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**pdcorlis** · 3rd October 07, 12:14 PM

Let us not forget the "Auld Alliance" between the Scots and the French is one of the world's oldest alliances. Each nation offering blood and treasure to support the other.

**Clockwork John** · 3rd October 07, 12:27 PM

I too am tired of all the French bashing. So they chose not to side with the US this time... So what? That's their right as a sovreign nation.

It especially bothers me when it comes from my father-in-law, who is half French! He's a Conservative and a staunch Bush supporter, and bashes the French because of his party loyalties. He says, "I choose to be a Conservative. I can't help being French."

Have Americans seriously forgotten that we owe our independence to the French?!?!
People need to stop getting all butt hurt about politics, and realize that sometimes history and heritage are important.

**Makeitstop** · 3rd October 07, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

Honestly, sir, it's not funny. I know you are trying to be humorous, but I've seen and heard people make insulting remarks in front of my wife, as well as the hurt in her eyes and in her voice. As a husband, I don't like to see that.

I have encouraged my wife's interest and pride in her heritage, as I am interested & proud of mine. I would hope that you would respect that.

Regards,

Todd

Sorry if I've offended you. I do enjoy making jokes about the French, but only in the same way I like to make jokes about everyone else. If there is a group I'm not teasing, it's only because I don't know of them. None of it is meant to be taken seriously. It's just a bit of playful ribbing.

Obviously people who are serious when bashing the French (or any other such group) are jerks and should just shut up. And of course people should use restraint, and be considerate of other people's feelings. If someone is being blatantly offensive or refusing to stop when someone has been offended, they deserve to get their teeth kicked in.

And for the record, I've got a bit of French heritage myself. I'd be lying if I said I had a tremendous amount of pride in it, as it is just one of many, many things in my background, but I do take some small amount of pride in it and I usually express it through humor.

**Makeitstop** · 3rd October 07, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by Crusty

I too am tired of all the French bashing. So they chose not to side with the US this time... So what? That's their right as a sovreign nation.

It especially bothers me when it comes from my father-in-law, who is half French! He's a Conservative and a staunch Bush supporter, and bashes the French because of his party loyalties. He says, "I choose to be a Conservative. I can't help being French."

And as a conservative, he should be liking the French now. With Blair being replaced by Brown, and Chirac being replaced by Sarkozy, france is now seen as being the friendliest European nation to the US at the moment.

Have Americans seriously forgotten that we owe our independence to the French?!?!
People need to stop getting all butt hurt about politics, and realize that sometimes history and heritage are important.

Right, and that cuts both ways. Part of the reason for the anti-French attitude is the perceived anti-American attitude coming from a nation that without our help would just be another German speaking region of the soviet union. Obviously that doesn't justify anything, but I do find it interesting that jerks on both sides seem to forget that they owe each other and then blame each other for it.

But seriously, we should get back to the topic at hand. Whatever that is...

**macwilkin** · 3rd October 07, 01:19 PM

Part of the reason for the anti-French attitude is the perceived anti-American attitude coming from a nation that without our help would just be another German speaking region of the soviet union. Obviously that doesn't justify anything, but I do find it interesting that jerks on both sides seem to forget that they owe each other and then blame each other for it.

Don't get me started on this oft-quoted saying; people tend to forget that the Soviets really kept us all from speaking German, if you look at the numbers of casualities during WWII...but that would be political and I won't go there.

But I thank you for your understanding and explanation. That is appreciated.

T.

**McFarkus** · 3rd October 07, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by Crusty

IIt especially bothers me when it comes from my father-in-law, who is half French! He's a Conservative and a staunch Bush supporter, and bashes the French because of his party loyalties. He says, "I choose to be a Conservative. I can't help being French."

Maybe he'll be happier now that Sarkozy has been elected. He is cozying up to Bush