The Laughing Wolf

Did _any_ French representative attend any of the Reagan ceremonies? I listened closely, and didn't hear any mentioned, but neither did I hear any reporters remark on the complete lack of French representation. (A couple did point out the Chirac-lessness.)

I'm thinking Freedom Fries are hear to stay. Even self-avowed liberals of my acquaintance are irked.

Sounds good to me. I've considered myself at war with France since their actions during the run up to Gulf War II. Good to see others coming to the same conclusions I did then.

I heard that there was a representative there, but never saw them and never had anyone confirm that a French representative really did show up.

I've been boycotting French products since the run-up to Iraqi Freedom, for the reasons you give, but now think it is time to take it up a notch.

You sad twats

Some advice:

1. Get a job
2. Never leave the US - EVER
3. Never turn your backs on anyone - they might be French (or generally European)

PS - Perhaps you should visit the Normandy beaches.

The above post breaks the rules, but am going to leave it though I may modify it it later. To address the main points in a thoughtful manner.

Job: Respected professional
Never Leave: Too late, already visited some 10-15 countries, versed in manners and mores
Never turn back: Always good advice, bears repeating

As for visiting, how do you know I haven't

Good response, LW. :)

Again, shaking my head in amazement at the ignorance level of some humans.

To be honest this post makes me feel slightly sick. There are far worse things in this world than the French. For someone who claims to be a rational human being to indulge in this kind of crusade seems rather petty. Hatred, and that word is used deliberatly, is not pleasent however you may try to rationalise it. I feel with this and other post you are advocating racism whatever your personal beliefs on the subject may be.

The French stood up for what they believed in. What's so wrong with that?

Isn't that what the free world represents?

Didn't they excercise their power as an individal nation?

Don't they have the right to disagree?

The French have a right to believe in appeasment as a policy, and we have a right to decide not to purchase goods from a country that can't learn the lessons of history. How is either one of those things 'racist'? ?

Snow09queen:
Their right to do what they wish does not incur in us an obligation to support them, to wish them well, or to defend them. Clearly you don't understand the meaning of "racist" except as a knee-jerk insult. You forgot to call the author a "fascist" and a "homophobe" as well. No doubt, a mere oversight on your part. FWIW, welcome to the Anglosphere, baby. And may the French drown in their wine and choke on their cheese.

Well since I know for a fact LW is not a homophobe I won't be calling him that:):).
And you have every right not to buy their stuff. I never said you didn't.

No drugs from Aventis

No surfactants from Rhodia

No chemicals from Rhone-Pulence

No tyres from Michelin.

There are others you'd better go and investigate.

France was represented by Michel Barnier (the Foreign minister) and Valéry Giscard d'Estaing (former French president from 1974-81) at Reagan's funeral.

Actually if you're gonna boycott, do it in a thought ful manner.
Send a little note to the producer whose product you use to purchase, that way they know why their revenue going down some 30% (Some sheese producer are knee deep in it since last year) and point out that you will not resume your purchasing as long as the French elite goes on behaving the way it does.
Don't go thinking all French are anti-american, or pro Chirac. sometimes one is just born under the wrong flag

I think I know where Erwan is coming from, and I certainly know and confirm his conclusion: sometimes one is indeed born under the wrong flag.

And, oh, no tyres from Michelin? So what? More business opportunities for a competitor.

This is market economy, baby, not state run monopolies. You're not in France (or Soviet Union for that matter) anymore.

Advise for Grape Smells.

Instead of whining at Americans while you sun yourself on the Riveria, start a campaign to buy France's elderly some freakin' AIR CONDITIONING!

Those 10,000 dead Frogs last summer sure mired up the quags of the Seine, n'est-ce pas?
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2003-08-21-france-heat_x.htm

So stop wringing your limp wrists at the U.S. and get a jump on this summers EU morbidity stats.

I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments here, but the catch is, I didn't buy French products to begin with. Most of the products most closely associated with Vichyland are also produced, in sufficient quantity and quality, right here in my home state within the US.

But I'll peruse the list and see if I can find anything that's slipped through the cracks.

I also confirm that some of us were born under the wrong flag. Actually I used to make my french colleagues mad when I wore a pin with the two flags commented thosr were the flag of the country where I was born, and the flag of the country where I was happy. I haven't been wearing it for over a year though - It didn't seem befitting wearing the french flag next to the US one.
As for the American cemetary in Normandy, it is American ground and I strongly recommand everybody to visit it; it is so overwhelming. And I believe these men do have a right to rest in eternal peace on the land they so bravely liberated... even though France itself does not deserve the honor of having them.

And by the way: when you come, it will be a honor and a privilege for me to drive you there in my fine American car (1989 Pontiac Grand Prix - still running just fine!)

And by the way: when you come, it will be a honor and a privilege for me to drive you there in my fine American car (1989 Pontiac Grand Prix - still running just fine!)

Youre right, the main American cemetary at Colleville sur Mer (correct spelling) is beautiful and majestic. Every one of the American boys there deserve to have their home country better treated by the forgetful french.

Should have let the Germans keep france.

Having spent several years in the Middle East (S.A., Kuwait, Iraq), I can tell you for certain that that entire area was and is in dire need of liberation. The French and German governments were knee deep in the oil for food program in the most nefarious way, and thus actively supported a despot while he murdered over 300,000 of his own citizens - some as young as my 5 year old son. Well, that is just a little too much for me, and every time I hear Jack ChIraq claim the moral high ground I want to puke. Coincindentally, my wife manages several businesses for an attorney, including a large night club... She has boycotted all French alchol to the tune of about $30,000 a year. When I think of my countrymen who died on the shores of Normandy, it burns my soul to think of the anti-semitic, greedy elites in the two aforementioned countries (but especially France) playing away at their power games while innocents die world wide. Didn't this same stuff happen in a prior war... Waiting and appeasing and profiting until it was too late and millions got marched to the gas chambers? How soon they forget, but I suppose that for some, money can make that happen.

As for Chirac's absence, I have mixed feelings.
Of course the president of the French Republic should have attended President Reagan's funeral. But please keep in mind who that president is (and of course a country has the president it deserves!) Given his treason towards the United States that always behaved like a true friend and ally, and who should inspire an everlasting gratitude to all french people if only they had the slightest sense of honor, I think his presence might have been even more insulting to the memory of a great president.

I think your idea of repatriation of the remains is a good one LW. Particularly in light of the recent desecrations of war graves in france. Those men gave their lives. That's enough, let's bring them home.

Maryse, your points are well taken.

Had Chirac shown up, you'd accuse him of opportunism. The new French minister of Foreign Affairs and Reagan's early counterpart, Giscard D'Estaing, attended. Of course, who in the US media is going to give a shit? Koizumi among other current leaders did not attend, did they get cruxified for it?

p.s. Is anyone boycotting Germany? How about "F**K ALL ARABS" bumperstickers, or would that be too "politically incorrect"?

Wankers.

Gerardo,

Read the rules, and if you can't make your points without name calling, don't post.

For your edification, I would most likely have had myocardial infarction had Chirac attended, since that would have required far more class, tact, manners, and breeding that I think he has and sheer amazement would have dropped me. You can check out previous posts on Germany and Belgium, among others, but then again that would take time and thought. Care to invest some, or just toss out some more spew without bothering to get some information?

Get a clue, get some manners, and grow up, or don't post here again.

OK, no name calling.

I don't know of any major Belgium or German backlash in the US, do you? Ah, but bashing France is so much more convenient (and where the hell is Belgium?) when stereotypes are easily at hand and indiference (ignorance?) is king: French troops in Aghanistan? French military bases in Djibouti used by the US to launch early allied Taliban air-bombings?...

(...and where the hell is Djibouti?)

Me, I'll continue to eat McBurgers (with Freedom fries), watch American movies and buy a much-needed pair of 501's whenever I please, without resorting to narrow-minded nationalism.

Regards.

Okay, better. Now, go do the research. You might be surprised on what has happened in regards Belgium and Germany. French imports are not the only ones down. As for France, check the facts again. Also, consider the points raised. Apple to Apple and Orange to Orange is a good thing.