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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Machaon who wrote (376501)	3/22/2003 7:51:57 PM
From: Moneysmith	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 769667

re: don't visit France.. If this is to be followed to the letter, then the only places Americans might want to travel to is Britain, Australia, and Spain...it seems that just about everyplace else is against this war. Let me say this; after 9/11 there was an outpouring of sympathy and concern for the USA from all over the world..I sent money myself to the NYC relief fund. We all agreed that Bush was justified in seeking out the terrorists and bringing them to justice and we still believe that al Qaeda should be hunted down and eliminated. This Iraq war will drag on and, yes, opposition will intensify..I am afraid Bush has squandered all the goodwill foreigners had for America; Saddam is a cockroach on the map of the world but a sledgehammer is the wrong tool to get rid of him. This war will, in the final analysis, have more downside for America than upside.

To: Machaon who wrote (376501)	3/22/2003 9:37:10 PM
From: J_F_Shepard	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769667

Have you ever visited France....Have you ever left the US????

To: Machaon who wrote (376501)	3/22/2003 10:07:10 PM
From: Crossy	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769667

Robert, just to assure you, "political shopping" is not a domain of the Left only. I'm an European based in Austria but I am quite supportive of the US. campaign in Europe. For the French I don't have very much to hold up for. To me they are hypocrites at least if not more. Didn't they twist and turn around each administration in Africa at their whim in the past without even consulting the U.N ? Usually the leaders were replaced by intelligence service personnel and the U.N. informed afterwards. There was no regime corrupt or brutal enough not to receive French support. Think about Idi Amin, SErbia of Milosevich, Zaire's Sese Seko and now Irak. And now the French are displaying their hypocritical attitude by condemming the US to "voilate international law" by liberating Iraq. (we have heard that before in Serbia just to make this clear). Strictly speaking even Allied forces in WW2 were "violating" international law by declaring war on Hitler's brutal tyranny. So much about "international law". Just laughable. Me seems France seems to have forgotton, who liberated them half a century ago. In dilusions of grandeur they are demanding standards from others they not even are willing to adher to themselves (look at Africa) There are reports that French oilconglomerate TotalFina (whose management is now facing a trial for massive bribes on international scale) has had some backroom deals with the Irak of Mr. Hussein. Unfortunately to them a contract with a decapitated leader are not even worth the paper they are printed on. I would like to express my gratitude to the Americans for engaging in this campaign to rid the world of one of the most brutal dictatorships since Pol Pot. Somehow I got the feeling that the US are doing the "dirty work" that has to be done - in defense of WESTERN VALUES (yes these does exist and yes even France is believed to share them), however is receiving an appreciation of support all too seldom. Let me say THANK YOU for making this world a little safer for us CIVILIZED people to live on. I really would like to emphasize that I read the posted analysis by Dr. Friedman with great interest - it's really eye opening and I have been thinking alongside similar lines - particularly with regard to Europe. As an Austrian I have regarded the Franco-German team up (or more specifically the team up of centralistic France with leftwing-tilted governments inside the EU (no wonder they like those anti-american, centralized approach)) with great reservations. This political corner (often dubbed the "EU-Directoire") was also the origin of those "sanctions" against Austria years ago. and seeing those fellows stumble yet another time on their failed policies usually brings great delight to a more libertarian, pro-atlantic mindset. To add insult to injury, supporters of the US like me recently stopped to buy french goods like perfumes, champaign, cognac. Believe me Italy has the same quality of fine lifestyle products, even better vineries and Scotland certainly got the better booze to turn to (say single malts). Hour by hour I watch CNN and CNBC drawing the battle lines of Operation Liberating Iraq. May it all be soon over and "Bonaparte" Chirac and Chancellor "shredder" be ridiculed by self-unfolding facts, rendering their positions unimportant, however they might have shifted them in the meantime. It's more than time to show those Euro-whinies WHO is in charge and who not. cheers from Austria CROSSY