If these stories aren't true, they should be.
JFK’S Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in France in the early 60’s when DeGaulle decided to pull out of NATO. DeGaulle said he wanted all US military out of France as soon as possible. Rusk responded, “Does that include those who are buried here?” DeGaulle did not respond.
You could have heard a pin drop.
When in England, at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of ‘empire building’ by George Bush. He answered by saying, “Over the years, the United States has sent many of Its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for In return is enough to bury those that did not return.”
You could have heard a pin drop.
There was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including French and American. During a break, One of the French engineers came back into the room saying, “Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intend to do, bomb them?” A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: “Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck. We have eleven such ships. How many does France have?”
You Could have heard a pin drop.
A U.S. Navy admiral was attending a naval conference that included admirals from the U.S., English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies at a cocktail reception. He found himself standing with a large group of officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks when a French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked, “Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?” Without hesitating, the American admiral replied, “Maybe it’s because the Brit’s, Canadians, Aussie’s and Americans arranged it so you wouldn’t have to speak German.”
You could have heard a pin drop.
AND THIS STORY FITS RIGHT IN WITH THE ABOVE…
Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on. “You have been to France before, monsieur?” the customs officer asked sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously. “Then you should know enough to have your passport ready.” The American said, “The last time I was here, I didn’t have to show it.” “Impossible. Americans always have to show their passports on arrival in France!” The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained, “Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn’t find a single Frenchmen to show a passport to.”
You could have heard a pin drop.
I always find that worth reading in full. Regrettably, the rest of the world is just about as shameless as the French have always been and our kids don't study history at all and have no idea who or what this is about.
ReplyDeleteTom DeLay was reportedly at a cocktail reception in Washington sometime during the GW Bush administration and found himself listening to a French visitor endlessly excoriating not only the President but the United States.
ReplyDeleteEventually DeLay asked, "Do you speak German?" When the arrogant Frenchmen replied, "Of course not!", DeLay said only "You're welcome," and walked away.
French military rifles are the best...never fired and only dropped once.
ReplyDeleteAnd then of course the news from EuroDisney, in France: All of the Mickey Mouse watches keep inexplicably stopping at five minutes to one. (Think about it)
Deletethere are more that a few of us Brits who greatly appreciate the support and sacrifice the people of the US have made in the defense of Europe - our heartfelt thanks
ReplyDeletehttps://bursledonblog.blogspot.com/search?q=d+day
Many thanks, Bursledon. I've added your blog to my favorites list. :)
DeleteI read a story about an American business man who, in the '90s, attended a meeting in Japan. He was asked if this was his first flight to Japan and replied that it was is fifteenth flight to Japan but the first where he landed.
ReplyDeleteand bursledon blogger,
ReplyDeleteank britain for my war bride mother long may britain be british and free!
bb should read 'i thank'
ReplyDelete