[LaBelleDameSansMerci]

OK, OK, let's get down to it.

Let's pretend that the history of American military action and aid has been one of pure sacrifice with no taint of self-interest. Let's pretend that we "saved" Europe from themselves, and from all Evil for no other reason than because we are so Good.

OK. How long do they have to kiss our patootie in gratitude? How long? Forever? For two-hundered years? One-hundred years?

And if they have to kiss our patootie forever, isn't it incumbant upon us to inform future and present recipients of our unselfish aid that they will be expected to kiss our patootie forever if they are saved, liberated and protected by us?

Countries might want to be forwarned about this. Africa might want to look twice at our AIDS contributions. Israel might get worried, should we start demanding that they put our interests before their selfish, parochial interests.

You know, just in the interest of fair play and full disclosure.....

[Desdemona]

How long do they have to kiss our patootie in gratitude? How long? Forever? For two-hundered years? One-hundred years?

They could at least say Thank You and help us out the one time we've asked for it.

[Mamzelle]

re:OK. How long do they have to kiss our patootie in gratitude?)))

Five minutes would be nice. Don't forget, they wanted us to bomb the native Serbs out of Europe, and we obliged. And we still have troops there doing NATO's bidding.

[Skwidd]

"The Beautiful Woman Without Thanks"? Well, the 'without thanks' part is accurate enough for the stinking frogs...

[ffusco]

If I saved a person from drowning I world expect to have a friend for life. What if I saved a whole continent from fascism? All Europe has done for 50 years is take, take, take. The Europeans all take 2 month vacations, have free health care and complain about Americans while we provide an entire fleet to defend them and the world order to allow them to prosper. Was it France or germany that won the cold war? No, they are the ungrateful recipients of American sacrifice. Only New Europe has shown any gratitude, not in words, platitudes (like the French) or empty gestures (like the Germans). When was the golden age of gratitude? What have they EVER doen to repay us? The Germans have decided that they no longer have to feel ashamed of their atrocious behavior in WW2, like its ancient history.It was their fathers and grandfathers that killed all those millions. Hey you blood thirsty savages: You could never repay the USA in a thousand years. Germany by rights should have been ostracized by the civilized world after WW2. Like we did to Libya in the 80's. Germany is responsible for something like 50,000,000 deaths in Europe and Russia. The French are completely self -serving. It's been hundreds of years since any French blood was spilled helping anyone else. They are despicable, selfish, arrogant, ingrateful, cowardly bastards. I will never travel to France or Germany as long as I live, nor would I EVER buy anything from France or Germany.

[IncPen]

OK. How long do they have to kiss our patootie in gratitude? How long? Forever? For two-hundered years? One-hundred years?

Considering that my father and grandfather took up arms to defend France and defeat Germany not once but twice in the last century, they can kiss my ass, sans gratitude, for the duration of my stay on this mortal coil.

And if those two petulant child-states keep it up, I'm not opposed to us seizing them in the name of those who fell at Normandy, for starters.

[syriacus]

just in the interest of fair play

What a fortuitous choice of words you've made!!!

A sense of Fair Play is exactly what the French and Germans lack.

They lack a sense of fair play, not only in their attitude, but also in their actions.

It's their turn to carry the load a bit, and they run away.

I've finally realized that they are weasels.

[Sloth]

As I recall from Pershing's statement, we kissed France's patootie for at least 135 years or so after the Revolutionary War.

"That we saved them from tyranny so they could conduct their own affairs as they see fit?"

So, making and fulfilling treaty obligations doesn't fall under conducting their own affairs?

[Brytani]

Let me fill you in on something, you ungrateful French poodle - Europe, especially Germany and France can NEVER repay the US for what this country and the people that live in have and continue to do for them.