France sucks.

I concur with Gary.

I meet some folks from England several years ago. They were staying in Seattle for several years, representing the British government on some project with a local company. We became good friends and talked of many things which included the French. Their disdain of the French was apparent after about five minutes of discussion.

They didn't really hate the French but rather, had no respect for these people. Well, a little loathing bubbled up.

My first reaction was oh, since I had never thought much about the French or many other countries for that matter. Other than the USA, much of the world seemed mostly another place that didn't affect my life very much. They'd leave me alone and I would leave them alone. The cold war was over and most Americans were just busy living their own lives.

I think this attitude is typical of many Americans, especially before 9/11. And this is coming from only a second generation American with a pedigree spread around Europe.

I don't know if I am much more worldy now but I pay closer attention to the world and I am choosing sides. We have to. It can be a matter of life or death. One thing I understand better now is the reaction my English friends have to the French. I will never trust the French and will never call then allies.

Ben is right.

Gary, real thoughtful post. This part of what you said captures where I was at too, pre-9/11.

(FROM GARY B.)
"Other than the USA, much of the world seemed mostly another place that didn't affect my life very much. They'd leave me alone and I would leave them alone. The cold war was over and most Americans were just busy living their own lives.

...I don't know if I am much more worldy now but I pay closer attention to the world and I am choosing sides. We have to. It can be a matter of life or death...."

I agree, Gary. And so France (in a backward manner) proves the enduring wisdom of Teddy Roosevelt's warning: that the man who loves other countries as much as his own, likely loves other women as much as his wife (thanks Scott D!)

Come to think of it, T.R.'s line more or less describes the typical French male, non?

Unfaithful in love and international relations, The French. Or are they just..........European?

Interesting choice of conjunction in that piece, as noted on Biased BBC
"defending Palestinian violence but also neo-Nazis" (emphasis added). And would reflect equivalence, so would seem preferable to but, which implies, subtly, something about the non-ideological nature of Verges' client list. As if defending Palestinian violence and neo-Nazis weren't perfectly consistent.