The French participation in that war is often open to discussion in the U.S. One thing I noticed immediately when helping my daughter with her homework is that the French's involvement is severely downplayed in the schools here. I grew up in Wisconsin where there are many French and even many towns with French names and the French participation was highly stressed in school (of course the importance of the many French explorers in Wisconsin's history helped alot in that). However, when I was helping my daughter, I couldn't find any reference to the French's participation and my ex-husband heard my comments while I was looking through her books and stated that the French had nothing to do with that war. He had learned NOTHING about it. The focus here was entirely different. Sad, but true. I guess that explains why North Carolina scores comparatively low on college entrance exams...

Still, while the French's participation was crucial, it is not certain that the U.S. would not be the country it is today if it were not for the French (I think it would not be but then that is my interpretation of history). It is clear however, that France would not be the country it is today if the U.S. was not there during WWII... I'm not sure that is tit for tat, but more an example of the relationship that existed in history between the two countries and should exist in the future and also a prime example of what the United Nations should represent and strive for. Perhaps when George Bush is no longer in power (which will probably be in 2008 as long as the general populace of the U.S. sees a strong terrorist threat they will want him with all of his foibles to stay the President) the international relations will start to heal between the U.S. and the UN nations. But then, maybe not. I think the government (not the people) of the U.S. is sufficiently arrogant to not care about that as much as they care about national security right now. That is another argument in itself. The government will never represent all of the people. The people's dissatisfaction with the Bush administration's economic policies and international relations (only 47% support him in those areas according to a recent poll I saw) is the perfect example. Yet, one more terrorist attack and he will remain President for another 4 years. Many support him solely because they do not know of any other potential candidate that will focus on national security and be strong enough to make the tough decisions (right or wrong). That is what happens when fear takes control of your life. We are not so much the most advanced and free country in the free world as we are the most frightened. And when people become frightened they become more patriotic and more stubborn.

Ok, I know I'll take a lot of hits for that one.




>>There are two incidents within the last hundred years or so that involved France and the United States. France failed at building the Panama Cannel and the United States took over the project. The second item involves the war fought by France against Vietnam, and financed (85%) by the United States, which the French left and the United States took up.
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>>The term “Turn about is fair play” seems appropriate. Now it is France’s turn to bail us out! I suggest we leave Iraq and let France take over. Let the French pay for everything – money and bodies included.
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>If it wasn't for French involvement in the War of Indepence, there might not be a USA. Yeah, you guys are even.