The French

[creaturecat]

Here is another good reason to "hate" the French

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7571421.stm

[m21sniper]

The french have always looked out for themselves and their interests, like everyone else.

Why shouldn't they now too? Al Q is everyone's problem, not Americas sole problem.

[RPKESQ]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

The french have always looked out for themselves and their interests, like everyone else.

Why shouldn't they now too? Al Q is everyone's problem, not Americas sole problem.

So if they act just like we do, what's the beef?

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by tabs

It was CA grape vines that came to the rescue of the French.

That's just more US propaganda fed to the unknowing masses.

[DaveE]

Originally Posted by Groesbeck Hurricane

Sorry, did not mean to sound like I was belittling dead soldiers. I do apologize!!! I am not sure what gave that impression.

I wanted to point out that French soldiers are like any others. When their government lets them down, they are not as effective due to lack of training and equipment.

No, my apologies. I think I completely misread your post. I'm sorry.

[Rearden]

god bless Sarkozy and the soldiers' families.

[Normy]

The European Union countries, in specific France actually purchase a LOT of military hardware from the United States. Even the new KC-45 tanker is about 50% American built. The A330 that it is based upon is about 25% US content by value [the engines, and the TOTALLY HOT Honeywell FMS suite in that awesome cockpit! Incidently, Airbus cockpits are designed by Porsche, down to the shape of the side stick~]

So there is some pressure within the US government to occasionally pick a European product. The Harrier jet is a GREAT example of when the....well, "European" uhmm....British [they ought to be considered part of North America!] came up with a product that was far superior to anything that we had at the time. The other great example is the use of the French Dassault Falcon [a private jet] for use by the Coast Guard for routine patrol duties. People that have flown these and other jets say that there is no comparison: This airplane DOES the work and everything else just sort of frets and has fits! The Falcon is THE mid-sized business jet.

-Yet, there was that famous tank that the French government proposed to the United States in 1979, when the MX-1 was being proposed to the US government by General Dynamics and Chrysler, the maker of the turbine engine that powered this eventual winner of the competition between the two. Chrysler's tank was amazing: It could fire on the roll...and get this: because of the 1500 hp turboshaft engine [which could make that sort of power all day long, unlike the more typical piston engines...] it was capable of 60 mph!

Well, the poor French tank couldn't do that kind of speed, despite the 64-valve turbodiesel V-16 engine, which was shown to have 25% better fuel consumption. And it developed 1600 hp...100 more than Chrysler's turbine. And the French machine weighed 3500 pounds less....


-Why couldn't the French tank compete? Simple: It was equipped with 1 forward gear and 5 reverse!


Sorry...I get in these weird moods at times!

N!

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by RPKESQ

So if they act just like we do, what's the beef?

Who said there's a beef?

BTW, i did not say they act just like we do.

[andrew15]

m21sniper -
You didn't fix anything for me - The French and all other allies in Afganistan have freed up US assets for Iraq. We may not be in Iraq with you and may not agree with your reasoning, but at least you have more stuff to use over on your second front.

Again - the attitude of the OT board is getting more and more depressing. Nothing can be taken at face value - everything has to distill down to right vs left or the weak will of Europeans.

It seems like we have decent enough mental facilities, yet we beat enough dead horses to start a glue factory. It's sad that our energies are not directed to create a more helpful environment. Don't get me wrong - I count myself in that group as well and am joining the others with a self imposed exile from off topic - it's not like anyones opion has ever changed anyway

AM

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by DaveE

I don't know how big their presence is there but I heard on the news yesterday that 10 French soldiers were killed in a Taliban ambush in Afgahnistan. With all the insults and accustations of cowardace tossed at them on this board I just thought I'd mention it.

Originally Posted by targa911S

Originally Posted by targa911S
... There are guys dying out there fighting a war our A -hole president started. I don't care what country they are from, they have more balls than some of you sitting here typing. Oh did I mention they were dying?

Oh why Oh why did we get all the negative remarks...We only trashed the people on this BBS, the United States and the US President? Don't they understand that all the problems in the world are caused by the US...while everyone else is just trying to spread goodness and light.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by tabs

CA wine now outshines frog wine....

only if you have very simple-minded taste buds -- and even then, only for a few varieties

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

That's just more US propaganda fed to the unknowing masses.

no, he is correct about the grape vines - the French had a nasty disease epidemic and the solution was to graft the US cultivars onto the French roots

Stijn is absolutley correct in his more thorough explanation - but there were some vine types almost completelywiped out and saved by US grafts - IIRC, it was Pinot vines (Burgundy).

[RWebb]

There is a lot of stereotyping about the "the French" here.

First, Sarkozy is a Hungarian implant... does not mean he is not French of course.

Second, I will bet that a lot of the stereotype is due to Paris - people in big cities tend be a tad similar. Parisians are a bit like New Yorkers.

People in rural or small town France may well act quite differently from those who live in Paris.

Then there are the non-European "French" -- people in old French colonies whose culture is heavily influenced by France. That includes people from E. Canada to Vietnam to Algiers to two different types of "french" just in Louisiana.

I don't think they are all going to fit under anyone's stereotype.

[JavaBrewer]

Bless those French soldiers, and their families, for their sacrifice. I think most on this BBS, myself included, lack the balls to stand their watch.

French everyday wine < California everyday wine < Chile/Argentina everyday wine
Everyone else premium wine < French premium wine
Bud/Coors < bottled water < good beer < Sierra Nevada < Pete's Wicked Ale

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by andrew15

m21sniper -
You didn't fix anything for me - The French and all other allies in Afganistan have freed up US assets for Iraq. We may not be in Iraq with you and may not agree with your reasoning, but at least you have more stuff to use over on your second front.

Sorry, you need to be in Afghanistan for your own interests and those of your continent. You want to impress me let's see france send a whole division.

They think they're a major world power, how about a major world power type troop deployment?

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by dmoolenaar

... I think most on this BBS, myself included, lack the balls to stand their watch...

What exactly is your point?

[aap1966]

The point is that the guys on the front line are faced with more danger in a week than most of us face in a lifetime. I would hope to acquit myself as well as the vast majority of them, but I will never really know. No-one would unless in that situation.

I have problems with many aspects of French culture and politics, but those guys on the front line have my undying admiration and gratitude, regardless of nationality. Their families are in my prayers.

[jcommin]

+1 RWebb

I agree!! I work for a company that has a plant near Lyon France. I really enjoy going there and working with the people. Certainly not like the Parisians. Working people have the same problems; taxes, education, jobs, same stuff.

[RPKESQ]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

Sorry, you need to be in Afghanistan for your own interests and those of your continent. You want to impress me let's see france send a whole division.

They think they're a major world power, how about a major world power type troop deployment?

They are a major world power.

Only country to have a nuclear aircraft carrier besides the US.

They are a nuclear power with intercontinental delivery capability.

They are a member of the G8 and the UN Security consul.

They are an economic power.

They send troops where they feel troops would do the most good, not to impress you.

[Mule]

And have a centuries long reputation as having the gonads of a hummingbird. Do they still have the Maginot line?