Why we fight
 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7708169.stm

Truly a tragic story, and I have no desire whatsoever to start a debate, but does the U.S gov. really wage war to stop these sort of things? Or do you mean the UN maybe?

You would think that with all the advancements man has made that things like this wouldn't be so common. Maybe when we "grow up":nope:

And France.. :up:

Haven't heard of any stonings there...

Not sure about the authenticity.. but there ya go.

http://jihadwatch.org/dhimmiwatch/archives/003883.php

I wasn't aware that France was doing any fighting.

Somalia....the cornerstone of humanity :nope:

Maybe that's because they don't feel the need to be the world's policeman...;)

Forgetting about Afghanistan?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008...anistan.france

"My" allies? You're saying that France is not allied with any government that allows stonings or beheadings?

Why not?, Mikhayl is...

Well maybe you fight for some dirty diplomatic reason but don't be telling others why they fight.

I think, perhaps, the definition of "we" might need to be explained here. I don't think "we" is the United States or any other government, but, instead, is meant to be the soldiers who are actually doing the fighting. I would certainly be willing to fight against such things, as an individual or a citizen of my country. If that constitutes being the "worlds policeman", so be it. Looks like the world needs some policemen, it certainly isn't behaving in a civilized manner on it's own.

Edit : Yes, I include the government of my own country in my definition of the world.

It were the French who were bringing the Americans up to date regarding terror intel once America decided to go relocate some troops after 9/11. It also were the French who saved the Americans repeatedly from intel and military desasters in Iraq, after the invasion. Contacts between america and French inteol always was close and good at that time, despite Bush's rethoric yelling at Europe.

The French are running a top secret and top competent anti terror intel service and a dedicated counter-terrorism program that easily could compete and rival with the Amerian efforts, and in my view they are even better, and more professionally organised.

American and French troops regularly cooperated closely in ground combat in Afghanistan, and the French had a very tough and rocksolid reputation with the Ameicans there, leading that far that the american troops trusted them blindly.

ARTE showed two insightful docus on these two things, repeatedly over the past years. Especially regarding that top secret counter-terror-intelligence service, what was to be seen in that docu easily gave the impression to be superior to america'S intel efforts in many parts.

many Arab states fear the French intel more than any American service.

The French not fighting? Ha, laughable. America'S position in Afghanistan today would have been far worse today without the French. It's just that the French keep the lowest prpofile possible, and they are so good in that that not only you do not see much about them in the media, but that the silence is so total that you would not even assume they are active. But they are, and maybe more efficient in secrecy and efficiency than any other of the major Western players.

That they constantly get so massively understimated, is their success.

August, ya got me with the title to the thread. I thought you might be linking to the old "Why We Fight" series that was done by Frank Capra.

As for France, Thanks! The ships, men and materials provided during the War For Independence were a great help. And it helped America break the chains of tyranny.