I am not surprised, however, to know that you were the boat in the wrong! :-)
Let's take care of your smartass crack first.
1. They were running close hauled on starboard tack. We were hidden behind their jib and main. They did not see us. That makes it rather difficult for them to entertain action from either moral or pragmatic considerations.
2. We were close hauled on port tack. They were hidden behind our jib and main. We did not see them until I looked under the jib. I grabbed the stick and started shouting. The rest of the crew, when they saw the situation, joined in. That got the attention of the crew of the other boat. They then altered course to avoid a collision.
3. Starboard has right of way over port, so legally they had right of way.
Morally? I don't see a moral question. Had they hit us, it would not be because they intended to. In fact the (successful) efforts of both boats to avoid a collision indicates otherwise.
Also, the other boat, under racing rules, had the right to protest us and have us disqualified. They did not do so.
Yikes! Nope, I was talking about OTHER alliance members whom have no personal and nationalistic world ambitions, but simply try to keep out of the way of 65-foot boats bearing down on them!
Well, you Canadians have already opted out. What's your bitch?
We also deal with the French Nationalistic ambitions and their fear and insecurity as regards a culture being assimilated by the world.
So are you suggesting that everyone else should drag anchor because the frogs are scared? D**n hard to to make progress that way. Maybe Canada should tell the French to get with the program or get out. It appears to me that the rest of Canada is quite robust enough to survive.
I doubt it is that. They are simply an ambitious Nation.
I think you're wrong. There is definitely the stench of sour grapes coming from France.
But suppose you're right. So are we. So in that sense we are just as right as they. And if the US program "60 Minutes" that was on tonight is correct, the French intend to play the part that the Swiss played during WW2: They intend to sell arms to the war criminals right up until about 2 minutes before the surrender.
France represents a large slice of world culture and history. Many of histories greatest men and women pursued their paths of discovery in the intellectual atmosphere of Paris. I hope there will always be a Paris...
If anyone is plaaning on changing that, it's most likely the Muslim fanatics we are after.
Greece represents a large slice of world culture. I haven't noticed them claiming the right to dictate the fate of the world. The same can be said of the UK, Spain, China, .....
So what?
The French have become a bunch of pompous jerks in severe need of deflation.
It forces the US to go the extra mile to find a way to persuade others to an awareness that their MUTUAL needs are somehow being accomodated--not just frightened obedience...but sincere COOPERATION.
What you just said is a long code word for paralysis. Remember those fatally compromised French interests in Iraq. The French intent is to keep anything from happening regardless of what Iraq has been up to.
And they are NOT going to get their way. They had best get used to it. |
