Skip to comments.
French Dissing In the USA
The Daily Mirror
| March 17, 2003
| Tony Parsons
Posted on 04/25/2003 1:51:00 PM PDT by annyokie
The Daily Mirror is supposedly a very left-wing, anti-U.S. rag in the United Kingdom. But one of their top journalists, Tony Parsons, wrote moving articles about America on Sept. 11, 2002 and again on Feb. 3, 2003 after Columbia crashed. Now he has written this:
The Daily Mirror. London
Mar 17, 2003
FRENCH DISSING IN THE U.S.A
By Tony Parsons
I hope that the continent of Europe never again needs help from the United States of America.
I hope that there's never some murderous little tyrant - another Hitler, another Milosevic - that Europe needs help in taming.
I hope that there's never some economic catastrophe that requires American dollars to make it right, as they did at the end of the Second World War.
I hope that the Euro experiment works. I hope that all those peace-loving souls in Belgium, Germany and France can somehow muster an army to protect themselves.
I hope that the continent I live on never again needs to go cap in hand to the Americans.
Because if that black day ever comes, I have the feeling that America might just tell Europe where to go.
On the eve of war, there is a tangible anger in America. But surprisingly not all of it of it is directed against the Saddam Hussein and his regime. It is the French and their government who are detested by the Americans.
"This is all about oil," the Brits hear all the time. And Americans think there is some truth to it being "all about oil" too. In this case - the $50 billion worth of oil contracts that France has with Iraq. In American eyes, that is why the French are so keen to avoid a war to remove Saddam Hussein and his regime in Iraq.
Anti-French feeling in the United Kingdom is rarely any more than a passing fancy, a jokey bit of "hop-off-you-Frogs" banter. This is currently NOT true in America. Their anti-French feeling is no joke or passing fancy..
The cafeteria in the House of Representatives no longer serves French fries - chips to you and me, guvnor. Now they sell something called "freedom fries". That sounds nuts - and of course it is. But that is a small example of the growing feeling in America that France has no respect for the U.S.
But when a furious Congresswoman presents a "bring home our dead" bill demanding that the 75,000 American men and boys who died in France during two world wars be dug up and brought home, you definitely realize that this is more than "hop-off-you-Frogs" banter.
Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite says, "The remains of our brave servicemen should be buried in patriotic soil, not in a country that has turned its back on the U.S. and on the memory of Americans who fought and died there."
That's the difference between the British and the Americans. We do not feel that the British casualties in two world wars died to liberate the French. We believe that we were fighting for our nation's survival. Just like the Russians.
It is different for Americans. Throughout the 20th century, through two world wars and one Cold War, America gave all the blood and money Europe needed to keep it free.
They feel that the current crisis has proved that Europeans are, when all is said and done, an ungrateful bunch of Euro bastards who do not give a flying baguette about the 75,000 American graves in Europe. This is a very serious matter, not to be taken lightly.
Anti-European feeling in the U.S. goes right across the board of public opinion, even among the thousands of Americans who are passionately against attacking Iraq. America is united in feeling betrayed by Europe. America is finally starting to understand that - to Europe's eternal shame - there is a European opinion that 9/11 was America's comeuppance.
Secretaries and waiters leaping from the top of the burning twin towers --- The fault of American arrogance???
A terrified four-year-old girl cowering at the back of a hijacked plane --- Blame it on America's support for Israel???
A stewardess with her throat slit by a carpet cutter --- One in the eye for American imperialism???
Those 3,000 dead, murdered on live television --- Europe blames America???
When 9/11 happened, you might have expected to see Palestinians dancing in the street --- but who would have expected the grim look of satisfaction on the faces of old Europe???
Those Americans who are against the war admire Britain because we had a peace march where a hundred thousand people filled the streets of England.
Those millions of Americans for the war admire Britain because Tony Blair has been a true friend to America. And although the average man on the English street might make jibes about Blair being a "poodle," among American hawks, our Prime Minister is seen as strong-willed. He is seen as strong willed by the Americans - and we English should be bloody glad of it!
It has been good to be British in America these past few weeks. For America has been reminded that Britain is the best friend it has in the world, joined by blood, language, history, instinct and culture.
When will the uninformed masses of British wake up from their pathetic little dreams of being Europeans and realize that we have been looking for our future in all the wrong places?
Who wants to be European today? Who wants to be an ungrateful, unprincipled, two-faced, pacifist, Euro-grasping, oil-hungry Lilliputian?
No matter what happens over the coming days and weeks, it is true what they say - the English Channel is far wider than the Atlantic.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government
KEYWORDS: iraqifreedom; nonallyfrance; thanksfriendblaiar; thanksfriendblair; tonyparsons
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-34 last
To: annyokie
A terrified four-year-old girl cowering at the back of a hijacked plane I knew that four-year old's mother (Ruth Clifford McCourt), and her friend (Paige Hackel) on the other plane that crashed into the WTC.
I hadn't seen Ruth in about 6 years, so I never met the four-year old, Juliana McCourt.
But I have a four-year old daughter too, and I can only imagine the unspeakable horror that my doomed friend went through trying to comfort her terrified little girl.
I still think of that scene almost every day -- especially when some anti-American wupposedly peace-loving left-wing whacko uses the war on terror and on Iraq as justification for their anti-Bush ravings.
21
posted on
04/25/2003 2:49:32 PM PDT
by
Maceman
To: annyokie
good job, great article,
thanks
To: GretchenEE
What a surprise. Who'd thunk it? Someone on the left gets it and then writes it for all to see.
To: annyokie
They feel that the current crisis has proved that Europeans are, when all is said and done, an ungrateful bunch of Euro bastards who do not give a flying baguette about the 75,000 American graves in Europe. Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
That is the correct answer.
To: annyokie
It is different for Americans. Throughout the 20th century, through two world wars and one Cold War, America gave all the blood and money Europe needed to keep it free. Needs to be repeated to every frenchman ten times before breakfast.
25
posted on
04/25/2003 4:16:38 PM PDT
by
Timocrat
To: annyokie; Grampa Dave
Courtesy of Grampa Dave....
Real Conservatives are not waiting for our government to $crew the French. We are doing it our selves with a boycott of French Products and services.
$crew the $limeY French Frogs. Boycott French Products and travel to France for the rest of this decade, at least!
French Products to Buycott
We can resist their wines which usually come in behind the good Napa Valley Wines and Australian wines in blind tasting without French Judges like in the Winter Olympics.
We can do without French Products and services for the rest of this decade. Here is a list of French companies and their products to avoid for the rest of this decade. Please keep this list and send it to your relatives, friends and fellow conservatives via e and snail mail!
*New additions to the list.
Air France
Air Liquide
Airbus
Alcatel - Based in Paris France, Provider of communications equipment, including ADSL equipment, terrestrial and submarine optical networks, public switching, fixed wireless access and intelligent networks.
Allegra (Allergy Medication) - Produced by Aventis Pharmaceuticals based in Strasbourg, France
Aqualung (Including: Spirotechnique, Technisub, US Divers, and SeaQuest)
AXA Advisors
*Bacou-Dalloz-Makes Industrial protective devices
Bank of the West - Owned by BNP Paribas
Beneteau (boats)
BF Goodrich - Owned by Michelin
BIC (Razors, Pens & Lighters) - Started in 1945 by Marcel Bich. Originally based just outside of Paris. Began trading on the Paris Stock Exchange in 1972. 40.5% Publicly traded. Bich family still owns 33.5%.
Biotherm (Cosmetics)
Black Bush
Bollinger (Champagne)
*Browning Firearms**
Car & Driver Magazine
Cartier
Chanel
Chivas Regal (Scotch)
Christian Dior
Club Med (Vacations) - Owned in part by Paris based CDC (Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations)
Culligan (owned by Vivendi)
Dannon (Yogurt & Dairy Foods)
*Danone -Lea and Perrin, Evian and other food/water
*Decatholon Super Sport Stores or MVP Sport Stores*
* Dassault Systemes-(CATIA design software)*
DKNY - LVMH acquired 100% of Gabrielle Studio Inc., the privately owned licenser of Donna Karan trademarks back in 2001.
*DMC THREADS
Dom Perignon
Durand Crystal
Elle Magazine
*Emile Henry French Cookware
*Enertec makes high speed recorders used in Recon aircraft p>Essilor Optical Products
Evian
Fina Oil - Billions invested in Iraqi Oil fields
First Hawaiian Bank
George Magazine
Givenchy
*Grey Goose Vodka
*GroupeSEB owns Krups, Moulinex, Roweta and Tefal Cookware
*Groupe Shneider, owner of Modicon and Square D
*Guerlain Fragrances
*Hachette Filipacchi owner publisher of many magazines sold in the USA. See the list below:***
Hennessy
Houghton Mifflin (books) International Herald Tribune - 181 ave Charles-de-Gaulle - F-92521 Neuilly - FRSource:World Business Council for Sustainable Development '00 [Domain Registration], [Corporate Profile]
Jacobs Creek - Owned by Pernod Ricard since 1989
Jameson (whiskey Owned by Pernod Ricard )
Jerry Springer (talk show)
Krups
****Lagardere****
Lancome
*Lea & Perrins a product of Danon
Le Creuset (Cookware)
L'Oreal (Health & Beauty Products)
Louis Vuitton
Marie Claire
Martel Cognac
Maybelline
Méphisto (Footwear & Apparel)
Michelin (Tires & Auto Parts) - Their phone number is: (33) 1 45 66 15 53 in France
Mikasa Crystal and Glass (purchased by ARC int'l in 2001)
Moet (Champagne)
Motel 6 - 33, Avenue du Maine- 75755 Paris Cedex 15 France
Motown Records
MP3.com
Mumms (Champagne)
Nissan (Cars) - Majority owned by Renault
Nivea
Normany Butter
Parents Magazine
*Perrier
Peugeot (Automobiles) - Pronounced "Pooh Joe", must be French
Pierre Cardin
Playstation Magazine
ProScan - Owned by Thomson Electronics, France
Publicis Group (Including: Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising)
RCA (televisions & electronics) - Owned by Thomson Electronics, France
Red Magazine
Red Roof Inns - Owned by the Accor group based in France
Renault (Automobiles) major owner of Nissan
Road & Track Magazine
Roquefort Cheese - All Roquefort cheese is made in France
Rowenta (Toasters, Irons, Coffee makers, etc)
Royal Canadian
Salomon (Skis)
Seagram's Gin
Sierra Software and Computer Games
*Sodexho Alliance* French Food Caterer for the US Marines
Sofitel (Hotels) - Owned by the Accor group based in France
Sparkletts (Water) - Owned by Danone, based in France
Spencer Gifts
Sundance Channel
Taylor Made (Golf)
Technicolor
T-Fal (Kitchenware)
The Glenlivet (Scotch) *Top Tobacco - Dist. by Republic Tobacco L.P., Glenview IL, made in France
UbiSoft (Computer Games)
Uniroyal
Uniroyal Tires - Owned by Michelin
Universal Studios (Music, Movies & Theme Parks) -
Universal Studios is owned by Vivendi-Universal, headquartered in Paris France
USFilter
Veritas Group
Veuve Clicquot Champagne
Vittel
Vivendi - Vivendi Headquarters, Paris France
Wild Turkey (bourbon)
*Winchester Firearms (US Repeating Arms)**
Woman's Day Magazine
Yoplait - France-based Sodiaal owns a 50% stake of Yoplait
Yves Saint Laurent
*Yves Rocher Cosmetics
*ZigZag (tobacco papers and roller products)*
Zodiac Inflatable Boats
*New additions to the list thanks to Freepers. If you have an addition, Freepmail me with the URL showing French ownership.
** Sad news but these two companies are owned by the Belgian Company Herstal, (French Light)
***List of 18 magazines sold in USA by Hachette Filipacchi with an estimated 50 million readers: American Photo, Boating, Car Stereo Review's Mobile Entertainment, Cycle World, ELLE Decor, ELLEgirl, Flying, Home, Metropolitan Home, Popular Photography, Premiere, Sound & Vision, Travel Holiday, Woman's Day Woman's Day Special Interest Publications.
****Lagardere owns the Virgin Megastore group in France, which it bought from Richard Branson three years ago. Its Hachette media division publishes a battery of magazines including Elle , see *** Hachette Filipacchi above. Lagardere also has a stake in the Airbus manufacturing operation. The company is capitalised at over 5bn based on last week's closing prices.****
26
posted on
04/25/2003 5:09:34 PM PDT
by
Rockitz
(After all these years, it's still rocket science.)
To: annyokie
Reading this article helps me to not worry about my grandmother who recently returned to her homeland in England.
27
posted on
04/25/2003 5:18:01 PM PDT
by
Arpege92
To: Rockitz
Thanks for recycling that list.
28
posted on
04/25/2003 10:07:14 PM PDT
by
Grampa Dave
(Being a Monthly Donor to Free Republic is the Right Thing to do!)
To: annyokie
Thanks I have bookmarked this for use with the left wingers and so called right wingers who try to blame America for 9/11.
29
posted on
04/25/2003 10:10:10 PM PDT
by
Grampa Dave
(Being a Monthly Donor to Free Republic is the Right Thing to do!)
To: Grampa Dave
Thank you, Gramps! I post many Americana things here, I'll ping you if you like.
30
posted on
04/25/2003 10:20:28 PM PDT
by
annyokie
To: annyokie
Please do.
31
posted on
04/25/2003 10:23:26 PM PDT
by
Grampa Dave
(Being a Monthly Donor to Free Republic is the Right Thing to do!)
To: Grampa Dave
Wil do, Sir! Please return the favor, she asked.
32
posted on
04/25/2003 10:29:28 PM PDT
by
annyokie
To: nicmarlo
They feel that the current crisis has proved that Europeans are, when all is said and done, an ungrateful bunch of Euro bastards who do not give a flying baguette about the 75,000 American graves in Europe. Yep.
33
posted on
04/25/2003 10:29:37 PM PDT
by
Smedley
To: Maceman
My eyes are still blurred red thinking of this little girl and all the other children that were so innocent, but perished anyway because of these cowards. I'm a country boy through and through and believe in an eye for an eye. I am aware of the concept of "turning the other cheek"; however, CANNOT do so due to my "up-bringing". I still can barely contain my ANGER today........ In our family, we "settled it outside" and growing up proved tough at times and probably made a few enemies along the way, but at least they new where we stood and why. I think that by expressing our anger at times, we help "shed" emotions that could have possibly escalated into some things more sinister and damaging if withheld. Do not judge unless hard proof is otherwise available that this could hold no truth. And for those of you that might fall into one of the "anti-groups" below YYYYYYEEEEEEESSSS, there are still some of us uneducated, hard-working, God-fearing country folk that don't give a rats --- about what you think or how you feel about us especially if you don't love this country or at least what it represents.(why even "us folks" know this one). We all feel like the U.S. is one Big Family and even though we have our differences and problems, we will stand side by side to face our adversaries "outside" and kick the ---- out of them or kill them if need be to save our children. And while I have everyones attention: ALL YOU ANTI-WAR, ANTI-AMERICAN FOR WHATEVER YOUR FLAG BURNING OR HATING REASON MAY BE STAND UP AND GET YOUR AS--- OUT OF THIS GREAT COUNTY, YOU DON'T BELONG HERE. TOO MANY GREAT MEN AND WOMEN HAVE DIED FOR YOUR SORRY AS---. ALSO, I THANK GOD THAT NONE OF YOU (SO FAR) HAVE SHOWED UP ON ANY OF OUR LAND IN TX. OR CO., THAT WOULD NOT BE A GOOD DAY FOR YOU. THOUGHTS!?!?!?? I believe in GOD IN HEAVEN and satan in hell. I believe in "spiritual warfare" and think that I (along with many others) have been, am currently, and will continue to be "influenced" either by "good or evil forces" and can ONLY improve my standing with my "Maker" by faith through His Son and according to my "mortal works". If I turned my cheek to allow evil doings by evil beings, then I feel like I would be an accomplice to some sort of mortal/immortal satanic expansion project that my "Maker" doesn't approve of. SOOOOOOOO DON'T TREAD ON MY FAMILY, BELIEFS, OR COUNTRY............ you sorry, selfish, diabolical cowards from hell. I'll personally kick your ----- one by one if the chance arises. Now I'm pissed again...... gotta go whip the bull with another rattlesnake. later boys (&girls)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-34 last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson