[Damn True]

This has been floating around a few of the Military Message Boards over the last week.
Probably ficticious, but it reflects the views of most current and former military personell.

France Meets the USMC-or --_ A United States Marine in Bosnia

_ __ A funny thing happened to me yesterday at Camp Bondsteel (Bosnia):
_ __ A French Army officer walked up to me in the PX, and told me he thought
we (Americans) were a bunch of cowboys and were going_ to provoke a war._ He
said if such a thing happens, we wouldn't be able to count on the support of
France._
I told him that it didn't surprise me._ Since we had come to France's
rescue in World War I, World War II, Vietnam, and the Cold War, their
ingratitude and jealousy was due to surface at some point in the near future
anyway. That is why France is a third-rate military power with_a socialist
economy and a bunch of sissies for soldiers._ I additionally told him that
America, being a nation of deeds and action, not words, would do whatever it
had to do, and France's support was only for show anyway._ Just like in ALL
NATO exercises, the US would shoulder 85% of the burden, as evidenced by the
fact that the French officer was shopping in the American PX, and not the
other way around.
_ __ He began to get belligerent at that point, and I told him if he would
like to, I would_ meet him outside in front of the Burger King and beat his
ass in front of the entire Multi-National Brigade East, thus demonstrating
that even the smallest American had more fight in him than the average
Frenchman.
_ _ __ He called me a barbarian cowboy and walked away in a huff.

_ _ __ With friends like these, who needs enemies?

_ _ __ Mary Beth Johnson_ _ _ LtCol, USMC

 

[patconnole]

Interesting. Funny, though I'm trying hard not to pick it apart as an argument, instead of letting it be a funny story that it is.




Ok, I'll just say ONE thing to pat my liberal back: America is in a position to be a nation of deeds and actions--- we have so much power and influence that other nations don't have---- so we should take extra special care to see it's not abused. When other, less powerful nations start to feel as though we're acting "cowboyish" with our power, I think we owe that suggestion more thought than "you just feel that way because you're jealous". But if Frenchy was just trying to pick a fight, I have no problem with him getting his wish in front of a burger king.

 

[Westy]

I may not believe in the current administrations policies but the French attitude towards Americans has always ticked me off. I am not sure of the exact numbers but close to 1 million American Soldiers died in France During WWI and WWII. If you consider all the money the US spend in France post war for the Marshall plan and the cold war you would think that they could at least be friendly if not grateful. The only consolation is that the French people like no one and no one likes them.

During the whole Bosnia thing France was criticizing the US for not taking enough of a role. They like our power and money to take care of the problems in their backyard, but when we use our power outside their yard we are nothing but cowboys.

I feel so ashamed that I have bought Hutchinson tires and Mavic rims.

 

[Serial Midget]

Originally posted by Westy
I feel so ashamed that I have bought Hutchinson tires and Mavic rims.

I have this set up too.

I was in France for a few days in the mid 80's - I was young and enthusiastic obout their culture and my experience but quickly learned that the French loath American culture and are not hesitant to let you know. Now the French mean nothing to me except as a source of bicyle parts.

 

[Damn True]

One of two highlights of my experience in France was their custodianship of the Normandy memorial, graveyard, and museum.

And Biaritz.

 

[MMike]

I don't think I'll ever understand why everyone gives France such a hard time about WW2 etc. For fack's sake, americans give the French a harder time about WW2 (which was actually quite a long time ago) than they do Germany or Japan. Give it a rest already

 

[ummbikes]

Originally posted by MMike
I don't think I'll ever understand why everyone gives France such a hard time about WW2 etc. For fack's sake, americans give the French a harder time about WW2 (which was actually quite a long time ago) than they do Germany or Japan. Give it a rest already

The reason people are hard on France is because their government is very critical with the United States on one hand, and not willing to play the role of peace keeper on the other.

Or, "Oh those Americans are imperialistic, and uncouth. What, Bosnia is erupting? Well NATO (85% supported by the USA), please step in and fix this".

The reason I don't like France is because their politcal economy sucks, they like Jerry Lewis, and French wine is way overpriced.

Oh, we nuked Japan, and conquered Germany, that was enough. France was our ally and funny, we have better relations with our former enemys.

Oh, and I thought you bailed on Ridemonkey? Slumming?

 

[ibismojo]

you can't completely rip on the French. who helped us during the Revolutionary War?

 

[ibismojo]

Originally posted by Westy
If you consider all the money the US spend in France post war for the Marshall plan and the cold war you would think that they could at least be friendly if not grateful.

would you like it if some rich powerful dude came into your life to help you when you had no choice but to take that man's help but you had to do whatever he asked you to do cause you were at the mercy of his will even if it's something you don't completely agree with? american's love their freedom, well so does the rest of the free world. that's pretty much how rest of europe felt post wwII. it was once famously said, "can't buy me love......"

there's a lot more going on from the other half of the world that isn't bothered to be reported by the US media (why would it? you don't see China calling themselves retards...why should the US). if you really want to understand the problems we face today, you have to understand the views from everyone...you don't have to agree with it, but you have to see where they're coming from. that's really hard to do...and unfortunately...not everyone can do that.

think outside of the bun.....but the bun taste so good........

 

[fluff]

Originally posted by ibismojo
would you like it if some rich powerful dude came into your life to help you when you had no choice but to take that man's help but you had to do whatever he asked you to do cause you were at the mercy of his will even if it's something you don't completely agree with? american's love their freedom, well so does the rest of the free world. that's pretty much how rest of europe felt post wwII. it was once famously said, "can't buy me love......"

there's a lot more going on from the other half of the world that isn't bothered to be reported by the US media (why would it? you don't see China calling themselves retards...why should the US). if you really want to understand the problems we face today, you have to understand the views from everyone...you don't have to agree with it, but you have to see where they're coming from. that's really hard to do...and unfortunately...not everyone can do that.

think outside of the bun.....but the bun taste so good........

Let me get this straight. Are you suggesting that we try and look at things from someone else's point of view? Are you mad? Where would all the arguments go? They may become so scare as to need protection else they might become extinct. That would have catastrophic consequences for all other forms of human conflict from fist-fights and name-calling all the way up to nuclear annihilation.

I think you need to go and lay down for a while...

 

[patconnole]

Originally posted by fluff
Let me get this straight. Are you suggesting that we try and look at things from someone else's point of view? Are you mad? Where would all the arguments go? They may become so scare as to need protection else they might become extinct. That would have catastrophic consequences for all other forms of human conflict from fist-fights and name-calling all the way up to nuclear annihilation.

I think you need to go and lay down for a while...

I know! What is this "empathy" crap? Let's nuke everybody!

 

[ibismojo]

Originally posted by fluff
Let me get this straight. Are you suggesting that we try and look at things from someone else's point of view? Are you mad? Where would all the arguments go? They may become so scare as to need protection else they might become extinct. That would have catastrophic consequences for all other forms of human conflict from fist-fights and name-calling all the way up to nuclear annihilation.

I think you need to go and lay down for a while...

if you're suggesting that the US and what was of europe during wwII try to understand what germany was doing....than wow, you are so right!!!!!!!! what the fack was i thinking?! holy ****e! i should quite assuming people have common sense. it doesn't get anything done anymore.

 

[fluff]

Originally posted by ibismojo
if you're suggesting that the US and what was of europe during wwII try to understand what germany was doing....than wow, you are so right!!!!!!!! what the fack was i thinking?! holy ****e! i should quite assuming people have common sense. it doesn't get anything done anymore.

I'm not sure whether you realised I was joking....

 

[ibismojo]

Originally posted by fluff
I'm not sure whether you realised I was joking....

no way?! you were joking?! hahaha.........swell.