[doglover]

Are you saying Poland needed France to remain a nation-state? The Poles have fought and outlasted more invasions from Germany and Russia than the French could ever dream of doing. Yes, the Poles disappeared from the map even, but they clawed their way back instead of surrendering- not like- well, you know who. What an idiot comment to make.

As for backstabbing the French, go to Normandy to learn about backstabbing. BTW, does every country in the EU not have to consult with every other country before making a decision- perhaps the EU's goal is just to do away with country sovereignty- I guess the diplomats in Brussels really don't understand human nature or even much history for that matter (what is the saying? power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely- guess I know where the EU is headed- and we wonder why the EU appeases tyrants so often)
If Europe is weak, it is only because they have an overregulated, socialistic economy with an extremely low birthrate (ever wonder why europe allows the muslims in? - guess the socialistic enlightened worldview has consequences after all)
As for Eastern Europe, the French and Germans should be grateful for these open markets and low wages, they would be in much worse shape without them. You think companies can survive without going bankrupt in a global economy with the perks the Germans and French give? time to face reality.
Perhaps the west europeans would be better looking at the economy from less of a zero sum situation- they still don't get that low wages and low taxes increases the economic pie after all these years.
Speaking of tyrants, doesn't it embarrass you in the least that Chirac is making excuses and defending a mass murder/torturer/rapist tyrant? Does'nt the idea that France gave this man the means to produce about 100 nuclear weapons by now (back in the 80's) sober you in the least?
Have you heard of the term "nuclear blackmail"?