More French Bashing

[Whitehall]

Here\'s an unretouched photo of the French \"Special\" Forces




My apologies to my European friends, but this is just too much fun to resist.

[franki]

I thought Bruce turned off the ability to put pictures in the forum ....

Franki [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Elana]

ROFLMAO [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img][img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img][img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

[Bruce]

I thought so too. I will send you an email about what I did. Maybe you have some other suggestions. I can reduce the allowed file size for uploads to a very small amount. That might do it.
Bruce

[Whitehall]

I didn\'t know that this was not allowed!

Still, I think it\'s a funny photo.

BTW, I can only claim that I did not retouch the photo.

[Watcher]

Gotta admit it was a very good photo, i still like the idea that such photos can go before bruce before put up, or perhaps the moderators who will have guidelines on what can and cant be put up etc.

[Xehupatl]

oh thats so unfair towards the monty pythons gang ..

[**DONOTDELETE**]

frontpagearticles this is an article by a frechman

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Well, I wish he\'d just tell us what he really thinks.

That was a scary article.

[Bruce]

Wow. If that is an accurate assessment, it sure explains a lot. Scary is right.
bruce

[frenchie]

okay, this article sounds scary ! But please don\'t take these words as the truth...
I did a little research on Guy Milliere and here are the infos : this man is a philosopher, economist, a specialist of the USA, a specialist of Middle East, an expert in the European Union and the Banque de France, among other activities (he also teaches in an american university).
In other words, a specialist in everything. I don\'t want to criticize him, but I\'ve never believed in people with hundreds of univ diplomas (I have some and I know how it works, about the researchers\' ego), and, most of all, I have never believed in so called philosophers and intellectuals who have an idea about everything but don\'t have the guts to give their opinion if you ask them directly...
We have some of them in France, but none of them would be able to govern a country or even a small town. Most of them use words for the pleasure of using words. Very few of them have a political engagement and go down the street demonstrate with homeless people - those very few are much more discreet.
We french know that Chirac is a liar, he would walk over his mother\'s body to be president of the world. We all know that... we all know France has always sold guns and Mirage jets to a lot of countries - but which country hasn\'t ??? let\'s try to be honest and as objective as possible...

What I want to say is : please don\'t take these words from this man as the Bible, he is much too polemic. This is a battle of words. And words lead to propaganda, ideology and dictatorship.

Frenchie [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[bundyburger]

Thanks Frenchie. I was waiting to see what you had to say to that article.
It would be too easy for me (being out of France) to take that guys words as gospel. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[MaxiMog]

There\'s nothing to explain, Frenchie, there\'s only something we should ask the Americans: the purpose of the war is to bring democracy in Iraq, right? How is it possible that Americans who are against the war are being intimidated and boycotted economically by the (independant? and not so critical) press and media? It\'s not exactly what one should call \"Freedom of speech\", an important part of the principle of democracy.

Saddam kills anyone who openly resists his regime (but these people have virtually nothing to live for; they don\'t fear death) ~ In America you\'re voice \"get\'s killed\" (I dunno what\'s worse...).

[franki]

The assertion that France is not a western country anymore is over the top, with 50 million non-muslims and 6 million muslims.

The problems however are very serious. I hate the fact that in european cities like Amsterdam, Brussels, Strasbourg and the Paris banlieus the police has given up control. Immigrants control big parts of these cities, a bit like american ghetto\'s I guess. It is only understandable that the right-wing-extremists (like Le Pen, Fortuyn) became/become more popular in a lot of these cities and areas, when traditional parties ignore the problems.

Franki [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Elana]

</font><blockquote><font class=\"small\">Quote:</font><hr />
frontpagearticles this is an article by a frechman

<hr /></blockquote><font class=\"post\">

</font><blockquote><font class=\"small\">Quote:</font><hr />
The anti-Semitism has created a threat to the physical safety for French Jews. Almost every week, some Jews get mugged, simply for being Jews. Almost nobody pays attention to it. When an anti-Semitic act is so disgusting it is impossible to hide it, journalists will speak of \"confrontation between communities.\" When confronted with the reality that these \"confrontations\" are always Muslims attacking Jews, the editorial response: \"Just because there has yet to be a single documented case of a Jew attacking a Muslim yet doesn\'t mean it will never happen. . . .\"

<hr /></blockquote><font class=\"post\">

This is all true. I personally know of two Jewish families that have left France after living in Paris their entire lives. Their lives were threatened daily as well as their synagogue vandalized repeatedly. The anti-Semitism in France has reached dangerous levels. If you want to disagree with this, I\'ll put you in touch with my friends family members.

[franki]

</font><blockquote><font class=\"small\">Quote:</font><hr />
The anti-Semitism in France has reached dangerous levels. If you want to disagree with this, I\'ll put you in touch with my friends family members.

<hr /></blockquote><font class=\"post\">

I don\'t think anyone would deny that or disagree with you on that.

Franki [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[EXIT63]

I don\'t think anyone would deny that or disagree with you on that.

Franki [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

<hr /></blockquote><font class=\"post\">

I\'m sure you could find some to disagree...............

[franki]

What I mean is that it would be unreasonable to do that.

Franki [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[EXIT63]

</font><blockquote><font class=\"small\">Quote:</font><hr />
What I mean is that it would be unreasonable to do that.

Franki


<hr /></blockquote><font class=\"post\">

I know.

[frenchie]

\"The anti-Semitism in France has reached dangerous levels\"
Oh my God !!! if I believe you, we are the most anti-semit people in the world... plus : we eat frogs\' legs, oysters (and we eat them alive), snails, raw meat, horse meat... I surely forgot something ! maybe I\'d better go to Borneo and stay with my primitive brothers where they also cut their enemies\' heads, he ? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

If you want to have your own opinion about the (primitive) French, just come here and see by yourself, visit the country, talk with people (you may find some intelligent people here, who can speak a little english)...

I\'m starting to get fed up with this french bashing - it is based on ignorance, not on any reflexion. There are many things I disagree with about the US politics, but I don\'t practice any american bashing, I even like hamburgers and Coca Cola and I\'d love to visit your country (if I\'m ever welcome as a french citizen...).

My only answer is : intolerance has reached dangerous levels, in any part of the world.

[Elana]

Unfortunately I am too well informed with the anti-Semitism in France. I had to listen to my friend cry to me for hours telling me what was going on with her Jewish family members in France. They have since left after living in Paris their entire lives. This is not a friend of a friends best friends sisters brothers uncle. This is a very close friend of mine whose family has had to pack up and leave in fear for their lives. You are not Jewish. You have no reason to feel threatened.

[franki]

</font><blockquote><font class=\"small\">Quote:</font><hr />
You are not Jewish. You have no reason to feel threatened.

<hr /></blockquote><font class=\"post\">

I think Frenchie feels threatened by all the anti-french sentiments on this forum, Elana.

Franki

[Elana]

I can understand that. I know that Frenchie is a peace loving person who I am sure hangs out with peace loving people and I am in no way lumping all French people into a single category. It is a fact that anti-Semitism is huge in France, but obviously not all French people are anti-Semitic.

[frenchie]

I am gay - I have some reasons to feel threatened. Maybe that\'s why the gay quarter and the jewish quarter are so near from each other in Paris...
Arabs and blacks have some reasons too, when they meet skinheads or just when they get arrested by the police.
I have jewish friends and I love to have discussions with them. But they are not the only ones to be attacked or despised.

Shalom

[Elana]

</font><blockquote><font class=\"small\">Quote:</font><hr />
But they are not the only ones to be attacked or despised.


<hr /></blockquote><font class=\"post\">
That\'s correct. Nobody should have to live in fear.

[frenchie]

thanks, Franki !!!
[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[tallmacky]

I think people only worry and concern themselves with things that only directly effect themselves. Greedy yes, true yes, right maybe. I mean we have a thread which was initiated by a picture (bias) of french soldiers in a \"gay\" pose. Those who are not French don\'t really care or feel the deep heart pain that we all feel when being threatened/offended (not all those in the minority etc..). People have their own agendas and causes, you could have a black man try to explain racism to a white man he may have sympathy but not empathy and so on.

This could also be offensive to a gay person, its a common insult to think the french are all gay and so on. Sure it may be funny to you and I but in most jokes there is always someone who will be insulted (as I learned hehe). We see it all the time if a friend wants to tell another a joke and if someone nearby is part of the pun of that joke they will whipser and so on. For the most part joking and so on is used as a tool of hurt, of course it can be funny to all though. I am going off on a tangeant. After reading the thread it seemed like everyone had their own agenda or worry. Some aren\'t in the minority in any area and will not understand how someone would feel, I am sure if one was going to make a \"America Sucks\" thread it would be treated differently.
Thanks

A few questions, if the jews are treated so horribly in France how are the arabs, blacks, asians and so on treated alot harder to hide that eh.

Why the hell are their skinheads in Europe at all? I mean think about it, they really need someone to blame badly or a cause in their lack luster life eh?

[franki]

I think most of the attacks on Jews in France are conducted by Arabs/North-Africans and only a few by white skinheads.

Franki [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[tallmacky]

really? so even in France the Arabs are mad? mad about what well I bet they don\'t even truly know hahah. Its also good to get a bit more information on the situation.

[nonscents]

Well, as long as we are telling personal anecdotes: my Jewish sister who lives outside of Paris (and works in Paris) is a vehement opponent of the US \"liberation\" of Iraq. She thinks the French got this one right. Of course most of the world\'s population agrees with her, so there really is nothing too extraordinary here.