Boycott France? I'll pass

[SnapIT]

Maybe americans don't realize it, but the world laughs at them... "freedom fries" how childish... LOL...

 

[alchemize]

Originally posted by: SnapIT
Maybe americans don't realize it, but the world laughs at them... "freedom fries" how childish... LOL...

Hmm what is latin for "let them laugh at us".

 

[Michael]

My desired consequences are twofold:

1) Political pressure on the government. The Wine Industry in France is very influential and it is easy to figure out if the wine in question is French. This is working, French wine sales are down and there is pressure coming from the farmers and businesses.

2) Spread a little pain around France to remind their people that they have the right to chose their own course, but their are consequences.

As a reminder, I speak French fluently and have been to France a ton of times (I was actually in France on vacation on 9/11). I can read the French press directly, I don't need it to be "translated" in an Op-Ed piece.

Michael

 

[SnapIT]

Originally posted by: alchemize

Originally posted by: SnapIT
Maybe americans don't realize it, but the world laughs at them... "freedom fries" how childish... LOL...

Hmm what is latin for "let them laugh at us".

I don't know... sandbox games and latin? The interests of the new america?

LOL...

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: SuperTool

The French surrender.

Haha... we're going to send an army over there now too? ;-) We better watch out for that maginot line. On a more serious note though, France does seem to be making an effort to get back on our good side. They supported our resolution to remove the economic sanctions from Iraq and let the U.S. control their oil, etc for at least a year.

 

[SnapIT]

Originally posted by: Michael
My desired consequences are twofold:

1) Political pressure on the government. The Wine Industry in France is very influential and it is easy to figure out if the wine in question is French. This is working, French wine sales are down and there is pressure coming from the farmers and businesses.

2) Spread a little pain around France to remind their people that they have the right to chose their own course, but their are consequences.

As a reminder, I speak French fluently and have been to France a ton of times (I was actually in France on vacation on 9/11). I can read the French press directly, I don't need it to be "translated" in an Op-Ed piece.

Michael

The real consequenses... the world points and laughs their butts off... freedom fries... freedom toast... LOL... yeah... you're like s.m.r.t and stuff over there...

You go ahead with your boycott, the french wouldn't bend over when Bushy boy wanted them to, tough break huh... must be punished of course, cannot allow a country to say no to the us...

 

[Gaard]

Michael,
Political pressure as in how/what? Tow the line or we'll do what we can to hurt your economy? Do as we say or we'll pound you?

I think it's a shame when we try to harm another country's populace for not being in agreement with us.

 

[JihadWarrior]

Originally posted by: SnapIT

....must be punished of course, cannot allow a country to say no to the us...

Now you're getting the picture

 

[Michael]

Gaard - France moved directly against the US and damaged the US diplomatically and probably got more US soldiers killed than had to be.

They can do whatever they damned well please. However, there are consequences. You move against the US, then US consumers have the right to make consumer choices.

In general, yes, my expectation is that they follow the US lead.

SnapIT - The world wasn't laughing when the US ripped Iraq apart. The French wine producers are not laughing at the drop in business they're experiencing (made worse by the strong Euro).

I'm not American. I have had many European friends complain to me that the US doesn't get involved enough in world affairs. I have always told them to watch what they wish for. Post 9/11 US is much more involved.

Michael

 

[glugglug]

Originally posted by: mugsywwiiiis France really as bad as World War II Germany?

No, but I fear the Bush regime may prove to be worse.

 

[Insane3D]

Gaard - France moved directly against the US and damaged the US diplomatically and probably got more US soldiers killed than had to be.

Some would argue that we did the damage ourselves with lines like "you're with us or against us". Diplomacy often involves compromise, and finding some sort of middle ground. It seemed to me there was little effort on either side towards that end. Your claim that more US soldiers died because of France is a stretch IMO, and I have not seen any evidence to support this claim. IMO, we waste way too much time in this world hating other people. It's much more productive to have friends than enemies, and we may find the assistance of France helpful sometime in the future. It seems to be a giant waste of time to perpetuate this anti-France sentiment.

That being said, as a consumer, you have the right to buy or not buy any products you want, and if you feel that strongly about France, than you should continue your boycott.

 

[Crappopotamus]

Originally posted by: Gaard
Michael,
Political pressure as in how/what? Tow the line or we'll do what we can to hurt your economy? Do as we say or we'll pound you?

I think it's a shame when we try to harm another country's populace for not being in agreement with us.

i agree. the american stance right now is borderline rediculous. YOURE STUPID, IM NOT YOUR FRIEND ANY MORE FRANCE! *kicks sand*

 

[Michael]

Insane3D - France has an anti-American bias. Until they start at least acting like they do not have it, I'm more than happy to keep the boycott going. None of this pretending they're our bosom buddies.

Crappopotamus - Their actions in the Security Council debates and their actions to block Turkey from helping the US (and from NATO to help Turkey) are a much more serious matter than whining and kicking sand. Are you 12 or something? That's my guess based on the point you made.

When a country takes actions to oppose the US that results in US soldiers dieing, then I see reason for action against that country.

Michael

 

[Insane3D]

When a country takes actions to oppose the US that results in US soldiers dieing, then I see reason for action against that country.

While I respect your position, you've said that twice now. How exactly did they make more US soldiers die?

France has an anti-American bias. Until they start at least acting like they do not have it, I'm more than happy to keep the boycott going. None of this pretending they're our bosom buddies.

So, two wrongs make a right?

 

[hagbard]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
the french behaved badly, going far beyond objection of policy to trying to st@b us in the back the whole time. esp considering their motives were less then pure. i won't go out of my way to buy their products. its pretty simple.

no point supporting people that basically don't like u if u can help it.

I, on the other hand, do go out of my way to buy French products. German too. I save my boycotts for US products. BTW, your list has been very helpful.

 

[SnapIT]

Originally posted by: hagbard

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
the french behaved badly, going far beyond objection of policy to trying to st@b us in the back the whole time. esp considering their motives were less then pure. i won't go out of my way to buy their products. its pretty simple.

no point supporting people that basically don't like u if u can help it.

I, on the other hand, do go out of my way to buy French products. German too. I save my boycotts for US products. BTW, your list has been very helpful.

Hmmm... i don't think i have bought a us made product in many years... usually, if it's from the US, quality sucks...

(and no, not gas or oil either... all from norway)

 

[Ltroy24]

Ill take french fries with my french toast thank you very much.

 

[Spyro]

Originally posted by: SnapIT

Originally posted by: hagbard

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
the french behaved badly, going far beyond objection of policy to trying to st@b us in the back the whole time. esp considering their motives were less then pure. i won't go out of my way to buy their products. its pretty simple.

no point supporting people that basically don't like u if u can help it.

I, on the other hand, do go out of my way to buy French products. German too. I save my boycotts for US products. BTW, your list has been very helpful.

Hmmm... i don't think i have bought a us made product in many years... usually, if it's from the US, quality sucks...

(and no, not gas or oil either... all from norway)

I take it, that you don't buy a lot of tools

 

[Rainsford]

Hehe, SnapIT is making my day here. Saying how stupid we Americans are for saying childish things about another country based on our dislike of them while he is doing the exact same thing with the US. "All US products are low quality", "Americans are stupid", etc add nauseum. Apparently when God was dealing out stupid he gave the Sweedes their fair share too.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: Rainsford
Hehe, SnapIT is making my day here. Saying how stupid we Americans are for saying childish things about another country based on our dislike of them while he is doing the exact same thing with the US. "All US products are low quality", "Americans are stupid", etc add nauseum. Apparently when God was dealing out stupid he gave the Sweedes their fair share too.

But...But...But....

He's got the power - snap



Oh and I agree with you Rainsford

CkG

 

[Zebo]

Snapit, when we come for you with our "low quality" F-22's Get our your BB gun.

 

[Michael]

Insane3D - The worst action was them and Germany threatening Turkey with banning from the EU if they allowed the Americans access. The inability to open 2 fronts cost American lives.

They also emboldened Iraq by their actions to block the UN resolution authorizing force.

Chirac's comments telling the soon to be members of the EU to shut-up was classic as well.

I grew up in a 85% French town, speak French well, and have defended the French quite a few times on the baords here. I see no "wrong" in my actions to boycott French wine. I'm guessing I buy about 50 bottle of French wine a year at about $20 - $30 a bottle (I'll spend much more on wine I really like, I like Burgundies - Pinot Noir). That means they've lost that business.

I was considering going back to France within 2 years on vacation. Now I'm not going for sure.

That's my actions and my decision. I've never watched the O'Rielly show mentioned int he first post in this thread. Not my type of show.

Michael

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: Crappopotamus

Originally posted by: Gaard
Michael,
Political pressure as in how/what? Tow the line or we'll do what we can to hurt your economy? Do as we say or we'll pound you?

I think it's a shame when we try to harm another country's populace for not being in agreement with us.

i agree. the american stance right now is borderline rediculous. YOURE STUPID, IM NOT YOUR FRIEND ANY MORE FRANCE! *kicks sand*

grr yup, its more then just disagreeing. france spent the past years weakening the weapons inspections and sanctions for their own financial gain in dealings with iraq. they are simply dirty bastards supporting a cruel dictator for financial gain, which makes their high horse opposition so much worse.

i do seem to remember them having a popular 9/11 was a us/jewish conspiracy book to boot. anti semetic, anti american, they are not friends.

they are a country that has no current reason for being on the security council. maybe india the worlds largest democracy should replace them.

 

[Mookow]

Originally posted by: Crazyfool

Originally posted by: Mookow
Has anyone here actually heard someone order "freedom fries" or "freedom toast" in a non-joking manner at a restaurant?

What country are you from? No person in the USA, despite their dislike for France, could specificly order "freedom fries" or "freedom toast" with a straight face.

That is precisely my point

 

[przero]

Dig up our boys and bring home! Heroes deserve a better resting place!

By the way it is the french people who will pay with a boycott of french products. Just what they deserve!