Sarkosy' speech to the US Senate

sailaway21 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007

Anyone doubting that things have not only changed in Iraq, but France as well, might wish to read the transcript of President Sarkosy's speech to the US Congress. In fact, it wouldn't be amiss to hear similar sentiments out of some of those self-same congressmen. President Sarkosy seems to have a pretty good grasp of what the notion of the American experiment is all about. I encourage the reading of the text of his speech and cannot but think that it bodes well for European-US relations in the new century. Vive le France!

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArti...79318921769521

jerryrlitton · #2 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007

It was a very good speech. But that at present is all that it is/was.

"Friends may have differences; they may have disagreements; they may have disputes. But in times of difficulty, in times of hardship, friends stand together, side by side; they support each other; and help one another. In times of difficulty, in times of hardship, America and France have always stood side by side, supported one another, helped one another, fought for each other's freedom."

I will wait and see how we are supported in the terrorist arena along with the showdown in Iran. I very much enjoyed the reference to 1917 though.

I would like very much to believe the people of France as a whole feel the same as their president has spoken to our Congress. Only time will tell. I will remain guardedly optimistic.

Jerry

There is a lot of water under the bridge and I will reserve

Rockter · #3 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007

But they do not stand side-by-side with you, they do not support you.

They obstructed you every step of the way in Iraq. Whatever be their views on the Middle East, if that is standing "side-by-side" with you, then after counting how many of them are standing side-by-side with you in Iraq and Afghanistan, I would reach for the dictionary for a definition of the expression.

While the French talk, and talk, and talk standing side by side with you are the British, dying by the hundred.

They will put their own interests cynically and unashamedly first. If Uncle Sam has not learned that by now, then the learning curve is never going to flatten.

camaraderie · #4 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007

I believe Sarkosky is sincere in his admiration for the US in several areas...and desires to be a better friend than his predecessor was. He presently has a 58% approval rating in France...but is widely attacked in the French media as "the American". He was elected to make change in France's DOMESTIC problems and not because of his pro-American feelings.
As always, I believe the French remain the French and while a temporary thaw in relations and increased cooperation will be good for both countries, I too will remain skeptical about the long term nature of this change. Unlike the Brits (and I would also include the Canadians and Aussies over the long haul) France has yet to prove themselves the steadfast ally of anyone.

Nevertheless...bon chance M. Sarkovsky...we are rooting for you.

Giulietta · #5 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007

I normally stay out of Ploitics, but this is coming from my neck of the woods, so here I go....

What a load of BS (aka La Merde)...and you guys buying it...I don't see it as your are seing it..this is a good con artist..a master with words....

He starts by saying gee...we're sorry we backstabbed you...but hey..our fathers were friends...we are too, right?? You great great fiendly people....(BROWN NOSE).

He then, after appealing to the patriotism of one of the most patriotic Countires, the USA , by evoquing Lafayette, a jobless mercenary, by the way, that whose sole interest was the hate (shared wioth GW) for the Brits, and to keep good relations because of the French territories North and South of the US...goes one how they're supporting Afghanistan...right...what about Iraq????

We cried with the US...no kidding??? I thonk everyone did and we're not shoving it in your face..

In the middle...a few thank yous for WWI and WWII...bla bla bla....I feel really bad we've back stabbed, but hey...that's life...bla bla bla

My generation did not go to war, (yeah, thank the US for that)...bla bla bla

some more brown nosing here and there...Kennedy allways raises hair neck in the US, so why not mention him...bla bla bla

THEN::::TERRORISM....

Ahh the favorite "book seller" this year.....Terrorists...made you greater..NO THEY DID NOT...they screwed your economy....success in Lybia bla bla bla..yeah...the US (during reagan) bombed Kaddafhi with the help of Portugal, by the way, not France....bla bla blaohh let mem talk about Palestine...in case CNN and FOX are here, and its good to have them on my side...bla bla bla

Then....hey...Iran is very very very bad....we must act so we don't have to embargo....(right, so I can keep on selling stuff to them)...

Bla bla bla ...

What a show....what a show....

And this Ladies and Gentlemen...is my show....Je suis un lache culs.....

This is not a representation of Europe, for the record.

TSteele65 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007

So.....can I start eating French Fries and French Toast again?

jerryrlitton · #7 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007

Sure, considering the "French Fry" was developed by the Belgians.

Jerry

Valiente · #8 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007

The French sold the Iranians much of the specialized equipment needed to create isotopes for nuclear weapons. bin Laden has been more honest in his public utterances than any Frenchman. A more self-serving nation doesn't exist.

TSteele65 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiente

...A more self-serving nation doesn't exist.

You sure about that?

garymcg · #10 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaraderie

I believe Sarkosky is sincere in his admiration for the US in several areas...and desires to be a better friend than his predecessor was. He presently has a 58% approval rating in France...but is widely attacked in the French media as "the American". He was elected to make change in France's DOMESTIC problems and not because of his pro-American feelings.
As always, I believe the French remain the French and while a temporary thaw in relations and increased cooperation will be good for both countries, I too will remain skeptical about the long term nature of this change. Unlike the Brits (and I would also include the Canadians and Aussies over the long haul) France has yet to prove themselves the steadfast ally of anyone.

Nevertheless...bon chance M. Sarkovsky...we are rooting for you.

That's exactly it, he was elected to make changes to their domestic problems. He's called "the american" because he supports more free-market labor policies than France currently has in place.

The French went too far in their protection of workers rights. I'm all for workers rights, but in France it takes an act of congress to lay someone off, no matter how bad business is. The result is that no new jobs are created, no new hires are taken on unless it's absolutely necessary because once you hire someone you're basically married to them. This is resulting in a stultified labor market and high unemployment.

That said, I think expecting foreign countries to unconditionally support any foreign adventure we choose to undertake is a bit unrealistic. Look what happened to Tony Blair, he was run out of office primarily due to his support of the "war" in Iraq.