noticed this.

Kinda funny coming from a Buchanan supporter.

[Mr. Mojo]

Absolutely hilarious seeing the paleo-cons suck up to the Frogs and the rest of Europe. What's next, praising the UN? ...A truly pathetic bunch.

[Dog Gone]

President Chirac and Foreign Minister de Villepin deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. Americans owe France an apology, and a hearty "merci mon ami."

More like, "Embrassez mon bout."

[KantianBurke]

Paleo conservative = guys who are OBSESSED with Jews, hate capitalism, love govt. doing them favors and think spewing the word "NEO CONSERVATIVE" enough can settle an argument.

The GOP is better off without those nutters.

[Porterville]

Have you read the tripe at the Etherzone lately??? Bunch of nuts, they ain't neo-cons their just the other wing of the anti Bush crowd.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Why France is America's True Friend

Reminds me of a prayer I once heard, "Lord, save me from my friends! I can take care of my enemies."

[ThinkDifferent]

"Paleo-conservative" is to "conservative" as "classical liberal" is to "liberal".

[Bogey78O]

Heh...you know that has two interpretations.

[winner3000]

"President Chirac and Foreign Minister de Villepin deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. Americans owe France an apology, and a hearty "merci mon ami." "

What we owe France is a swift kick in the butt.

[quidnunc]

ThinkDifferent wrote: "Paleo-conservative" is to "conservative" as "classical liberal" is to "liberal".

No, paleo-conservative is to conservative as crazed is to rational.

[RJL]

In fact, the administration has been treating France like an enemy, rather than America's oldest ally and intimate friend.

Truer words were never spoken.

We're intimate all right and it's France who is screwing the US.

[the_doc]

I think the French are doing us one of the biggest favors in the history of our relationship in that they are driving us out the UN by their anti-American stupidity.

Anyway, if Margolis is such a conservative, why is he siding with the French? More to the point, why doesn't he notice that the French exemplify what is really bad about the UN?

I don't have a very high opinion of Margolis. Neither would the French analysts who have recently come out against Chirac and accused him (and France) of the very things which Margolis is trying to deny about the French.

(I don't know about modern anti-Semitism in France, but I think Zola's J'Accuse was a pretty significant story in the first part of the 20th Century.)

[winner3000]

"In fact, the administration has been treating France like an enemy, rather than America's oldest ally and intimate friend. "

France has been acting like an enemy for a long time and has lined up with America's sworn enemies whenever it has the chance. Whether it is disallowing fly-overs to US war planes on their way to bomb Khaddafi to helping Saddam rearm, the French have stabbed us in the back every time they could. These are facts. It is just now that Americans have awoken to them.

[Former Proud Canadian]

I stopped reading Margolis a while ago. He is delusional.

[Blue Collar Christian]

Eric Marxolis. 'Nuff said.

[Chi-townChief]

"Few flag-waving pundits mention America sat out almost 40% of WWII until attacked by Japan. In 1940, the German armed forces were the equivalent of the U.S. armed forces today - a full military generation ahead of other nations. France's entire army was destroyed in battle by the invincible Germans; had the U.S. fought Germany in 1940, it too would have been routed. The Soviet Union, not the U.S., defeated Germany, destroying over 100 Nazi divisions."

This passage makes me consider Mr. Margolis to be, with all due respect, a lying sack of sh*t.

[Mister Baredog]

So enough with all the bombast about Word War II

Oh I see. Saving their country from the Nazis with American lives and protecting them for 50 years through NATO is bombast. I am willing to bet the ranch that most Americans don't believe that. The French have been acting despicably in all of this. In fact they have been Saddam protector and supplier for 12 years. Also I just love the way liberals like to say "most of the world feels this or that"or "according to the polls everyone is against it blah blah... Real leaders, ie. Bush, Blair, Aznar, Howard, etc. are men of principle and they are called LEADERS where I come from.

[SAMWolf]

French Peace Treaty
Signed this __________ day of _________ in the year _____.

We, the Government of France do hereby surrender, unconditionally, to the Army(ies) of ________________, _______________, _______________, (additional space available on back if necessary).

We do not wish hostilities to continue with aforementioned Army (ies) as it may lead to pain and suffering of our proud army. We will allow aforementioned Army (ies) to occupy our country, drink our wine, violate our women (children left to us), and to have unfettered access to anything else they should desire, for as long a time period as they wish.

Please do not hurt us, we are a peaceful country that has no real army to defend ourselves (America…PLEASE HELP).

X______________________________

President, Jacques 'Le Worm' Chirac