Let me count all the ways that I love the French - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BENZ-LGB · #1 03-18-2003, 12:54 PM

This is what others have said about the French. Oui! Oui!

> "France has neither winter nor summer nor morals. Apart from these drawbacks it is a fine country. France has usually been governed by prostitutes."---Mark Twain
>
> "I would rather have a German division in front of me than a French one behind me."--- General George S. Patton
>
> "Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without your accordion." ---Norman Schwartzkopf
>
> "We can stand here like the French, or we can do something about it."---- Marge Simpson
>
> "The only time France wants us to go to war is when the German Army is sitting in Paris sipping coffee."--- Regis Philbin
>
> "You know, the French remind me a little bit of an aging actress of the 1940s who was still trying to dine out on her looks but doesn't have the face for it."---John McCain, U.S. Senator from Arizona
>
> "You know why the French don't want to bomb Saddam Hussein? Because he hates America, he loves mistresses and wears a beret. He is French, people."---Conan O'Brien
>
> "I don't know why people are surprised that France won't help us get Saddam out of Iraq. After all, France wouldn't help us get the Germans out of France!"---Jay Leno
>
> "The last time the French asked for 'more proof' it came marching into Paris under a German flag."---David Letterman

Potomac Pat · #2 03-18-2003, 01:44 PM

As far as I am concerned, they can take the Statue of Liberty back and shove it !!!!

No more will we save you from invasion forces.

Poly Vu, kiss me a$$ !!!

DieselHead · #3 03-18-2003, 02:45 PM

"Awwww, but we're French, do we even have a word for victory?"
-Homer Simpson as the father of Lisa- "joan of arc"

Jason Beal · #4 03-18-2003, 02:50 PM

Sept 3, 1939 - Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand declare war on Germany

Sept 5, 1939 - United States proclaims neutrality; German troops cross the Vistula River in Poland.

Sept 10, 1939 - Canada declares war on Germany; Battle of the Atlantic begins

June 14, 1941 - United States freezes German and Italian assets in America

July 26, 1941 - Roosevelt freezes Japanese assets in United States and suspends relations.

Dec 8, 1941 - United States and Britain declare war on Japan.

The Godfather · #5 03-18-2003, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jason Beal
Sept 3, 1939 - Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand declare war on Germany

Sept 5, 1939 - United States proclaims neutrality; German troops cross the Vistula River in Poland.

Sept 10, 1939 - Canada declares war on Germany; Battle of the Atlantic begins

June 14, 1941 - United States freezes German and Italian assets in America

July 26, 1941 - Roosevelt freezes Japanese assets in United States and suspends relations.

Dec 8, 1941 - United States and Britain declare war on Japan.

education beats uneducated stereotypes once again

but for real though, I think there are just as many jokes that can be said about America as it could about France. lol If you goto French sites, it's the same way as around here, just reversed

BENZ-LGB · #6 03-18-2003, 04:26 PM

The true purpose of Jason's historical timeline is not entirely clear to me. Is he attempting to draw a parallel between America's actions in the years leading to December 7, 1941 and france's recent greedy and cowardly behavior?

If that was Jason's purpose, then he conveniently neglected to fully expand upon the historical record. During the time when the U.S. Congress was debating whether or not to become fully involved in WWII, the U.S. was actively helping its allies by shipping food, supplies, war materiel and other necessities. England was able to fend off the German onslaught partly because of the Britons' bravery and willingness to sacrifice and fight an impossibly powerful enemy. But the English's war effort was also greatly aided by America's willingness to act in supporting its allies.

Additionally, not once during the pre December 1941, did the U.S. actively oppose its allies efforts to repulse Nazi aggression. Yes, our men and women in green may not have been actively engaged in the conflict pre-December 1941, but the heart and soul of this country was committed to helping its European friends overcome Germany's naked aggression.

Contrast that, Jason, with france's cowardly turn in this current crisis. france has given comfort and support to Saddam, and thus emboldened him, by openly opposing America's efforts. Chirac "le worm" has made it clear that he would not support any US-led effort to evict his good buddy Saddam. There is no doubt in my mind that chirac's actions are motivated by the lucrative business deals that france has going with Iraq. Just like when france built saddam's nuclear reactor (thank God for Israelis' cojones and willingness to do what needs to be done), france is now heavily invested in saddam's regime.

france's cowardly, greedy, slimy and selfish behavior is in stark and defining contrast, to the actions of American leaders during the early years of WWII.

In small and big ways, france stands to lose quite a lot because of its position. I recently replaced the tires in my wife's Yukon. Instead of Michelins, I bought Goodyears. Two friends of mine also did the same.

AMG wrote:

"education beats uneducated stereotypes once again

but for real though, I think there are just as many jokes that can be said about America as it could about France. lol If you goto French sites, it's the same way as around here, just reversed

"

I don't get your point AMG. Where in Jason's post did you find evidence that "education beats uneducated stereotypes." Your line that "education beats... ." is a hoary cliche. Education beats stereotypes DUH!?!

Yet, it seems to me that the french harbor a far greater number of stereotypes about America and Americans. To the french, we are a bunch of gun slinging, uneducated, sexually repressed yahoos. And that, my friend, is what is at the heart of le worm's stand against the US. It must really fry his escargot-munching self that a nation made up of uneducated, gun-slinging, religious, sexually-repressed yahoos is the world's LEADER. For all of its vaunted sophistication, education, worldliness, etc., etc., etc., france is nothing but a third-rate nation, attempting to play ball with the big boys.

For God's sake Jason and AMG, the french cannot even win their premier sporting event. Between Greg Lamont and Lance Armstrong, they have managed to keep the french from wearing the jeneau maillot (ok, ok so my french is way rusty) for the last several years. Talk about an emasculating experience. Imagine how the french must feel about the fact that a couple of sexually-repressed, unsophisticated cowboys habitually beat them at their most revered sport.

Mon dieu!

gy sgt · #7 03-18-2003, 04:37 PM

Potomic Pat

I love your suggestion.

My suggestion is to aim her at France,remove the torch and extend a LARGE middle finger towards them all.

Gunny

Piotr · #8 03-19-2003, 01:16 AM

Incomplete knowledge is dangerous!

September 1, 1939- 4:51 am- Germany start WWI by beginning to shell (from battlewagon Schleswig-Holstein) Polish border post at Westerplatte. 87 Polish soldiers were expected to defend themselves for 24 hours until the arrival of reinforcements. They fought for 7 days killing 300 of approximately 1500 attacking wermacht soldiers before their ammunition completely run out. Separate points of Polish resistance (like Polish Post Office) fought within the Gdansk (Danzig) for over a week.

September 5, 1939- Soviet Red Army, following Stalin-Hitler agreement attack Poland from the East forcing already outnumbered Polish Army to fight on two fronts. France and England were supposed to attack Germany within 72 hours of the invasion of Poland. Neither did anything for 4 weeks.

Polish army evacuated to France (where people were spitting on Polish soldiers saying " I will not die for your Gdansk") and then to England (via Dunkirk). Until December 7, 1941, Polish army in England was the second largest armed force (after British army) fighting on the side of the allies.

1945- in Yalta conference France got it's (undeserved) freedom, while Poland was sold into the slavery to the Soviet Union.

We are not bitter.

BENZ-LGB · #9 03-19-2003, 01:33 AM

Piotr, I agree with you, what happened to Poland was a crime. the same is true for what happened to the rest of Eastern Europe. I am glad that Poland is on our side.

Growing up in Cuba I hated the Russian and East German occupying troops. They were cold bastards, ready to die for communism. On the other hand the Poles and Czech seemed far more humane and easier to talk to.

73MB280SEL · #10 03-19-2003, 06:47 AM

Everybody: Let's just take a chill pill and not loose sight of the fact that the quotes provided us here by LGB are FUNNY. Realistically, France is just doing what is in its best interest and so are we. We shouldn't personally attack them, just do whatever is necessary to keep our interests moving forward. And laugh a little.

Piotr: One thing I've noticed in my contacts with people that have immigrated from other countries is that once they come here (US), the old tensions seem to melt away. Not in every case, but I had a Bulgarian friend that told me the problems they were having with the Macedonia and also the Albainian minority in his country. Now that he is here, it's somthing he cares about but not something he felt passionitely about to fight for. Same is true of east Indians and the Pakistani's I knew. They seemed to get along well. Of course that could have changed, but I think that the US has a moderating affect on those that come here seeking a better life.

Now those that come here as terrorists... They're another story.

BENZ-LGB: I've been to Cuba 8 times (only to Guantanamo Bay) as a civilian maintaining an air traffic control radar down there. Too bad I wasn't allowed to do some exploring. The Travel Channel had a program where some lady traveled down the spine of Cuba to Santiago de Cuba. That's just on the other side of a mountain range west of Gitmo. We could see planes landing on the radar there.

Pretty country. Some of the nicest sunsets and clearest water anywhere.

Sholin

#11 03-19-2003, 08:18 AM

I'm sorry, but I have a really tough time "chilling out" regarding the French. 150,000 American lives were lost getting back Frances country for them, then DeGaulle strolled into Paris with his pompous attitude as if he had taken it back single handedly.

I've been to France a number of times in the past few years and can't believe my eyes. That country is so socialistic that no one can lose their job. It is close to impossible to get waited on at most any business where an employee rather than a business owner is at the front counter. The only exception that comes to mind is Euro Disney. They can't be fired, so they don't care if a customer is taken care of at all, most especially if the customer is an American.

BTW, I was going through the laundry last night and thought I had found a French flag. It turned out to be a white bedsheet.

Have a great day,

DieselHead · #12 03-19-2003, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Piotr, I agree with you, what happened to Poland was a crime. the same is true for what happened to the rest of Eastern Europe. I am glad that Poland is on our side.

To add insult to injury, Poland was basically given to the Russians by the French and British post WWI following the break up of the great empires as some sort of prize. Some say this was not true, but at the very least, Western Europe abandoned Poland post WWI. It was actually the influence of the US and Wilson that brought forth a democracy movement with the rise of Pilsudski. Eventhough that democracy experiment failed, Poland emerged heavily nationalist with common myths, common identities and common language.

PC Dave · #13 03-19-2003, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DieselHead
To add insult to injury, Poland was basically given to the Russians by the French and British post WWI following the break up of the great empires as some sort of prize. Some say this was not true, but at the very least, Western Europe abandoned Poland post WWI. It was actually the influence of the US and Wilson that brought forth a democracy movement with the rise of Pilsudski. Eventhough that democracy experiment failed, Poland emerged heavily nationalist with common myths, common identities and common language.

DH, I think you're a little off on this one. Poland wasn't given to Russia by the French and the British post-WW I, it was actually created at that time from the remains of Russia, partly via the carve-up at the Treaty of Versailles, and partly through the efforts of the Poles themselves. If memory serves, the Polish armed forces actually intervened during the chaos of the Russian Revolution by moving east to try to grab more land, and was pushed back to the then-current borders by the Bolsheviks.

There was no independent Polish state immediately prior to WWI, and hadn't been since the 1700's when it was split up between Russia, Prussia and Austria.

DieselHead · #14 03-19-2003, 10:26 AM

Under the rule of the great empires which I had said collapsed. Failed to mention that Poland was part of these great empires. My mistake. But yes, they were abandoned after the treaty of versailles. Is that wrong?

PC, you edited out the best parts (both of them).

PC Dave · #15 03-19-2003, 10:36 AM

DH, I guess my point is that from a Polish perspective, the end of WWI wasn't a bad deal - Poles had their first independent state in almost two centuries. You could say that Poland was less "abandoned" than the rest of central Europe at the time. There was some French and British support for Poland - after all, they did declare war, however ineffectively, after the German invasion due to treaty obligations, vs. simply acquiescing in the annexation of Austria and Bohemia.

What happened after WWII was a whole different issue, and pretty tragic, though realistically I'm not sure what could have been done differently from the perspective of the western allies. The Red Army was a simple fact of life on the ground, and Stalin was going to do what he wanted, end of story.

Re. editing, just trying to keep courtesy quotient up after getting another thread closed a few days ago.