Interesting Weekly Standard essay by Gerard Baker, the U.S. editor of The Times of London, on the future of U.S./Western European relations. A bit:
Conscious that a sullen and hostile Europe is not in America’s best interests, and eager to enlist even reluctant allies in the global struggle for liberty, the Bush team has decided to do all it can to mend fences. It won’t compromise on its priorities, of course, but beyond that it will tryto foster a productive relationship.
Other than the symbolism, what does all this diplomatic outreach mean? And how will Europeans respond? Can Europe be coaxed back into an alliance that will help the United States pursue its broader strategic aims?
There is a danger, in my view, that the Bush administration, in its newfound eagerness to show its kinder, less Martian, more Venusian side, will actually create bigger problems for itself. In its efforts to be diplomatically accommodating, the United States may end up supporting and bolstering a vision of Europe that is directly at odds with long-term U.S. goals and interests. Nothing is to be gained by unnecessarily antagonizing Europeans, to be sure, and the United States is right to pursue ways of cooperating. But if the early signs of the new détente are any guide, the Bush administration may find itself walking into a trap.
Read the rest.
related real-life empirical observation: In the time it takes to finish this “related real-life empirical observation,” French President Jacques Chirac will have remained a conniving pseudo-ally to the United States and an impediment to Mideast peace and the spread of liberty throughout the world for an additional 10-20 seconds—depending on how quickly you’re able to read.
Is Chirac still wearing black in remembrance of his lifelong love Yasser, or has he moved past that to a new bloodthirsty tyrant with natural resources and need for a friend with UN veto power?
Vous avez raison et je peux dire sans mentir que monsieur le président de France est tellement plein de merde que j’en peux sentir la puanteur jusqu’ici.
C’est vraiment dommage que la France ait un âne bâté comme président au lieu d’un homme.
Spambuster word “field” as in the French jackass that starved to death because it couldn’t decide which field was greener for eating.
That’s rite purdy frog you’re talkin there Frank.
You’re not the fella that wrote them old frog poems are ya?
Coz if yer still lookin fer that snow ya lost, you could prolly just Google it.
Hey Jeff, Why won’t you let Frank tutoyer you?
Gail, lol!
Non, je ne cherche plus les neiges d’antan.
Maintenant, je me contente de connaître mouche dans du lait. L’un est blanc, l’autre est noire; c’est la différence.
An’ thank ya kindly fer them there complimints. That there Americun yer writin’ t’aint half bad neither. Whah its might nigh as purdy as a whippoorwill a-singin’ in the holler round ‘bout suppertime when the hogs is a-gobblin’ under the porch.
Je dois vousvoyer Jeff parce qu’il faut respecter les vieux. Ma mère n’a pas élevé un salaud impoli. . .
French posts suck.
Now that Dusty model… she’d never speak French to you. No she wouldn’t… that perfect all-natural-would-you-please-eat-a-banana-split-off- my-perfect-yet-I-don’t-workout-much-abs-YES-YES-don’t- mind-if-I-do-thanks woman…
…
*sigh*
MDR Frank.
Dusty might not speak French, but it works better anyway if the woman doesn’t talk.
“Nothing is to be gained by unnecessarily antagonizing Europeans…”
…except hours of fun for the whole country! Besides, it’s good for them. Adversity builds character.
Sorry about the French for those that don’t like it. I was just joking around in French because Jeff’s post ended with a zinger about Jacques Chirac.
Translation of the first comment is:
“You’re right and I can say without lying that the President of France is so full of shit that I can smell it all the way here.
It’s really too bad that France has a stupid ass for a president instead of a man.”
Gail’s following comment is a reference to François Villon and then she asks Jeff why he won’t let me call him “thou” (familiar) instead of “you” (polite).
My response: “No, I’m not looking for the snows of yesteryear anymore.
Now I content myself with knowing flies in milk. The flies are the black part and the milk is the white part; that’s the difference.”
“I have to call Jeff ‘you’ because one must respect one’s elders. My mother didn’t raise a rude bastard.”
Gail’s “MDR” is the French equivalent of “Lol.” It stands for Mort de rire (i.e. die from laughing).
FROGS!
Now, whar’s ah leave m’gigging spear?…
Turing test: remember
Where are the Snowdens of yesteryear?
Frank, You are quite the gentilhomme. That’s gentleman, y’all, so Frank doesn’t have to translate that too!
Is there a catch to that question?
furansu-go … kuso! Anta-gata wa mukashi no gengo de kaiteiru yo. furansu-go wa raten-go mitai ni kankei nai ja. furansu-go de hanasu no majime-na hito ga mada oru kai?
Nee!