France??

[Karl]

Well this mornings news brought a surprise! Now it seems as if France is implying they might get involved in the coming fray after all. What a change of heart. At this late date maybe they can get there in time to get a nice safe position in the rear.

[mark williams]

they did'nt have a change of heart, Bush just offered them more money.

[The Honey House]

OIL! OIL! OIL!

[AstroBee]

Its fairly obvious what's going on. The French, in their classically weasel-like fashion, are just attempting to position themselves to get a "chunk" of the Iraq pie after the US victory. I say that we refuse to allow them any involvement whatsoever!

Just my 2 cents

[MountainCamp]

The actual situation is that the French have said that they would get involved if Iraq uses chemical, biological or nuclear weapons. But, since Irag has stated clearly that they do not have these weapons and the French believe them(their UN position), I am confused!!

The French are only looking to try and cover their asses and ensure that their oil contracts are honored and that they get contracts to rebuild Iraq.

One of the reasons that this war is going to take place is because of the French and their dealings with Iraq and their UN veto threat.

[BWrangler]

Hello Everyone,

When the myths of war increases and nationalism swells into narcism, bigotry and racism are often the result. A French couple moved to Wyoming and started a bakery. With the anti-French sentiment business has dropped off significantly for them. It's hard to believe people could be so ignorant!

As for the Fench government getting much of the pie, the latest breaking news indicates that corporate America has already divided up the pie. I'm not so sure that the Russians and French are the only countries with oil on their hands.

May this war be over quickly with little collateral damage. It is but the first little step on long journey over there. All the factions agree that Saddam H. must go. I wonder what they will agree on 6 months from now?

Not wanting to fight but just sharing some thoughts.

Dennis
Thinking Frances advice went unheeded 40 years ago to our own loss.

[hoosierhiver]

i like to make fun of the french as much as anybody,but all governments are corrupt,all governments are weasely at times, all governments have secret motives,all governments tell you lies.

[Michael Bush]

>but all governments are corrupt,all governments are weasely at times, all governments have secret motives,all governments tell you lies.

This has always been true.

[AstroBee]

I made a very strong statement in my previous post, one that could be easily misinterpreted, and I feel I need to qualify it a bit. When I said “The French…” I was referring to the French Government and not necessarily to the French people. (The distinction between the French “people” and their “government” is nearly the same that can be made of our government and us.) I would absolutely not condone, support, or even tolerate oppression of, or aggression towards ANY ethnic, religious, or racial group of people who are legally in this country. The French govt has on many occasions, not just limited to this particular situation, acted to undermine, oppose, and weaken the policies of the US govt for various reasons - not all of which are related to some higher morality or any other just cause. I feel that the motives of the French govt are highly questionable in general, and particularly questionable in regards to this current conflict with Iraq. I stand behind my previous statement that we should not accept their involvement in this war. It was never about military support, it was all about political support in an attempt to bolster global support for the removal of Saddam.

[Michael Bush]

From my observation, since DeGalle, if we said left, the French Government said right. If we said the sun came up in the east, they would argue it. I have never understood it. The last time any of the French were actually on our side was the Revolutionary War. I think some of the French resent us saving them from the Germans, not just once, but twice. Must be hard on their self esteem.

[newguy]

Remember, France, Germany, and Russia are all currently selling weapons to Iraq!

[Michael Bush]

And the US not so long ago...

[hoosierhiver]

"I'd rather have a german regiment in front of me,than a french regiment behind me"_Gen George Patton.

[Michael Bush]

Old "Blood and Guts" never was a diplomat. Maybe that's why DeGaulle hated us.

[BjornBee]

Having lived in europe for 7 years and married to a Dane, let me say that you do not have to seperate very far the differences of the French Gov't and the people. Arrogance, jealousy, egotistical, and to get personal-dirty. Political and personally.

They will never rise to economical, industrial, or political power they used to be. Being a bully in the EU is their current way of putting themselves on the front page. If your a country the size of France, what is the best way to always get your country on the front page of the world forum - object to everything.

Our country is corrupt as any other, mainly because the goverment is made up of something we all are. Human beings. We are the goverment, although we also have to realize that our say or vote is only 1 in 275 million.

Security, and forming democracy in the middle east, are by products of the war. Those who say its about oil, so what. Our economy, way of life, security, and everyday existance depends on oil. I like gas at about one dollar, I like cheap material goods, I like our economy.

Those who say our goverments corrupt, etc. needs to spend time in other parts of the world. Whe live in the greatest country of our time, have more freedoms, money, opportunity, etc. For everything we have done wrong in the past, it has gotten us to this point in the present, and if people would have a little faith, and open thier eyes, its not a bad place to be.

[dickm]

Someone said that going to war without France was like going bear hunting without a piano!

Has anyone noticed that Germany,France and Russia have all lost a war? (Russia's was the cold war.)

Dickm

[Joel Acheson]

I love that line about bear hunting without a piano!

I am a bit dismayed to read all of the unkind and slanderous things you are all saying about the French. I don't think its proper to speak of the damned arrogant frogs that in that manner.

My experience in Europe was 40 years ago, and for only two years vs Bjorn's 7, but my conclusion was the same. I might say it was the same for all of those I knew who visited France. And yet, I knew a French immigrant couple in Utah who were wonderful people, so we can't paint everyone with the same brush. Even the damned arrogant frogs.

However I am far less concerned about France's involvement in the Iraq war than I am about ours. I deeply and sincerely regret our presence there. Yes, Soddam Insane is a truly evil man, and yes to all of the other "reasons" for justifying our being there. But I still think that the primary reason for starting this war will be found in the loss of freedoms that we are experiencing in the U.S. Americans would never stand for having our rights trampled the way they are being, without the specter of some outside "threat" creating the justification. If the threat is so great, why is our southern border still wide open?



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gnubee

[Michael Bush]

Obviously the French who came here and became citizens do not share the same arrogance and disdain for the USA and it's citizens. I too have met some very wonderful French who have moved here.

[hoosierhiver]

rhymes with underpants.

[hoosierhiver]

cinco de mayo,doesn't that celebrate when the mexicans kicked france's butt?

[beeman 202]

The left says:


Nazi Germany: We should have acted sooner. (true)

Rawanda: We should have acted sooner. (true)

Serb/Croat disaster: We should have acted sooner. (true)

Iraq::: Military force is just so evil. Stay out, peace, peace, peace.

[BeeCultivador]

Yes, it is a celebration of Independence; but not Independence Day.

Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico's independence, but it is not Independence Day. Mexico asserted its independence from Spain on September 16, 1810. The festivities on May 5 are about another battle for independence -- a battle fought against the French in 1862."