France Rejects EU Constitution

[Hippocampus]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I agree they had no choice. But, at least GB exercised military superiority and actually fought for what they believed in and to save her citizens.

Sorry no sale. The British were just as guilty as the French. They waited, waited and waited for something to happen after declaring war to Germany, packed behind the Maginot Line along with their French allies. No military operations of any consequence were attempted. And we all know what happened afterwards. France's fall served as the UK's wake up call. They had no other choice, they were alone until US relief came along.

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

France, on the other hand, essentially rolled over and let Hitler have his way them them, to the death of tens of thousands of French, esp. gays and jews. Here is an okay site about it http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/~os0tmc/occupied/final.htm .

I think that statement is extremely unfair. While I would never dream of belittling the incredible British war tenure, no one disputes the fact that had there been no sea to protect it, the British army wouldn't have fared any better than France's against the onslaught of Panzers. Neither country was prepared for THAT.

And while the attitude of quite a few individuals during the occupation was despicable, a defeated country generally has little other choice than to yield to the demands of the victor.

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

But, my point about the ML was that since the defeat of Napolean, France has not been able to defend itself and must rely on us to help them.

France fared pretty well during WW I. It was pretty much a stalemate until the US decided to intervene.

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Yet, they act as if they are a world leader, when in truth, they cannot defend themselves, a position hardly supported by their arrogance and rank hypocrisy.

Is that the arrogant American speaking? What's the matter, don't like a little dissension in world affairs?

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Finally, I like France and go often. I just think their politics are insane and they are irrelevant in today's world save for their UN Security Council position.

While I would tend to agree that France and UK do get involved more often than other European countries in world affairs, what would you have them do? Relinquish veto power and nod to anything the US, Russia and China decide? The UN is supposed to be a democracy, you know. Ok that last one was a joke.