Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Chirac's Olive Branch to the U.S.


What: French President Jacques Chirac put aside personal hostility towards Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday and announced his support for the interior minister's bid to become the next president.
What it means for us: Icy post-Iraq Franco-American relations could thaw should Sarkozy, an unabashed capitalist and admirer of the U.S. be elected to the presidency.
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In 2006, Sarkozy, a Conservative and descendant of Hungarian Jews (his mother is French Catholic) wrote a book called Temoignage (Testimony) which chastised modern-day France for its lackluster presence on the world stage. From the 35-hour workweek to the country's lackluster presence on the world stage, Sarkozy pulls no punches in an attack on his own party for its culpability in shaping France's current whimp status.
Summarizing Sarkozy's book last July, The Guardian wrote: [Sarkozy] demands a radical overhaul of France's social welfare model, which has been staunchly defended by President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, and sharply criticizes the other two politicians, saying they waited too long to scrap an unpopular change in labor law last spring. Directly contradicting the line from Chirac's Élysée Palace, he also renews calls for affirmative action, a taboo in the Republican conception of equality.
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Innnnteresting. Watching this Presidential race unfold from afar, it's interesting to see a candidate challenge the pillars of modern French society. The idea that there is no need for affirmative action in France is born either of a dangerous naivete or from a cold politeness that turns away from injustice in the hopes that it will disappear (Vichy government anyone?).
As our country sets the course for change and the introduction of progressive, compassionate government, it would be lovely to see a new ally emerge in Europe -- a country, that like us, was once looked at as the epitome of free thought and democracy. Wouldn't it be something if both France and the U.S. rose at the same time to reclaim that status?

16 comments:

Rob said...

I'm sorry. What status does the U.S. have to "reclaim"?

James Henry Bailey said...

The idea that there is no need for affirmative action in France is born either of a dangerous naivete or from a cold politeness that turns away from injustice in the hopes that it will disappear

or perhaps it is born from the fact that affirmative action is racist and has no place in a free society.

As our country sets the course for change and the introduction of progressive, compassionate government

Are you referring to the democrats? What, exactly, have they done to set the course for a progressive, compassionate government? Is Hillary's and Obama's bickering helping? Are Pelosi's HUGE pork projects helping? Perhaps the way they attack every single minority in the current administration? Or how they use every single opportunity to attack the President to cover up their budget fiasco and total lack of leadership on any issue? Where is this progressive compassionate government?

it would be lovely to see a new ally emerge in Europe

Better yet- if you want France as an ally, let's just sit back and watch them continue to implement anti-American, pro-socialist, anti-war/defense policies. Then, when Paris is wiped out by an islamo-fascist with a nuke, guess who they will come running to for protection?

WAKE UP!!!!!!

Unknown said...

Hyperbole, anyone? (What is in the water back there? I don't remember such hyperbole when I lived in New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, or Florida :-) )

Inserting my own interpretation of "affirmative action" with regards to France, I sometimes wonder if many of the problems faced by European nations regarding immigration might stem from the fact (I suppose it's a fact, don't ask me to prove it--I can't--and I don't feel the need) that they, generally, do not have any history of a "melting pot" such as we do here. (Yes, yes, I know; our melting pot metaphor is not terribly strong in our culture, but at least we have given it lip service.)

James Henry Bailey said...

Gene- I don't think it's hyperbolic at all to single out France as a target for Islamo fascists. And it's precisely because France does not have the same type of cultural and ethnic melting pot as the US. They send their muslims off to live as they please and as their own culture dictates.

Hence the continued rioting by Muslim militants.

And, do you disagree that Frnace would come running to the US for protection if they were attacked? The interesting thinking is, they would not need to! The US would be there to help them instantly. They should remember that as they continually spew anti-American vitriol.

Berdo said...

I would be delighted if the American Left began to embrace foreign democracies rather than socialist (Cuba, Venezuela) and fascist (Iran) dictatorships. I won't hold my breath waiting.

There is another problem with the American Left - this absurd - all evidence to the contrary belief that France, Germany...EUROPE is somehow morally and intellectually superior to us and we should be courting their favor. France's employment rate and cultural relations are so disastrous...it is a manifestation of worst-case scenario. But becuase France is a beacon of the left, very little seems to be said of these "inconvenient truths."

Unknown said...

James, I don't disagree at all. France is obviously a good target for Islamo fascists. So are all of those European countries which do not make serious efforts to asimilate immigrants. (A discussion about the difference between integration and assimilation might be in order somewhere.)

I don't, however, think the nuclear threat is imminent. If any Western country were attacked with a nuclear weapon, they would most certainly come to us for assistance (protection would be beside the point). As you say, we would certainly be disposed to lend assistance.

Remember Bush I's "One World?" Isn't that a first cousin, or something, to a "melting pot?" Oughtn't the French take steps to assimilate its immigrants into the French culture? That picture of the earth taken from space, coupled with the DNA indications that we all descended from a couple of people indicate that the melting pot metaphor should be embraced by all of us.

It seems to me, however, that the plodding diplomatic course is more enduring than saber rattling. We can disagree about many particular bits of evidence and spin from both sides of the aisle, but Colin Powell's "nuclear" evidence at the U.N., and Condoleezza Rice's "mushroom cloud," along with a decade or more of Hussein's criminal reign after 1991, not to mention his willingness to gas his own countrymen in the 1980s, helped convince most of the nation to support the 2003 invasion.

Hindsight is 20/20, and hindsight is worthless unless it is used as a learning tool. I would suggest the hyperbole of 2002 enabled a policy which has proven to be, after the successful military invasion, flawed. We should learn from that.

*****
How does one respond, Berdo? I don't know of anyone, aside from an occasional left wing nut (yeah, we have 'em, too)who "embraces" Cuba's socialist government. Many people think our Cuban policies are mis-directed, but that doesn't automatically translate into support. Chavez is already in serious economic trouble. He's history but doesn't know it (or maybe he does and he's desperate). Even the Bush administration is finally realizing that talking with Iran about Iraq doesn't necessarily mean support for the regime.

Sorry. Too long.

Rob said...

Even the Bush administration is finally realizing that talking with Iran about Iraq doesn't necessarily mean support for the regime.

I don't think it's that simple, nor do I think they believe anything will come of it.

What kind of douchebag actually believes that we can sit down and talk with a clown who's bent on the exterminiation of millions to bring about the end times and get anything accomplished? Sure Iran is "helping" in Afghanistan, but to what end?

Rob said...

BTW,

Chavez is already in serious economic trouble. He's history but doesn't know it (or maybe he does and he's desperate).

I don't think there's going to be free elections anymore for anybody to find out.

Unknown said...

Hmmm. I'm not sure who the "douchebag" is. I am pretty sure that the primary group "bent on the exterminiation of millions to bring about the end times" is none other than homegrown Christo-fascists. (I really don't know--does Islam have an "end time?")

The pendulum swings. Nicaragua eventually had elections which ousted a socialist government; it will happen in Venezuela.

Berdo said...

Gene -

If only it were true that support for these bloodstained dicatatorships began and ended with the occassional left wing nut. I used to think that too. I now longer do. Remember all the protests against America going into Iraq? Do you recall any of them imploring Hussein to comply with 12 YEARS of UN resolutions? Do you remember anyone in New York protesting against Hussein's hideous regime? I am sorry to say that blind hatred for America has become a hallmark of the left...and "mainstream" Democrats have done little if anything to distance themselves from it. In fact, many of them actively PROMOTE it...witness their involvement with Moveon.org and Michael Moore getting a special box with the DNC. It is NOT the left wing nuts.

It's the left wing. And Democrats should be the first to denounce these idiots - but instead they embrace them. It's sad, because technically I'd be a Democrat if the current political climate looked like it did 10 years ago. But a lot has changed.

Rob said...

Hmmm. I'm not sure who the "douchebag" is.

That would be the liberal pussies who think we can get anywhere talking to a nut who believes he will bring out the Hidden Imam.

I am pretty sure that the primary group "bent on the exterminiation of millions to bring about the end times" is none other than homegrown Christo-fascists.

Such as....

(I really don't know--does Islam have an "end time?")

That's funny. You know enough to trash Christians, but you don't know squat about the Shi'a like Ahmadinejad?

The pendulum swings. Nicaragua eventually had elections which ousted a socialist government; it will happen in Venezuela.

Meanwhile, the people get to enjoy equal misery without freedom and human rights. But Chavez is the American liberal's buddy, so who cares, right?

Unknown said...

TGC, sometimes you come across as an unpleasant person.

That aside, you are a font of information. I Googled Hidden Imam and now I know. The Shia have an end time; other Muslims don't seem to have one. (Do all Christians?) Thanks for the nudge.

The Riverside, CA The Press-Enterprise has a weblog address Pedro Burelli which is written by a Caracas resident. The brief info in the paper contains "the sorry state of every social indicator in Venezuela..." as he criticizes Chavez.

Berdo, Should demonstrations against the Hussein government have been the responsibility of the left? If so, the right is somehow absolved? I need clarification if you so choose.

Is it necessary to write such as "I am sorry to say that blind hatred for America has become a hallmark of the left..."? You can't, really, in your heart of hearts, believe that.

Agape.

Berdo said...

Gene -

I am not sure I am understanding you. Isn't it the warmongering right that went into Iraq to liberate the country? Is that not the strongest protest against Hussein and his grotesque legacy? Come on.

It should also be mentioned that it wasn't Republicans, moderate or otherwise, marching in the streets with Bush's face superimposed on a Swastika (this sort of sign was nearly ubiquitous in these protests) and saying "No Blood For Oil." If anyone is going to engaged the debate like that, they have a lot of explaining to do for having NOTHING, ZERO, NADA to say about the most ruthless dictator in the world, who launched wars all over the middle east and was in the process of getting his hands on chemical weapons. It opens the question...were the protests on principle? Or on pure hatred for their country? Or at least partisanship...at least concede that one to me.

I am sorry, Gene. I don't agree with you at all here.

Berdo said...

Gene -

Another thing. Have you watched some of the loudest leftest mouthpieces..from MOore to Chomsky...to Bill Maher to Rosie O'Donnell...to all of Hollywood and much of the intellectualy left on TV? Have you read their columns and their blogs? Clearly you haven't. If you did, I hope you'd be as disgusted by much of it the way I am. It is PURE America-hatred. Blind, unobjective, hated. It IS necessary for me to say it. It is FAR MORE NECESSARY for mainstream Democrats to denounce it. They don't because their fiananced (Soros) and promoted by these fanatics.

Yes, that was also necessary for me to say.

Rob said...

TGC, sometimes you come across as an unpleasant person.

Far from it. I'm a very happy, self-confident person. I am forthright, however. That may be what you're thinking of.

(Do all Christians?)

Yes. There might be different interpretations of the book of Revelations, but all Christians believe in the end times. Contrary to your earlier snark, we have no desire to bring it about since none of us have any idea when it will be. Nor do we have any control in the matter.

Is it necessary to write such as "I am sorry to say that blind hatred for America has become a hallmark of the left..."? You can't, really, in your heart of hearts, believe that.

I can safely say that I find VERY LITTLE examples that would prove the opposite to be true. Look at the current liberal leadership (which is taking cues from their kook base):

They're falling all over themselves trying to see who can give Bush the biggest finger. They own defeat and are pushing hard for America's defeat in Iraq.

Pelosi had to load down the war budget with about $20 billion in pork to bribe others to vote her way.

We captured the al-Qaeda mastermind behind 9/11 and the liberals could give a flying fuck. The media yawned. All the left cares about is how he's treated in captivity. Screw the almost 3,000 people who died that day due to him and his cohorts.

The left pisses their panties over how the Club G'itmo detainess are treated, but I don't think I've ever seen a lib give a rat's ass about how they treated their prisoners. They tortured and killed their prisoners. Ours are alive and treated very well comparatively.

The left considers Bush the biggest terrorist threat and believes that we can just talk to the Islamo-fascists whose first condition is that we die.

The left is far more worried about what our "allies" (read: France & Germany) think, but could give a shit about what our real allies like Australia, Japan, Italy, Spain, UK and the others (over 30) who helped us think. No we have to be considerate of those who were getting Oil For Fools kickbacks and let them determine how we protect ourselves.

The left has been fighting the war on truth for years now and their lap dog bitches in the drive-by media have been gleefully doing their bidding. If you bother to look, you can find all sorts of positive news that's been coming out of Iraq for just as long, even during the worst of times. However, the liberal media has minimal interest in it because it doesn't fit their agenda.

I can go on, if you wish. Suffice it to say, I don't see ANY interest from the left in the victory of the US or for the improvement of the country. Instead what we're treated to is "Bush sucks, America sucks, our military sucks and to hell with all of it because it stands in the way of our absolute power and the Socilization of America!"

Rob said...

Tell me, Gene: What do the liberals offer that inspires you. What do they offer that makes you say "By God, this is a great country and/or this is a great party with a vision for the future"?

What is it that motivates you?