French airplanes over Libya

[_Simpson_ 250]

I asked for concise statements demonstrating that your assumptions and generalizations would be valid. What I got was an obstinate and hard-headed defense of making blanket statements from stereotype.

Quit it with games. Do you truly believe that a majority of the French people like America?

[slim 1,530]

I've worked with the French Air Force on several occasions and they're no pu$$ies.

They have the same problem we do. Politicians who don't understand warfare.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Regarding the America/France issue:

Read this snopes article.

I think the root of the bad feelings goes back to this:

In the 1960s, France, under Charles DeGaulle, bolted from the NATO Nuclear Planning Group and established their own nuclear deterrent, an act which strained French relations with the United States. In 1966, DeGaulle asked that all American soldiers be removed from France. "Does that include the dead Americans in military cemeteries as well?" U.S. Secretary of State Dean Rusk reportedly asked.

About 30,000 Americans who died fighting World War I are buried in eight European cemeteries (six in France, one in Belgium, and one in England), and another 73,000 U.S. servicemen who gave their lives during World War II lie at rest in twelve European cemeteries (five in France, two in Belgium, two in Italy, and one each in England, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands). These foreign burial grounds are administered and maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) in Arlington, Virginia.

As a country we paid a high price in 2 world wars that were both started in Europe. While we don't ask to have or a$$es kissed for it we would appreciate to not get kicked in them either (via disrespect).

[Zero Sum 305]

Something real to criticize. Ok how about there attitude that there better than America, that were the red headed step child that needs to be dealt with or there spineless attitude towards foreign policy. I will say though lately(before Lybia but Lybia helps)they have been growing a backbone. I like it. I see their faults and I see ours. I will not pretend as you have that its all the US.

Again, generalizations.

Let me help you:

"Ok how about there their attitude that there they're better than America,

Generalization- reference to entire French population. Please be more specific in what your intended target of rage is against. I'll be happy to comply in biting my thumb at an anti-American target when one is provided.

that were the red headed step child that needs to be dealt with or there spineless attitude towards foreign policy.

By whom in particular? And in what specific context?

I will say though lately(before Lybia Libya but Lybia Libya helps)they have been growing a backbone.

This 'they' again, without a definition of who 'they' are. Like the entire French nation? How does that work?

I like it.

I like it too, although I will say that I like the French government's decision to participate in enforcing the UN Resolution to impose a No-Fly Zone over Libya to protect the nation's civilian population from the forces that are reportedly butchering innocent people.

I see their faults and I see ours.

Whose faults? Be specific? French people that dislike us? That's fine. Some of them don't like us. Some of us don't like them. The world will keep going around the sun, and the bees will continue to make honey.

I will not pretend as you have that its all the US.

Now where precisely did I say 'all the US'? I think this is a particular example of 'reading paranoia.' You need to provide a specific quote saying it was ONLY the US and NOT the French. Can't do that huh?

See how critical thinking works?

Quit it with games. Do you truly believe that a majority of the French people like America?

I do not know what the 'majority' of the French like or dislike. I only know that of the many, many French individuals I've known in my life, none have ever expressed a disdain for Americans. Even those that can't differentiate between segments of populations and entire nations.

That's why your question is a silly one.

I've worked with the French Air Force on several occasions and they're no pu$$ies.

They have the same problem we do. Politicians who don't understand warfare.

Specifics! +1

Edited March 21, 2011 by Zero Sum

[_Simpson_ 250]

You see, this is a 'Language Arts' issue.

Using adjectives like 'some' instead of generalized wholes is a better way of conveying a point across.

In other words you get all semantic in order to try and win a argument. A tactic often used with politicians. My message has been very clear from the get go. I never said all people in France and its been very clear that I think that a majority of the population dislikes America.

So prove me wrong. Help this dumb American see the error of his ways. What case could you possible make that would leave a reasonable minded person to believe that France(a majority, dont get all semantic on me now we can see right thru it) likes us.

[_Simpson_ 250]

I've worked with the French Air Force on several occasions and they're no pu$$ies.

They have the same problem we do. Politicians who don't understand warfare.

Good, no one said that the service men were now on the other hand France's policies tend to be spineless when it comes to military actions.

[Zero Sum 305]

In other words you get all semantic in order to try and win a argument. A tactic often used with politicians. My message has been very clear from the get go. I never said all people in France and its been very clear that I think that a majority of the population dislikes America.

So prove me wrong. Help this dumb American see the error of his ways. What case could you possible make that would leave a reasonable minded person to believe that France(a majority, dont get all semantic on me now we can see right thru it) likes us.

No, I ask you to be specific in targeting.

If your point is to be specific, then be specific.

I am not calling you dumb either, but making blanket assumptions is a very ridiculous way of generalizing what fragments of a population believe about us.

As for asking for what the majority of a nation's population believes, its something you need to take up with the French that you meet in your life.

[Zero Sum 305]

Good, no one said that the service men were now on the other hand France's policies tend to be spineless when it comes to military actions.

I knew you could pose a specific question.

About spine or no spine, that's something that can be addressed in the nature of their government and what they value. Maybe you could list out all of the military operations where their government was committed, and then drawn down due to some unspecified cowardice. I would likely agree with those cases where for some reason unbeknown to most, French politicians would instantly decide to order their military forces to flee without a reason.

[_Simpson_ 250]

Again, generalizations.

Let me help you:

"Ok how about there their attitude that there they're better than America,

Generalization- reference to entire French population. Please be more specific in what your intended target of rage is against. I'll be happy to comply in biting my thumb at an anti-American target when one is provided.

that were the red headed step child that needs to be dealt with or there spineless attitude towards foreign policy.

By whom in particular? And in what specific context?

I will say though lately(before Lybia Libya but Lybia Libya helps)they have been growing a backbone.

This 'they' again, without a definition of who 'they' are. Like the entire French nation? How does that work?

I like it.

I like it too, although I will say that I like the French government's decision to participate in enforcing the UN Resolution to impose a No-Fly Zone over Libya to protect the nation's civilian population from the forces that are reportedly butchering innocent people.

I see their faults and I see ours.

Whose faults? Be specific? French people that dislike us? That's fine. Some of them don't like us. Some of us don't like them. The world will keep going around the sun, and the bees will continue to make honey.

I will not pretend as you have that its all the US.

Now where precisely did I say 'all the US'? I think this is a particular example of 'reading paranoia.' You need to provide a specific quote saying it was ONLY the US and NOT the French. Can't do that huh?

See how critical thinking works?

Quit it with the semantics. You know exactly what I mean and yet you continue with these games. From the get go I made it clear it wasnt all French people. Why the games? Does it make you feel smart?

I do not know what the 'majority' of the French like or dislike. I only know that of the many, many French individuals I've known in my life, none have ever expressed a disdain for Americans. Even those that can't differentiate between segments of populations and entire nations.

That's why your question is a silly one.

Now I recall you stating that in the other post that what the Arab League was doing was nothing more than politics. Why is it ok to get away with this sort of generalization sometimes and not other times?

[Zero Sum 305]

Quit it with the semantics. You know exactly what I mean and yet you continue with these games. From the get go I made it clear it wasnt all French people. Why the games? Does it make you feel smart?

Now I recall you stating that in the other post that what the Arab League was doing was nothing more than politics. Why is it ok to get away with this sort of generalization sometimes and not other times?

If you think I am playing games with you to antagonize you personally, its your problem. Be specific when making claims is all you should ever do. Its not about making me look any given way- its all about how you choose your words to convey a particular point.

Arab League politicians, doing something political, based on their circumstance. Perhaps if you take issue with that concept, ask. I know I certainly have tried to ask you for specifics.

I'm sure you could figure out that it has to do with some of those nations being unable to participate in multinational enforcement due to internal circumstance while others have other 'excuses' of their own.

[_Simpson_ 250]

No, I ask you to be specific in targeting.

If your point is to be specific, then be specific.

I am not calling you dumb either, but making blanket assumptions is a very ridiculous way of generalizing what fragments of a population believe about us.

As for asking for what the majority of a nation's population believes, its something you need to take up with the French that you meet in your life.

Recognizing that most of France doesnt like us is not ridiculous. Most would agree and some would blame it on our foreign policy.

What a bunch of pedestal nonsense is - "this its something you need to take up with the French that you meet in your life" I choose to take up with the masses and there actions and attitude towards America over the years.

Edited March 21, 2011 by _Simpson_

[Zero Sum 305]

Recognizing that most of France doesnt like us is not ridiculous. Most would agree and some would blame it on our foreign policy.

What a bunch of pedestal nonsense is 'this its something you need to take up with the French that you meet in your life'. I choose to take up with the masses and there actions and attitude towards America over the years.

You tell 'em then.

There is little I can help you with then.

At least part of what I have been telling you is sinking in though, see what you did in bold? Not that hard was it?

[_Simpson_ 250]

You tell 'em then.

There is little I can help you with then.

The feeling is mutual.

At least part of what I have been telling you is sinking in though, see what you did in bold? Not that hard was it?

Wait now I thought I should only concerned with the few I meet? You taught me nothing I already knew of these semantic games long before I met you.

[Zero Sum 305]

The feeling is mutual.

Wait now I thought I should only concerned with the few I meet? You taught me nothing I already knew of these semantic games long before I met you.

Certainly. Wanting to not expand one's mental horizons is an issue within oneself.

Or being consistent. Now can the drama stop.

[_Simpson_ 250]

Certainly. Wanting to not expand one's mental horizons is an issue within oneself.

Or being consistent. Now can the drama stop.

Until next time.