The Laughing Wolf: “What Is So Wrong With That?”

June 17, 2004

“What Is So Wrong With That?”

In a comment to this post, Snow09Queen discusses my declaration in regards the government of France and asks “The French stood up for what they believed in. What’s so wrong with that?” She goes on to accuse me of racism, lack of sensitivity, PC, and a few other things. Well, let me say what is wrong with that.

France, as an independent nation, has the right and the responsibility to disagree with anything they feel is improper or not in their best interest. Should they choose to do so, that is fine.

What is wrong with it, however, is what they have done and why it is being done. The facts are that France is allegedly a friend and ally of the United States. The open and admitted facts are also that:

There is evidence that the government of France supplied intelligence, aid, and comfort to a leader/country with whom we are at war.

There are reports that the government of France has also worked to undermine the War on Terror (Islamofacism) on several fronts, openly and clandestinely, and in so doing put not merely the lives of American military in jeopardy, but also the lives of all Citizens.

There is evidence that the government of France has also openly and clandestinely worked against the United States, its putative ally, in order to bolster French power and prestige. This was not for noble ideals.

One would also think that the Treaty of Versailles and that unpleasantness with that Hitler fellow might have taught them a thing or two about onerous burdens, but that does not appear to be the case. I question the decision in regards the debt incurred by Saddam being held against the new regime, and wonder how much has to do with harming America, hindering peace and creating a pool for fishing, and if certain companies and politicians might not be profiting on several levels.

There is more, go look it up and read. Think.

Then, look up the definition of racism. Think

Look up honor. Think

Look up ally. Think

Then, let me ask you some questions. Does an ally refuse to aid you in a time of need? Does an ally offer aid and comfort to your enemies? Does and ally work to undermine your diplomatic and military efforts in order to bolster their own power and prestige? Does an ally deliberately circumvent normal chains and the desires of the people they are allegedly concerned about in an effort to manipulate the elections within an allied country?

Now, let me ask: What are the actions of an enemy? How is calling out the actions of any government racism? Why should I support a government that is clearly working against my country, and in so doing jeopardizing the safety of the world? Why should I support anyone who is against me in a time of war? What am I supposed to do, give them tea and crumpets and a pat on the head saying how good they are?

Friends honestly disagree with you, and play things above board. They talk with you in private, oppose you in public and to your face if that doesn’t work. They act with honor, courage, and integrity. Think on that a bit, and then think on it a bit more. For pointing out facts is not hatred. Refusing to reward false friends is not hatred. Nor is it racism.

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Posted by wolf1 at June 17, 2004 12:26 AM | TrackBack

Comments

Yaay I got a rant !!! I feel so proud. I guess you'll be wanting to give the Statue of Liberty back then? :):)

Thinking... thinking... thinking... nope still can't agree with your position.

So there you go.

I think every governemnt at somepoint has been guilty of of the 'crimes' of which you speak. Let's face facts the US (not necessarily the government) funded the IRA for many years. And we all know the reasons why they stopped, and heartily wish it hadn't been that way.

UK were selling arms to Iraq before Gulf War 1.

How about Spain? What's your reaction to the new government there and their pledge to pull troups out of Iraq?

Maybe I just feel that you are singling out a nation for criticism. Perhaps you should do some more investigation and step up your campaign to involve other nations.

I can't see the things you see and maybe my world is a lot better for it. I guess we're just going to have to agree to disagree.

Posted by: snow09queen at June 17, 2004 08:55 AM

One more thing and then I'm going to shut up, promise.

It's not LW words so much that scare me. It's the interpretaion by people that may not be as rational. Fuel to the fire of true racism if you like, which I know would not be LW intention.

I should have made myself clearer for which I apologise.

Posted by: snow09queen at June 17, 2004 09:09 AM

From a logical perspective, you are doing a lot of apples and oranges here, along with a strawman or two for company.

So, no government is perfect so we should just let them do what they want? We should just accept false friends and live with it even if it puts millions in jeopardy? Don't think so and think you are going to have to do a better job with examples.

I gave specifics, so do the same if you think all governments have been so treacherous. Using the excuse that people in the US did fund the IRA and trying to equate that with governmental action is intellectually dishonest to say the least. Many governments sold weapons and more to Saddam before GWI. Most stopped after and most did not violate the resolutions. Simply because they had done something legal does not excuse those that did illegal later.

My reaction to Spain is complex, and I am very disappointed in the new Government. Not surprised, but disappointed. The good news is that other Coalition members did step forward and new countries are coming on board.

I singled out France because their actions have warranted it, IMO. Your mileage may vary.

Posted by: Laughing Wolf at June 17, 2004 11:50 AM

Interesting to see your comments on Spain and I have to say I agree with you in this case.

And changing topics slightly, the whole situation between the UK and the US could change depending on the outcome of the upcoming elections.

Posted by: snow09queen at June 17, 2004 12:55 PM

As to the Iraqi debts to France, how much debt did the US forgive France after WW2?

Slightly OT, if you saw the Tom Selleck movie about Ike on D-Day, you must have liked this dialog between DeGaule and Ike:

DG: It is that France is like Italy and is fighting against you.

Ike: General, that is EXACTLY what Vichy France is doing.

Posted by: Oscar at June 17, 2004 07:33 PM

Arrgh! I meant to preview first. I left out a "not" in DeGaule's comment:
It is not that France is like Italy and is fighting against you.

Posted by: Oscar at June 17, 2004 07:34 PM

This book, "Our Oldest Enemy: A History of America's Disastrous Relationship With France", is on my wish list.

Posted by: Ith at June 18, 2004 01:44 AM

Duh! here's the link.

Okay, no html allowed...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0385512198/ref=wl_it_dp/002-1845473-9416851?%5Fencoding=UTF8&coliid=I3RXAC0P4IRA7X&colid=3R172H5OZL543

Posted by: Ith at June 18, 2004 01:46 AM

Snowqueen says:

"The French stood up for what they believed in. What's so wrong with that?" What the French have stood up for and believed in is corrupt, self-serving, and a betrayal of their alliance with the US. Fine, whatever. Now LW and others are standing up for what they believe in, which is that France's behavior has been disgusting. What's so wrong with that?

"Isn't that what the free world represents?" Yes, everybody's free to be as good or bad as they choose to be. Also the freedom to be revolted by the behavior of fairweather friends.

"Didn't they excercise their power as an individal nation?" Sure. Just as Americans have a right to exercise our power to boycott the products of nations whose actions we revile.

"Don't they have the right to disagree?" Sure, although they are not disagreeing for honorable reasons. Doesn't LW have the right to disagree with France?

I don't understand why your reasoning only flows in one direction.

Posted by: kelley at June 18, 2004 09:38 PM

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