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 SEVERE EARTHQUAKE IN FRANCE
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CT•Ranger
Colonial Militia

indian ... nicholas
USA



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October 14 2002

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Posted - March 14 2003 :  10:08:20 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
This message has been forwarded around, some of you have probably seen it.

Today it was reported that a severe earthquakes have occurred in 10 different locations in France. The severity was measured in excess of 10 on the Richter Scale. The cause was the 56,681 dead American soldiers buried in French soil rolling over in their graves. According to the American Battle Monuments Commission there are 26,255 Yankee dead from World War I buried in 4 cemeteries in France. There are 30,426 American dead from World War II buried in 6 cemeteries in France. These 56,681 brave American heroes died in their youth to liberate a country which is guilty of shameful unspeakable behavior in the 21st century. May the United States of America never forget their sacrifice as we find ways to forcefully deal with the Godforsaken unappreciative, forgetful country of France!

YMHS,
Connecticut•Ranger
Thomas Thacher

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Ilse
The Dutch Trader

Weerribben
Netherlands



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Posted - March 16 2003 :  4:47:46 PM  Show Profile  Visit Ilse's Homepage  Send Ilse a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
Apparently the British and Canadian dead buried in French soil didn't bother to roll in their graves. Maybe they were out parlaying with those 100.000 dead French soldiers who fell in defense of France before Germany took it? Or maybe they are wondering why Roosevelt himself would rather parlay with Vichy instead of De Gaulle?

Vive La France!

Now excuse me for a while, while I ponder whether I will buy a ticket to the US for me, or buy a ticket from the US for someone else this spring. How about it girlfriend; want to see "Old Europe"? Rome? The Vatican?

OH HAI!
Blessinz of teh Ceiling Cat be apwn yu, srsly.
http://www.lolcatbible.com/index.php?title=Main_Page
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Bea
Keeper of the Western Door

The Kiss 2
Canada



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Posted - March 16 2003 :  5:14:02 PM  Show Profile  Click to see Bea's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
>>>Apparently the British and Canadian dead buried in French soil didn't bother to roll in their graves. Maybe they were out parlaying with those 100.000 dead French soldiers who fell in defense of France before Germany took it? <<<<

If anything, they would be quite astonished how their old allies are being thought of now..
Whereas I didn't consider the French Jokes thread offensive I must admit that this one has gone way too far..

Carpe Diem
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Brenda
Pioneer

Wink
Canada



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Posted - March 16 2003 :  9:51:33 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
quote:
I didn't consider the French Jokes thread offensive I must admit that this one has gone way too far..


I agree completely.

“They say that you're never as wise as when you're a child. We'll never think that clearly again.”
From Arlington Road (1999)
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Lainey
TGAT


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Posted - March 17 2003 :  01:42:39 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
So diplomatically enticed back to the battle field ... do I fight, retreat, surrender? By God, I'll fight the good fight!

quote:
Apparently the British and Canadian dead buried in French soil didn't bother to roll in their graves. Maybe they were out parlaying with those 100.000 dead French soldiers who fell in defense of France before Germany took it? Or maybe they are wondering why Roosevelt himself would rather parlay with Vichy instead of De Gaulle?

Vive La France!


Indeed. 100,000 dead French heroes who died in their youth to liberate their country. 100,000. May the world never forget their sacrifice as a fearsome country guilty of shameful unspeakable behavior in the 21st century betrays their resistance, defiles their memory, denigrates their loyalty, scoffs at their martyrdom, & tramples the freedom they & their American allies died for. May the world never forget the 56,681 brave Americans who lost their lives in France, alongside the thousands of French patriots (including so many brave French women) who formed the admirable, courageous French Resistance - a model of inspiration for all of Europe who took up the French 'V' as a sign of resistance against Godless aggression! May the people of the United State of America never forget their sacrifice & their brave resistance as the Godforsaken war party finds ways to forcefully turn on its allies & pursue WWIII.

Since we're talking WWII ... a note about allies. Roosevelt refused to provide Britain desperately needed supplies until Britain anted up collateral notes on British interests ensuring Roosevelt would get "his" money even if Britain fell. His callous banker's sensitivity earned him a title of distinction, England's creditor. What an ally ... I mean, *friend.* (Sort of the way we now play the poker game of diplomacy.)

And then there's Churchill's biological/chemical warfare. Guess who first gassed the Kurds (before Iran, I mean)?! Guess who produced anthrax laced cowpies for a planned drop in Germany to infect Germany's livestock?! Guess who "proposed" to save & liberate France by incorporating France into Great Britain? When rebuked, Churchill complained arrogantly that the French should dare turn down his "generous offer." How brutal dictator Saddamish ...


quote:
Now excuse me for a while, while I ponder whether I will buy a ticket to the US for me, or buy a ticket from the US for someone else this spring. How about it girlfriend; want to see "Old Europe"? Rome? The Vatican?


Oui! Merci!
Sophie & Me-
Old Europe to be?
C'est la vie!
C'est la vie!
Et tu, Holy See!
Sophie & Me-
C'est la vie!
C'est la vie!




Come to the US, though, where we might peruse the Articles of Confederation over a bottle of French wine ...
I'm sorry. I am an American. I love America in my way, not a proscribed way. I won't be silent as nations & their people are targeted for destruction, or stand accused of complicity in policies & wars that are diametrically opposed to every American ideal, violate international law, & which serve the interests of a foreign nation. Vive la resistance to the big lie! Vive Dominique de Villepin! Vive US Ambassadors who've resigned in protest of US aggression! Vive the true conservatives & libertarians who've the courage to speak out! Vive le patriots who expose those who hijack America! Vive Pax Christi!

"Fides et Ratio"
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Lainey
TGAT


USA



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Posted - March 17 2003 :  09:42:49 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
In the spirit of our Six Degrees to LOTM & the Old (RIP) Mohicanland Courier, I add the following newsflash ...

BREAKING NEWS ... CIVIL WAR THREATENS TO BREAK OUT IN MOHICANLAND!
COLONIAL ACCUSED OF DESTRUCTION OF PRISTINE WILDERNESS. WAR IMMINENT.


In a tense showdown among leading colonial rebel, TGAT Lainey, & British mercenary commander, Colonel Richfed, a last ditch effort for diplomacy has failed. Amidst flying tin cups of coffee & the rattling of unsheathed swords, accusations of treason were countered with threats of a Tea Party. Observors on the scene swiftly took cover while penning fiery dispatches for The Mohicanland Courier.

According to one shadow watcher, all hopes of a cease fire were dashed when Colonel Richfed attempted to seize rebel TGAT Lainey's communiques to anti-British sympathizers & block all rebel movement.
The rebel colonial spat in the colonel's coffee & cried, "British policy is to make the world English!"
The following exchange then took place over a blood-line drawn in the sand.

Col. Richfed: "That IS sedition!"
Rebel TGAT LAINEY: "That IS the truth!"
Col. Richfed: "France is our enemy!"
Rebel TGAT Lainey: "France is YOUR enemy!"
Col. Richfed: "You do not know what you're saying."
Rebel TGAT Lainey: "I know exactly what I am saying & if that is sedition then I am guilty of it too!"

Runners were then heard scurrying along the forest's edge. Col. Richfed, believing them to be foreign nationals & Huron spies, hurled a blackened kettle of baked beans, striking one Huron's achilles heel.
"That was a potshot!" protested rebel TGAT Lainey.
"There is a war going on," retorted the colonel. "And I've no tight weave."

Observors reported an agreement was then reached to parlay at lunch with conditions that Colonel Richfed could bring Mohawk food-tasters & Rebel TGAT Lainey had the right to first disarm them. "You bloody well better not cut out their tongues," demanded the colonel. "I shan't reap their bite ... have you seen the red men?"

Unconfirmed reports state an obscure little printer named Benjamin Franklin has offered the rebels political prose assylum in his city where they might, "Print their dissent & opposition freely & without taxation."

The Courier reporters promise to follow the trail & report all the bloody good news & ensuing hostilities that's fit to print ... and then some.


***************

Meanwhile, Mohicanland citizens might want to revisit Off The Beaten Trail ... "The Courier" & "Alice in Mohicanland" are of particular interest.

http://www.mohicanpress.com/mo11000.html

"Fides et Ratio"
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Bea
Keeper of the Western Door

The Kiss 2
Canada



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Posted - March 17 2003 :  09:50:59 AM  Show Profile  Click to see Bea's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
Bravo,Madame Elaine!!!
Vive la resistance!!

Carpe Diem
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Adele
The Huggy Merchant



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Posted - March 17 2003 :  3:23:41 PM  Show Profile  Send Adele a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
Lainey...ya kill me!!!

And Ilse is right...come to Europe...would love to show you around London. I just did the tour guide thing recently with a friend of mine on her first visit from the US (took her to Amsterdam too, to meet up with DT!) and I just loved showing off my home city.

Incidentally, just wanted to let you know that prayers are being said for Sophia at a very special place this month....St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, one of the Queen's residences. Only the best for your little angel!

HM
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securemann
Deerslayer


offer of peace
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Posted - March 17 2003 :  6:05:33 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
CNN reported that troops might be sent to Marion,N.C.to restore the peace.They also reported chemical weapons being used down there (baked beans).They will give diplomacy one more chance.A full report of all hidden chemical weapons (baked beans) must be submitted. The main area in question is Federiciville.
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Theresa
Bumppo's Tavern Proprietress


Theresa
USA



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Posted - March 17 2003 :  6:16:09 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
quote:
Originally posted by securemann

CNN reported that troops might be sent to Marion,N.C.to restore the peace.They also reported chemical weapons being used down there (baked beans).They will give diplomacy one more chance.A full report of all hidden chemical weapons (baked beans) must be submitted. The main area in question is Federiciville.



Too funny, Secureman! What if when everything is uncovered it is discovered that S.H. had a stash of Bush's Baked Beans! And I'd be willing to bet that Claude's work socks after a day's work could also be found. Talk about your WMD! WHEW!

Theresa
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Bea
Keeper of the Western Door

The Kiss 2
Canada



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Posted - March 17 2003 :  6:18:16 PM  Show Profile  Click to see Bea's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
Oh boy...I think I may be in trouble..A very nice lady just gave me nine cans of beans as a gift on Friday..Weapons of mass destruction? HELP?????

Full of beans in Canada..:)

Carpe Diem
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Lainey
TGAT


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Posted - March 18 2003 :  5:14:37 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
Merci, Bea ...

quote:
Incidentally, just wanted to let you know that prayers are being said for Sophia at a very special place this month....St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, one of the Queen's residences. Only the best for your little angel!


Thank you so VERY much, HM. As a descendent of the English throne, Sophia gracefully thanks you, too!
The "princess" went to OR & got 'happy meds' but did not have any surgical procedure as it turned out there was no polyp. Her left vocal chord is swollen & paralyzed. Time & therapy, then we shall see. (I'm starting to think she just might need some personal ladies-in-waiting after all!)
Maybe she'll see Windsor Castle's St. George's Chapel one day, at your pleasure, HM!



Pax Christi!

"Fides et Ratio"
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Adele
The Huggy Merchant



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Posted - March 19 2003 :  07:00:14 AM  Show Profile  Send Adele a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
quote:
Originally posted by Lainey

Merci, Bea ...

quote:
Incidentally, just wanted to let you know that prayers are being said for Sophia at a very special place this month....St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, one of the Queen's residences. Only the best for your little angel!


Thank you so VERY much, HM. As a descendent of the English throne, Sophia gracefully thanks you, too!
The "princess" went to OR & got 'happy meds' but did not have any surgical procedure as it turned out there was no polyp. Her left vocal chord is swollen & paralyzed. Time & therapy, then we shall see. (I'm starting to think she just might need some personal ladies-in-waiting after all!)
Maybe she'll see Windsor Castle's St. George's Chapel one day, at your pleasure, HM!



Pax Christi!



Would be my absolute pleasure to show ANY Fed (large or small!) around my home land!

HM
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CT•Ranger
Colonial Militia

indian ... nicholas
USA



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Posted - March 19 2003 :  2:39:04 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
Well, that sure stirred people up a bit.

I don't believe the original author of the message meant to imply that the sacrifices of the 1,350,000 poilu and the 95,000 "pals" or any other allies were not important. I think the author's intent was more to remind Americans that Americans have fought and died for France in two world wars, not to mention attempting to clean up France's mess in Vietnam. It is an indesputable fact of military history, that France would not be the nation it is today without the assistance of America in World War I and II. America has been looking out for France for quite awhile, and supporting them with military assistence when needed. That kind of friendship, alliance, between nations demands a certain amount of respect and loyalty. I think the author was exspressing some frustration that a lot of Americans have felt towards France lately. France has not shown the respect due one of her best allies. It's one thing to politely disagree with an ally, it's quite another to do so disrespectfully.

At least the latest word is that France will support the coalition of 45 nations against Saddam, IF Saddam uses "weapons of mass destruction."

YMHS,
Connecticut•Ranger
Thomas Thacher

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Bea
Keeper of the Western Door

The Kiss 2
Canada



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Posted - March 19 2003 :  3:17:29 PM  Show Profile  Click to see Bea's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
France was a nation well before the US was founded and thus building her own histoire, mon cher ami! All nations are prone to mistakes, n'est-ce pas? IMHO I didn't see any disrespect whatsoever and let's keep in mind that more than one nation had a veto in mind.

During my visit in the eighties I saw many graveyards and monuments well kept dedicated to the fallen US soldiers and just because France is exercising her democratic right doesn't mean that she is disrespectful to the ALLIES that have fought WITH them. As Ilse pointed out correctly it wasn't only Americans who liberated the BENELUX countries but also brave Canadian and British soldiers. Remember Dieppe??
And perhaps we might also want to keep in mind that countries like France, Germany, Belgium and Holland have been through wars, know the terrible consequences, the sufferings. Why would they want to see another one?
Ask the old vets..

Carpe Diem
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CT•Ranger
Colonial Militia

indian ... nicholas
USA



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Posted - March 19 2003 :  5:28:23 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
"IMHO I didn't see any disrespect whatsoever and let's keep in mind that more than one nation had a veto in mind."

Yep, France wasn't the only nation to object to war. But France and the U.S. have a history of support and friendship, and that's what made it disapointing to see the anti-U.S. protests made by many of the French people and the anti-U.S. stance taken by the gov't. It's not the anti-war stance that's disrespectful, it's the anti-U.S. attitude of many of the French citizens and gov't offials that's disrespectful.

"As Ilse pointed out correctly it wasn't only Americans who liberated the BENELUX countries but also brave Canadian and British soldiers. Remember Dieppe??"

For sure! That's what I meant in reference to the 95,000 "pals". The British soldiers early in the war were known as "pals" because everyone signed up with their pals from their schools and neighborhoods, which had dreadful results. The Brits, Canadians, ANZACs, Russians in the French army, Belgians all played an important part, but they couldn't defeat the Germans and Austro-Hungarians on their own. By 1917 the Allies needed the U.S. to join the war, and it's doubtful they would have been able to hold back the German offensive of 1918 without that extra bit of U.S. support.

Yeah, it is somewhat understandable for the French gov't to be against war. If you look at the military history of France it's dominated by one debacle after another. Franco-Prussian, WWI,WWII, Vietnam, to name a few.

YMHS,
Connecticut•Ranger
Thomas Thacher

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Bea
Keeper of the Western Door

The Kiss 2
Canada



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Posted - March 19 2003 :  6:10:06 PM  Show Profile  Click to see Bea's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
>>But France and the U.S. have a history of support and friendship, and that's what made it disapointing to see the anti-U.S. protests made by many of the French people and the anti-U.S. stance taken by the gov't.<<<<

I am sorry, but the US has just as close ties with the Germans ! There are even US troops still stationed in Germany ( the town I was born in being one of them), yet people aren't up in arms about the Germans and Belgians!!
Perhaps I have a bit of an advantage as I grew up for half of my life in Europe which has provided me with an understanding of the European and North American mentality..

Anyway, let's hope and pray that this war will be brief and without too much bloodshed! These are scary times..

Carpe Diem
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Theresa
Bumppo's Tavern Proprietress


Theresa
USA



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Posted - March 19 2003 :  6:10:51 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
Somewhere in France
Oct. 3, 1944

Dear Lottie,

I received your letter a few days ago and was sure glad to hear from you again. How are you and the rest of your folks getting along by now? As for me I'm doing just fine but plenty anxious to get this war over with and get back to the states again. I have traveled quite a long ways since I wrote you last and we have seen a good bit of France and maybe will get a look at Germany one of these days. Coming through France the people were pretty nice to us and seemed very happy to see us but the closer to Germany we get the less friendly they are....Well Lottie this isn't much news so I'll quit for now....Love L.C.

Theresa
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CT•Ranger
Colonial Militia

indian ... nicholas
USA



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Posted - March 19 2003 :  6:42:10 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
"I am sorry, but the US has just as close ties with the Germans ! There are even US troops still stationed in Germany ( the town I was born in being one of them), yet people aren't up in arms about the Germans and Belgians!!"

I meant to address this in my previous post. So why aren't Americans so upset about the German position? I believe part of it is because the U.S. doesn't have the same tradition of alliance and support with Germany as we do with France. The U.S. fought the Germans in both World Wars, not to mention the American Revolution (where France supported us). The Germans were our enemies not allies for almost half the 20th century. The only reason we have close ties with Germany and military bases there is because we have been occupying west Germany as conquerers and an occupying force through the cold war, and we rebuilt their nation after WWII with the Marshall plan. Maybe we don't expect as much from Germany. Hopefully we'll be able to come up with the equivelent of the Marshall plan for Iraq after the war is over. And may it be over soon!

YMHS,
Connecticut•Ranger
Thomas Thacher

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Bea
Keeper of the Western Door

The Kiss 2
Canada



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Posted - March 19 2003 :  7:26:38 PM  Show Profile  Click to see Bea's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
My dad ( who is German and still resides in Hanau) would tell you a different story regarding US- German relations..:)And BTW Americans didn't occupy all of Germany as it was divided in numerous sectors..Once the war was over Americans did not act like conquerors ( thank God for that) but were indeed very kind with providing the people with CARE packages. My father still remembers the peanut butter, soups etc. and once Germany was rebuilt the ties were indeed very close..For many German civilians the American soldiers were/are liberators, freeing them from a horrible dictator.

However, I 'd like to point out that my post wasn't meant to invite any jokes about Germany or Belgium..Just thought I'd clarify that as I don't want to come across the wrong way..

Yes, I hope that once everything has been resolved the Iraqis will be well provided for. I also pray that Iraqi civilians will be spared.

Carpe Diem
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Bea
Keeper of the Western Door

The Kiss 2
Canada



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Posted - March 19 2003 :  9:29:25 PM  Show Profile  Click to see Bea's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
Found this on the AFSA website..


A Nearly Perfect Relationship

At the outset of the Cold War, as communism threatened the West, Germany, the former enemy, quickly became a primary ally of the U.S. for several reasons. First, as long as "hard" issues like military security dominated the American foreign policy agenda, the strategic value of a German bastion could scarcely be denied. Second, American political leadership of the time was naturally oriented toward Europe. The three immediate postwar presidents had all had personal European experience: Harry Truman as an artillery captain in World War I, Dwight Eisenhower as supreme commander of the allied forces in World War II, and John F. Kennedy as the college-age son of Franklin Roosevelt's ambassador to London. Policy-making was in the hands of "wise men," charter members of the East Coast establishment such as Dean Acheson, John Foster Dulles and John McCloy, many of them with links to Germany going back to the 1920s or 1930s. And foreign policy leaders weren't the only Americans with personal connections to Germany: As late as 1960, Germans ranked number one among groups of foreign-born Americans. The America of the time was still a country of immigrants from Europe who supported American engagement there.

But most critically, the U.S. and Germany quickly became allies because their vital interests coincided almost seamlessly. In the atmosphere of the Cold War, no American president could contemplate "losing" Germany to communism. The Federal Republic was central to U.S. policy-making in the 1950s and early 1960s for one simple reason: It was, until Vietnam, the chief battleground in America's worldwide struggle against communism.

Following the communist power grabs in Europe in the late 1940s, the North Korean invasion of the south in 1950 raised concern in Washington. Americans worried that North Korea's attack of the south was but a prelude, that East Germany might be a similar staging area from which an invasion would be launched against the weak American, British and French armies occupying West Germany. The American strategists' conclusion? German soldiers and industrial power were needed immediately if an effective defense were to be mounted against such danger. Accordingly, the United States quickly forgave Germany for its Nazi past and became the principal champion of West Germany's rehabilitation, encouraging it to rearm and ally itself with the United States.

This policy accorded with the Wilsonian missionary strain in American foreign policy. It appealed to Americans' desire to feel good about U.S. undertakings abroad; Americans were pleased with the thought that West Germany had been redeemed from pride and sin by American Marshall Plan generosity and transformed into democracy thanks to American re-education and influence in framing its new constitution. With American patronage, West Germany became a member of the U.S.-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1955, and with American encouragement, it joined France, Italy, and the Benelux countries in the European Community (later the European Union) two years later.

During the Cold War the Federal Republic was dependent on the United States for protection. As many as 250,000 American troops were stationed at times in Germany, far more than anywhere else abroad. Not permitted nuclear weapons and with its army integrated into NATO's operational structures, West Germany could not contemplate, much less carry out, any independent military action. Its NATO and European Community memberships constrained it politically as well. Berlin was held in trusteeship for Germany by the Americans, British, and French, giving the trio much potential leverage in German politics.



Carpe Diem
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Lainey
TGAT


USA



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Posted - March 20 2003 :  12:40:32 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
The author of the message not only watered down the importance of the allies' sacrifices, he implied there were none. He went on to say:

These 56,681 brave American heroes died in their youth to liberate a country which is guilty of shameful unspeakable behavior in the 21st century. May the United States of America never forget their sacrifice as we find ways to forcefully deal with the Godforsaken unappreciative, forgetful country of France!

That's a pretty strong condemnation to lay on a country that is guilty, not of shameful unspeakable behavior, but of diplomatically & eloquently resisting, through its UN membership in the International Security Council, the United States-British move to wage an illegal, unjustified, deadly war against a country that has all but been brought to its knees in the past 12 year long war of attrition. France is guilty of resisting the transparent attempts by these two countries to propagandize through UN Resolutions (none of which had authorized force) & attempt through coercion a claim of world opinion. They didn't gain the submission of nations & when it was certain they never would, they abandoned the campaign of pretense (the hope was to get a few impoverished cash needy countries to prop up the empire builders, but the final tally still proved embarrassingly slim) arrogantly brushed aside the UN, the Security Council, the Resolutions they so reverently adored, & the international community, behaving as rogue states themselves. The subsequent OK Corral 'Get out of town or else!' was pathetically hokey & unworthy of a head of state. The litany of lies to the American people uttered in that speech (Al Qaeda links, terrorist links, imminent threat to the US, possession of WMDs ... for shame) is, in light of the WMDs about to be rained down upon the city of Baghdad (3000 bombs in the first 24 hours would certainly qualify as WMDs), unforgiveable.

What was meant by finding forceful ways to deal with "Godforsaken" France? Shock & Awe??? Liberation??? Occupation? Regime change?

I don't think Americans need reminders about Americans sacrificing for France. It's become the American creed, recited faithfully wherever two or more gather. But what does it mean? Does France OWE US administrations a pound of flesh? Blind loyalty even when the US is dead wrong? Respect? The US, like all nations, must earn respect, not demand it. Currently, this country has neither respect nor credibility. It only has fear due a sole supra-power that seeks to pound the world into submission. Could it be that France likes American Apple Pie alright but doesn't like little green worms? But we demand loyalty for friendship's sake ... to paraphrase St. Thomas More, 'Will you accompany us to hell - for friendship's sake?'


Many Americans do feel frustration & hostility towards France for not supporting the war mode. But there was no spontaneous swelling of grassroots anger. No, the anger has a great deal to do with our tendency to keep 'repeat after me' habits. If pundits & talking heads tell us we ought to be outraged at France's opposition then, by golly, we're gonna be outraged. As primetime apers masquerading as anchormen sit there sneering, eye brows raised, hissing like puff adders while they "investigate" France's "ulterior motives" for being "pro-Saddam," they shock us with revelations about business deals. No shit, Sherlock! We've ALL been selling & dealing & cheating & stealing. In fact, it could be said that IRAQ wouldn't be the nation it is today if not for the US. Instead of analyzing the administration's claim that 1+1=5, we busy our minds with indignant & haughty reaction. To what?! A veto option that exists to be used when deemed appropriate? This is anti-Americanism? The dozens & dozens of vetoes on the part of the US now should be revisited - just so other nations, particularly European nations, might have their enlightened opportunity to realize it was really all about anti-Fre

"Fides et Ratio"
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Doc M
Great Quack Healer of the Frontier

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Posted - March 20 2003 :  10:16:42 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
I wish I could say you took the words right out of my mouth,
Lainey, but yours are more reasoned and thoughtful than
mine could ever be. My reaction has been more to wave
my gnarly old fist at the television and scream every foul
word I know...which is a looooong list. I hope that
everyone on this Board, whether they agree or disagree
with you, reads your post with the thoughtfulness and
depth of feeling that it deserves. The brave young men
and women that we send so blithely into harm's way deserve
at the very least a righteous cause, and this ain't it.
And it sickens me that people so easily use the men and
women who died in 9/11 to justify this farce. Bring me the
head of Osama Bin Laden on a pole, and I'll be the first to
cheer. Go after al-Quaeda with every elite force you can
muster and wipe them out. But to bomb a country which has
practically been reduced to the stone age already in
the name of Truth, Justice and the American Way?
It's madness, and I'll have none of it.

Doc M

PS "Puff adders"????? I LOVE it!! Thanks, Lainey!!!


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Bea
Keeper of the Western Door

The Kiss 2
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Posted - March 20 2003 :  10:55:11 AM  Show Profile  Click to see Bea's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
Yes, I know what you're saying, doc! I stand in awe of Lainey who is so incredibly gifted.I hope and pray that many posters/readers will indeed take her words to heart..How can one not????

Lainey, you should be president!! What a better world we would have!!
Right now I fear for all of us..

Carpe Diem
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Stephanie
Gathering Sachemess


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Posted - March 20 2003 :  9:26:44 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."


---Martin Luther King, Jr.




and P.S. Lainey For Prez! Yeah!
Steph
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Lainey
TGAT


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Posted - March 21 2003 :  5:22:27 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote  Copy this URL to Link to this Reply
Stephanie, Bea, & Doc M -

Thank you for that. Not for *support* but for the rejection of keeping silent. (They say, don't shoot the messenger, but I don't know ...)

I don't want to be prez! I want to be free!

Steph, that was a great quote!

"Fides et Ratio"
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