The French Thread

[Olivier]

here here

long live the auld alliance.

i like the french

673915[/snapback]

And we - French - really like Scottish (and Irish) people.

Unfortunately, I only spent a few days in your country, but that was great .

There, we met very pleasant people - especially a salmon fisher.

Huge lakes : impressive!!!

Vive l'Ecosse et vivent les écossais!

We were just sad not to meet Nessie...

[Michelle]

Heeeyyy Olivier, Irish only get an "(and Irish)"????

Technically, though, I'm American and have to bare that stereotype.

[Olivier]

I'm sorry so!!!

Just highlighted the Scottish because the person I was talking to was Scottish.

Hope you will forgive me.

P.S. Very French name for an American... I like it.

[Michelle]

Strange name for an Irish American especially, Olivier.

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

[Andy_R]

I am not fond of the French government's ungratefullness towards the U.S. If it weren't for the U.S., they would all be speaking German.

Yet they still hate our guts.

This is nothing against the average citizen of France. I know they are great people.

[Talon]

long live the auld alliance.

i like the french

I agree

And we - French - really like Scottish (and Irish) people

Yay

[Blackleaf]

My view is that the French or great.

Anything that gave us such culture has to be applauded.

Whatever their contribution in WW2 - which was great by the way - thanks a lot.

I like French artists, French films, French music - so I'm grateful for that too.

Vive le France!

673823[/snapback]

But they should stop arrogantly trying to steal Britain's EU rebate whilst refusing to get rid of, or reduce, their CAP subsidies.

[girty1600]

I like the French; I have been to France twice and was treated quite well.

[Blackleaf]

More money is spent on French cows per year than is spent on most of the Africans living in poverty.

The CAP kills one African child every 13 seconds but, when wanting more money for the EU, the French want the British to lose their rebate (which is just a percentage of OUR money that we put into the EU and are getting it back) but REFUSE to reduce the subsidies they receive from the bloated and wasteful CAP just to make RICH French farmers richer whilst causing poverty in the Third World.

[Blackleaf]

Strike One: Net contribution to the EU budget per capita 2003

France £19

UK £42

Strike Two: Common Agricultural Policy receipts per capita 2003

France £117

UK £45

Strike Three: Prime Minister Blair raised eyebrows on arriving in Berlin last night by going straight into lengthy talks with Angela Merkel, the conservative opposition leader who is well placed to defeat Herr Schröder in the general election in September.

From The Sun -

Blair digs in

Mon. June 13th, 2005

THE next week will be a truly momentous period shaping Britain’s relations with Europe.

The fundamental unfairness of EU finances is top of the agenda at the European Council of Ministers.

Tony Blair and Gordon Brown will be under siege over our EU rebate from France’s Jacques Chirac and his German sidekick Gerhard Schroeder.

The two failed Euro leaders reckon it’s perfectly fair that £4 of EVERY £10 spent by Brussels goes to just FIVE PER CENT of the EU’s population [and just two percent of its GDP] thanks to the Common Agricultural Policy.

This crazy set-up means money is sent where it’s not needed and is directly responsible for increasing African poverty.

What a grotesque situation.

Blair and Brown know this and are dug in for a bruising confrontation.

In days gone by, Chirac and Schroeder’s arrogance may have helped their cause.

But not any more.

For like the Emperor’s new clothes, the public across the continent has seen through the economic shambles they have created.

The PM and his Chancellor are quite rightly refusing to budge on the rebate until the CAP is torn up and rewritten to stop it being a licence to print money for French farmers.

With continental economies floundering, Britain has a wonderful chance to control the future shape of the EU.

While Europe gazes at its navel, wasting time trying to resurrect the dead constitution, the world is changing before our eyes.

The EU must be fit and strong to compete with the new industrial powerhouses of China and India.

It cannot do so with the CAP in its present form.

Make no mistake, this political battle will be a brutal encounter.

There can be only one winner.

Britain.

[Blackleaf]

I like the French; I have been to France twice and was treated quite well.

682640[/snapback]

However, the French don't like the Americans. You also need to remember that the majority of French citizens wanted Saddam to win the Iraq War of 2003, including their new (and unelected) Prime Minister de Villepin.

French-American Mutual Discord Grows, Survey for Le Monde Shows

June 17 (Bloomberg) -- French and Americans' mutual dislike is growing, and more people in each country consider the other a rival, a TNS-Sofres survey for Le Monde newspaper and the French- American Foundation showed.

Twenty-five percent of Americans have ``antipathy'' for France, up from 7 percent in a June 2004 poll. Among the French, 17 percent disliked the U.S., compared with 11 percent last year. Sofres polled 1,000 people in each country between June 8 and June 12. It gave no margin of error.

U.S. relations with France worsened before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003. France and Germany, together with Russia, led opposition to the war and threatened to veto a resolution at the United Nations Security Council that would have authorized using force against Saddam Hussein.

In February, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice traveled to Paris, calling for a ``new chapter'' in trans-Atlantic relations. Antipathy for France among Republicans, President George W. Bush's party, reached 39 percent, the survey showed. In France, ``supporters of the left'' held the most negative view of the U.S.

Seventy percent of the French and 56 percent of the Americans called the other a ``not always faithful ally,'' the poll showed.

The share of people seeing the two countries as ``partners,'' fell to 39 percent in France. In 2002, that number was 50 percent. In the U.S., it fell to 45 percent from 68 percent. Those with the impression they are ``rivals'' grew to 24 percent in France from 11 percent in 2002 and to 44 percent from 18 percent in the U.S., according to the poll.

Even after France and the Netherlands rejected the European Union's constitution, 42 percent of Americans see the 25-country bloc becoming as powerful as the U.S. in 20 years. Twenty-three percent see it becoming more powerful, the poll showed.

www.bloomberg.com . . .

[SnakeProphet]

However, the French don't like the Americans. You also need to remember that the majority of French citizens wanted Saddam to win the Iraq War of 2003, including their new (and unelected) Prime Minister de Villepin.

French-American Mutual Discord Grows, Survey for Le Monde Shows

June 17 (Bloomberg) -- French and Americans' mutual dislike is growing, and more people in each country consider the other a rival, a TNS-Sofres survey for Le Monde newspaper and the French- American Foundation showed.

Twenty-five percent of Americans have ``antipathy'' for France, up from 7 percent in a June 2004 poll. Among the French, 17 percent disliked the U.S., compared with 11 percent last year. Sofres polled 1,000 people in each country between June 8 and June 12. It gave no margin of error.

U.S. relations with France worsened before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003. France and Germany, together with Russia, led opposition to the war and threatened to veto a resolution at the United Nations Security Council that would have authorized using force against Saddam Hussein.

In February, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice traveled to Paris, calling for a ``new chapter'' in trans-Atlantic relations. Antipathy for France among Republicans, President George W. Bush's party, reached 39 percent, the survey showed. In France, ``supporters of the left'' held the most negative view of the U.S.

Seventy percent of the French and 56 percent of the Americans called the other a ``not always faithful ally,'' the poll showed.

The share of people seeing the two countries as ``partners,'' fell to 39 percent in France. In 2002, that number was 50 percent. In the U.S., it fell to 45 percent from 68 percent. Those with the impression they are ``rivals'' grew to 24 percent in France from 11 percent in 2002 and to 44 percent from 18 percent in the U.S., according to the poll.

Even after France and the Netherlands rejected the European Union's constitution, 42 percent of Americans see the 25-country bloc becoming as powerful as the U.S. in 20 years. Twenty-three percent see it becoming more powerful, the poll showed.

I like the French; I have been to France twice and was treated quite well.

Which one of these words don't you understand?There obviously have to be people who like the Americans.

And your image is ridiculous.Like the French would stab their own statue.

[Mekorig]

Snake, you dont understand. The french are evil and deceitfull evil b******* that wants to destroy the world whit their aberration , the EU, and they want to begin whit the proud and shining Avalon, to continue whit the sucesor of the pride of Avalon, the USA. WE MUST DESTROY ALL FRENCHS!!!!!

[turbonium]

I thought I'd add a North American viewpoint. I'm French ancestry on both parents sides. Immigrated to North America back in the 1700's. One of my ancestors is Jacques Cartier.....

Jacques Cartier went to Canada three times, in 1534, 1535 and 1541. He is credited with being the first European discoverer of the St. Lawrence River and the first European to make a map of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Cartier named Canada through a mistake. When he heard the Iroquoian word "kanata", which means town or village, he thought it was the name used for the country. The name CANADA began appearing on European maps!

My 2xGreat Grandfather fought for the North in the Civil War - 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry. Both my grandparents had pioneer heritage and helped settle the land of 2 separate French communities in the West.

Father Constant Falher was born in Josseling, Bretagne, France, on March 23, 1863. He played an important role, along with Father Giroux, in convincing settlers to visit the west and settle in the area.

Bonnyville owes its origin to the concerted efforts of courageous, colonizing priests such as the Oblate Fathers Rev. Joseph Adeodat Therien and Rev. J.A. Ouellette who travelled, as early as 1907, to Quebec, the Maritimes, and parts of the United States to recruit colonists for parts of Alberta including St. Paul, Therien and Bonnyville.

[girty1600]

I like the French; I have been to France twice and was treated quite well.

682640[/snapback]

However, the French don't like the Americans. You also need to remember that the majority of French citizens wanted Saddam to win the Iraq War of 2003, including their new (and unelected) Prime Minister de Villepin.

French-American Mutual Discord Grows, Survey for Le Monde Shows

June 17 (Bloomberg) -- French and Americans' mutual dislike is growing, and more people in each country consider the other a rival, a TNS-Sofres survey for Le Monde newspaper and the French- American Foundation showed.

Twenty-five percent of Americans have ``antipathy'' for France, up from 7 percent in a June 2004 poll. Among the French, 17 percent disliked the U.S., compared with 11 percent last year. Sofres polled 1,000 people in each country between June 8 and June 12. It gave no margin of error.

U.S. relations with France worsened before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003. France and Germany, together with Russia, led opposition to the war and threatened to veto a resolution at the United Nations Security Council that would have authorized using force against Saddam Hussein.

In February, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice traveled to Paris, calling for a ``new chapter'' in trans-Atlantic relations. Antipathy for France among Republicans, President George W. Bush's party, reached 39 percent, the survey showed. In France, ``supporters of the left'' held the most negative view of the U.S.

Seventy percent of the French and 56 percent of the Americans called the other a ``not always faithful ally,'' the poll showed.

The share of people seeing the two countries as ``partners,'' fell to 39 percent in France. In 2002, that number was 50 percent. In the U.S., it fell to 45 percent from 68 percent. Those with the impression they are ``rivals'' grew to 24 percent in France from 11 percent in 2002 and to 44 percent from 18 percent in the U.S., according to the poll.

Even after France and the Netherlands rejected the European Union's constitution, 42 percent of Americans see the 25-country bloc becoming as powerful as the U.S. in 20 years. Twenty-three percent see it becoming more powerful, the poll showed.

www.bloomberg.com . . .

682668[/snapback]

I don't care; the French people have been nice to me while I was guest in their country. I can't and won't hate them. This propaganda is getting tiresome.

[Space Commander Travis]

If we can get serious for a moment, French military capability has always been a bit of an enigma; Napoleon was undeniably one of the greatest military geniuses of all time, but they were always outclassed by us (the Brits) at sea, but they held out on the Western front throughout WWI (although they came pretty close to mutiny at times, when we never came close), and in 1940 the French armed forces had equipment that was probably at least as good as the Germans, but were just completley outclassed by the German's tactics. I wonder how much of subsequent events and current attitudes comes down to resentment that we (Britain, America and Canada) did what they could not and defeated Nazism?

[Blackleaf]

However, the French don't like the Americans. You also need to remember that the majority of French citizens wanted Saddam to win the Iraq War of 2003, including their new (and unelected) Prime Minister de Villepin.

French-American Mutual Discord Grows, Survey for Le Monde Shows

June 17 (Bloomberg) -- French and Americans' mutual dislike is growing, and more people in each country consider the other a rival, a TNS-Sofres survey for Le Monde newspaper and the French- American Foundation showed.

Twenty-five percent of Americans have ``antipathy'' for France, up from 7 percent in a June 2004 poll. Among the French, 17 percent disliked the U.S., compared with 11 percent last year. Sofres polled 1,000 people in each country between June 8 and June 12. It gave no margin of error.

U.S. relations with France worsened before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003. France and Germany, together with Russia, led opposition to the war and threatened to veto a resolution at the United Nations Security Council that would have authorized using force against Saddam Hussein.

In February, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice traveled to Paris, calling for a ``new chapter'' in trans-Atlantic relations. Antipathy for France among Republicans, President George W. Bush's party, reached 39 percent, the survey showed. In France, ``supporters of the left'' held the most negative view of the U.S.

Seventy percent of the French and 56 percent of the Americans called the other a ``not always faithful ally,'' the poll showed.

The share of people seeing the two countries as ``partners,'' fell to 39 percent in France. In 2002, that number was 50 percent. In the U.S., it fell to 45 percent from 68 percent. Those with the impression they are ``rivals'' grew to 24 percent in France from 11 percent in 2002 and to 44 percent from 18 percent in the U.S., according to the poll.

Even after France and the Netherlands rejected the European Union's constitution, 42 percent of Americans see the 25-country bloc becoming as powerful as the U.S. in 20 years. Twenty-three percent see it becoming more powerful, the poll showed.

I like the French; I have been to France twice and was treated quite well.

Which one of these words don't you understand?There obviously have to be people who like the Americans.

And your image is ridiculous.Like the French would stab their own statue.

682675[/snapback]

The last time I checked, The Statue of Liberty is in New York and is an American statue. It was a gift from France but it isn't French.

[Blackleaf]

Snake, you dont understand. The french are evil and deceitfull evil b******* that wants to destroy the world whit their aberration , the EU, and they want to begin whit the proud and shining Avalon, to continue whit the sucesor of the pride of Avalon, the USA. WE MUST DESTROY ALL FRENCHS!!!!!

683878[/snapback]

The EU DOES destroy countries. It has already destroyed the British fishing and manufacturing industries, and is now trying to destroy our economy by forcing the euro upon us.

The French and Germans have destroyed their own economies by adopting the euro.

[Blackleaf]

If we can get serious for a moment, French military capability has always been a bit of an enigma; Napoleon was undeniably one of the greatest military geniuses of all time, but they were always outclassed by us (the Brits) at sea, but they held out on the Western front throughout WWI (although they came pretty close to mutiny at times, when we never came close), and in 1940 the French armed forces had equipment that was probably at least as good as the Germans, but were just completley outclassed by the German's tactics.  I wonder how much of subsequent events and current attitudes comes down to resentment that we (Britain, America and Canada) did what they could not and defeated Nazism?

683978[/snapback]

I don't think the French tried hard enough to fight the NAZIS. They gave up without a fight as soon as they were invaded. I know for a fact that if the NAZIS invaded Britain we would not have given up so easily. We had the Home Guard - not professional soldiers, but soldiers who would have fought the Germans if they managed to invade Britain. And Churchill even had plans to create the largest "undercover" army in Britain that the world had ever seen, which was members of the public trained to spy on German soldiers and to kill as many of them as they can. No other European country planned anything on that scale.

And another reason why the French annoy me is their collaboration with the Germans in WWII. If you can't beat them, surrender and join them!

Edited June 18, 2005 by Blackleaf

[Erikl]

I don't think the French tried hard enough to fight the NAZIS. They gave up without a fight as soon as they were invaded.

That was the direct result of the collapse of French democracy, which started after WW1.

When WW2 began, both the fascists and the communists were very popular in France. Had Nazi Germany was "Soviet Germany", France would have been defeated just as fast, because the communists had enough supporters, just like the fascists had.

I know for a fact that if the NAZIS invaded Britain we would not have given up so easily.

Don't be so sure - up until WW2 broke, Nazism wasn't seen in bad eyes in the UK.... as a matter of fact, the ideology had lots of supporters, and the Nazis themselves admired the British Empire before WW2.

You can't know anything for a fact because the Nazis never actually managed to invade the UK... you only know how the Nazis are remembered in the UK as a result of the way history went.

I'm pretty sure that had the Nazis invaded the UK, after killing off all the Celts (Welsh, Scots and Irish), they would have had found many supporters among the English population.

I mean - look how the BNP are gaining support in some regions of England today, with all the atrocities of Nazism known and remembered.

[Space Commander Travis]

yes, the Nazis did have some sympathisers among the upper classes, but there was never the tradition of anti-Semitism here that there was in much of Europe; there were many Jewish-owned businesses existing quite happily here, having come here as refugees from Europe, and the only British fascist party, Oswald Mosley's, was never really a credible political force. So I reckon that although some of the upper classes might have welcomed Hitler, i think the ordinary people wouldn't have been so keen; we may not have been able to fight the Germans off after they'd landed (we had about twelve tanks left after Dunkirk), but we'd have made it as hard for them as possible. And the BNP may know how to get the attention, but they're absolutely negligible as a political force - they hardly registered in the last general election.

[SnakeProphet]

The last time I checked, The Statue of Liberty is in New York and is an American statue. It was a gift from France but it isn't French.

No,the statue itself isn't french.But I have seen the smaller version in Paris.If they stab the SOL they can just as well stab their own statue.

The French and Germans have destroyed their own economies by adopting the euro.

Actually Germany has saved their economy by adopting the euro.France propably as well.

[Olivier]

Snake, you dont understand. The french are evil and deceitfull evil b******* that wants to destroy the world whit their aberration , the EU, and they want to begin whit the proud and shining Avalon, to continue whit the sucesor of the pride of Avalon, the USA. WE MUST DESTROY ALL FRENCHS!!!!!

683878[/snapback]

You're completely silly, man!

Realize the horror of what you're saying.

[SnakeProphet]

You're completely silly, man!

Realize the horror of what you're saying.

It was a joke.I'm 99,9% sure he was being sarcastic.

[Olivier]

You're completely silly, man!

Realize the horror of what you're saying.

It was a joke.I'm 99,9% sure he was being sarcastic.

684414[/snapback]

I hope so.

I guess we don't have the same sense of humour...