Does France Really Hate The US?

[dangg]

Hey Brandon, I saw a collection of political cartoons from the early 40's once and it changed my whole view of the "we saved them in the ww thing", most of the cartoons were directed at us for taking so many years to join in the war. Yeah we did finally commit and were a big help, but only after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

[csiscs]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

I just finished Michael Moore's "Sicko". He makes France out to have an incredible system. It evokes thought. I need to actually dig up some facts before I really agree with this, but Michael Moore certainly makes France seem awesome. Then again, I don't exactly trust Michael Moore.

Anyway, Mr. Moore insinuates that the French really don't hate the US, but the media and government want us to think the French hate us so we won't look into their awesome system. That wouldn't surprise me, but again, you never know.

Because I'm a big WW2 guy, I find it difficult that a country would change it's mind about another country in just a few generations. The French put the United States on a robo pedestal. I would too. We saved them from the Nazis. Now, I realize that we are talking 1944-1945 here. However, it seems that my generation would have way too many grand parents telling stories about how the US saved the day for the country to have a true disdain for America.

I don't know. Food for thought. Is anyone up on this one?

Brandon

You think USA worthy of being placed on pedestal for its involvement in WW2

[irok660]

Originally Posted by csiscs

You think USA worthy of being placed on pedestal for its involvement in WW2

Don't you?

[garageband]

Two things. Of course we don't deserve a pedestal. We acted (mightily, of course) in WWII in a fashion that was almost entirely self-motivated and self-interested. Poland? The Sudetenland? The Alsace? London in flames? The US wasn't in the biggest of hurries. The Lusitania? Pearl Harbor? Now we're mad!

Back to the French.
France is an old friend friend who has known you forever. Forever on the US timeline. They know you damn well and know your habits good and bad.
"Don't marry that girl (war in Iraq), she'll bring you heartache and misery."
"But, I love her."
"She's still no good for you."
"We're getting married because I love her."
"Don't do it. I cannot come to your wedding because I won't sanction such a union that can only end badly."
"Then you're not my friend because it's what I want and that's what's important."
"I'm sorry you feel that way, but that won't shake the conviction I have that this wrong."

My personal experience is that the French, while sometimes rude, don't have the even more obnoxious "my-way-or-the-highway" attitude that many Americans are possessed by.

[csiscs]

Originally Posted by garageband

Two things. Of course we don't deserve a pedestal. We acted (mightily, of course) in WWII in a fashion that was almost entirely self-motivated and self-interested. Poland? The Sudetenland? The Alsace? London in flames? The US wasn't in the biggest of hurries. The Lusitania? Pearl Harbor? Now we're mad!

Back to the French.
France is an old friend friend who has known you forever. Forever on the US timeline. They know you damn well and know your habits good and bad.
"Don't marry that girl (war in Iraq), she'll bring you heartache and misery."
"But, I love her."
"She's still no good for you."
"We're getting married because I love her."
"Don't do it. I cannot come to your wedding because I won't sanction such a union that can only end badly."
"Then you're not my friend because it's what I want and that's what's important."
"I'm sorry you feel that way, but that won't shake the conviction I have that this wrong."

My personal experience is that the French, while sometimes rude, don't have the even more obnoxious "my-way-or-the-highway" attitude that many Americans are possessed by.

Nail...Head nuf said!

[csiscs]

America needs a war fought on its own turf,it well never be able to truly understand war until it does,no matter how many books you read.

[izzme]

IN my limited reading of history most of the books i read said thatFrance in our war of independence played an itty bitty part in our winning our freedom! NO Scratch all that, they said they made the difference!!! It's probably french propaganda lies or not!!

[brandondrury]

It's interesting pondering the view of America from around the world. Every two or three weeks I'll go somewhere where they have a TV on. I'm just appalled by such an alien view of the world. I usually get a headache within minutes.

If I was from a country that ended in "ania" or "ance" I'd blame this on the US, but I want to point out that a good chunk of us in the US have nothing to do THAT culture.

Brandon

[mindundermatter]

Originally Posted by garageband

Two things. Of course we don't deserve a pedestal. We acted (mightily, of course) in WWII in a fashion that was almost entirely self-motivated and self-interested. Poland? The Sudetenland? The Alsace? London in flames? The US wasn't in the biggest of hurries. The Lusitania? Pearl Harbor? Now we're mad!

Back to the French.
France is an old friend friend who has known you forever. Forever on the US timeline. They know you damn well and know your habits good and bad.
"Don't marry that girl (war in Iraq), she'll bring you heartache and misery."
"But, I love her."
"She's still no good for you."
"We're getting married because I love her."
"Don't do it. I cannot come to your wedding because I won't sanction such a union that can only end badly."
"Then you're not my friend because it's what I want and that's what's important."
"I'm sorry you feel that way, but that won't shake the conviction I have that this wrong."

My personal experience is that the French, while sometimes rude, don't have the even more obnoxious "my-way-or-the-highway" attitude that many Americans are possessed by.

That's pretty much how I see it. We've helped them, but then, they helped us way way way before that.

[brandondrury]

I'd say, beyond the Lousianna purchase and loaning the US some cash for their revolution, the real contribution from France was their philosophies which ultimately led to the French Revolution but also had a huge impact on the Constitution and that temporary experiment known as democracy.

Brandon