Why do we hate the french again?

[staceyv]

Seriously! I remember banning evian water and people saying "freedon fries" when France didn't want to help us go to war against Iraq, but is that the only reason??
I mean, what does that have to do with all of France's citizens?
I hope people aren't judging all of US based on Bush.
Maybe there's more to it. Could someone fill me in?

[lookout123]

the french have a long history of sucking ass. the idea that they have only recently started to dislike us is a myth. the frogs were pissed at allied troops even as they were being liberated.

[wolf]

Because they are French.

(I think the whole Freedom Fries thing is laughable (Fries are as Belgian or so a friend told me in high school), but I have never expressed a fondness for things French ... brie, escargot, mimes, Gerard Depardieu ... all French, all not worth my time. The only thing I come close to liking is crepes, and well ... overly thin pancakes drizzled in orange flavored booze? I'd rather have ice cream.)

[lookout123]

i always thought the french were our pals until i did some work with their military and spent some time in their embassy. *ahem* fuck the frogs.

[jinx]

Ira Einhorn.

But I do love a nice baked brie...

[lookout123]

i dig chicks named Bri - does that count?

[xoxoxoBruce]

That's the difference.
french ~ Baked Brie ~ tasty but weak.
American ~ Baked Beans ~ firepower galore.

[Trilby]

The French live to be contrary. They LOVE contrariness--but only in themselves. They also pour sauce over everything and pronounce it delicious. I do like French bread, though.

Aw--Lookout! you made my day!

Don't you remember? They set off that bomb over here.

[Griff]

We hate them because they feel as strongly about France as we do about the good ole USA.

[lookout123]

or maybe it is because they won't admit their power to do anything but talk belligerently ended some time ago.

america isn't quite yet there, but give us some time. a couple real international powerhouses will rise only to push us down the ladder of relevancy.

[richlevy]

Basically because they can be as arrogant, nationalistic, and self-centered as we are, without the military and economic arsenal to back it up.

[Guyute]

Maybe because they have a knack for having someone pulling their irons out of the fire after being steamrolled, then acting like they would have done it anyway if they had a bit more time (De Gaulle was a puke like this), and then being to proud to admit that they were fucked if the good guys didn't help.

You know why French army rifles are such a great deal at surplus sales- they have never been fired and only dropped once!!

Hitler's troops embarrassed them so badly I am surprised they even had the termerity to call DeGaulle a *cough*General.

Originally Posted by Guyute

Maybe because they have a knack for having someone pulling their irons out of the fire after being steamrolled, then acting like they would have done it anyway if they had a bit more time (De Gaulle was a puke like this), and then being to proud to admit that they were fucked if the good guys didn't help.

You know why French army rifles are such a great deal at surplus sales- they have never been fired and only dropped once!!

Hitler's troops embarrassed them so badly I am surprised they even had the termerity to call DeGaulle a *cough*General.

ENOUGH, ALREADY!

The ugy American is definately alive and well! Look here, I have traveled in Europe and endured some bizarre behavior on the part of SOME French people. But then again, when I was in grad school, my best friend was a woman from France. She was a trip! Very witty and warm and interested in American culture.

When It comes to WWII, where were WE when Rommel did his surprise maneuver around the Maginot line? Asleep, waiting for Pearl Harbour. Where were the Brits? Running like hell for Dunkirk, that's where.

People ignorant of European history (that means 99.9999999% of all Americans) find it easy to make arrogant assumptions. First of all, WWI was fought on French soil. Any of you genius's ever read All Quiet on the Western Front ? No? I didn't think so. Run down to your public library and get a copy. I'll wait.

(*TAPS FOOT IMPATIENTLY*)

OK, WWI was one of the most awful wars in modern history. Thousands gave their lives for an inch of territory either way. It was brutal, trench warfare. It was stupid, horrible, and pointless.

"In Flanders fields the poppies grow..."

Nah, none of you people have read Rupert Brooke, either. Never mind.

The French people were so horrified and outraged by the deaths and suffering of trench warfare in WWI, that there was zero popular support for building up an agressive military in the 20's and 30's. The French just wanted to be left alone, thank you. Their posture was DEFENSE, hence the Maginot line which actually was pretty clever - they just didn't extend it all the way to the Adrienne. Now everybody today knows the words blitzkrieg and the name Rommel, but this man and that technique were a stunning developments back in 1940. If you folks don't think Patton or McArthur or Eisenhour would have been put on the retreat by a surprise attack of panzer divisions over the Canadian border, led by no less a general than Rommel, himself, think again.

As far as Charles de Gaule, he was wounded twice at the beginning of WWI and promoted to captain in 1915. He was ultimately captured by the Germans at Verdun and made 5 escape attempts from the German prison camps.
After the armistice, de Gaulle was assigned to a Polish division being formed in France. He fought against the Red Army during the civil war and won Poland's highest military decoration, Virtuti Militari.

De Gaulle's military ideas appeared in his book, The Army of the Future (1934). In the book he criticized the rigid theories of war that was exemplified by the Marginot Line. The book was unpopular with the politicians and the military who who refused to strengthen France's peace-time military force between the wars.

On the outbreak of the WWII, at Caumont, De Gaulle became the only French commanding officer to force the Germans to retreat during the German invasion of France.

So, you wouldn't call De Gaulle, a general, eh? Just what branch of the military do you serve in, anyhow, chief?

[lookout123]

In Flanders fields the poppies grow

if you are going to insult and show your superior knowledge, at least get it right.
the line is IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow know what the next line is? the author is John McCrae. he was a Canadian.

But then again, when I was in grad school, my best friend was a woman from France.

no offense - but that has been a day or two ago. (honestly) don't assume that everyone who holds no fondness for the french is a chestbeating, flagwaving, xenophobe. some of us actually have experience with these people. i have a number of clients and aquaintances who are french. the two or three who don't fit the mold don't change the facts - i served with the french military. i spent A LOT of time in the french embassy. my opinions (and that is all they are) are based upon my observations of the french among their own. their guns, nor their dicks, have been big enough to justify their overflowing arrogance which is only rivaled by their condescension of all things non-franco in origin.

All Quiet on the Western Front ? No? I didn't think so. Run down to your public library and get a copy.

yeah, i've read it a fair few times. if you'll pull your arrogant head out of your tight ass long enough to decide - which chapter would you like to discuss. the bird's song near the end was especially poignant if you ask me.

hence the Maginot line which actually was pretty clever

"hey our male population has recently been decimated by a war of attrition fought in trenches - let's build a stagnant line of defense and call it a day. yep. brilliant.