POLITICS - The French

[66GTO]

A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S. , English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of Officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, 'Whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English.' He then asked, 'Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?'

Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied 'Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German.'


You could have heard a pin drop.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


A group of Americans, retired teachers, recently went to France on a tour. Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane.. At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on.

'You have been to France before, monsieur?' the customs officer asked sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously. 'Then you should know enough to have your passport ready.'

The American said, 'The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it.'

'Impossible. Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France !'

The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained. 'Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in '44 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find any Frenchmen to show it to.'


You could have heard a pin drop

[Kirby]

I'm sure it is just for fun...
but I really find this constant "French" bashing by Americans to be in bad taste.

I'm not meaning to denigrate Americans, as my father was rescued from a Jap POW camp in WW2 by US forces and he had the highest regard for the USA.

But this "French bashing" business comes up so often on firearm boards, I need to vent.

I understand the history of WW1 & WW2, but I'm not up on the history of the French in America long ago. Perhaps that has something to do with it?

I can only admire the ability of the French to want to hold on to their culture, ahead of the tidal wave of modern US culture that seems to dominate the world today.
They revel in their arts, food and language which has contributed to shaping the world. What's wrong with that? How many other countries in the world manage to retain their individuality?
All cultures have their good and bad points as far as outsiders see.

The United States prides itself on being a home to a huge variety of peoples from all over the world and embracing the cultural differences that this entails.

But to post these types of anti French stories only shows disrespect to all the other peoples of the world. This in part contributes to the anti -American feelings expressed by others.
And this is why American leaders get foreign policy so wrong.

I was taught to treat others as you would have them treat you.
If only all the people of the world would do the same...

Sorry if my comments offend those proud Americans on this forum, but I speak from the heart.

It is much more fun to share the knowledge and fun that lever action rifles bring to us all, than to go off talking politics and religion, for they both are a somewhat personal thing.

Respectfuly,

Kirby.

[JohnnyReb]

Kirby:
I can agree to a point. The French helped us to gain our independence from England.
I think the hard feelings started when France backed out of NATO in 1965. NATO was established to protect West Germany, France and the remainder of Western Europe during the cold war. You would think they at least could participate! Every since then, it seems that anything the US is for, France is against...... France continued to trade in secret with Iran, Iraq and other countries subject to UN sanctions when France, as a permanent member of the UN security council, had voted in favor of the resolutions.
We share culture and heritage with France but they tend to treat us like the proverbial red headed stepchild.

Just my 2 cents/

Best Regards Down Under
JR

[Mokwaw]

Kirby:

We share culture and heritage with France but they tend to treat us like the proverbial red headed stepchild.

.........I find some of these "gigs" to be amusing and others as put downs. But I also think if you can't laugh at yourself...then the world will laugh at you.

I have French ancestry, but I'm not offended. My recent ancestors moved to Illinios from Kentucky....I love Hillbilly jokes.

By the way did you hear about the Aussie who.......oh never mind.

[Rusty]

Actually Johnny Reb, I'd say it goes back further than 1965. In WWI American forces went to France to help liberate them. From a book I read called"Over There" The French SOLD Americans artillery shells to shell German positions. The also charged the Americans for each American soldier they transported in French trucks.

As I understand it the French people in the countryside are still ready to show their gratitude for the price that was paid in their behalf. The people in Paris are another mater.

For my part, I had a great uncle Bobby who I was never able to meet since he was killed in the Argonne forest. I don't bare any ill will towards anyone for that. Just stating a fact.

There's no reason to single out the French there's enough humor to go around for everyone. At different times I've heard jokes about Irish, Polish, and Italian as well just to name a few. A friend of mine who was in the Royal Navy had to do a tour in Ireland. He said they were always laughing at the "stupidity" of the Irishmen.

[Ysabel Kid]

Just like most other places - good and bad people everywhere. When my uncle - a D-Day veteran, goes to the Normandy area, the people there still treat him like a king. They understand the enormity of what America and others sacrificed to free their home - and still appreciate it. Paris and urbanized France is another matter. When they wouldn't let our jets fly through their air space when we attacked Libya, that showed most of us their inability to distinguish good from evil, or rather, their leadership's inability to do so. Previous French administrations have complained about a homogenized "English-speaking" world; America, Britian, Australia, and Canada (apparently, they forget that a large part of Canada speaks French as their primary language) - and has acted to thwart initiatives by those countries "just because". I'm all for a country retaining their culture, and it is hard to do - since our number one export is our culture, between our "entertainment" exports (movies, TV shows, music, etc.), and business (McDonalds, et. al.). But they are ignoring, through what can only be described accurately as national cowardice, the number one threat to their culture - immigrant militant Islam - and instead whining about us.

History has shown, for at least 200 years, the French are very consistent in their inability to identify their own greatest danager, and a willingness to assist it. Truth hurts...

[Hobie]

I can verify the feeling the people of Normandy have for the veterans. During the 50th anniversary celebrations of the landings, THOUSANDS of people came out, often in wind and rain, to honor these veterans. Moreover they brought their children and I overheard one young lady (young to me) lecturing her son on what these men had done and why.

Aside from that, I've found a surprising number of French ancestors in our various families. We also have some French members of the forum. So, I wonder, why are these same apocryphal vignettes are periodically reposted? Given the current French government, why do you still feel this way?

[AmBraCol]

Paris and urbanized France is another matter.

Isn't that about par for the course - world wide? Urbanites tend to have their collective heads up their collective... well anyway... I love the backwoods parts of the world I've been able to visit and the folk who inhabit them. The city folk, on the other hand, tend to be clueless and there is really little to distinguish one urban area from another other than specific monuments. The rest is all just pollution, congestion, concrete, glass and asphalt.

[t.r.]

Its fun to laugh and poke a little at others. I'm all for a good laugh, too. Please don't misunderstand me, I find this French related humor amusing.

The rest of this reply is serious:

The French have been blasted by American media many times over the years. For the most part, this is shameless propaganda.

FACTS:
- Soviet Union was in smoking ashes at end of WW2
Harry Truman signed Nat'l Security Act to fund new Dept of Defense
and created the Cold War. France knew Soviet threat was a farse. This was revealed when Cold War ended; the mighty Soviets were decades behind rest of western world. Cold War was created to keep the "dirty 30's" from retrurning as WW2 was ending. It was an economic package handed to Industrial Military Complex to provide much needed jobs. France didn't go along with the hoax.

- Iraq air force and army was in smoking ashes at end of Desert Storm. But super-expensive farse known as Operation Southern Watch & Operation Northern Watch were created by Clinton to enforce the "no fly zones". France participated in the 24 hour observation flights for one year and pulled out. Again, France did not go along with the hoax. American press blasted them again.

- China is a communist nation. China funded North Korea and our enemies in Viet Nam. That's two expensive wars in which China was our enemy.
USA trades heavily with communist China. But American press critisizes French for trading with Syria and other nations? HUH?

I'll close with this thought. Don't be so quick to believe everything the news media tells you to be truth. Be watchful for tactics Hitler used to end democrasy in Germany. Yes, he took a democratic republic and turned it into a fascist police state within the confines of the German Constitiution. You might want to read up on Hitler and his clever use of the news media.

What's my point? To stop amusing tales about the French ? No.

My point is to say this: Be Watchful.

TR

[2ndovc]

When I was in Paris last spring the inhabitants were no different than any large city especially in Europe. Most were quite pleasant. One thing that most people from this country that don't realize is that most of the rest of the world moves at it's own pace. I've been to Europe many times and have seen it over and over again. Some loud mouth American whining that he hasn't been waited on / served fast enough. It's also usually pretty easy to pick out the Westerners. They're usually twice the size as the locals!

[DennisD]

Paris and urbanized France is another matter.

Isn't that about par for the course - world wide? Urbanites tend to have their collective heads up their collective... well anyway... I love the backwoods parts of the world I've been able to visit and the folk who inhabit them. The city folk, on the other hand, tend to be clueless and there is really little to distinguish one urban area from another other than specific monuments. The rest is all just pollution, congestion, concrete, glass and asphalt.

I agree with you Paul. Just look right here in the good ol' USA. I would bet that the vast majority of the anti gun crowd live in urban society. Most grew up without the joy of a BB gun or being able to go to the farm to shoot .22s. Most of their "knowledge" of guns comes from TV, video games, movies and the "news"; and we all know how factual those sources are.

[505stevec]

That was funny if it were true. I have no knowledge directly of French or whatever but I agree with t.r. Dont beleive everything you hear from the media.

[Hobie]

Paris and urbanized France is another matter.

Isn't that about par for the course - world wide? Urbanites tend to have their collective heads up their collective... well anyway... I love the backwoods parts of the world I've been able to visit and the folk who inhabit them. The city folk, on the other hand, tend to be clueless and there is really little to distinguish one urban area from another other than specific monuments. The rest is all just pollution, congestion, concrete, glass and asphalt.

It certainly seems that those who are most accustomed to depending on others for every little thing come to EXPECT to depend on others and to EXPECT others to do so, too.

[gamekeeper]

Please don't tell me this great forum is going "Politically Correct" we won't be able to talk about cats next!

[Old Ironsights]

Please don't tell me this great forum is going "Politically Correct" we won't be able to talk about cats next!

As someone who has ALSO put in a good bit of time in France, I can easily say that the US (liberal, elite urbanite, feminists) (LEUFs) have learned a lot from the French (LEUFs).

i.e. it sucks to be in one of their cities just as much as it sucks to be in Chicago.

OTOH, get back into French "Flyover Country" and they know the score/aren't such insufferable (LEUF) arrogant idiots.

"Back in the woods"(vineyards) they actually have the education to remember both the Revolution and WWI/II.

99% of the world's problems can be summed up as the struggle not between Capital and Proletariat, but between Food Producers and Socialists.

LEUF... I just coined another Internetisim...

[66GTO]

Sorry if I offended anyone of French ancestry. For humor to be funny, there must be an element of truth in it. I am of Scotch-Irish ancestry and a card carrying redneck, so blast away with redneck and Irish jokes.

My Father served in the 101st Airborne in WWII and he did not think a lot of the French. Of course he didn't think highly of most Europeans.

I've been reading several Stephen Ambrose books on WWII, most of which relate interviews with WWII vets about what they experienced during the war. One comment that I found interesting was that most American soldiers said of all the civilians that they came in contact with during the war, the ones they felt the most kinship to and had the most in common with were the Germans. They had the same personal hygiene habits as Americans (unlike some other countries) and it was noted that the Germans took the initiative after a village was destroyed in combat to clean up and rebuild, often beginning before the fighting was over. In other countries the citizens would wait for the government or army to do it. There is a parallel there to Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans vs. the Mississippi Gulf coast.

I remembered from my history that the Vichy French cooperated and collaborated with the Nazis during their occupation of France, but until I began reading I did not realize that the French Army and Navy fought alongside the Nazis in North Africa against Allied troops. Of course the French Resistance was highly heroic and suffered greatly in aiding the Allied effort.

I realize that the newly elected French government is more favorably inclined towards the U.S. than the past left leaning French administrations. Hopefully, the new government will go a long way towards making us forget past transgressions against the U.S. by the French Government.

[BobCat]

Well, that tipped me over the edge to actually make my first post here and kind of introduce myself. Only lever gun I have is a Marlin 1894 in .357 mag, but I love it and got my brother one just like it.

t.r. said it best - watch out what you believe, especially from the news media.

I jump on the French-baiting bandwagon sometimes, and often keep quiet when people bash the English because they've given up most of their firearms rights. Until I recall that my father's generation fought alongside the English in WWII - and the English fought with courage and valor.

In 1971 I was in England to buy a particular motorcycle (cheaper to fly there, buy it, fly it and me back, and pay duty on a "used" bike, than to purchase it new in the US). Went to France with a friend (US guy) who was living in Oxford at the time. We camped at local campgrounds and got some dirty looks, being on British bikes with British number plates - but as soon as anyone heard us speak and figured out we were Americans, the "Weclome Mat" came out and they let us know they remembered - and appreciated - what our fathers had done in the 1940s. It was really touching, and when I laugh at anti-French jokes, I remember that, and feel a little foolish.

There are good folks and bad folks everywhere. Collective guilt does not work. Lumping people together - based on nationality, race, color, gender, or whether they shoot Leverguns or ARs or Cowboy Action or Bullseye or Highpower - takes away the joy of knowing them as individuals. Lumps are for mashed potatoes.

Enough from me - I'm usually happy to sit back and read, trying to learn something - and better off that way.

Regards,
Andrew

[JohnnyReb]

Its fun to laugh and poke a little at others. I'm all for a good laugh, too. Please don't misunderstand me, I find this French related humor amusing.

The rest of this reply is serious:

The French have been blasted by American media many times over the years. For the most part, this is shameless propaganda.

FACTS:
- Soviet Union was in smoking ashes at end of WW2
Harry Truman signed Nat'l Security Act to fund new Dept of Defense
and created the Cold War. France knew Soviet threat was a farse. This was revealed when Cold War ended; the mighty Soviets were decades behind rest of western world. Cold War was created to keep the "dirty 30's" from retrurning as WW2 was ending. It was an economic package handed to Industrial Military Complex to provide much needed jobs. France didn't go along with the hoax.

- Iraq air force and army was in smoking ashes at end of Desert Storm. But super-expensive farse known as Operation Southern Watch & Operation Northern Watch were created by Clinton to enforce the "no fly zones". France participated in the 24 hour observation flights for one year and pulled out. Again, France did not go along with the hoax. American press blasted them again.

- China is a communist nation. China funded North Korea and our enemies in Viet Nam. That's two expensive wars in which China was our enemy.
USA trades heavily with communist China. But American press critisizes French for trading with Syria and other nations? HUH?

I'll close with this thought. Don't be so quick to believe everything the news media tells you to be truth. Be watchful for tactics Hitler used to end democrasy in Germany. Yes, he took a democratic republic and turned it into a fascist police state within the confines of the German Constitiution. You might want to read up on Hitler and his clever use of the news media.

What's my point? To stop amusing tales about the French ? No.

My point is to say this: Be Watchful.

TR

I can't let that one go unchallenged. If anyone has followed the Political posts on this board, I am known for not believing the govt most of the time.
However, To think that Truman geared up for the Cold War solely to fund the Military Industrial Complex is absurd. I agree that the Soviet Union was over-rated but there was genuine concern for their plans of extension of Soviet influence and power. Documents produced since the end of the Cold War show actual War plans for invasion of Europe and expansion of influence on a global scale. We kept them in check, whether it was done with the most efficiency or if all our actions were necessary is certainly open to debate. But the Cold War was not a conspiracy.
I have heard and read such theories for a long time and they are in the same catagory as the secret pact between Hitler and Chamberlain for the reduction of France as a world power thru WWII and the "arranging" of the attack on Pearl Harbor by Roosevelt.

[gamekeeper]

Welcome to the camp fire BobCat. sorry to hi jack the "French" post but what motorcycle did you buy. I had a few BSAs, being as I'm a Brummie!

[Hobie]

Please don't tell me this great forum is going "Politically Correct" we won't be able to talk about cats next!

Les chats no, cats yes.

[BobCat]

game keeper,

It was a BSA B50 - they recycled the name of the classic 1950s Gold Star and stuck it on a bored 441 Victor. Nice bike - light, good torque, excellent cornering, "classic" vibration and oil leaks. And - the gear shift was on the right... like all the BSAs, Triumphs, Nortons, Harley Sportsters... and unlike all "modern" bikes. I'd kill myself quick on a post 1980 motorcycle, the shifter and rear brake are reversed.

When my wife and I moved to this part of Texas, my new neighbor wanted to know what "nationality" I was. I told him I was an American, and proud of it! But what he really wanted to know was what country my parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents had escaped from, to come here.

As I said, I laugh at all kinds of jokes - sometimes I'm a little ashamed - but each and every "nationality" or group has things to admire, and things that make you want to keep an eye on them. Individuals too - but it is not fair to paint all individual members of any group with the same brush.

Anyway I love my Marlin and want to put either a Williams or Lyman peep sight on it. It has a tang sight for Cowboy Action shooting, but if I wanted the rifle for less "sporting" uses - defense for instance - I think it might be too fragile. The one my brother has, has a Lyman and it is cool!

Regards,
Andrew

[piller]

I have a lot of Irish in me also, but I have English, Lakota, Modoc, Welsh, German, Norwegian, and Cherokee. I do not see the point in getting upset over a joke told about someone I might be related to. If we can't all laugh at ourselves, then we are in for a difficult time just trying to get along.
One of my ancestors was the first Native American to sign a treaty with the English Settlers. The family joke is that he turned to his son and said ''Son, look around you at all of this land, someday none of it will be yours!"
How about a truce, if I tell a joke about your people then you can tell one about mine. Deal?

[Kirby]

Thanks to all who contributed.
I'm not "PC" or offended by jokes, but do find some views of others to be overbearing at times. Appreciate all your comments.

Sorry if I ruined your jokes 66GTO... Cars ? - my brother-in law has a '61 Corvette and a Dino Ferrari. Won't let me drive them though!

I have plenty of Lever Actions, from my .25WCF to my Marlin .444.
Need to get out with a camera and post some local pictures.

Like cats? - my wife has six about the house here!
Though I do erradicate feral cats in the outdoors.

I much prefer to think of us all as Lever Action adicts - not by nationality, more like a brotherhood.

Kirby.

[AJMD429]

I'll close with this thought. Don't be so quick to believe everything the news media tells you to be truth. Be watchful for tactics Hitler used to end democrasy in Germany. Yes, he took a democratic republic and turned it into a fascist police state within the confines of the German Constitiution. You might want to read up on Hitler and his clever use of the news media.

What's my point? To stop amusing tales about the French ? No.

My point is to say this: Be Watchful.

TR

That is so true. We'll mostly be kissing up to the 'antichrist' according to many believers, and with our news media and gullability, I'm not surprised.

[AJMD429]

Paris and urbanized France is another matter.

Isn't that about par for the course - world wide? Urbanites tend to have their collective heads up their collective... well anyway... I love the backwoods parts of the world I've been able to visit and the folk who inhabit them. The city folk, on the other hand, tend to be clueless and there is really little to distinguish one urban area from another other than specific monuments. The rest is all just pollution, congestion, concrete, glass and asphalt.

Yep - independent, freedom-loving people mostly move 'out' and the ones who want an interdependent, socialist system, mostly stay in town. There are exceptions, but in general rural/urban is a more accurate predictor than black/white, male/female, French/American, or any other factor. Even where I live, drive 30 miles, and you're in a totally different world with a totally different mindset. I work in one world and live in the other, and sometimes it is very strange!

[AJMD429]

Please don't tell me this great forum is going "Politically Correct" we won't be able to talk about cats next!

Les chats no, cats yes.

Good one

[Ysabel Kid]

Even where I live, drive 30 miles, and you're in a totally different world with a totally different mindset.

You're lucky - I drive 5 miles and I'm in that "totally different world"!

Funny how the world is so different, yet so much the same...

[KWK]

... interviews with WWII vets about what they experienced during the war. One comment that I found interesting was that most American soldiers said ... they ... had the most in common with were the Germans.

It wasn't just in WW-II. My grandfather felt this way after returning to the U.S. after WW-I.