European Epistle #3 U.S. - French Relations

[Cain]

European Epistle #3 U.S. - French Relations

"Men would rather be starving and free than fed in bonds."
,Äî Pearl Buck, from What America Means to Me

"A rebel is simply someone who says "no."",Äî unknown

The state of affairs among the USA and France has only become noticeable recently, for reasons I cannot understand.  Oh I know how it happened, with the whole Iraq war bullshit that went down, it suddenly became clear that France and the USA were no longer reading from the same script, even in public.  But what I don't get is how much a surprise this was, or how France became vilified for acting like a sovereign state, capable of making its own decisions about what to do.  Maybe it was more of a shock to the Americans, who seemed blissfully unaware of how much they were hated around the world until September 11, I don't know.

Of course, anyone who has paid close attention to French history knows that ever since the Revolutionary War in America ended the ,Äúspecial relationship,Äù has gone downhill and never recovered.  Thats because France has committed the cardinal sin of every age on this planet, something bound to bring wrath down from anyone in power, no matter if they are Genghis Khan or Lloyd George.  That is, the sin of independence.

Quite frankly, France is a separate country and likes to think it still remains one.  This wouldn't be so much of a problem, except that the USA likes to the treat the whole of Western Europe as a bunch of vassal states, with the UK acting as the USA's personal enforcer in the area.  When the USA says jump, our leaders are meant to ask ,ÄúHow high?,Äù  But in France's case, they have quite often replied ,Äúgo fuck yourself,Äù.  This isn't surprising, given its history.  I know its fashionable to bash on the French nowadays, but historically France was the major continental power.  It is the largest state in terms of landmass.  It had a large population, excellent land for farming of all sorts and the resources to allow it to become a modern state before nearly any other current power.  For a thousand years, the French dominated the continent, not only within its own land, but well over half of Italy at times, and through various colonies and trading posts in Africa and Asia.

They even helped the USA to free itself from British rule, something a lot of jingoistic idiots over the Atlantic should remember before mouthing off.  They supplied weapons and fought themselves against the British on land at sea, inflicting rather impressive casualties. They then brought that expertise back home, where they managed to find their culmination in Napoleon's armies.  These were the shock troops of Europe, a terrifying force that used tactics never seen before, that broke the power of the arrogant Prussian aristocrats and humbled the Austrian Empire while they held the high ground advantage.

Of course, the last 100 years have not been kind to France.  Their losses in the First World War dealt a huge blow to their population, one it will probably take another hundred years to recover from.  That in turn set them up for a lot of misery, like with most of Europe once the dust had settled in 1945.  Like a bunch of cry babies, most of Europe immediately turned to Stalin or Truman for protection against themselves and the opposing camp (OK, maybe there was somewhat less of a choice involved in the Communist camp).  But France tried to retain more than a measure of independence, something which makes the American strategists irate.  They withdrew from US nuclear plans once they got their own arsenal, preferring to rely on their own weapons for their protection.  They also have a weird relationship with NATO, where they are members but the command relationship is different.

All of this, in and of itself, does not seem to bad a problem, even with the current nut cases in charge of US foreign policy.  But thats only half the story.  The French are also often competitors for US markets, particularly in the field of weaponry, construction and specialist machinery.  Its often been said all of history can be explained as a cash flow diagram and that is certainly the case here.  France was particularly pissed off by the way the US Congressional-Military-Industrial complex meant that American companies were undercutting them, because more money was coming in for research and development from the bloated sales, which the American people still seem content to pay for

Since the end of the Cold War, France has been enemy number one, for the reason it wont buckle down and act like a good little slave, servile and all.  But then again, why the hell should they?  Last time I checked, France has its own government and laws.  It chooses its own leaders and so the USA can get stuffed if they decided to listen to their employers, the French people, rather than some Tacitus fantasists over at the State Dept.  Sure, the French don't do themselves any favours by acting like arrogant conceited bastards whenever the chance arises.  But who would you rather be like?  The French, despised at times, but free, or ,Äúloved,Äù (ie; not hated yet) and in chains?

[Scribbly]

A nice rant, definitely... I'm reminded of what Wolfpoet always says about the English though-polite to those we hate, bastards to those we respect... and it sure looks to me like us Brits love to rag on the French, but are oh-so-polite to the Americans politically its almost painful.

[Wolfpoet]

What "Special relationship"? France only supported America to get at the British. France has always looked out for themselves and I repsect that. Sure i slag the buggers off like any other Englshmen but they hold their ground.

Back in WW1 Britain fought mostly along the Belgian border, France fought on it's own soil and fought like damned lions. WW2 was less impressive but in fairness they where not ready and got steamrollered. But when you look at how the Free French fought in north Africa and Europe you see their teeth.

France stopped supporting America when America stopped being of use to them, fair play to 'em.

[Cain]

You're forgetting the revolutionary fervour on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as the Statue of Liberty, selling the Americans land at a knock down price and that many of the founding fathers were influenced by French Enlightenment philosophers and belonged to many of the same Masonic lodges.

[East Coast Hustle]

and YOU are forgetting that he doesn't like his arguments cluttered up with FACTS.

[Wolfpoet]

Actualy ECH, unlike others, I believe in debate. If people can rise above petty name-calling and provide rebuttals and clarifications relying on facts and rational thinking, then I'm willing to change my view on certain things.

Thanks Cain, I had forgotten those points you raised. I'm always forgetting the statue was a French thing.

[East Coast Hustle]

you're a poopy-head.

[LHX]

you're a poopy-head.

i never thought i would see a post like that composed by Hustle


i feel... strange

[LMNO]

Personally, I love to see ECH switch gears like that.


It keeps you on your toes.

[Triple Zero]

it's kinda cute, really

[East Coast Hustle]

you're a poopy-head.

i never thought i would see a post like that composed by Hustle


i feel... strange

I try to make sure my style doesn't stagnate.

[LHX]

you're a poopy-head.

i never thought i would see a post like that composed by Hustle


i feel... strange

I try to make sure my style doesn't stagnate.

sall good

keep it moving