Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
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Posted on 05/09/2007 3:45:48 PM PDT by Squidpup
A Toast to Monsieur Sarkozy
The election of Nicolas Sarkozy to the presidency of France has been a serious blow to those who claim that America has earned the undying hatred of Europeans. Oh, to be sure, the French media hates us, but there are a lot of people who say ours does too. Regardless, Sarkozy's victory has sent shock waves through the world's media centers.
A French president who openly admires America is an embarrassment to those who view us as the bumpkin cousins of the sophisticated Europeans. American pundits and politicians who say we should change our foreign policies to win the European popularity contest ought to be feeling a little embarrassed too.
From the beginning, Sarkozy pledged to help heal the ill feelings that have existed between our two countries -- especially over Iraq. He outraged French Socialists and journalists by coming to America during his campaign to meet with our president. He has praised America's dynamism, freedoms and prosperity, and he promises to work for reforms that will make France more like the U.S.
Sarkozy’s victory over anti-American political forces was not just decisive; it was far more of a mandate than our own current congress claims. In his first post-election speech, he went out of his way to say, "I want to call out to our American friends to tell them that they can count on our friendship."
So what’s happening here? Could it be that we've mistaken the French media for the French people? Might the same be true of Germany, where pro-American Angela Merkel beat a critic of the U.S. to become that nation's leader?
I think that's part of it, but it also has a lot to do with Iran's race to get nuclear weapons and missiles capable of striking the heart of Europe. President Ahmadinejad has been regularly threatening European nations that won’t go along with his master plan.
Ahmadinejad’s threats are taken particularly seriously by the French, because there are a lot of people inside France who seem to share his goals. For years, the French have endured terrible intimidation, violence and riots at the hands of people who openly hate their democratic traditions. In the run-up to the presidential election, French voters were plainly threatened with even more bloodshed and destruction if they dared to elect Nicolas Sarkozy. As promised, that violence is now taking place nightly on streets across France.
The refusal by the French people to bow to this political extortion should be recognized and cheered. They have not only sent a message to anti-democratic forces inside and outside their borders, I believe they are telling us something even more important. We are beginning, I think, to see our old friends and allies put aside disagreements and rivalries to do what has to be done. It has been a long road, but the forces of civilization and order are beginning to understand, once again, that we are in a global struggle against the forces of death and destruction.
Maybe it’s time to rethink the "boycott France" movement that got so much attention a few years ago. Americans once toasted General Lafayette, and his son Georges Washington Lafayette. I think this would be a good time to toast Monsieur Sarkozy. And if you’re going to use wine for that toast, make it French wine.
Fred Article ping!
The entire speech shows a grasp of the situation in France that no other American politician has.
And he’s very sharp, too. “Oh, to be sure, the French media hates us, but there are a lot of people who say ours does too.” Notice that he can’t be accused of attacking the media directly, he is merely pointing out what a lot of people think.
If the shoe fits, wear it.
Fredipedia: The Definitive Fred Thompson Reference
Please FReepmail jellybean if you want on/off this list. WARNING: This ping list is EXTREMELY active. .
The media routinely uses the “a lot of people say” device to attack or editorialize indirectly — turnabout is fair play.
And Fred nails it once again! It’s so refreshing to hear the way a political figure actually thinks...
FRED BUMP.
I’m ready when you are.
Damn... Fred makes want to like the French.
That should have read, "Damn, Fred makes me want to like the French."
Thats says it all. The Drive Bys had us believe in 2004 that Bush, the most passionately hated man in America (not to mention the rest of the world), was going to lose in a landslide.
I hope the rats dont find out that Bush is not on the ballot next year.
barbra ann
Hopefully our very own GOP is listening and taking a lesson from this guy. Get out there and speak your mind, you’ll be suprised at how many Americans feel the same way you do.
Excellent article.. I’ll uncork a bottle of French wine this weekend..
This is a great article, but the wrong Fred Thompson
Who’s the right Fred Thompson?
Um, your post are very confusing.
I don’t know how many Fred Dalton Thompsons you know, but the writer of the article at the top of this is the Fred Dalton Thompson who is considering a run for the Presidency. Which Thompson do you think wrote it, and who is he?
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