Thank You President Chirac

[JazzManJim]

For telling the Eastern European nations that they "should just shut up" regarding Iraq.

You have pretty much tilted every one of them into a very firm backing of action against Hussein. If they hadn't been before, they will be now. They too well remember a time, not so long ago, when they were under the thumb of a tyrannical government where imprisonmint and death were a matter of every day course. For that reason, they have something quite relevant to say about the nearly unheard plight of the Iraqi people.

It has gone so far that the nation of Latvia is risking possible entrance into the EU by standing toe to toe with France and decrying "The Europe of Napoleon". That's a damned brave move for a country who could well use the trade bounty that EU membership could bring.

Do not underestimate Eastern Europe. These countries are very quietly becoming major players in politics, art, and economy. They are steadily building their foundations and, as a bloc, could soon have some real power in the region and the world. They already stand as a large voting bloc inside Europe itself and as such comprise enough to form a majority in NATO and possibly even the EU (assuming France allows all of them in...).
Alienating them is not at all a smart move for France, which will need them in a real way in the future.

 

[Ms_Lilith]

hi Jim.

 

[busybody..]

Could you imagine the OUTRAGE and political fallout if Bush would have said the same things?

 

[Ms_Lilith]

hi busybody.

 

[busybody..]

Hiya VIX

 

[Lancecastor]

For telling the Eastern European nations that they "should just shut up" regarding Iraq.

You have pretty much tilted every one of them into a very firm backing of action against Hussein. If they hadn't been before, they will be now. They too well remember a time, not so long ago, when they were under the thumb of a tyrannical government where imprisonmint and death were a matter of every day course. For that reason, they have something quite relevant to say about the nearly unheard plight of the Iraqi people.

It has gone so far that the nation of Latvia is risking possible entrance into the EU by standing toe to toe with France and decrying "The Europe of Napoleon". That's a damned brave move for a country who could well use the trade bounty that EU membership could bring.

Do not underestimate Eastern Europe. These countries are very quietly becoming major players in politics, art, and economy. They are steadily building their foundations and, as a bloc, could soon have some real power in the region and the world. They already stand as a large voting bloc inside Europe itself and as such comprise enough to form a majority in NATO and possibly even the EU (assuming France allows all of them in...).
Alienating them is not at all a smart move for France, which will need them in a real way in the future.

 

[LovetoGiveRoses]

Interesting comments Jim. I agree that the Eastern European countries are coming into their own. I hope that we continue to build relationships with them and with Russia.

I've spent a lot of time in France and this "attitude" is nothing new. Interesting OP/EDs in the Washington Times today about France.

 

[JazzManJim]

Interesting comments Jim. I agree that the Eastern European countries are coming into their own. I hope that we continue to build relationships with them and with Russia.

I've spent a lot of time in France and this "attitude" is nothing new. Interesting OP/EDs in the Washington Times today about France.

The US has been very quietly cementing ties with Eastern Europe since their liberation from the former Soviet Union. And they've done a great deal on their own.

For instance, the city of Prague has become in the last decade a new Bohemia - a haven for artists - while at the same time becoming one of the largest free market centers in the area. And they've done it with relative smoothness. They've embraced their freedom and are making their country into what they envision.

I heard a former Foreign Minister from Poland say in a recent interview that if our troops weren't welcome in Germany, they certainly would be there. Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia has said much the same thing, and it's a plan that our Defense Department is seriously beginning to consider.

They are the region to watch as becoming major world players relatively soon, and perhaps even sooner once we successfully liberate Iraq.

 

[Linedrive]

They too well remember a time, not so long ago, when they were under the thumb of a tyrannical government where imprisonmint and death were a matter of every day course.

Jim,

I have a fair amount of friends in the Polish community and this is precisely what they are saying. They have no sympathy or love lost for a tyrant that lets his own people starve at the expense of furthering his WMD programs. Getting Poland on board was a given.

 

[teddybear4play]

Hey, three cheers for Eastern Europe, as much of my heritage comes from there.

TB4p

 

[kotori]

For instance, the city of Prague has become in the last decade a new Bohemia - a haven for artists - while at the same time becoming one of the largest free market centers in the area.

Wow. Prague in Bohemia. What'll they think of next.

LMFAO!

 

[cheesysusie]

I love Prague. It's my favorite city.

 

[Lancecastor]

I love Prague. It's my favorite city.

Prague is full of American money and knowlege workers , so it's no wonder you like the place...the USA has been assimiliating the country for years.

Personally, I prefer it when the USA does a friendly takeover of a country it wants, don't you?

 

[cheesysusie]

I love Prague because of the decidedly Bohemian atmosphere. It's such a dirty city, and chock-full of charm. There's amazing architecture, rich history, and it's not so cookie-cutter.

 

[cgraven]

Eastern Europe, France, the world situation and history.

The hall mark of any true democracy is freedom of speech, open debate and the ability to disagree. We that have chosen to live in and defend the U S even today debate the necessity for war, and that is our right.

Eastern Europe, probably for the first time in their existence now also has that right. Their history is one where they have been dominated and repressed, by Mongols, Tartars, Islam, Prussia, Russia, Germany, and the Soviet Union. In the middle ages they stood as the bulwark that defended Western Europe from Mongol invasions, allowing France & to develop. In the renaissance they stood again as a bulwark in the Balkans against the Turks, while France grew in Royal glory. In more recent history they where among the first victims of the Nazis. Where was the vaunted French Army when Poland was attacked? Oh yes the French by tready obligation was obliged to attack Germany instead they feel back behind the Margineaux line.

Ah some may say that is only moldy History. The Common Market is a post WW II creation of France and Germany to oppose U S and British trade in an effort to dominate the Continental market. France under De Gaul withdrew from NATO expelling U S & British forces and in two weeks NATO code books where on the international market at any book store. Thank You France.

Now again France turns its back on treaty obligations, trade, oil, and self interest is the corner stone of their polices to the point that they threatened even to defend Turkey in event of attack.

France has every right to disagree with U S policies, yet does it have the right to negate its tready obligations for defense?

If history is any indicator, then France’s pledges for mutual defense are not worth the paper it is written on.

 

[RobDownSouth]

Wow. Prague in Bohemia. What'll they think of next.

LMFAO!

I agree...I read that line of Jim's three times in disbelief and finally broke up laughing. Forwarding that quote to friends in Praha.

 

[brokenbrainwave]

Could you imagine the OUTRAGE and political fallout if Bush would have said the same things?

oh you mean like the millions protesting the war. The American cities that are passing legsilation to send to Bush being against millitary action.

Yes, there has been no political fallout for Bush since announcing he is going it alone if detractors do not hop onboard the killing train.

 

[JazzManJim]

Wow. Prague in Bohemia. What'll they think of next.

LMFAO!

That would not be in a geographic sense, knucklehead, but in a cultural and artistic sense. :roll: The spirit of Bohemia has wandered over the century to such places as Paris and New York. It look as if it's returning to its old home.

 

[cheesysusie]

Good morning, Jim!

 

[LovetoGiveRoses]

Howdy Jim,

Here's an article for you:

Central, E. Europe to stand with U.S.
By David R. Sands
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

French President Jacques Chirac's "emotional outburst" will not stop Latvia from backing the Bush administration's hard line on Iraq, Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga said in an interview yesterday.

Despite Mr. Chirac's comment Monday that "immature" Central and East European nations "missed a great opportunity to shut up" over the divisive Iraq issue, "We did stick our neck out, and we will not pull it back," Mrs. Vike-Freiberga told editors and reporters of The Washington Times on the final day of a five-day visit to Washington.

Angry reactions continued to pour in from across the region to Mr. Chirac's remarks, made after Central and East European countries broke with France and Germany to support military action, if needed, to disarm the regime of Saddam Hussein.

Ten East European countries, many like Latvia candidates to join both NATO and the European Union, drafted a joint letter earlier this month backing the U.S. tough line against Saddam, delighting the Bush administration but infuriating officials in Paris and Berlin.

Did you get a lot of snow over where you are?

 

[JazzManJim]

Howdy Jim,

Here's an article for you:



Did you get a lot of snow over where you are?

Thanks. I've been following the growing rift between the established powers in Europe and the Eastern Bloc (Wooo! Okay, that's kind of odd resurrecting that name, isn't it?) for the past couple of weeks. The EB has been very quietly staking out its ground very firmly and definitively. I'm interested in seeing where they take what they've built here.

Yeah, we got dumped all over. It could have been worse (and was, just to the north). We got about 19 inches all told. Generally our roads are passable, even the side roads, thanks to a herculean effort on the part of the Road Crews who've been nearly constantly since Saturday night. How's it where you are?

 

[cheesysusie]

Well, good morning to you too Susie.

 

[JazzManJim]

Well, good morning to you too Susie.

HOld your horses, sweetie. I'm getting to you. I just couldn't post another note imemdiately after the last one.

 

[LovetoGiveRoses]

Thanks. I've been following the growing rift between the established powers in Europe and the Eastern Bloc (Wooo! Okay, that's kind of odd resurrecting that name, isn't it?) for the past couple of weeks. The EB has been very quietly staking out its ground very firmly and definitively. I'm interested in seeing where they take what they've built here.

Yeah, we got dumped all over. It could have been worse (and was, just to the north). We got about 19 inches all told. Generally our roads are passable, even the side roads, thanks to a herculean effort on the part of the Road Crews who've been nearly constantly since Saturday night. How's it where you are?

I think we got 24 inches according to the news, but it's hard to tell with the drifts. I live out by Dulles, so the weather station there gives us fairly representative metrics. I went zooming all over the roads on Sunday and Monday, it was a blast. Since it was light powdery snow, I could go through snow drifts without too much worry. My car is low-slung (an AWD sports car) which made it so I went "under" many of the snowdrifts and I'd leave a giant cloud of disturbed snow behind me in a giant "Poof" LOL. There weren't many other cars on the road so I didn't have to worry about that either. It's a rare occasion for us to get powdery snow.

The media coverage of this quickly evolving news story has been almost schizophrenic. I wonder how it will all turn out. No matter how, I'll be supportive of our troops.

 

[LovetoGiveRoses]

Hello Suzie Alabama Girl. How are you today?

Jim and I are buds from way back. Please excuse our short detour from proper manners.