French President Nicolas Sarkozy spoke before a joint meeting of the House and Senate yesterday.
Here's some of what he had to say about America, our history with France, and the debt at least ONE Frenchman feels is owed to American sacrifice... all in front of a Liberal Democrat dominated audience... [I've been unable to find a full transcript, so I've had to piece together a coherent whole from several sources]
Since the United States first appeared on the world scene, our two peoples, the French and the American people, have always been friends... We may have differences, we may disagree on things, we may even have arguments, as in many families, but in times of difficulty, in times of hardship, one stands true to one's friends, one stands shoulder to shoulder with them, one supports them, and one helps them.
To the millions of men and women who came from every country of the world and who -- with their own hands, their intelligence, and their hearts -- built the greatest nation in the world, America did not say, "Come, and everything will be given to you." Rather, she said, "Come, and the only limits to what you will be able to achieve will be those of your own courage, your boldness, and your talent."
The America that we love throughout the world impedes this extraordinary ability to grant each and every person a second chance, another chance, because, in America, failure is never the last word. There is always another chance. Here -- in your country, on this soil -- both the humblest and the most illustrious citizens alike know that nothing is owed to them and that everything has to be earned. That is what constitutes the moral value of America.
The United States and France remain true to the memory of their common history. Our duty is to remain true to the blood spilled by our children on both sides of the Atlantic in common battles.
France will never forget the sacrifice of your children... At a time when my country had reached the final limits of its strengths, the time when France was exhausted, had spent its strength in the most absurd and bloodiest of wars, France was able to count upon the courage of American soldiers.
I have come to say to you on behalf of the French people that never, never will we forget that.
America liberated us, and this is an eternal debt we owe America. Every time, whenever an American soldier falls somewhere in the world, I think of what the American army did for France. I think of them and I am sad as one is saddened to lose a member of one's family.
We need France to be stronger. I am determined to carry through with the reforms that my country has put off for all too long. I will not turn back. I will implement all of them, because France has turned back for all too long. I have come to present to you today a France that comes out to meet America, to renew the covenant of friendship and alliance that Washington and Lafayette sealed in Yorktown. Together, let us be true to their memories. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I say this to you on behalf of the French people: Long live the United States of America. Long live France. Long live French-American friendship!
How it must have galled many of those listening to hear the leader of France, a nation once perceived to be very socialist, praising America for values that are anything but socialistic... values many in America are trying very hard to subvert and ultimately reshape into... SURPRISE! Something a little more... socialistic.
What irony!
Bush and Sarkozy also toured Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington and the site where Washington and Rochambeau planned and worked together against the British. Don't know what significance that has at present, assuming there WILL be significance in the days, months, and years to come. But I'm content to let future historians hash that one out.
I just find it refreshing to see a shift in America's popularity abroad. The surge is working quite well, and France now thinks we're okay. On top of that murder victims are down 80% from its peak in Baghdad, and attacks involving improvised bombs are down 70 percent. This according to a story buried on page A-19 of the New York Times.
One commenter at Democratic Underground had this to say about Sarkozy's speech...
Frog Kisses Chimp! News at 11
Praise for America invites insults from the deranged Left.
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Here's what I think is probaboy a more realistic take on it, which raises a great point: American liberals have only one reason to be critical of Sarkozy: His embracement of Bush. 'Cause he's still a lefty by American standards:
www.pierretristam.com/Bobst/07/cn110807.htm
Peace.
nutpicking v. The practice of sifting through the comments of blogs, email threads, discussion groups and other user generated content in an attempt find choice quotes proving that the advocates for or against a particular political opinion are unreasonable, uninformed extremists.
Try to do better EL. I know you'd hate for me to nutpick you.
You pick at me constantly, and usually for the pettiest of things.
That's the key! Whatever the problem is, more superstition always helps.
And maybe the bad news is just because the liberal media hate George Bush? It explains everything.
All joking aside, I read the "liberal media" and am quite aware of recent gains in Baghdad. It's still a grim situation (along with a soon-to-be $1 trillion price tag and enormous damage to our standing in the world, Sarkozy notwithstanding).
Peace."
"Peace"?!?!?
LOL!
What perversion of a beautiful concept.
It's like a Pavlov's Dog thing for some of us...
[Nonetheless, I appreciate the peacemaking gesture. Blessed are you, Eric.]
But this probably isn't the sea change some are hoping for.