France-America bashing pt 98,934
French bashing is becoming part of the course in the US presidential process.
The elections in 2004 saw John Kerry's linguistic abilities, the fact that he could speak more than just 'American', become a liability....he speaks French. To compound his crime, he was also criticised for looking French and having French relativities.
Now Mitt Romney in his parting speech got a dig in on France.
"I'm convinced that unless America changes course, we can become the France of the 21st century. Still a great nation but not the leader of the world." France24, 11/02/08
Being British, the how French-bashing at least has a history....namely 1,000 years of war and family feuding. The main issue seemed that both sides had similar goals in terms of dominating the continent and various colonies. Took until 1904 that actually both countries would gain more working together.
The US-France bashing is a bit more confusing. If it was not for France, the US would have not been created...the French opposing the British. France was also greatly influenced by the philosophical underpinnings of the US deceleration of independence.
Maybe that why they don't get along, both Americans and the French have an arrogance about them with regards to being the 'greatest' nations on Earth.
Posted by Evil European
|
at
12:49
2 comments:
Not that he's off the hook but I'd hardly consider anything that Mitt Romney says to be in lockstep with how people feel about France in this country.
Adam's right, and I'd add that most Americans probably never give France a second thought (or anywhere else in the world, but that's another subject).
I think that part of the reason that SOME Americans are so anti-French is this shared notion that the US "saved" France in WW2 (and WW1, some of them claim) and the French should live in total gratitude forever, bowing and scraping before their saviors. Anything less--like independent thought--is seen as betrayal by those people.
But since France is America's oldest ally, as you pointed out, I'd agree with those during the "Freedom Fries" time who said your best friends will tell you to your face that you're wrong. And that's why some people reacted so badly--they hated America's oldest friend being right, and not just nodding and smiling weakly in faux agreement.
Post a Comment