Here we are three years later, was France (and others) correct in not joining the coalition of the willing?
460737
France was absolutely right!  its just that too many americans were too stupid to listen!  Americans think they know everything and through the leadership of bush have tried to dominate the world.  Now they understand how wrong their plan was and yet some people still try to justify bush's actions.. What a shame!\n\nBTW meandmine, france has NOT had terrorist attacks since 9/11 maybe spain, maybe london but NOT france!  Get your info straight!  And yes bush ahd the same intelligence info that clinton did so why did bush throw it away and decide to go with his doctored info??? because bush is the biggest bastard the world has ever seen!  He is a lying sack of shit and won't stop until he has total world domination.
1161336
Well, our culture is most derivative of Britain's.  We adopted their common law wholesale, for example, and their language.  We weren't a Commonwealth country, but that is sort of just the way it worked out.  We have ties, for certain.\n\nGreat Britain and France are allies now, but historically they were enemies and rivals for a long LONG time.  I don't know if we just inherited that mantle as well, or if the abrasion between the French (or Parisians) and us is born of other things.  Clearly the French are highly offended by McDonalds in France, and growth of the use of the English language, however I think most of us just find that amusing.\n\nI think we don't consider them as true to their obligations as an ally as we consider Great Britain to be, and we reciprocate.  However, again, while the British don't all like us either, we have a lot in common in how we look at the world.  This probably makes our relationship easier on many levels.  \n\nHowever, I think Germany would be a closer ally as well, if it weren't now most focused on integrating into the EU.
1140373
I've never heard that question posed so succinctly and eloquently before, but yes, that's exactly right.  Europeans knew we would defend them against attack, so they were free to act irresponsibly.  They didn't have to be realistic.\n\nThis article is only peripherally related to your question, but you'll love it:  \n\nhttp://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,343378,00.html
1183255
The French are one of the main countries that were helping arm Saddam and making illegal oil deals with him while he was under sanctions from the UN.I think you should find out what your own country has been up to before you comment on mine.
638690
Bonjour\n\nHmm I don't think I'm able to speak on behalf of all us English (despite their please for me to ascend to the throne). However the French have a mixed reputation over here - they are seen as cultured, good food, good wine, fine fashions, great lifestyle...however they are seen as a bit too quick to hold Europe hostage whenever they have an internal labour dispute (think tractors blocking ferry ports, air traffic control on strike). We've been quite jealous of their soccer success in recent times. We don't think you're much good at wars. You and Germany are trying to centralise and control Europe. We don't like Chirac and we were all very happy when we won the 2012 Olympics. You have very cheap houses. Your employment laws are a bit strange (especially this whole idea of not being able to make people redundant). You tend to be a bit introspective and sulky (think Albert Camus - although I don't believe he was French born). We don't like the way you try to make everyone speak French (Olympics, FIFA etc) when everyone else in the world seems to want to speak English - even your own Government had to legislate to protect your language I believe. You're well educated. Your economy is struggling (but is in better shape than the Germans). \n\nOK those are my off the cuff comments. Hope that helps.\n\nAu revoir\n\nPS Paris is startlingly dirty!
653950
I think we went in not realizing that liberals in our country would support Abu Musab Al Zarqawi, Syrian and Iranian insurgents. Democrats backed these forces with their statements everyday. Ted Kennedy's statements end up in Al Jazeera everyday. How could we have stopped the Democrats from supporting the enemy? Good question! \n\n    Oh by the way, we tried to get the U.N. involved...the Secretary generals son, Germany, France and Russian were taking bribes from Saddam Husein in the (oil for food program) and would not vote on the counsel with us. France and Russia even gave tactical advice to Saddam while we were moving in on his troops. Don't hand me your UN crap.
630691
France came to our assistance during the Revolutionary War (The Marquis de LaFayette).  We have supported them and they have supported us ever since.  After the end of WW-II, I think, France began to see its power on the global scene decreasing.  I think the government of France decided at that time that they could remain politically relavent on the world stage by not supporting the US, and by not supporting the Soviets.\n\nIn the late 1960s France demanded that the US remove it's military bases from France.  France withdrew from NATO.  The US supported Israel, France Supported the PLO and Hezbollah.  During the problems with Libya in the 1980s, France would not let US aircraft fly through French airspace, so they had to fly 8hrs out of their way to bomb libya, and one of the bombers ended up getting shot down.  France pulled out of Lebanon when things went to hell, the US went in to fill the gap, and then when hezbollah bombed the marine barracks, france came out in support of hezbollah.\n\nFrance obstructed the coallition during the first gulf war.  France obstructed the coallition during the second gulf war.  Documents captured show that the French government was funnelling goods and weapons to saddam hussein in return for oil bribes.  France helped saddam build his chemical weapons and nuclear facilities.\n\nSo, while I don't think that most americans hate the french people, the French government has done a very successful job of being an obstructionist pain in the butt.\n\nMilitarily, we dislike the French because there first impulse is to surrender.  I'm retired from the military, I've worked with the French Army.  The only group that is worth a damn is the Foreign Legion, and they're not French.\n\nI think alot of americans would really like it if France would just acknowledge that there moment of glory was during the Peninsular wars (early 1800s).  So just get over yourselves.
1045675
En 2012 ce sera en Europe, donc logiquement en 2016 ce sera sur un autre continent... \nVu l'investissement de Paris pour 2012, ça va être dur de se représenter en 2020. A mon avis il faudra attendre au moins 4 olympiades.
1036979
no its been 3 years he is doing the best he can.\n\nGOD bless you.
636829
Yes he did...in another three years I think
520798
Britain, France and Spain landed troops in 1861 near the end of a Civil War there (1857-1861) but that was in 1861...so I'm not sure if that's it.  Depends on what you mean by rallied.\n\nThis happen to be a textbook question?
967556
Yeah but do you not remember the war with England.\n\nBesides I got a french joke... There was this guy who arrived in france. The guy taking the passports asked him for his. He said he didn't have one. The french guy was like "that is iimpossible you always need a passport when you come to france. The guy said well on D-day there was no french go to show it too.
778697
As the Youngest of the real countries we sort of had our choice and became the first Succesful Republic Democracy with A capaitalist monetary system and a Social conscience.  We give more money to the world then ALL Other countries combined and have the greatest Allies on the earth.  Perfect nope but we are heading there I would suggest you join us.
935279
Well, they were on the same side in World War I and II.  France and Britain have often been on the same side - united against a common enemy e.g. Spain.  Sorry, can't help with the American Revolutionary War.
734751
Xerenity was on the right track, except that the first letter of "Hollande" is an aspirated 'h': "la Hollande." \n\nYou could say:\n- La Hollande et la Belgique se sont rendues.\n- La Hollande et la Belgique ont capitulé.
1135638
France and Switzerland.. It is kind of obvious isn't it?
679144
Dude. Three years. It seems like a lot now but it's not.