Whatever. They'll always be self-interested cowards to me.
Posted by Al at June 9, 2005 07:44 PMpessimist
Keep in mind the French as the enemy is nothing new to the Hamlitonian Federalists now being channeled by the Republican party. Although the French financed the Revolutionary War they became the boggeyman of choice to justify the Alien and Sedition act in the late 1700's. Hamilton himself said that the French revolution represented too much democracy.
Al,
Vous non du non!
Posted by Louis XVIII at June 9, 2005 09:14 PMNot to distract from your deeper point,
but I think you've misinterpreted the Conehead joke:
it's a dig not at the French but at xenophobic, smugly ignorant Americans (see exhibit Al)
who equate all non-locals with subhuman space aliens.
The humor still holds if they claim, e.g., "We're from Kansas!";
it's not about France or Kansas but 'Muricans.
I believe the SNL writers, in this case, are actually
sympathetic to your thesis, not examples of it.
I think Dan is right about the context of the Coneheads gag. Also, I must quibble with one point from the London Times piece - "A Good Year For the Roses" is a damned fine bit of writing (if George Jones is too hard-core, authentic twang for your taste, check out Elvis Costello's version). The same point could have beenmade better using - oh, I don't know, how about any Toby Keith song?
But I for one was shocked to learn of the denial of emergency landing rights. That's just hubris, pure and simple, and petty as hell. That's my biggest problem with the Boy King - he's gleefully turned America into a nation of punks.
Posted by rod at June 9, 2005 10:52 PMSaw the MontMarte artists exhibit at the National Gallery yesterday, and was joyfully joyfull! Them Frenchies sure are a creative bunch! I love all people in the world, except Bush and his slime animals which MAY be on the descendency, but I wouldn't put my money on it. I felt bad about walking off six pounds touring "GEORGE"town, but glad to see people out and enjoying the blistering hot weather. Pleased also to report that our nation's capitol is looking VERY good, in spite of the madman in the big house. I hadn't visited since Inaugeration Day when I almost had a heart attack from the freezing temps,but I was joyfull in spite of that because I could scream insults at himself and the latest WH theft. Have a good day, y'all.
Posted by Mal Feasance at June 10, 2005 04:57 AM"The people of France gave the Statue to the people of the United States over one hundred years ago in recognition of the friendship established during the American Revolution. Over the years, the Statue of Liberty has grown to include freedom and democracy as well as this international friendship."
Maybe Bush wants to dismantle the statue and give it back?
Posted by Sharon at June 10, 2005 05:54 AMI heard there was intelligence that Cat Stevens was flying one of the French jets.
Better safe than sorry I always say.
Posted by muckcat at June 10, 2005 06:06 AMIt is truly bizarre that the Bushies cheer Chirac's weakness, and root for Blair. Chirac is a conservative, and would probably be replaced by someone more pro-labor. Whereas Blair is labor, and would likely be replaced by someone more conservative. But I guess when your definition of 'friend' is 'person who does exactly what I want them to' you end up with strange bedfellows.
As to the xenophobes out there, I strongly encourage you to eschew all things French, in particular Pasteurization and radiation safety (courtesy of Marie Curie).
Posted by Daniel Maskit at June 10, 2005 07:38 AMWhatever. They'll always be self-interested cowards to me.
Absolutely correct Al, and I'm glad you point this out about Americans. It's something we need to work on.
Posted by phidipides at June 10, 2005 11:36 AMThe French Enlightenment gave us many of our concepts of freedom, liberty, tolerance, and humanism. This should be at the top of the list.
Posted by Katherine at June 10, 2005 11:55 AM