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I’ve been to France many times; they don’t hate us and don’t fight against us–they’re what we USED to be between the ’30s and ’60s. WE’VE changed, they haven’t.

The French weren’t right about Iraq — they were profiting from it. Of course they wouldn’t want to ruin a good thing.

Democrats probably aren’t trying to lose the election, but it sure is a lot closer than I’d hope or expect given the conduct of this campaign. I am not yet confident Bush will win this thing.

The French are a great example of wine besotted former empire that has managed to drag its carcass into the 21st century with the help of the US to bail their butts out three times… WW1, WW2, Viet Nam so they could retreat with dignity.

But other than that I have no opinion.

Well, let’s see. They fought in Vietnam in the 1950s under US urging.

And, here is a little information from Central Command.
http://www.centcom.mil/Operations/Coalition/Coalition_pages/france.htm

Support to the Global War on Terror (Operation Enduring Freedom):

Historical perspective:
French commitment to OEF has been strong and resolute since the beginning of the operation.
The French liaison team to HQ USCENTCOM was established on 10 October 2001 to coordinate all matters/issues related to the French contribution to OEF.
As soon as United Nations Security Council Resolution 1378 was issued on 18 October 2001, France forces were sent in Afghanistan. Since October 21, French reconnaissance aircraft and air tankers have contributed to the air campaign. They were reinforced between the winter of 2001 and the summer of 2002 by French naval aviation forces and French air force transport planes and fighters. Indeed, France was the first country, along with the United States, to have flown bombing missions over Afghanistan in direct support of American ground troops. French forces arrived on the ground as early as 2 December 2001, securing Mazar-e-Sharif.

In total, some 5,500 French service members were sent to the region.

There is more, but here is how that entry ends.

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)

In addition to its OEF commitment, France is one of the main contributors to the NATO International Security Assistance Force. Since French Lt. Gen PY became the new ISAF Commander on 11 August 2004, France increased its troop strength. Today, out of approximately 6300 personnel in ISAF, 1000 belong to the French armed forces. France is thus the United States’ second-largest partner in Afghanistan with a total of 1670 French troops.
In addition to being responsible for security of the Kabul Airport, the French ISAF battalion also helps to maintain a safe and secure environment by conducting daily patrols in northern Kabul.
The French battalion also performs Civil Military Operations in its area of operations to help Afghan people to rebuild their local economy and infrastructure (medical help, school building, well drilling etc.).

Gee, Dan, why didn’t you know this?

Each new day that goes by proves how right the French were about Iraq and that the American People were rudely lied to by some of their leaders (no wonder Powell has gone very quiet recently…at least HE has some sense of ethics). Boy, it really smells like the end of the RepubLIEcans…

An amused non American (and non French) reader

What the FUCK do you know about France, Dan? I’ve been to France a few times for work and vacation, worked for a U.S. company with French investors, have worked side-by-side with French engineers, and have done business with French suppliers and customers. So perhaps I know a little about the French.

Saying the French hate America is akin to saying the Oregonians are idiots.

-mark http://www.digitalmediatree.com/onelap

Thanks for the nice opening line. That’s real civil of you. (I’d say it’s typical of the left to be so nasty, but then you’d just say it’s typical of us and then we’d go back and forth… etc.)

When I say, “the French” I certainly don’t mean to say every French citizen. Just as not every left winger is a baby killing, tree hugging, anti-profit, animal worshipping lunatic.

I’ve been to France many times, have backpacked through the countryside as well as Paris. I have found them to be very anti-American in general.

But moreover, I believe we should judge them based on their ACTIONS. They have been against American resolve to liberate people and to protect our citizenry, over and over and over. There’s a document that outlines why this is. It was written after WW2 and in it, it describes how France must differentiate itself in world affairs as they exit WW2 and go forward. It essentially says that although they shouldn’t be outright enemies of the west, they should NOT participate in any actions associated with them… etc. It was very anti-Anglo saxon.

They are anti-American, in general, period. No matter how nice certain individuals are.

Perhaps you can refrain from calling me names and we can discuss things in a civilized manner.