French-bashing demonstrates deficient Republican leadership

[Saturn]

While I've been irritated with the recent stories about renaming french fries in the House cafeteria and the bill to reimburse for transporting bodies buried in French military cemetaries, I've only just realized that those actions demonstrate deficiency in Republican leadership. Sure, there have always been a few nuts in Congress, of all parties, who propose embarassing legislation. But the proper response would be for the party leadership to step in and defuse the situation. So when a couple of Republican congressman came up with an idea to change the name of french fries, members of the House leadership should have quickly blocked it, telling them that it is just an act of petty spite that would interfere with the president's efforts to gain international support. And if it did somehow go through, the president should have firmly told the House leadership that it was unacceptable and to change it back. Since none of this has happened, I have to believe that both the House leadership and the president are either deficient in their judgment or share this petty spite to some extent.

[Tmy]

Maybe it is time for some French bashing. They've had it coming for a longtime. Plus theyre the perfect target, you wont hear cries of racism or 3rd world bullying. The franco-american lobby is all but non existant! Hating France is somthing all americans can share in.

[DavidJames]

You ask politicians to be statesman. Not going to happen. There are to many voters who love these symbolic wastes of time. It allows people to feel they are contributing to something without actually doing anything substantial. I think all politicians are prone, but the Republican's seem to have more fun with it, especially when it comes to religious crap.

[Jocko]

Originally posted by Saturn
While I've been irritated with the recent stories about renaming french fries in the House cafeteria and the bill to reimburse for transporting bodies buried in French military cemetaries, I've only just realized that those actions demonstrate deficiency in Republican leadership. Sure, there have always been a few nuts in Congress, of all parties, who propose embarassing legislation. But the proper response would be for the party leadership to step in and defuse the situation. So when a couple of Republican congressman came up with an idea to change the name of french fries, members of the House leadership should have quickly blocked it, telling them that it is just an act of petty spite that would interfere with the president's efforts to gain international support. And if it did somehow go through, the president should have firmly told the House leadership that it was unacceptable and to change it back. Since none of this has happened, I have to believe that both the House leadership and the president are either deficient in their judgment or share this petty spite to some extent.

Petty spite? This is a joke, right? The US makes a symbolic move of protest and it's petty spite, but French leadership makes petty spite their entire MO, and that's perfectly okay, right?

I'd say that driving 40%+ of Americans to boycott French goods has more to do with deficiencies in the French government than America's.

Italian wine, anyone?

[Jocko]

Originally posted by DavidJames
There are to many voters who love these symbolic wastes of time. It allows people to feel they are contributing to something without actually doing anything substantial.

Are you talking about politicians or protesters?

[Smalso]

I'd rather be locked in a closet with Sam Donaldson than locked in a car with Teddy Kennedy.

...or Noelle Bush.

[Richard G]

The days of political correctness (ie. ********ting) are over. The men in power now are calling them as they see them. And if certain individuals or countries are offended by hard, objective analysis of themselves , they should change their opinions and actions.

The truth really hurts for some.

[Scorpy]

Originally posted by Richard G
The days of political correctness (ie. ********ting) are over. The men in power now are calling them as they see them. And if certain individuals or countries are offended by hard, objective analysis of themselves , they should change their opinions and actions.

The truth really hurts for some.


Changing the name of 'French fries' to 'Freedom fries' is hard, objective analysis? :confused:

[Richard G]

Nothing to do with French Fries.

Let me make it clear: The French goverment can kiss my ass. Its quite clear after recent events my Commander in Chief feels the same way. And if the French people have the same attitude and opinion as their elected leader...they can kiss my ass too.

Signed,
An American

[fishbob]

Let me make it clear: The French goverment can kiss my ass.

The men in power now are calling them as they see them. If the Congress and Senate stood up and told the French in a speech or news release that we are displeased - I could support that.
Instead, the American public gets a weenie stupid name change on the lunchroom menu.
This is the issue, not what was intended but how it was executed. I have seen more mature responses from 5-year olds.

[Flo]

Originally posted by fishbob
If the Congress and Senate stood up and told the French in a speech or news release that we are displeased - I could support that.
Instead, the American public gets a weenie stupid name change on the lunchroom menu.
This is the issue, not what was intended but how it was executed. I have seen more mature responses from 5-year olds.

Me too. And if the US government and American people like Richard G had given mature responses to the questions raised (i.e. the real reasons for war, real "smoking guns", some considerations to the advices given) instead of silly and petty insults, maybe my government, and the people who elected it, might have chosen to follow.

Think, people: in an everyday life or work situation, would you follow someone who tells you "my way or the highway", followed by piles of insults if you refuse to toe the line without being given clear explanations ? What would it tell you ? that the speaker has no real argument to back his case ...

[Frank Newgent]

Originally posted by Richard G
the French people...can kiss my ass


Air fares out of LaGuardia are bargain priced these days. You could fly into Paris to deliver the sentiment in person. But after going that far why not hold out for, say, a rim job?

[Richard G]

The French are becoming quite transparent. This has nothing to do with Iraq anymore, or the reasons why we are there. Its has to do with the French spearheading oposition to the U.S.. They are slavering at the mouth to see a weakened, diminished U.S., and if they can have a hand in it, rapturous joy for them.

We could be going to save 1000 two year old babys awaiting execution, and the French would still hee-haw, and find an excuse to rail against us.

Kiss my ass, oui?

[Shane Costello]

Originally posted by Flo:
Think, people: in an everyday life or work situation, would you follow someone who tells you "my way or the highway", followed by piles of insults if you refuse to toe the line without being given clear explanations ? What would it tell you ? that the speaker has no real argument to back his case ...

Precisely, which is why Chirac has ensured "New Europe" will probably strengthen ties to the US by telling them to shut up and calling them ill-bred.

Has the worm's popularity in France been diminished because of these remarks?