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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Lazarus_Long who wrote (41604)	12/24/2001 5:12:34 PM
From: Solon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 82486

I won't waste any more time on the english race, german race, examples of the dictionary. You are entitled to view it as you wish. I believe France have always retained their membership seat, have they not? I remember De Gaulle had withdrawn the headquarters from France, but France has contributed to the overall military forces, albeit more as an "independent". In the nineties France was supposed to resume full participation, weren't they? I thought they had. It seems they were one of the most vocal supporters of the fight against terrorism. I stand to be corrected re: NATO. I thought they always had a seat but I could be mistaken. A uniquely distinct nation such as France, who was a great power once upon a time, does not willingly become an underling without some struggle. Nations, like people, do not wish to simply fade away into the nursing homes of human affairs. Americans, of all people, ought to be able to understand the appeal of nationalism. If Europe became a unified world power which dominated America in economic and cultural ways, well, the Americans would not simply fall in line like a young colt, right? What is really being examined here is "we" versus "them". When people can focus on their common interests rather than upon their differences, they (both groups) can benefit from the synergy of cooperative effort. Calling a nation of people "frogs" does not seem likely to contribute to that synergy; but then again--synergy and cooperation may not be what you are seeking... I have had my own angry moments with France (and other countries) over policies or attitudes, but in the end I happen to believe that it is in a nation's self interest to put a high value on compromise and concessions which save the face and the dignity of those who no longer ride a tall horse, but stil have pride in their history and hope for their future within their own cultural definitions of themselves. I can fully see the value of a gradient of opinions as regards France and her policies; but common sense would suggest that there are good policies and bad, friendly and unfriendly, and so on. Calling them all "frogs" just doesn't get at these distinctions for me, but, of course, you may not care to recognize anything worthy in any French people, so of course "frogs" would sound all right for you right across the board.