Not all the French do things like that. Keep in mind as well that the real French aren't likely to do things like that--those anti-Semitic acts are increasingly perpetrated by Muslim immigrants who merely reside in France.
France *caused* this war. Our young men and women are once again bearing the baggage of France. Had France not telegraphed their utter unwillingness to back up any resolution with force, said force may very well have not been necessary.
That's a big leap to make--blaming the outbreak of a war on a non-combatant. If Saddam is as irrational or as inflexible as he has been portrayed, do you really think Saddam would have changed his response if France had joined the side of the U.S.?
I'm sure Saddam knew that the U.S. was coming anyways, regardless of what the French said or did about it. Bush himself made it clear from the outset that the French opinion, or even that of the UN at large, wasn't going to affect his decision to go to war.
All that UN resolution wrangling was just a way of Bush trying to buy time for the troop build-up and give Tony Blair some political cover domestically. France did exactly what Bush expected from the beginning, and it didn't change anything. France acted its part very well, like in a Hollywood production. It was all for show. Bush is a master strategerist, after all. :)
I have yet to see an apology or any photos of French soldiers out scrubbing those marks off of the memorial. Until I do, I can only assume that Chirac approves of the defacement. What... does he expect us to clean up this mess too?
That's a big leap to make--blaming the outbreak of a war on a non-combatant. If Saddam is as irrational or as inflexible as he has been portrayed, do you really think Saddam would have changed his response if France had joined the side of the U.S.?
a.) Many wars are started or aggravated because of non-combatants. France should know about that. Weakness has never prevented a single war, ever.
b.) Yes, Saddam may be nuts, but I don't think he ever had a deathwish. He likes his power and palaces too much. Given a credible and global threat to his stance, he may well have buckled. I think it is entirely fair to point out that it is precisely the inability of the UN to deal with him (due to France) that gave him the resolve to continue his duplicity before the world stage.
I'm sure Saddam knew that the U.S. was coming anyways, regardless of what the French said or did about it.
He does now.
Bush himself made it clear from the outset that the French opinion, or even that of the UN at large, wasn't going to affect his decision to go to war.
No, he didn't. You're drinking the DNC koolaid again.
All that UN resolution wrangling was just a way of Bush trying to buy time for the troop build-up and give Tony Blair some political cover domestically. France did exactly what Bush expected from the beginning, and it didn't change anything. France acted its part very well, like in a Hollywood production. It was all for show.
This is so disconnected from reality... what, are you on the DNC morning talking-points fax list? This is fantasy.
Bush is a master strategerist, after all. :)
Finally, we agree on something. :-)
Regards,