BUSH AIMS TO HEAL RIFT WITH FRANCE

The New York Post ^ | 5/30/2003 | Deb Reichmann, AP Writer

[LuisBasco]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- He hasn't quite forgiven France for trying to block the war in Iraq, but President Bush says he won't let that get in the way of talks at an economic summit because rivalry only weakens efforts to fight terrorism, AIDS, and famine and to improve world trade.

[LuisBasco]

Let's make history!

Why not work to keep as much American money in the United States than to throw it down African or European ratholes?

Bring our troops home and allow Europeans to stew in their own juice for a while.

Attempting to resucitate Arafat is like allowing Dracula to wander about civilized people without a stake in his heart.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Bush can do whatever he wants to make nice with France. In the end, it's out of his hands. Americans have not forgotten, we are not buying French products and services in record numbers, and that's how it's going to stay until they decide to get with the program (don't hold your breath). France has been getting too many breaks while siding with the enemy outright. People are not forgetting it. Ask the Dixie Chicks. The rules have changed.

[smith288]

I dont remember signing up to let my money go to Africa. I dont like it when govt decides and it irks me to no end that Bush is doing it.

Programs should be paid by checkboxes in your paycheck.

"Please check all boxes you wish to fund:

Welfare	_
Social Security	_
EPA	_
Africa AIDs Research	_
NPR	_
PBS	_
Your Local Polititicians Salary	_

[LarryM]

Now that Bush has capitulated to the Arabs he is going to capitulate to Chirac. The French brought about the rift, it is up to them to heal it. When will Bush stop placating our enemies?

[joesnuffy]

Yes by all means more tax money for African Aids....for Arafat's retirement plan....for stab us in the back Euroweenies...
Why dont we just surrender to Canada

[xJones]

When will Bush stop placating our enemies?

Maybe when he doesn't give 15 billion dollars to Africa for Aids because that 15 billion won't do a thing about it. Throwing taxpayer dollars at other continents isn't helping the homeland, which is where the money is coming from.

[RobFromGa]

Now that Bush has capitulated to the Arabs he is going to capitulate to Chirac. The French brought about the rift, it is up to them to heal it. When will Bush stop placating our enemies?

Are you reading the same article or just the title/headline? Pres. Bush does not appear ready to "placate" the French (enemy) position. Here is the relevant part of Bush' comments:

But Bush had this postscript for the French:

"There is a sense of frustration and disappointment amongst the American people toward the French decision," he said. "That's realistic. People didn't understand the decisions by the French leadership to thwart the American desire, and the desire of others, to work on security and freedom - security for our countries and freedom in Iraq.

"I've got work to do to convince the skeptics in France that the intentions of the United States are positive," he said. "And the French leadership has got work to do to convince the American people that they are concerned about the security of our country."

This is 100% pro-American and 100% anti-French leadership. Not a whiff of placating to be seen...

[Smile-n-Win]

This is the headline I'd like to see:

BUSH AIMS TO AT HEAL RIFT WITH FRANCE

[ConservativeMan55]

On fox and friends they were asking the question of whether or not Bush should extend the olive branch.
Someone e-mailed in...
It depends on where he sticks it!

[Jumper]

How can say Bush has capitulated? This is a very positive article. Understand Bush is addressing all the policy and political statements "mentioned" and they carry a real meaning to those with whom this Nation must negotiate. G-8 member nations could talk for hours on AIDS, famine, improving world trade, security, terrorism. Bush is opening new markets for BioTech Farm Products (read World Hunger) and his whole list in this article. Protectionsim is what the US fights at the G-8 Summit; terrorism is what we fight worldwide; getting US products into Europe opens the doors to Africa (Euro zone of influence), etc.

[DoughtyOne]

I see no reason to heal a damaged relationship in which the rescued are willing to attack their own recuers. What will nice words do that sacrificing tens or hundreds of thousands of our young men didn't?

We rescued them and allowed them to keep self-determination. Then they act as if they don't remember how we treat nation states when it comes time to liberate Iraq.

F--- France. Damn it to hell.

[sarasota]

Bill Gates is doing the same thing in Africa/AIDS. What's the *real* story??

[schaketo]

Bush's meetings in France will include his first encounter with French President Jacques Chirac since he staunchly opposed the U.S.-led military action against Saddam.

Perhaps I can help the ”French President Jacques Chirac” understand the PERMANENT change in U.S. sentiment:

1. french President Jacques Chirac, personally helped Iraq begin its nuclear program.
2. france assisted China in shipping raw materials for chemical weapons to Iraq through Syria.
3. french security services helped suppress opposition groups seeking to depose Saddam Hussein.
4. The french had supplied Iraq with precision switches for nuclear weapons.
5. french companies had resupplied Iraq with spare parts for fighter jets on the eve of the March 2003 invasion. Intelligence reports indicated that Iraq was able to obtain French military spare parts for its Mirage jets and Gazelle attack helicopters in violation of U.N. sanctions.
6. The french helped Iraqi officials escape U.S. capture by issuing them EU passports. The passports allowed the Iraqis to evade detection by U.S. military and intelligence agencies because they were EU travel documents.
7. Intelligence officials said France attempted to conclude an oil deal with Saddam's government days before U.S. military action began March 19.
8. french anti-aircraft weapons smuggled into Iraq prior to the war, the Roland 3 batteries, and Roland 5 shoulder-fired anti-air missiles. Reports have still not been denied that these systems were stamped '2002 date of manufacture.' 9. The french peddled disinformation against the Americans before the war -- this is a war for oil, Resolution 1441 does not authorize military action, George Bush is "cowboy," etc. -- at the very least, they now deserve some of their own.

Those countries who stood against us before the Iraq War are responsible for EVERY life lost in Iraq -- whether the lives be coalition lives or Iraqi lives. france, more than any other country, is responsible for all the deaths of our warriors.

france had an unemployment rate of 9.3% last month (April 03). It’s rising. Can we help them push it over 10%? 20%?. The new reality show on FOX this fall could be the marxists, socialists, and fundamentalist muslim imports (they are about 10% of the population and growing) burning paris to the ground. You can help:

WE SHOULD NEVER FORGET!

Gotta keep this alive. Share this link with all like minded family and friends. They are feeling the heat.

15000 french products that you can boycott:

http://howtobuyamerican.leethost.com/b-db-boycottfrance.shtml

[schaketo]

A short refresher course:

A list of French companies products to boycott. Some are well known, but many are not. Here goes.

It lists French products to boycott. You will probably be surprised to learn the French own everything from Wild Turkey to Car & Driver to Motel 6 to cheesy Spencer Gifts to disgusting Democrat schlock-show host Jerry Springer.

Air France
Airbus
Alcatel - Based in Paris France
Allegra (Allergy Medication) - Produced by Aventis Pharmaceuticals based in Strasbourg, France
Aqualung (Including: Spirotechnique, Technisub, US Divers, and SeaQuest)
AXA Advisors
Bank of the West - Owned by BNP Paribas
Beneteau (boats)
BF Goodrich - Owned by Michelin
BIC (Razors, Pens & Lighters) - Started in 1945 by Marcel Bich. Originally based just outside of Paris. Began trading on the Paris Stock Exchange in 1972. 40.5% Publicly traded. Bich family still owns 33.5%.
Biotherm (Cosmetics)
Black Bush
Bollinger (Champagne)
Car & Driver Magazine
Cartier
Chanel
Chivas Regal (Scotch)
Christian Dior
Club Med (Vacations) - Owned in part by Paris based CDC (Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations)
Culligan (owned by Vivendi)
Dannon (Yogurt & Dairy Foods)
DKNY - LVMH acquired 100% of Gabrielle Studio Inc., the privately owned licenser of Donna Karan trademarks back in 2001.
Dom Perignon
Durand Crystal
Elle Magazine
Essilor Optical Products
Evian
Fina Oil - Billions invested in Iraqi Oil fields
First Hawaiian Bank
Focal (Car speakers)www.focal-jmlab.fr
George Magazine
Givenchy
Hennessy
Houghton Mifflin (books)
International Herald Tribune - 181 ave Charles-de-Gaulle - F-92521 Neuilly - FRSource:World Business Council for Sustainable Development '00 [Domain Registration], [Corporate Profile]
Jacobs Creek - Owned by Pernod Ricard since 1989
Jameson (wiskey)
Jerry Springer (talk show)
JMLab (Speakers)www.focal-jmlab.fr
Krups (coffee and cappaccino makers)
Lancome
Le Creuset (Cookware)
L'Oreal (Health & Beauty Products)
Louis Vuitton
Marie Claire
Martel Cognac
Maybelline
Méphisto (Footwear & Apparel)
Michelin (Tires & Auto Parts) - Their phone number is: (33) 1 45 66 15 53 in France
Mikasa Crystal and Glass (purchased by ARC int'l in 2001)
Moet (Champagne
Motel 6 - 33, Avenue du Maine- 75755 Paris Cedex 15 France
Motown Records
MP3.com
Mumms (Champagne)
Nissan (Cars) - Majority owned by Renault
Nivea
Normany Butter
Parents Magazine
Peugeot (Automobiles) - Pronounced "Pooh Joe", must be French
Pierre Cardin
Playstation Magazine
ProScan - Owned by Thomson Electronics, France
Publicis Group (Including: Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising) - Here's a French connection that'll tick ya off--a couple years ago Publicis bought the Leo Burnett Advertising agency and that agency does the "Go Army" campaign. Sickening ain't it?
RCA (televisions & electronics) - Owned by Thomson Electronics
Red Magazine
Red Roof Inns - Owned by the Accor group based in France
Renault (Automobiles)
Road & Track Magazine
Roquefort Cheese - All Roquefort cheese is made in France
Rowenta (Toasters, Irons, Coffee makers, etc)
Royal Canadian
Salomon (Skis)
Seagram's Gin
Sierra Software and Computer Games
Smart & Final
Sofitel (Hotels) - Owned by the Accor group based in France
Sparkletts (Water) - Owned by Danone, based in France
Spencer Gifts
Sundance Channel
Taylor Made (Golf)
Technicolor
T-Fal (Kitchenware)
The Glenlivet (Scotch
Total Gas Stations
Triangle (Speakers)www.triangle-fr.com
UbiSoft (Computer Games)
Uniroyal
Uniroyal Tires - Owned by Michelin
Universal Studios (Music, Movies & Theme Parks) - Universal Studios is owned by Vivendi-Universal, headquartered in Paris France
USFilter
Veritas Group
Veuve Clicquot Champagne
Vittel
Vivendi - Vivendi Headquarters, Paris France
Wild Turkey (bourbon)
Woman's Day Magazine
Yoplait - France-based Sodiaal owns a 50% stake of Yoplait
Yves Saint Laurent
Yema watches
Zodiac Inflatable Boats

Please add to the list and email to your like-minded friends.

[Puddleglum]

Take Chirac to Lourdes and hold his head under the healing water until he cries uncle ("Oncle!").

[rintense]

How has he capitulated to the Arabs?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

He's not placating. He only promised to consider stinky cheese, not big bites of it.

[LuisBasco]

...We rescued them...

We have to remember that socialist France had capitulated to the Germans rather quickly. During the "occupation" they appeared to easily coexist with the Nazis and, voila, nobody lost weight!

Of course there was the "resistance," whose activities were directed from the Kremlin. "Uncle" Joe, frustrated with his failed attempt to establish a Spanish satellite, saw France as an easier target. Francisco Franco dealt him a serious blow by fighting back. It's amazing that 200,000 of the commie Spaniards and their decendants still in exile, are domiciled in France.

[LuisBasco]

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."

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 Devolution - 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.

Let's face it. When it comes to war, France gets rolled more often than a Parisian prostitute with a visible mustache. They've been beaten so many times there's no fight left in them.