A couple of answers I liked

[ozark]

At a meeting (maybe a press meeting) Colen Powel was ask if Irar was just another attempt to build an empire. His answer:
Since the beginning of America we have sent troops to many lands in our efforts to preserve freedom. The only land we have ever ask for was enough to bury those who did not return.

An American Admiral responded to a Frenchman who ask why English was requjired in the meetings rather than French, Spanish or some other language. "Maybe it is because the Brits, Aussies, Canadians and Americans prevented the demand that
German or Japenese be used." These may not be exact quote as I have typed from memory.

[petev]

I might have told this story before, but anyway, a friend of mine was visiting Normandy about 10 or so years ago. He is a Persian Gulf vet and a decent guy. A Frenchman at the Normandy gravesites said that "It was about time the Americans removed their trash from their beach!" I was told that Bill hammered him into the dirt. You can only take so much. I think that a line must be drawn at some point. My opinion only of course. Pete

[chickenhunter]

You could have heard a pin drop

When in England, at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of "empire building" by George Bush.


He answered by saying "Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.

You could have heard a pin drop.


There was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including French and American. During a break. one of the French engineers came back into the room saying "Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intend to do, bomb them?

A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: " Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can supply electrical power to shore facilities; they have three cafaterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day; they can produce several thousands of gallons of fresh water from sea water a day; and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck. We have eleven such ships; how many does France have? You could have heard a pin drop.


A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S. English, Canadian, Austrailian and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of officers that included personel from most of thosse countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn meny languages, Americanslearn only English. He then asked, "Why is it we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speakingFrench?

Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied " Maybe it"s because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German"


You could have heard a pin drop.

[chickenhunter]

Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French Customs, he took a few miniutes to locate his passport in his carryon. "You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously. "Then you should know enough to have your passport ready" The American said, "The last time I was here I didn't have to show it." "Impossible. Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France!. The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained, "Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find a single Frenchman to show a passport to." You could have heard a pin drop.

[chickenhunter]

Ozark, Hope that helped.

[chuck41]

In fairness there has been a huge change in the French government in the last couple years. Their new president Sarkozy is much more pro American than previous ones and there have been significant improvements in American/French relations since he took office. There was a news report just last month that indicated that France had made recent changes that made it more pro-American than at any time since Charles DeGaul soured relations way back in 1968.

In fact it has began to look so hopeful that in recent days I have even returned to occasionally eating French Fries and French Toast. However, I am still drinking California wines until there is further clarification. ;D

Now if the Obama administration just doesn't screw it up. They have already ticked off the Brits and just last week others are complaining they don't answer their phone. Who'se gonna be next?

[ozark]

Improved relations between the US an another country? I had started to accept that being hated was a permanent situation. Good news indeed. I may just order french fries the next time we drive through Sonics.