nbcrusader
Blue Crack Addict
It looks like France continued to aid the Saddam regime through the conflict.
France helped Iraqis escape
France helped Iraqis escape
nbcrusader said:"Bashing" is really never directed at the ordinary citizens.
BonoVoxSupastar said:If everyone lived up to the cries of boycotting
Pretty big IF there.
FizzingWhizzbees said:IMO when criticising a country's political actions, it's usually appropriate to limit that criticism to the government of that country and avoid extending it to stereotyping all citizens of that country.
In my opinion the use of phrases like "cheese-eating surrender monkeys" is stereotyping of an entire nation based on criticisms of their government. I'm sure Americans on this board would find it offensive if anti-war activists were to start stereotyping all Americans based on their government's decisions regarding Iraq and I'm sure most Americans would be appalled if people decided to boycott American owned businesses in protest at the war.
nbcrusader said:So, BAW, are you suffering from US bashing by Europeans? When Europeans stop eating at McDonalds, are you hurt by the economic impact?
The affect on the ordinary French citizen is so negligible, I don't understand the self-flagellation over individuals expressing dissatisfaction with the actions of the French government.
Bono's American Wife said:Just because the results of this backlash aren't directly hurting the average French citizen, does it make it right?
nbcrusader said:
1. Stereotyping/name calling. "Cheese eating surrender monkeys" detracts from the issues.
besides, db3 might be offended
I think it is fair for people to ask, "Hey France, what the "?
"Hey France, what the "?
Dread,Dreadsox said:France is not an ally in my humble opinion. I am not opposed to any form of boycott. If you believe it is worth boycotting over something go for it. Sometimes, people need to be woken up, and the wallet is the way to do it. The French governement has made their decisions and with every decision in life there are consequences.
Peace
deep said:
Dread,
Was not France one of the first countries to call after the WTC attacks?
Were not the French supportive of the attack on the Taliban in Afghanistan?
I think that to black ball the French over Iraq is wrong.
It is possible to have a disagreement one or more issues and cooperate on the ones we agree on.
France can be an ally on many issues.
All the dirt and blood you believe are on the hands of the French government is probably only a fraction of the dirt on the US Government?s hands. I still am happy to be an American and support my government went I believe their policies are correct and work for change when I disagree.
FizzingWhizzbees said:IMO when criticising a country's political actions, it's usually appropriate to limit that criticism to the government of that country and avoid extending it to stereotyping all citizens of that country.
In my opinion the use of phrases like "cheese-eating surrender monkeys" is stereotyping of an entire nation based on criticisms of their government. I'm sure Americans on this board would find it offensive if anti-war activists were to start stereotyping all Americans based on their government's decisions regarding Iraq and I'm sure most Americans would be appalled if people decided to boycott American owned businesses in protest at the war.
Moonlit_Angel said:
Oh, yeah, definitely.
Think about this, too-we tend to take it as an attack on the entire country of America when someone from another country is bashing America's GOVERNMENT-they don't hate the entire population of America itself, they just disagree with our government's actions...but we still think it's an attack on every single American.
Why can't the same be said for the French?
And also, nbcrusader, what about the people of French descent that live here, or people who moved here from France? Their homes were vandalized and they got rude comments from people in their area and things like that.
I'd consider that a personal attack on the ordinary French people, wouldn't you?
If France's government did aid Saddam, then that's not right and we should deal with the GOVERNMENT itself.
But that is no excuse to treat the civilians of France like dirt. It's not their fault.
Angela
nbcrusader said:Oh, Good Lord!
I've heard plenty of US bashing - I never take it personally.
STING2 said:Melon,
"I think this is stupid, only because the idea of a "coalition" was a facade anyway. What a far cry from the real useful alliances of the past; now we only have our postmodern alternatives, necessary only to look media friendly and that's it."
The coalition had over 40 countries in it. Yes, only 3 actually sent troops and are currently in Iraq. But only four countries occupied Germany after World War II and only one occupied Japan. Do you consider those coalitions to be facades?