french and terroism

[Onkel Neal]

You know, that French surrender humor has been done to death... and it really dishonors the millions of French soldiers who died opposing the Kaiser and Hitler.

I'm sorry if I am coming across preachy, but we have French people in this forum and that probably isn't as funny to them, mate.

[UglyMowgli]

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

You know, that French surrender humor has been done to death... and it really dishonors the millions of French soldiers who died opposing the Kaiser and Hitler.

I'm sorry if I am coming across preachy, but we have French people in this forum and that probably isn't as funny to them, mate.

You know since 2003 we heard so many 'white flag' jokes that we didn't care anymore
For your information the only surrender story told by my father (who fight during the WW2) was about a GI's in southern of France in august 1944, they were 6+my ftaher and they surrender to 2 germans! .My father was taken POW with this GI's but he escape (alone) 8 days after, cross the southern part of Germany, Austria then the Alps and end the war with the italian resistance in the north of Italy.

[The Avon Lady]

Originally Posted by MSgalileo

You know since 2003 we heard so many 'white flag' jokes that we didn't care anymore

I just want to know what detergent you're all using in France to get those flags so white! I've tried scrubbing them out and soaking them out but I still come up with ring around the collar! :p

For your information the only surrender story told by my father (who fight during the WW2) was about a GI's in southern of France in august 1944, they were 6+my ftaher and they surrender to 2 germans! .My father was taken POW with this GI's but he escape (alone) 8 days after, cross the southern part of Germany, Austria then the Alps and end the war with the italian resistance in the north of Italy.

Here's another surrender story which I have no doubt your father also must have told you.

[UglyMowgli]

We didn't need detergent, your white flgas are well pretected and we take care of them, you know we use them soo often, we can send you some if you want, we I see how you manage to our operations in lebanon, the next war you may have use of them.

I knwo the story of France and other country also, you always refer to french surrending during WW2 but there were a lot of other country who cease hostilities with the Nazi in 1940 but it s always to the french people you remind this, not the belgian, dutch, poles, ..... In situation where this only 2 choice continue combat with only more death or preservation of your troops what did you choose ? (it like the fall of the Phillipines and Bataan siege), you can blame the french but were the english troops, the alos flew at Dunkerk.
You can think what you want 60 years after with knowledge of all the events of the war but in 1940 the situation was should we fight until total annihilation or declare a cease fire and stop the war.

[Immacolata]

Yeah, a low blow. But don't worry. Even the israelites had to surrender to the roman legions once. The americans had their noses bloodied a few times by the british colonial forces. Lets not forget the torching of Washington. I wonder if there is many nations who can claim they had never been overwhelmed by enemy military might and forced to sign unfavourable peace treaties. Perhaps the Russians? Nay, not even they. They got kicked out of Afghanistan.

[August]

Originally Posted by MSgalileo

We didn't need detergent, your white flgas are well pretected and we take care of them, you know we use them soo often, we can send you some if you want, we I see how you manage to our operations in lebanon, the next war you may have use of them.

I knwo the story of France and other country also, you always refer to french surrending during WW2 but there were a lot of other country who cease hostilities with the Nazi in 1940 but it s always to the french people you remind this, not the belgian, dutch, poles, ..... In situation where this only 2 choice continue combat with only more death or preservation of your troops what did you choose ? (it like the fall of the Phillipines and Bataan siege), you can blame the french but were the english troops, the alos flew at Dunkerk.
You can think what you want 60 years after with knowledge of all the events of the war but in 1940 the situation was should we fight until total annihilation or declare a cease fire and stop the war.

When I think of France it isn't the 1940 surrender that comes to mind, but rather The Maquis de Lafeyette and the aid your people gave us in defeating the British. I think of things like the Statue of Liberty, a gift from the French people, or how the French still cheered Lindberg when he landed at Orly although two of their fliers, including the legendary Nungesser, had just gone missing in their own cross atlantic attempt. I think of the thousands of shot down Allied airmen that were saved from the Germans at the expense of French lives. I think of the thousands of Allied soldiers who survived the D-day invasion because ordinary French civilians blew up bridges and ambushed German columns and installations (and paid the price in blood), sometimes even while allied bombs were destroying their homes and killing their families.

Forget "Freedom fries" and idiots who feel the need to badmouth the country who has been our longest standing Ally. They and their words do not represent the whole of the American people.

[fredbass]

I'm fully aware what France has done in the past, but remember, there is a difference between the past, present and future. The current generation of frenchies as well as many others don't seem to have the same level of appreciation and good will towards the U.S. as they did in the past. Of course I have no doubt that when they get in trouble, they'll come crawling back on their hands and knees begging us to help them.

[UglyMowgli]

At this time those who crawling toward you are Israelian (see the lastest declaration of Olmert).
I can give you a lot of examples were France help USA in the last years (from the assistance to your intelligence agency after the 9/11 to the evacuation of US citizen by french SF many time).

Lot of us dislike French because the non-intervention in Iraq, USA go to war but with false evidences about WMD, a lot of lies and without any plan for the after Saddam, and did you get a near civil war, an increase of terrorism cells, ... you could disagree with us but I don't care ; I prefer see French troops in Afganisthan fighting Talibans than being useless in Iraq.

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by fredbass

The current generation of frenchies as well as many others don't seem to have the same level of appreciation and good will towards the U.S. as they did in the past.

A country can still be an ally and disagree with our policy.

I feel it is unrealistic to assume that all of our allies will always agree with everything about our foreign policy.

Sometimes we can learn best from a friend that disagrees with us.

[Onkel Neal]

Originally Posted by August

When I think of France it isn't the 1940 surrender that comes to mind, but rather The Maquis de Lafeyette and the aid your people gave us in defeating the British. I think of things like the Statue of Liberty, a gift from the French people, or how the French still cheered Lindberg when he landed at Orly although two of their fliers, including the legendary Nungesser, had just gone missing in their own cross atlantic attempt. I think of the thousands of shot down Allied airmen that were saved from the Germans at the expense of French lives. I think of the thousands of Allied soldiers who survived the D-day invasion because ordinary French civilians blew up bridges and ambushed German columns and installations (and paid the price in blood), sometimes even while allied bombs were destroying their homes and killing their families.

Forget "Freedom fries" and idiots who feel the need to badmouth the country who has been our longest standing Ally. They and their words do not represent the whole of the American people.

Amen.

Before I traveled to Paris for the first time in 1994, several people told me to expect the French to treat me rudely. Ha! It was the exact opposite. I met and made several French friends during my three tips to France. Except for one harried waitress, French people treated my very well.

[joea]

August and Neal, real gentlemen you both for that.

[Takeda Shingen]

What page did you have to down to to fish this thing out?