France: la gloire de ses armes
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Bravo m'sieu le baron!
In which case, I think you owe me at least one bottle of half-decent vin rouge for barrel-rolling me in a Chivenor Hawk on my solo formation check ride after a six-month lay-off!
That would have been...let me see...1984, non?
Gadget
In which case, I think you owe me at least one bottle of half-decent vin rouge for barrel-rolling me in a Chivenor Hawk on my solo formation check ride after a six-month lay-off!
That would have been...let me see...1984, non?
Gadget
Lupus Domesticus
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SPIT, I fear you may have got me mixed up with someone else.
That said however I can dream of an awful lot of guns....I've made so many bangy things I still see the damn things in my sleep...!
TicketyBoo, Capt W E Johns, you are bang on. As it was, the only innocent man murdered by the DSE that night in the name of French pride (?!) was Portugese photographer Fernando Perriera.
France sent their best secret agents to blow up an unarmed converted North Sea trawler protest vessel, at anchor in the best known harbour of a friendly country on the other side of the world...a country which had twice sent a generation of its finest to save their sorry a$$es because they were too gutless to be able to do it themselves, though God alone knows why we bothered.
This friendly country, with fewer people than Birmingham spread out over a greater area than mainland Britain, was only lightly armed, and had little in the way of police resources and no foreign intelligence links at that time.
And they still got caught.
That said however I can dream of an awful lot of guns....I've made so many bangy things I still see the damn things in my sleep...!
TicketyBoo, Capt W E Johns, you are bang on. As it was, the only innocent man murdered by the DSE that night in the name of French pride (?!) was Portugese photographer Fernando Perriera.
France sent their best secret agents to blow up an unarmed converted North Sea trawler protest vessel, at anchor in the best known harbour of a friendly country on the other side of the world...a country which had twice sent a generation of its finest to save their sorry a$$es because they were too gutless to be able to do it themselves, though God alone knows why we bothered.
This friendly country, with fewer people than Birmingham spread out over a greater area than mainland Britain, was only lightly armed, and had little in the way of police resources and no foreign intelligence links at that time.
And they still got caught.
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Looks like there is a bunch of stupid people among the pilots also.
ORAC, everything you said can be told about any rich country (the first weapon selling industry is american, the second is Brit, so...)
The most anti-american people are american themselves. Since John Lennon has been killed, more than half a million people were killed by shooting in USA, Bin Laden just killed 3500, americans look more efficient to kill themself than anybody else. Before trying to disarm other countries, disarm your people.
UK is not democracy anymore, 70% of people are against war, Blair still want to go, I call this a dictature.
Funny, Bush wanna bomb Iraq and speak with N Korea.
Stupid, Bin Laden cannot be in NO WAY friend with Saddam. They cannot stand each other, it's obvious that integrist Bin Laden won't support Saddam, a laic, but doesn't seem so evident for some people, maybe a lack of education and knowledge.
Yes France did bad stuff in Africa, so did UK... but who put and supported most of the S.American dictatures, with disappeared, tortured, assassinated... CIA, just to fight the communists, but with same human results, but economical benefits for USA.
USA created the integrists to fight USSR.
When Soviets left, USA supported talibans against Massoud (much more moderate Muslim) , because of deals done about oil. Americans, in July 2001, were still dealing with Talibans about oil transportation through Afghanistan. If there was no 09/11, Talibans should still be there, with a lot of American money, but who would have cared, as long as they can fill up there SUV. So stop giving "democracy" lessons.
................ and so on and so on, and remark I didn't fell in the stupid xenphobia, saying like : big fat hamburger eaters... cause all of this has been decided by politics, and doesn't represent the people
ORAC, everything you said can be told about any rich country (the first weapon selling industry is american, the second is Brit, so...)
The most anti-american people are american themselves. Since John Lennon has been killed, more than half a million people were killed by shooting in USA, Bin Laden just killed 3500, americans look more efficient to kill themself than anybody else. Before trying to disarm other countries, disarm your people.
UK is not democracy anymore, 70% of people are against war, Blair still want to go, I call this a dictature.
Funny, Bush wanna bomb Iraq and speak with N Korea.
Stupid, Bin Laden cannot be in NO WAY friend with Saddam. They cannot stand each other, it's obvious that integrist Bin Laden won't support Saddam, a laic, but doesn't seem so evident for some people, maybe a lack of education and knowledge.
Yes France did bad stuff in Africa, so did UK... but who put and supported most of the S.American dictatures, with disappeared, tortured, assassinated... CIA, just to fight the communists, but with same human results, but economical benefits for USA.
USA created the integrists to fight USSR.
When Soviets left, USA supported talibans against Massoud (much more moderate Muslim) , because of deals done about oil. Americans, in July 2001, were still dealing with Talibans about oil transportation through Afghanistan. If there was no 09/11, Talibans should still be there, with a lot of American money, but who would have cared, as long as they can fill up there SUV. So stop giving "democracy" lessons.
................ and so on and so on, and remark I didn't fell in the stupid xenphobia, saying like : big fat hamburger eaters... cause all of this has been decided by politics, and doesn't represent the people
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I have tried to keep out of this apart from a couple of small interjections because I am, so to speak between the devil and the deep blue sea. I am British by birth but having decided to retire to France I have taken French Nationality, so in many ways I can see both sides of the arguments. I find it somewhat distressing that certain people descend to insults and sly remarks so before either Tickety Boo or Training Risky ask, no my Daddy did not pay for my ATLP and I had over 5000 hours in the RAF, Meteors, Vampires, Sabres, Shackletons etc., yes I have been shot at, yes I have worked with the French, remember Suez? and I managed a bucketful of hours after leaving the Service.
One would be a fool not to admit that the France had a problem in 1940 but how much of that was down to incredible bad leadership. Think of names like Closterman and Saint-Exupery and countless others who fought in the Battle of Britain, were they all worthy of your cheap shots. It would appear that according to some of our number, that disagreement with ones own personal views is a) not allowed and b) deserving of insults.
I know that were I still in the Service and was told to go, I would go but I am not so I can afford to sit back and think. No, I do not disagree that there are terrible things that have happened and are happening in Iraq but what about the Zimbabwe's and the other problem African States. It is my own personal opinion that our TransAtlantic cousins have got themselves to the point where regardless of any "evidence" or lack of, they cannot now back out and Blair is in the same boat. I am sure that I am like a large proportion of many countries populations, show the evidence and you will be backed but continue to appear to fabricate it and there will only be disbelief. So the French leaders say No to an immediate war and say more time is needed by the inspectors, it would appear that is also the opinion of many people in many countries, judging by the demonstrations throughout the world on Sunday, or do they not count in your equation?
I realise that the Baron Rouge can stick up for himself but how many of his critics could write what he has written in French?
Oh! Well back to the red plonk and foie gras, no point in living in the Périgord if you cannot enjoy it!!
One would be a fool not to admit that the France had a problem in 1940 but how much of that was down to incredible bad leadership. Think of names like Closterman and Saint-Exupery and countless others who fought in the Battle of Britain, were they all worthy of your cheap shots. It would appear that according to some of our number, that disagreement with ones own personal views is a) not allowed and b) deserving of insults.
I know that were I still in the Service and was told to go, I would go but I am not so I can afford to sit back and think. No, I do not disagree that there are terrible things that have happened and are happening in Iraq but what about the Zimbabwe's and the other problem African States. It is my own personal opinion that our TransAtlantic cousins have got themselves to the point where regardless of any "evidence" or lack of, they cannot now back out and Blair is in the same boat. I am sure that I am like a large proportion of many countries populations, show the evidence and you will be backed but continue to appear to fabricate it and there will only be disbelief. So the French leaders say No to an immediate war and say more time is needed by the inspectors, it would appear that is also the opinion of many people in many countries, judging by the demonstrations throughout the world on Sunday, or do they not count in your equation?
I realise that the Baron Rouge can stick up for himself but how many of his critics could write what he has written in French?
Oh! Well back to the red plonk and foie gras, no point in living in the Périgord if you cannot enjoy it!!
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Never mind all the apalling baiting going on.
I want to know , if M'sieu Le Baron has any photos of himself beating up stuff in a Jag at ultra-low level.
Saw an Aeronavale Etendard Jock beat up Mt. Sont Michel at what I can only describe as an insane low level, thought he'd FOD himself with seaweed at one point.
So I know the French Fighter Braves can do it, any piccies Baron?
Tony
I want to know , if M'sieu Le Baron has any photos of himself beating up stuff in a Jag at ultra-low level.
Saw an Aeronavale Etendard Jock beat up Mt. Sont Michel at what I can only describe as an insane low level, thought he'd FOD himself with seaweed at one point.
So I know the French Fighter Braves can do it, any piccies Baron?
Tony
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Baron Rouge - re your 17 Feb 0926 post
"Never Held a Gun in your Life"
15months Chopper Vietnam
All the Gulf War Campaign Medals
And when I puts me hand to me heart I feels a little Cross (and not the cheap US variety either).
Sweeping generalisations don't help your case. If you don't stand up to a tyrant you are endorsing them. If you defeat the efforts of others attempting to oust a murderous Dictator you are in fact encouraging him. The least France can do is step back into character and abstain.
15months Chopper Vietnam
All the Gulf War Campaign Medals
And when I puts me hand to me heart I feels a little Cross (and not the cheap US variety either).
Sweeping generalisations don't help your case. If you don't stand up to a tyrant you are endorsing them. If you defeat the efforts of others attempting to oust a murderous Dictator you are in fact encouraging him. The least France can do is step back into character and abstain.
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Extract from an article in the New York Times(19/9/02). I have no way of checking the veracity of the statistics given, but I assume the NYT has some honour. Perhaps helps to explain some of the current French attitude towards prolonging "non-agressive" tactics.
"One day after President Bush's demand that Iraq comply with United Nations arms control resolutions, three French parliamentary deputies flew to Iraq on what they described as a personal visit to urge Baghdad to comply with the demands.
The visit set off a political storm in France, where much is riding on the outcome of the diplomatic struggle over Iraq. While a humanitarian gesture, the trip also illustrated in part how countries are positioning themselves for an end of trade penalties. One of the three legislators, Thierry Mariani, 44, of President Jacques Chirac's Union for a Presidential Majority, told French television that the purpose of the trip was to urge Iraqi compliance with the United Nations' demands. But he was also quoted in Le Monde as justifying the trip with "the defense of French economic interests in Iraq."
Last year, France ranked No. 1 among European countries doing business with Iraq, with $1.5 billion in trade, followed by Italy, with $1 billion. Among the countries that trade with Iraq under the oil-for-food program, France ranked third, with $3.1 billion in trade since the program's start 1996. French trade under the program was surpassed only by Russia, with $4.3 billion, and Egypt, according to United Nations diplomats.
The French oil giant TotalFinaElf has the largest position in Iraq, with exclusive negotiating rights to develop Majnoon, a field on the Iranian border with estimated reserves of 10 billion barrels, and Bin Umar, with an estimated production potential of 440,000 barrels a day, according to oil industry executives.
The biggest deals after that were expected to go to ENI of Italy, to develop the Nassiriyah field at a cost of $1.9 billion. Moscow has a $3.5 billion, 23-year agreement with Baghdad to rehabilitate several Iraqi fields that would vastly benefit a Russian oil consortium led by LukOil, they said.
At the United Nations, France has sought to buffer Iraq from American ire. Baghdad's recent pledge to accept United Nations inspectors won praise from French diplomats, who have been insistent on a two-stage approach to resolutions that would delay a military threat. The preferred French outcome would be a resolution demanding unfettered inspections, followed by a measure backing the use of force, depending on Iraq's response.
Mr. Mariani and the other two deputies, Didier Julia, 68, and Eric Diard, 37, are from the Gaullist wing of Mr. Chirac's party. The minister for the environment in Mr. Chirac's government, Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin, is the founder of a French-Iraqi friendship society.
Many experts contend out when a government is brought down by trade penalties, the bureaucracy is likely to be left intact. While those close to power do not survive, the trade bureaucracy consists of technicians, not politicians, and the calculation is that they will continue doing business with past trade partners.
"A lot of countries are already positioning themselves," said Barbara Oegg, a trade expert at the Institute for International Economics in Washington.
Russia has made no secret of its desire to cultivate Iraq. Baghdad owes Moscow $8 billion in debt incurred before the Gulf War, and has used trade under the oil-for-food program to curry Moscow's favor, dangling oil investment deals to be signed after penalties were lifted.
In Britain this month, the Middle East Association, a trade group, wrote Prime Minister Tony Blair expressing "deep misgivings" about the damage to trade that military action in Iraq could produce, according to David Lloyd, a spokesman for the group. The Middle East Association is seeking to send 10 to 15 British companies to the Baghdad trade fair in November, which would be the first time that British companies have attended the fair since 1989.
The French legislators' trip was organized by a consulting company, the French Office for the Development of Industry and Culture. According to its director, Francois Girard-Hautbout, it seeks to promote Gaullist pro-Arab policies, including economic ties with the region.
Under the six-year-old United Nations oil-for-food program, Iraq determines where it will shop using the proceeds from oil sales.
Roland Bareilles, a founder and honorary president of the French-Iraqi Association for Economic Cooperation, said France had assumed the first rank among Iraq's trade partners after the start of the oil-for-food program, but fell back recently to Russia's benefit. "Contracts are part of their political strategy," he said of Iraqi officials.
Among French companies, Peugeot sells cars in Iraq while Alcatel landed several contracts to rebuild the country's battered telephone system. Klaus Wustrack, an Alcatel spokesman, said Alcatel originally installed the telephone system in the 1980's. But he emphasized that all the contracts fell within the oil-for-food project.
At Peugeot, a spokeswoman said the company delivered 500 cars to Iraq in the first half of the year under the oil-for-food program, about the number it delivered annually before the Gulf War.
Some trade transactions have set off greater disagreement. In March, Nabel Musawi of the London-based Iraqi National Congress told ABC News that Baghdad bought seven refrigerated trucks from Renault Trucks, the French company that is owned by Volvo of Sweden, and converted them into biological arms laboratories. Bernard Lancelot, a Renault Trucks spokesman, said the deal was approved under the oil-for-food program. "What the client does with the trucks later," he said, "we don't know."
"One day after President Bush's demand that Iraq comply with United Nations arms control resolutions, three French parliamentary deputies flew to Iraq on what they described as a personal visit to urge Baghdad to comply with the demands.
The visit set off a political storm in France, where much is riding on the outcome of the diplomatic struggle over Iraq. While a humanitarian gesture, the trip also illustrated in part how countries are positioning themselves for an end of trade penalties. One of the three legislators, Thierry Mariani, 44, of President Jacques Chirac's Union for a Presidential Majority, told French television that the purpose of the trip was to urge Iraqi compliance with the United Nations' demands. But he was also quoted in Le Monde as justifying the trip with "the defense of French economic interests in Iraq."
Last year, France ranked No. 1 among European countries doing business with Iraq, with $1.5 billion in trade, followed by Italy, with $1 billion. Among the countries that trade with Iraq under the oil-for-food program, France ranked third, with $3.1 billion in trade since the program's start 1996. French trade under the program was surpassed only by Russia, with $4.3 billion, and Egypt, according to United Nations diplomats.
The French oil giant TotalFinaElf has the largest position in Iraq, with exclusive negotiating rights to develop Majnoon, a field on the Iranian border with estimated reserves of 10 billion barrels, and Bin Umar, with an estimated production potential of 440,000 barrels a day, according to oil industry executives.
The biggest deals after that were expected to go to ENI of Italy, to develop the Nassiriyah field at a cost of $1.9 billion. Moscow has a $3.5 billion, 23-year agreement with Baghdad to rehabilitate several Iraqi fields that would vastly benefit a Russian oil consortium led by LukOil, they said.
At the United Nations, France has sought to buffer Iraq from American ire. Baghdad's recent pledge to accept United Nations inspectors won praise from French diplomats, who have been insistent on a two-stage approach to resolutions that would delay a military threat. The preferred French outcome would be a resolution demanding unfettered inspections, followed by a measure backing the use of force, depending on Iraq's response.
Mr. Mariani and the other two deputies, Didier Julia, 68, and Eric Diard, 37, are from the Gaullist wing of Mr. Chirac's party. The minister for the environment in Mr. Chirac's government, Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin, is the founder of a French-Iraqi friendship society.
Many experts contend out when a government is brought down by trade penalties, the bureaucracy is likely to be left intact. While those close to power do not survive, the trade bureaucracy consists of technicians, not politicians, and the calculation is that they will continue doing business with past trade partners.
"A lot of countries are already positioning themselves," said Barbara Oegg, a trade expert at the Institute for International Economics in Washington.
Russia has made no secret of its desire to cultivate Iraq. Baghdad owes Moscow $8 billion in debt incurred before the Gulf War, and has used trade under the oil-for-food program to curry Moscow's favor, dangling oil investment deals to be signed after penalties were lifted.
In Britain this month, the Middle East Association, a trade group, wrote Prime Minister Tony Blair expressing "deep misgivings" about the damage to trade that military action in Iraq could produce, according to David Lloyd, a spokesman for the group. The Middle East Association is seeking to send 10 to 15 British companies to the Baghdad trade fair in November, which would be the first time that British companies have attended the fair since 1989.
The French legislators' trip was organized by a consulting company, the French Office for the Development of Industry and Culture. According to its director, Francois Girard-Hautbout, it seeks to promote Gaullist pro-Arab policies, including economic ties with the region.
Under the six-year-old United Nations oil-for-food program, Iraq determines where it will shop using the proceeds from oil sales.
Roland Bareilles, a founder and honorary president of the French-Iraqi Association for Economic Cooperation, said France had assumed the first rank among Iraq's trade partners after the start of the oil-for-food program, but fell back recently to Russia's benefit. "Contracts are part of their political strategy," he said of Iraqi officials.
Among French companies, Peugeot sells cars in Iraq while Alcatel landed several contracts to rebuild the country's battered telephone system. Klaus Wustrack, an Alcatel spokesman, said Alcatel originally installed the telephone system in the 1980's. But he emphasized that all the contracts fell within the oil-for-food project.
At Peugeot, a spokeswoman said the company delivered 500 cars to Iraq in the first half of the year under the oil-for-food program, about the number it delivered annually before the Gulf War.
Some trade transactions have set off greater disagreement. In March, Nabel Musawi of the London-based Iraqi National Congress told ABC News that Baghdad bought seven refrigerated trucks from Renault Trucks, the French company that is owned by Volvo of Sweden, and converted them into biological arms laboratories. Bernard Lancelot, a Renault Trucks spokesman, said the deal was approved under the oil-for-food program. "What the client does with the trucks later," he said, "we don't know."
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Newswatcher - Let's find out how things will change after GW2.
BTW - you should look at what the US is doing south of his border or has done ...
There are only two things running this planet. Gravity and economy.
BTW - you should look at what the US is doing south of his border or has done ...
There are only two things running this planet. Gravity and economy.
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By the way, this is a pilot forum, and I think that those xenophobic, political topic has no place here, there are many others forums to do those stupid things, like saying France is doing that, USA are doing that... as far as everybody does the same, try to protect their interests, and not only in Iraq, but Worldwide, with the people suffering more and more.
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Doudou, I agree that the decisions are made primarily for expediency and national or self-interests and that every country dresses them up in their own spin. This has always been a fact of international politics and will continue to be the case.
However, we know why France, Russia and Germany are taking the line that they are in this case, we can suppose to know why the US is taking it's line (although their reasons are slightly clouded by 9/11 and failing to get OBL as well as the economic and infuence aspects), but the question still remains unaswered for the UK. Tony 'Spin' BLiar has always tended to go with public opinion or direct public opinion so that he could be seen to go along with it. At the very least, he has used misdirection to keep the public away from decisions that they wouldn't like. This time, he is jeopordising his political future. I thought that he wanted to be President of Europe downstream, but his current stance seems to have killed that ambition for good - the same for a cushy NATO or UN position. The UK doesn't stand to benefit economically from a war in the same way that France and Russia will from a continued uneasy psuedo-peace. So why his stance? Moral grounds? I doubt it I'm afraid (too cynical these days).
Maybe to re-establish the 'special relationship' with the US that the UK has always thought it had. Admittedly the Americans haven't been aware of such a 'special' status and, indeed, considered Germany to be its favoured European ally until very recently (within the last year).
However, we know why France, Russia and Germany are taking the line that they are in this case, we can suppose to know why the US is taking it's line (although their reasons are slightly clouded by 9/11 and failing to get OBL as well as the economic and infuence aspects), but the question still remains unaswered for the UK. Tony 'Spin' BLiar has always tended to go with public opinion or direct public opinion so that he could be seen to go along with it. At the very least, he has used misdirection to keep the public away from decisions that they wouldn't like. This time, he is jeopordising his political future. I thought that he wanted to be President of Europe downstream, but his current stance seems to have killed that ambition for good - the same for a cushy NATO or UN position. The UK doesn't stand to benefit economically from a war in the same way that France and Russia will from a continued uneasy psuedo-peace. So why his stance? Moral grounds? I doubt it I'm afraid (too cynical these days).
Maybe to re-establish the 'special relationship' with the US that the UK has always thought it had. Admittedly the Americans haven't been aware of such a 'special' status and, indeed, considered Germany to be its favoured European ally until very recently (within the last year).
Opso
What basis steeped in fact do you have to prove your final paragraph, conjecture or fact?
It doesn't matter what you think in a public forum, its what you can prove.
What basis steeped in fact do you have to prove your final paragraph, conjecture or fact?
It doesn't matter what you think in a public forum, its what you can prove.
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Last time I checked, this was a Rumour Network, not Proved Fact Network, but that aside, which bit of the last para were you seeking justification of my thoughts for?
That the UK thinks it has a special relationship? Countless UK published papers and articles over the past 25+ years.
That the Americans don't held the same view of the relationship? Every US planner and military officer I have spoken to in the past 15 years bar maybe 2. The first time they hear about a special relationship is when working alongside the Brits!
That Germany was favoured? From US NATO Ambassador (Nicholas Burns) approx 9 months ago discussing with a German panel of strategists, uni lecturers and students, the diverging paths that the US and Germany were taking. During that discussion, he sought ways to rebuild the relationship between the 2 countries in the medium to long term, 'to re-establish Germany as our strongest and favoured European ally'.
That Germany isn't favoured any more? Bush's comments over the past couple of weeks.
That (re)building that special relationship could be BLiar's reasoning for going along? Pure conjecture, as, like everyone else here, I do not know for definite what national interest the UK is doing this for.
That the UK thinks it has a special relationship? Countless UK published papers and articles over the past 25+ years.
That the Americans don't held the same view of the relationship? Every US planner and military officer I have spoken to in the past 15 years bar maybe 2. The first time they hear about a special relationship is when working alongside the Brits!
That Germany was favoured? From US NATO Ambassador (Nicholas Burns) approx 9 months ago discussing with a German panel of strategists, uni lecturers and students, the diverging paths that the US and Germany were taking. During that discussion, he sought ways to rebuild the relationship between the 2 countries in the medium to long term, 'to re-establish Germany as our strongest and favoured European ally'.
That Germany isn't favoured any more? Bush's comments over the past couple of weeks.
That (re)building that special relationship could be BLiar's reasoning for going along? Pure conjecture, as, like everyone else here, I do not know for definite what national interest the UK is doing this for.
Lupus Domesticus
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No idea as to where this came from originally. It was forwarded to me, and is forwarded on with out alteration or predjudice.....
A bit of jingoist, xenophobic humour that I thought I'd share! ;-)
The following advisory for American travelers heading for
France was compiled from information provided by the U.S.
State Department, the Central Intelligence Agency, the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce, the Food and Drug Administration, the
Center for Disease Control and some very expensive spy
satellites that the French don't know about. It is intended
as a guide for American travelers only and no guarantee of
accuracy is ensured or intended.
General Overview
****************
France is a medium-sized foreign country situated on the
continent of Europe, and is for all intensive purposes
f ***** g useless. It is an important member of the world
community, although not nearly as important as it thinks.
It is bounded by Germany, Spain, Switzerland and some smaller
nations of no particular consequence or shopping opportunities.
France is a very old country with many treasures such as the
Louvre and EuroDisney. Among its contributions to Western
civilization are champagne, Camembert cheese, the guillotine,
and body odor. Although France likes to think of itself as a
modern nation, air conditioning is little used and it is next
to impossible to get decent Mexican food. One continuing
exasperation for American visitors is that the people will-
fully persist in speaking French, although many will speak
English if shouted at repeatedly.
The People
**********
France has a population of 54 million people, most of whom
drink and smoke a great deal, drive like lunatics, are danger-
ously over sexed and have no concept of standing patiently in
a line. The French people are generally gloomy, temperamental,
proud, arrogant, aloof and undisciplined; those are their good
points. Most French citizens are Roman Catholic, although you'd
hardly guess it from their behavior. Many people are Communists
and topless sunbathing is common. Men sometimes have girls'
names like Marie and they kiss each other when they hand out
medals. American travelers are advised to travel in groups and
to wear baseball caps and colorful pants for easier mutual
recognition. All French women have small breasts, and don't shave
their armpits or their legs.
Safety
******
In general, France is a safe destination, although travelers
are advised that France is occasionally invaded by Germany.
By tradition, the French surrender more or less at once and,
apart from a temporary shortage of Scotch whisky and increased
difficulty in getting baseball scores and stock market prices,
life for the visitors generally goes on much as before. A tunnel
connecting France to Britain beneath the English Channel has
been opened in recent years to make it easier for the French
government to flee to London.
History
*******
France was discovered by Charlemagne in the Dark Ages. Other
important historical figures are Louis XIV, the Huguenots,
Joan of Arc, Jacques Cousteau and Charles de Gaulle, who was
President for many years and is now an airport. The French
armies of the past have had their asses kicked by just about
every other country in the world.
Government
**********
The French form of government is democratic but noisy. Elections
are held more or less continuously and always result in a run-
off. For administrative purposes, the country is divided into
regions, departments, districts, municipalities, cantons,
communes, villages, cafes, booths and floor tiles. Parliament
consists of two chambers, the Upper and Lower (although, con-
fusingly, they are both on the ground floor), whose members
are either Gaullists or communists, neither of whom can be
trusted. Parliament's principal pre occupations are setting
off atomic bombs in the South Pacific and acting indignant
when anyone complains. According to the most current State
Department intelligence, the current President is someone named
Jacques. Further information is not available at this time.
Culture
*******
The French pride themselves on their culture, although it is
not easy to see why. All of their songs sound the same and
they have hardly ever made a movie that you want to watch for
anything except the nude scenes. Nothing, of course, is more
boring than a French novel (except perhaps an evening with a
French family.)
Cuisine
*******
Let's face it, no matter how much garlic you put on it, a snail
is just a slug with a shell on its back. Croissants, on the
other hand, are excellent although it is impossible for most
Americans to pronounce this word. American travelers are there-
fore advised to stick to cheeseburgers at McDonald's or the
restaurants at the leading hotels such as Sheraton or Holiday
Inn. Bring your own beer, as the domestic varieties are nothing
but a poor excuse for such.
Economy
*******
France has a large and diversified economy, second only to
Germany's economy in Europe, which is surprising since people
hardly ever work at all. If they are not spending four hours
dawdling over lunch, they are on strike and blocking the roads
with their trucks and tractors. France's principal exports,
in order of importance to the economy, are wine, nuclear weapons,
perfume, guided missiles, champagne, high-caliber weaponry,
grenade launchers, land mines, tanks, attack aircraft, mis-
cellaneous armaments and cheese.
Conclusion
**********
France enjoys a rich history, a picturesque and varied land-
scape and a temperate climate. In short, it would be a very
nice country if French people didn't inhabit it, and it weren't
still radioactive from all the nuclear tests they run. The best
thing that can be said for it is that it is not Spain. Remember
no one ordered you to go abroad. Personally, we always take our
vacation in Miami Beach and you are advised to do the same.
Regards,
George W. Bush
President, United States of America
A bit of jingoist, xenophobic humour that I thought I'd share! ;-)
The following advisory for American travelers heading for
France was compiled from information provided by the U.S.
State Department, the Central Intelligence Agency, the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce, the Food and Drug Administration, the
Center for Disease Control and some very expensive spy
satellites that the French don't know about. It is intended
as a guide for American travelers only and no guarantee of
accuracy is ensured or intended.
General Overview
****************
France is a medium-sized foreign country situated on the
continent of Europe, and is for all intensive purposes
f ***** g useless. It is an important member of the world
community, although not nearly as important as it thinks.
It is bounded by Germany, Spain, Switzerland and some smaller
nations of no particular consequence or shopping opportunities.
France is a very old country with many treasures such as the
Louvre and EuroDisney. Among its contributions to Western
civilization are champagne, Camembert cheese, the guillotine,
and body odor. Although France likes to think of itself as a
modern nation, air conditioning is little used and it is next
to impossible to get decent Mexican food. One continuing
exasperation for American visitors is that the people will-
fully persist in speaking French, although many will speak
English if shouted at repeatedly.
The People
**********
France has a population of 54 million people, most of whom
drink and smoke a great deal, drive like lunatics, are danger-
ously over sexed and have no concept of standing patiently in
a line. The French people are generally gloomy, temperamental,
proud, arrogant, aloof and undisciplined; those are their good
points. Most French citizens are Roman Catholic, although you'd
hardly guess it from their behavior. Many people are Communists
and topless sunbathing is common. Men sometimes have girls'
names like Marie and they kiss each other when they hand out
medals. American travelers are advised to travel in groups and
to wear baseball caps and colorful pants for easier mutual
recognition. All French women have small breasts, and don't shave
their armpits or their legs.
Safety
******
In general, France is a safe destination, although travelers
are advised that France is occasionally invaded by Germany.
By tradition, the French surrender more or less at once and,
apart from a temporary shortage of Scotch whisky and increased
difficulty in getting baseball scores and stock market prices,
life for the visitors generally goes on much as before. A tunnel
connecting France to Britain beneath the English Channel has
been opened in recent years to make it easier for the French
government to flee to London.
History
*******
France was discovered by Charlemagne in the Dark Ages. Other
important historical figures are Louis XIV, the Huguenots,
Joan of Arc, Jacques Cousteau and Charles de Gaulle, who was
President for many years and is now an airport. The French
armies of the past have had their asses kicked by just about
every other country in the world.
Government
**********
The French form of government is democratic but noisy. Elections
are held more or less continuously and always result in a run-
off. For administrative purposes, the country is divided into
regions, departments, districts, municipalities, cantons,
communes, villages, cafes, booths and floor tiles. Parliament
consists of two chambers, the Upper and Lower (although, con-
fusingly, they are both on the ground floor), whose members
are either Gaullists or communists, neither of whom can be
trusted. Parliament's principal pre occupations are setting
off atomic bombs in the South Pacific and acting indignant
when anyone complains. According to the most current State
Department intelligence, the current President is someone named
Jacques. Further information is not available at this time.
Culture
*******
The French pride themselves on their culture, although it is
not easy to see why. All of their songs sound the same and
they have hardly ever made a movie that you want to watch for
anything except the nude scenes. Nothing, of course, is more
boring than a French novel (except perhaps an evening with a
French family.)
Cuisine
*******
Let's face it, no matter how much garlic you put on it, a snail
is just a slug with a shell on its back. Croissants, on the
other hand, are excellent although it is impossible for most
Americans to pronounce this word. American travelers are there-
fore advised to stick to cheeseburgers at McDonald's or the
restaurants at the leading hotels such as Sheraton or Holiday
Inn. Bring your own beer, as the domestic varieties are nothing
but a poor excuse for such.
Economy
*******
France has a large and diversified economy, second only to
Germany's economy in Europe, which is surprising since people
hardly ever work at all. If they are not spending four hours
dawdling over lunch, they are on strike and blocking the roads
with their trucks and tractors. France's principal exports,
in order of importance to the economy, are wine, nuclear weapons,
perfume, guided missiles, champagne, high-caliber weaponry,
grenade launchers, land mines, tanks, attack aircraft, mis-
cellaneous armaments and cheese.
Conclusion
**********
France enjoys a rich history, a picturesque and varied land-
scape and a temperate climate. In short, it would be a very
nice country if French people didn't inhabit it, and it weren't
still radioactive from all the nuclear tests they run. The best
thing that can be said for it is that it is not Spain. Remember
no one ordered you to go abroad. Personally, we always take our
vacation in Miami Beach and you are advised to do the same.
Regards,
George W. Bush
President, United States of America
Blue wolf
Excellent!
Opso
I should have been more specific. The special relationship is well known on this side of the ever expanding gulf that divides us.
Excellent!
Opso
I should have been more specific. The special relationship is well known on this side of the ever expanding gulf that divides us.
It is a well known fact that the Brits hate the French and vice versa, hence lots of wars, starting with 1066 and ending at Waterloo. Fortunately, the British have a lot of experience in overthrowing despotic madmen intent on ruling the world. So as we thrashed Napoleon and Hitler with help from various allies, surely we don't need the French to help us get rid of Saddam?? To add to the xenophobia:
1.Whoever chose Waterloo as the terminal for Eurostar deserves a medal.
2. The French didn't surrender, it was just that the Germans invaded at lunch time.
3. Hands Up if you are French (The battle cry of Panzer regiments as they crossed the Maginot Line)
1.Whoever chose Waterloo as the terminal for Eurostar deserves a medal.
2. The French didn't surrender, it was just that the Germans invaded at lunch time.
3. Hands Up if you are French (The battle cry of Panzer regiments as they crossed the Maginot Line)
Join Date: Dec 2002
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Well, its interesting, the Americans probaly dont consider the UK to be part of Europe.
The Americans polcily of declaring Germany their favoured Euro ally is most likely based on economics, and on a post WW2 fixation with percieved German military prowness.
In reality recent events have shown that the Germans are starting to turn hostile towards Americans, i have spoken to American servicemen stationed in Germany who have encontered alot of hostility, policy now is for them to claim to Canadian when asked.
The Americans polcily of declaring Germany their favoured Euro ally is most likely based on economics, and on a post WW2 fixation with percieved German military prowness.
In reality recent events have shown that the Germans are starting to turn hostile towards Americans, i have spoken to American servicemen stationed in Germany who have encontered alot of hostility, policy now is for them to claim to Canadian when asked.
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TC,
I think that it's a two-way street. During a recent trip to a Luftwaffe Tornado squadron I spoke to crews who encountered blatant hostility from their hosts at a recent Red Flag ex. It was an extremely terse deployment, I understand.
I think that it's a two-way street. During a recent trip to a Luftwaffe Tornado squadron I spoke to crews who encountered blatant hostility from their hosts at a recent Red Flag ex. It was an extremely terse deployment, I understand.
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Viva la France!
Commisioned Officers of the FFL are Frenchman.
There is all sorts of ridiculous slander of everything French hitting the media in the USA. The first casualty of any war is the truth.
Had it not been for Adm. Compte de Grasse, Gen. Washington would not have had his victory over Cornwallis. Then what?
I'm a veteran of Korea and Viet Nam. We were beaten soundly in the latter, and squeaked out a stalemate in the former.
We'll crush Hussein for the money involved. It will have nothing to do with WMD, US Patriot Act, etc.. Hussein had the nerve to nationalise the oil industry in Iran, just as The Taliban gave a thumbs down to a pipeline through Afghanistan.
Three Arab nations have now switched to the EU from the US Dollar.
Stand by for Bush and Israel to redraw the map of the region.
Does anyone actually believe we have 5 Carriers, a huge USAF presence, and 250,000 troops in the region to surpress Iraq's rag-tag infantry?
Commisioned Officers of the FFL are Frenchman.
There is all sorts of ridiculous slander of everything French hitting the media in the USA. The first casualty of any war is the truth.
Had it not been for Adm. Compte de Grasse, Gen. Washington would not have had his victory over Cornwallis. Then what?
I'm a veteran of Korea and Viet Nam. We were beaten soundly in the latter, and squeaked out a stalemate in the former.
We'll crush Hussein for the money involved. It will have nothing to do with WMD, US Patriot Act, etc.. Hussein had the nerve to nationalise the oil industry in Iran, just as The Taliban gave a thumbs down to a pipeline through Afghanistan.
Three Arab nations have now switched to the EU from the US Dollar.
Stand by for Bush and Israel to redraw the map of the region.
Does anyone actually believe we have 5 Carriers, a huge USAF presence, and 250,000 troops in the region to surpress Iraq's rag-tag infantry?