Posted on 09/24/2007 2:26:38 PM PDT by Cincinna
Could this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship between America and France? Like Rick and Louis in "Casablanca," the two countries are reaching a new, post-Iraq-invasion appreciation of each other – long overdue, and due mostly to France's new president, Nicolas Sarkozy.
It started with his different – for France – attitude toward the United States. (Former French President Jacques Chirac would never have vacationed stateside, let alone in New Hampshire, the way Sarkozy did this summer.) And it's being followed up with encouraging changes in foreign policy.
For decades, Paris has prided itself on its separateness from Washington. Nowhere has that been more visible than in its break with the US over the Iraq war. Not that that position was a mistake, says President Sarkozy, but the almost automatic anti-Americanism that accompanied it was.
"Here's a country that some of France's elites claim to detest, or at least criticize regularly in a stereotypical way. This is rather strange," he wrote in his preelection book, "Testimony." He rightly reminds the French of the strong links between the two countries: shared democratic ideals in their founding revolutions and the US fought for France in two world wars.
Since taking office as a reformer last May, this presidential dynamo has moved swiftly to remake domestic and foreign policy. Washington is delighted over some key shifts, the biggest in the Middle East, where he's altered France's traditionally pro-Arab bias to more openly embrace Israel. "I will never compromise when it comes to Israel's security," he said last month.
(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...
The Left wants to convince us that Sarko is not a Conservative, not really an ally and friend of the United States, and of true reform of Socialist France.
Every speech and press conference Sarko gives tells us different. He sounds more American in his ideas than most American elites and Leftists .His visit with George W. Bush and family in Maine this summer is proof enough for me.
Personally, I dare to be a true optimist.
I believe Sarkozy indeed is a friend of the US and I know for sure many Europeans are, although European as well as American media seldom choose to mirror the real stance of ordinary Europeans.
I believe Sarkozy marks the beginning of a new, beautiful friendship between America and Europe!
Thank you for your posts, Cincinna.
Keep up the good work!
Western Europe and the US need to work together. His win and willingness to at least admit the importance of good relations was a nice change. His trip here sent a message to France. I hope for the best.
After having spent time with the French and learning that many of them hate the leftism that has dominated their nation for so long, I am grateful that they are getting a little relief to feed their spirits.
Sarkozy was elected, mix that with the backlash against Islamic colonization and there is much reason to believe that France will finally get a grip on it’s suicidal liberalism.
Although I have no plans to travel to France, (cuz Im poor)my boycott of French products ended the day he was elected. I think this man has done a great deal in a short time repair the damage done to American/French relations.
“After having spent time with the French and learning that many of them hate the leftism that has dominated their nation for so long, I am grateful that they are getting a little relief to feed their spirits.”
- I went to France for holiday in 2006 and this year as well. My impression is that a lot of the French are tired of Socialism.
If anyone speaks fluent French or German would they ping me, so that I can ask for a one sentence translation of something?
I do speak French.
Nowhere has that been more visible than in its break with the US over the Iraq war. Not that that position was a mistake, says President Sarkozy, but the almost automatic anti-Americanism that accompanied it was... Washington is delighted over some key shifts, the biggest in the Middle East, where he's altered France's traditionally pro-Arab bias to more openly embrace Israel. "I will never compromise when it comes to Israel's security," he said last month.One way or another, I don't think this will last. Hope it does though. Thanks Cincinna.
I’m a frenchman
Cincinna gave a pretty good translation, but he said it wasn’t perfect.
The slogan is “Au Dela Du Possible”, it is the slogan for the 13th RDP.
Also when I spent a night on an army base outside of Lyon, in their barracks bar, the guys were showing me pictures of their unit serving in the American Revolution, not speaking French I can’t find out which unit that was (on the internet).
If any one has information or links with info on what unit that might be, I would like it if they pinged me.
I wish that he was running for US President in 2008.
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